Although the supermarket had installed surveillance cameras, there were still blind spots. The only solution would be to install more cameras, but too many might negatively impact the customer experience. After all, who would feel comfortable shopping in a supermarket filled with visible cameras? Unless, of course, they were all hidden.
Yang Xin had been staring at the monitors in the security room for hours, his eyes sore, but he still hadn’t found anything.
"Let’s just report the loss for now. Later, I’ll figure out how to replace all the cameras," he muttered to himself.
It suddenly occurred to him that switching to tiny, concealed cameras—or even disguising them—might be a better approach. Not only would it improve the shopping experience by making the supermarket appear more trusting, but it would also make shoplifters drop their guard, making it easier to catch them in the act.
But before making any changes, Yang Xin decided to consult some professionals to help track down the thieves.
No time like the present.
The next day, Yang Xin went straight to the company and sought out Yun Cheng.
As one of the core members of management, Yang Xin was well aware that Yun Cheng’s five young apprentices were exceptionally skilled.
Nearly two months had passed since he last saw them. Back then, the kids had been as thin as bamboo sticks, but now they were sturdy as young bulls, their bodies hinting at lean, defined muscles. Clearly, they had been training hard.
When Yang Xin arrived, Yun Cheng was sparring with them.
Even with all five attacking at once, Yun Cheng effortlessly took them down.
"Fighting isn’t about flashy moves..." Yun Cheng instructed.
"The key is speed, precision, and ruthlessness. Got it?"
The five immediately clasped their fists respectfully. "Yes, Master!"
"Good. Keep training." Yun Cheng noticed Yang Xin and walked over, knowing he must have business to discuss.
After a brief exchange, Yang Xin explained his request—he wanted to borrow the five boys for a task. Yun Cheng agreed without hesitation.
"Xiao Hu, Xiao Shi, Xiao Xiang, Xiao Bao, Xiao Lang—come here."
The moment they heard their names, the five stopped training and ran over barefoot.
"Master!" they chorused.
"Brother Yang!"
Yang Xin ruffled Yun Hu’s hair—the closest to him—and smiled. "Looking strong. Spirits high, too."
Their legal surnames had all been changed to Yun, following their master’s name when they registered for IDs. They had chosen this themselves. If they ever found their birth families, they could always change it back with official documentation.
For now, their true identities remained uncertain, so the police had simply followed their wishes.
"I need your help with something. Are you willing?"
The moment Yang Xin asked, their eyes lit up with determination.
They had been preparing for this day, knowing it would come eventually.
And they had no regrets.
Their master might be strict, but he treated them well. The older members of the Wanlong Society also cared for them deeply.
Before this, they had lived in filth, treated as nothing more than tools for making money—never as human beings.
Stealing a single bun when starving would earn them a beating. When sick, they had to endure it alone. They had lived like rats in the gutter, convinced they were worthless.
But here, they were happy.
Training was tough, but they ate hearty meals, slept in clean beds, had their wounds treated, and were given warm clothes when cold...
For the first time, they felt like real people—like their lives had value.
So when Yang Xin asked for their help, their eyes burned with eagerness, as if ready to charge into battle.
"Brother Yang! Just tell us who to take out!"
Yang Xin: "???"
He shot Yun Cheng a look that clearly said, This is how you teach them?
Then again, given Yun Cheng’s background, maybe it wasn’t so surprising.
"I’m not asking you to kill anyone. There are thieves in our supermarket, and I need your help catching them. I’ll explain the details when we get there."
Hearing it was just about catching thieves, the tension in their shoulders eased slightly. Still, they instinctively looked to their master for approval.
Yun Cheng had drilled into them that they were never to return to their old, dishonest ways. They needed his permission first.
"I forbade you from stealing because it’s illegal. But this is different—this is about justice. Don’t embarrass me."
"Yes, Master!" the five replied in unison.
Yang Xin then took them away, briefing them thoroughly on the way.
For example, if they spotted a thief, they weren’t to make a scene or confront them inside the supermarket. If caught on the spot, the thieves would just argue—What’s illegal about picking things up in a supermarket? Maybe I was going to pay at the counter!
So, they had to wait until the suspects were outside.
Yang Xin’s plan was simple: the boys would memorize the thieves’ appearances, then relay the descriptions to staff waiting outside to intercept them.
"Got it?" Yang Xin asked.
"Got it!" they answered in unison.
Still, Yang Xin was a little worried. It had been a while since they’d done this kind of work—were their skills rusty? What if they misidentified someone and caused trouble?
The thought had barely crossed his mind when he felt his pocket lighten.
Looking down, he saw Xiao Hu holding his wallet.
"Holy—!" Yang Xin snatched it back, stunned. He hadn’t even noticed the theft.
Geniuses. Clearly, he’d worried for nothing.
After getting the boys settled, Yang Xin took a stroll through the rival supermarket next door—Mingcheng Supermarket.
Li Huai wasn’t there today, but the store’s "recharge for rewards" promotion was still in full swing, showing no signs of stopping.
Yang Xin still couldn’t figure out what strategy the young mistress planned to use to take over Mingcheng’s supermarket.
By the afternoon, with Xiao Hu and the others’ help, they had successfully caught two pickpockets. However, since the stolen amounts were small and the thieves vehemently denied any prior thefts, they’d likely only be detained for about five days before release.
Even so, Yang Xin was pleased and prepared to reward the five young heroes. After all, catching two thieves red-handed would serve as a warning to others with ill intentions.
"Great job!" Yang Xin praised as he handed out their rewards.
Unnoticed by him, the two thieves being led away by the police glared back, their eyes flashing with malice.
Now they understood why they’d been caught—they’d been outplayed by fellow professionals.
