After the hospital check-ups and surgery were finished, Chen Yu was escorted back to the Hongtukeng Police Station by three officers,
to continue his "imprisonment" life.
In the following days, Chen Yu never stepped foot outside of the police station again. After the station provided him with a computer, he did not even leave his dorm.
He was a homebody at home,
and even more so at the station.
Plus, someone always brought him meals on time…
If it were not for the constant unease in his heart, and that damn psychotherapist who harassed him every morning, Chen Yu might actually think this sort of life wasn't half bad.
It's worth mentioning that the wound on his lower body had fully healed within a mere three days.
Perhaps the hospital had a pang of conscience, for they actually brought in a "Transcendent" to treat him!
Chen Yu still remembered that scene vividly.
That guy.
It was like a huge celebration, with gongs and drums, firecrackers, fluttering red flags, and a sea of people.
A mere E-rank Transcendent had even rattled the local leadership. One by one, they fawned over the Transcendent, all smiles, as they escorted him into the postoperative resting room where Chen Yu was.
The local leaders were not dismissive of Chen Yu either.
They thought Chen Yu was some kind of major figure with a severe disease since they called a Transcendent for assistance with treatment.
Then they found out it was for circumcision…
The "E-rank Transcendent" turned black with embarrassment.
But fortunately, he had basic professional ethics. After taking the hospital's money and looking unhappy, he released something on Chen Yu, whether it was some kind of treatment, Holy Light Skill, or maybe Cell Proliferation Skill.
Within just a few minutes, Chen Yu felt he should be able to look at adult content again.
Whether it was the memories from before he crossed over or after, this was Chen Yu's first encounter with "Transcendent power."
Then an indescribable, irresistible craving swept over his entire body.
If only he could possess that kind of power…
Forget his struggling family…
Forget his future life…
Just with the police station alone, they wouldn't dare lock him up.
So, without hesitation, Chen Yu pulled out his phone and said, "Can I add you on WeChat, pretty lady?"
The response was utter shock from everyone around.
As well as a look of indifference and skepticism from the "Transcendent" that could not be more indifferent or skeptical.
She couldn't even be bothered.
She was just puzzled how this thing, Gil, seemed to have even less self-awareness than a dog…
"Look at you acting all cool."
Sitting in front of the computer playing games in the police station dormitory, Chen Yu recalled that moment, and it made him indignant.
Who hasn't dreamt of being a Transcendent?
So, he quit the game decisively, moved the mouse to open the search engine, and typed in [single-player games where you play as a Transcendent].
"Bam!"
Then his computer shut down.
As if telling him, "Forget that dream, you loser."
"..."
"...The power went out?"
Chen Yu sat in front of the computer desk, dumbfounded, staring at the pitch-black screen.
He pressed the power switch, but the main unit didn't respond.
Soon after, he no longer cared about the computer issue,
because…
he noticed that the [Dead Body] title above his head… had faded!
Chen Yu: "!!!"
...
"Great news!"
"Huge great news!"
"Chief, good news, oh Chief, such good news!"
An excited subordinate's shouts came from outside the bathroom.
The middle-aged officer squatting on the toilet with [Deputy Chief of the Police Station] floating above his head instantly felt a surge of annoyance.
He had been a cop for over thirty years.
His father had been a cop for over fifty years.
Between him and his father, they had over a hundred years between them.
He was confident that even his father had never heard such ridiculous ass-kissing.
The chief's shit is great shit now?
"If you think it's so great, why don't you come in here and take a bite?" the middle-aged officer replied disgustedly.
"Eh?" The subordinate outside was confused, "What did you say?"
"Thud."
The wooden door of the toilet stall was pushed open, and the middle-aged officer, with a stern face and still fastening his belt, was about to scold him,
but before he could start, the subordinate officer rushed to say, "Chief! It's huge! Chen Yu's changed!"
"Did his title change?" asked the middle-aged officer sharply, reacting swiftly.
"Yes!!"
"To what?"
"It hasn't changed yet, just the color of the title has faded."
"Let's go!" The middle-aged officer rushed out of the restroom without even having locked his belt buckle, hurrying toward Chen Yu's dormitory.
The fading color of title text was a sign that someone's "title" was about to change,
a common knowledge everyone has experienced.
Quickly,
he dashed like lightning to Chen Yu's dormitory,
where four or five people were already present.
The middle-aged officer pushed through them and immediately saw Chen Yu, smiling broadly and with a serene, Buddha-like presence.
The words "Dead Body" above his head really did fade!
"When did this happen?" the middle-aged officer asked urgently.
"It changed last night," Chen Yu replied in a nonchalant manner. "But it was too late, I was afraid it might disturb your rest, so I didn't say anything. Ah, it's not that big a deal. What's there to get excited about?"
"This morning when the psychologist was looking for you, it hadn't changed yet," the female officer immediately pointed out.
"Oh. Then it must have changed after that. No big deal, I wasn't paying much attention to it," Chen Yu said, his expression unchanging, and then asked the middle-aged officer, "So, does this mean I'm done serving my sentence? To be honest, I'm kind of reluctant to leave you guys. I really wouldn't mind staying a bit longer."
"You will indeed be staying a bit longer," the middle-aged officer said, as he immediately took out his phone and dialed his superior's number.
Chen Yu: "Huh?"
...
...
"This is yet another great, solid, genuine, and undeniable victory for our police force! We've protected the people's property and their safety..."
"History teaches us, to work prudently and to keep the people at the forefront of our hearts..."
"...their safety is our consistent and ultimate responsibility! I can do well, and I certainly will..."
"Clap, clap, clap, clap—"
In the large assembly hall, thunderous applause erupted from time to time.
The deputy director stood at the main seat, speaking excitedly.
Chen Yu slumped in his chair, feeling drowsy.
But he couldn't sleep.
The director's voice was too loud.
An hour earlier, when the "deputy station chief" learned that Chen Yu's title was about to change, he duly notified the station chief.
The station chief informed the department.
The department contacted the TV station.
And then they brought him to this auditorium hall to start a grand celebration ceremony.
A predictive title plus the "substantial" rescue of a life—it was flashy! And it was indeed worthy of special mention, uplifting spirits.
Chen Yu was also unusually cooperative.
After all, he was about to leave, full of hope, and able to go back and beat up the neighbor. What was a little more patience?
Finally.
Another half-hour passed, and the leaders' speeches were over.
"Click!"
The director, wearing a green peaked cap, halted the filming and stood up, calling to Chen Yu, "Young man, it's your turn to give a speech. Don't be nervous, just express your gratitude."
"A speech? Me?"
"Yes."
"Can you cry?" someone on the presidium asked.
Chen Yu: "..."
"Ah, it's okay if you can't cry," the leader said awkwardly, waving his hand. "Just show your true feelings."
"Alright, if there are no problems, let's start," the director gestured emphatically. "Camera A, start with a wide shot of the people on the left, then slowly move to the director. Camera B, focus on a close-up with a pulling back motion. Everyone on site, look at Chen Yu."
"Understood."
"Good."
"Okay, three, two, one, action!"
Chen Yu: "..."
All the people in the hall, over a hundred of them, turned their gazes toward Chen Yu. He felt uncomfortable in his seat, with a barrage of sarcastic remarks wanting to spill out.
'I'll be leaving soon.'
'It's all over.'
Taking a few deep breaths and mentally reinforcing his current situation, Chen Yu put on a stiff smile and began, "Respected leaders, guests, and friends watching on TV, good afternoon... "
"Are you hosting a gala?" the director leaned out halfway, interrupting, "You don't need to be so formal. Just say what's on your mind. Cameras A and B, keep rolling."
'What I really want to say right now is that you're a fucking idiot.'
Chen Yu rubbed his face and put on a smile again: "Respected leaders, and the police comrades who have protected me during this time, I really 'appreciate' your help. It has allowed me to reform and start anew. I..."
"That's enough," the director interrupted, waving his hand. "We'll keep the first part, and add voiceover for the rest. Young man, don't forget to come to the station tomorrow to do some voice work."
Chen Yu: "..."
"What's going on? This is so confusing," the deputy station chief said, his face lined with confusion as he sat in the audience. "Just get a reporter to interview and report the news. Are they trying to make a documentary?"
No one paid attention to the deputy station chief's complaints.
The onsite director reviewed the playback on the monitor once, and after confirming everything was fine, he stood up to arrange the final scene: "The last part, we'll shoot Chen Yu walking out. Ideally, as he exits, his 'title' changes at the right moment. It symbolizes his rebirth with the help of the police force."
"Great," the deputy director applauded satisfactorily. "Let's take a break and wait for Chen Yu's 'title' to fade a bit more."
Chen Yu: "..."
The atmosphere on set relaxed, with the officers below the stage and the leaders on the presidium starting to chat.
Noise filled the hall.
Only Chen Yu remained in his seat, expression numb and isolated.
Fortunately, the "title" above his head did indeed reach the moment of change.
After just over ten minutes of waiting, the color of Chen Yu's "title" had faded to the point of being almost imperceptible to the naked eye.
"Now is the time," the director commanded, and everyone took their places.
"Ready?" Chen Yu contained the excitement welling up inside him and pointed to the tip of his nose tentatively, "Should I start walking now?"
"Yes! Go!" the director nodded.
The deputy station chief reminded him from below the stage, "Chen Yu, you don't need to come back after you leave. You can go home now. You've worked hard."
"Ah, okay. Sure." Chen Yu immediately stood up and quickly headed towards the exit.
"Slow down," the director said, focused on the monitor. "Yes, slow down. You can start shouting now. Camera B, focus on the presidium."
The next moment, all the officers in the hall stood up at once and shouted, "Protect the safety of the people! Serve the public!"
"Good! Very good! Young man, don't be nervous. Keep walking... eh, walk... huh?!"
Just as Chen Yu was about to step out of the hall's grand door, his "title" changed on cue.
From "Dead Body," it transformed to "World's Most Wanted Serial Corpse Mutilator and Murderer."
Deputy station chief: "?!!"
Department leaders: "!!!"
Director: "??!!!"
All the people in the hall: "!!!o_O ||"
...