Kyoto, Tianhe Yuan residential area.
Yang Jian stood by Gate No. 1, feeling a bit lost. He had been here for two days and found the complex to be vast, upscale, and strictly managed by security. It was difficult for outsiders to enter without the permission of a resident.
Furthermore, there were three main entrances and exits, and three underground garage access points. He didn't even know where to stake out to wait for Lu Yao to get off work. He considered guarding each gate for a day, but felt this method might not be effective, as he needed to eat and use the restroom, making a 24-hour stakeout impossible. The best approach was to get inside the complex.
"Brother, are you guys hiring security guards?"
Yang Jian slipped two packs of cigarettes into the hands of the guard at Gate No. 1. He planned to work as a security guard in the complex, which would increase his chances of encountering Lu Yao or the Lu Qian couple.
"You want to be a security guard? I'll ask the captain for you."
Seeing Yang Jian's generosity, the guard immediately called the captain enthusiastically, even suggesting that Yang Jian's physique was strong and recommending that the security captain give him an interview.
Before long, the security captain, He Changsheng, arrived on his bicycle and called Yang Jian into the security office.
"I'm the security captain. You want to work as a security guard here? How old are you this year?"
He Changsheng sized Yang Jian up, quite satisfied with his build.
Yang Jian crumpled five hundred yuan in cash and slipped it into his pocket: "Captain, I really need this job. Please give me a chance."
This gesture surprised He Changsheng. It was the first time he had encountered someone offering money for a security job, and he hesitated to accept it.
"You, you, what are you doing? Why are you giving me money?"
"Captain, please take the money. Let me work here, and I'll give you a thousand yuan every month from now on."
He Changsheng was startled: "What are you trying to do? You're not planning to enter the complex for any illegal activities, are you?"
"No, no, to be honest, I'm looking for my sister. She's lost contact with the family, and I heard she came to Kyoto. I've been searching for a long time, and staying in a hotel is too expensive. So, I thought I'd find a job, work, and continue looking for her."
"But our monthly salary is only two thousand two hundred, and it includes accommodation but not food. If you give me a thousand, there's not much left."
"It's fine. I don't care about the salary. As long as I have a place to stay."
"I can hire you, but you can't get me into trouble. If I find out you're doing anything bad in the complex, I won't let you off."
The temptation of a thousand yuan per month was significant, and He Changsheng decided to bend the rules and hire him.
Yang Jian was overjoyed: "Thank you, Captain. Don't worry, I absolutely won't do anything wrong."
"Come with me. We'll go to the property management office to fill out a form and get your uniform."
The security team was managed by the property management company. The recruitment was originally handled by the HR department of the property management company, but the security interviews still had to go through him, the captain. He Changsheng had no problem hiring someone occasionally.
At the property management office, Yang Jian filled out the employment form, paid a deposit of two hundred yuan, and received two sets of security uniforms and a set of sheets and bedding. Yang Jian followed He Changsheng to the security dormitory within the complex.
"You can stay here. Our security team has two positions: guarding the main gate and patrolling the complex. Choose one."
Having received money from Yang Jian, He Changsheng's attitude towards him was unusually good, and he even let him choose his post, which was impossible before.
Yang Jian placed his bedding on the bed by the window, then offered the captain a cigarette: "Captain, what does patrolling the complex mainly involve?"
"You patrol within the complex. Our complex is quite large, with one to two thousand residents. The patrol's task is to prevent theft, mediate neighborly disputes, handle emergencies, as well as fire safety and stopping people from walking dogs off-leash. There's quite a lot to do. Guarding the gate is relatively simpler."
"What are the working hours?"
"Three shifts, eight hours per shift, with the schedule changing once a month."
"Then I'll patrol. How do we handle meals?"
Yang Jian felt that patrolling offered more freedom, allowing him to search the entire complex and increasing his chances of finding Lu Yao.
"There's a fast-food restaurant opposite Gate No. 1. We all order from there. Fifteen yuan a day is enough, which is quite cost-effective. If you want to eat better, you can go to other restaurants. There are many restaurants in this area, featuring specialties from various places."
"How many people are in a shift?"
"Five. Come on, let's go meet your colleagues."
He Changsheng used the intercom to call the four security guards who were on patrol duty to the entrance of the security dormitory.
"Everyone, this is our new colleague, Yang Jian. He'll be working with you from now on. Please get acquainted."
"Hello, I'm Zhou Jun."
As soon as He Changsheng finished his introduction, a sturdy young man stepped forward and shook Yang Jian's hand.
Yang Jian quickly took out cigarettes and offered them to them: "I'm Yang Jian. Please take care of me."
"Yuan Tongjun."
"Liu Wenxue."
"Xu Fei, welcome to our team."
The four men were very friendly. They were impressed by Yang Jian's generosity. In this day and age, being able to offer cigarettes to everyone showed great magnanimity and sincerity.
"Alright, Xiao Yang, you'll be on duty with them from now on. If you don't understand anything, just ask them. I'm leaving."
He Changsheng gave a few instructions and then left.
Yang Jian's security guard life began.
The patrol team's tasks were not as numerous as He Changsheng had described. There were surveillance cameras everywhere in the complex, and not much theft.
There were also very few neighborly disputes. City dwellers were very busy. During the day, the people strolling around the complex were mostly elderly folks and young mothers with children.
However, there were quite a few people walking dogs, especially after dark when more people came out for walks and exercise.
In the center of the complex, there was a rather large garden. People who went for walks were mainly concentrated here. Regardless of whether he was on duty, Yang Jian had to walk through here twice every day, hoping to encounter Lu Yao or the Lu Qian couple.
But Yang Jian spent over forty days here and never ran into them. He even began to suspect that the address Lu Feng had given him was incorrect.
When it was time to get paid, Yang Jian invited He Changsheng to a Sichuan restaurant near the complex entrance. He ordered several substantial dishes and a bottle of Erguotou.
"Captain, here's your thousand yuan."
Yang Jian counted out a thousand yuan from his salary and handed it over.
He Changsheng accepted the money without ceremony and put it in his pocket: "Xiao Yang, you're a straightforward person, someone worth befriending. I consider you a brother. If you have any difficulties in the future, tell me. As long as I can help, I won't hesitate."
Yang Jian poured him a glass of wine: "Captain, let's have a drink first."
He Changsheng downed the drink in one gulp: "Xiao Yang, have you heard anything about your sister?"
"No, Captain. I actually have something I need your help with today."
"Tell me."
"Can you help me get the names of all the property owners in the complex?"
Since he couldn't find Lu Yao, Yang Jian wanted to search through the property management. Every owner had to be registered with the property management. Lu Feng had mentioned that Lu Yao was living in the apartment of his cousin, Lu Wan. As long as he could find Lu Wan's name on the property management's internal network, he could find out which building and unit number was hers.