Chapter Thirty-Four: The Case

Hatred is cold and bitter, a powerful force born from the heart after experiencing the world. It spreads easily and settles within the body, emanating a dangerous aura. Over time, as it accumulates and refuses to dissipate, it quietly devours one's humanity. The difference between humans and monsters lies in reason, yet the psychology of hatred often clouds, or even obliterates, the last vestige of human persistence.

Inside the Chief's office at the police station, Lin Hai's brows grew tighter with every glance, his expression grave, as though he had seen through the entire affair. Lin Fan and Zhang Yang, aside from their initial shock, reacted little. They merely found it uncanny that another disappearance had occurred.

Lin Hai, Lin Fan, and Zhang Yang whispered among themselves, and after an hour, the three finally became familiar with the case, gathering up the papers scattered across the desk.

Lin Hai looked toward Zheng Yi, who was still savoring his tea, and said, "Disappearances are common, but for the same type of people to vanish in the same area within such a short time is strange! Really, Director Zheng, you have nerves of steel. Such a big incident, and you remain so relaxed! Bureaucracy is truly dangerous! Isn't this a dereliction of duty? If I reported you, would there be a reward?"

Lin Hai had long held a grudge against the humiliations he suffered in the police station, and from start to finish, Zheng Yi never sat well with him.

At some point, the novel in Zheng Yi's hands had been replaced by a newspaper. He tossed it to Lin Hai and said, "If there were a reward for reporting this, I'd already be the city's richest man. Take a look—this is today's City Morning News. Sigh! Another one. The intervals are getting shorter, and soon we won't be able to hide it. At this rate, someone will take over my position without you needing to report me!"

Lin Hai took the newspaper. Lin Fan and Zhang Yang leaned in to read, and a bold headline appeared before their eyes: "Heavenly Leak Phenomenon—Alien Invaders Return to Earth, Another Young Beauty Abducted!"

"Goddamn! These headline writers are truly shameless!" Lin Fan exclaimed.

"Stirring up panic, fanning the flames! The depravity of human nature is terrifying! I've heard of these missing girl cases, but I didn't expect it to be this serious," Zhang Yang said with disgust.

"Mm, this editor is ruthless, vile, and depraved. Through the paper I can almost see his twisted, filthy face!" Lin Hai said, slowly setting the newspaper aside and looking at Zheng Yi.

"Ah—" Zheng Yi choked on his tea under Lin Hai's gaze.

"Don't take it personally. I wasn't talking about you," Lin Hai said, his brows still tightly furrowed. "Since last year, so many girls have disappeared. You’ve investigated for so long; besides their profiles, you really haven’t found a single clue?"

Zheng Yi frowned, his tone heavy. "Dozens of girls disappearing without a trace in this age of advanced technology! That’s what makes the case so bizarre. In all my years of investigation, it's the first time I've encountered such a mysterious disappearance. And these missing girls in our city are especially strange. Have you noticed? Most are from other provinces, many are orphans, a few come from families where both parents have died or divorced long ago, leaving them unsupervised. Only in the most recent cases were the missing girls locals. If one of the families hadn’t persistently pursued a girl involved in a marriage scam, this might not have come to light so soon."

Lin Hai gave Zheng Yi a meaningful look. "I've read your case files. You mobilized all the city's police, checked day and night, and found nothing. That suggests this is likely beyond your jurisdiction, so you came to us?"

Zheng Yi spoke seriously. "Though I hate to admit the legitimacy of your profession, and would prefer not to be involved with people like you, after the last disappearance and your impromptu performance in the station, I've changed my views about this world. To be honest, we’ve searched every corner of the city, turned it upside down, and still found nothing. You are our last hope. I implore you—for the safety of our people—please use your abilities to resolve this crisis!"

Zheng Yi spoke with genuine feeling.

Lin Fan's sense of justice flared up again. He stood and declared spiritedly, "Don't worry! With me and—"

Lin Fan glanced down and saw Lin Hai squinting at him with disdain, his gaze tinged with murderous intent. With just a look, Lin Fan quietly sat back down, swallowing his words.

Lin Hai, satisfied, turned back and said, "Let’s not be so high-minded. We all know the score—let’s talk business. No need for those stories meant for children. Let's discuss the terms openly now."

Zheng Yi adjusted his glasses and said, "I’m all ears."

Lin Hai smiled. "To be honest, it’s not that I look down on you, but this isn’t something you amateurs can handle. Even for us, professional exorcists, it might not be possible to come out unscathed—it could even be life-threatening. Right, nephew?"

"Mm! The evidence is clear, no doubt about it!" Lin Fan nodded in agreement.

Lin Hai continued, "But we’re not saying we won’t take the job. As the saying goes, people die for wealth, birds for food. Yet your reward is far too low for us to risk our lives. How much is Zhang Corporation sponsoring?"

Lin Hai pulled a reward notice from the stack and tossed it before Zheng Yi, clearly ready to bargain now that he understood the case.

Zheng Yi caught the meaning, looked to Zhang Yang for confirmation, and when Zhang Yang nodded, he relaxed. "Rest assured. If you solve the case, our reward is just a fraction compared to Zhang Corporation's special fund. All reasonable expenses during the investigation will be reimbursed. What do you think?"

"A fraction? How many zeros?" Lin Hai glanced sidelong at Zhang Yang, who flashed him a peace sign. Lin Hai nodded and added, "Mm! Barely meets our minimum requirement. We accept. Truth is, it’s not just about money—this land raised us, after all."

"Pfft—" Lin Fan couldn’t help but snicker. When he noticed three pairs of eyes, each filled with emotion but of different kinds, he quickly apologized, "I couldn't help myself. Carry on!"

Lin Hai pointed at Lin Fan as a warning, then said sternly, "Ignore the clown. Back to business! Let me be clear: we only handle the case and prevent further incidents. Whether the missing girls are dead or alive is none of our concern. If you agree, we’ll take the job; if not, find someone else."

Zheng Yi’s heart skipped—he understood Lin Hai’s meaning and replied cautiously, "I can agree. But if, by chance, there’s even a slim hope, I do hope you’ll try to rescue them. Their lives have only just begun."

Lin Hai thought for a moment and assented, "Fine. Rest assured, we’re not cold-blooded. As the saying goes, saving a life is better than building a skyscraper. But there’s one more important thing I need you to address right now. If not, everything I agreed to is void."

Lin Hai raised another demand.

Just as Zhang Hua predicted, getting this guy to help really isn’t easy! Zheng Yi asked carefully, "Uh—what else? Please tell me."

"Damn it, about the Song family brat—every time you mention it, I get furious. You owe me an explanation. Write a formal letter of apology and post it on your station’s door. I want to see it downstairs, or don’t expect me to risk my life for you!" Lin Hai said angrily.

This was handled like a real man. Lin Fan and Zhang Yang exchanged gleeful looks with Zheng Yi.

Zheng Yi breathed heavily, his face reddening. At last, he gritted his teeth, grabbed a pen, and swiftly produced a perfunctory letter of apology.

"Dear Comrades Lin Hai and Lin Fan, I, Zheng Yi, on behalf of all officers—"

Lin Hai snatched the letter, read it aloud with satisfaction, and pressed further, "Director Zheng, shouldn’t you stamp this to show your authority?"

Zheng Yi dejectedly pulled a stamp from the drawer, affixed it, and had Secretary Li post it outside.

"Satisfied?" Zheng Yi composed himself, a little more amiable.

"It’ll do. I’ll go admire Director Zheng’s masterpiece now. We won’t interrupt your tea and newspaper any longer," Lin Hai said, rising with a mocking tone.

"…" Zheng Yi, restraining his anger, reminded, "Master, please take this seriously. If you don’t, not getting paid is the least of it—sullying your reputation isn’t worth it."

"Don’t worry yourself. You envy, or perhaps resent, but the money is there, waiting for me, about to go into my pocket. Ha! Trivial, a mere trifle!" Lin Hai laughed heartily like a boxer who had just KO'd his opponent, striding out.

Lin Fan and Zhang Yang politely bid Zheng Yi farewell, then, looking much like two eager apprentices, followed him out with excitement.

"You despicable, shameless old bastard! Ugly wretch! You’d better not fall into my hands…" No sooner had they left than a string of furious, subdued curses echoed from the Chief’s office. In all his years as director, Zheng Yi had never suffered such a resounding humiliation.