Chapter 185: Choice

At this moment, the sun had barely risen; outside Sal Restaurant's door, the originally empty street was now piled with miscellaneous items.

It let sunlight filter through only a single thread of light, like ripples on water, leaving several ripples on the clean porcelain surface.

Actually, these miscellaneous items were all bought by Kagami during his off‑hours; he earnestly wanted to organize this welcome party well.

No matter what, Kagami also wanted to believe his brother had truly returned.

The reason he did this was simply to make his own heart feel a little better.

He wanted to take back the lost two years of time, then properly reunite with his brother.

Jiang Xia also understood that Kagami's feelings for his brother were deeper than he had imagined.

Seeing the things already packed tightly at the shop entrance, he already knew Kagami might have spent all his money this time.

"That Kagami guy, going to work himself and leaving such a big mess—am I digging my own grave?"

Jiang Xia helplessly shook his head and also began sorting the materials for the welcome party.

"Your brother Jiahemei Liang disappeared two years ago, right?"

Just after entering the mobile command room, Kagami had not yet spoken a word.

He was immediately stopped by JiaYouYue producing a photo of Jiahemei Liang.

Looking at the person in the photo, Kagami's hand trembled for a moment; he turned his head toward JiaYouYue and then nodded almost imperceptibly.

"According to headquarters' investigation, he is very likely to have turned into an Alien Insect." JiaYouYue said to Kagami.

"This case is handled by me and JiaYouYue; wait for orders." Tashiro Xiu Yi calmly examined Jiahemei Liang's data, then prepared to mobilize the Ant Soldiers to ensure the Alien Insects could be eliminated.

Hearing Tashiro Xiu Yi's cold words, Kagami could no longer stay silent; he said: "Why exclude me? Please let me join the operation—I am also an official member and have the right and duty to eliminate Alien Insects."

"If he really is an Alien Insect, can you hit one that looks exactly like your brother?" JiaYouYue said.

Kagami lowered his head, his throat moved, and said: "If it truly is an Alien Insect, then it is the murderer who killed my brother—I will not let it go."

"Could you tell me who asked you to investigate my brother?"

"It's one of those who transformed into Jia Dou last time." JiaYouYue then said what happened when she encountered Tiandao.

"I understand; I need to go check the situation."

Saying that, Kagami calmly gathered his belongings and headed toward Sal Restaurant.

He had some things he wanted to ask—not Tiandao, but another person.

Although he knew Tiandao was organizing the investigation into his brother, he now felt the Heavenly Dao Chief's decision was correct.

"Kagami, aren't you supposed to be at work?" Jiang Xia had just finished preparing some things.

"I want to ask you some things."

He calmly sat at one side of a table.

"Okay."

Jiang Xia moved a chair, sat opposite Kagami, and Kagami stared at Jiang Xia until he could no longer hold back.

"Do you have the ability to determine with 100% certainty whether a human is an Alien Insect?"

"That's right, it's an innate talent, though your organization should also have something similar, like ultra‑low temperature stuff."

Kagami fell silent; he had received the organization's training and was also a battlefield recorder, so he clearly knew such a thing existed and was actually placed on him.

Just a light shine would probably determine whether it is an Alien Insect.

However, the organization has not mass‑produced it, and there is a certain chance of misjudgment, but this does not affect Kagami currently possessing it.

Kagami slowly opened his mouth, as if wanting to say something, but in the end he merely opened his mouth without making a sound, instead lightly nodding and uttering an "en".

"You're looking for me now because you want me to judge whether Jiahemei Liang is truly an Alien Insect."

Kagami did not answer; he didn't know how to speak, and still retained a sliver of hope in his heart.

"Alright, I'll say it—I've seen your brother, and he is 100% an Alien Insect."

Jiang Xia's words, like a sharp blade, directly pierced Kagami's heart, causing the last sliver of hope he had left to vanish completely.

"When?" Kagami said hoarsely.

In Jiang Xia's view, Kagami's hands clenched tightly into fists, and the veins on his arms bulged.

Although he appeared calm on the surface, one could see that Kagami was furious to the extreme.

"At the beginning, when you were shouting loudly all over the amusement park.

At that time, the Alien Insect, relying on mimicry's memories, was selecting a mimicry target for its companion.

"At that time, because he saw a Knight present, he merely appeared briefly, showing his face before you before disappearing."

"Precisely because your brother's life is filled with your presence everywhere, that Alien Insect chose you as its companion's mimicry target, since your brother also wanted to be with you."

"That is why you will see again the already‑deceased Jiahemei Liang.

"But it seems the Alien Insect's heart still devoured Jiahemei Liang."

"After mimicry, Jiahemei Liang still has feelings for you, but those feelings have become twisted.

"Because the current Jiahemei Liang thinks with the Alien Insect's mindset."

Kagami lifted his head, his eyes brimming with tears; even if Jiahemei Liang were mimicked, he still constantly thought of himself—no matter what, Kagami already felt satisfied.

"Alright, wipe away your tears; those are all things of the past."

Jiang Xia took out a metal ring set with a red gem from his pocket and placed it on the table.

He said: "This is the Alien Insect Restrictor, also a temporary name; as long as you put it on an Alien Insect's arm, it can suppress its mimicry, forcing it to stay locked in human form."

"Its most important function is that it can suppress the Alien Insect's consciousness; if luck is good, it might allow your brother Jiahemei Liang to return."

"Really?" Kagami excitedly grabbed the bracelet in his hand, clinging to it like a lifeline and refusing to let go.

"That's right; you now have two choices: first, kill that Alien Insect to avenge your brother's tragic death,

second, capture that Alien Insect, then put the restrictor on it, making it your brother Jiahemei Liang."

"Although I cannot truly feel what you feel, I can give you a chance to choose."

Jiang Xia stood up and said: "No matter which choice you make, as long as you don't let your heart regret it, that's enough."

I am now the owner and head chef of this shop, not a psychologist; sometimes I also find the employees' psychological issues a bit troublesome.

"Tiandao, don't stand outside the door; that will block other customers."

Jiang Xia threw open the door that still had a crack.

Clearly a gap had been deliberately left for sunlight to come in, yet it was completely blocked.

Even if you're eavesdropping, pick another spot; don't be so blatant about it.

Jiang Xia stood at the doorway and pulled the Heavenly Dao Chief, who was wearing a black coat, inside.

"Good morning, Jiang Xia."

The Heavenly Dao Chief acted as if he hadn't heard anything, swaggering in.

And he skillfully ordered a serving of his favorite breakfast.

"Let Xiao Xi help you make it; she should have just woken up."

This is his newly adjusted schedule; anyway, getting up earlier wouldn't let him do anything, so it's better to let her sleep a bit longer.

Jiang Xia said while snatching the menu back from the Heavenly Dao Chief's hand in annoyance.

"Oh, I haven't even tried Xiao Xi's cooking yet," the Heavenly Dao Chief said, leaning back in his chair.

(End of chapter)