Yihshyong averted his gaze. He looked at the trees growing around the pond. Indeed, just behind some stone benches, there were trees whose branches grow wildly. What the cop had just said might not be entirely wrong.
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"I'll be back first, Sir. After receiving new information, I will immediately inform you."
Yihshyong nodded. "Thank you, Sir."
The policeman rose from the stone bench. With quick steps, he left Yihshyong and Jinqkang.
The two people looked at each other.
"This is terrible, Sir!" Jinqkang said.
"I know." Yihshyong sighed. "If the kidnappers realize their comrade has been caught, things might turn out to be unfavorable for us."
"Mr. Beeihae's safety may be in danger," said Jinqkang.
About thirty seconds later, Jinqkang patted Yihshyong on the shoulder. Yihshyong, who was currently bowing his head, raised his head instantly. Jinqkang pointed in one direction. Yihshyong turned his head in the direction the young man pointed.
From a distance, there was someone running towards the two of them. Even though he was carrying a plastic bag, he could run fast. In an instant, he was in front of Yihshyong and Jinqkang.
"What happened? Lots of people running. They screamed that there was gunfire. Has there been a gunfight?"
Iren, who had just arrived, was already bombarding Yihshyong with questions. Yihshyong didn't answer right away. He just looked at Iren. Suddenly, he was at a loss for words to explain what he had just experienced.
"Be patient, Sir," said Jinqkang. "We'll just have to wait for an explanation from the police."
"What is that?" Yihshyong pointed to the plastic bag Iren was carrying before Iren could ask any other questions.
Iren smiled. "Are you guys thirsty?"
Yihshyong and Jinqkang nodded.
Iren opened the plastic bag. He pulled out a few cans.
"When did you buy these drinks? Yihshyong was a little surprised.
"I didn't buy these. Mr. Shiuander gave me these drinks. Turns out he had a lot of supplies in the trunk of his car."
"A lot of supplies?" Yihshyong asked.
Iren nodded. "Right! It's not just drinks. There's canned food and other things too."
"Does he really have a habit like that?" Jinqkang asked.
"We don't know." Iren shook his head quickly. "We don't really know him either. So there's a lot about him we don't know."
"Now where is Mr. Shiuander?" Yihshyong picked up a drink can.
"He is waiting in the car. He said he was worried that his presence would disturb us if he came here."
"Didn't you say that we might be here a while?" Yihshyong said.
"I already said so, but he said it's okay."
"Do you think something like this is appropriate for us to do?" Yihshyong looked at Iren. "He's a lot older than us."
"If he doesn't mind, I don't think we should be too shy either," said Iren. "Shyongge, please don't think about it too much." He handed a can of drink to Jinqkang.
"Thank you, Sir," said Jinqkang.
Fifteen minutes later, they were still sitting on the stone bench. Yihshyong saw the policeman he had spoken with sprinting toward them.
"You came back here so fast!" Jinqkang's voice was enthusiastic. "Are there any interesting developments?"
The policeman nodded. "That person made a strange confession. It's possible he wasn't part of the kidnapping gang."
"Have the police caught the wrong person?" Iren asked.
"It's not like that, Sir. That person is indeed the one who was here earlier. We just said that it's possible that he didn't know about Mr. Beeihae's kidnapping. However, that confession isn't necessarily true either. We need time to explore the truth of what he said."
"What kind of strange confession he made?" Yihshyong asked.
"He said he was an actor. Today's incident is part of the film's casting activities."
"Film casting process?" Yihshyong was surprised. "Who said that to him?"
"So, there is a studio that will produce a film. They said they were going to have an outdoor casting."
"Outdoor casting?" Iren's eyebrows rose.
The policeman nodded. "The prospective cast will not be tested inside the room, but directly on the field. He said that he was told to play someone who will take the ransom. There are hidden cameras and microphones that will record this scene. In addition, there is also a director disguised as a visitor in this park."
The policeman's explanation sounded a little strange to Yihshyong's ears. But he realized that anything is possible. He must not rule out strange things just because he thinks they are unreasonable.
"I think if he's an actor, as he says." Jinqkang nodded quickly. "His acting is quite convincing. Maybe he deserves the role."
Yihshyong took a deep breath. "If he thinks this is just a casting, then why did he run away? Was it really in the script he was holding? Does the character he plays have to run away?"
The policeman nodded. "I understand it is suspicious. He said he was starting to get suspicious when you didn't follow the proper script. The words that you say are not in accordance with the words that his co-star should say. Then you also looked left and right as if you were waiting for something. He was worried that he had been framed. He thought that this was not a casting, but a real kidnapping. When he heard the popping sound earlier, he panicked. He thought the police were trying to shoot him. Moreover, he saw that you immediately lay down. At that moment, he was sure that he had been framed. So he tried to run away."
"Is there a chance he's lying?" Jinqkang asked.
"As we have said, we will scrutinize that person's background. He had already given us the phone number of the agent who represented him in the film business. In the meantime, we will take him to the police station."
"What is their purpose by putting on a play like this?" Jinqkang looked straight at the policeman.
"I think this is just a way for the kidnappers to test whether the gentlemen are indeed following their instructions. Most likely, after this, they will contact you again," said the policeman.
"So, in your opinion, we should head home now?" Yihshyong asked.
"Right, Sir! That's the best move. Do you want us to take you home?"
"No need, thank you," said Yihshyong. "We have a vehicle to go home."
"Alright then, Sir. We're going back to base."
The police then left the three of them.
Yihshyong was still sitting there pensively. There were still many things stuck in his mind.
Jinqkang patted Yihshyong's shoulder. "Mr. Shimen, how about we go home now, Sir?"
Yihshyong took a deep breath. "I'm still not sure."
"About what, Sir?" Jinqkang asked.
"What's in it for the criminals to put on a show like this?"
"Like the policeman said earlier, maybe all of this is just to test us. Also to test whether the police are really ready to arrest them," Jinqkang said.
"So this meeting is just a game designed by the kidnappers?" Iren shook his head.
"Yes," said Yihshyong curtly.
"But there are still things I don't understand," said Iren. "What is the actual chronology of tonight's events?"
"I'm not in the mood to explain right now," Yihshyong said. "If you want to know more clearly, please ask Jinqkang."
Iren turned his face towards Jinqkang. But only for a moment. He looked back at Yihshyong. "Okay! Later I will ask Jinqkang to explain in detail. Now, what are we waiting for?"