Chapter 596: The Ever-Changing Concealed Space

Li Li Banfeng sat in his office, reviewing the files on Hulucun; Shen Shen Jingye was unwell and had taken a day off.

According to the records, Hulucun was the nightmare of the Dark Star Bureau—a topic every member, from branch to headquarters, refused to mention.

Through analysis of the case files and Li Li Banfeng's own understanding, Hulucun was a concealed space with unique properties; whether it was a Dark Dimension space remained uncertain, since Dark Dimension spaces were merely one type of concealed space, and Li Li Banfeng was not deeply familiar with other types.

The greatest feature of this concealed space was its shifting entrance—a phenomenon Li Li Banfeng had encountered before in Pulu Province, where the entrance to Fool's City could change.

If he could master this technique, he could build a secret laboratory for his wife, or even an entirely hidden city unknown to the world.

This was a vital foundation!

He must learn this technique; he must find Hulucun.

But why would such an odd concealed space appear in Waizhou, not in Pulu Province?

Precisely because Hulucun appeared in Waizhou, Shen Shen Jingye had been frantic over the matter and had fully supported all of Li Li Banfeng's investigations.

According to the case files, the entrance to Hulucun appeared each year between December and January, just before the Lunar New Year—that is, what Shen Shen Jingye called "opening for business."

Its entrance manifested as two to ten exquisitely beautiful women standing at the concealed space's threshold, luring passersby inside.

Exquisitely beautiful women.

Li Li Banfeng tapped his wine gourd: "Sister, you really don't know anything about this place?"

The wine gourd sighed: "Little brother, stop tapping—I'm turning red. I truly don't know. Maybe I once knew, but I can't recall now. If I remember anything, I'll tell you right away. If you still want to tap, switch sides—don't keep hitting just this half."

Since severing her contract with Yao Lao, the wine gourd had been utterly loyal to Li Li Banfeng; if she knew any secrets, she would not have withheld them.

Besides, this was Waizhou's territory, and the wine gourd was from Pulu Province—it made no sense to ask her.

Li Li Banfeng continued reviewing the case files.

Last year, Hulucun appeared in the north, causing thirty-one people to vanish—twenty-five men and six women.

Women?

Were they lured away by handsome men?

The case files contained no mention of handsome men.

The year before, Hulucun appeared in neighboring Minyue Province, causing fifty-five people to vanish—seventeen of them women.

The ratio was even more extreme.

Exquisitely beautiful women—why did they attract so many women?

Li Li Banfeng flipped further back through the files; one question had long troubled him: "Why call it Hulucun? Just because the girls standing at the village entrance had figures like gourds? Even if so, why not call it Huludian, Hululou, or Huluyuan?"

Tang Yuan pulled out a file: "Because there are survivors."

"Hulucun has survivors?"

"Yes. The name 'Hulucun' comes from the survivors' descriptions."

"Why didn't you give me this important data sooner!" Li Li Banfeng snatched the file box.

Tang Yuan stuck out her tongue: "Actually, these files aren't that valuable."

Li Li Banfeng opened one file: the survivor's name was Wu Nianping, from Leshi in Minyue Province. He vanished on December 16 of the year before last and returned home on January 21.

Wu Nianping was a food delivery worker. According to his own account and eyewitnesses, he picked up an order from a restaurant and, as he was about to get on his electric scooter, saw two women at the restaurant's entrance inviting him inside.

He assumed there was a problem with the order, followed the women into the restaurant, and then realized the interior was a village—the women told him it was Hulucun.

Tang Yuan explained: "Seventh Master, this is all he remembers of Hulucun. After evaluation, Wu Nianping suffered severe psychological trauma from extreme shock—he's mentally ill and has serious memory loss—"

Li Li Banfeng interrupted: "Having a mental illness doesn't mean someone is insane. Speak precisely!"

Tang Yuan nodded and continued: "Other survivors were likely in similar condition—they could only utter the name 'Hulucun' and offered no other coherent descriptions."

Li Li Banfeng still carefully reviewed all survivor information, while Tang Yuan helped analyze key details.

Zhong Er's investigation focus wasn't on these files—it was on the case's subjects.

The man who vanished from the pharmacy was Zhang Zhang Peiwen, twenty-six, unemployed. Zhong Er noticed something odd from his address: "Zhang Zhang Peiwen's residence is just one street away from the pharmacy—he could walk home in fifteen minutes. There's no reason for him to take a taxi."

Mi Mi Jian disagreed: "Some people just hate walking—even fifteen minutes isn't that close."

?

Zhong Er pulled out the pharmacy owner's deposition: "According to her, Zhang Zhang Peiwen once waited a long time at the pharmacy door over a single yuan—he was introverted and frugal. He wouldn't choose a taxi for a fifteen-minute walk."

Deng Pao frowned: "Too hasty. Being frugal doesn't mean he can't enjoy life."

Zhong Er said no more. In terms of family background, he was far worse off than Deng Pao; their understanding of taking taxis differed sharply.

Li Li Banfeng had never considered this issue—he'd never taken a taxi alone during his student years.

After reviewing files all morning, Li Li Banfeng decided to visit the subject's home in the afternoon.

He brought Tang Yuan, Deng Pao, Ming Xing, and Zhong Er to Zhang Zhang Peiwen's residence.

Zhang Zhang Peiwen lived in a housing complex on Disheng Road, built at the end of the last century—a stairwell-only building. His home was on the seventh floor.

Zhang Zhang Peiwen's father, Zhang Zhang Qinghai, had been a factory worker but lost mobility in his right leg after an accident and became disabled, spending years confined at home.

His mother, Ai Xiufen, was a middle school teacher who retired five years ago due to health issues. Their combined pensions were the family's sole income.

Ai Xiufen opened the door. Li Li Banfeng showed forged credentials.

These were legally forged documents—since civilians knew nothing of the Dark Star Bureau, its agents could not reveal their true identities.

Ai Xiufen invited them in: "Officer, please sit. My son—"

Zhang Zhang Qinghai, leaning on his cane, approached Li Li Banfeng: "Do you have news of my son?"

Li Li Banfeng said: "Not yet. We're here primarily to conduct some inquiries."

As he spoke, Li Li Banfeng observed the house layout.

Two bedrooms, one living room—the living room was large, the bedrooms small.

Since the house faced north, the interior was dim.

Li Li Banfeng asked: "Which room is Zhang Zhang Peiwen's?"

Zhang Zhang Qinghai pointed to the room on the right side of the hallway. Li Li Banfeng glanced at it.

The entire house was sparsely furnished, mostly wooden furniture, but Zhang Zhang Peiwen's door stood out.

Because it was made of glass.

Zhong Er told the elderly couple: "I'd like to collect evidence in the subject's room."

Ai Xiufen stood: "I'll go with you—we'll fully cooperate."

Li Li Banfeng looked at Zhang Zhang Qinghai: "I'll speak with you first."

Ai Xiufen sat back down: "Officer, tell me instead—my husband's confused. He can't explain anything clearly."

Zhong Er went to collect evidence; Li Li Banfeng asked about the incident.

Ai Xiufen's eyes welled up: "That day, at three in the afternoon, he went to the pharmacy to buy medicine for me."

"He shouldn't have gone that day—he should've gone the day before. But the pharmacy was closed then. If it had been open—"

"This wouldn't have happened!"

At this, Ai Xiufen broke into sobs.

"Auntie, please calm down—we're doing everything we can," Tang Yuan comforted her. Ai Xiufen grew slightly calmer.

Li Li Banfeng asked: "You said you planned to buy medicine the day before, but the pharmacy was closed, so you waited. But I see many pharmacies near your complex—why go to that one?"

Ai Xiufen sighed: "It's my useless body. Some medicines are sold only at that pharmacy."

Li Li Banfeng told Tang Yuan: "Later, write down the medicines Mrs. Ai needs—we can help procure them."

"No, no," Ai Xiufen shook her head vigorously. "How could I trouble you?"

Tang Yuan smiled: "Don't worry—it's our duty."

After much questioning, Ai Xiufen still refused to name the medicines. She continued recounting that afternoon:

"My son left at three to buy medicine. He always came back by half past three. I was preparing lunch—his favorite: stir-fried carrots—"

"I want my son!" Zhang Zhang Qinghai suddenly stood, leaning on his cane. "I'm going to find him!"

Tang Yuan tried to calm him. Ai Xiufen shouted: "Old Zhang, stop causing trouble! These people are helping us find our son!"

Zhang Zhang Qinghai lowered his head, silent. Ai Xiufen said: "I waited until 3:40. He didn't come back. I panicked and rushed to the pharmacy."

Li Li Banfeng asked: "Didn't he have a phone?"

Ai Xiufen sighed: "Don't laugh, but my son studied himself into a daze—he can't do anything but read. He doesn't know how to use phones or computers."

"I went to the pharmacy. The owner said he bought the medicine and left. I always trusted her, so I didn't think anything of it."

"Only later, when the police came to investigate, did I learn she lied. She saw my son standing at her door and didn't tell me! She's no good woman—she's the one who harmed my son!"

At this, Ai Xiufen wept harder.

Deng Pao listened half-heartedly—he didn't think Ai Xiufen could provide much useful information.

Ming Xing, skilled at reading the room, quickly handed Ai Xiufen tissues.

Li Li Banfeng asked sternly: "Mrs. Ai, why do you think the pharmacy owner wanted to harm your son?"

Tang Yuan glanced at Li Li Banfeng—those words didn't sound like something Seventh Master would say.

Ai Xiufen was clearly mentally traumatized by her son's disappearance, speaking recklessly. How could such claims be taken seriously?

Probably because Pulu Province's customs differed here—Seventh Master was still adjusting.

Ai Xiufen answered: "I buy medicine there often. She must've thought we were rich and wanted to kidnap my son for ransom!"

Tang Yuan raised an eyebrow at Li Li Banfeng, silently warning him not to take it seriously—she'd seen this before. Ai Xiufen's psychological trauma made her suspicious of everyone and everything.

Li Li Banfeng continued chatting with Ai Xiufen while Zhong Er finished collecting evidence in the bedroom and opened the refrigerator.

Ai Xiufen didn't understand: "You're collecting evidence from the fridge?"

Zhong Er shook his head: "I'm thirsty. Checking if there's anything to drink."

Tang Yuan frowned, embarrassed for Zhong Er.

Ming Xing barely held back laughter—he couldn't fathom what Zhong Er was thinking. Searching the fridge at a time like this was like slapping the Dark Star Bureau in the face.

But then again, the old couple didn't know they were from the Dark Star Bureau.

Lightbulb thought the situation was unusual, and the nerd's line of thinking was indeed bizarre, but he wasn't the type to take advantage or do something utterly meaningless.

Li Li Banfeng also knew the nerd had another motive, but still put on a show and scolded: "What kind of work attitude is this? Don't you have any sense of discipline?"

Ai Ai Xiafen quickly stood up and said: "I was foolish—there's no drink at home. Let me pour you all some tea."

Li Li Banfeng stood and said: "We've learned what we needed to. We should be going now. Ms. Ai, take care of your health."

Zhang Zhang Qinghai stood again: "I need to find my son. I need to find my son!"

Ai Ai Xiafen scolded her husband a couple of times, then saw Li Li Banfeng and the others out the door.

At the very moment they stepped outside, Li Li Banfeng heard the sound of a projector: "Director Qi, I'm suffocating—this house's lighting and colors are making me gasp for air."

After leaving the residential compound, Li Li Banfeng went to a pharmacy and asked the shopkeeper for the medicines Zhang Peiwén usually bought.

Mingxing asked beside him: "Li Ju, are we really going to buy her medicine?"

Li Li Banfeng glared at Mingxing: "Isn't that exactly what we should do? Where's your service mindset?"

Mingxing stayed silent. The shopkeeper checked the ledger and wrote down the drug names.

Li Li Banfeng wasn't very familiar with medicines himself, so he had Tang Yuan send the drug names directly to the Medical Department.

Lightbulb: "Director, you're not buying her medicine—you're investigating her."

Tang Yuan also didn't understand: "Why investigate her?"

Nerd said: "I think Li Ju's reasoning makes sense."

Mingxing frowned: "Stop always praising Li Ju's reasoning. Don't just be a yes-man—say what you think."

Nerd opened his mouth but held back. When everyone returned to the car, the head of the Medical Department, Sui Rao Qijun, replied.

"Li Ju, the drug names you provided have vague definitions regarding function and indications. It's difficult to deduce what illness the patient might have from these medications."

"What kind of answer is this?" Li Li Banfeng was dissatisfied. "The prescription is right in front of you, and you still can't identify the illness?"

Sui Rao Qijun looked embarrassed: "Li Ju, I don't want to be too definitive, but based on what I know, these drug names you provided aren't actually medicines."

"If they're not medicines, what are they? I saw them all in the pharmacy."

"These are more like health supplements—somewhat therapeutic, but with complex ingredients, uncertain efficacy, and very high prices."

Li Li Banfeng hung up and fell silent for a long while.

Mingxing said beside him: "Let her eat whatever she wants—we can't control that. But since it's just supplements, not essential medicine, we don't have to buy it for her."

Lightbulb pondered for a moment: "Sui's department head said these supplements are very expensive. Looking at their living conditions—"

"They don't look like wealthy people."

Tang Yuan said: "You don't understand. Many elderly people are superstitious about supplements—even if they're poor, they'll find a way to buy some."

Nerd shook his head: "It's not that simple."

Li Li Banfeng looked at Nerd: "What evidence did you find earlier?"

Mingxing said: "I doubt you'll find anything valuable in their home."

Nerd ignored Mingxing and handed the evidence to Li Li Banfeng. Li Li Banfeng examined it and confirmed his suspicions.

Back at the bureau, in the conference room, Nerd pulled out a plastic bag: "Earlier I speculated Zhang Peiwén wouldn't afford a taxi. This is what I found hidden in his mattress seam."

Lightbulb took the bag and saw it contained loose change of various denominations—the largest was a single ten-yuan note, the rest were one-yuan and five-yuan bills, plus several rare coins.

"These are probably the change left over from buying medicine," Mingxing roughly counted: "Total over a hundred yuan."

"Maybe it's change from buying groceries," Nerd pulled out a schedule. "This schedule was taped to his desk. I had to pry it off with great effort."

Lightbulb read the schedule and furrowed his brow.

Monday: Wake up at 7 a. m., use the bathroom from 7:15 to 7:30, breakfast from 7:30 to 8:00, take father for a walk in the compound from 8:00 to 10:00, buy groceries from 10:00 to 11:00.

Cook with mother from 11:00 to 12:00, eat lunch at 12:00, nap from 12:30 to 2:00, watch TV from 2:00 to 3:00, buy medicine for mother from 3:00 to 3:30, watch TV at home from 3:30 to 4:00.

Buy groceries from 4:00 to 5:00, help mother cook dinner from 5:00 to 6:00, clean house from 6:30 to 7:30, do laundry from 7:30 to 8:30, sleep at 8:30.

Tang Yuan looked at the loose change and said to Li Li Banfeng: "Director, regarding the taxi, I still stand by my view—the driver didn't lie. Zhang Peiwén is just frugal, but that doesn't mean he lacks spending power."

Nerd shook his head: "If he had spending power, he wouldn't waste it on taxis. Look at the schedule—every Wednesday afternoon, his mother makes him sort through shopping receipts. Ai Ai Xiafen even counts this change with him."

Tang Yuan had already seen the schedule: "This schedule proves nothing. Maybe their family just has strong time discipline. Everyone lives differently, everyone has different priorities—we can't judge others by our own standards."

Nerd pulled out a flyer: "I found this flyer tucked inside Zhang Peiwén's pillow—a smartphone sales flyer. The cheapest model costs 628 yuan. He circled the number 628 several times. If he had spending power, he'd want this phone, not a taxi!"

Mingxing said: "It doesn't mean he definitely wanted a taxi. The driver said Zhang Peiwén kept staring at him, so the driver assumed he wanted a ride—that's just a misunderstanding."

"There's no such misunderstanding!" Nerd shook his head repeatedly. "When I had no money, I never dared stare at taxis. I'm sure you've all had similar experiences."

Lightbulb laughed: "Not necessarily—I dare stare."

Li Li Banfeng asked Lightbulb: "When was your last taxi ride? You've had a car since graduation."

"Perhaps—" Tang Yuan was still trying to defend Ai Ai Xiafen. "As a mother, her parenting style may be flawed, but that doesn't negate her love for her child. I saw ingredients in the kitchen—she prepared his favorite dish: stir-fried carrots. She's still waiting for her son to come home."

"Stir-fried carrots," Nerd looked at Li Li Banfeng. "Li Ju, remember how Zhang Zhang Qinghai reacted when you mentioned carrots?"

Li Li Banfeng remembered vividly: "He wanted to find his son—he reacted violently, as if he'd burst out of the house."

"He did want to burst out—but not to find his son. He wanted to escape the carrots. He wanted to flee this home," Nerd pulled out a stack of receipts. "These are their supermarket grocery receipts this month—they buy carrots every single day."

"I opened their fridge—there were several plates of stir-fried carrots, plus piles of raw carrots. Who could endure eating carrots like this? How could Zhang Peiwén possibly want to eat them?"

"This is Zhang Peiwén's life—same food every day, same routine, every move watched and controlled by Ai Ai Xiafen. Even his bedroom door is transparent."

Tang Yuan fell silent for a long time, unable to comprehend such a family dynamic: "If Zhang Peiwén wanted a job, earned his own income, he wouldn't be under so much control."

Nerd picked up the schedule: "Captain You, you heard Ai Ai Xiafen's description—she sends him out to buy medicine at 3 p. m. If he's not back by 3:40, she goes to the pharmacy to look for him. She gives him no more than ten minutes. He can't go straight from the pharmacy to buy groceries—he must wait half an hour at home first."

"Under this level of control, how could Zhang Peiwén find a job? Would Ai Ai Xiafen even allow it?"

Tang Yuan said nothing.

Nerd organized the evidence: "Captain You, different upbringings lead to different perceptions. I've seen this before in people I know—I'm not surprised by this outcome. But we've reached one consensus: I think we no longer need to investigate the taxi driver."

Lightbulb blinked: "What's that supposed to mean? We've talked all this time just to confirm the taxi driver's suspicious behavior. Now that we've found the clue, you say don't investigate?"

Nerd shook his head: "What's the point? To rescue Zhang Peiwén? For him, anywhere is better than staying home. Rather than dragging him back into the fire, we should do something more useful."

Tang Yuan disagreed: "We can't generalize from one case. Once Gourd Village opens, many people will disappear—those cases are different from Zhang Peiwén's."

This time Nerd stayed silent. Everyone turned to Li Li Banfeng—this decision was his alone.

Li Li Banfeng was pondering a critical question: "What's Gourd Village really like? Has anyone here ever wanted to go see it?"

Li Li Banfeng was pondering an important question: "What is Hulucun like? Has anyone here ever wanted to go see it?"

P. S.: Happy National Day.