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Chapter 235 - The First Puzzle of Susukino

When Chu Zhi saw Xiao Tang, the staffer waiting at the airport, he learned that their accommodation had changed from Jōzankei to Susukino—specifically, a high-end hotel near Ōdōri Park.

How fancy? Well, the hotel's actual name was "Sapporo High-Class Hotel." Not a star-rated hotel. Booking out an entire star-rated venue for a reality show would cost too much, even with generous sponsorship. More importantly, star hotels often had strict restrictions when it came to equipment installation.

On the drive over, while his phone hadn't been collected yet, Chu Zhi searched their target destination—Mount Asahi. The group had gotten a little closer, down to 180 kilometers away. Not bad.

Soon after, they arrived at the hotel.

"Mr. Chu, same procedure as before, please open your suitcase." A staffer appeared again, wearing a hoodie with a cartoon cat on it.

Chu Zhi asked curiously, "Don't you change clothes?"

"I actually have three of these. It's a collaboration between Hongxing Erke and another brand's kitten line." The staffer immediately started pitching, "Do you like it, Mr. Chu? What size do you wear?"

Seeing the staffer so enthusiastic, Chu Zhi didn't want to kill the mood. "It's cute, actually. I wear XL. Is that a hassle?"

"Not at all! Just send me your address later. I'm lightning fast when it comes to snagging merch!" The staffer beamed. Nothing was more satisfying than getting someone to accept your recommendation.

If you buy what I love, we're friends now.

Chu Zhi also asked for the staffer's address in return. He planned to send some local specialties from Chongqing as a thank-you gift—give and take, never freeloading.

After last time's experience, Chu Zhi didn't pack much. A few books, some clothes, a small wallet. Inside the wallet was the petty cash left from their earnings on the previous episode.

Once his luggage was cleared, they passed through the lobby. Elevators were to the left, a Western restaurant to the right. The restaurant was currently closed since the show had booked the place out.

At least they got to take the elevator this time. After all, repeating the same stunt twice would just feel cheap.

Chu Zhi glanced at his room key. 401. Not a suite this time. Each guest had their own room. 401 was at the end of the hallway, 413 was near the elevator. Strange numbering for a hotel.

"Leader! I haven't been eating or sleeping well without you!"

The voice came from Room 402. The door was wide open. Min Jeongbae had arrived early and stepped out as soon as he spotted Chu Zhi.

"Really? No wonder you look skinnier," Chu Zhi replied.

Min Jeongbae wasn't exactly free of other schedules, yet he was always the first to arrive. Probably just had great personal discipline.

"This place feels fancier than the last one. I sense a plot," Min Jeongbae said.

Chu Zhi paused thoughtfully. "You might be right."

"Uh..." Jeongbae had been hoping for some inside scoop.

"I'm going to unpack first," said Chu Zhi.

The room was around 32 square meters. Pretty average. Slightly better than a budget hotel. One person, one double bed.

Nothing could be done about that. All rooms in the hotel came with double beds—deluxe double, economy double, mini double, even semi-double. Chu Zhi's was deluxe, at least, the biggest one. The smallest ones were just 14 square meters.

Riiing—

Chu Zhi was still folding clothes into the wardrobe when the landline started ringing.

Probably the production team up to something again.

He picked up.

A harsh, distorted male voice blared from the receiver. "Every move of your Super Hero Team Premium is under my watch. I am the Plum Blossom Thief. If you want your companions to arrive safely, hand over fifty thousand yen. Or else... keh keh keh..."

The call cut off before Chu Zhi could say a word.

The voice modulator was awful.

Also, where exactly was he supposed to drop off the ransom? Worst kidnappers ever. Plum Blossom Thief? Even Lin Xian'er would cry.

They had earned over 40,000 yen from street performances earlier. With leftover funds, they had 50,730 yen total. No wonder the staff at the front desk didn't say anything during the luggage check. They were waiting for this moment.

"Companions? Does he mean Zhang Ning-jie and the others?"

Just as Chu Zhi thought this, he was interrupted by loud knocking.

Knock, knock, knock.

"Leader, did you get the call? The Plum Blossom Thief has taken our team members!" came Min Jeongbae's familiar voice.

Chu Zhi opened the door. Jeongbae stood there, flustered. Really immersed in the show.

"There's something I don't get. Why did the thief call both of us?" Chu Zhi asked.

"To make sure we got the message. Like how some ransom letters get sent in duplicate."

"Duplicate is fine. But sending them to two different people? That's overkill," Chu Zhi said. "Min-ge, can you repeat exactly what the thief said to you?"

"He said to prepare the ransom, go to Susukino Market, and find the 'Money Pig' to drop the cash into. If we didn't, they'd kill the hostage. But he didn't say how much to bring."

"Exactly what I thought." Chu Zhi nodded. "I was told to prepare 50,000 yen, but not where to deliver it. Looks like the thief split the info into two parts."

"Do we even have 50,000 yen?" Min asked, concerned.

"Ransom's covered," Chu Zhi said.

"What a cunning Plum Blossom Thief," Jeongbae commented.

"Not really," Chu Zhi replied. Seeing Min's confusion, he added, "Fifty thousand yen is just about 2,500 yuan. That's way too little."

"Pfft—yeah, you're right!"

They joked as they tried calling Cai Jia, Zhang Ning, and Luo Jianhui via the hotel landline. No answer. Not even a ring.

But Chu Zhi had leveled up. He'd started memorizing phone numbers—and luckily, he remembered all his teammates'.

They decided to check out Susukino Market first and decide what to do afterward. Chu Zhi asked a few pedestrians for directions. It wasn't even a kilometer away—just past two Family Mart stores, and there it was.

Susukino was Hokkaido's red-light district. Aside from convenience stores, the most common sight was sketchy izakayas.

"Let's split up," Jeongbae suggested automatically.

"Wait," Chu Zhi said suddenly. "What if... we don't have to pay the ransom at all?"

Min Jeongbae stared at him. He didn't think Chu Zhi would abandon his teammates for money.

"Let's break this down. What are the three essential elements of a kidnapping?" Chu Zhi asked.

Min Jeongbae blinked. He was completely lost but nodded attentively.

"Ransom amount, drop-off method and location, and the hostage release time," Chu Zhi explained. "All three are necessary for it to count as a proper kidnapping."

"Right now, we only have two. No word on when the hostages will be released. That means either they don't plan to release them, or they can't control the timing."

"Spell it out for me, leader. My brain's not catching up," Jeongbae said.

"What I mean is, our first mission last week involved the Gold Thief, testing our unity. This time, it looks similar—probably another test of teamwork."

"But let's flip it. What if it's not about unity? What else could they be testing?"

"Vigilance," Chu Zhi declared. "The national anti-fraud app was just launched last month. Our show has a social responsibility angle, so this first task might be a fakeout. Zhang Ning-jie and the others might not be kidnapped at all. Their phones might just be off in-flight. The so-called 'Plum Blossom Thief' could just be a scammer."

"This is a tactic real scammers use too. If we drop the cash, we're just getting conned."

Inside the production van, the director listening to this via the surveillance feed could only scream internally—

"WHAT THE HELL?!"

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