Chapter 476: Chapter 174: Cat-and-Mouse, Mu Shuang in Disarray!

Thump thump thump.

In less than a minute, a crowd surged out from various stairway doors: housewives with vegetable baskets, young mothers holding children, all eagerly running towards the distribution point.

Cheng Ye stood in the shadow nearby, without approaching the crowd.

Suddenly, a gaze landed on him, and in an instant, it sparked a reaction from Flame. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

It was that familiar feeling of being watched!

He fought the urge to turn his head, immediately channeling Flame, and looked towards the source of the gaze.

On the fourth floor, behind the gap in the beige curtains, a gaze was "intensely" staring at him.

"Caught so easily?" Cheng Ye felt a thrill inside.

In a game of cat and mouse, it’s all about the information gap.

Cops catch thieves by relying on their forthright, aboveboard methods.

If you really want to play dirty, how foolish must you be to abandon your advantages to rely on others’ strengths.

He wouldn’t foolishly search door to door; whoever has less information can only passively take blows.

"What a pity that Flame can’t fly yet, otherwise we’d just fly up there for a clear look at the person."

"Hmm, if it gets bigger, maybe I wouldn’t even need to lift a finger, and it would knock the person down directly."

A few seconds later, that gaze disappeared.

Cheng Ye made no moves, continuing to stand with arms folded, watching the queued crowd for supplies.

A granny had already received a bucket, shouting jubilantly and giving repeated thanks.

The scene grew more lively; besides women coming down for supplies, elderly and children also came down, watching from the sidelines.

Sure enough, after another ten seconds, that gaze appeared again, only to vanish hurriedly after two or three seconds.

"He’s trying to scare the snake, wanting me to walk right into his trap." Mu Shuang let go of the curtain, whispering.

"Oh? So what do you plan to do?" Jiang Chuan asked, scanning the bustling crowd in the community with his binoculars, "Women from your building went down to get supplies too. If they ask around later, you won’t stay hidden."

"So I need to leave now."

Mu Shuang shook her head, a hint of surprise in her tone, "I was planning to wait for them to come and do a sweep, deliberately creating some trouble to buy time. Didn’t expect him to be so clever, not falling into the trap and instead leaving the choice to stay or leave to me."

"I suggest you don’t go downstairs yet," Jiang Chuan advised, "Rooftops of the second and third units next door have people on watch already. Er Long and his team are stationed at your building’s entrance, questioning everyone who exits. If you can’t answer..."

"You think my disguise will be seen through?" Mu Shuang touched the black mole at the corner of her mouth.

"You can try; I’m just here to provide information."

After Jiang Chuan spoke, he added, "Also, Cheng Ye went over again, speaking quietly with Er Long. It seems he’s giving new instructions."

"Have they decided to take me down?"

Mu Shuang took a deep breath.

Unexpectedly, in the confrontation between the two, as it just began, the scales of victory already leaned infinitely towards Cheng Ye.

Now, only two paths were left for her.

First, climb to the rooftop, using a grapple hook and zip line for a quick getaway, moving to a new location to continue the tug of war with Cheng Ye.

But this method is blunt and crude; once she shows up, it means all her previous disguises were in vain.

If Cheng Ye reacts quickly enough, bringing people to chase and block the route with guns, the game is directly over.

Second, go downstairs, braving the checkpoint, thinking of a way to blend into the community to escape.

If, after showing up, drawing attention, and Cheng Ye completes the setup, she can still leave openly,

by the game rule, it would mean she wins this round.

"That Inspector Cheng... really is quite something."

Mu Shuang quickly composed herself, practicing a "worldly big sister" smile repeatedly in front of the mirror.

Her eyes slightly squinted, lips spreading into a grin, showing a hint of greed and caution.

Even visualizing herself excitedly receiving free supplies, breaking it down into wobbly footsteps and fidgeting fingers, ensuring every detail is foolproof.

After years of surviving in the wasteland, needing to disguise her identity in many situations had become second nature.

Soon, she completely immersed herself into the character, opened the door, imitating the eager footsteps of collecting items, and thumped down the stairs.

On the first floor.

Er Long stood guard at the entrance with four militiamen, while outside circled a dozen more militiamen.

Everyone was holstered with guns, looking amusedly towards the stairway, a scrutinizing gleam in their eyes.

"Have I been discovered?"

Mu Shuang’s heart skipped a beat, but she didn’t pause a bit, nor did any crack show on her face.

"Here for the items, ma’am?" Er Long took the lead, with no trace of emotion in his voice.

"Yes, here for the items."

Mu Shuang nodded quickly, handing over her identity badge, her voice hoarse.

She intentionally exposed her arm skin, which, due to years in the wilderness, was noticeably tanned and scarred, rougher than that of ordinary women in their thirties.

"Oh, we need to verify your identity, is that okay?" Er Long took the badge, his gaze lingering on her arm for two seconds.

"No problem, no problem." Mu Shuang cooperated by lowering her head, looking "afraid of authority."

Er Long pretended to examine the badge, suddenly asked, "How much is a toothbrush at the grocery store, do you know?"

"You’re joking, sir. Do toothbrushes sell individually? They’re all bundled in threes, for 1 Happiness Coin." Mu Shuang answered without hesitation.

"Oh, what about toothpaste, the newly launched Shoufu brand?"

"Shoufu brand’s been around for 5 years, not exactly new. Besides, they’re not sold individually, two tubes for 5 Happiness Coins, better than the Happiness brand, just pricier."