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墨書 Inktalez
"Please come in."
"Hello... Boss Mu, don't worry, everything is fine. I'll go see him in a couple of days and bring you good news... Ah, Never, no need to be polite. Rest assured, I will make sure everything goes smoothly..."
Dr. Feng casually called for the next patient while covering the receiver and speaking with Mu Qingchen. The last thing he wanted was Old Mu's inquiries. He hurriedly brushed it off, hung up the phone, and let out a sigh of relief.
Even though he had used the harshest methods to deal with this peculiar patient, something had gone wrong—something serious:
He had escaped.
And it had been a week with not a single word about him.
This truly frightened Dr. Feng. His former colleague, Dr. Bai Shuangxi, was also missing; it was rumored that he had been taken away by the police. The information he managed to gather indicated that two other mental patients had gone missing alongside him. Originally, sending them far away was meant to help them experience the hardships of life, but now the distance had become his greatest challenge as a doctor.
He contemplated whether he should go in person. As he paced back and forth, he suddenly remembered there was still a patient waiting and absentmindedly said, "Please have a seat."
Turning around, he almost choked on his words as he noticed two police officers in front of him—one male and one female—both dressed formally with serious expressions, clearly ready to handle business.
"May I help you?"
"We're from the City Bureau; here are our credentials."
The female officer handed over her identification. Seeing the official seal of the municipal police department, Feng Changxiang didn't dare take it. He gestured for them to sit down while nervously pouring them water before taking his own seat, wondering if he would end up like Dr. Bai.
"We need to understand some details and hope you can cooperate," the male officer said sternly as he pulled out a photo and asked, "Do you recognize this person?"
"Do you know him? Bai Shuangxi, my former colleague at Shaanxi Provincial Psychiatric Hospital," Feng Changxiang answered honestly.
What he feared most had come to pass, and he felt a bit uneasy, his hands trembling.
"And this person?" The female officer held up a photo extracted from the psychiatric hospital's surveillance, showing Mulin Shen.
"I know Mulin Shen. He is..." Dr. Feng hesitated, gathering his thoughts. With a sudden resolve, he spoke up, "This person is a mild Mental Patient. I suspect he may have dissociative identity disorder and some form of paranoid cognitive impairment... Additionally, there is a possibility of a history of drug use, though it hasn't been confirmed yet. His family requested psychological treatment, and I recommended Weinan Psychiatric Hospital in Shaanxi Province... Yes, I also have the consent form signed by his father... Um, I understand that something unpleasant may have happened... this..."
He spoke confidently, trying to clear himself of any suspicion while pulling out Mu Qingchen's signature document. However, seeing the annoyed expressions on the two officers' faces, he realized he couldn't evade their scrutiny any longer and awkwardly opened his mouth.
"Weinan Psychiatric Hospital is for treating severe Mental Patients. Why would you send a mild patient so far away?" the female officer questioned.
The Male Officer added with a smile, "And trying to use hypnosis to turn him into another person... Heh, do I really need to tell you that Bai Shuangxi has already been controlled?"
Oh dear, Dr. Feng lamented as he slapped his forehead in despair. "This troublemaker... He has a grudge against psychologists... It seems I'm not going to escape this either."
After a moment of anguish, he looked up and helplessly said, "Comrades, please tell me what you plan to do with me... How serious are the consequences? Have they found the person? The family is asking me for answers; I'm at a loss and was just about to go see them myself."
"If we were just taking you away, we wouldn't be asking so politely," the female officer replied with a smile.
Seeing a glimmer of hope, Feng Changxiang nervously asked, "Then what do you need from me?"
"Tell us about his situation as truthfully as possible—details matter... Don't ask why or our purpose. What I can tell you is that the two who escaped with him are extremely dangerous individuals," the Male Officer stated.
Feng Changxiang was stunned for a moment before nodding vigorously. Without saying anything further, he began searching for information on the computer and sent it directly to the female officer's phone. The two officers quickly skimmed through the details, exchanging astonished glances.
The records of the Expulsion, Transfer Student, and Ueno Chicken University came to a halt on a few photos from a shooting range. The female officer curiously asked, "What kind of firearm is this?"
"SP25 sniper rifle, a weapon used by the United States Marine Corps... The one next to it is a Colt 2000," the Male Officer explained.
This was a dangerous individual. The two officers exchanged surprised glances at Dr. Feng Changxiang, who clarified, "These photos were all provided by his father. This unfortunate kid has really put his dad in a tough spot, spending hundreds of thousands. He brought back a diploma from Zhang Wild Chicken University to impress his father... I don't know much about firearms, but I think his dad mentioned he has a strong interest in them."
"Can we check for any criminal records?" the Male Officer inquired.
"It's hard to check. To look into an international student's overseas records, we have to go through the Provincial Department and the Foreign Affairs Office," the female officer replied.
At this question, Dr. Feng shook his head and said, "There won't be any criminal records."
"How do you know?" the female officer asked.
"I'm not sure, but I know about his family situation. His father, Mu Qingchen, runs a three-star hotel near a tourist area, earning several million annually without issue. They own several properties, and this kid gets an allowance of a hundred thousand each month... And that's not enough; he often borrows money and puts the debt on his father's account... Given this situation, is there really a need for crime? Unless crime is a hobby," Dr. Feng explained.
The two officers frowned, unsure whether they were more shocked by this peculiar individual or by the amount of his allowance. The Male Officer countered, "What if it is indeed a hobby?"
"It wouldn't be... You see, I've been to his room." Dr. Feng turned the computer screen around and scrolled through several photos of the living space. The colors were soft and warm; there were elegant landscape paintings decorating the walls, lush potted plants on the balcony, and an enlarged photo of a serene woman. The two officers puzzled over this: "What does this prove?"
"A person's hobbies can reflect their mindset and character. Mulin Shen has a gentle personality; you can tell from this environment. If he were impulsive or anxious, he wouldn't have such an elegant decor or harmonious color scheme. He wouldn't keep his deceased mother's photo in such a visible place, well-maintained... Conversely, if there's no impulsiveness or anxiety, then there’s no underlying character trait that leads to crime..." Dr. Feng stated. Violent crime simply did not align with this wealthy young man’s profile; someone with an impulsive personality would use contrasting colors.
The two officers frowned in thought, exchanging glances. Psychological assessments are inherently vague; police generally trust evidence over psychology.
Seizing the opportunity, Dr. Feng continued explaining: "...To be honest with you both, I did make a mistake. His father wanted him to change his lazy habits, so I helped him out by giving him an ordinary identity and sending him back to the mental hospital where I once worked... I also informed Dr. Bai to arrange some physical labor for him. My intention was to let him experience some hardships for a while to correct his spoiled ways; it should benefit his character and ease the conflict between him and his father..."
The female officer smiled for reasons unknown. The man also smiled, and the two exchanged glances, seemingly preparing to stand up. Feng Changxiang nervously rose to his feet, and the female officer said, "Don't be nervous. We'll discuss your situation later... Right now, our priority is to ensure his safety. Cooperate with us so we can capture those two dangerous individuals who escaped."
"Yes, yes... What do you need me to do?" Feng Changxiang nodded.
"Just sit here, keep your mouth shut, and act as if nothing has happened. That will be the best cooperation... By the way, we need to take everything related to him with us. Also, you will be under surveillance; only a third party can know about his situation. You understand the consequences. If anything happens, make sure to inform me. Here’s my business card," the male officer said.
"Alright, alright... um..." Feng Changxiang replied, handing over all the files related to Mulin Shen to the two officers. They took them and left without further ado.
Once they were gone, Feng Changxiang slumped back into his chair, drenched in cold sweat, gripping his forehead as he thought:
"What kind of trouble has this disaster caused?"
From now on, I must admit that my life faces similar tests every day. If I remain resilient and forge ahead to meet challenges, then I will surely succeed.
I firmly believe that at the end of the desert lies an oasis. As long as I draw breath, I will persist until the end because I have come to understand the secret of success: perseverance will ultimately lead to achievement.
I am nature's greatest miracle. I cannot be easily satisfied like an animal; a flame passed down through generations burns within me, urging me to surpass myself. I will stoke this fire even brighter and declare my excellence to the world. My potential is limitless; with just a bit of development in my intellect and physical abilities, I can surpass any past achievements... Starting today, I will unlock my potential.
Clear voices reading aloud echoed from a closed room. Inside, wearing only shorts and with a beautifully bound copy of "The Scrolls" resting before him, Mulin Shen recited like a devoted believer.
Outside the window, the mountains were picturesque under the blazing sun.
The room was unusually stuffy, sweat pouring down like a stream.
He wiped away a bead of sweat and cursed under his breath, "Damn his whole family... This is meant for the poor. A refined gentleman like me, with millions in assets, still needs potential? I don't even need to put in effort..."
He thought this to himself while continuing to read aloud. He was well aware of the key to it all, much like a Muslim reciting the Quran or a Protestant praying; years of recitation would surely have a purifying effect on the soul.
This is the source of faith—reciting it a thousand times, and many would come to believe in the omnipotence of God and the creation of humanity by Him.
As Nietzsche said, a lie repeated a thousand times can become the truth.
Most religious doctrines encourage people to do good, yet ironically, many extremist organizations are also groups of religious faith.
Just like this globally popular motivational book has become a textbook for pyramid schemes, it’s quite an absurd outcome.
With a snap, he closed the book, got out of bed, and headed to the bathroom. He turned on the cold water for a shower. The heat of the Northern Region was unbearable for him. It had been several days since that madman Professor Lu brought him back to this unknown place in the outskirts of the Provincial Capital. Most of his time was spent locked in the room reading The Scrolls, and whenever he did go out, it was always with several companions—escaping was nearly impossible.
It truly felt like jumping from one fire pit into another wolf's den. Mulin Shen thought about it; he wondered if The Scrolls had ignited his fighting spirit. His mind was filled with thoughts of how to escape, and he felt exhilarated—like being in a real-life escape room or a frantic chase scene—not everyone gets such an opportunity.
"First point: never anger the kidnappers..."
"Second point: find a way to make them let their guard down..."
"Third point: ensure they see you as no threat..."
He silently recited knowledge from an escape course that had once been offered by the local immigration office in America specifically for wealthy heirs. It was said to prevent local gangs from targeting immigrant communities. However, it was discontinued later because many local black societies ended up working as lackeys for corrupt officials and wealthy children, eliminating any risk of kidnapping. The Americans were left troubled by these rule-breaking individuals causing them all sorts of problems.
Yes, the rules are clear, Mulin Shen thought. You must be familiar with the rules of an environment to find its loopholes; individual heroism is nonsense when it comes to a group.
After cleaning up and drying off under the air conditioning for a while, lunchtime was approaching.
The sound of the door opening interrupted his thoughts as two men entered, carrying several large bags. One of them was Baldy, who had recently been promoted within this secret organization known as Thug. He shook his head dismissively while the other man laughed and left, closing the door behind him. Mulin Shen smiled at Baldy, but Baldy awkwardly avoided his gaze, urging him to put on some new clothes.
"Bald Brother, what are you so shy about?" Mulin Shen teased.
"Stop talking nonsense and just change," Baldy barked in an attempt to cover up his embarrassment.
"Living under someone else's roof and even pretending to be strong when speaking—here I thought you were a real man, but turns out you're just a fool," Mulin Shen laughed, provoking Baldy to grit his teeth in frustration.
As he unwrapped the clothing, Mulin Shen was taken aback by what he saw: a custom-made Armani suit. He weighed it in his hands and confirmed it was genuine. Then he spotted a burgundy handbag that appeared to be an LV design; it looked used but felt authentic upon inspection. This left him puzzled, and he curiously glanced at Baldy and asked, "What’s with such a big investment? What are you planning?"
"To eat," Baldy replied.
"To eat?" Xiao Mu was bewildered. With these crazy people, you could never predict their next move.
"Yes, to eat," Baldy said, his face showing signs of embarrassment.
Xiao Mu responded with an "oh" and carefully changed into the suit. The transformation was striking; he looked handsome and elegant. As he bent down to tie his shoes, he noticed they were classic British-style pointed leather shoes—the kind favored by old-school gentlemen. He didn’t ask Baldy about it; someone like him probably wouldn’t understand.
"Let’s go eat," Xiao Mu said as he picked up his clothes, which hung perfectly like they were on a hanger. He instantly appeared more spirited. Baldy hesitated for a moment before saying, "How come you don’t seem worried at all?"
"I’ve already made my move for money and have taken care of the other matter long ago; since neither has happened, what do I have left to worry about?" Xiao Mu replied with a smile. Baldy realized that this young man’s greatest strength was his optimism.
Whether it was due to blind optimism or a clear understanding of the situation, he was still able to smile after a few days. He remained quite optimistic, which reassured him. He muttered softly, "It's fine, there's no danger."
"Is that so? Hearing you say that makes me blush a bit. You should focus on self-preservation," Xiao Mu said with a cheerful smile.
The trust that had been hard to establish was now lacking. After all, when it came time to leave, he had chosen to stand by and do nothing, and it seemed unlikely they could return to how things were before. However, Xiao Mu's carefree demeanor left him puzzled. Various questions stirred Baldy's not-so-high intelligence into confusion as he quietly opened the door and led Xiao Mu outside.
They stepped out of a villa that exuded the style of a tycoon, covering more than half an acre, facing south with a northern view. The upper levels featured painted beams and flying eaves, while the courtyard boasted pavilions and terraces in a distinctly retro style. Inside, the rooms were resplendent with gold and jade; everything was either in the color of Tycoon Gold or Noble Purple, yet the furniture was European-style, resembling those who tried to present themselves as aristocrats but inadvertently revealed their rustic roots.
Once seated at the dining table, it was indeed time for a meal, but he was the only one eating. There were several attendants present, along with Baldy and three bodyguards seated on the second floor. As the sound of high heels echoed through the room, Xiao Mu frowned, pondering whether a beautiful woman would appear to lure him into some cliché drama. Before he could decide, a stunning woman wearing a white chef hat gracefully approached, followed by several chefs dressed similarly, each holding shiny utensils. The last one carried a platter of transparent ice cubes chilling two bottles of blood-red wine; the glass bottles were already covered in condensation, indicating they had been prepared for quite some time.
Oysters, foie gras, salad, veal... the portions were small but exquisitely presented. The environment left much to be desired, but the craftsmanship was authentic Western cuisine. For Xiao Mu, being able to enjoy such a lavish feast in an inland area was quite unexpected; after days of eating boxed meals, he felt almost traumatized.
He spread out his napkin elegantly and sat down gracefully, smiling slightly at the chefs. When the cork popped from the wine bottle, he lifted his glass lightly to savor the aroma of the wine. Displeased with it for some reason, the beautiful chef quickly replaced his glass with another one. He repeated this pretentious gesture once more before smiling and giving a slight nod to the Beautiful Chef; everything was conveyed through their exchanged glances.
Xiao Mu thought to himself that aside from this woman, everyone else were chefs—professional ones at that. He could tell from their hands that this woman’s beautifully manicured nails indicated she wouldn’t dress like that if she were truly a chef.
Hmm? Was this meal some sort of test? Xiao Mu pondered as he chewed slowly.
Was it really necessary to be so pretentious just for a meal? Baldy rolled his eyes at Xiao Mu; his expression was one of sheer annoyance...
……………………………………
……………………………………
Was it really just about having a meal?
It seemed there was some hidden intricacy here. This was a meal that cost over ten thousand, and it didn't even include the chef's service fee.
Downstairs, He Yuguo, the one footing the bill for this dining experience, watched the scene unfolding on the television from upstairs and felt a pang of regret. With both the clothing and the meal combined, he was pouring in tens of thousands. He could afford it, but it felt unjust to spend so much.
He glanced at Lu Hongbo, who was watching with keen interest, and thought that this madman's actions were not to be fully trusted. After all, it was well-known in the industry that Professor Lu had mental health issues. Yet, this very eccentricity made him more captivating than any other lecturer; one couldn't help but be drawn in.
“Professor Lu, is this... really okay?” He Yuguo asked cautiously.
“What do you think?” Lu Hongbo replied, turning around. The injuries on his face had mostly healed, he had changed his clothes and dyed his hair, regaining the aura of a wise middle-aged man.
“The appearance is fine, but the investment is quite substantial,” He Yuguo said, rubbing his plump face as he began calculating the potential returns.
“It’s not just fine; it’s impeccable. Look at how he holds his knife and fork, observe his expressions while chewing, see how he uses his napkin... it’s all perfect. This is what true wealth looks like when money is thrown at it. Those you found? They would give themselves away with just a glance,” Professor Lu remarked appreciatively as he observed Xiao Mu. He pointed out, “Did you see? Even when starving to this extent, he remains courteous. Not everyone can manage that.”
“Is that really such a big deal? Is there even a difference in how to use a napkin? Do you really need to be particular about wiping your mouth?” He Yuguo questioned skeptically.
“That way of wiping your mouth is akin to using a rag to clean a toilet... The correct and polite way is: do not wipe vigorously at the lower part of your face with the napkin; instead, dab lightly. Do not unfold the napkin before folding it back; it should rest on your lap... Look, when finishing your meal, you should pick up the napkin from the center and gently place it on the left side of your plate on the table,” Lu Hongbo explained. At that moment, he noticed that Xiao Mu had finished his modest meal. This was someone with great self-restraint, which made Old Lu praise him further: “Don’t compare him to those rough types you found; this kind of ingrained etiquette isn’t something you can learn in just a day or two.”
“I don’t understand all this, but what about training? He hasn’t participated yet; you can’t just let him out as a mentor after reading a few scrolls,” He Yuguo pointed out, finally addressing the real issue.
Knowledge is crucial in this field.
This seemed to pose no further problems. Lu Hongbo stood up with a smile and said, “Let’s verify this together; I’ll show you what a genius looks like... A genius doesn’t need to study; they just know.”
With a cheerful demeanor, he stepped out, and He Yuguo quickly followed behind. At this moment, Xiao Mu had already been brought into the hall. Lu Hongbo approached as if nothing had happened, extending his hand politely for a handshake while smiling and asking, “Instructor Lin, did you find the main course to your liking?”
"Not bad, it's interesting, but was it really necessary to bring a bottle of fake wine?" Xiao Mu asked.
"Look, this is the authentic taste of Burgundy; not everyone can distinguish it," Professor Lu praised. He looked at Xiao Mu with a smile that seemed to harbor ulterior motives. Xiao Mu returned the smile, but ultimately, he couldn't resist the madness of the madman. Old Lu curiously asked, "Aren't you even a little curious about what will happen next?"
"Why should I be curious? No one can guess the thoughts of a lunatic," Xiao Mu replied, subtly insulting Old Lu. However, Old Lu didn't seem offended by the title; he chuckled and said, "If I tell you, you'll definitely be surprised."
"I won't be. You're looking for a real-life version of a wealth creation theory to inspire those still studying ancient texts in hopes of getting rich... It seems I might just fit that description. Let's go; deceiving people must be quite fulfilling. I can't wait to give it a try," Xiao Mu said, spreading his arms to showcase his expensive suit, having guessed the answer.
He Yuguo was taken aback, giving a thumbs up and gesturing, "Please."
The streetwise aura around this guy was so strong that Xiao Mu clasped his hands in thanks, as if they were old friends who had known each other for years.
"Oh, why do I feel surprised myself? This is so unfulfilling," Lu Hongbo said dejectedly.
Xiao Mu turned back with a smile and reminded him, "You called me Lin Instructor right from the start; how would I know what to do? Fool."
This reminder made Baldy burst out laughing. Boss He was momentarily stunned but soon joined in the laughter. He looked at Lu the Madman and his chosen "Lin Instructor." The demeanor was reminiscent of an old hand who had been rolling in the pyramid scheme world for years—completely unfazed. He began to believe that yet another crazed genius was about to emerge...
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