Free Web NovelChapter 94: Chapter 94: The Suspect
"It seemed as if the guests were caught in a sleep paralysis, trapped in their dreams and unable to wake up until the morning shift cleaning staff noticed something was wrong. This floor was too quiet, so they contacted the hotel management to use a master key to open a room. Only after this external interference did some of the guests abruptly awaken."
The man handed the documents to Nalan Shuo, "The hotel is called Tang Court Hotel, a chain express hotel with a good location and high traffic. To avoid panic, our men have already secured the scene."
"According to the territorial management rules, the case has been taken over by the Maple River District Patrol Office, which is where the hotel is located. They have just sent us a request for assistance in the case, as evidence suggests that the prime suspect might have fled into our Lin’an District."
"According to our investigation, this individual is named Yang Xiao, male, 25 years old. His public identity is that of a scriptwriter. Surveillance footage from the hotel shows that he checked into room 4013 on the fourth floor alone last night at 9 PM, a double room, and left the hotel at 6:12 AM this morning. He is also the only person on the same floor who was not affected by the ghost’s dream."
"This is a photo we extracted from the surveillance video; please take a look, Director. We are ready to set up control and capture this person."
The man handed over a clear photograph. It showed a handsome young man with a backpack, holding a bottle of complimentary mineral water from the hotel and swaggering out.
Just then, the man who came to report suddenly paused, looking back and forth between Yang Xiao and the photo, and then up at Yang Xiao again, repeating this several times before his face turned pale in an instant. His empty hand immediately reached behind his waist.
"Director, listen to my explanation!" Yang Xiao shouted for help.
"Wait!" Nalan Shuo interrupted the man who was about to get rough. After a few seconds of silence, he stood up, took back the contract and two stacks of money he had placed in front of Yang Xiao, and put them into a drawer before locking it. He then calmly said to the man who came to report, "Continue, how significant is the damage caused by this incident, and has anyone been injured or killed?"
The man hesitated for a moment before slowly speaking, "The damage isn’t very significant, and... there are no casualties for the time being. After the technical department intervened, most of the guests were awakened, and the vital signs of the few who remain asleep are stable. According to the onsite lead, they should wake up soon."
At this, Nalan Shuo’s furrowed brows gradually relaxed. He then turned and gave Yang Xiao a friendly and dependable look, "Don’t worry, you’re one of my people, I’ve got your back."
Ha, if you had said that before taking back the contract, I might have believed you... Yang Xiao forced a smile on his face, "Thank you for your trust, Director!"
"Huang Qiang, reply to the Jiangbei District Patrol Office. Tell them it’s a misunderstanding and to immediately cancel all search and arrest actions against Yang Xiao. Later tonight, no, let’s make it tomorrow, the office will send them an investigation report."
After sending Huang Qiang away, only Yang Xiao and Nalan Shuo remained in the office. Nalan Shuo took a cigarette case from the table, lit one, and asked, "So, tell me, what happened last night?" ƒгeewebnovёl.com
This time, Yang Xiao gave a detailed account to Nalan Shuo about the strange events of the previous night. After waking up from a nightmare, he found the Drama Robe—the blue side of the Nether Garment—worn on his body!
Yang Xiao didn’t dare hide anything from Nalan Shuo, not only because it was about saving his own life, but also because of his judgment of Nalan Shuo as a person.
Yang Xiao saw clearly what happened just now. When the accusations were pointed at him, Nalan Shuo’s first reaction was to take back the contract and distance himself, only speaking to soothe Yang Xiao once he confirmed that the extent of the supernatural incident was manageable.
In other words, had this mess blown up, Yang Xiao would undoubtedly have been caught by Nalan Shuo by now, and it wouldn’t be surprising if a commendation notice from the Bureau came out the next day, with the headline, "Director Nalan Lures Enemy Deep and Captures Villain with Brilliance in Both Civil and Military Aspects," complete with large photographs—one of Nalan Shuo receiving awards and accolades, and another of Yang Xiao squatting in a cell alone, wearing silver bracelets, looking pitiful."
Indeed, as someone within the mixed system, their sense of profit and danger is extremely sharp—it’s no wonder they’ve made it to the rank of a regular Bureau Director at such a young age.
After listening to Yang Xiao’s narrative, Nalan Shuo fell silent for a moment, "It seems you inadvertently awakened the ghost within the Resentful Eye, and the scenes you saw in your dreams should also be related to this ghost’s abilities. As for what those abilities are, I’m currently unable to determine. Honestly, your artifact... seems rather malevolent."
"Does the Director have any recommendations?" Yang Xiao was genuinely a bit scared by this Drama Robe. If he had to go through this every night, he wouldn’t be able to live a normal life, "Um, I heard earlier that you have a technical department, can’t they... can’t they analyze this thing’s function?"
Nalan Shuo sighed, "I’m afraid not, your Resentful Eye has already recognized its master. Theoretically, no one but you can control this artifact."
Seeing Yang Xiao’s worried expression, Nalan Shuo offered words of comfort: "However, you don’t need to be too worried. Last night can be considered an instance where you used the Resentful Eye’s abilities unconsciously, and this item isn’t something you can use whenever you want. After each use, it will enter a dormant period for some time. As long as no outside force awakens it, you will be safe during this period. Also, in the time to come, I’ll try to find opportunities to help you get familiar with this Resentful Eye."
"Thank you for your mentorship, Director!" Learning that he was safe for now, Yang Xiao finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Ah~, organizational training, personal performance," Nalan Shuo stood up and straightened his collar, looking very distinguished, "You should understand that as a leader at the rank of a full Bureau Director, this is a necessary quality. Don’t overreact to everything."
"How could they not say you’re the leading sheep among the seven directors, ranking a level above the other five? There’s a reason for that," Yang Xiao’s flattery followed suit.
"Hahaha, Yang Xiao, in the future don’t make such remarks that are detrimental to unity, hahaha, I don’t like to hear them," Nalan Shuo wore a face of enjoyment, though he kept his tone strict.
Seeing that the contract was signed, with Yang Xiao’s handprint pressed upon it, Nalan Shuo satisfiedly set down the contract and picked up the two stacks of cash, placing them into Yang Xiao’s trembling hands. At this moment, Yang Xiao’s breathing stopped; what sort of divine organization was this? Getting paid on the first day of the job!
But Yang Xiao still understood the rites of human relationships within the system, so he immediately put on an air of integrity and spoke earnestly, "Director, as they say, ’No one should profit without making a contribution.’ I’ve just joined our organization’s family. I hope I can make some contributions before receiving awards!"
Nalan Shuo thought about it for a moment and seemed to agree, then reached out to grab the two stacks of cash, intending to take them back, "It’s rare for you to have such awareness, Yang Xiao. I approve."
Nalan Shuo grabbed the cash and tugged.
"Hm?"
The first tug did not move them, and a second attempt was equally futile; the two stacks of cash seemed to have grown onto Yang Xiao’s hand. frёeweɓηovel.coɱ
After a second try, Nalan Shuo felt it was embarrassing to insist, given he wasn’t like Yang Xiao—he cared about his image. So, he pulled back his hand and casually picked up a bottle of mineral water to twist open. He took a sip of water to ease the awkwardness and handed another bottle to Yang Xiao. He then walked towards the exit, "Come on, I’ll take you to meet your colleagues and get acquainted with the office environment."
Seizing the moment Director Nalan turned around, Yang Xiao quickly stuffed the cash into his pocket, buttoned it up, and followed.
