I was a rookie reporter in the 00s

Chapter 306 Wen Jing is threatened

Wenjing's office was tucked away at the back of the bar, isolated from the outside world and exceptionally quiet. Zhang Wanqing walked in and looked around, noticing a stark contrast to the bar's atmosphere. A few abstract paintings hung on the walls, and the desk, piled high with documents and other miscellaneous items, seemed a bit messy. She noticed an open notebook on the table, densely scribbled with notes—what appeared to be names and dates.

Zhang Wanqing was about to take a closer look when Wen Jing pushed the door open and walked in, a look of concern on her face: "Are you feeling better?"

Zhang Wanqing nodded and said casually, "Much better. Maybe I'm too tired. Sister Wenjing, your work must be very hard, right?"

Wen Jing smiled slightly, sat down at her desk, and said, "It's okay, I'm used to it. But you look very stressed, too. How about taking a few days off?"

Zhang Wanqing shook her head, a hint of determination flashing in her eyes: "I'm fine, it's just that something has been making me feel uncomfortable recently."

Wen Jing seemed to have noticed something and smiled slightly: "If you have anything, you can tell me, maybe I can help you."

Zhang Wanqing's heart moved and she decided to give it a try: "Actually, I've been investigating some things recently and found some strange clues. I think these things may be related to our bar."

Wen Jing's smile froze instantly, and a hint of vigilance flashed in her eyes: "What did you say?"

Zhang Wanqing deliberately lowered her voice, a hint of mystery in her tone: "Sister Wenjing, I know you've been hiding something. I saw that basement room and those strange symbols. I think these things are related to the recent murders."

Wen Jing's face turned pale in an instant. She tried to remain calm and whispered, "What nonsense are you talking about? Those things have nothing to do with our bar."

Zhang Wanqing shook her head and continued, "Sister Wenjing, you don't have to hide it from me. I know you must have some connection with those victims. Maybe you're not a bad person, but you were just caught up in this conspiracy. If you tell me the truth, I can help you."

Wen Jing was silent for a moment, a trace of struggle flashing in her eyes. Finally, she sighed and said, "Wanqing, you are too naive. Some things are not as simple as you think. You don't know what you are talking about."

At this moment, Fu Siyuan and Li Wei quietly opened the door and walked in. Fu Siyuan said, "Wen Jing, we all know what you are hiding. If you don't tell us the truth, things will only get worse."

Wen Jing's face instantly turned pale. She stood up suddenly and said angrily, "What on earth do you want to do?"

Li Wei stepped forward and said firmly, "Wen Jing, we just want to find out the truth. If you are truly innocent, tell us everything you know. Otherwise, we will call the police."

Wen Jing's expression switched between anger and fear. Finally, she slowly sat down, a hint of helplessness flashing in her eyes: "Okay, I'll tell you. But you have to promise me not to involve me."

Wen Jing took a deep breath and said slowly: "I know you are investigating those murders, but I really didn't participate. I was just... dragged into this conspiracy."

Zhang Wanqing and Fu Siyuan exchanged a glance, a tinge of anticipation welling up in their hearts. Li Wei sat quietly to the side, waiting for Wen Jing to continue.

"A few months ago, I received a call asking me to do some work in the bar, like recording some people's information and preparing some things in the basement." Wen Jing's voice trembled. "I thought it was just a normal investigation at first, but then I found out that those symbols and maps seemed to be related to the murder case."

Zhang Wanqing pressed on, "What do those symbols mean? Have you ever seen the person who called?"

Wen Jing shook her head. "I haven't seen him. He always contacts me by phone. I don't know what those symbols mean, but I've noticed that every time I follow his instructions to prepare something in the basement, someone disappears."

Fu Siyuan frowned and asked, "Then why are you still helping him?"

Wen Jing raised her head, a trace of pain flashing in her eyes: "Because I have no choice. He threatened me that if I didn't do it, he would hurt my family. I had no choice but to do what he said."

Li Wei was silent for a moment, then whispered, "Wen Jing, do you know who the caller was? Did he mention any name?"

Wen Jing shook her head. "He never told me his name, he just told me to follow his instructions. But I noticed that he seemed very interested in the staff at the bar, especially the new girls."

Zhang Wanqing was startled. She remembered the victims, most of whom were bar employees. Could it be that this mysterious man really selected his targets in the bar through Wen Jing?

"Wenjing, have you found anyone suspicious? Or do you have any clues that can help us find him?" Zhang Wanqing asked anxiously.

Wen Jing was silent for a moment, then took out a piece of paper from the drawer. On it was a string of numbers and letters. "I found this in a cabinet in the basement. I don't know what it is, but I think it has something to do with that mysterious man."

Li Wei took the note, looked at it carefully, and said, "This is some kind of code. We need to find an expert to decipher it. Wen Jing, are you sure this was found in the basement?"

Wen Jing nodded. "Yes, I found it when I was cleaning the basement. I thought it was important, so I kept it hidden in a drawer."

Zhang Wanqing's heart skipped a beat. She realized that these symbols and codes might be the key to solving the entire case. She looked at Fu Siyuan, and both of them had a hint of anticipation in their eyes.

"Wen Jing, you did the right thing." Li Wei said, "We will help you get rid of the threat from that mysterious man, but you must cooperate with us."

Wen Jing nodded, a hint of gratitude flashing in her eyes: "I know, I hope I can help you."

The three of them left the office and returned to the bar. By then, the guests had gradually dispersed, leaving only a few regulars still chatting. Fu Siyuan and Li Wei whispered about their next plan, while Zhang Wanqing sat in a corner, pondering Wen Jing's words.

"Wanqing, do you think what Wenjing said is true?" Fu Siyuan asked in a low voice.

Zhang Wanqing nodded. "I think she was threatened. There was fear in her eyes, and she had no reason to help us so much."

Li Wei pondered for a moment and said, "No matter what, this note is very important. We need to find an expert to interpret it as soon as possible to see if we can find any clues about the mysterious person."

Fu Siyuan nodded. "I have a friend at the Municipal University who's good at cryptography. We can ask him for help."

Li Wei thought for a moment and said, "Okay, you contact him. We'll go find him tomorrow morning."

After discussing it, the three decided to separate temporarily. Fu Siyuan contacted his friend and arranged to meet the next day. Zhang Wanqing decided to observe the situation in the bar to see if she could find more clues.