172: Breathing Method

"That Medicinal Method gave the name of a pharmacy, but this Tuna Method actually gave an apartment complex and a specific unit number. It seems the person who owns this Tuna Method never thought about using it to make money."

"Or perhaps they simply don't understand its value. Otherwise, considering it was selected by the system, there's no way they would be living in the suburbs."

Darkness fell quickly. Shen Qian's car was parked in the complex. He chose a good vantage point where he could see if anyone was entering or leaving the first floor and if the lights were on in the corresponding unit.

Of course, this kind of observation had its flaws. If more than two people entered the building at the same time, he wouldn't be able to tell for sure which one entered the room he was interested in.

However, if that happened, his luck would be truly terrible, so he decided to give it a try.

Between eight and nine o'clock, most of the lights in the building were on, but the lights in the target room remained dark.

By ten o'clock, almost all the lights in the building were lit, yet that room was still dark.

"Is my luck really this bad? Could the owner of that apartment not be home?"

Shen Qian didn't panic and continued to wait.

Around 11 o'clock, a figure slowly approached. He wasn't walking fast and looked exhausted. He wore a padded jacket over suit trousers, and his hair was slicked back with grease.

Shen Qian had a premonition that this was likely the person he was looking for.

When the light in that room flickered on, Shen Qian was certain the man was indeed his target.

The next morning, Shen Qian watched the man leave. He then went to knock on the door to confirm the man lived alone before departing.

The basic investigation was mostly complete: male, visually in his 20s, living alone, no car, likely renting the apartment, and based on his attire, probably working in sales.

The target was locked in, so the next steps would be much easier.

Shen Qian sent a message to Bai Xiu, and soon after, the other side called back.

"What is it now?"

"Give me some people."

"For what? If you want to vent some frustration, I'm available if you want a woman. As for men..."

"If you want to die, keep talking."

"I get it, I get it. What kind of people do you need?"

"A man and a woman. The man should be good at picking locks. As for the woman, preferably someone with a criminal record and a bit of a provocative vibe."

"What are you planning to do?"

"I want a man to be kept away for a day."

"If you just want him away for a day, why bother sending a woman? Wouldn't a phone call be enough?"

"Tell me how."

"Any adult male has surely visited a foot massage parlor or places like that. Just make a call and have someone take him from his home, saying the parlor he visited was involved in illegal services."

"No fine, no criminal record—just tell him he needs to cooperate with an investigation. Keeping him for a day would be just right."

"But what if he's never been to a foot massage parlor?"

"It doesn't matter if he hasn't. We just say it was a mistake afterward, pay him some compensation for lost wages, and tell him to shut up. You want a locksmith and want the guy out of the way... are you trying to steal something from him?"

"What? Did you get caught on camera killing someone? What could possibly require you to go and steal it yourself?"

"Don't ask what you shouldn't. If this is handled well, there will be plenty of benefits for you."

"You know what I want."

"What I'm talking about is exactly what you want."

"OK, I'll make a call. Then tell me where you are, and I'll send someone over directly."

"Don't be in such a hurry. Since we're having him 'cooperate with an investigation,' try to ensure he's well-fed and well-rested. Also, be careful not to ruin his job."

"Understood." Bai Xiu hung up the phone and dialed another number.

"This is Bai Xiu. Captain Li, I have a favor to ask..."

Shen Qian waited for about an hour before he saw a young man gently knock on his car window.

"Are you Young Master Shen? Sister Bai sent me. Just tell me what you need."

"Can you pick locks?"

Shen Qian looked at the man's fawning smile and asked simply.

"Yes, I can handle basically any lock on the market. But if it's some ultra high-end place, I might not be able to."

"Mhm. Room 1702. You're only responsible for opening the door and making sure there are no cameras inside. Remember, don't take anything, and don't touch anything unnecessarily. Understand?"

"Don't worry, Young Master. Sister Bai said there's a reward if I do a good job. Besides, this looks like a place for migrant workers; there's definitely nothing valuable in the room."

"As long as you understand."

A moment later, Bai Xiu sent a message.

"Done. You can make your move."

The man's technique was very skilled; with just a bit of tinkering, the door was opened.

He went inside to scout around, and only after confirming there was no surveillance did he let Shen Qian in.

As soon as he entered, Shen Qian smelled a strange odor. Clothes were piled messily on the sofa, and there was a stack of dishes in the kitchen that had clearly been left to be washed later. The smell obviously came from there.

Shen Qian didn't hesitate and went straight to the bedroom. The bedroom was slightly better than the outside. There was a laptop on the desk and a few clothes draped over the chair.

Just as the man outside had said, there really wasn't anything valuable to covet in such a person's home. If anything, the most valuable item was likely the laptop.

After a moment's thought, Shen Qian opened the wardrobe. Inside were two large suitcases and a large storage bag.

After a search, he finally found a small booklet in a hidden compartment of the suitcase.

The pages were already slightly yellowed, clearly showing their age.

"Rejuvenating Tuna Method."

After recognizing the words on the booklet, Shen Qian stuffed it directly into his inner pocket and then put everything back in its original place.

Stepping out the door, Shen Qian glanced at the man.

"I didn't find what I was looking for, but you did your part. Tell Bai Xiu that I said to reward you with 100,000 yuan."

"Thank you, Young Master Shen! Thank you, Young Master Shen!"

"Don't be so quick to thank me. If you dare let a word of today's events slip, not only Bai Xiu, but I will deal with you as well. Understand?"

"Of course. You were never here, Young Master. It was just me being momentarily possessed by greed and accidentally opening the door, but I didn't take anything valuable."

"Mhm, as long as you understand."

Shen Qian went downstairs and drove away immediately.

At this moment, a question arose in his mind. The characters on this booklet weren't hard to recognize. Logically, that man should have practiced this Tuna Method. Why hadn't he discovered its value?

Parking his car by the roadside, Shen Qian read the booklet word by word. Soon, he had a general understanding of the breathing method inside.

"It seems... there's nothing particularly different about it."

Shen Qian now understood why the man hadn't used this Tuna Method to make money. However, Shen Qian was a person with a strong desire for knowledge.

[Do you wish to use an experience card?]

"Yes."