Chapter 966: A Bit Special

Across from the building where Peng Deng works.

Jianna walked to the gray sedan, watching as the door opened and Ludwig stepped out himself.

She nodded to Anthony in the driver’s seat and led Ludwig toward a nearby café.

Based on Peng Deng’s occupation, they had already formulated a contact plan:

If they had money, they could buy a house, then visit Peng Deng’s design company for consultation, using their “hypnosis” or “manipulation” abilities to “designate” Peng Deng as their designer.

Then, they could discuss design concepts, ideas, and styles with Peng Deng, sign a contract, and use subsequent visits—reviewing plans, inspecting sites—to repeatedly contact the target, gradually become familiar, and ultimately determine whether he had any issues and where those issues lay.

But unfortunately, they didn’t have that much money.

If they truly had the funds to buy a house, wouldn’t it be simpler and more convenient to just rent the Magic Mirror Arodes and ask it for Peng Deng’s detailed information?

So Anthony planned to execute only the first half of the plan—fabricate the fact that he owned a house, use renovation as an excuse to visit for consultation, use his “hypnosis” ability to make Peng Deng’s boss assign Peng Deng to handle the meeting, and then leave under the pretext of needing to think it over, without signing any contract.

If Anthony’s operation failed—encountering Peng Deng being unavailable, or having been assigned to another designer—then Jianna would execute the second plan.

After bringing Ludwig into the café and choosing a window seat, ordering a cappuccino, a pure fruit juice, a small cake, and a pile of bread, Jianna stared at the little boy across from her and fell into thought:

“Every time we need to carry out a probing mission, we have to switch who brings him—it’s such a hassle…”

“He really can be very useful, but his childlike form, mindset, and cognition make it impossible for him to act alone, and we can’t trust him… we can’t trust ordinary people in the Dream City…”

“Should we find a way to enroll him in elementary school? That way, we wouldn’t have to watch him during the day—just pick him up at the right time.”

In Jianna’s silence, Ludwig suddenly felt a bad premonition. Just then, the small cake arrived, and he immediately smiled, picking up his fork and spoon.

After thinking for a while, Jianna abandoned the idea of enrolling Ludwig in elementary school.

That’s not like going to tutoring—just an hour and a half, with breaks in between and parents outside. He’d have to stay at school all day, and unless we gave him the Traveler’s Satchel, there’s no way he could carry enough food.

Two lessons, one classmate?

Meanwhile, Anthony saw Peng Deng enter the building.

After nine, once he confirmed Peng Deng hadn’t left, he got out of the car, entered the building, took the elevator, and arrived at the design company named “Shengwei.”

Anthony told the receptionist:

“I called earlier—I made an appointment.”

The receptionist checked her logbook and led Anthony to the conference room.

Soon after, the company’s manager arrived, chatted with Anthony briefly, and confirmed the style he wanted.

During this process, Anthony casually mentioned Peng Deng, saying he’d seen the designer’s work and real-life results on the company’s official account and felt they matched his own ideas perfectly.

Undoubtedly, as he spoke, Anthony looked directly into the manager’s eyes and subtly used “hypnosis”; during their earlier phone conversation, he had also employed psychological guidance, though he couldn’t directly impose hypnosis then.

“You rest for a moment—I’ll go get the designer.” The manager rose and left the conference room, while a junior employee poured Anthony a glass of water and placed some fruit nearby.

About ten minutes later, Anthony saw Peng Deng appear at the door.

Peng Deng had black hair and brown eyes, an ordinary face, styled hair with some sections slightly fluffy, wore a black T-shirt with a streetwear vibe, and carried a laptop.

Anthony stood up calmly, showing no sign of abnormality.

After being introduced by the manager, Anthony and Peng Deng began talking—mainly Anthony explaining his needs, while Peng Deng listened and occasionally asked deeper questions to understand the details.

When Anthony finished speaking, Peng Deng operated the laptop and projector:

“I found a few images—see if they match the feeling you want.”

Soon, Anthony saw one image:

A modern-style living room, brightly and cleanly lit by golden sunlight streaming through the window, a vase placed precisely in the right spot, holding a bouquet of fresh flowers; on either side hung oil paintings depicting sparse, elegant forests and lush green fields…

Anthony suddenly felt this was exactly what he wanted.

Peng Deng showed several more images, each similar in style to the first, and each seemed to perfectly match Anthony’s needs.

He had truly grasped the image I secretly desired—just from the phone description and our face-to-face conversation? Is this a bit… unusual? Anthony didn’t respond immediately, but continued discussing with Peng Deng how to integrate those images into a cohesive whole and how the designer’s fees would be structured.

After more conversation, Anthony stood up and said:

“I’ll think about it.”

“Understood.” Peng Deng didn’t press further, escorting Anthony to the company entrance.

Anthony descended the stairs, crossed the street, and passed by the café where Jianna and Ludwig sat.

When their eyes met through the glass window, Anthony gave a slight nod.

Then he walked straight toward the rented gray sedan.

Jianna turned her gaze back and watched Ludwig eat.

According to their prior agreement, she didn’t need to guess—she instantly understood what Anthony’s nod meant:

I’ve met Peng Deng, made contact. Now I’ll isolate myself until tomorrow morning to see if anything abnormal occurs.

…………

Technology Tower, Indus Group, Administrative Department.

After a period of busyness, Rosan began slacking off.

She picked up her phone and sent a message to “True Sleeve Sword”:

“Should I hint to Zhou Mingrui about his own uniqueness?”

Franca, seated in the desk ahead and to Rosan’s side, hesitated before replying:

“Not yet.”

“Wait until one day neither I nor my companions can act—then you do it.”

Franca feared that if Rosan hinted too deeply, she too might encounter abnormalities—our group gets kicked out of the dream, but the dream characters might die on the spot, or get hit and run over by a bus on their way home.

She preferred Rosan to remain her assistant, helping her subtly guide Zhou Mingrui.

Rosan was about to say more when Deputy Director Zhang Qing stepped out of his office, clapped his hands, and said:

“Master Huang will be coming soon, to continue touring the company with last time’s VIP…”

A flurry of sounds erupted as many employees pulled out their makeup kits and mirrors.

Last time’s VIP? Franca asked Rosan via phone:

“Is it Zarathustra?”

“Probably—he’s the only VIP lately, involved in some subsidiary integrations, mergers, and a big deal.” Rosan replied quickly, “What should we do next?”

She meant: Should we let Zarathustra meet Zhou Mingrui?

Didn’t Lumian report Zarathustra yesterday? The police had no evidence and couldn’t restrict the foreign guest’s freedom? Zarathustra visited Zhou Mingrui’s tutoring center yesterday—why is he here at the company today? What’s he planning? Oh, Lumian was right—being passive invites trouble; better to eliminate threats proactively… Franca stared at her phone, thoughts racing.

After nearly a minute, she replied to Rosan:

“Don’t rush—I’ll assess the situation first. You just assist me.”

“Don’t worry—there are so many people watching. Zarathustra won’t dare do anything.”

If all else fails, I’ll risk my job and pour a cup of water down Zarathustra’s or Master Huang’s pants!

Seeing that Luo Fu wasn’t taking off her glasses or applying makeup, nearby employees withdrew their glances and relaxed, focusing on their own tasks.

Soon after, a group message announced Master Huang’s itinerary:

“Master Huang and the VIP have reached the 16th floor!”

Technology Tower, 16th floor.

Huang Tao, dressed casually, sat with Zarathustra, who wore formal attire, in a room filled with classical artifacts, and opened a bottle of Olmire red wine.

“You said you bought a very peculiar mirror?” Huang Tao resumed their previous topic.

Zarathustra smiled:

“Yes—it possesses a magic that lets us see our inner selves.”

As he spoke, the old man’s deep blue eyes, nearly black, flickered slightly as he pulled from his suit pocket a small, classical, luxurious mirror inlaid with gemstones.

At this moment, his and Huang Tao’s attendants had been left outside the room, with only a few security guards stationed at the door, not approaching them.

“Look—I see myself like this in the mirror.” Zarathustra held the mirror before his face.

Huang Tao leaned in and saw, reflected in the mirror, not the old man, but a thirty-something man with jet-black hair and ordinary features.

Could this be some kind of AI-powered tech mirror? Huang Tao muttered to himself, interpreting it by his own experience.

“Would you like to try?” Zarathustra asked him.

“Sure.” Huang Tao took the mirror with interest, quietly checking for hidden switches or the mirror’s material.

He found nothing unusual, then, puzzled, brought the mirror to his face.

He immediately saw his reflection.

It was nothing like he imagined.

In the mirror was a woman, wearing a magnificent golden crown, with chestnut, slightly curled long hair, bright blue eyes, a high nose bridge, thin lips, a seductive beauty, and an indescribable charm.

Huang Tao froze, as if seeing his own anima.

…………

Lumian, now on the afternoon shift, only needed to arrive at the company before 4:30 p.m.

Since last night, he had used the Mirror World to infiltrate a hospital named “Red Moon,” where Li Keji was currently detained.

(End of Chapter)