Lin Xian pulled back the elastic and put on the mask.
From now on, he was the Code Expert. He had to beat the real Code Expert, CC, to the punch... and snatch Big Face Cat!
He looked in the direction where Big Face Cat had parked.
Indeed, there was a stout figure looking around, wearing the familiar Rhine Cat Mask.
He walked up and said, "Big Face Cat!"
"Huh?"
Big Face Cat turned around in surprise! Seeing the Ultraman mask on Lin Xian's face, he asked in confusion:
"How do you know my name? I didn't tell..."
"Listen Big Face Cat,"
Lin Xian quickly closed in on him:
"I not only know your name, but I also know that you plan to kill everyone in a little while and keep all the money for yourself!"
"I'm not!"
"But in reality, that Code Expert has deceived you! There isn't a single cent in the bank vault, you've just been used."
"Who who who who are you!"
Seeing Ultraman advancing menacingly! Big Face Cat completely panicked! His right hand reached towards his waist—
Snap!
A hand pressed on the gun handle at his waist!
Ultraman pressed close against Rhine Cat, Lin Xian staring into Big Face Cat's frantic eyes:
"If you want to take revenge for your daughter, then listen to me. I know where there's money in this city!"
"You know about my daughter too!?"
Big Face Cat was utterly bewildered! His voice cracked!
Whoosh.
Lin Xian directly pulled the pistol from Big Face Cat's waist and slipped it into his own pocket:
"Get in the car!"
...
The van drove down the highway, with Big Face Cat checking the rearview mirror and glancing at the Ultraman beside him.
"Bro... Brother."
Big Face Cat swallowed his saliva:
"What the hell is going on? Spill it out for me! Are you the Code Expert or not?"
Lin Xian opened his eyes and sat up straight.
"I'm not."
"Then who the heck—" Big Face Cat was livid!
"But I can help you get the money to avenge your daughter."
"—Speak, Brother," Big Face Cat focused on driving.
"That Code Expert who contacted you, did she tell you that there's a lot of money in the bank vault?"
"Yes, she said there are gold bars too!"
"She's lying to you, there isn't a penny inside. The vault is full of safe deposit boxes; she's just using you to break the bank's security. Once you're no longer of use, she'll probably shoot you in the head."
"Just saying this stuff, I can't just take your word for it," Big Face Cat spread his hands.
"I'm here to save you, Big Face Cat. You'll understand everything once you're inside the vault. You'll see for yourself whether there's money or not."
"Then why are you saving me?"
Big Face Cat turned to look at Lin Xian.
Lin Xian let out a sigh, rubbing his nose through the mask:
"It's not exactly about saving you; I have my own reasons. I hope you'll listen to my commands later and help me deal with CC. Ah... CC, that's the name of the real Code Expert."
"But I have two questions!" Big Face Cat raised his hand.
"Say."
"If there's no real Code Expert, how are we going to get into the bank vault?"
"Don't worry," Lin Xian said with a slight smile:
"I'm more of an expert than the experts, it'll only take 10 seconds."
"That awesome, huh!" Big Face Cat's voice cracked again:
"And I won't worry about how you found out about my daughter... but you said you could help me get the money for my daughter's revenge, is that true?"
Lin Xian nodded:
"Yes, in this city, there are actually many places to get money, loads of cash, jewelry, gold bars, safer and more efficient than robbing a bank."
"I've been knocking about this city for a long time and I know exactly how to get my hands on those things without any extra risk. But..."
Lin Xian glanced at his watch:
"But it's definitely too late for today, I can only take you there tomorrow."
"Hey! What's one day going to matter?"
Big Face Cat laughed heartily as he steered the wheel:
"Tomorrow is tomorrow! Today I'll listen to you, you're my big brother! Whatever you tell me to do, I'll do!"
...
In a short while, they reached their destination.
The van parked at the curb, right across from the bank, where a young henchman in black was fiddling with the door.
Big Face Cat pointed out the window:
"My little brother has taken care of the bank door lock, let's go!"
"Hold on."
Lin Xian pulled on Big Face Cat's arm, stopping him from getting out of the van:
"Actually, there's something I've always been quite curious about."
"What's that?"
"About your daughter."
Lin Xian looked up at Big Face Cat, whose pupils flickered for a moment, then he looked away.
"I only know that your daughter died when she was six years old, killed by someone..." Lin Xian said softly:
"Could you tell me who killed her? I really can't understand why anyone would want to kill a six-year-old girl on purpose."
Big Face Cat kept staring out the window, silent.
He pulled a cigarette from the pack, placed it in his mouth, and lit it with a lighter.
One advantage of a big face is that you can smoke with a mask on.
"I know this must be painful for you, Brother Lian, surely a very painful memory, but you might as well tell me."
Lin Xian kept on persuading:
"You've seen yourself, the various things happening in this city, actually I know a lot."
"I know the Code Expert lied to you, that there's no money in the bank's vault, and about your daughter's situation, I might really be able to help you! And I mean... not just financially."
Smoke curled inside the van, transforming it into a surreal haven.
"Actually, there's no harm in telling you."
Big Face Cat exhaled a cloud of white smoke, flicking ash away.
He pointed to the clock on the dashboard:
"But it looks like we're running out of time."
"No worries, just talk!"
The answer was on the verge of being coaxed out! How could Lin Xian let the opportunity slip away? He patted his chest and assured:
"Don't worry, Brother Lian, I've robbed this bank several times before, I know the place like the back of my hand! No matter how much time you take now, I'll make it up to you in a flash later!"
"That was many years ago..."
Big Face Cat sighed, his head bowed, even the Rhine Cat on his mask seemed to express a touch of melancholy:
"Back then, my father, you might not believe it... Despite how I look, my father was a famous mathematician and even won a Fields Medal."
"I was working out of town at that time, and my daughter usually stayed at my father's house. One night, she suddenly had a fever and started convulsing, so my father picked her up and ran towards the hospital. But..."
Big Face Cat's voice trembled a bit:
"But then... there was a car accident, a large truck just rolled over them both... crushing, crushing..."
Big Face Cat struggled to continue, pulling hard on his cigarette, and after a pause:
"It took me a long time to investigate and find out, it was by no means an accidental crash! It was murder! A premeditated murder!"
"Their target was only my father; my daughter got caught in the middle. I don't know why... My father was just a nerd, he never provoked anyone!"
Lin Xian patted Big Face Cat on the shoulder:
"Who wanted to kill your father? You said 'they'... So it must be more than one person?"
"An organization."
Big Face Cat exhaled a puff of smoke:
"A very mysterious organization, so elusive you can't find any trace of it. I've been investigating for so long and have found nothing but a name!"
"The name of the organization is..."
Big Face Cat stamped out the cigarette butt, grinding his teeth:
"Genius Club!"