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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 100: The Difficult Path Ahead
Three individuals in police uniforms took their seats, the recording device powered on, and the notebook ready as they quietly waited in the interrogation room.
Once again, they were here to see You Bisheng. It was no easy task dealing with such a peculiar figure from the Underworld. The police officers present had numerous relatives and friends involved, and this guy's crimes spanned multiple domains. During another round of questioning with Pan Shuanglong, they inadvertently received a piece of information: He Shi, known as Old Cripple, had his leg cut off by You Bisheng.
Was it deliberate revenge or a means of providing information? Shen Lingchen could hardly believe this character anymore. Xu Gang and Mulin Shen had been missing for nearly twenty-four hours, and now they could only prepare for the worst.
"Has Pan Shuanglong said anything yet?" Xu Fei asked.
"Nothing. He's thirty-eight years old and has been a thief for over twenty years—too professional. His fingerprints are nearly impossible to lift; I doubt he could even recount how many crimes he's committed," Shen Lingchen replied.
Curious, the recorder operator Guan Yiqing asked, "How does one get rid of fingerprints?"
"Using pumice stone or other objects that can be played with in hand, consistently rubbing for several years can essentially erase fingerprints. I've caught a few seasoned thieves whose fingers were almost smooth," Shen Lingchen explained.
"Wow, that's quite persistent," Guan Yiqing remarked, no longer surprised but weighed down by thoughts.
Xu Fei was puzzled. "What else could You Bisheng have? It's all pretty much covered. There are just two murder cases without any witnesses, bodies, or murder weapons found—it's been hanging in the air; otherwise, it would have gone to court long ago."
"Murder cases? What’s the situation?" At that moment, Shen Lingchen inexplicably thought of Xu Gang and Xiao Mu.
"Well, there used to be a small gang in Minxi District running two KTVs—one called Zhou Dongyue and the other Wu Wen. Both were swallowed up by You Bisheng. These two have been missing for four or five years now, and their families are still filing complaints... It should have been You Bisheng who did it; he gathered his men and took these two out on a boat, but after that, there’s been no word... We're near the sea here; it's easy to dispose of bodies," Xu Fei said with a troubled expression.
Guan Yiqing felt a shiver at those words, and Shen Lingchen also felt uneasy. The signal that had gone missing last night was in the sea; he even had an instinct as a police officer that began to spiral into hysteria, imagining how two living people could be sunk beneath the waves.
"What’s wrong?" Xu Fei asked curiously.
Guan Yiqing quickly covered up his unease. "Nothing."
"I'm fine too," Shen Lingchen said with a smile.
"What's up with you two? You seem off," Xu Fei remarked.
"How can we not be? We haven't made any progress, and we've alarmed the snake in the grass. We were originally focused on Song Lijuan, but who knew Pan Shuanglong would pop up out of nowhere, throwing everything into chaos? Now we don't even know how to adjust," Shen Lingchen replied.
"But what about You Bisheng? What could he possibly have here?" Xu Fei pointed out, reminding them, "When things get tough, he'll just push everything onto Ge Tianhui. If he doesn't pin it on someone else, you'll find that person has either immigrated or vanished completely; it's impossible to track them down."
"He shouldn't be hiding this; it's his achievement after all. Heh, He Shi was once known as He Changgun—he's not someone to be trifled with," Shen Lingchen chuckled.
At that moment, they heard the sound of shackles dragging on the ground. The three of them quickly composed themselves, and then You Bisheng appeared before them once again. This time, something was different—his head was completely shaved, revealing a large bald dome that looked both terrifying and comical. Previously, he had never shaved his head; even the Discipline officers were wary of heavy criminals like him during such procedures.
As soon as he sat down, You Bisheng looked annoyed and impatiently addressed them, "Oh come on, can't a person get some rest? Here you are again."
"You have plenty of time to rest in there," Shen Lingchen replied.
"Not at all! I've been called four times today. Do you think it's easy for me to walk around with these heavy shackles?" You Bisheng retorted angrily, almost boasting about it as if someone were complaining about how hard it is to clean a large house. His words made the prison guards' expressions turn serious.
"Then let's make this quick... I mean, Master You, you're being a bit excessive here. We treat you like a friend, yet you treat us like playthings," Shen Lingchen said.
"I can't help it; I really admire you," You Bisheng said seriously.
"Then Old Cripple—He Shi—who was it that chopped off his leg?" Shen Lingchen asked.
You Bisheng paused for a moment before bursting into laughter, clearly enjoying himself immensely.
Damn it, we've been played! Xu Fei nearly slammed the table in anger but was stopped by Shen Lingchen. Lighting a cigarette, Shen Lingchen extended his hand through the iron bars to offer one to You Bisheng. He sat down in admiration and said, "Impressive, Master You! He Changgun is someone few can approach without fear; you managed to take him down... you won't deny that, will you?"
"You've got me there; no need to deny it now. To be honest, it wasn't very honorable of me—I took advantage of him when he was drunk and caught him off guard without any proper weapons... Don't ask me who else was involved; I can't remember. You might want to ask my little cousin; he usually handles those arrangements," You Bisheng said nonchalantly, speaking about such brutal acts as if they were mere trivialities.
The story is simple: You Bisheng killed He Shi, which provoked another's revenge. However, such a notorious villain made both Ma Yubing and Mao Shiping steer clear. So who stepped forward?
"Oh, I understand. You two have always been rivals, trying to use us to get rid of them," Xu Fei said.
You Bisheng curled his lip and replied, "Don't say it so harshly. Aren't you just fighting crime? It doesn't matter who you target; there isn't a good one among them."
"Then as Master You wishes," Shen Lingchen said, holding up a tablet and displaying footage of Pan Shuanglong being interrogated. Upon seeing this, You Bisheng began to laugh uncontrollably, shaking with amusement until he was choked by the smoke he was inhaling, leading to a fit of coughing. He couldn't even bear to drop the cigarette butt, squinting his eyes and laughing despite himself.
It seemed that this was exactly what Master You wanted. Shen Lingchen seized the moment and said, "Tell us about him; help us pin him down."
"Panzi, what a notorious thief! He used to be known as the special envoy of the thieves' headquarters at the bus company. Every thief on over a dozen bus routes had to pay him protection fees; anyone who didn't would find their fingers chopped off," You Bisheng recounted.
"That was all in his younger days. Now he's committed much bigger crimes; he specializes in high-end places around Shenzhen-Hong Kong," Shen Lingchen added.
"Wow, this little rascal has really leveled up... How much has he stolen?" You Bisheng asked curiously.
"Enough to get sentenced for over ten years," Shen Lingchen replied vaguely. Initially intending to emphasize the severity, he was met with discontent from You Bisheng, who retorted, "What do you mean ten years? This guy deserves the death penalty! Not only should you investigate him, but he must have trained hundreds of thieves who specifically target young people."
Guan Yiqing bit her lower lip, suppressing her laughter. This deeply sinful character couldn't stand others committing crimes.
"Yes, but we have no evidence, Master You. Provide us with some details about their relationships. If we can catch them all, we can cover for you," Shen Lingchen asked.
"The Four Little Dragons—everyone knows them: Panzi, Long Staff, Widow Ma, Mourning Hair. They were the Four Little Dragons back in Haigang; they became brothers in their teens and shared everything. You can't just catch one; you need to get them all," You Bisheng began instructing Shen Lingchen on how to deal with these individuals. He explained that Long Staff could fight well, Panzi was a skilled thief, while Widow Ma and Mourning Hair were a bit dim-witted and less capable; if they were going to take action, it had to start with those two.
However, it was frustrating that they had just released Widow Ma and Mourning Hair today.
Seizing the opportunity, Shen Lingchen remarked, "Widow Ma and Mourning Hair are easy to catch. What about Cripple? He’s lame now and hasn’t committed any crimes."
"No, no... among those few people, Cripple is the leader; the others have their heads stuck up their backsides," You Bisheng corrected him.
"Is that so? Even if he's disabled, others can still listen to him. We've checked; he opened a small karaoke bar in Suzhou and Hangzhou, but it's not making enough to cover expenses," Shen Lingchen reminded. After being poked and prodded like this, You Bisheng grew annoyed and retorted, "How can you be so foolish? I'm telling you, those four are bound to be taken down. Don't you think there's someone powerful behind them? And don't forget how Panzi got his skills. I didn't dare to mess with them in the end..."
He had almost unconsciously blurted out those words. Shen Lingchen chuckled and leaned back in his chair, while Xu Fei and Guan Yiqing also smiled, falling silent but secretly admiring Shen Lingchen even more. The knowledge he possessed seemed endless.
Damn it, I've fallen into a trap again, You Bisheng realized he had misspoken and stood there in a daze for a long time, even losing track of time as his cigarette burned out. It was only when Shen Lingchen signaled the guard to take it away that he snapped back.
"Come on, Master You, you seem a bit shy. At this point, still covering for someone? I bet it’s the one who poked a hole in you," Shen Lingchen said, now regretting not having seen through this guy's intentions sooner.
"I really can't say anything about that person," You Bisheng insisted firmly.
"And why is that?" Shen Lingchen asked.
"It's simple; they could have killed me without a second thought, but they spared my life. Why? They said they respected me as a man. Even if I did chop He Changgun, half the reason was because they were too Zhang Quan. So they let me live," You Bisheng explained.
"But why did they all move away then?" Shen Lingchen pressed.
"That's beyond my knowledge. Mourning Hair and the others keep wanting revenge on me. Damn it, if it weren't for this favor, I would have wiped them out long ago," You Bisheng replied angrily.
Shen Lingchen jumped in, "It's easy enough; just take them to the sea and tie a stone to them to sink them. Clean and straightforward, right?"
"Damn, that's quite the method..." You Bisheng exclaimed in surprise but quickly caught himself, eyes wide open. He cursed under his breath; he almost let something slip again. Xu Fei couldn't hold back any longer and laughed, while You Bisheng's face darkened as he scolded Shen Lingchen, "What kind of cop comes up with such ideas?"
"Just having some fun with words; Master You must have done something like that before, right?" Shen Lingchen asked with a grin.
You Bisheng raised an eyebrow and replied nonchalantly, "Guess."
"I'm not guessing; without evidence, we won't randomly suspect anyone. So what's next..."
"Nothing next; I'm going back to sleep."
"Hey, you..."
"Stop playing games. I'm never talking to this guy again."
Master You was angry, and the consequences could be serious. He fell silent. Shen Lingchen smiled and asked, "We're about to sleep, but there's just one last thing. The person you've been hiding from us, we know who it is. Do you believe it?"
"Impossible. Someone at my level might not even have the chance to meet them," You Bisheng replied.
"Let's make a bet; I actually know who it is," Shen Lingchen said calmly, preparing to bluff.
"Who is it?" You Bisheng asked skeptically, craning his neck.
Shen Lingchen casually sat up straight and uttered two words: "Brother Five."
This ordinary phrase struck You Bisheng like a jolt of electricity, leaving him stunned. His expression changed, as if he had encountered something terrifying. He lowered his gaze, visibly shaken.
Shen Lingchen waved his hand, and the others stood up as if preparing to leave. As they reached the door, Shen Lingchen glanced back at the dazed You Bisheng. It seemed he wouldn't get any more answers and decided to give up.
"Master, why don't you ask more?" Guan Yiqing inquired.
Shen Lingchen whispered, "What else should I ask? I don't know anything except for that nickname."
"Where did you hear that? How did you scare You Bisheng like this?" Xu Fei asked curiously.
"Don't worry about where I got it. This person definitely has You Bisheng's lifeline in their hands. If we ask him about the submerged corpse and see his reaction, there might really be something to it... Let's come up with an interrogation plan later," Shen Lingchen said.
"Why not investigate this Brother Five further?" Xu Fei asked.
"We have no leads and no way to investigate; we can only wait for him to come out on his own," Shen Lingchen replied.
The three of them hurriedly left the detention center and prepared to head to another facility to meet the old thief, Pan Shuanglong, who had remained silent all this time...
At that moment, Mulin Shen was stepping into an unfamiliar place.
Under the lights, the shimmering surface of the lake reflected a soft glow. The area, adorned with octagonal lanterns, exuded an antique charm, and the flowers and plants surrounding it released a faint fragrance. As he sat down, the dishes on the table were unveiled—neither too hot nor too cold, but just right.
Sitting across from him was a man who appeared to be in his thirties, or perhaps even older, though his well-maintained appearance concealed any signs of age. He wore a traditional Tang suit that made him look as if he had stepped out of a painting, exuding an air of elegance and antiquity.
"Let me introduce myself. My name is Rong Wu, and I am Rong Wu in every sense," he said with a smile, revealing a row of pearly white teeth.
"I don't think I need to introduce myself?" Xiao Mu asked.
Rong Wu nodded and smiled, but Xiao Mu pointed at the dishes and asked, "Is there a restroom?"
"Oh, I'm sorry. It's over there. Please help yourself," Rong Wu replied, gesturing toward a well-lit area.
Xiao Mu went on his own. The environment was serene and elegant, reminiscent of a mountain lodge or leisure area. What eased his mind the most was that there were no followers trailing him; only a young waiter pointed him in the right direction. After washing his face and rinsing his mouth, Xiao Mu returned to the table where the newly acquainted Rong Wu was waiting with a cheerful smile.
Gracefulness is not cultivated overnight. Having been hungry all day yet maintaining such composure during dinner made Rong Wu chuckle. He poured a glass of wine and gestured for them to start eating. Xiao Mu ate elegantly without any rush. Rong Wu, sipping his wine, seemed to be observing him and asked with a smile, "You don't seem worried at all? I heard you even fell asleep."
"Oh, I was tired; I just needed to sleep," Xiao Mu replied.
"It's quite strange. Many people would be terrified when trapped in a box—some even lose their sanity or have accidents. In such situations, losing one's composure is normal; it's those who remain calm that are truly abnormal. Don't you agree?"
"Yes, I agree," Xiao Mu said while eating, nodding in response.
"Then tell me, you seem quite normal, not at all out of sorts," Rong Wu asked, raising an eyebrow, his gaze piercing.
Xiao Mu, however, did not lift his eyelids as he replied, "Because I have nothing left and desire nothing more, so there is nothing to lose."
"Even ants strive to survive," Rong Wu said skeptically.
"I am not an ant, so I may not be striving to survive," Xiao Mu replied calmly, lifting his eyes with a composed expression.
Yes, he had to remain calm and act as if he feared nothing. From the other person's demeanor, he sensed a subtle pressure—an air of high status that demanded an equally high response to match his taste.
It seemed quite good. Rong Wu smiled and raised his glass in salute, lightly clinking it before downing the drink. However, this simple action prompted Rong Wu to critique, "What a pity that you are neither a person of the martial world nor of the government."
"I am just myself. Is there a need for a label?" Xiao Mu replied.
"True, everyone is uniquely themselves. But I find it strange that you would choose to seek survival in such a filthy place," Rong Wu inquired.
Xiao Mu picked at his food, pondering for a moment before answering Rong Wu: "Because I like it."
"You like it?" Rong Wu was incredulous.
"Yes, I like the bare truth—the unvarnished reality—not like the societal atmosphere that has already established specific behavioral norms where everyone must wear their false masks to live," Xiao Mu explained.
Rong Wu let out a hearty laugh, though it was not overly boisterous; his eyes burned with intensity.
Xiao Mu laughed as well, sensing that he had piqued the other’s interest.
"Interesting, very interesting... Just like how you lead them to survive. After hearing this, I am extremely curious about how someone like you—a wealthy scion—understands the survival skills of the common folk and uses them so adeptly," Rong Wu asked with curiosity.
"I was sent abroad by my father when I was in my teens; I just adapted better. In any group of people, it's all the same—those who bully the weak, the survival of the fittest, and deceitful schemes. As long as you find some relative advantage, you can position yourself favorably," Xiao Mu explained. It was fine if he sounded a bit obscure; this character might be more sophisticated than he had imagined—not like Mourning Hair or Widow Ma and their ilk who only recognized money.
Rong Wu chuckled, sensing a hint of confusion. "It seems you haven't quite found your place, have you?"
"Well, my mom always hoped I would be a good person... My dad wanted to raise me to be a Master. My so-called friends expect me to be a robot, always available to entertain them until they drop dead. And when I occasionally meet a girl, she expects me to be an ATM, endlessly dispensing cash. With so many expectations, it's no wonder I'm lost," Xiao Mu replied, gently picking up a piece of beef and taking small bites.
Another round of hearty laughter erupted, amusing Rong Wu even more. The legendary playboy was becoming increasingly interesting to him. "You could end up being someone like me—neither recognized by mainstream society nor eliminated from it, while doing what you love."
"What kind of person is that?" Xiao Mu asked.
"A marginal person," Rong Wu defined.
Xiao Mu seemed puzzled but inwardly scoffed; he was an informant, and informants were indeed marginal people.
"It appears you don't agree with our way of life. Do you have any plans? I know your father is a billionaire," Rong Wu inquired.
Xiao Mu slowly shook his head, his expression indifferent.
"Oh, I've touched on something sensitive. Sorry... If you don't have any plans, may I make a suggestion?" Rong Wu asked.
"I'm going to disappoint you; I'm not capable of lifting a finger or doing anything useful. I just eat for free," Xiao Mu replied curiously.
"At least that's quite honest..." Rong Wu said as he pulled out his phone and pushed it toward Xiao Mu. "Take a look." Xiao Mu picked it up and saw a video showing a packaging box being lifted by several people and then hurled into the sea. He dropped the phone in shock and looked at Rong Wu in confusion. He knew all too well that knowing too much about such things could be deadly.
"You’re sitting across from a dangerous person, and you just witnessed a crime scene yet remain so calm?" Rong Wu's curiosity grew. At this age, most would either be terrified or overly eager to show loyalty, but this guy seemed as unfazed as if he were looking at a plate of cabbage and tofu.
"Is it necessary to be surprised by something expected?" Xiao Mu asked.
"Oh, that makes sense... What have you done in the past that has made your mind so resilient?" Rong Wu probed further.
"I suffered from depression and spent a long time in a mental hospital. If you ever get the chance to go in, you'll come out just like me," Xiao Mu explained, finding the best theoretical basis for his statement. He gestured toward the dishes on the table and continued, "Honestly, while we eat, there might be other patients nearby who just drop their pants and relieve themselves without a care. We eat and they do their thing; it doesn't affect us at all. Even the staff are too lazy to clean up until we're done."
"Uh... Rong Wu didn't expect this content, and he clearly choked a bit in his throat, his eyes wide open.
Xiao Mu, on the other hand, remained calm as he ate, chewed, and drank. Even the more terrifying and disgusting stories could only serve as a side dish to his meal. He politely informed the other person, 'I'm sorry, I shouldn't say these things... In the eyes of many, I might seem a bit twisted. Tsk, honestly, I think so too.'
Rong Wu looked at him as if waiting to hear more. Xiao Mu continued, 'It's obvious you're testing me. But there's no need for that; nowadays, rich kids have no moral bottom line. They indulge in whatever feels good—drinking, gambling, you name it... As for me, I've had a rough life. I actually want to be a good person, but I just can't manage it. I know what you might be involved in, but I can't do that kind of thing. At most, I can scrape together a little money to eat and drink happily... Rong Ge, thank you for this meal.'
'You're welcome. Take your time eating,' Rong Wu replied with a smile, quietly listening. When he saw Xiao Mu pause, he asked with interest, 'So what do you think I do? Someone once told me that your insight is quite unique.'
'I left home when I was just a teenager; I had to learn quickly and met many people,' Xiao Mu said.
'Then let's see how good your insight is. Look at me,' Rong Wu said with growing interest, unaware that his psychological position was slowly being shifted by Xiao Mu.
Originally testing whether he could be useful, now he was considering friendship with a dangerous character—something he hadn't anticipated as he was provoking a potentially perilous ally.
'Okay, I misspoke; please don't throw me into the sea,' Xiao Mu said as he set down his chopsticks.
Rong Wu was taken aback; he hadn't expected such words to be taken lightly. He nodded and replied, 'If you say it right, I'll throw myself into the sea.'
'Great! The odds are in my favor; I've struck gold... So let's start from you... Hmm, around you are many women—beautiful women,' Xiao Mu remarked, seemingly recalling something about Brother Five reveling among fine wine and beautiful women.
Disappointed yet intrigued, Rong Wu smiled and asked, 'And the reason?'
'You're just too handsome,' Xiao Mu complimented.
'Smooth talker; keep going,' Rong Wu encouraged.
'You're very wealthy but not overly greedy,' Xiao Mu continued. This was a cliché; even the stingiest person would consider themselves generous. Sure enough, Rong Wu smiled again, and Xiao Mu realized he had fallen into a psychological trap.
'Not bad; keep it up,' Rong Wu laughed—not just out of politeness but with genuine understanding."
Never talk about psychology with someone who studies it; otherwise, they can figure out the color of your underwear. Xiao Mu casually added, "Your childhood wasn't happy."
At these words, Rong Wu frowned and curiously asked, "How did you figure that out?"
Damn, he guessed too accurately. Xiao Mu chuckled inwardly but maintained a serious expression as he replied, "It's the defensive mindset... The stronger the guard, the more it reflects a person's upbringing, which might lack a sense of security... You..."
At this moment, Rong Wu fell into a state of contemplation, drawn in by Xiao Mu's words. Xiao Mu noticed the rare genuine expression on his face and defined it: "You lost someone close... someone very dear to you..."
Rong Wu's brows slightly trembled, and his wistful expression turned solemn. Xiao Mu softly continued, "This person had a significant impact on you? Hmm... To grow into an independent character with natural leadership qualities, you must have gone through many... difficulties?"
Rong Wu's smile vanished entirely; he inhaled sharply, sitting up straight and watching Xiao Mu warily.
"I think it must be your father..." Xiao Mu said slowly. Rong Wu's face grew even more somber. An accurate guess formed in Xiao Mu's mind as he stated seriously, "A strong defensive mindset, a complete and independent personality with leadership abilities—your father must have passed away early... Only children who take on responsibilities at a young age can be more independent than others."
Rong Wu wiped his face as if unable to confront this reality. He turned his head away for a moment, but Xiao Mu pressed on boldly: "It was an unnatural death."
Bang… Rong Wu was furious, slamming his fist on the table. Xiao Mu exclaimed in shock, "I'm sorry."
This single phrase pulled Rong Wu back to reality. He stared at Xiao Mu in astonishment, anger, and complexity; the fierce energy emanating from him made Xiao Mu feel a chill. Yet deep down, he was more certain that this man was fiercer than Widow Ma or Mourning Hair; the elegant demeanor was merely a carefully crafted facade.
"Oh… I lost my composure for a moment… Heh heh, it's the first time someone has made me lose my composure." Rong Wu eventually quieted down and looked at Xiao Mu with complexity as he asked, "What else do you see?"
"I also see that you don't actually like this mask you're wearing... Sometimes when you wake from a dream, you deeply loathe yourself," Xiao Mu replied. Most people are never satisfied with their actions; even criminals feel this way. For someone like Rong Wu, whose inner and outer selves are so contrasting, it is inherently a struggle.
"How do you know that?" Rong Wu asked.
"If I told you the truth, you might really throw me into the sea," Xiao Mu said.
"But right now, I want to throw you into the sea," Rong Wu replied calmly. This calmness was far more terrifying than an explosive rage.
Xiao Mu glanced sideways and smiled, "Alright, go ahead and ask. I'll tell you how to read people; it's actually just like magic. Once you see through it, it's worthless."
"How do you know my childhood wasn't happy?" Rong Wu asked seriously.
"I don't know," Xiao Mu replied. "I can only read your expression. If you look disdainful, I might add something like, 'But you're happier than most people,' which would mean the opposite. If you're slightly surprised, then I guessed right, and I'd add, 'Not only are you unhappy, but you're unhappier than most,' and you'd believe it even more... It's just like extortion; you have to read the person."
Rong Wu's eyes widened in anger; he couldn't believe someone was playing with him. He continued to ask, "How do you know I lost a relative?"
"I don't know either; I'm just guessing. Everyone's parents eventually die, right? Pay attention to what I say: I said you've lost a relative. If your expression changes oddly, I'd change my statement to include, 'You feel they no longer love you.' That would turn into: 'You've lost a relative because you feel they no longer love you.' It conveys a different meaning... But if your expression becomes solemn, then I’d immediately guess that someone has indeed died."
At this point, Rong Wu was so furious that his stomach hurt. He stared at Xiao Mu in disbelief and asked, "No, you said it was my father."
"Yes, that's what I said. I thought it should be your father..." Xiao Mu recalled his earlier words and reminded Rong Wu, "Notice how slowly I spoke while watching your face. If you showed any doubt, I'd add the phrase 'and the person you love most.'"
Thus, that statement could take on two meanings: one layer being your father and another layer being your father along with the person you love most—completely different concepts.
Xiao Mu shrugged and said, "Actually, it could apply to anyone who has died. But if your face shows sadness, then I wouldn't need to change my words."
With a sudden movement, Rong Wu was so enraged that he raised his hand as if to slap Xiao Mu but stopped just short of his cheek. He angrily asked, "You seem quite bold; aren't you afraid?"
"If I'm afraid, I can't escape it anyway," Xiao Mu replied honestly.
Rong Wu suddenly withdrew his hand, feeling both amused and exasperated. He asked again, "What about an unnatural death?"
"That's even simpler. I've lost my mother before. When someone loses a loved one normally, their grief often manifests in memories rather than intense emotional displays when mentioned. Your expression changed significantly just now, so it must have been an unnatural death... I'm sorry for bringing up painful memories," Xiao Mu said.
It was also a form of extortion, yet Rong Wu found himself speechless. He stared intently at Xiao Mu for a long time without speaking. Xiao Mu began to eat slowly and casually remarked, "After I'm done eating, throw me into the sea. You've seen my strengths; they're pretty useless skills. I used to con my dad but ended up getting kicked out of the house because of it. Now I can only con others."
Feeling justified in eating while speaking so lightly about it made Rong Wu suddenly laugh out loud, his shoulders shaking with mirth as he looked at this ridiculous person before him.
"Have you not guessed what I do?" Rong Wu finally calmed down and asked.
"Is there even a need to guess? It's obvious I'm up to no good. Normal people, good people, ordinary folks wouldn't sit at the same table as me. Women think I'm a rogue, men think I'm a pervert. Good people see me as a bad guy, while bad guys think I'm quite kind. Even I don't know what I really am," Xiao Mu replied.
Rong Wu laughed again, unable to lift his cup or chopsticks, just watching Xiao Mu with amusement as they talked. He watched him eat, occasionally bursting into laughter at Xiao Mu's antics, which kept him entertained for most of the day.
It had been a long time since he had laughed so heartily. When it came time to guess again, Xiao Mu decided not to. "I've already revealed too much; if you’re on guard, what's the point of guessing?"
Rong Wu laughed even more joyfully, continuously raising his glass to toast Xiao Mu. They spent several hours at the meal, drinking three bottles of strong liquor. In the end, Xiao Mu was perfectly fine, still pouring and drinking, while Rong Wu had drunk too much and needed support from two men and a woman to walk out. That beautiful woman shot a fierce glare at Xiao Mu.
After finishing their meal, they went to sleep. As he lay there, the sharp-minded Xiao Mu suddenly realized he had no idea where he was...
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