186: Chapter 15: The First Confrontation with the Policewoman 186: Chapter 15: The First Confrontation with the Policewoman Tang Zheng, with his Space Backpack slung over a single shoulder, strolled around the shopping area near Kawaramachi, looking for an old bookstore that had been open for at least thirty years.

He wasn’t interested in the kind of shops that only sold manga and light novels.

Wearing ordinary sportswear, the style and color of which were nearly 40 years out of date, combined with his foreigner status, Tang Zheng had garnered more than a few curious looks even without speaking.

Most of those shooting him glance were young, and some even tried to strike up a conversation.

Naturally, Tang Zheng did not squander such opportunities.

He skillfully inquired about information related to Kyoto Prefecture Hiyoshi Town but unfortunately, nobody knew of it.

They were more familiar with places that sold anime merchandise and hangout spots.

Even after ten minutes, Tang Zheng couldn’t find anything.

He could’ve asked the long-term store owners there, guessing their store’s age from the condition of their signboard but that would be more of gambling with time and luck.

Instead, Tang Zheng gritted his teeth and glanced at the white police car parked beside the street with its doors wide open and devoid of a driver.

“Am I walking right into the trap?” Tang Zheng chuckled at himself before quickening his pace to approach the vehicle.

He glanced inside to find the key still in the ignition, hinting that the owner hadn’t gone far.

He removed the key, shut the door, and waited silently.

As expected, within two minutes, a policewoman in her twenties with short hair emerged from a convenience store, carrying a large plastic bag packed with various food items.

She was happily humming a tune, enjoying her ice cream treat.

However, her demeanor changed when she spotted Tang Zheng standing beside the police car; she quickened her steps.

“If only I had a Memory Eraser, it would save so much trouble!” Tang Zheng muttered sarcastically.

He plastered a look of concern and impatience onto his face while pacing around aimlessly.

He kept checking his watch to give the policewoman an impression that he was in a rush.

Tang Zheng was confident in his Oscar-worthy acting.

Muffling his chaotic thoughts, he prepared to engage.

He sneaked peeks at the policewoman, only to feel a flicker of apprehension.

This girl wouldn’t be easy to deal with.

Upon seeing Tang Zheng’s demeanor, the policewoman visibly relaxed and resumed enjoying her ice cream.

She had deduced that he was a thoughtful foreign student, who, upon seeing an unattended police car, decided to guard it.

Moreover, she noticed his impatience revealing that he had urgent matters to attend to.

“She’s not naive, unlike most who would approach me accusingly.

Instead, she predicted it from my actions.

Now let’s see what you’ll do next.” After learning the intensity of the policewoman’s attention to detail, Tang Zheng did not dare to peek at her from the corner of his eye again, fearing his cover would be blown.

However, her image was already embedded in his mind.

She was wearing a black pencil skirt uniform that barely extended past her knees.

The skirt fittingly embraced her legs, possessing a restrained elegance.

The sheer flesh-colored silk stockings added a layer of mature sexiness, topped off with black mid-heeled leather shoes that when strode on the stone-paved road, resonated with a rhythmic “da-da” sound that was full of confidence and pride.

“About seven meters,” Tang Zheng gauged her distance using the sound of her footsteps, while picturing her upper attire — a light-colored short-sleeved police uniform, layered with a blue waistcoat.

The handcuffs hanging off her waist and the police gun implied at her rank.

“Why isn’t she wearing badges on her shoulders?”

Tang Zheng wanted to ascertain her police rank, a strong identifier of a typical policeman’s ability.

However, her shoulders were bare.

“Do you speak Japanese?

Why are you standing here?

Did you close the car door?” The policewoman strolled up to Tang Zheng, gestured him to stand away from the police car and casually queried.

Despite the light tone, her expression was solemn.

“I saw the door open and thought there was a problem.

Despite the key being inside, I chose to wait here.” Tang Zheng responded calmly, meeting the policewoman’s gaze with a certain resolve.

This policewoman was quite attractive, around 1.75 meters tall, exuding a vibrant aura all around.

Her ample chest stretched her front uniform tautly.

“Oh no, the keys.” The authoritative aura put up by the policewoman fell apart, she quickly turned around and started pulling at the car handle frantically.

“The windows are also closed, this is bad luck.”

“Here are the keys.” Tang Zheng handed her the keys and quickly added, “I didn’t touch anything else; you can check if you want.”

By saying this, Tang Zheng wasn’t attempting to prove his innocence but to leave a trace behind.

At the same time, he wanted to establish an impression of a gentleman to the policewoman.

“I believe you.” The policewoman assured although she did sweep the car interior with her glance.

It was only natural for her not to easily trust a stranger.

Once convinced nothing had been tampered with, she relaxed and her attitude towards Tang Zheng softened as she realized the misunderstanding.

Grateful that he’d thought of preventing the loss of the police car, she initiated the conversation, “Are you a tourist or a student?”

“Here it comes, hooked as expected.” It could’ve been suspicious if he himself started the conversation, however, when it’s coming from the other party, they would unconsciously get involved.

Now, all Tang Zheng had to do was steer the conversation.

“I’ve been a student in Japan for just under two months, I know nothing.”

“Your Japanese is pretty good.

I am Kobayakawa Yumi.”

“Thank you.

By the way, why isn’t there any rank on your shoulders?” Tang Zheng asked even though he’d already recollected the reason.

His roommate once watched a Japanese drama about policewomen, where their ranks were represented by the chest badges.

Tang Zheng was thankful for his good memory.

“If I’m not wrong, she should be a Police Inspector.”

“Oh, it’s a chest badge.” Kobayakawa Yumi pointed at her chest, radiating confidence.

“It represents Police Inspector.

Remember not to get it wrong next time.”

“So you’re a police chief!” exclaimed Tang Zheng with a hint of surprise, yet he secretly chuckled inwardly.

Young people who attained some achievements they were proud of often yearned to flaunt them.

The title of a police chief was indeed a high one, so his comments were entirely aimed at giving her a chance to show off.

As expected, after saying all these, the policewoman looked at the perfectly proportioned admiration on Tang Zheng’s face and felt a little proud of herself.

“You seemed to be in quite a rush.

Are you running out of time?” Kobayakawa Yumi found the young man before her to be interesting and wanted to offer him some help.

Of course, Tang Zheng’s handsome appearance and Iolite’s fluency in the Japanese language also played a significant role in her decision.

“Ah, yes.

My parents’ friends in Japan gave me an address in Kyoto Prefecture’s Hiyoshi Town.

I’ve looked through the map countless times, but I can’t find this place,” Tang Zheng intentionally exhibited a frustrated expression and passed a previously prepared note to the policewoman.

“I’ve wasted two days on this already.

If I can’t find it today, I’ll have to go back for class.”

“I’ve lived here for twenty-five years and I’ve never heard of this place.

Are you sure the address is written correctly?” Kobayakawa Yumi frowned and cast a glance at the map in Tang Zheng’s hand, slowing down her ice cream consumption due to her deep thought process.

“That’s why I’m looking for a bookstore that has been around for more than fifty years to buy an old map of Kyoto Prefecture.

After all, a place can’t simply vanish,” Tang Zheng didn’t finish his sentence, thinking that the Silver Trojan might be playing them.

“You’re quite clever, aren’t you?

Do you like detective novels?” Kobayakawa Yumi started to find the exchange student who was good at deduction and reasoning somewhat intriguing, “What will you do if you can’t find it on the map?”

“I’m a fan of Matsumoto Seicho’s sociological mystery novels, and Higashino Keigo’s ‘Journey Under the Midnight Sun’ is quite excellent,” Tang Zheng casually selected two names.

“If I can’t find it, I’ll try online.”

“That’s it?” Yumi felt disappointed.

“However, the books you like are quite old-fashioned.”

“Of course not, that would be too unreliable.

Besides, I need to validate the authenticity of the information provided by others.

So, I plan to visit the post office to ask some elderly mail carriers,” Tang Zheng realized from Kobayakawa’s expression that she was fond of detective novels, so he started to bait her.

As for the old books, there is, after all, a forty-year age gap between them.

“Yes, old mail carriers would know the city’s changes best.” Kobayakawa Yumi nodded in agreement, laughing, “I’ll come with you.”

“Don’t you need to work?” Tang Zheng tried to decline her offer, realizing that politeness was needed.

“Assisting exchange students is also part of a police officer’s duties.

Besides, I’m off today.

Come on, get in the car.

I’ll take you to Asahi Bookstore first.

It’s the oldest bookstore in Kyoto,” Yumi beckoned Tang Zheng into the car after getting into the driver’s seat.

“Hurry up.”

Once again, Tang Zheng humbly refused before getting into the passenger seat.

He intentionally asked about Japan’s special features to satisfy the policewoman’s desire to help.

Twenty minutes later, standing in the lobby of Asahi Bookstore and watching the shop attendant bringing two dusty maps from the back room, Tang Zheng finally felt relieved.

“It was not easy to find a map from sixty years ago.” The attendant grumbled internally, thinking that he wouldn’t bother with such a troublesome task if it weren’t for the presence of the policewoman accompanying the exchange student.

He hardly made much money from it anyway.

“Thank you.” Tang Zheng paid 2300 Japanese Yen and then left a tip of 2000 Japanese Yen, instantly winning the attendant’s favor, and his smile broadened.

“You didn’t need to tip him.” Yumi remarked offhandedly as she took the map.

“After all, he did help.

It’s just a small token of appreciation.

Besides, I have a part-time job,” Tang Zheng explained, not trying to act like a big spender.

His act was merely intended to enhance his favorability in the policewoman’s eyes.

“You’re true to your reputation as boy from a nation known for its manners.” The policewoman nodded understandingly, her impression of Tang Zheng improving slightly.

She then glanced at the map, suddenly exclaiming, “Indeed, there’s such a place as Hiyoshi Town.”

The policewoman picked up another newer map for comparison, then showed a relieved expression, “It appears that Hiyoshi Town merged with Sonobe Town and Yagi Town in 2006.

The current Nantan City is the place you’re looking for.

However, why would your parents’ friends write down an address from over thirty years ago?”

Upon finishing her sentence, the policewoman stared at Tang Zheng with a piercing gaze as she reassessed him.

“Why is there another Hiyoshi Town here?” Tang Zheng hadn’t heard her question because he had noticed another Hiyoshi Town on the map.

It seemed that the Silver Trojan had indeed laid a series of traps.

(To be continued.

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