Chapter 12: Thief Incoming

After having lunch at a small restaurant outside the neighborhood, Du Qiu did not go home.

He drove to the electronics market because today he needed to purchase the components for the alarm net.

Arriving there, he parked the car.

Du Qiu, who was very familiar with the market, found a shop where only a young girl who was evidently a sales clerk was present.

Upon seeing Du Qiu, a smile immediately spread across her round face as she said, “Big Doctor, what brings you here today?”

“Xiao Ding, where’s your boss?”

“He’s in the storeroom, I can go call him for you…”

“No need, I’ll go find him myself.”

Du Qiu stopped the girl and turned to head upstairs in the market.

In this market, many merchants rented rooms on the upper floors to use as warehouses.

Du Qiu knocked on the door of room 1202, and it was opened by a middle-aged uncle with a shiny, bald head that could compete with the host of a matchmaking show.

“Bald Qiang, what bad things are you hiding in the warehouse and doing this early in the morning?” Du Qiu joked.

“Xiao Du Zi, not going to work this early and instead swinging by my place, got another quirky idea? Come in, and close the door,” said the bald uncle, turning and entering the room first.

The rooms on this floor were all commercial-residential properties; some merchants rented them for use as both offices and warehouses, and some purely as warehouses.

Bald Uncle Li Qiang was a bit different; he also had a small room which had been converted into a small workshop. In this workshop, he could perform various DIY projects with electronic components.

Because of this skill, the business of his downstairs shop was somewhat better than others.

It was also for this reason that Du Qiu and Li Qiang had dealings and became friends. From attending university to completing his doctorate, Du Qiu had often engaged in various small inventions and DIY projects.

Even some of the things Du Qiu made were sold through Li Qiang, earning a nice amount of extra income.

“I’m not working, brother. I’m unemployed now and have come to rely on you!” Du Qiu followed Li Qiang into the workshop and said casually.

Upon hearing this, Li Qiang turned back, stared at Du Qiu for a few seconds, touched his own bald head, and said, “My little temple isn’t fit for a big doctor like you, right? Let me guess, you want to make something again? Don’t worry, I guarantee all parts are genuine and top quality, and prices are fair.”

“Wow, is this a short-range millimeter-wave radar? Are you playing with autonomous driving systems now?”

Du Qiu ignored Li Qiang’s words and instead picked up a black rectangular box from the worktable.

“Hey, be careful…” Li Qiang hurriedly took the box from Du Qiu’s hand and carefully placed it on the table.

“Tsk tsk, this thing isn’t that precious, right…”

“Big Doctor, I’ve just finished modifying it, doubling the range.” Li Qiang certainly didn’t want his hard work to be in vain due to Du Qiu’s carelessness.

He knew too well that Du Qiu always felt that good things need to be durable.

“Nice, improving your skills,” Du Qiu said, sitting down on a stool nearby.

Li Qiang smiled and said, “Can’t compare with you, a big doctor. I’m just scraping by. What are you planning to make this time?”

Du Qiu looked around and then said, “I need to make a set of anti-surveillance warning systems. Give me some paper and a pen, and I’ll list out the components I need for you.”

Li Qiang seemed a bit confused and asked, “You speak of both anti-surveillance and surveillance; do you want surveillance or not?”

Du Qiu laughed and said, “Of course, we want surveillance, but it’s for the purpose of counter-surveillance, so some of the components need to be specific.”

Seeming to understand, Li Qiang took out a notebook and a pen from a drawer and handed them to Du Qiu, saying, “Okay, you always know what you’re doing. I’ll try my best to get you whatever you need.”

Du Qiu started listing items in the notebook, quickly turning over the ideas in his mind, contemplating his goal, and writing down the corresponding parts.

It took Du Qiu a good twenty minutes to finish and hand the notebook back to Li Qiang.

Li Qiang quickly scanned the list, and then said, “Isn’t the sensitivity requirement for this pickup too high?”

“Do your best to meet the requirements, ensure all items meet as much as possible, and if not achievable, give me your best option,” Du Qiu didn’t trouble Li Qiang unnecessarily.

“Okay, it’ll be easier with that said,” Li Qiang commented while writing prices next to each item on the list.

After writing, he handed the list back to Du Qiu.

Du Qiu quickly looked it over and nodded slightly; Li Qiang was indeed thoughtful, and the prices were fair.

Smiling, he said, “I also have a time requirement; I need these parts by tomorrow!”

Li Qiang exclaimed, “Come on, do you think I’m a manufacturer? Even manufacturers need production time…”

“Brother Qiang, it’s really urgent. I know you have extensive contacts; rounding up these parts in a day’s time is a small case for you!”

“I can round up the parts in a day, but some of them will cost more than what’s listed here…”

“Beep beep beep” A sudden, urgent alarm sounded from Du Qiu’s pocket.

Li Qiang immediately stopped talking and looked on incredulously as Du Qiu pulled out his phone.

Du Qiu checked his phone and his expression turned grave.

He stood up and said, “Brother Qiang, I’ll remember this favor. I have an emergency at home and must leave right away.”

“Hey, little Du Zi, I don’t need you to remember. If you really want to help me, just remember the APP we talked about last time…” Li Qiang said as he followed him.

“It’s just an APP, relax. After I get through this period, I’ll sort it out for you!” Du Qiu didn’t even look back, waving his hand behind him and pulling open the room door to leave.

Li Qiang watched the door close behind Du Qiu, a smile already on his lips. He turned back to the workshop but didn’t look at the notebook, instead picking up his phone to dial a number.

“Mr. Xu, last time you wanted to add mobile APP control to the system. That’s no problem. Just let me know when you want to sign the contract…”

Du Qiu rushed out of the electronics market, hopped into his car, and drove away quickly after starting it.

The alarm that went off on his phone was from a comprehensive alarm device he had installed in his home, including doors and windows.

Initially created for a client of Li Qiang, Du Qiu felt it was good and installed it in his own home as well.

This device not only had infrared but also a special gesture to deactivate it.

That meant if someone didn’t use the gesture or covered the camera, even if they bypassed the infrared and other defenses, an alarm would trigger.

Clearly, someone was trying to break into his house, hence setting off the alarm.

Cursing under his breath, Du Qiu drove back home and called Su Jianming.

“Team Su, there’s an emergency. There’s a burglary happening at my home right now, and I’m rushing back. Could you see if there’s a nearby police station or patrol that could get there quicker?”

Upon hearing Du Qiu call him Team Su, Su Jianming knew the seriousness and immediately responded, “I’ll get the nearest patrol there. Also, I’ll inform your community’s security.”

“Thanks a lot!”

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