The Footage [1]

"What's the verdict?"

Xiajun sat comfortably in The Elysium's lounge with today's newspaper spread out in front of him. He picked up his glass of liquor and took a sip before looking at the bar man once again, who looked upon this intimidating stranger with confusion.

"Pardon?"

Xiajun smacked his lips and put the glass back on the counter. "The woman that was caught stealing a few days ago. What became of her?"

Suddenly an excited glint appeared in the gossip-sharing barman's eyes and he leaned his elbows on the bar counter, his whole demeanor shifting.

"Ah, that old hag," he muttered bitterly as he leaned in, his eyes glancing around. Xiajun raised his eyebrows as he folded the newspaper shut and listened in attentively. "It's 6 years in prison, as I've heard."

Xiajun nudged his glass for the barman to refill and as he did so, he kept on talking. "She got caught stealing some distinguished gentleman's wallet a couple days ago. Oh, and I heard someone saying that they saw her carrying some heavy folder in her purse. Dunno what that's about. Ain't I got no idea what the hag was thinking, to be honest. Dumb of her to not run away. Was bound to get caught at some point." ...And he kept babbling.

Xiajun had tuned out of the conversation after he had heard the punishment the woman was served. Though he didn't really care as long as he got back his stuff. His thoughts were more focused on Wu Yanlin and his case. Suddenly, Xiajun remembered something.

"Isn't The Elysium part of Wu Hotels?" he asked the barman as he served him his drink.

The barman nodded and leaned back against the shelves of alcohol displays. "Yes, sir. Most big hotels are. Ah, and that reminds me of something. Did you get the gist about what happened to the chairman...? It's foul play, oh, I tell ya'!"

Xiajun raised his eyes behind his glass. "Oh really? What made you think so?"

The barman scoffed, but suddenly smiled brightly as another customer arrived and he asked them for their drinks of choice. As he made the chosen drinks, he continued. "Nobody just suddenly shows up all bloody and battered. And the fact that all photos of the injured chairman were removed off of the web, what's there not to get? Can't believe some people are still so aloof- Ah, here's your Moutai, sir." The barman served the drink to the customer while Xiajun sat there, deep in thought.

****

Xiajun donned his best coat as he walked on the sidewalk, umbrella slapping at his thighs. It wasn't raining yet, but the sky was grey and ominous, so he was never to know.

His plan was to visit the Y Corporations' HQ today and check the outdoor security footage of the day Wu Yanlin turned up injured and lost consciousness. What had happened before he collapsed? Had he walked the whole way to the HQ in bloodied clothes? If so, why had the cab driver remained silent?

Xiajun walked confidently, chin up, till he came to the steps of the HQ. He did a 360 degree take of his surroundings and spotted 3 CCTV cameras near the entrance, all of them capturing different angles of the same place. Xiajun nodded, and started climbing the busy steps up, using his umbrella as a staff.

"ID?" the Security guard asked at the entrance. It was a compulsory practice all security guards were forced to practice, and more so since the incident that day.

Forced to oblige, Xiajun revealed his national ID and after answering a few more questions, he was let in. The inside of the extraordinarily tall building had a totally different vibe than the exterior. The outside was tall, shiny and blue. Inside was pristine white, roaming with neatly dresses employees. Bright lights shone overhead and below the feet were reflective marble floors. Faint murmurs were heard all around as employees buzzed from station to station.

At the front desk, Xiajun showed his letter of affirmation signed by CEO Wu Donghai and was led to the main office where the Chief Operations' Officer (COO) sat, talking to other officials. As Xiajun walked in the office room, he scanned all the different faces and recognized the COO Kang Xixin, aka COO Kang for short.

"Good day, COO," Xiajun beamed as he shook hands with him. The man had approached him first after acknowledging his presence, as of course, Detective Jun was a widespread name.

The COO smiled, baring all his straight, white teeth even though he was of age. "Good God, Detective! What brings you here?" he asked good-naturedly. "Come have a seat. I was just done talking to these gentlemen over here regarding our branch in the USA. Would you like something to drink?"

Xiajun nodded as he settled down, observing his surroundings with great interest. "So I'm sure you've heard..."

COO Kang nodded solemnly as he slid down into his chair behind his desk. "Yes, of course. How would you like to start the processions?"

Now, this! Xiajun liked people like these. No questions, no annoying babbles- straight to business. Xiajun smiled, feeling much more comfortable. "Let's start with the CCTV's near the entrance outside. I'd like to see complete footage from that day, if you please."

COO Kang scraped his chair back and stood up. "Of course. This way, please."