Chapter 23: You must seek justice for me!

"The content is fascinating."

Luo Ming's chiseled face remained expressionless. He got straight to the point: "Director Guo, our Shenghan Association recently received news that the Kaneda Detective Agency from Sakura Country intends to intervene in the variety show. I wonder if there is any truth to this?"

Director Guo was taken aback by the question, then smiled. "As expected of Shenghan. The Kaneda Detective Agency has indeed contacted us, and we may discuss a collaboration in the near future. Of course, it also depends on how long that culprit can keep running. If he is caught soon, then this partnership naturally won't proceed any further."

Luo Ming took another sip of tea and said in a measured tone, "Director Guo need not worry about that. In my opinion, this culprit will not be caught in the short term."

Director Guo was stunned again and frowned. He knew Luo Ming’s capabilities well; his words were always remarkably accurate. He began to worry if something had gone wrong with the show. He would have to check the live stream no matter what later!

Luo Ming continued, "My visit today is primarily about my younger brother, Luo Ji. You know him, don't you?"

Director Guo nodded. "He is the smartest person I have ever met, bar none."

"And the laziest," Luo Ming added, a hint of helplessness appearing on his stern face. "He spends every day freeloading at the association without the slightest shred of ambition. If he keeps going like this, he'll be a lost cause."

*Perhaps for a genius with such high intelligence, there is nothing in this world that can pique his interest...* Director Guo pondered silently, though he did not say it aloud. Indeed, the Shenghan Association was not only the largest non-governmental detective association in the Dragon Kingdom but also a world-renowned organization for high-IQ individuals. Its members could all be described as geniuses. Luo Ji was undoubtedly one of the most brilliant among them, becoming a university professor at a young age. Of course, his indolence was equally famous.

"Then, Mr. Luo, what exactly are you suggesting..." The Director set down his teacup and leaned forward slightly.

Luo Ming also set his cup down. "I hope that when you consider partnering with a detective agency, you will prioritize us at Shenghan. I need to give that kid Luo Ji some motivation in life. I need him to exercise his brain."

Although Director Guo had already guessed this, he still wore a hesitant expression. The current expert panel already had a formidable lineup; adding someone from Shenghan would almost feel like bullying. Not to mention, it was Luo Ji. If he were to get involved, could that culprit really handle it?

Director Guo lowered his head and opened his phone, intending to check the show's notifications. However, his expression suddenly turned to one of shock. On the screen, several messages from his daughter caught his eye.

[Dad, I've finished class.]
[Dad, I've already arrived at the car you mentioned...]

*When did I tell my daughter to go to the car?*

Director Guo hurriedly opened his messaging app and checked his own interface. His confusion only deepened. He discovered many records on his interface of messages that had been sent and then deleted. At that moment, his years of experience as a criminal investigator made him realize instantly that something was wrong—his phone had been hacked!

Just then, the staff of the "Chasing the Culprit" live show, seeing that Director Guo was about to report a crime, pushed the door open at the opportune moment.

The leader, dressed in black, spoke: "Director Guo, congratulations on discovering a clue to the case."

"What case? Is this part of your simulated scenario?" Director Guo asked in surprise.

The lead man in black nodded. "You have discovered the clue, so we can now inform you: your daughter has been kidnapped by the culprit of the live show!"

Boom!

The words were not loud, but they echoed in their ears like a thunderclap. Director Guo and Luo Ming stood up simultaneously. They had never imagined that this culprit would be so audacious. To kidnap the daughter of the Bureau Director! This was a provocation—an arrogant provocation!

Director Guo's face shifted; he seemed to understand why this show had become so popular... *My daughter!*

"He must have hacked my phone and used my information to lure Tongtong away," Director Guo muttered. "Logically speaking, this is impossible. My phone has a security firewall personally built by Duan Yu. How could it be breached so easily?!"

*Duan Yu? The champion of the World Network Information Security Tournament?*

Luo Ming was even more excited upon hearing this, his fingers trembling slightly. He had to make Luo Ji face off against this culprit; this was likely one of the few people who could serve as a real opponent for his little brother.

Seeing the two men lost in thought with varied reactions, the man in black tentatively asked, "So, Director Guo, according to the show's rules, you are now our new victim. Will you participate yourself, or shall we find someone to take your place?"

"How did Tongtong choose?"

"She chose to participate herself."

*Slap!*

Upon hearing this, Director Guo slammed his hand onto the table. "Let's go! To the expert panel!"

...

Jinling City Public Security Bureau, Expert Panel Office.

"We have already determined that the culprit's area of activity is within the range where the cameras were disabled," Duan Yu said, pacing back and forth with his chin in his hand. He was truly fixated on this culprit. "However, the police force we sent out last night found no signs of criminal activity."

On the other side, Qin Ming added, "I have screened the lab teachers from the nearby universities, and I haven't found anyone with any suspicion of committing the crime. I must say, this culprit is very cunning. It's also possible that he has stopped committing crimes and has chosen to flee."

As Duan Yu spoke, he walked toward the door, intending to go out for a stroll to think by himself. However, as he pushed the door open, he saw a short-statured middle-aged man squatting at the entrance, accompanied by several men in black from the show's production team.

Seeing the expert panel members emerge, Director Guo, ever the veteran official, slipped into character in an instant, his emotions welling up. After all, it was his own beloved daughter who had been kidnapped. He stepped forward, grabbed the sleeves of Duan Yu and Qin Ming, and looked at them with a face full of grief: "Officers, my daughter went missing last night. You must seek justice for me!"