Chapter 19: Liar, Big Liar
"Hello, I'm Zhong Ling from the Shuangyang City Investigation Bureau. I need Mr. Renjiro's cooperation on some matters."
Seeing Renjiro return, Zhong Ling immediately stood up, straightened his uniform, and walked over with an outstretched hand to introduce himself.
"Hello."
Renjiro nodded politely. His mind raced, but on the surface, he appeared calm. He set down the bags of food he was carrying and shook Zhong Ling's hand, speaking with sincerity in his tone.
"Of course, officer. I'll definitely cooperate."
"Hmph."
Zhong Ling let out a short, cold laugh. He turned to Liu Shuyun and shot her a triumphant glance, his eyes brimming with pride like a rooster that had just won a fight.
You wouldn't cooperate. But look, your lover is more sensible than you, that glance seemed to say.
"Pfft."
Liu Shuyun crossed her arms and leaned against the wall, her expression filled with disdain.
This rascal? Cooperate?
She knew Renjiro too well. This man could act innocent and obedient, but his words were often as slippery as an eel.
Zhong Ling cleared his throat. "Mr. Renjiro, I'd like to ask you a few questions. Please, feel free to answer honestly."
"Of course. What would you like to know?" Renjiro replied, his tone polite and unhurried.
Zhong Ling took out his phone, unlocked it, and played a short video clip. The footage showed Renjiro carrying Liu Shuyun out of the coffee shop after the Salamence attack, glancing around as if searching for someone.
"Mr. Renjiro, are the people in this video you and Miss Liu?" Zhong Ling asked, his gaze sharp and unwavering.
Renjiro furrowed his brows and leaned in, pretending to study the video carefully. After a few seconds, he straightened up and said seriously, "Hmm… I'm not sure. But that guy does look a little like me."
"Haha!"
Liu Shuyun couldn't hold it in any longer. She burst out laughing, covering her mouth with both hands as her shoulders shook.
You're incredible, Renjiro. You actually said that. I don't know him, but he looks like me?
Her laughter echoed through the small room.
Zhong Ling's face darkened. His chest heaved as he tried to contain his frustration.
"Mr. Renjiro, I hope you'll take this seriously. Please cooperate with our investigation!"
"I am cooperating." Renjiro spread his hands in a gesture of innocence. "The person in the video really does look like me. But you know, I have a very common face. There must be plenty of people who look like me."
Common face?
Zhong Ling nearly choked on his own breath. His hands clenched at his sides as he fought the urge to yell.
One was arrogant and stubborn, the other was shameless and slippery. What kind of twisted fate brought these two together?
"And what about Miss Liu? Are you going to say she also has a 'common face'?" Zhong Ling said, gritting his teeth.
Renjiro shrugged, a faint smile playing at his lips. "Well, she has the kind of face you see on internet celebrities these days. Pretty common on the streets, wouldn't you say?"
Liu Shuyun had tears in her eyes from laughing so hard.
Internet celebrity face?
Zhong Ling's fists trembled. He glared at Renjiro and Liu Shuyun, utterly speechless for a moment.
"Fine. Since you won't admit it, I'll make you admit it!" he growled.
With that, Zhong Ling pulled out a Poké Ball.
"What now, Officer Zhong? You're going to threaten us with your Pokémon?" Liu Shuyun asked, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
Ignoring her, Zhong Ling released his Pokémon.
With a flash of red light, a majestic Arcanine appeared. The dog-like Pokémon with tiger-like stripes gave a mighty bark.
The moment Arcanine saw Renjiro, it bristled and started barking furiously.
"Woof! Woof! Woof!" (Liar! Liar!)
Arcanine barked at Renjiro, its eyes filled with accusation.
Renjiro blinked, realizing at once what was happening. Thanks to his Viridian Power, he could understand Pokémon speech perfectly.
Damn, this Arcanine is hers.
"Officer Zhong, your Arcanine is so fierce! I'm really scared." Renjiro patted his chest dramatically, feigning fright.
"Woof! Woof!" (You're the mean one! You tricked me, and I got scolded!)
Arcanine barked even louder, furious at being duped.
Zhong Ling's face turned red with fury. "Stop pretending! Mighty General, was it him who commanded you yesterday?"
"Woof! Woof!" (That's him! Big liar!)
Arcanine nodded vigorously as it barked.
Zhong Ling's eyes sparkled with satisfaction. She pointed at Renjiro, her voice rising.
"Mr. Renjiro, do you have anything else to say? My Arcanine recognized you! It was you who commanded him during the Salamence attack!"
Renjiro remained calm. He crossed his arms and smirked.
"Officer Zhong, I have no idea what you're talking about. You can't seriously be using your Pokémon's bark as evidence, can you?"
His words were like oil on fire.
Zhong Ling clenched her fists and took a deep breath, trying to steady herself.
"You—! Shameless!"
The evidence was right there. Arcanine's reaction, the video, everything pointed to him. And yet, he denied it without blinking.
"Fine! Next time you and Miss Liu are in danger, don't expect Mighty General to come to your rescue!"
With that, she returned Arcanine to its Poké Ball and stormed out, slamming the door behind her.
---
As the door rattled shut, the room fell into silence.
Liu Shuyun wiped the tears of laughter from the corners of her eyes. She gave Renjiro a playful punch on the arm.
"You're unbelievable! Internet celebrity face? A common face? How do you come up with this stuff?"
Renjiro grinned and picked up the food bags he had set down earlier.
"What can I say? I aim to please."
He handed her a takeout box and sank onto the sofa.
"You handled that well, though," he added. "If we'd slipped up even a little, she might have gotten the upper hand."
Liu Shuyun nodded, sobering up.
"But we can't stay here anymore. If they're onto us, we'll have to move before they send someone else."
Renjiro agreed. He looked around the small apartment that had served as their hideout these past few days.
"We'll leave tonight. I'll contact Xiaoyue and have her arrange a new safe house."
The two shared a look of determination. Whatever came next, they would face it together.
And as for Zhong Ling...
Renjiro chuckled to himself.
She'll need more than a barking Arcanine to catch me.
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