The people sitting in the living room were busy talking. The absence of any partition was really very useful in such circumstances. Iren and Yinqyueh could hear all the things their friends were saying.
"It's possible that they were just bluffing when they said they would know if we called the police," said Yihshyong, shortly after sipping the tea made by Yinqyueh.
"You're right," said Shannchyuan. "But we can't take the risk."
"Uncle, don't worry. The police will definitely act professionally. They will be very careful in handling kidnapping cases," said Tsaehorng.
This time Iren had finished eating. He cleaned up his plates and bowls and took the cutlery to the kitchen. After that, he walked into the living room. As soon as he got there, he put his ass right next to Yihshyong in a flash.
"I think we should contact the police as soon as possible. I happen to know some of the police officers," said Tsaehorng.
Shannchyuan smiled at Tsaehorng's words. "Just be patient. We'll just have to wait a little longer."
Shannchyuan now looked much calmer than when he had just arrived home. Maybe there were other things in his consideration that he could be so calm.
"Dahge! What if you explain your plan to all of us now," said Iren.
Shannchyuan nodded. But before he could start speaking, he heard the sound of a motorbike from outside the house. Yihshyong stood up and opened the living room door. In front of the fence, there is a motorbike that stops. Two motorcycle passengers then took off their helmets.
"Jenqyih is home," Yihshyong shouted.
About thirty seconds later, Jenqyih entered the living room. He was carrying the backpack that he had taken away yesterday. Jenqyih did not come alone. He was with someone they didn't know. They all stood up to greet Jenqyih and his friend.
"Let me introduce him to you. This is an old friend of mine." Jenqyih's voice sounded so formal. "His name is Jongli."
"My name is Jongli Jyhren. I am an old friend of Jenqyih." The person bowed respectfully.
After that, they introduced themselves to each other. Iren looked at Jenqyih's friend. He was taller and more robust than Jenqyih.
<
"You brought this backpack home again?" Shannchyuan smiled. His fingers pointed at the thing Jenqyih was carrying.
"I didn't have time to put it in our new lockers. Maybe tomorrow I'll take this backpack there."
"It's okay." Shannchyuan smiled. "Now, that's not our priority. Just put it inside your room first."
Jenqyih walked to his room.
"We wait for Jenqyih to return, then we can continue the conversation," said Shannchyuan.
Not until two minutes later, Jenqyih was back in the living room.
"How about it, sir? Have you got an idea of what we're going to say?" Shannchyuan looked at Jenqyih's friend.
"I've heard from Jenqyih about what happened," the person said.
Jenqyih's friend seemed to be someone who didn't like small talk. He directly talked about what his goal was. Iren tried to guess who Jenqyih's friend really was. According to his estimation, this person was definitely not an ordinary person. It was possible he was a law enforcement officer.
"Now please tell Mr. Jongli what happened." Shannchyuan turned to Iren.
Iren then told the things he experienced starting from when all his friends left the house until the return of Shannchyuan, Yihshyong, and Yinqyueh.
Jongli Jyhren listened to Iren's story seriously. Every now and then, he asked about something that he felt was not clear or asked Iren to repeat some of the things Iren had said.
At first, Iren always looked at Shannchyuan before answering Jongli's questions. Shannchyuan always nodded. From Shannchyuan's facial expressions and body language, it seemed that Shannchyuan really intends to tell all of their problems to Jenqyih's friend. Therefore, Iren then answered everything so smoothly.
"I think you've more or less heard of what we went through from Jenqyih," Shannchyuan said.
After Iren finished telling the story, Shannchyuan took over the speaker's position from Iren's hands.
"I've heard a little. But it would be better if you tell me again now," asked Jenqyih's friend.
Shannchyuan recounted in detail the things they had experienced. He didn't tell everything. There were things he kept hiding. Iren nodded, hearing the things that were said by Shannchyuan. Iren was sure that this was Shannchyuan's way of telling them all what things other people were allowed to know and things they weren't allowed to tell. The things that should not be told were, for example, where Shannchyuan met Yinqyueh and the events that Yinqyueh witnessed. It was clear that Shannchyuan didn't want Yinqyueh to get into trouble. Also, regarding some of the things they found in Songfei's bag. There were things that Shannchyuan didn't mention. And then, of course, Shannchyuan didn't tell him about the dungeons and secret passages they'd found.
"What now? Is it time to report this to the police?" Jenqyih asked.
Tsaehorng, who, since Jongli's arrival, had just sat there listening, looked at Jenqyih. After that, he looked at Shannchyuan. His eyes shone with a million questions. Iren knew Tsaehorng must be confused as to why they should ask Jongli for advice on when to call the police. Let alone Tsaehorng, Iren himself didn't really understand either. He didn't know who Jongli was. However, seeing Shannchyuan's reaction while talking to Jongli, it seemed Iren's guess about who Jongli really was might not be far off the mark.
"Right. It's clear we have to report to the police," Jongli replied. "I think Young Master Mingju must have the right acquaintances to handle this."
Tsaehorng looked awkward. With hesitation, he looked at Shannchyuan. Shannchyuan then nodded.
"May I borrow the phone?" Tsaehorng asked.
"I think Young Master Mingju shouldn't be calling from here. We don't know yet whether the phone in this house is free from bugs," said Jongli.
"Mr. Jongli, may I ask you to check whether there is a bug in our phone?" Shannchyuan's tone was calm when he made the request. Iren didn't know if Shannchyuan really wanted Jongli to do that, or if he just wanted to test the person's readiness.
"I would love to do that. But, sorry Sir, at this time I don't bring the tool." There seemed to be a hint of regret on Jongli's face. "Besides, the absence of a wiretapping device on the telephone here does not guarantee that your telephone line is not tapped. Telephone signals may be intercepted elsewhere. For example, in places where telephone cables are connected, such as in a device whose function is similar to a splitter attached to metal poles outside." Jongli pointed to the telephone pole outside.
"That means we can't use this phone for a while, right, Sir?" Yihshyong asked.
"I think it's okay to just say things that don't contain important information. For example, if you want to order food or other things like that."
"Okay! Then from now on, we shouldn't use this phone to exchange news or information," said Shannchyuan.
Everyone present nodded.
"Then let me call the police from my place," said Tsaehorng.
"Your place at the paintings exhibition or your apartment?" Yihshyong asked.
"At the exhibition. My apartment is too far from here." Tsaehorng then stood up. He prepared to leave. But before moving, he still opened his mouth. "What about Uncle Beeihae's family? Shouldn't we call them to tell them what just happened?"
Tsaehorng's question did make sense. Everyone's eyes were on Shannchyuan.
"I know what you just said is what we should have done." Shannchyuan let out those words with a solemn face. "Almost all members of his nuclear and extended family live in Yeuandong. There are indeed some of his relatives who work outside Yeuandong. But none of them are here. So it is almost impossible for his relatives to come here."
"So, you don't think we need to tell them?" Tsaehorng looked at Shannchyuan.
"It's not that there's no need to tell them. But right now, the information we have is not accurate enough. I don't want us to have to rectify what we've already told them," Shannchyuan said.
"I agree with Dahge," Yihshyong said. "We don't know yet how true the claims of the people who called this house are. They said that Shinnshiow was with them. But they couldn't show any proof. So we shouldn't just believe what they said. It could be, this is one of the latest ways of fraud. There is currently no news from Shinnshiow. We can't reach him either. So, things are still not clear."
"Let's just wait for the call from the kidnappers tonight," said Iren. "Although I'm inclined to believe at this point that Shinnshiow has been kidnapped, it's not until tonight that we can be certain that this kidnapping did happen."
"Back to the matter of contacting the Shinnshiow's family," said Shannchyuan. "We can't rule out doing that. I just don't think now is the time."
Tsaehorng nodded. He seemed to have understood the stand of the occupants of this house.
"Besides, I'm afraid that if we contact them now, they'll definitely panic. Their panic will cause additional problems. After all, whether or not his family knows about this matter, will not change the situation here," said Shannchyuan.
"And there's more," said Yihshyong. "After the kidnappers free him, his family will probably forbid him to stay here. They might force him to return home. I'm sure Shinnshiow wouldn't like that idea."
"Okay Uncle. I understand," said Tsaehorng. "Now I want one uncle here to come with me. So, later, the person concerned can directly give information to the police."
Shannchyuan patted Yihshyong on the shoulder. "You come with Tsaehorng."
Yihshyong nodded without the slightest hesitation. He quickly stood up and walked over to Tsaehorng. Tsaehorng and Yihshyong then said goodbye to them all. Shannchyuan led the two men to the front of the fence.
From inside the house, Iren could see Shannchyuan chatting briefly with Tsaehorng. Shannchyuan patted Tsaehorng on the shoulder. Just as Tsaehorng and Yihshyong got into the car, the driver started the vehicle instanter.
Shannchyuan was still standing outside the fence for about thirty seconds. After that, he turned around. With quick steps, Shannchyuan went back into the house. He returned forthwith to where he had been sitting before. He raised his cup. It turned out to be empty. Clearly, Iren saw Shannchyuan glance sharply at him.
Yinqyueh then stood up. "Let me make some more tea."
"Ah, I'm sorry if we even bothered you," said Shannchyuan.
"It's okay," Yinqyueh smiled.
"How about you make one for them, too?" Shannchyuan pointed to the other people who were there. "Looks like they've run out of drinks, too."
Yinqyueh nodded. "No problem."
Iren stood up. He said, "Let me help you. To make it faster."
Yinqyueh stared with a slightly surprised look. But without saying anything, she let Iren help her. Iren and the girl together walked to the kitchen.
Arriving at the kitchen, Iren said softly in Yinqyueh's ear. "I think Dahge has something to say to you. But he doesn't want Jenqyih's friend to hear what he has to say. So then, I'll just go out to serve them the drinks."
Yinqyueh remained silent. She just nodded.
<
After finishing making the drinks, Yinqyueh came out of the kitchen. From the kitchen window, Iren saw the girl sitting on a chair on the backyard terrace. Iren brought the drink into the living room. He put the cups on the table instantly.
"Are you adding sugar again?" Shannchyuan looked probingly at Iren.
"Don't you want sugar?" Iren asked back.
"That's not what I meant. It just, I think I've had too much sugar today."
"Then I'll make a fresh drink again. One that doesn't use sugar."
Iren rose again from his seat. Shannchyuan stood up promptly and held Iren's shoulder.
"No need. Let me make it myself. You sit here accompanying Jenqyih and Mr. Jongli." After saying that, Shannchyuan stood up and walked speedily towards the kitchen.