Trafford's Trading Club

Chapter 1169: Escape, Though Shameful, Is Useful

Professor Gao quickly gave an answer, though he still maintained the dignity of a lecturer. “Since it’s a general situation, then this question needs to be considered from many angles. For example, whether changing to a new environment benefits him more. Or maybe he couldn’t handle the pressures of his current job and would rather give up a promising position than go against his own will… and so on.”

The girl nodded, then pushed further. “Then, is it possible that this person made a mistake in his original job? He tried very hard to cover it up, afraid of being discovered. But as time passed, he couldn’t bear the guilt anymore, and fearing it would eventually be exposed, he chose to escape and left?”

Gao Wen smiled slightly. “If that’s the case, it does happen—and quite often. As I mentioned in class, this is a type of ‘avoidance behavior’—escaping fear. For most people, it can even be summed up as: ‘Escape, though shameful, is useful.’”

The girl suddenly asked, “Escape, though shameful, is useful… Professor, do you think this is a prevailing societal value today?”

Gao Wen frowned imperceptibly. He sensed the girl's questions had a certain direction—a purpose behind her approach that was quite obvious.

But he also found the question interesting. There were many students who studied seriously, but even more who just wanted to coast until graduation. Few actually tried to pursue academic thinking at this stage.

Adjusting his glasses, Gao Wen replied carefully, “Not everyone has the ability to live according to their ideals. What we want is often bigger than what we can do, and what we do is usually more complicated than what we imagine. Avoidance is often an instinctive, unconscious behavior. I don’t think it qualifies as a ‘value,’ much less a universal one.”

The girl continued, “But isn’t behavior often the embodiment of a person’s values? Like, a hero risks their life to save others, while a petty person might betray someone for a small benefit, right?”

Gao Wen nodded and smiled. “True, but have you considered—did the hero always have the courage to risk their life? And did the petty person always know how to harm others? But when you feel fear, no one needs to teach you how to avoid it. The first two take time to develop as values. But avoidance is nearly automatic. A hero likely struggled mentally before saving someone. He felt fear too, but overcame it. A petty person also considers the risks before harming someone. His greed overpowered his judgment. There’s a mental conflict involved. Avoidance is just behavior, but afterward, people need reasons to justify it—like ‘escape is useful,’ ‘others do it too,’ or ‘I’m just an ordinary person.’ Things like that.”

The girl looked at him and nodded. “Then, Professor Gao, have you ever done the same? Escaped, and then used similar reasons to make yourself feel safe?”“Of course I have.” Gao Wen smiled faintly. “I’m not a saint, after all.”

The girl nodded. “Thank you, professor. I’m done with my questions.”

She didn’t overstay… Gao Wen nodded. “Hope that helped. Now, this classmate—what’s your question?”

He looked at the boy beside her.

The boy said slowly, “Is forgiveness… really that difficult?”

Gao Wen’s eyes widened slightly. It was a question that surprised him. He paused, then nodded. “Yes. More than anything, it's the hardest.”

“I thought so.” The boy nodded. “I’m done too.”

After speaking, the boy politely turned to leave. The girl looked at him in surprise and quickly chased after him, not even saying goodbye to Gao Wen.

Gao Wen watched the two of them leave, frowning slightly. He had the odd feeling that he’d seen the boy somewhere before.

Suddenly, his expression changed.

He ran out of the classroom, but the hallway was empty—the two students had vanished.

He froze.

Then, a scene from years ago resurfaced in his mind—at a funeral, a thin boy stood before the altar, holding a photo, his face expressionless, as if he had completely cut himself off from the world.

“He’s Luo Qi’s son…”

…

“Wait for me!” On the campus path, Song Ying caught up, grumbling.

Luo Qiu had stopped and asked gently, “Are you thirsty? There’s a shop ahead.”

Song Ying frowned. “Seriously? You don’t seem urgent at all. You only asked one question—are you sure he’s the killer?”

Luo Qiu replied, “You asked him so many questions. Are you sure he is?”

That stumped Song Ying. She frowned and recalled the conversation. “Hard to say. He was way too calm. If he had any guilt, he should’ve shown something… even if he’s a psychology lecturer, it’s too calm. Maybe being that natural… is actually unnatural?”

Luo Qiu exhaled lightly. “Escape, though shameful, is useful.”

“Huh?” Song Ying was confused.

Luo Qiu shook his head. “That’s all for today. I have something to do. I’ll contact you later.”

“There are still two suspects left! You’re not going to check them out?”

“The bus is leaving. I’m going.” Luo Qiu casually walked toward the bus stop.

Song Ying opened her mouth, annoyed. She stomped her foot and crossed her arms. “Tch… acting like I care. If Grandpa hadn’t told me to come, I wouldn’t bother! You don’t go? Fine, I’ll go myself!”

Just then, her phone rang.

She answered.

“Miss, we’ve arrived at the airport. This time, there are eight of us—top-tier investigation team.”

“I’m mad. Run a few laps around the airport before coming out.”

“…Huh?”

Beep—

…

…

The case was extremely serious. Less than three hours after the body was found, a meeting was convened to form a special task force.

Due to the brutality and social impact, higher-ups demanded the case be solved quickly.

Personnel from both Investigation Team 1 and Team 2 were assembled. Initial analysis had been completed—because within an hour of discovery, even the director had personally stepped in. Nearly all available forces were mobilized.

“Right now, the body is still being pieced together. Forensics has started testing, but it will take time.”

“There were no surveillance cameras in the house. The nearest one is 200 meters away, at a crossroad—not much usable footage.”

“Nearby residents have been questioned, but no useful leads yet…”

One investigator after another stood up to report. The photos from the crime scene still showed on the projector—no progress, and the room was heavy with frustration.

“Also, we haven’t located the tenant Wang Liang…” Sir Lin reported. “We contacted his family back in his hometown. But what they said contradicts the landlord’s statement. According to Wang Liang’s relatives, he did not return home before the New Year.”

“He didn’t go home?” both Sir Ma and the chief were surprised.

Sir Ma quickly asked, “Then have Wang Liang’s family had any contact with him during this time?”

“Yes, he has,” Lin Feng nodded. “According to Wang Liang’s father, they spoke on the phone just a couple of days ago. Wang Liang told him he’d found a new job with good pay, but the location was quite far, so he likely wouldn’t be able to return home this year.”

“The landlord says he returned home, but his family says they haven’t seen him… So, he’s missing?” Another man suddenly asked, “Has Wang Liang’s background been investigated?”

Lin Feng looked over. The one asking was Zhou Yusheng, captain of the second division. Since this case was a joint operation, about half of the people at the meeting were from the second division.

“Oh, Captain Zhou, we’ve looked into Wang Liang’s background too,” Lin Feng nodded.

Finally, the projection screen changed. Displayed now was a young man with an alternative style—earrings, even a tongue stud: Wang Liang.

“Wang Liang, from TM County in HT City, 23 years old. After graduating high school, he went straight into the workforce. Before disappearing, he worked as a bartender at a bar. His reputation wasn’t great—he has some shady social ties and a history of scamming women out of money. One of the victims even filed a report with us once, but due to lack of evidence, we didn’t open a case. Wang Liang resigned from his job shortly before disappearing—right around the time the landlord said he left for his hometown.”

The chief spoke in a deep voice, “List Wang Liang as a key suspect immediately. Prioritize finding and arresting him. Ma Houde, Zhou Yusheng, I’m leaving this to you. I need to return to the city for a meeting… Remember: solve this case within the deadline!”

“Yes, sir!!”

While they were always busy, it had been a long time since there had been such a large-scale operation. After the chief left quickly, Sir Ma exhaled heavily and rubbed his forehead.

Now that the case was in the hands of both him and Captain Zhou Yusheng, it was time for the two team leaders to coordinate.

After assigning the team to continue their intensive investigation, Sir Ma finally had a chance to talk to Zhou Yusheng.

In Sir Ma’s eyes, Zhou Yusheng was a total workaholic—he could work nonstop on a case for days without returning home. If Ma Houde had slowly lost his youthful ambition and drifted into a habit of slacking off, Zhou Yusheng was the complete opposite.

Unkempt, bloodshot eyes, chugging cup after cup of coffee—his body must’ve developed a resistance to caffeine by now.

“Captain Zhou, didn’t you just finish a case?” Sir Ma frowned. “I heard you haven’t been home in four or five days. How about this—the dismemberment case isn’t likely to break anytime soon, so why don’t you head home and rest? I’ll take over here.”

But Zhou Yusheng wiped his face with both hands and shook his head. “I’m fine, I can handle it. The case has a strict deadline and we’re already understaffed. If I rest now, it’ll slow everything down.”

Sir Ma said seriously, “Captain Zhou, anyone can tell you’re already exhausted. Honestly, in your current state, I don’t want to work with you. If you don’t take a break, I’ll report it and request that someone else take over.”

“This…” Zhou Yusheng hesitated.

Sir Ma sighed. “Old Zhou, being responsible is good, but you need balance. You’re leading a team—it’s good to lead by example, but you can’t burn out. Besides, I heard things haven’t been easy for you lately?”

Zhou Yusheng remained silent.

Sir Ma sighed again. “I don’t mean to pry into your personal life. I’m just worried this case will hit you harder, especially with how overworked you already are.”

“…Alright, I’ll take half a day off,” Zhou Yusheng exhaled slowly. “You’ll take command of my team for now. I’ll be back tonight.”

“Tomorrow. Come back tomorrow morning!” Ma Houde knocked the table. “Forensics won’t have any results until at least a day from now.”

Under Sir Ma’s firm stance, Zhou Yusheng finally gave in. He nodded and left the meeting room.

Lin Feng came over with documents and sat down. “Sir Ma, looks like Captain Zhou hasn’t slept for at least three days and nights… What stamina. No wonder they call him the Iron Man of the bureau.”

Ma Houde shook his head. “No one’s made of iron… That guy’s not just hardworking—he’s risking his life. And now look, working day and night till his marriage fell apart. Sigh… And you! Why are you still standing here?”

“I… I’m waiting for your orders, Sir Ma. Just bonding a little,” Lin Feng blinked.

Sir Ma stared him down. “Then go bond with Wang Liang and find him! Want to go three days without sleep too!?”

“On it!”

Watching Lin Feng scurry off, Sir Ma shook his head. “Young people these days…”

He sighed, pulled out his phone, and put on a silly voice.

“Hey honey! Have you eaten? No appetite? You have to eat anyway! Even if you don’t, the little one has to! Take care of yourself, okay? I think I’ll be working late again tonight… You already guessed? Okay… mwa mwa!”

After hanging up, Sir Ma grunted, “See? I’m different!”

…

…

When Luo Qiu returned to the club, it was already nearly evening.

Miss Maid, as always, came over attentively to assist. Da Zhe, on the other hand, had a strange expression and seemed like he wanted to speak—full of questions. Since last night, he’d been forbidden from leaving the club.

In fact, none of the club staff had gone out. But news from the outside hadn’t been cut off, and everyone inside already knew about the terrifying blackout last night.

But the Boss showed no signs of being affected. Then again, Da Zhe had never really been able to read Luo Qiu’s expression in the first place.

Only Miss Maid seemed able to guess what the Boss was thinking. Yet, ever since last night, she hadn’t spoken a single word.

“I’ll head to the…”

Luo Qiu was about to say he was going to the third-level altar, but he suddenly tilted his head and looked toward the club’s pinewood door.

The bell rang.

That meant… a guest had arrived.

So Luo Qiu’s sentence could only be left unfinished.

(End of Chapter)