Seeing Billy's distracted look after he hung up the phone, Su Wei knew the call was from Frank, which meant his plan was moving to the next stage.
He first requested leave and returned to his apartment, entering the pawnshop space to await a consultation for after-sales service.
Not long after, Billy arrived.
"I want to switch back!" Billy slammed his fists on the table, looking extremely angry.
"I apologize, but once an item is pawned at this shop, it cannot be redeemed. This is clearly stated in the contract. Furthermore, the items we provide absolutely match their descriptions: Grew up in North Boston, Massachusetts State Trooper, bright future ahead."
"An undercover gangster, where's the bright future in that?" Billy gritted his teeth, wishing he could tear the man opposite him to shreds.
"Being an undercover gangster and having a bright future aren't directly related. Perhaps it could even become an asset to you. Calm down, buddy, in this world, who isn't playing someone else? What's the big deal?"
"I'm not that kind of person, not that fucking kind of person!" Billy roared a few times, trying to grab Su Wei, but found there was an invisible wall in front of him that he couldn't get past.
"Actually, there's a solution that won't cost you anything. Your identity is only known to Frank. If he's gone, you'll still be a promising police force rookie with a boundless future."
Billy gasped, frowning.
After a long silence, he turned and walked towards the door.
"Furthermore, you're not alone. The original owner of this identity shares the same idea. You two can cooperate."
Su Wei knew the other party would make the right decision.
---
After Billy left, Colin arrived.
He had the same request for a return.
Su Wei, of course, treated him equally.
"If I pawn a new life again, what will it cost me?" Colin calmed down considerably after being rejected, as he had already made up his mind. He was just here to confirm one thing.
"Then you'll have to wait. You'll need to wait for another person who wants to exchange lives to appear. That depends on luck—five years? Ten years? Or even longer!" Su Wei knew what Colin wanted to confirm and, of course, wouldn't give him hope. He was still waiting for Colin to become his tool.
"Actually, you know yourself, as long as you bring Frank to justice, you can be a police officer again, and one who has rendered meritorious service, with a clean record, and a brighter future. So why not act? How does your favorite saying go? 'You can't wait for others to give; you have to fight for it yourself!'"
---
Su Wei's voice, like a devil's whisper, echoed in Billy's mind.
By the time he came back to his senses, he had returned to the real world.
In his hand was a slip of paper with a number on it.
This number was too familiar; it was his original number.
He picked up and put down his phone.
Just then, his phone suddenly rang.
Billy was so startled he almost dropped it.
After steadying it, he answered the call.
"What should I call you? Colin? Or Billy?"
The familiar voice on the other end left Billy with mixed emotions. He said helplessly,
"We can't go back once we've switched identities."
"Alright, let's not dwell on that. Let's talk about cooperation. Frank must die."
The person on the other end of the phone was Colin.
Colin's voice was decisive.
Actually, just bringing Frank down would suffice, but out of selfishness, he felt that killing Frank would better serve his interests. Frank's wife was his childhood dream girl; only if Frank died could he have her. Moreover, his current identity was deeply trusted by Frank. With Frank dead, he could have everything of his.
"What are you hesitating for? If he doesn't die, your identity could be exposed at any time."
Billy held the phone in silence for a long time.
The other party was right; he knew it himself.
His current identity was an undercover gangster.
If he didn't want to ruin his current life, Frank absolutely could not live.
But he really didn't want to kill anyone.
"Don't harbor any illusions. I also found out something else: Frank is an FBI informant. He has always been dealing with the FBI, and you undercover agents are his last bargaining chip. If he's caught, he'll sell you out. You know he'll be caught eventually." This was a compensatory message Colin received from the pawnshop. Although he didn't know if it was true, he could use it as leverage.
Colin's words dispelled Billy's concerns.
"Okay, we'll cooperate. Next week, he's making a big deal; that's our chance."
The two discussed the details of the operation.
Finally, only one problem remained: how to ensure Captain Quinnan and Deputy Captain Dickman were not at their posts for the next few days without causing too much commotion.
They couldn't think of a way for now and could only act according to circumstances when the time came.
He hung up the phone.
Just then, Billy suddenly heard a knock at the door. Opening it, he found Su Wei.
"I passed my detective assessment too. I'll be officially transferred to the Special Investigations Unit tomorrow. We can fight side by side again."
"Congratulations."
"Want to go out for a drink tonight?"
"No, I'm a bit tired today."
"Alright, then get some rest."
After turning to leave, Su Wei's face transformed into the other's appearance. He had come to borrow Billy's short-term memory to confirm whether the two clients were satisfied.
It seemed the two clients had reached a consensus. After dragging on for so long, he could finally reel them in. He would resolve any minor issues himself.
As Frank's transaction time drew nearer, an anxious Billy walked into the office.
"Hey, Joanna, your butt's perked up again."
He was met with a glare from his female colleague.
The outwardly reserved Billy wasn't quite used to Colin's playboy lifestyle, but he had to adapt.
Just then, he noticed Su Wei and several colleagues gathered, discussing something animatedly.
As a former social butterfly, he certainly couldn't be absent at such a moment.
"Guys, any big news? Did someone sleep with Joanna?"
"Colin, the captain and deputy captain of the surveillance team have had files opened on them by Internal Affairs and are suspended starting today."
Su Wei pointed to the office next door.
Only then did Billy realize that Quinnan and Deputy Captain Dickman were both absent.
His heart instantly swelled with wild joy.
He felt that God was helping him, giving him a revelation.
Billy's decision was instantly solidified.
Seeing Billy trying hard to suppress his joy, Su Wei breathed a sigh of relief.
He had gone through so much trouble for the good reviews of these two clients.
Yesterday, he anonymously sent two videotapes to the police station, containing records of Captain Quinnan and Deputy Captain Dickman accepting bribes.
Of course, the content of the videotapes was fake.
Su Wei had personally played the main character, found extras to assist, and recorded it. Because it was filmed on short notice, it wouldn't stand up to scrutiny.
But he had sent the few extras on a one-month trip to North Korea, so the police internal affairs investigation would take time. During the investigation, both men would be suspended.
This amount of time was sufficient.