Chapter 82

Wen Xiuzhi said to Xu Yan with a gentle and pleasant expression: "After the trip to the United States, we discovered some things that have somewhat reduced the suspicion on the Americans—no matter how insane the U.S. government and military might be, they wouldn't possibly conduct biochemical experiments on their own soil, right? Moreover, we found out that such incidents of madmen and lunatics are not limited to China and the U.S.; they have also occurred in Europe, the Middle East, South America, and Russia."

"Now, we are really confused. Even if it is a mutated biochemical virus, so far, no laboratory has been able to extract the virus from those madmen, and we can't even determine the mechanism of the disease or the transmission method. So, up to now, our investigation has returned to the starting point, with little progress."

As Wen Xiuzhi spoke, Xu Yan felt his heart racing and was deeply shaken. He remained silent for a long time, feeling greatly impacted.

Previously, Xu Yan had learned the truth about the demonic spirits from Zhu Youxiang, but for some reason, the information he received from her always seemed somewhat unreal. It wasn't until now, hearing the confirmation from an authoritative official like Wen Xiuzhi, that Xu Yan began to believe and gradually accept the reality—everything Zhu Youxiang said was true.

The world he knew was undergoing tremendous changes.

Would the disaster that Zhu Youxiang was so worried and anxious about really happen?

Seeing Xu Yan deep in thought, his brows furrowed with worry, Wen Xiuzhi did not rush him but waited patiently—now, Wen Xiuzhi was almost certain that Xu Yan knew something about this disaster. This young man was still too young and naive; his worried expression had completely given him away.

"Comrade Wen, I understand that this matter is indeed very serious. But I still don't understand how it relates to me. Why did the National Security Bureau specifically want to investigate me?"

Seeing Xu Yan hesitate for a long time and still pretend to be ignorant, Wen Xiuzhi really wanted to strangle him—kid, you're lucky! If it were someone else, I'd tie you up and use every torture method to get you to talk!

But with Xu Yan, none of Wen Xiuzhi's usual methods worked. He put on his most friendly and warm smile, patting Xu Yan's shoulder affectionately: "Xu Yan, you're a good friend of my niece Yao Yu, and you saved our family's elder. Given our family's relationship, calling me 'Comrade' is too formal. How about this, I'm a few years older than you, so if you don't mind, you can call me 'Brother Wen.' And if you don't mind me being presumptuous, I'll call you 'Brother Xu.'"

Xu Yan was flattered and quickly became modest and polite—although Wen Xiuzhi spoke warmly, Xu Yan still knew his place. After all, Wen Xiuzhi was a high-ranking official in the military, while he was just a poor, unknown college student. Xu Yan knew very well the gap in status between them.

After a few polite exchanges, Wen Xiuzhi seemed a bit annoyed and slapped Xu Yan's thigh—ouch, it hurt, making Xu Yan grimace. He said angrily: "Brother Xu Yan, are you looking down on me and unwilling to be my friend? Or do you think I'm not worthy to be your brother?"

Hearing Wen Xiuzhi's harsh words, Xu Yan didn't know if he was really angry or just pretending. He smiled apologetically: "Comrade Wen, you misunderstood. How could I dare to be presumptuous! You are a high-ranking official and a distinguished leader in the military, I really don't dare to be on equal terms with you!"

Seeing Wen Xiuzhi's stern face, Xu Yan quickly thought of an excuse: "Moreover, if we call each other brothers, the generation order would be wrong! Chen Yaoyu is my classmate, and you are Chen Yaoyu's uncle. If we call each other brothers, wouldn't that mess up the generation order between me and Chen Yaoyu?"

Wen Xiuzhi laughed: "So you're worried about that? No problem, we can just be friends, and the generation order doesn't matter in our family. I'll call you Brother Xu, and you can call me Brother Wen. As for how you and Chen Yaoyu get along, that's none of my business—oh? Xu Yan, you care so much about the generation order with our little Yu, could it be... well, it makes sense. For your sake, not only did little Yu come to me, but she also went to her uncle. It seems you two have a very good relationship!"

Wen Xiuzhi smiled at Xu Yan, sizing him up and making approving sounds: "Not bad, not bad. You're a spirited young man, and you look handsome. When my sister and brother-in-law hear this news, they'll be delighted. Little Yu has always been proud and picky, and it's rare for her to like someone. The family has always been worried that she might not find a husband as she gets older. Xu Yan, if you want to pursue little Yu, you need to show your best side to me, her uncle. You should know, Chen Yaoyu has always listened to me the most."

Xu Yan was both amused and frustrated by Wen Xiuzhi's nonsense, but he was touched to hear that Chen Yaoyu had sought help from her uncle and uncle-in-law for his sake. Despite not knowing each other well, Chen Yaoyu had treated him very kindly. Seeing Wen Xiuzhi getting carried away, Xu Yan quickly interrupted him: "Comrade Wen—"

"Hmm?!" Wen Xiuzhi put on a stern face, as if about to lose his temper.

Xu Yan immediately corrected himself: "Uh, Brother Wen, please don't say such things. I really am just a classmate of Chen Yaoyu, nothing more. You can joke with me, but don't tarnish Chen Yaoyu's reputation!"

Wen Xiuzhi looked at Xu Yan suspiciously and asked: "Really just classmates?"

"Absolutely, just classmates! Brother Wen, think about it, Chen Yaoyu is so perfect and has such high standards. How could she possibly like me, a good-for-nothing nobody?"

Wen Xiuzhi nodded in agreement: "You're right—" Then he suddenly realized and shook his head: "Ah, Xu Yan, how can you speak so poorly of yourself? Young people shouldn't belittle themselves. Calling yourself a 'nobody' is not something a young person with ambition should do. A hero doesn't care about his origins, and young people should have lofty aspirations. How can you be so self-deprecating? If you are sincere, I believe you and Chen Yaoyu have a good chance together!"

Xu Yan grimaced, wanting to tell Wen Xiuzhi that his fake smile was too obvious. But seeing the shiny stars on Wen Xiuzhi's shoulder, he didn't dare to say it. No matter how fake Wen Xiuzhi's smile was, he was a real and powerful colonel. Even if he praised Xu Yan to the skies, Xu Yan was still a real nobody. The vast gap in status couldn't be bridged by a few empty words.

Seeing that Wen Xiuzhi was getting off-topic, Xu Yan had no choice but to repeat his question: "Brother Wen, let's not stray from the topic. Let's get back to the main issue. You haven't told me why you keep coming to investigate me."

Wen Xiuzhi glanced at Xu Yan: "The reason is actually quite simple: we've seen many cases where the madmen, after going berserk, would kill anyone they saw, even facing the guns of the police and armed police. But in the case at the Wanhe Mall, the killer actually showed fear and ran away when facing you."

This incident, though not major, seemed quite interesting upon closer examination. Comrade Shen Dian, the head of the investigation department of the local National Security Bureau and a member of our special task force, is a very meticulous person. He noticed this detail and reported it to us.

To be honest, we didn't pay much attention to this clue at first because there were hundreds of cases nationwide, and thousands of leads to investigate and verify. Even if we worked overtime without rest, it would take until next year to verify all these leads. But Comrade Shen Dian was very serious about this clue and made several requests to investigate it, which the special task force agreed to.

As for what happened next, you know. On their way back from the investigation, Comrades Shen Quan and Xu Nan were involved in a car accident and tragically lost their lives. Before he died, Comrade Xu Nan left us a clue in his own blood—this is why we are meeting today.

As Wen Xiuzhi spoke, he looked down at the table, not at Xu Yan, but Xu Yan could feel the intense gaze of Comrade Shen and Officer Xu, as if they were watching him from beyond.

Wen Xiuzhi raised his head and looked deeply at Xu Yan, speaking slowly but with deep conviction: "Comrade Xu Yan, you are a university student at a key university, a promising young man of the new era. I can also see that you are a cultivated expert with various extraordinary abilities.

But before all these identities, I believe you are first and foremost a Chinese citizen, a Chinese person.

When our motherland faces difficulties, as Chinese people, as children of the motherland, we have no reason to stand by idly. Comrade Xu Yan, now that the investigation has hit a roadblock, I sincerely hope to get your sincere and full cooperation."

Listening to Wen Xiuzhi's words, Xu Yan fell into a long silence.

The term "comrade" is rarely used in modern society, replaced by terms like "Mr." or "Miss." If someone still uses this term, they are often seen as out of touch and laughed at.

But for some reason, hearing Wen Xiuzhi call him "Comrade Xu Yan" with such solemnity, Xu Yan didn't feel outdated or old-fashioned. Instead, he felt a sense of unfamiliarity. In this seemingly outdated term, he felt respect, responsibility, and a silent strength. For a moment, he felt as if he had returned to the war-torn era.

For Xu Yan, a new generation born in the 1990s, this was the first time he felt a heavy weight on his shoulders, a completely unfamiliar feeling: the responsibility he bore as a Chinese person for his country.

Without his knowledge, Wen Xiuzhi, Comrade Shen, Officer Xu, and many others he didn't know had been working tirelessly to uncover the truth, traveling far and wide and searching day and night. Officer Xu Nan, until his last breath, left his comrades a final clue in his own blood, a tragic and moving act. In comparison, knowing the truth, he had remained silent for his own selfish reasons. Wasn't that too selfish?

At that moment, Xu Yan had a strong urge to confess everything to Wen Xiuzhi, but another force held him back: even if he told the truth, the matter would not be resolved so easily.

Because the truth he knew was too unbelievable, and the other party would not believe him. They would definitely ask for the source of his information. Should he reveal Zhu Youxiang's existence?

If he revealed Zhu Youxiang, what would happen to her, a visitor from another world?

If he tried to hide Zhu Youxiang's existence, could he keep the secret from the powerful and influential central investigation team?

In just a second, Xu Yan came to a conclusion: impossible.

Xu Yan knew his own weaknesses. He was not strong-willed. Even if it were just a few police officers like Liu Biyun, a little pressure would make him cry for help. If he faced torture methods like electric shocks, he wouldn't last a minute before revealing Zhu Youxiang.

If Zhu Youxiang was revealed, could she escape?

Xu Yan's answer was the same: impossible. Once the state machinery was fully activated, its power was terrifying. Even for a beginner in cultivation like him, or even for Zhu Youxiang, who had reached the middle stage of the Foundation Establishment, it would be impossible to resist the full force of the state.

Moreover, even if he revealed the disaster, would Wen Xiuzhi believe him? Even if he convinced Wen Xiuzhi, could he also convince the higher-ups?

At that moment, Xu Yan's thoughts were unusually clear. He realized that even if he told the truth, it would not help the country much and would only harm Zhu Youxiang.

After a long time, Xu Yan sighed and looked up, shaking his head firmly: "Brother Wen, I'm sorry, but I really can't help you with this. Because I don't know what's going on."

Wen Xiuzhi raised an eyebrow, displeased with Xu Yan's refusal. In his view, it shouldn't be difficult to get a naive college student to cooperate. With his status, he had shown humility, used emotional appeals, and appealed to a sense of duty. The other party should have been moved to tears and confessed. But after all his efforts, Xu Yan was still stubborn and wouldn't say a word, which made Wen Xiuzhi very unhappy.

But Wen Xiuzhi, from an official family, had a deep background. Since he had decided to be gentle with Xu Yan, he wouldn't lose his composure. Despite his displeasure, he smiled: "It's okay, Xu Yan. If you can't think it through right now, that's fine. Just think about it at home. Remember my phone number, and if you think of anything, feel free to contact me."

"Go home?" Xu Yan was taken aback and then realized: "Brother Wen, can I go home now?"

Wen Xiuzhi raised his eyebrows in surprise: "Of course! Xu Yan, what do you think? We didn't detain you or arrest you; you are still a free citizen! We asked you to come to assist with the investigation. Since you can't provide any information, that's it. You can go wherever you want—we didn't lock you up!"

Hearing Wen Xiuzhi's words, Xu Yan wanted to ask who had been locked up in the small room since yesterday. But seeing Wen Xiuzhi's sincere expression, he suddenly doubted: could it be that the person locked up from yesterday to tonight was not him?

But even if Xu Yan was foolish, he knew he couldn't say that. He cautiously asked: "So, Brother Wen, can I leave now?"

Wen Xiuzhi laughed: "Xu Yan, you can leave anytime. But if you just leave like this, I can't agree."

Hearing this, Xu Yan was startled and looked at him in surprise: "Brother Wen, didn't you just say I'm free to come and go?"

Wen Xiuzhi smiled: "That's right. As a law enforcement agency and a regular citizen, you can leave anytime. But our relationship is more than that! I'm also Chen Yaoyu's uncle. If Yaoyu finds out that I let her friend go hungry for a day and a night and then just let you leave without a meal, she'll tear me apart!

Brother Yan, don't be so formal. Let's go out for a meal and a drink to make up for today. After the meal, I'll take you back, and you can rest well tonight."

Xu Yan quickly declined, saying, "I can't accept that. It's really nothing, no need to go to so much trouble." But Wen Xiuzhi was firm, pulling his arm and smiling: "Brother Yan, you can't refuse this small favor, can you? If you don't eat with me, it means you won't forgive me! It's just a meal, and you won't even give me a chance to apologize. Are you going to hold a grudge forever?"

With Wen Xiuzhi saying this, Xu Yan had no choice but to agree: "Brother Wen, if you put it that way, I can't refuse. But you are Yaoyu's elder and a leader in the military. It's an honor to meet you. Talking about making up for something is too formal. How about this, let me treat you to a meal as a way to show my gratitude."

Wen Xiuzhi's goal was to have a meal with Xu Yan, and he didn't care who paid. At his level, he was beyond showing off wealth. A few hundred or a thousand yuan for a meal was nothing. Arguing over who pays was pointless to him. So, he didn't argue with Xu Yan about who pays, but instead took out a set of casual clothes from the drawer and a car key, and changed into casual clothes in front of Xu Yan.

Seeing Wen Xiuzhi change clothes, Xu Yan's heart raced—not because he was attracted, but because he saw the black holster and gun under Wen Xiuzhi's armpit.

Wen Xiuzhi turned around with the casual clothes, seeing Xu Yan still staring at the gun, and smiled understandingly: "Brother Yan, are you interested in guns too?" As he spoke, he put on the dark casual jacket, covering the gun and blocking Xu Yan's view.

Xu Yan came to his senses and smiled awkwardly. The main reason he was interested in guns was that he had seen many Hong Kong movies where the police carried guns under their armpits, looking cool and heroic. As a child, Xu Yan had dreamed of becoming a cool and brave police officer, but as he grew up, he realized that in mainland China, police guns were strictly controlled, and they had to return their guns to the station after work and couldn't use them casually. This completely shattered his childhood dream.

Of course, Xu Yan couldn't tell Wen Xiuzhi these reasons—such thoughts were too childish, and he was afraid of being laughed at. He just smiled and said: "Yes, I usually see police officers carrying guns on their belts, but I rarely see someone like you. Brother Wen, your gun seems different from the police guns."

"Ha ha, my gun is a Type 92 military officer's gun, different from the Type 64 police pistol. So, Xu Yan, are you interested in guns?" Wen Xiuzhi asked, then his eyes sparkled, as if he had a thought, and laughed: "I guess I asked a redundant question. Which boy doesn't like guns?" (To be continued)