Chapter 75: The Hunt for Ding Ce Begins

Qiao Xia remained utterly unaware of the Fat Police Officer’s thoughts. At that moment, he had completely reversed the situation for himself and Duan Yulan, yet he felt a profound helplessness in the face of the Fat Police Officer’s incessant chatter.

‘Old man, this isn’t the time for reminiscing!’

Ding Ce, that scoundrel, still hadn’t been caught!

“Officer, a few days ago, besides Liu Ge being taken away by you, there was also a man from our Happiness Residential Area who was sent to the police station for attempted murder. His name is Ding Ce. Is he here?”

Although Qiao Xia was already certain that the danger he had just encountered in the interrogation room stemmed from Ding Ce, he felt it was better to inquire now, just in case a misunderstanding led to an awkward situation.

Given the events of the past few days, Qiao Xia wasn’t worried that the Fat Police Officer would have forgotten.

“What? Ding Ce!”

Upon seeing the look of astonishment on the Fat Police Officer’s face, Qiao Xia immediately sensed a promising lead.

Judging by the situation, the Fat Police Officer had already met Ding Ce. Considering that these officers were confined to the detention room, Qiao Xia’s mind suddenly conjured a few theories, though he wondered if they were accurate.

“It was that Ding Ce who locked us in the detention room, injured my colleague’s face, and then gradually released those red-eyed criminals, infecting many of my colleagues… Where is that bastard? I’ll skin him alive!”

Before Qiao Xia could even ask, the Fat Police Officer had already recounted the entire sequence of events.

His account largely aligned with Qiao Xia’s suspicions, further solidifying his belief that Ding Ce was truly a menace, a person who could never settle down, no matter where he went.

Observing the bound zombies behind the Fat Police Officer, Qiao Xia couldn’t help but sigh. He knew these officers were beyond saving and, after a moment’s thought, decided against delivering such grim news to the Fat Police Officer.

Having harmed so many innocent people, that scoundrel Ding Ce truly deserved to die!

“After entering the police station, I encountered some trouble. Tests showed that someone deliberately set a trap… I now suspect Ding Ce controls the police station’s surveillance system. So, where can I view all the surveillance footage? Also, can the surveillance cameras pick up sound?”

Witnessing the numerous lives Ding Ce had ruined, Qiao Xia could no longer stand by. He knew he had to expose Ding Ce as quickly as possible to prevent him from continuing his vile schemes.

Until Ding Ce was dealt with, Qiao Xia would not feel at ease, even if he left.

Such a viper-like individual, if not handled immediately, could resurface later to deliver a troublesome bite.

“The office has surveillance access, but it doesn’t record sound… I’ll take you there now.”

Upon hearing Qiao Xia’s words, the Fat Police Officer immediately stepped forward to lead the way, guiding Qiao Xia toward the police station office.

As for the other two officers, one decided to remain behind to care for their colleague who had already transformed into a zombie. The Square-jawed Police Officer, however, declared that he would join the search for Ding Ce.

With a hateful glint in his eyes, the Square-jawed Police Officer followed silently, walking alongside them towards the police station office.

Simultaneously, the sidearm he usually kept holstered at his waist was drawn, now clutched firmly in his hand.

Qiao Xia observed the Square-jawed Police Officer’s stern profile, recalling that the last time they met, he had been serious but not as cold as he was now.

Such a dramatic change indicated that much must have transpired in between!

Thinking this, Qiao Xia decided it was best not to pry, lest he stir up painful memories for the Square-jawed Police Officer.

Putting himself in the other’s shoes, Qiao Xia felt that while he wasn’t strikingly handsome, his delicate features were quite pleasing to the eye. If someone were to inflict such a grotesque wound upon his face, even tearing that person limb from limb wouldn’t sate his anger.

“Qiao Xia, I truly didn’t expect you to be so formidable! Many red-eyed criminals escaped from the police station, and it must have taken considerable effort for you to fight your way through and rescue us! What I said before still stands. The armory key is with me. Once we catch Ding Ce, you can take whatever you wish.”

During their journey to the office, the Fat Police Officer’s mouth remained anything but idle.

He began by praising Qiao Xia, then brought up topics like firearms and vehicles, immediately thumping his chest to assure Qiao Xia that these would be no problem.

Originally, Qiao Xia could have directly claimed these items after rescuing them.

However, Ding Ce had suddenly appeared, and with both the police and Qiao Xia eager to capture him first, they quickly reached a consensus.

First, catch the culprit; then, divide the spoils… *cough*, or rather, share the rewards of their labor.

“I only need a vehicle and some weapons. The situation outside is chaotic now, and without weapons for protection, it’s easy to be attacked by red-eyed individuals… Once infected, it’s very difficult to recover due to the lack of a specific cure.”

Recalling the infected officers in the detention room, Qiao Xia couldn’t help but add this remark. He didn’t want the Fat Police Officer and his companions to waste their energy, as those zombies would never return to normal.

If they continued to linger in the police station, the survival chances of the Fat Police Officer and the other uninfected individuals would rapidly diminish…

Only by quickly adapting to the current circumstances could they survive better and more safely.

“I know… But after so many years of working together, we can’t just give up so easily, can we? I still want to try. If they’re truly beyond saving, I won’t continue to waste time either.”

Upon hearing Qiao Xia’s words, a helpless smile appeared on the Fat Police Officer’s round face. His subsequent words revealed that he hadn’t been thoughtless; on the contrary, he had considered many possibilities.

Yet, in the end, he had made this decision.

He couldn’t abandon his colleagues so readily.

Qiao Xia said nothing further. He had done all he could; the choice now rested entirely with the Fat Police Officer and the Square-jawed Police Officer.

No one could dictate another’s life.

Fortunately, the Fat Police Officer wasn’t stubbornly committed to a hopeless path. It was likely that he would eventually give up if hope remained elusive for too long.

“We’re here. This is the office.”

Not long after Qiao Xia and the Fat Police Officer ceased their conversation, the group arrived at the police station office door.

They hadn’t encountered any other zombies along the way, as if they had all vanished.

This struck Qiao Xia as very abnormal.

It was as though Ding Ce was brewing a major move, making Qiao Xia instinctively feel that the man was inside the office, waiting with a twisted smile for them to deliver themselves to him.

It seemed he enjoyed playing with them, like a cat toying with a mouse.

However, if Ding Ce truly thought this way, then he was destined for tragedy.

Even if Ding Ce’s trump card was highly threatening and beyond Qiao Xia’s current capabilities.

One must not forget the powerful expert who had been guiding Qiao Xia from behind…

Because she wanted to temper Qiao Xia, Duan Yulan had not yet intervened. Thus, even if Ding Ce saw everything through the surveillance, he wouldn’t perceive Duan Yulan’s terrifying strength.

Not to mention, the police station’s surveillance couldn’t synchronize audio.

So, let him see if that scoundrel Ding Ce was truly in the office!

With these thoughts, Qiao Xia wasted no more time, raising his hand to push open the office door!