chapter 8 Haunting

Whether it was the shock of the investigation results or the direct order from Captain Zhou, Hannah Wang decided not to pursue Tyrone Qin any further. She allowed him to slip away without interference.
"Sorry, Mr. Qin. Mr. Zhang has some urgent matters to attend to and couldn't make it. He sent me in his place," Philip Zhu explained with a touch of apology as he saw Tyrone Qin walking out of the Criminal Police Team building.
Tyrone Qin responded with a gracious nod, understanding that his swift release from the clutches of Hannah Wang was likely orchestrated by Philip Zhu.
"The gratitude is ours," Philip Zhu replied, shaking his head in appreciation. "Mr. Qin, have you had lunch yet? If you have some time, would you consider joining me for a meal?"
Tyrone Qin hesitated for a moment, his thoughts lingering on the enigmatic Tim Zhang and the tangled web of secrets surrounding him. "No need, I have some other matters to attend to," he politely declined. The mysteries surrounding Zhang's involvement made him cautious about further entanglement.
"Understood. Mr. Zhang would like to extend a personal invitation to host you for a meal another time," Philip Zhu said, respecting Tyrone Qin's decision. "We hope you'll accept the offer."
"Thank you, I'll keep that in mind," Tyrone Qin replied with a nod, before extending his hand for a parting handshake.
Philip Zhu shook his hand firmly, and during that brief contact, Tyrone Qin couldn't help but notice the calluses on Philip's hand. They were concentrated around the middle of his fingers and palm, hinting at a familiarity with handling bladed weapons. It was an observation that added an intriguing layer to the mysterious Philip Zhu.
With their farewells exchanged, Philip Zhu drove away in his Mercedes-Benz S600, leaving Tyrone Qin to his own devices. As he stepped out of the Criminal Police Team's compound, he checked the time and realized it was nearly nine o'clock.
According to Tyrone Qin's plan, his initial task upon arriving in Donghai was to visit a close friend of his father's, seeking assistance in securing a position as a security guard at Donghai University. This job was part of his final mission.
The final mission, assigned to him by Major General Vic Wang, appeared to involve delivering death notifications and pensions to the relatives of Steven Chen. However, Tyrone Qin couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this mission than met the eye.
During his journey to Donghai, he had meticulously contemplated the details of the assignment. The more he dwelled on it, the more he became convinced that it was a carefully orchestrated plan with a hidden objective—eliminating the Dragon Corp Special Forces Team in one fell swoop. Although the enemy had ultimately failed and suffered significant losses, Tyrone Qin was certain they would stop at nothing to uncover information about Mabel Chen and exploit it.
In light of this, he had resolved to conceal his true identity and covertly protect Mabel Chen until the shadowy adversaries behind the scenes revealed themselves. Only then would he move swiftly to eliminate them all, seeking justice for Steven Chen. This was not just a mission; it was his final mission, one that held deep personal significance and a quest for vengeance that burned within him.
Because it was late, Tyrone Qin decided to visit his father's friends tomorrow instead.
However, as he walked alone on the street, Tyrone Qin couldn't shake the feeling that he was being followed by a car. The other party was driving a Jeep Wrangler, stopping and walking, always maintaining a certain distance. Their tracking skills were evident, but for Tyrone Qin, these tracking methods were rather rudimentary.
"This woman is incredibly persistent!" Tyrone Qin mused, stopping momentarily to tie his shoes. He turned sideways and clearly spotted Hannah Wang following him. Curiosity got the best of him, and he wondered, "How deep is her grudge against Tim Zhang to be so relentless?"
With a shake of his head, Tyrone Qin resumed walking as if nothing had happened.
About ten minutes later, he noticed that Hannah Wang was still tailing him. After some thought, he decided to head toward a bar called The King.
The King Bar was a well-known establishment in the East China Sea. It offered top-quality services, slightly below Heaven and Earth but superior to the Forbidden City. The bar had DJs and MCs from abroad, professionally trained young models and hostesses, some of whom had even participated in the Haitian Feast. It was truly an upscale venue.
Even though it was only nine o'clock, The King's Bar parking lot was already filled with cars, including various sports cars and luxury vehicles.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that if the bar's hostesses stepped out, it could become an impromptu car show right in front of the establishment.
Perhaps it was because Tyrone Qin had walked there, or perhaps it was because of his unassuming attire. As he approached the bar's entrance, he became the focus of the security staff.
Unconcerned by their scrutiny, Tyrone Qin glanced behind him and noticed Hannah Wang pulling up in her car. He shook his head and proceeded to enter the bar.
"Welcome!"
Upon entering, eighteen leggy beauties in uniforms greeted him with bows.
They all wore professional smiles, and when they bent over, the curves of their chests were quite noticeable, drawing sideways glances.
However, Tyrone Qin paid no mind to the enticing sights and made his way to the main hall without distraction.
"Good evening, sir. Would you prefer the first-floor lounge or an upstairs private room?" A waiter in the same uniform approached with a smile and a sweet voice, her steps graceful in high heels.
"First floor," Tyrone Qin replied casually. He had entered the bar partly to dissuade Hannah Wang from following him and partly to indulge in a few drinks to numb himself.
"Of course, please follow me," the lovely waiter said with a slight smile, gesturing for him to follow. Her lithe figure swayed sensuously with every step, captivating those who gazed upon her.
Guided by the beautiful waiter, Tyrone Qin passed through security and entered the bustling first-floor lounge. The blaring music and energetic MCs filled the air, mingling with the scent of alcohol, cigarettes, perfume, and sweat. The atmosphere was dense, and everywhere he looked, escort girls with heavy makeup were in abundance.
Seated as per the waiter's guidance, Tyrone Qin ordered a bottle of vodka known for its potency. However, after a sip, he realized it was counterfeit. He then opted for a dozen beers instead.
"Do you think that woman will continue to follow?"
Tyrone Qin downed a small bottle of beer in a single gulp and then quietly pondered his situation.
As if in response to his thoughts, Hannah Wang walked into the Slow Bar moments later. After her shift, she had changed out of her police uniform and was now wearing a black T-shirt on top, black shorts below, and a pair of sneakers. Her athletic and healthy appearance exuded a magnetic allure that couldn't be ignored, especially her pronounced figure, including her prominent bust. It was enough to outshine the escort girls.
In a short span of time, Hannah Wang drew the attention of many patrons in the bar.
Men looked at her with amazement and desire, while women regarded her with envy and jealousy.
Hannah Wang, seemingly accustomed to the spotlight, paid no mind to the prying eyes. Instead, she followed the waiter to a table and surveyed the entire establishment.
However, it didn't take long for her to spot Tyrone Qin. Her eyes brightened, and she found a booth not far from him. She wasn't concerned about being discovered by him.
Observing this, Tyrone raised his glass. When a waiter approached, he grabbed the vodka bottle and instructed the waiter to deliver it to the attractive woman.
"Sure, sir."
The waiter acknowledged his request and made his way toward Hannah Wang with the vodka.
But then...
Soon, the waiter was intercepted.
Another waiter approached Hannah Wang holding a bottle of Royal Salute, pointing at a card package, and discreetly whispered something to her.
"Tell the person delivering the vodka that I'm not interested," Hannah Wang stated, dismissing the waiter without even glancing at the card package he was referring to.
Seeing this, the man with the card package frowned and decided not to engage Hannah Wang in conversation.
Moreover, many men who had initially intended to approach Hannah Wang held back and chose to watch from a distance.
The waiter bearing the vodka looked back at Tyrone Qin with a questioning look, as if to ask if he still wanted it delivered.
Tyrone Qin nodded in response, then reached for another bottle of beer.
Seeing Tyrone Qin's approval, the waiter reluctantly approached Hannah Wang with the imitation vodka. Similar to the previous waiter, he pointed in Tyrone Qin's direction.
"Is this a show-off or something?" scoffed the men who had originally intended to strike up a conversation with Hannah Wang. Their expressions now carried a mix of disdain and derision as they redirected their attention toward Tyrone Qin.
However, what happened next left them utterly dumbfounded.
In the blink of an eye, their jaws dropped in astonishment.
Why?
Because Hannah Wang, the woman who had previously declined the offer of Royal Salute, had just accepted the vodka that Tyrone Qin had sent her way.
"What... What's going on here?" they muttered in bafflement.
No one seemed to have an answer.
In the midst of their bewildered expressions, Tyrone Qin, holding the cheapest beer available in the establishment, raised it in a casual toast, signaling to Hannah Wang from across the room.
Without hesitation, Hannah Wang picked up her wine glass and downed the vodka in one swift motion. Her gaze remained locked onto Tyrone Qin, unwavering and filled with an unmistakable hint of provocation.
In the dimly lit ambiance of the bar, her eyes seemed to radiate a mysterious allure that had everyone in the room captivated and intrigued. The tension in the air was palpable, leaving the onlookers with more questions than answers, as they tried to decipher the enigmatic connection between Hannah Wang and Tyrone Qin.