Chapter 639: Probe the Depths

"Subscribe to newspapers!"

After waiting in line at the post office's subscription window for half a day, Li Ang finally squeezed to the counter, handed the clerk a pre-written list of publications, and spoke at breakneck speed:

"Renew all of these—top-tier renewal for two weeks, all newspapers must be double editions, both the Popular Entertainment and the Political-Business Quality editions, and all magazines must be Platinum editions with special bonuses and supplementary booklets!"

"Understood, I'll process it for you right away!"

Taking Li Ang's completed subscription form, the clerk glanced at the long list of publication names—and instantly, her previously weary, indifferent expression melted into a grin as bright as a freshly bloomed trumpet flower.

After rapidly dialing the counter's machine according to the listed titles, the clerk beamed and said:

"Sir, your renewed subscriptions total seven silver wheels and nine copper wheels. Do you have our post office's stamp-collecting card?"

"If you're a long-term customer, given your subscription volume, you don't need to queue at the gift section for stamps—I can stamp them for you right here."

"Then I'd be grateful if you could help me."

Hearing the clerk's words, Li Ang exhaled in relief and pulled out a stack of stamp-collecting cards he'd found in the director's drawer, sliding them through the side slot beside the window.

The so-called stamp-collecting cards were essentially disguised loyalty rewards issued by post offices and publishers: after first subscribing to a publication at the post office, you received a thin iron plate; each subsequent renewal at that same post office earned you a stamp pressed onto the plate by machine.

Once you'd collected enough stamps over time, the post office and publisher would reward you with corresponding gifts, renewal discounts, or invitations to special events like annual ceremonies or reader meetups—exclusive perks for top clients.

Amid the disgruntled stares of the long queue, the clerk behind the counter, now "sucking up to big clients," abandoned her regular duties, dragged out a stamping machine from under her desk, and began laboriously pressing stamps onto Li Ang's stack of cards one by one.

Shortly after finishing all the cards, the clerk, without wiping her sweat, handed them back with a smile and added politely:

"Sir, your subscriptions to *Wine Traveler*, *The Sun Daily (Popular and Quality Editions)*, and *Meli Focus* have each accumulated enough stamps—you may proceed directly to the gift section to claim your rewards."

"I just checked for you: *Wine Traveler*'s reward is a small bottle of selected Chardonnay dry white; *Meli Focus*'s reward is a Charmore lingerie VIP card, granting early access to try new underwear models and a 30% discount on purchases."

"As for *The Sun Daily (Double Editions)*, the reward is a temporary access pass—take it to the opposite *Sun Daily* newsroom to visit reporters or editors you're interested in, and ask about secret stories omitted from the paper due to space or policy restrictions."

"Thank you."

Retrieving his stamp-collecting cards from the clerk, Li Ang finally completed his "mission" and let out a quiet sigh. Following the clerk's directions, he went to the gift section and collected his three rewards.

The small bottle of wine and the lingerie discount card, of course, must be taken back to the director—unless he was mistaken, she'd been longing for these two items for a long time; otherwise, she wouldn't have been in headquarters for a meeting yet still specifically asked him to subscribe to newspapers for her.

But this access pass…

Holding the pass bearing a golden gear-shaped sun emblem, Li Ang hesitated on the sidewalk, then, instead of boarding the public carriage, stepped toward the *Sun Daily* newsroom across the street.

In the past, Li Ang had neither the money nor the interest to subscribe to newspapers; when he occasionally needed news, he simply borrowed discarded copies from others, and naturally had no reporters he wished to visit.

But after flipping through the director's newspapers yesterday and discovering she'd been clipping photos of his embarrassing moments, he'd noticed a name beneath several articles about himself that sparked his curiosity.

Nicole Collins. If he remembered correctly, the only anomaly holder absent from the rebel meeting was named Nicole, and the elderly Owen couple who treated Little Baggins like their own child bore the surname Collins—so…

Could this journalist, who'd written multiple damaging pieces about him, be the twelfth rebel?

Though deeply suspicious of the *Sun Daily* reporter's background, Li Ang, by habit, preferred caution—he'd normally wait until the director or Senior Emma returned before acting.

But now that he held the access pass granted by the stamp card, he had a legitimate reason to investigate—and with both the Lamb Heart and the director's hair as dual protections, a preliminary reconnaissance wouldn't hurt?

…

*"Phew… you've been undercover these past few days—I nearly suffocated!"*

After Li Ang pulled the Black Goat out of the small mirror and stuffed it into the shopping bag he carried, the long-silent creature grumbled:

*"Isn't undercover duty over? Why are you still shoving me into that damn mirror? Can't you just carry me around like before?"*

*"I'm telling you, that mirror's suffocating—besides that worthless, idiotic heart, there's only a dumb-ass puppy pup, not a single living thing to chat with! It's unbearable in there!"*

"Alright, I'll try to carry you more often from now on."

Though the Black Goat was no good, as a former comrade who'd fought beside Li Ang and helped him survive his most dangerous "newbie phase," it held some place in his heart—and such a small request was hardly worth refusing.

Hearing Li Ang's promise, the Black Goat, no longer forced to return to the mirror world, instantly cheered up. After two strange chuckles, it even unusually volunteered:

*"Kid, just say it—whose soul do you want me to check this time?"*

Huh? In the past, the Black Goat always demanded something in return, never this cooperative—clearly, it had been cooped up too long.

Observing the creature's sudden change in attitude, Li Ang showed his stamp card and access pass to the *Sun Daily* guard as he spoke:

"A reporter named Nicole. I suspect she's an anomaly holder among the rebels—I'm going to probe her background. Same procedure as before: once you find her, if she lies, alert me."

*"Got it! Leave it to me!"*

Afraid Li Ang would find her a burden and shove her back into the desolate mirror world, the Black Goat, determined to prove her worth, unusually took initiative and began scanning souls within a one-kilometer radius.

*"Huh?"*

After glancing around, the Black Goat suddenly noticed something wrong—her expression twisted in alarm, and she urgently hissed:

*"Quick! Put me back inside!"*

(End of Chapter)