Chapter 530: The Man Just an Arm’s Length from Me Was Zhao Youcheng

“Mm, just browsing,” Zhao Youcheng replied casually.

He and his two subordinates scanned the store, glancing around the space with keen eyes.

“No second floor? All your merchandise is on this level?” he asked, keeping up the appearance of a curious customer. “I’m here for my daughter’s graduation. Thought I’d get a tailored suit for the occasion.”

Not wanting to raise suspicion, Captain Zhao added the comment with a smile.

The shop assistant returned the smile and nodded. “First off, congratulations! Our store may be small, but every suit here is handmade by master tailors. You can’t compare these to off-the-rack products. All the most respected figures in the city wear our designs.”

As she spoke, she picked up a suit and began showing off the stitching and detailing.

Zhao Youcheng seemed to be admiring the craftsmanship, but his eyes never stopped scanning, taking in every corner of the shop.

That was when he noticed a young boy—more accurately, a small teenager—browsing quietly through the racks. He looked like any other customer, keeping to himself.

“Nothing suspicious,” one of Zhao’s men whispered, stepping up beside him. The team had swept the entire store, even peeking behind the front desk.

There were no back doors, no stairs leading to upper levels—just a simple storefront.

The thorough inspection was necessary. These fugitives were clever—many used inattentive shop staff as cover to slip into hidden upper-floor businesses or back rooms to hide or regroup.

They had just finished checking every shop with second floors or back doors. Apart from capturing a Class B fugitive earlier, there’d been no other findings.

“I’ll keep looking. I might circle back later,” Captain Zhao said, then turned and walked out.

He never noticed Thirteen standing just a few feet away.

The wrist with the identity band was drenched in sweat but kept hidden beneath the sleeve of a jacket. Thankfully, Thirteen’s naturally calm and expressionless face didn’t betray a hint of nervousness.

Had he flinched even slightly, Zhao would’ve caught it. After all, they’d passed within arm’s reach.

“Those three were acting really strange,” the shop assistant muttered, frowning as Zhao and his men exited.

“Dad, are you done?” Thirteen finally spoke, his voice barely audible—just enough for Old Zhou inside the fitting room to hear.

Click.

The curtain drew back.

Old Zhou’s forehead was slick with sweat, his face flushed red. It was clear how tense he’d been in that cramped little space.

“Yeah, yeah. I’m good.”

“How’s the suit, sir?” the assistant asked cheerfully. “If it doesn’t fit, we can tailor it for you.”

Old Zhou quickly grabbed the suit and bowed his head in embarrassment.

“Sorry, it’s a great suit, really, but it’s just too expensive. Thanks for your help,” he said, dragging Thirteen with him as they hurried out without a backward glance, looking every bit like customers rushing off in embarrassment.

“What’s with these people today?” the assistant grumbled. “It’s not even 9 a.m. and we’ve already had two weird sets of customers.”

It was strange indeed.

‘Something’s off lately,’ she thought. So many people seem to be in a rush these days.

Maybe something happened?

She gave it a moment’s thought, then shrugged and pulled out her tablet to continue watching her anime.

Had she even glanced at the news, she might’ve realized both groups just now were participants in the country’s hottest reality show.

The very people who might become tomorrow’s viral stars.

***

Roughly a kilometer from the shop, Old Zhou finally let out a huge breath. He was still shaken.

“That scared the hell out of me. You’re sure those three were inspectors?” he asked, glancing around nervously as they walked. “I think they were. One of them looked really familiar, probably from the Dragon Kingdom team.” 

Thirteen gave a nod, far calmer than his partner. He never wore his emotions on his face, so even in moments like this, no one could tell he was nervous.

“Yes. That was Zhao Youcheng. Last season, he joined as the Dragon Kingdom’s special guest captain for the final two weeks. Boss nearly got caught by him three times.”

The words caught Old Zhou off guard.

He couldn’t tell what shocked him more: the fact that Shi San was speaking so much, or what he was saying.

“Wait, Zhao Youcheng?! Yes! That’s it! Now I remember, no wonder he looked so familiar! I even rewatched the episodes before we left!”

Old Zhou smacked his forehead in realization, then broke into a cold sweat.

“Dear lord… you’re telling me… just now, the captain of the Dragon Kingdom team, Zhao Youcheng, was one wall away from me?!”

He gasped, sucking in a breath.

Thirteen looked up at him, face blank and voice flat. “He was just an arm’s length away from me.”

Old Zhou staggered at the thought.

“Oh my god! Thank heaven we didn’t get discovered! Our boss is amazing, and you and I? We’re the perfect combo. No way they’ll catch us!”

He burst out laughing, the relief pouring out of him like steam after surviving a disaster.

But Thirteen’s expression remained grim. In fact, he was frowning now.

“We need to leave. Now. I think… he noticed us.”

“Huh? What do you mean he noticed us? How could he—? Hey! Wait up! Don’t run so fast!”

But Thirteen had already broken into a sprint, heading straight for their lodging. Behind him, Old Zhou stumbled to catch up, still reeling from what had just happened.