I was a rookie reporter in the 00s

Chapter 324 Design Trap

Chapter 324 Designing a Trap

The three of them returned to the guesthouse and sat in the living room, the atmosphere heavy and tense. They knew that Li Hua couldn't have known their plan out of thin air, unless someone had deliberately leaked the information. However, they still couldn't find that possible loophole.

"We have to start from the beginning," Zhang Wanqing said. "We can't miss any detail."

"I remember that when we were contacting the victims, there was a detail that might have been overlooked," Fu Siyuan said. "We used the same mobile phone number when we contacted them."

"You mean, our cell phone numbers might have been leaked?" Li Wei asked.

"It's very likely," Zhang Wanqing said. "If the people from Haitian International monitored the victim's phone calls, they might know our cell phone number."

"Then we have to change our numbers quickly," Li Wei said. "We can't use the old number anymore."

"It's too late." Zhang Wanqing shook her head. "They already know our plan. Changing the number won't help."

"What should we do now?" Li Wei asked.

"We have to find the traitor," Zhang Wanqing said. "Only by finding him can we completely solve this problem."

At this moment, Zhang Wanqing's phone suddenly vibrated. She turned on the phone and found an anonymous text message:

"Do you really think we don't know your plan?"

Zhang Wanqing's expression instantly turned serious. She raised her head and looked at Fu Siyuan and Li Wei: "They really have been monitoring us."

"We have to leave here quickly," Fu Siyuan said. "They may take action against us at any time."

"No, we can't run away," Zhang Wanqing said. "We must find the traitor, otherwise they will continue to threaten us."

"But how do we find him?" Li Wei asked.

"There's only one way," Zhang Wanqing said, "We have to take the initiative."

The three quickly devised a plan, deciding to exploit Li Hua's confidence to lure out the traitor. They knew that since Li Hua already knew their plan, he would definitely send someone to monitor them. So, they decided to create a false clue to lure the traitor into the trap.

"We have to create a fake plan," Zhang Wanqing said, "let them think we're still investigating Li Hua."

"Then how do we create a fake plan?" Fu Siyuan asked.

"We can use the internet," Zhang Wanqing said. "We can post some false information online to make them think we're still investigating Haitian International."

"Will this method work?" Li Wei asked.

"It's worth a try." Zhang Wanqing said, "At least, we can lure out the traitor."

That evening, Zhang Wanqing used her identity as a reporter to publish an investigative article about the Haitian International Tourism Group online. In the article, she deliberately mentioned that they had obtained evidence of Li Hua's crime and were looking for more clues.

"They will see this article," Zhang Wanqing said. "As long as they are still monitoring us, they will definitely take action."

"Then what should we do next?" Fu Siyuan asked.

"We have to be prepared to deal with their actions," Zhang Wanqing said. "They might send people to threaten us or disrupt our plans."

"Then how do we respond?" Li Wei asked.

"We have to set a trap," Zhang Wanqing said, "to make them think we've been fooled."

That evening, Zhang Wanqing sent a text message to Li Hua, asking him to meet at a secluded cafe. The message was brief and direct:

"Mr. Li Hua, we have important evidence to discuss with you. Location: XX Cafe, Time: 9:00 tonight. If you don't want to make a big deal out of this, come alone."

Li Wei and Fu Siyuan waited in the parking lot outside the cafe. They had already set up surveillance equipment, ready to respond to any potential dangers. Zhang Wanqing walked into the cafe alone, sat in a corner, and waited quietly.

Time passed by minute by minute, and the people in the cafe gradually thinned out, leaving Zhang Wanqing alone. She looked up from time to time to observe the situation around her, but did not find anything unusual. Just then, her phone vibrated, and it was a text message:

"Do you really think we would be fooled so easily?"

Zhang Wanqing's heart sank suddenly, she realized that the other party might have seen through their plan. However, she did not show any panic, but quickly replied with a text message:

"Are you scared? Then why are you replying to me?"

She knew that the other party would definitely send someone to check the situation, and they just needed to lure out the traitor.

It was past nine o'clock, and there were no other customers in the cafe. Zhang Wanqing was still sitting in the corner, observing everything around her with a vigilant look. Just then, the door of the cafe was pushed open, and a man wearing sunglasses walked in. He looked around and finally set his eyes on Zhang Wanqing.

"Who are you?" the man walked forward and asked in a low voice.

"I'm here to meet Mr. Li Hua." Zhang Wanqing raised her head and looked him straight in the eye. "Isn't he here?"

"Mr. Li Hua is very busy." The man sneered, "He asked me to come and see what evidence you have."

"Evidence?" Zhang Wanqing smiled slightly. "Are you sure you want to see it?"

The man hesitated, but eventually nodded. Zhang Wanqing pulled a folder from her bag and handed it over. The man took it and quickly flipped through it. However, he soon discovered that the folder contained only some irrelevant information.

"What does this mean?" The man raised his head, a flash of anger in his eyes.

"Do you think we'd give you evidence so easily?" Zhang Wanqing sneered, "We just want to see how stupid you are."

The man's face instantly turned livid. He suddenly grabbed Zhang Wanqing's wrist and threatened in a low voice, "You'd better behave yourself, or you'll regret it."

"Let her go!" At this moment, Fu Siyuan and Li Wei rushed in and quickly subdued the man.

"Did you know I would come?" the man struggled.

"Of course." Zhang Wanqing sneered, "We just want to see how stupid you are."

"You think arresting me will solve the problem?" the man sneered. "Mr. Li Hua won't let you go."

"We will take care of him," Zhang Wanqing said. "Now, you just need to tell us who the traitor is among you."

The man was silent for a moment, and finally spoke: "Your plan was leaked because someone in your group deliberately told us."

"Who?" Zhang Wanqing stared at him closely.

"Your informant, Xiao Chen," the man said, "has long been bribed by us."

"Xiao Chen?" Zhang Wanqing's expression instantly turned serious. "How could he..."

"He's just an ordinary man." The man sneered, "If we give him enough money, he will naturally work for us."

"You are so despicable." Zhang Wanqing said angrily.

"This is business," the man said. "You will never understand."