Chapter 367: A Family Should Sit Together Around One Table

The top light in the living room was set to its lowest setting, a pallid halo covering the dining table; the sauce of the synthetic meat patty congealed into dark red clumps at the bottom of the plate, fine in texture, while the 3D-printed vegetables, even after being oil-fried, remained an unusually vivid green, exuding a fresh flavor.

Feng Ju sat at the dining table, mechanically picking up a piece of meat with his chopsticks and putting it in his mouth to chew, but his taste buds seemed unable to sense any flavor.

His gaze never left the TV screen, as if those flickering images were his true sustenance.

"Ladies and gentlemen, now broadcasting today's weather report."

The female anchor displayed a standard smile showing eight teeth; her skin glowed with an unnatural pearlescent sheen under the strong lights, clearly having used the latest nano cosmetic mask.

Her voice sounded like precisely tuned synthetic sound, every syllable accurate to the millisecond:

"Today 9:30-17:00, illumination intensity at 82%, radiation index LUX-3 level, it is recommended to wear corneal filter lenses; evening 17:01-23:13, the Nine Districts will welcome this month's Cyclical Water Grace; it is recommended that during today's meals, you may take one additional Level 2 Neutralizer."

"Next, broadcasting Nine Districts news……"

The Lower City's weather forecast was never wrong, always as precise as the hands of time.

This was the one place where the Lower City far outpaced the Upper City.

After all, the Upper City's weather depended on the face of the sky dome, while the Lower City's "weather" was merely a line of small print on the schedules of property management companies.

Wang Xiuli took a silver medicine box labeled "Level 2 Neutralizer" from the cabinet and carefully poured out a pale blue neutralizer pill.

The moment the pill fell into the water, it emitted a slight hissing sound, like the face masks Upper City noblewomen wore during SPA treatments.

The black turbid matter in the water began to churn violently, as if dancing a desperate waltz, finally turning into gray sediment that slowly sank.

The water in the upper layer of the cup instantly became fresh and new, emitting a "clear and sweet" flavor, said to be blended to imitate Upper City mountain spring water, and drinking it could prolong life.

This was a Level 2 Neutralizer, different from ordinary neutralizers circulating in the Lower City, its effect one hundred times stronger, a gift bestowed upon Feng Ju by the Special Commissioner.

"Breaking news——"

The male news anchor's voice cut in seamlessly, his voice specially processed, carrying a reassuring magnetism,

"Next, broadcasting an emergency bulletin: recently, this city has once again seen a serial murder case, with victims mostly high school students."

The screen switched to video clips of the crime scene, but carefully processed—bloodstains replaced by virtual red dots, severed limbs and broken arms covered with mosaics, like cute cartoon patterns in children's programs.

The anchor's voice remained calm, as if reporting a most ordinary weather forecast:

"When the bodies were discovered, they had all been cruelly dismembered,"

As he spoke these words, the background music timely switched to soothing piano music,

"The scene bears the killer's signature symbol—the victims' facial skin has been removed."

In the upper right corner of the LCD screen, the words "Adult Protection Mode Activated" flickered gently, and the male anchor's magnetic voice continued:

"Experts speculate that the killer may possess an extremely strong antisocial personality, and may even enjoy the process of killing……"

Feng Ju's fork suddenly scraped across the porcelain plate with a piercing screech.

His pupils contracted slightly, his Adam's apple bobbed once, as if swallowing some unspeakable pleasure.

The mechanical fingers unconsciously stroked the dinner knife, the cold light reflected from the blade sweeping across the corner of his mouth—there was a barely perceptible twitch there.

"Husband, is this serial killer the same thug who seriously injured you and put you in the hospital before?"

Wang Xiuli's voice trembled slightly, her eyes full of worry.

Feng Ju made an "en" sound, took the water cup, rinsed the residue in his mouth and swallowed it all together, answering with a somewhat muffled voice:

"Rest assured, I'm not the same as before; this time I will definitely catch him, it's almost time."

Seeing Feng Ju full of confidence, Wang Xiuli's worry eased slightly, but she still added another reminder:

"You must be very careful; experts say this kind of person is extremely deranged and capable of anything; you must……"

She still remembered that day in the hospital, when Feng Ju was pushed into the operating room, the terrifying sight of his severed limbs still oozing blood.

Feng Ju put down the water cup heavily, speared a piece of synthetic meat and stuffed it into his mouth, his chewing muscles tense:

"I know what I'm doing, don't worry unnecessarily; I am now Captain of the Patrol Bureau, catching criminals is my duty—the more vicious he is, the sooner I must catch him!"

The synthetic meat made an unpleasant squeaking sound between his teeth, the sound of cheap protein fibers breaking.

Wang Xiuli nodded, as if she wanted to say something, but finally just sighed and turned to ask:

"What about Yu Huai? How is Yu Huai lately? Has she encountered any danger?"

Her gaze drifted to her daughter's photo on the wall, taken when Feng Yuhuai entered the Eighth Middle School Martial Arts Key Class, her bright smile dazzling, like the perfect faces of female stars on city billboards.

When mentioning his daughter, even the frequency of Feng Ju's chewing of synthetic meat became gentle.

He took out his phone and handed Wang Xiuli a video recorded at the scene.

The video erupted with thunderous cheers; as the camera shook violently, the girl's ponytail swung an arc on the platform.

Feng Yuhuai's spring kick tore through the air; at the moment the opponent's protective gear burst, slow motion clearly captured flying sweat droplets refracting rainbow-like halos.

"Yu Huai performed very well, her competition performance was outstanding; entering the final circle of the senior year group as a lowerclassman—she is truly my Feng Ju's daughter."

Feng Ju's expression softened, his face filled with deep satisfaction, his voice carrying a metallic, raspy laugh:

"This Martial Arts Joint Examination competition was well organized; many TV stations will broadcast it live; as long as you unlock the channel and pay, you can watch; I am now Captain of the Patrol Bureau, and may even be promoted to Bureau Chief in the future, so you don't need to be as frugal as before."

Feng Ju paused, then smiled:

"This weekend is the finals; you can watch at home; maybe Yu Huai can make it to the last day."

Wang Xiuli finally showed a hint of a smile: "That's wonderful; Yu Huai is truly amazing."

Her tone was full of satisfaction, but soon her smile dimmed again, and her voice became cautious: "Then… what about Feng Mu? Do you have any news about him lately?"

Feng Ju's expression froze instantly, a shadow flashing in his eyes.

He fell silent for a moment, his fingers stopped tapping on the tabletop, and slowly clenched into a fist.

Wang Xiuli sensed the low pressure in the room, quickly lowered her head, and dared not speak again.

However, unexpectedly, Feng Ju did not fly into a rage as usual. His fist slowly relaxed, his voice low and calm:

"I previously made an appointment with him to come home for dinner this weekend; find time to call him and confirm."

Wang Xiuli was stunned, raising her head blankly, her eyes mixed with surprise and joy: "You… you're serious?"

Her voice trembled slightly, as if she couldn't believe her own ears.

Feng Ju nodded, but his gaze never met hers.

His eyes clearly rested on the TV screen, yet they were unfocused, as if staring at a point that did not exist at all.

The corner of his mouth curved into a displeased arc, his voice carrying a trace of barely perceptible self-mockery and ridicule:

"Hmm, your son is no ordinary person now; I have to beg him to come home and eat rice. But never mind, a family should sit together at one table, eat from one pot, and only then can life be flavorful."

End of Chapter