Chapter 6 - CHAPTER 26-29

Chapter 26.1 – Observers and Rule Setters

However, considering working for a year without a break and a salary of twenty-five hundred a month, it seemed inevitable that this branch would have to be done for sooner or later.

Jiang Yujin briefly recalled the declaration made by Shi Bu's former employer a while ago, contemplated for a moment, then smiled and said, "It's alright even if this place falls apart. I'll recommend you a good place."

He had a broad smile on his face, reached out to pat Shi Bu on the shoulder, and said, "Do you know about Lu Dongcheng?"

Shi Bu nodded, "I do, the one who was pursuing you…"

The rest of his words were muted under Jiang Yujin's gaze.

"If you stick with his company, you'll be right," Jiang Yujin said. "It's a big group, a large company, with guaranteed benefits."

Shi Bu trusted him a lot and nodded immediately, "Okay."

After resolving the employment issue, Jiang Yujin looked up at the still-lit electronic screen occupying an entire wall and asked, "Are there any surveillance cameras here?"

By 'here', he meant the entire branch.

Shi Bu nodded in affirmation.

Jiang Yujin remarked, "Disguise as an external force, destroy all the data."

Once the data was destroyed, he patted the person next to him, urging him to get up. "Pack up and leave this place in two minutes."

Shi Bu quickly bent down to gather his prized possessions.

Not wanting to stay in the garbage room any longer, Jiang Yujin stood up as well, lifted his foot, and walked out, waiting outside the door.

In two minutes, Shi Bu packed up bags of belongings and appeared at the door on time. They both went upstairs together.

The sound of firearms upstairs had ceased, but there were noises of strange species activity, not as intense as before, probably indicating some significant injuries.

The previously relatively tidy corridor was now crowded with people. Jiang Yujin, at the far end, saw the tattooed man pinned under the sticky corpse of a strange species—perhaps he couldn't be called the tattooed man anymore as his tattooed arms were nowhere to be seen, who knows where they flew off. Some strange species were still alive but had several massive wounds, continuously oozing blood and flesh.

Jiang Yujin continued up the stairs, while Shi Bu instinctively fired a few shots at the remaining strange species, then followed after confirming their deaths.

They climbed the long stairs until they returned to the dilapidated wooden house and emerged from the deep forest. Jiang Yujin said, "You go first, just remember to head to Lu Dongcheng's company."

Meeting the other's gaze, he added, "I'll stay back and report to the authorities."

Upon discovering what seemed to be a cult's stronghold and witnessing a large-scale crime, an exemplary and conscientious citizen ought to report it as soon as possible.

Shi Bu, confused, carried his bags and thoughts, and walked away.

Although he still couldn't remember the emergency number for the Special Investigation Unit, luckily, the previous call logs were still available. After searching high and low, Jiang Yujin finally found them and managed to make the call from an open area successfully.

The team from the Special Investigation Unit arrived swiftly, at least before his phone ran out of battery while he was playing Xiaoxiaole. Glancing around the crowd, he didn't spot several people he knew from before, missing the company he could chatter with along the way, which left him sighing with regret.

While his mind was preoccupied with chatter, others seemed quite vigilant, lacking any atmosphere for casual conversation.

After nearly half a day of searching, those who came along initially dealt with the prisoners in the prison building and the bodies of the strange beings, transporting them out.

Meanwhile, others thoroughly inspected both the inside and outside of the branch, finding a considerable amount of fragmented information about Organization Zero in the data room on the first floor.

However, the information was scattered, leaving everything about the organization's motives, structure, and even the location of their headquarters, unknown.

After completing their investigation and gathering subsequent relevant information, they inquired about the reason for the presence of the concerned citizen surnamed Jiang.

In his statement, Jiang Yujin chose to retain some of the truth. Holding a pen and following the person taking notes, he began, "Well, it all started at the convenience store."

He got into an argument with a friend, went to the store to buy something for that friend, but coincidentally encountered a robbery in progress. He intervened, preventing the shameful act, and the robber, pretending to repent, deceitfully invited him for tea, leading him to an unfinished building with the intention to kill him. Unexpectedly, internal conflicts arose among the robbers themselves, leading the leader to kill everyone, including the robber and his accomplices.

To save himself, he pretended to have important information to convey. The leader then took him to this remote forest, but they stumbled upon a problem with the containment of the strange species. When everyone was preoccupied, he managed to escape and found a place with signal reception to call for help.

However, it seemed evident that the others didn't manage to escape.

His storytelling was so thrilling that the others involuntarily widened their eyes as they listened. Once he paused, someone couldn't help but ask, "What happened next?"

Jiang Yujin shrugged, "Then you all showed up."

As the story returned to reality, a few bystanders contemplated the words he had just spoken. It all seemed rational yet surreal. However, the person in front of them appeared sincere and serious, making it difficult to believe that the entire sequence of events wasn't true.

The questioning concluded, and the person taking notes stood up, extending a hand, "Thank you for your cooperation and timely notification."

Jiang Yujin briefly shook hands with them, and the red string on his wrist swayed slightly with the movement. He replied, "You're welcome."

*

The bodies of both humans and the strange species were taken to a temporary collection point nearby. All the weapons discovered in the branch were transported back to the A City Special Investigation Unit's headquarters. These items appeared distinctive, and the handlers refrained from touching them lightly. Instead, they were temporarily handed over to a team for identification.

Such items, potentially originating from the Game but unable to be confirmed, were usually shown to them.

The team members were all busy, often out in the field. Only Hu Li staunchly adhered to office hours. If there was no task at hand, he stayed within the office, making him one of the team members who spent the most time in the office.

When the firearms were in their hands, including Hu Li, the few remaining members in the office took a closer look.

Someone remarked, "Quite familiar."

"Indeed," Hu Li said, "These were made by Shi Bu."

There was a momentary quietness in the office.

Setting down the items in his hands, Hu Li continued, "I've seen things made by him before, his personal style is quite distinctive."

That seemed to confirm it. The office became even quieter.

The top fifty players, perhaps not all of them had met Shi Bu, but they had some knowledge, especially those ranking higher. Shi Bu, the Mobile Arsenal, the pinnacle of game weapon manufacturing. Whether he joined Zero or simply cooperated, the situation didn't bode well for them considering that this branch had weapons made by him.

Someone mentioned, "At the lowest level of the branch, they discovered a room where someone had lived for a long time. Many components were found there, some of which had been recently moved. Considering the circumstances, it's likely that Shi Bu was the one living in there."

If the individual had been residing in that room for a long time, it indicated a more permanent presence within the branch. Rather than cooperation, it seemed more like the person had joined the organization. Unfortunately, the branch's surveillance records were all damaged; otherwise, they could have obtained more useful information.

Hu Li remained silent, drumming his fingers slowly on the tabletop.

*

In the afternoon, Jiang Yujin was kicked out of the barbershop. Late at night, after being sent back in a specialized car, he knocked on the door of the barbershop again.

The front area of the barbershop was where regular haircuts took place, while the back was where the owner rested at night. Knocking on the door here usually meant the person inside could hear.

Jiang Yujin knocked twice, then twice more, and finally another two times.

As he prepared for the final two knocks, the door opened, revealing the barbershop owner's face, filled with hostility.

Jiang Yujin patted the owner's shoulder, "Good evening."

The owner didn't look too pleased.

Even if the owner seemed unhappy, Jiang Yujin had to share the absurd job Shi Bu had done as soon as possible.

The barbershop owner: "…"

For a moment, the barbershop owner didn't know which piece of news to be more surprised about. Both were quite explosive.

The sleepiness was completely gone. The owner went back into the shop, lit a cigarette, and asked, "How did he end up there…"

Mid-sentence, he fell silent.

It was quite imaginable, the other person was a bit foolish, so anything was possible.

As if guessing his thoughts, Jiang Yujin said, "Isn't it?"

Footsteps echoed from the end of the street. A dim crimson light appeared, and the barbershop owner, puffing on the lit cigarette, remarked, "Your cheap son is back."

The faint footsteps didn't sound as smooth as usual, interrupted as if the person had sustained some serious injury again.

Sighing, Jiang Yujin stepped inside, saying, "I'm crashing here tonight."

The barbershop owner stepped aside, allowing him in this time.

…

When Chen Jing arrived downstairs, the barbershop door was closed, and the street was deserted. He walked upstairs quietly, turning the key to open the door. Inside, the room was pitch black. He glanced at the entrance but didn't spot the familiar shoes.

It seemed that Citizen Jiang, wasn't home today; probably off somewhere drinking again.

It was actually better not to be home tonight. Chen Jing relaxed, relieved that no one had spotted him along the way. He got up and searched through the cabinet, skillfully tending to his wounds with the first aid kit.

In the deep night, the tearing sound of the bandage was swallowed by darkness.

Chapter 26.2 – Observers and Rule Setters

As dawn broke the next day, inside the room, the barbershop owner couldn't fathom why the person standing in front of the fridge was up so early to drink.

Setting down the water glass in his hand, Jiang Yujin glanced at the lit cigarette in the other's hand and chuckled.

After drinking half a bottle and leaving the other half, he took the bottle and departed, leaving behind his peculiar farewell:

"You better die from smoking soon."

The barbershop owner almost threw a cigarette at him.

Indeed, Citizen Jiang, who was absent for a night, knocked on the door. Chen Jing's wounds still ached a bit, and he was a light sleeper, so he heard the noise and got up to answer.

As soon as the door opened, the other person walked straight in, holding the half-empty bottle of alcohol.

Clearly, he had been out drinking.

Jiang Yujin's first act upon returning home was to charge his phone, and then he sprawled on the couch, waiting for his breakfast.

The congee and side dishes prepared by the high schooler this morning were surprisingly good. While sipping the congee, Jiang Yujin glanced at the other's complexion and asked, "Staying up late to study?"

Chen Jing neither confirmed nor denied.

Jiang Yujin advised, "You should sleep earlier from now on."

The high schooler nodded, finished eating, picked up the school bag, and left for school. The adult man returned to his room to lounge.

For the next few days, he remained a complete wreck, while the high schooler went to school punctually, seemingly looking slightly better each day.

Until Friday, the high schooler unusually returned home before dark and seemed oddly silent and disturbed.

During dinner, with a belief in caring for the mental health of modern-day high schoolers, Jiang Yujin asked, "Did something happen?"

The high schooler stayed silent for a good while before speaking up hesitantly.

It was because the class was going to perform a play. They were lacking a few people, but no one volunteered, so the class officers decided to draw lots. He ended up becoming a class officer inexplicably as he had helped an unknown classmate carry their suitcase at the beginning of the school year, receiving enthusiastic recommendations that led to his nomination as a class officer. Unexpectedly, he became the class president, and his name was added to the draw list.

Then, he got picked. The responsible teacher mentioned that this would be their grade's final participation in such an activity, emphasizing the importance of seizing the opportunity to perform youthfully and with elegance.

To avoid disrupting studies, the play rehearsals were scheduled for two hours after school every afternoon and on Saturday mornings and afternoons. Today, he had just returned from rehearsal.

Jiang Yujin: "By the way, what role are you playing?"

Chen Jing, holding chopsticks, paused slightly and then said, "A magical witch."

Jiang Yujin stifled a chuckle, "…Pfft."

Chen Jing remained expressionless.

Jiang Yujin pretended to sip water, covering the upward curl of his lips, but ended up choking on the water, coughing continuously.

This time, the high schooler chose to be indifferent, observing from a distance.

He didn't care, Jiang Yujin cared for himself. He patted his chest and, once he finally recovered, began to ask again, "Can I come and watch?"

His eyes were sincere, resembling a genuine parent eager to see their child perform. But Chen Jing knew the character of this person, realizing he just wanted to join in the excitement.

"No, you can't."

The high schooler paused, then chose to be honest, "Normally, no, but parents can be specially allowed in during next Saturday's rehearsal."

He saw Jiang Yujin immediately take out his phone to jot down a note.

It seemed this person couldn't resist a lively atmosphere.

After writing the memo, Jiang Yujin casually checked the time, realizing it was time for the beloved evening news, so he turned on the TV.

Tonight's news didn't seem as harmonious as usual. As soon as it was turned on, the screen was filled with red and white-coded images. Even with the codes, there were faint red and black patches on the ground, resembling heads.

Jiang Yujin picked up some bamboo shoots stir-fried with pork with his chopsticks.

The news anchor, looking at the screen, stated, [On the 8th, around 6 p.m., the Wang family of three was found dead at home. There are numerous suspicious elements at the crime scene. Currently, the case is under investigation.]

After the anchor finished speaking, a video clip played. The bodies had been removed from the house, leaving behind only the furnishings.

Jiang Yujin noticed three pieces of paper, folded into paper airplane shapes, scattered near the table where the three individuals had sat. There were shattered plates and marks on the table.

The news wasn't particularly appetizing, but the two people at the dining table remained unaffected, continuing to eat without discussing the news much.

That night, the Special Search Unit finally resolved the incident involving Zero's branch. Jiang Yujin unexpectedly received 5,000 yuan as a reward for his timely notification and contribution, a sort of mental subsidy.

This one trip earned him twice his original monthly salary, solidifying Citizen Jiang's determination to be a good citizen.

He had instructed Xu Tonggui to push for his salary, and it seemed that the person had indeed taken care of it. The payment for the work done at the manor had also been credited tonight.

With double blessings, Jiang Yujin added Captain Xu as a friend on his Xiaoxiaole game and, in a good mood, generously gifted him 20 energy points.

A while later, a response came: a simple "Thank you."

The seasoned player Jiang graciously replied, "You're welcome."

With these two payments and the previous commission fee, his finances seemed capable of lasting for a while. Jiang Yujin happily indulged in a whole week of relaxation.

On Saturday morning, the high schooler preparing for the rehearsal woke up early.

Not having to wear the school uniform that day, he dressed in a simple white T-shirt. When leaving his room, he glanced at the adjacent one, finding complete silence. The person who had been enthusiastically jotting down notes last week was still sound asleep inside.

At this time, Chen Jing was happy that the other person slept soundly, preferably until the end of the rehearsal. Without waking or disturbing him, after finishing his morning routine, he left, taking public transport to school.

At the school gate, the security guards recognized him due to the daily rehearsals and, knowing about the rehearsal that day, let him in without asking questions.

The rehearsal took place in the auditorium. Arriving early, as others were setting up the scenes, he changed into his costume and, when he emerged from backstage, someone noticed him and asked for help.

By morning, the stage backdrop was set, everyone was present, and Chen Jing, sporting the white hair of the magical witch, stood at the edge of the stage.

There were indeed parents in the audience, sitting together, chatting animatedly, pointing and seemingly introducing their children to others.

A quick scan revealed no sign of Citizen Jiang, finally giving Chen Jing a sigh of relief.

As the lights dimmed, someone shouted, "Start!"

The actress playing the Count's youngest daughter stepped onto the stage, followed by lights that illuminated her. But as she stood in the center, all the lights, including those above the audience, abruptly went out.

While the auditorium's curtains remained open, the windows that once let in natural light now glowed a dark, eerie red.

Initially, parents and casually observing teachers assumed this was a theatrical effect. After the initial surprise, they found it stunning. However, as they looked at the actors on stage under the red light, they noticed expressions of astonishment.

The lighting technician immediately claimed they weren't in control. Amidst the confused crowd, a sense of unease started to spread.

Chen Jing realized something was amiss. He took a closer look at the auditorium this time to make sure he didn't see the familiar face. He took off his wig and frowned slightly.

Someone attempted to open the door, took two steps, and everything went dark.

When vision returned, everyone looked down to find a piece of paper in front of them.

Each person had a sheet of paper with the words:

[1. No leaving]

The sudden events and the inexplicable appearance of the words left the students trembling in shock. Some teachers picked up the paper but still attempted to open the door.

As someone gripped the doorknob to open it, the outside was also bathed in red.

With determination, the person swiftly pushed the door and stepped outside. Just as the door opened, the teacher collapsed, lifeless, and the paper disappeared.

A piercing scream erupted, and chaos ensued in the auditorium.

The papers in front of them changed again:

[2. No noise]

Those who were yelling had their mouths covered by others nearby, their legs giving way as they fell to the ground.

In the shadow opposite the stage, a semi-transparent figure gradually appeared. It stood at the edge of the audience area, its head touching the ceiling, featureless except for a pair of purely red eyes, silently observing everyone.

Chen Jing recognized what this was. The figure behind the scenes was the Observer, responsible for monitoring all actions within the "Rules." The writings on the papers represented the "Rules" within this space, established by the Rule Setters. Typically, both the Observers and the Rule Setters appeared simultaneously. While Observers monitored players on-site, Rule Setters silently observed and formulated new rules within their sight of the space, usually remaining hidden.

In theory, as long as one person flawlessly navigated the established rules, everyone could survive. However, in practice, nobody could continuously abide by the increasingly bizarre rules. Most players encountering the Observers and Rule Setters in such dungeons failed to leave alive.

Chen Jing's initial reaction was relief that the person who never obediently followed the rules had overslept and hadn't appeared here.

*

Jiang Yujin didn't oversleep. With a fully determined spirit to join in the fun, he had set an alarm while writing the memo earlier. This morning, the alarm woke him up after the high schooler had left.

Getting dressed, having breakfast, and even the commute to school went smoothly. However, just a street away from the school, there was a minor car accident. Two cars grazed each other, leading to the owners arguing fiercely, both articulate and heated.

He stood on the roadside, nibbling on breakfast, thoroughly engrossed in the spectacle. The commotion continued until the arrival of the traffic police, who mediated and dispersed the two individuals, and then he regretfully looked away.

Upon checking the time, he realized the rehearsal had already started.

Hurriedly filling in his information at the security booth, he dashed into the school and headed towards the teaching building. Suddenly, it dawned on him that he didn't know where the auditorium was.

Far from the security booth and without a map, he decided between two buildings. Opting for a random choice, he entered one of the buildings, intending to reach the highest floor for a better view.

Before reaching the top, on the third floor, he glimpsed the outline of a building. Following its direction, he ended up in what seemed like a storage room.

Upon opening the door, his eyes fell on a tall, thin, dark figure floating in the middle of the classroom. Its face was flat, with only pure white eyes fixated on him.

Momentarily surprised, he remembered his purpose and politely maneuvered around the figure, continuing toward the window. "Excuse me," he said courteously, sidestepping past it.

Chapter 27 – This ex-boyfriend is so pitiful

The Rule Setter seemed unfamiliar with manners, standing in the middle of the way without moving, but fortunately, Jiang Yujin was slim enough to pass by with a slight adjustment of his posture.

Under the Rule Setter's watchful gaze, he walked to the window and glanced downwards, seeing the flat, round building that looked like a grand auditorium. From this angle, the building's interior was visible, but it seemed poorly lit or perhaps completely devoid of light, engulfed in darkness.

However, the darkness didn't matter; Jiang Yujin could see the people inside. He noticed individuals sitting in the audience and others standing on the stage. Their heads were bowed, no movements or words exchanged.

His gaze wandered inside for a while until he finally spotted a high school student wearing a white wig, a deep blue cloth skirt, and holding a small starry magic wand at the edge of the stage.

"…"

A faint smile formed at the corner of Jiang Yujin's lips, reaching high. He turned to look at the tall, slender figure still standing behind him and said, "You didn't choose the place quite well this time. My son is inside, and I wanted to see him perform as… pfft, the magic witch."

The Rule Setter looked at him.

With a slight cough, he suppressed the rising smile, slowly rolled up his sleeves, and said, "So this time, you'll have to leave first."

His phone in his pocket vibrated, emitting a notification sound. Jiang Yujin glanced down at his phone.

It was a message from the game Xiaoxiaole saying a friend had sent him energy, with a time limit that required immediate use.

Jiang Yujin pondered slightly and then decisively pulled out a chair and sat down casually.

It wouldn't be a problem if the Rule Setter withdrew later.

The sound of the Xiaoxiaole creatures being eliminated rang out, causing the Rule Setter to turn its head. Before it, a blank sheet floated as if an ethereal hand held a pen, slowly moving.

…

In the auditorium, the content on the paper in front of the people updated once more, this time displaying:

[3. No Standing Allowed].

Those who were originally seated dared not move. The stage emitted a red light that rapidly expanded outward, seemingly marking the area as off-limits for standing. People who were still on stage hurriedly descended.

The Observer positioned at the back of the audience area began to move slowly. Some individuals, too anxious, stumbled while coming down from the stage but, adhering to the previous rule, suppressed any outcry. Barely managing to take their seats, they trembled uncontrollably, drenched in cold sweat.

This time, nobody was penalized by the Observer, who returned to the original position.

In the vast silence, everyone bowed their heads, focusing on the paper in front of them.

[4. Fold a Paper Airplane].

A strange request. Upon reading the words, some people hesitated momentarily, struggling to comprehend.

In a flash, Chen Jing recalled a crime scene from the news where paper airplanes were scattered around a family of three. Realization dawned. Before others could grab the paper to fold airplanes, Chen Jing gestured to wait, swiftly grabbed a script nearby, tore off a staple, and passed the paper along.

As the script circulated rapidly, the Observer slowly approached. Some couldn't wait, glanced at the script being passed, then looked at the nearing Observer. Finally succumbing to pressure, they hastily folded a paper airplane from the sheet, albeit crooked due to nervousness.

Despite its crookedness, it passed. As the Observer returned to their spot, those who hurriedly folded the paper airplanes breathed a sigh of relief.

The content on the paper updated again. People who had folded paper airplanes found it hard to read the new instruction and had to rely on those beside them.

[5. No Moving Allowed].

This was a simple request, easily achievable. As they relaxed, the words on the paper changed once more.

[6. Throw the Paper Airplane].

Those who used the script to fold paper airplanes unhesitatingly threw theirs, while those who had folded their own paper hesitated slightly and, upon seeing the Observer starting to move, also tossed their airplanes.

[7. Read Your Own Rule List].

The rule list was initially the paper handed to everyone, but someone had already thrown it moments ago. One person who threw it looked at the content on their neighbor's paper, sweat instantly beading on their forehead.

Some attempted to reach for the thrown list but, upon turning, saw the Observer behind them. Ultimately, they didn't dare to continue the action, lowering their heads to pretend to read the list, hoping to deceive and pass unnoticed.

Chen Jing probably knew how the family of three from the news had died.

The Observer resumed slow movement. Chen Jing quietly observed as the Observer approached those without the rule list, silently assessing.

The Observer moved slowly, but its punishment for violators was swift, almost immediately upon reaching the person.

It was fast, but he should be able to keep up.

This game of rules had no end; it would continue until everyone died, slowing death down by following the rules. Survival meant taking proactive action.

Although many labeled the Observer and Rule Setter's dungeon as a certain death scenario, objectively, the pass condition was too straightforward—adhering to all rules guaranteed success. The actual difficulty level of the dungeon was low, only accessible to low-end and novice players. The high death rate was also due to the composition of these players. For those beyond the low-end category, the scenario might not hold much relevance. Chen Jing needed to assess the Observer's true capabilities.

This time, quite a few fell, and those remaining couldn't suppress their trembling hands and profuse sweating upon seeing the updated content on the rule list.

[8. No Breathing Allowed].

*

Jiang Yujin's energy in "Xiaoxiaole" depleted, and he raised his lifeless eyes.

Well, a short gaming session had already eaten up most of the morning; a full rehearsal for the play was impossible now.

It's just a shame not to witness Chen Jing's magic witch performance.

After pocketing his phone, he glanced out the window again. People in the auditorium were still frozen in place. Turning around, he looked at the content spread out on the Rule Setter's paper.

"How utterly dull."

Approaching the Rule Setter, Jiang Yujin grabbed the hand holding the pen, forcibly altering its trajectory, and said with a smile, "Let's play something more interesting."

…

The people in the auditorium collapsed one after another due to suffocation. Upon fainting, their bodies automatically began to recover oxygen supply–then they were punished by the Observer.

The individuals still struggling to hold their breath witnessed those beside them collapsing into two halves. Their eyes widened in shock, teetering on the brink of collapse, the delicate balance they maintained finally gave way. Unable to resist any longer, they involuntarily took a breath. Once they moved, it became difficult not to take in large gasps of air.

Eventually, Chen Jing's gaze swept the room, finding himself the sole occupant.

In his peripheral vision, something seemed to subtly change. As he turned, he saw the content on the table's paper beginning to rewrite itself.

All previous rules were wiped out, leaving only a single line on the paper.

[Kill the Observer]

Chen Jing acted instantly. Leaping from his seat, he swiftly grabbed a sword lying nearby, meant for a knight's use. As he wielded it, the fake sword turned real. Blocking the Observer's attack just in time, he was pushed backward until he stopped at the edge of the stage.

The Observer was formidable.

Chen Jing slightly loosened his grip on the sword, then swiftly shifted downward, delivering a horizontal kick. The Observer's form staggered momentarily, and Chen Jing took the chance to distance himself.

The audience seats in the auditorium were now largely demolished.

The deep blue fabric of the magic witch's skirt had already torn open wide; the previous wounds hadn't completely healed yet. Chen Jing turned to evade the Observer's attack, preventing any new conspicuous injuries from appearing on his body.

In another collision, the Observer blinked away, swiftly maneuvering behind him, moving at a speed that almost made their afterimage vanish.

Still recalling the icy sensation from the beer can hitting the back of his head, Chen Jing hadn't turned around yet, but the long sword in his hand had already thrust backward, producing a loud "whoosh."

He used to never guard his back, but now he had learned.

As the sword pierced its body, the Observer's movements slowed down.

The Observer died in the center of the stage, impaled by a knight's sword.

The red light outside the auditorium windows disappeared, and the eerie and peculiar discomfort dissipated. The people inside the auditorium suddenly blinked awake and instinctively began breathing heavily.

They were still in their original positions, in their original bodies. There were no monsters here; everything seemed normal, as if nothing had happened.

But they could now clearly see the scratches on the walls and the destroyed seating area. There was also a trace of something punctured right in the middle of the stage.

Shh—

Zhh—

—The destruction wasn't caused by a strange species; it was solely due to Chen Jing's lack of control. Successfully clearing the level, all traces left by the Observer vanished, leaving behind only the marks caused by human actions.

The first person to regain composure was the teacher in charge of staging the entire play. She took out her phone and immediately informed the Special Investigation Unit.

The Special Investigation Unit arrived swiftly, questioning the individuals at the scene about what had happened. Everyone shook their heads, claiming no understanding.

Chen Jing remained quiet in the crowd, offering only silent shakes of the head when questioned.

The leading team on-site quickly confirmed the creature described by the teachers and students as the Observer.

With the Observer's presence, there had to be a Rule Setter. They swiftly dispersed around the auditorium, seeking places to observe the interior.

At a distance, someone spotted a faint shadow emerging from the third floor of a nearby classroom building and hurried upstairs to surround it.

Creak—

Someone carefully pushed, and the door of the storage room slowly opened.

The storeroom was converted from a classroom, cluttered with assorted tables and chairs. In the center stood a figure, tall and slender, reaching the ceiling, their pure white eyes fixed on the direction of the auditorium—undoubtedly the Rule Setter.

Close to the window next to the Rule Setter was a chair, sitting silently and conspicuously in the light.

Capturing the Rule Setter wasn't particularly challenging. It could only harm within a specific range under the Observer's watch. Outside of this range, it showed no overt aggression. As long as its pen wasn't touched and its rule-writing process remained undisturbed, it could be considered the mildest among the strange species.

Chen Jing watched from outside the crowd as the Special Investigation Unit escorted the Rule Setter away, his gaze finally resting on the quiet chair inside the classroom.

Someone had undoubtedly sat there before. If his guess was right, this person forcefully altered the rules here, ultimately commanding the Rule Setter to kill the Observer.

The fact that someone had altered the rules while the Rule Setter remained alive indicated that it occurred while the Rule Setter was conscious.

The Rule Setter, when its pen was touched, was far more terrifying than the Observer. However, there was no sign of struggle in the classroom, suggesting that the Rule Setter didn't oppose the individual.

Or perhaps the individual's power vastly surpassed that of the Rule Setter.

"…"

With a silent furrow of his brow, Chen Jing withdrew his gaze from the storeroom, casually glancing downstairs. Suddenly, he spotted a familiar figure.

It was the person who had been sound asleep in the room earlier that morning, probably just waking up. Arriving at school, unaware of what had happened, he peeked around outside the auditorium, his tousled hair lifting and falling.

Seemingly refreshed from a good sleep, he turned his head, instantly spotting him and waving.

As Chen Jing raised his hand to wave back, he paused, noticing the other person's face smiling uncontrollably.

"…"

He slowly lowered his hand.

Eventually, the high schooler ended up meeting Jiang Yujin face to face.

When they met, the high schooler wore a cold expression, while Jiang Yujin struggled to suppress a smile, earnestly explaining the reason for the delay.

He chose to retain some truth, mentioning seeing a car accident on the way and taking a closer look. Upon arriving at school, he received energy and went to the restroom in the teaching building. If he didn't play Xiaoxiaole, he'd die; he accidentally spent a little extra time playing.

And that led to this situation—perfectly plausible.

Then, cautiously, he asked, "Can I still watch the rehearsal today?"

"No, the auditorium will be closed off. I guess we won't be able to go in for the next few days," Chen Jing replied.

The damaged walls and seats would also require time for repairs. Some students were still affected by the shock and hadn't fully recovered.

It was understandable—no one remains unaffected after experiencing their own demise.

Jiang Yujin sighed regretfully.

A teacher called out Chen Jing's name from the other side. Jiang Yujin glanced over before withdrawing his gaze, saying, "You should go."

Without the rehearsal, there was no need to linger at the school. Chen Jing nodded and said, "Be careful on your way back."

Jiang Yujin left, slowly sneaking out of the school gates as if he were an old man. Later, he found his electric scooter and leisurely cruised along the roadside, trying to find some amusement.

Just as he wandered far enough from the school, his phone in his pocket vibrated. Checking it, he found a short yet intriguing message from Xu Gao:

[There's a melon at the door of the Special Investigation Unit—exciting!]

This online friend always notified him promptly when something interesting occurred.

Now, the fun was about to begin.

Donning his helmet and riding his electric scooter, Jiang Yujin hurried towards the scene.

He had visited the Special Investigation Unit for questioning before, barely recalling the location. For the love of gossip, he followed the scant memory, maneuvering through twists and turns until he reached the entrance of the building.

He parked his electric scooter, and his gossip buddy was already waiting for him at the entrance, wildly waving when he spotted him.

After getting off, Jiang Yujin shook hands with his fellow melon-eater, Xu Gao, and asked, "What's the melon?"

Xu Gao guided him to a chair behind a small flower bed and gestured for him to look at the three people on the right side of the main gate.

Three individuals, two men and one woman—the woman stood in the middle, while the two men faced off, occasionally glancing at her.

Xu Gao elaborated intimately, "Take a good look. The one in the middle is from the Information Management Department in the bureau, let's call her Xiaomei. The taller guy is her ex-boyfriend, and the shorter one is her current boyfriend… or perhaps both are her boyfriends."

The situation was bizarrely dramatic. Xu Gao happened to witness them arguing while he was planning to take a stroll and grab a snack.

At present, there was little movement in and out of the bureau. It seemed quiet around, but in reality, even those who appeared to be casually chatting on the roadside and the security guards at the entrance were all ears, more attentive than in a meeting.

Xiao Mei used to date Tall Guy, but one day, Tall Guy got hit by a car and suffered amnesia. At that time, she was already tired of him, so she took advantage of his memory loss and pretended they had broken up.

Coincidentally, Short Guy pursued her. He was devoted and well-off, so they quickly became a couple. But suddenly, Tall Guy recovered his memory with a slap, realized they hadn't actually broken up, and came looking for Xiao Mei. At the same time, Short Guy arrived to deliver a caring lunch to Xiao Mei. When the three of them crossed paths, it triggered a massive explosion of emotions.

Indeed, it was dramatic and scandalous. Jiang Yujin nodded, saying, "Exciting."

Xu Gao agreed, "Absolutely."

Now the three individuals at the entrance were completely tangled up. Xiao Mei stood in the middle, attempting to calm everyone down. But Tall Guy and Short Guy couldn't keep their cool and started shoving each other. Xiao Mei watched for a moment before ultimately joining the fray. The three of them pushed and shoved, making it hard to tell what exactly their relationships were.

Xu Gao, who initially wanted to buy a snack, quickly decided on a pack of sunflower seeds upon seeing the commotion. He kindly handed a portion to Jiang Yujin, along with a small pocket for the discarded seeds.

While watching, Xu Gao remarked, "Dumping your boyfriend right after he loses his memory is quite heartless."

Jiang Yujin replied, "Is it?"

Xu Gao nodded, adding, "But at least she called him her ex-boyfriend. If she pretended to be a stranger, the ex-boyfriend would be too miserable."

Mechanically munching on the seeds, Jiang Yujin responded, "I see."

Glancing at him, Xu Gao continued, "It'd be great if your ex-boyfriend were here. We could all watch together."

"What are you doing here?"

A voice suddenly emerged from behind, startling Xu Gao and even Jiang Yujin, who was fully engrossed. They both turned to see Captain Xu standing there.

Before Xu Gao could come up with an excuse, Jiang Yujin promptly grabbed Xu Tonggui's sleeve and pulled him aside, whispering, "Sit down first, you're too conspicuous."

Under Xu Gao's gaze, Captain Xu actually sat down. To comply with Citizen Jiang, he even slightly lowered his head, his chiseled jawline and prominent nose making him an absolute handsome and imposing figure.

Jiang Yujin generously shared half of his sunflower seeds with Xu Tonggui, explaining, "We're trying to analyze how human emotions and memory correlate with behavior in specific situations."

Suddenly, the previously considerable amount of seeds seemed meager once put into Xu Tonggui's hands.

Jiang Yujin spoke so seriously that even Xu Gao was stunned for a moment, as if he didn't realize that they were doing such a sophisticated thing.

Outside the gate, the three individuals escalated their conflict, attracting more onlookers. Even heads popped up over the Special Investigation Unit's wall, trying hard to peek in. Among them was an unexpected middle-aged man with a shining bald head—a senior official.

Amidst the chaos of the scuffle, Tall Guy, the ex-boyfriend, got accidentally stepped on twice by Short Guy.

Xu Gao commented, "Poor guy."

Jiang Yujin nodded, his unruly hair swaying as he moved, "Indeed."

The person nearby with light grey pupils glanced over briefly, then averted his gaze.

Chapter 28 – Hello!

This farce didn't reach its conclusion because Short Guy's car was parked on the roadside for too long, resulting in a traffic officer issuing a ticket and demanding the car be moved promptly.

Jiang Yujin was initially smiling but suddenly remembered his electric scooter. His smile faded, and he quickly handed a small bag of melon seed husks to Xu Tonggui and hurried to the scene.

Fortunately, the electric scooter hadn't exceeded the temporary parking limit and escaped unscathed.

After parking his beloved vehicle, Jiang Yujin returned with tousled hair.

At the door, three people dispersed.

Xu Tonggui's phone rang, prompting him to stand and answer the call. His voice grew distant as he moved away, saying, "Li Ying's whereabouts after coming out of Zero…"

Watching him walk away to a distance while on the phone, Xu Gao admired, "Captain Xu has always been so busy."

Busy to the extent that he couldn't even finish a melon completely.

Jiang Yujin sympathetically agreed, "Indeed."

Observing Captain Xu, who seemed extremely busy, throwing the bag of melon seed husks that Citizen Jiang had given him into the trash, Xu Gao asked the person beside him, "Are you close to Captain Xu?"

Jiang Yujin replied, "Acquainted."

Just after expressing admiration for Captain Xu, Xu Gao acknowledged and, glancing at his phone, realized it was almost lunchtime. Happily, they agreed to have lunch together, immediately heading towards a local restaurant.

It was evident that Xu Gao frequented the place; the owner recognized him and greeted him with a smile, remarking how he always arrived slightly ahead of others.

Jiang Yujin glanced at the person beside him.

Turns out, this was a habitual early departee.

The early departee quickly chose his lunch, and Jiang Yujin, after looking at the menu for a while, settled for a rice bowl.

Before the dishes arrived, the conversation returned to the previous topic. Xu Gao seemed to recall something, glanced around, leaned in slightly, and said, "Captain Xu is handsome, but he's too serious and busy, never had a partner."

Office gossip spread everywhere, but not about this person. Many in the office were curious, yet no one uncovered any gossip.

Pouring himself a glass of water, Jiang Yujin looked surprised at the comment and raised his eyes. "He's serious?"

After a pause, he chose to agree with Xu Gao, "Yes, that's true."

As the meal arrived, the conversation ended.

Though the sky lacked the sun today, the weather felt oddly humid. The owner helped by turning on a fan, its blades whirring mechanically, dispersing the heat.

After the meal, with nothing else to do, Xu Gao had to return to the Special Investigation Unit to continue working. Jiang Yujin accompanied him back on his electric scooter.

As they returned, they saw several cars parked at the gate. Jiang Yujin glanced and found the people coming out looked oddly familiar, like he had seen them somewhere.

Xu Gao said, "That's the squad that went to No.1 Middle School this morning."

He was surprised, saying, "Didn't expect them to return so soon."

Jiang Yujin retracted his gaze and replied.

He put on his helmet and hopped onto his electric scooter. Before leaving, he instructed Xu Gao, "Please inform me immediately if there are any new developments in the matter."

The reference to "the matter" seemed pretty obvious. Xu Gao nodded, making a solemn agreement.

Jiang Yujin rode off on his electric scooter.

With nothing to do in the afternoon, he had intended to lie at home watching TV. However, the owner of a nearby teahouse was short of a player for a card game and warmly invited him to join.

Being a helpful citizen, he joined in and spent the whole afternoon there, inadvertently overhearing gossip from an elderly couple at another table.

As the day grew increasingly stifling, the wind picked up outside, causing the windows to rattle against the walls.

Resting his chin on the table, Jiang Yujin glanced up and noticed the sky had already darkened significantly. The usual purple-red dusk hues were absent, replaced by a low-visibility, darkened sky beyond the outlines of buildings.

His phone, lying on the table, buzzed. Glancing down, he saw a message from a high schooler, suggesting he go out for dinner at a classmate's house tonight.

Realizing it was getting late, everyone at the table also realized it was time for dinner. They bid farewell, dispersing happily.

An afternoon spent accumulating a brain emptied of thoughts and a heart filled with gossip, Jiang Yujin walked towards the convenience store in the increasingly gusty wind.

Though not a considerable distance away, by the time he reached the store's entrance, the sky had turned completely dark, with sparse raindrops falling.

As the convenience store door opened, the rain suddenly intensified, pounding down as if released from a floodgate, drumming incessantly against eardrums.

All outside sounds were locked away. Inside the convenience store, the air conditioning provided a cool refuge, completely isolating it from the humid weather outside.

The store remained the same, but there was a different clerk. Slightly bending over the shelves, the new clerk was carefully selecting their own dinner items. After making their choices, they noticed another customer in the store.

The customer wore a slightly worn brown hat, and under the brim was a scar crossing their temple. Despite the weather, they were clad in a long trench coat, covering down to their calves.

After grabbing a bottle of water and a pack of bread, they went to the counter to pay.

Jiang Yujin picked up a boxed meal and took it to the clerk to heat it.

Digging out a few crumpled bills from their pocket, the customer paid the exact amount, sparing the clerk any change. While gathering their belongings, they glanced out the window, then turned and left. As they moved, tiny specks of blood appeared on the ground.

Jiang Yujin observed but remained silent, handing the boxed meal to the clerk without a word.

While waiting for the clerk to heat the meal, he stepped out of the store to gauge the intensity of the rain, pondering whether to buy an umbrella.

Objectively, the rain outside was heavy, the drops pounding against the canopy, nearly drowning out the music from the convenience store's automatic door. It was difficult to move without an umbrella.

But subjectively, Jiang Yujin was torn between spending a few dollars on an umbrella and running back.

After standing at the door for a while, estimating that the meal was probably warmed up, just as he was about to turn back, he noticed a few people running down the street's end without umbrellas, splashing water as they went.

The streetlights weren't as noticeable in the rain, making the convenience store appear brighter. The door had just opened, and they quickly scanned the interior before withdrawing their gazes and hurriedly leaving.

Jiang Yujin took the meal from the clerk's hand.

After he left, a few individuals who had previously passed by returned and entered the convenience store.

"Excuse me…"

The person in front turned to the clerk, seemingly about to ask something, but their gaze shifted, suddenly noticing a red liquid on the floor. They crouched down, used their fingers to touch it, and their expression turned grave. "It's blood; he's still around."

A few people stood by the counter and asked a couple of questions, mentioning the man in the hat and trench coat. The clerk's scalp seemed to prickle upon hearing the word "blood," answering nervously.

Once the group left, the clerk, with goosebumps on their arms, tearfully pulled out their phone and dialed the store manager:

"I… I want to quit, wuwuwu…"

While the clerk cried on the phone, the three individuals who had exited the convenience store circled back, thoroughly searching every nook and cranny, finding nothing, and eventually stopping by the roadside.

Warm, yellow light spilled onto the roadside through the rain, faintly glowing.

The group looked over and saw the words "Agency" illuminated by the light on the side of the road.

There seemed to be more text ahead, but it was obscured by the trees above, making it unreadable. The group exchanged a silent glance before stepping forward.

In the end, Jiang Yujin chose to run back in the rain.

He quickly did the math, deciding that a few dollars for water fees were more cost-effective than spending tens of dollars on an umbrella.

Stepping out from the steamy bathroom, towel draped over his head, footsteps approached the door, followed by a knock.

The high schooler wasn't coming home today, and the barbershop owner wouldn't visit for no reason; the visitor had to be a stranger.

A stranger arriving in the evening was peculiar in every aspect.

And then Jiang Yujin opened the door.

The door opened, and the three individuals outside glanced up to see a person in pajamas still drying his hair.

Jiang Yujin yawned and asked, "Is there something you need?"

The man at the forefront hesitated, stating there was something they wished to discuss.

Anyone witnessing the person who opened the door in such attire would hesitate for a moment.

After a quick glance at the three, Jiang Yujin diverted his gaze, allowing them to enter.

The trio settled on the couch, sipping on pristine water.

Seated opposite them, Jiang Yujin sat down, still drying his hair, and asked, "What do you need to discuss?"

The man in the middle looked at the person beside him, who instantly understood and handed over a photograph.

It was a picture of a man dressed in formal attire, slightly darker in complexion, with a scar across his temple.

It was the other customer seen at the convenience store earlier today.

Jiang Yujin's expression remained unchanged as he looked at the three individuals.

The man in the middle tapped his gold ring, saying, "This is Li Ying."

Li Ying, male, 35 years old, was a member of the company where the three individuals worked. He had recently escaped after stealing company secrets and had fled to A City. They weren't familiar with A City and had lost track of him several times when they were close to finding him.

"There are others also searching for him. We hope to locate him as soon as possible."

Listening intently, Jiang Yujin briefly recalled the laid-back week he had, feeling a bit too relaxed. It seemed like it was time to straighten up a bit. But then again, the relaxed atmosphere was enjoyable.

The man with the gold ring mentioned some expenses.

Jiang Yujin continued drying his hair, resting his hands for a moment.

Gold Ring Man: "The cost of the transportation and meals will be reimbursed."

Jiang Yujin: "Add another two thousand, and it's a deal."

The agreement was settled. The three left, and Jiang Yujin politely waved from the doorstep as he watched them depart.

Once alone in the room, Jiang Yujin closed the door. His hair was still damp, his hands sore from drying, and he casually left the towel on the table, yawning as he headed towards his room.

The heavy rain persisted throughout the night and showed no signs of abating by morning. The sky remained ominously dark, as if day and night had reversed, creating a bizarre sense of disorientation.

The next morning, Jiang Yujin woke up feeling regretful.

The consequence of sleeping with damp hair is a headache—not piercing, but persistently throbbing.

Despite the headache, Jiang Yujin remembered the task he had taken on. As the weather turned colder today, he layered an extra shirt and headed out.

The rain continued, yet it didn't deter the corporate workers or the shops from opening. Jiang Yujin spent his time asking around for Li Ying's whereabouts.

Yesterday's rain had kept most people indoors, but a hat and an ill-suited trench coat were distinctive. Some remembered seeing someone fitting that description heading in a certain direction.

He inquired as he walked, grabbing breakfast for himself. Nibbling on a steamed bun, Jiang Yujin continued his quest, eventually heading towards the bustling shopping plaza.

Outside, rain poured, drains gushing swiftly. Once inside the mall of the shopping plaza, the temperature rose instantly by a few degrees.

Folding his umbrella, Jiang Yujin scanned the crowd inside, moving towards the mall's railing, looking up at the floors above.

He didn't spot the person he was seeking, but he noticed the massive clock in the center of the mall and the barbecue restaurant nearby.

It was almost noon—a good time for lunch.

Setting the task aside momentarily, Jiang Yujin cheerfully entered the barbecue restaurant, indulging himself before snapping a photo to send to Xu Gao, who had another half hour before his shift ended.

Xu Gao responded with what seemed like a happy smiley.

After a solo barbecue session, Jiang Yujin attempted to resume his search, but on his way upstairs, he spotted the gaming arcade. Standing on the escalator, he could see a crowd gathered around the claw machines.

Stacks of plush toys filled the glass cabinet, two large-eyed white geese hinting at infinite wisdom, seemingly making eye contact from a distance.

"…"

The task was delayed again as Jiang Yujin diverted towards the gaming arcade after getting off the escalator.

His usually half-closed eyes were wide open as he played the claw machine, casually brushing aside his hair to get a clearer view. Citizen Jiang, with his light-colored irises, focused on the big geese.

"…"

Finally, amidst the envious gazes of a group of elementary schoolers, Jiang Yujin successfully grabbed two large geese, declining requests for his contact information before exiting the gaming arcade.

The mall was indeed a consumerist maze. By the time the ordinary citizen surnamed Jiang realized this, it wasn't exactly early anymore.

Holding a plush goose in each hand, he surveyed the crowd, occasionally asking neighboring shopkeepers.

After the heavy rain, there seemed to be more people wearing hats and trench coats in the crowd than usual, making it easier to mistake someone for another.

At the mall exit, a shadow passed by, revealing a scar on the temple.

Jiang Yujin navigated through the crowd, opening his umbrella and trailing behind.

Now, the streetlights by the roadside are on. Sensing something, the figure turned back, scanning the surroundings. Their gaze brushed past the crowd, and unconsciously, they bent down and headed into the busiest street.

It was the bar street they walked into, with dim lights and a mix of men and women.

In the midst of the crowd, Jiang Yujin maneuvered to dodge the tugging and pulling of couples. As he turned his head, he caught sight of the figure entering a specific shop.

Placing his umbrella on the stand outside the shop, Jiang Yujin walked in under the scrutiny of the staff, carrying a plush goose in each hand.

Unlike the usual drinking dens, the bar was dimly lit as if someone hesitated to turn on the lights, making everything blurry. Faces only became clear when the light flickered.

The rainy day didn't deter the excitement of these young people; the music was blaring, and the floor seemed to vibrate. Passing by several people on the way, Jiang Yujin maneuvered inside the bar, taking care to protect the geese he held from harm.

Li Ying kept heading toward crowded places, gradually moving toward a wall. It seemed like he spotted something on the ground, bending down and disappearing from view.

With a snap, a section of the room suddenly turned dark, the dim lights completely vanishing.

Jiang Yujin saw a figure flash into the staff corridor. He was about to follow but hesitated.

Several individuals jumped out from the crowd, swiftly chasing toward the staff corridor. One of them had an earpiece, appearing to report something to someone as they ran.

Others were also looking for Li Ying.

It wasn't until they left that Jiang Yujin followed behind.

The staff corridor led to the outside of the bar, with a small path leading away from the street. Standing on the street, he glanced toward the end where the building stood.

The disorganized footsteps were masked by the rain. After a brief pause, Jiang Yujin finally walked toward the building.

In the end, Li Ying was forced into the building.

The building wasn't completely finished, only the basic refurbishments had been completed. Inside, there was no place left to hide; he kept climbing upward in search of shelter.

Carrying injuries, he had been evading for nearly a whole day. His body began to lag behind, his steps growing heavier as he ascended.

Hearing the footsteps behind him persisting, he clenched his teeth, realizing he couldn't continue upward. After reaching the next floor, he ran, attempting to find any hiding spot.

Unfortunately, there was none, and perhaps due to incredibly bad luck, this level had not been renovated at all, lacking any hiding places.

The footsteps behind him grew closer; several individuals eventually emerged from the stairwell. They initially ascended quickly, then slowed down upon spotting him.

As they slowly approached, Li Ying stepped back until he could retreat no more, his back against the window. Glancing back, he saw the bustling traffic on the other side of the road and the now tiny, fuzzy streetlights below.

"Li Ying, just hand over the item now, and everything will be fine."

Someone nearby said as they approached, "Hand it over, and we can assure your safety."

Li Ying wasn't soothed by their words. Back pressed against the glass, he instinctively covered a wound that hadn't healed.

A gust of wind blew; being on a tall building, the wind intensified. When it gusted through the window, it felt strong enough to sweep someone away.

"You won't be able to—"

As he turned again, Li Ying's body shifted. A pebble at his feet made a sound, and his body swayed. His leg scraped against the window ledge, and he teetered out the window, feeling weightless.

He fell from the window.

Things happened too suddenly; those nearby completely failed to react, merely watching him disappear from the window. Finally, someone realized and rushed to the window, looking down to see only the vague ground covered by dense rain.

Someone quickly said, "One team, check the ground floor; the other, search the building. It's essential to recover that thing before the 'Zero' people arrive."

…

Li Ying fell from the window but didn't fall completely.

When he thought he was still plummeting, a hand from the window below suddenly grabbed him, yanking him back to solid ground from mid-air outside the building.

The person retracted his hand and brushed it off. Standing by the window, he held two white geese in one hand, his hair and shirt fluttering in the wind.

Li Ying heard what seemed like a cheerful greeting from the person at the window. "Hello!"

Chapter 29.1 – I'm so scared

His heart raced, and Li Ying's mind momentarily failed to react. His reflexes, however, made him roll on the ground to avoid injuring his spine. He looked up at the figure by the window, their features blurred, and asked, "Who are you?"

The pain was evident in his voice as the wound was aggravated, but he lowered his volume, fearing the person above might hear.

Footsteps echoed on the stairs. Jiang Yujin didn't answer Li Ying's question. Instead, he bent down, helped Li Ying up, and said, "We need to hurry."

As the footsteps drew nearer, Li Ying knew there was no time to waste. Despite the tearing pain of his wound, he ran along.

Jiang Yujin had scoped the building's layout upon entry. Leading the way with others following, they navigated several corridors and finally opened a previously unlocked door, gesturing for Li Ying to go first.

Beyond the door lay a staircase twisting down to the building's bottom. It was lengthy, concealed by the proximity of the main building and another structure, making it hard to spot from a casual glance.

The footsteps descending the stairs were muted by the rain pounding on the steel steps, seamlessly blending into the storm.

Even in such circumstances, Jiang Yujin was determined to shield the geese, draping his shirt over them.

Li Ying bent over, holding his wound while walking. As they neared the bottom, he slipped, but the person behind caught him, preventing a fall.

Back on solid ground, he glanced back at the person still caring for the two geese, momentarily unsure of which way to go.

Covering the geese securely, Jiang Yujin looked back at the route they came from and said, "Let's go back."

Li Ying asked, "Back where?"

"Back" referred to returning to the bar's entrance.

Jiang Yujin remembered his umbrella, worth 32 yuan. He retrieved it from the bar's entrance and opened it up.

At times like these, with an umbrella, one could easily blend into the crowd and remain unnoticed.

However, Jiang Yujin didn't use the umbrella for Li Ying but chose to shield the two geese instead.

*

The person who chased Li Ying upstairs checked downstairs but found no sign of his body after the fall. There was no blood or traces of impact at the scene.

Search teams combed through the building, floor by floor, but found no one. They converged with the team from downstairs.

The leader lowered their head and then took out a phone, saying:

"Captain Xu, the person has escaped."

*

Jiang Yujin led Li Ying into a two-story shop in an alleyway. The atmosphere on the second floor was dimly lit. After sitting down, he took out his phone.

Seeing the numbers on the screen, Li Ying became alert instantly: "What are you planning to do?"

Jiang Yujin replied calmly, "Calling the employer."

Li Ying recognized the digits; it was a frequently used number on the gold ring that was after him.

At the mention of the "employer," while not particularly clever, he could piece together the cause and effect. He reached out to stop Jiang Yujin: "You can't contact them!"

"He is… part of a terrifying organization. They are ruthless. Yes, the three of them are wanted criminals!" Li Ying pleaded, "If he comes, I'll be dead."

Jiang Yujin glanced at him while holding the two geese, his fingers continuing to move, pressing the dial button.

Li Ying's heart pounded, and he quickly added, "Then I'll entrust you with something too!"

Jiang Yujin lifted his eyes and pressed the dial button.

In the heavy rain, several umbrella-holders rushed past the street. Pedestrians tried to dodge but stumbled aside.

Reaching the mouth of the alley, Gold Ring slowed down, peering inside.

There were a few prominent red signs; this was the alley he had arranged to meet the person on the phone.

He had tasked the person with finding Li Ying yesterday, not expecting him to succeed so soon.

Stepping into the alley, he stopped in front of a shop. This place was remote; the first floor had a few scattered customers, and the second floor seemed deserted, except for the person they had met yesterday, seated at a wooden table by the window, with a silent man behind him.

It was Li Ying, unmistakable with the scar on his face.

"Li Ying, you've finally been found by me!"

Gold Ring moved forward but was stopped by the geese. Jiang Yujin stood up and gestured a count on his fingers, saying, "I've found the person for you."

That was the commission fee.

Looking at Li Ying behind him, Gold Ring's fist clenched involuntarily. Finally, with suppressed patience, he handed over the commission fee: "Now, can you move aside…"

The moment the commission fee exchanged hands, Li Ying, who had been silently seated by the window, suddenly sprang into action.

Jiang Yujin waved his hand with a smile, "I've taken on a new commission, to protect the employer from being captured by you guys, so I'm sorry."

The employer, evidently, was Li Ying.

The initial commission was merely to find Li Ying, not to assist in capturing him. Meeting face-to-face now constituted completion of the commission, allowing for the acceptance of a new one.

The new commission had double the fee.

Without hesitation, he leaped over the table and followed by jumping out of the window.

Realizing, Gold Ring and his two companions crashed through the chair and rushed to the window, only to watch the two individuals vanish from the end of the alley.

Gold Ring's chest heaved violently, and his hand resting on the window frame crushed it instantly. His voice sounded as if it was squeezed from his throat: "Chase them!"

Jiang Yujin continued to shuttle with Li Ying on the road. This time, it seemed like a change of heart; he finally knew the paths that could shelter from the rain, making the pursuit from behind much more comfortable.

However, when he jumped from upstairs earlier, the wound had completely reopened, saturating the old bandage, barely held back by the windbreaker.

Leveraging his local advantage, Jiang Yujin led them through winding paths, successfully bewildering Gold Ring and his companions, who couldn't keep up.

The buildings on both sides grew lower and older, with fewer pedestrians. Li Ying kept scanning but found no suitable hiding spots.

They had entered the old city district. Jiang Yujin walked along the roadside, glancing intermittently towards the other side of the road, seemingly searching for something.

A new shutter door appeared among the row of old ones.

He crossed the road, and Li Ying followed closely. Then he bent down and pulled open the large new shutter door.

Behind the door lay a decrepit dining table, with a trail of footprints in the middle of the road.

Unexpectedly, this place existed. Li Ying asked, "Where is this?"

Jiang Yujin closed the shutter door again without answering.

This was a place the Collector used to hide a long time ago. The footprints were left by the previous entry and exit of the Special Investigation Unit. To facilitate their movement, they had dismantled the door back then. Later, to compensate, they installed a new one, but they couldn't contact the owner. They put up the door but didn't lock it, which now was convenient for him.

Outside, the rain poured heavily. He found a spot, casually crouched down, resting his head comfortably on the goose, yawning, and turning to ask the person beside him, "How did you end up like this, buddy? Life seems quite thrilling day by day."

Li Ying also sat down beside him, adjusting his posture and panting while holding his wound. He started talking about the past.

He mentioned working at an organization, let's call it 'Xiao Te' for now. While working there, 'Xiao Ling' enticed him to switch jobs. He took the research findings from 'Xiao Te' to 'Xiao Ling', but later discovered that 'Xiao Ling' was much more terrifying than he had thought. Consequently, he fled again, this time with the research findings from 'Xiao Ling'.

So now, both sides were chasing after him. The individuals he encountered in the building belonged to 'Xiao Te', while Gold Ring and his three companions were related to 'Xiao Ling'.

Jiang Yujin: "…"

The typically vocal Citizen Jiang remained unusually silent for a moment.

'Xiao Te' referred to the Special Investigation Unit, while 'Xiao Ling' was an organization named Zero. This person seemed to have used a pseudonym but not entirely.

His succinct conclusion was, "Quite good."

After saying that, he took out his phone again and reopened the call history.

Li Ying's eyelids twitched as he watched Jiang Yujin retrieve the phone. Jiang Yujin reassured him, "Don't worry, I'm calling my ex-boyfriend."

"…"

Li Ying was no longer afraid but was rather taken aback.

Jiang Yujin continued, "We can't stay here forever. I'll have him come pick us up; he guarantees safety."

This person seemed earnest, with an honest gaze. Li Ying was momentarily stunned, then nodded, watching as he made the call.

It indeed seemed to be his ex-boyfriend; the number wasn't saved with any specific details.

After two rings, the call connected, emitting a deep, resonant male voice that vibrated in their ears.

Jiang Yujin's expression remained unchanged. He cleared his throat twice and asked, "Off work?"

Xu Tonggui replied that he hadn't finished yet.

"Well, that works perfectly," Jiang Yujin began to act, "I'm at 137 Third Street in the old city area. No time to explain, there are bad people here, I'm so scared. Hurry and save me."

There was an obvious pause from the other side, followed by an acknowledgment, advising to stay safe, and promising to rush over immediately.

After hanging up, Jiang Yujin glanced up and caught a somewhat indescribable expression on Li Ying's face. He raised an eyebrow and asked, "What's up?"

Li Ying replied, "Nothing much."

Although not incredibly worldly, Li Ying found it to be the first time seeing someone expressionless say "I'm so scared".

After the phone call with the incredibly scared Citizen Jiang ended, he casually opened Xiaoxiaole on his phone and checked the battery life.

All good; a sense of security was fully present.

Chapter 29.2 – I'm so scared

The sounds of Xiaoxiale animals being eliminated were overshadowed by the rain, drained of energy, Jiang Yujin instinctively wanted to seek help from a friend. Remembering he was still waiting for his friend to come to the rescue, he silently withdrew his hand, which was reaching out for help, and pocketed his phone.

Footsteps emerged amidst the rain outside, quite chaotic, followed by voices.

It was a very familiar voice, one he had just heard in the store not long ago.

Li Ying instantly straightened up. "How did they find us?"

It had been so long; they shouldn't have been able to trace their location.

Jiang Yujin didn't seem too surprised, his gaze shifting towards the person beside him, still soaked in blood with a pallid face.

Li Ying also realized something. He lowered his head and used the faint light from outside to see the drops of blood on the ground he passed when he came in.

The blood had blended into the rainwater, making it indistinguishable. But he noticed the clean path where he had walked moments ago, devoid of rainwater.

Jiang Yujin remarked matter-of-factly, "Your blood's flowing like a timer; anyone could follow it."

Li Ying glared, "You noticed it before!"

Citizen Jiang nodded honestly.

However, even if he had informed the other party, they couldn't ask the wound not to bleed. So he chose to keep it to himself. Warmly thoughtful.

Li Ying grimaced, clutching his face in pain.

The footsteps drew closer. Li Ying stood up, covering his wound, scouring the room for a window or a back door to escape.

Listening to the mixed sounds of rain and footsteps, Jiang Yujin stood up as well.

The footsteps paused at the door, a moment of silence, followed by a powerful punch slamming into the shutter door, creating a large dent that made it look unsteady.

Li Ying shuddered, momentarily releasing the hand that had been covering his wound, reaching for the bathroom's ventilation window, apparently trying to escape from there.

Another noise came from the shutter door as a large piece of metal dropped, letting the rain sounds instantly penetrate the room.

It was accompanied by the screeching of a vehicle braking hard.

Gold Ring had barely stepped into the shop when he felt a sudden chill around him. A sharp pain shot through his back, accompanied by a strange sensation of bones fracturing.

His arm was forcibly twisted, a crisp sound of metal collision followed, and his wrist felt icy cold.

As he turned his head, he met the man's chilling steel-grey pupils.

Xu Tonggui reversed and threw him to the ground, his black combat pants flying in the air as two others failed to dodge, getting kicked against the wall and harshly slammed onto the cement wall.

Li Ying, who was about to flip the ventilation window, paused. In the midst of silence, he turned to Jiang Yujin. "Your ex-boyfriend… can really fight."

Outside the door, Xu Tonggui glanced over.

The roadside lamp flickered, illuminating the figure clad in a black combat suit, with clear markings and a distinctive team logo and number.

Li Ying: "…"

Li Ying continued to climb the ventilation window, even putting in more effort.

After dealing with the three outside, Xu Tonggui entered the store. He turned on a flashlight and first glanced at Jiang Yujin, who still held two completely unharmed geese, then turned to look at Li Ying, who was still climbing the window.

Li Ying was also caught, his hands cuffed with silver bracelets. He turned to Jiang Yujin, eyes wide. "You lied to me!"

Jiang Yujin patted the geese in his hand. "How did I lie to you?"

He did promise that the other guy wouldn't be caught by Zero, and Xu Tonggui could indeed ensure his safety. Not only could he treat the guy's injuries, but he could also provide shelter and food, without worrying about anyone else coming to chase him.

Standing beside Xu Tonggui, Jiang Yujin tilted his head and asked, "I remember there's a reward for reporting fugitives."

Not only were the three outside wanted, Li Ying was also one of them.

After the other guy informed him that the three were wanted fugitives, he casually searched for Li Ying's name.

[Li Ying, male, 35 years old, leaked important secrets and seriously injured two security guards]

Xu Tonggui nodded. "Indeed."

The helpful citizen Jiang chuckled.

With that chuckle, Li Ying instantly understood. Right from the start, this person never intended for him to escape, nor did he plan to let Gold Ring and the others go. The reason for taking him on the rainless route was to leave behind bloodstains, luring Gold Ring and the others to come over, capturing all three and him together to hand over to SIU in one fell swoop, thus avoiding a series of troubles and earning the reward for the report.

He even earned double the commission for the task.

As he replayed the events in his mind, Li Ying's eyes widened. It was only then that he realized this person had gained the most from the entire incident. If they entered Orange, they'd probably be sentenced to a lifetime of not being able to leave, never able to cause trouble for this person again.

Xu Tonggui stuffed Li Ying and Gold Ring + 2 into the car. Before driving away, Jiang Yujin paused briefly in thought, ultimately placing one of the large geese, originally intended for his big son, into Xu Tonggui's arms as a token of gratitude for his timely arrival.

He patted the goose's head, sounding reluctant, "Da Bai (Big White), without me, you also need to live well."

This name was probably concocted just a second ago.

Xu Tonggui: "…"

After a momentary pause, Xu Tonggui placed the goose on the passenger seat and helped secure its seatbelt.

Great, Da Bai seemed very safe.

Jiang Yujin stood under an umbrella, watching the vehicle depart.

…

Xu Tonggui's field operation resulted in the direct capture of four fugitives and one large goose.

After the search of Gold Ring + 2 and Li Ying, they were handed over to a special processing department. Li Ying was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, while Gold Ring + 2 were detained. During the search of Li Ying, a disk and a specially packaged test tube were found.

The test tube and disk were taken to the Research and Development Department for analysis. Xu Tonggui accompanied the interrogation at the temporary detention center.

While he was in the interrogation, the goose he brought back was placed on his office chair.

It was already nighttime, and an office that usually would have been deserted and dark by now was unusually lit. Just as a few people returned from team-building in the restroom, they noticed a big white goose peacefully lying on the seat where usually only office documents were placed.

It was chubby, had a large yellow beak, and looked quite adorable.

Glancing at the corridor and realizing there were no signs of Captain Xu's return, the group instantly gathered around the seat, patting the goose. People passing by the door gradually increased.

When Xu Tonggui finally returned, he found the corridor, typically devoid of people, unexpectedly bustling. Several individuals were still gathered around the doorway, poking their heads in.

When he entered the office, there were still people who were completely unaware and were still saying, "Let me touch it, let me touch it!"

Then, the office quietened.

The people in the office dispersed, returning to their desks and feigning serious discussions as if nothing had happened.

The others left, and for the first time after finishing a mound of work, Xu Gao missed the frontline gossip. Passing by the door, he instantly brightened upon seeing the big white goose and asked, "Where did this goose come from?"

Xu Tonggui mentioned it was from Jiang Yujin.

Xu Gao widened his eyes. "You have one, and I don't?!"

He rushed to call Citizen Jiang.

As he watched the figure disappear, Xu Tonggui retracted his gaze. He received a message from the R&D department, then changed direction, heading toward the R&D department.

Unlike the bustling atmosphere here, the research department was quiet, with a scent of disinfectant in the air. Upon entering, one needed to undergo a disinfection procedure.

Someone was already waiting for him in the research room. Upon his arrival, they retrieved the disk that had been read before and pointed at the cell-like substance displayed on the large screen, saying:

"This is from the test tube taken from Li Ying. This is what it contains."

The cells were alive and moving. There were tubular protrusions on them, slowly shifting, as if searching for a target to connect with.

"This is something Zero made using the data taken by Li Ying from the laboratory."

The person at the computer clicked the mouse and said, "The disk has records."

"This is the Genesis Body A1, possessing high activity and replication capabilities, able to repair most cross-species limb or organ defects. However, it's uncontrollable. It might achieve perfect repair, or it might create a monster."

He said, "Zero has failed many times, succeeded twice. According to the description, one of them is the cross-species that appeared in the manor previously."

During the subsequent autopsy, they found that the cross-species wings should have been violently torn off a long time ago, with no possibility of regrowth.

But it inexplicably grew back and repaired perfectly.

The disk didn't mention Zero's purpose in researching A1. However, knowing their current research progress eased some tension, at least not reaching where they had estimated, significantly reducing the pressure.

Xu Tonggui remained silent on the side, retracting his gaze.

*

In the late night, Jiang Yujin returned under an umbrella.

The lights were still on when he got back home. The high schooler was sitting in the living room doing homework. Upon hearing movement, they glanced up, paused their work, and asked, "Have you eaten?"

Jiang Yujin said no.

Then the person stood up and walked into the kitchen.

His big son was too obedient and understanding. Jiang Yujin paused at the door upon entering, glanced at the person starting to cook in the kitchen, then looked at the big white goose in his hand.

After hesitating for a moment, considering it deeply, he eventually decided to pass the goose to the high schooler after dinner.

Chen Jing's eyebrows twitched slightly, then he reached out, holding his homework in one hand and the goose in the other, heading into the room.

"…"

The gaze behind him felt too intense. When he reached the door of the room, he stopped, turned around, and instantly spotted the person still staring at the goose.

Caught observing, Jiang Yujin shifted his gaze casually and waved, "You should rest soon."

Chen Jing's eyes twitched fiercely.

Eventually, the high schooler declared that the room was too small, so the goose stayed in the living room, just the right size, not too big or too small.