"The first time I came into contact with Zhang Hang was when I went to his hospital for a check-up. Just when I went to look for him in the office, I encountered this scene, and feeling that the claw was somewhat peculiar, I took a photo."
Chen Lili recalled the scene at the time, the discomfort brought by the Monkey Claw at first glance was still vivid.
Wu Liang examined the photo carefully and casually asked, "Do you people always like to snap photos and keep evidence?"
In response, Chen Lili just managed a reluctant smile and answered, "It’s just some self-preservation awareness."
She herself was actually a deputy department-level cadre from another district. After her husband’s accidental death, she applied to be transferred here to help manage affairs, which is why she came to Chengyang City a year ago.
Unexpectedly, Chen Lili, unfamiliar with the region, just arrived here not long before being set up by Zhang Hang.
The sound of many people moving upstairs came from downstairs, suggesting the official aftermath personnel had arrived.
Wu Liang couldn’t leave just yet; he had to stay to help explain the situation on site.
As he was preparing to go to the stairway to meet his colleagues, Chen Lili grabbed his arm.
Speaking somewhat meaningfully, she said, "Mr. Wu, you must come to the party. Quite a few leaders will want to see you. We’ll discuss further then; there’s no need to say more here. I’d appreciate it."
She emphasized several key words particularly.
After saying this, she quietly retreated to her room and locked the door.
Feeling the lingering warmth on his arm, Wu Liang couldn’t help but mockingly say, "Can’t even speak properly, have to be a riddler? Why not just roll off to Gotham?"
As an excellent news journalist, he actually understood the implicit meaning in Chen Lili’s words—
Whether it’s her or those so-called leaders, given their high positions of power, they naturally don’t want such a scandal to be known by outsiders, let alone officially documented.
After all, when Zhang Hang was tampering with memories, he made them unwittingly help with some things that didn’t adhere to proper processes.
Even if they were victims?
Yes, but they did it, and because they hold authority, any speck of mud sticking to them won’t wash off!
Chen Lili was telling him not to involve them when dealing with the official aftermath personnel recording the case later, to help cover up and muddle through first.
Whatever needs, whatever assistance they are required to provide, he can mention at the banquet next Tuesday.
"Ha, even when their lives were threatened half an hour ago, the first thing upon awakening is still to consider whether their future and power will be affected, tut tut tut..."
Wu Liang shook his head mockingly.
He couldn’t understand such an unfathomable mindset.
Seeing the colleagues in uniform coming up the stairs, Wu Liang withdrew his mocking expression.
"He, how are you leading the team?"
Unexpectedly, it was He Zhan who came, and he quickly put on a happy face.
Dealing with these official people feels much more comfortable, especially with He Zhan, who’s at least honest and not deceitful.
On the other hand, Wu Liang felt that Chen Lili and Zhang Hang were essentially the same.
The only difference is that Zhang Hang got the Monkey Claw, and Chen Lili didn’t.
"You rascal, how do you manage to stir trouble wherever you go! Haven’t you been away from the base for less than two hours?"
He Zhan said with some helplessness, while pointing to another person beside him who was also in uniform, standing shoulder to shoulder, "Let me introduce, this is the captain of Team One—Sun Zhoushan."
Normally, Awakened individuals don’t get involved in the aftermath of ordinary cases, let alone have two captains take action together.
But today’s location is a bit special.
It happened near the base, and considering that many of those with influence in Chengyang City live in this neighborhood, the higher-ups still dispatched him and Team One’s captain to investigate the situation.
Originally, He Zhan wasn’t planning to come, but when he saw the names "Wu Liang, Wu Ming" listed as reporters, he quickly tidied up and jogged over in uniform.
Exactly, Wu Liang—last time he burned down a painting at Heaven and Earth, that scene is still vivid in his memory!
Don’t let this troublemaker start another fire in this neighborhood, okay!?
"Captain Sun, hello, I’m Wu Liang, as in ’conscience,’ codename Reporter." Glancing at the Team One captain of equal rank with He Zhan, Wu Liang still extended his hand in a friendly manner. ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs, ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴠɪsɪᴛ N0velFire.ɴet
Unexpectedly, the other party didn’t even blink, just locked his gaze on the Puppet Ghost disguised as Wu Ming beside him, and said in a bland tone, "You’re the Shadow from Team Two, right? Explain the situation on site."
Shadow was the official codename for Wu Ming, and he wasn’t even interested in knowing the other person’s name.
Completely ignoring Wu Liang, who had extended his hand beside him.
In his view, Wu Liang was just an ordinary person, serving as a preliminary investigator, and his rank paled in comparison to his own.
The nature of reporting naturally requires finding someone qualified to speak to.
In such a situation, Wu Liang just shrugged and retracted his hand. He had no interest in interacting with those who viewed themselves as superior after becoming Awakened, it was just a basic courtesy earlier.
But the Puppet Ghost beside him got upset—
Normally, when I act crazy in front of the boss, that’s fine. After all, I’m a ghost, my brain doesn’t work well, the boss forgives me!
What’s your status? Acting high and mighty with my boss?
Seeing this, it directly put an arm around He Zhan’s shoulders, playfully saying, "Captain He, come on, let’s go inside to the scene, bro, you follow too, don’t just stand outside like an irrelevant person."
After saying this, it dragged both He Zhan and Wu Liang inside.
Not only did it ignore Captain Sun Zhoushan, who had just asked to explain the situation, but it also metaphorically left him out, mocking him as an "irrelevant person."
This move instantly made Sun Zhoushan’s face look like he’d eaten something nasty.
"Hahaha, you guys never disappoint me, I knew you wouldn’t get along with him."
Seeing this, He Zhan, following into the room, couldn’t help but chuckle. He had already anticipated that Sun Zhoushan wouldn’t fare well in front of these two.
He understood Wu Liang and Wu Ming’s personalities—soft on the gentle but resistant to the harsh. If you approach them kindly, they won’t do anything unexpected.
Their attitude would be—brotherly banter!
But if you come with malice or a superior attitude, sorry, these two have sharper tongues than anyone!
He still remembered when he first sought out Wu Liang; despite being just an ordinary person, Wu Liang didn’t hold him, the captain of an official team, in any regard and continued to spout nonsense.
Now, he’s also joined the official ranks.
"He, how did someone like that become a captain equal to you? Does he have a relative in a leading position?" Wu Liang said gleefully, watching the Puppet Ghost’s performance.
Since the Fierce Ghost Minion had already stepped in, he decided to cooperate.
Just then, Sun Zhoushan came in from the outside with a sour face.
Hearing this, he almost wanted to spit blood.
Before he could speak, Wu Liang continued, "No relatives? Then he must’ve bought his way to become a captain, right? Leaders like to have backdoor dealings?"
The shoe cabinet at the door had clear finger marks squeezed into it by Sun Zhoushan; he couldn’t stand Wu Liang’s nonsensical words any longer.
To his surprise, Wu Liang turned around, pointed at him with apparent shock, and shouted, "He! He’s destroying the scene! I suspect there’s something wrong with him!"
Inside, Wu Liang was delighted.
Haha, he’s mad, he’s mad!