Chapter 88: Redundant Father

One day later.

In Ling Chang City, a black business car of the Federal Weird Investigation Bureau drove into the municipal Public Security Bureau compound.

The car door opened, and Wang Zhangzhi was the first to step out; even in civilian clothes, his military aura could not be concealed.

Local senior Public Security officials had been waiting for a long time, greeting him warmly with handshakes and small talk, bowing extremely low.

Wang Zhangzhi said no unnecessary words, briefly explained his purpose, and the other side immediately nodded and bowed, not only freeing an entire floor as a temporary command post but also promising full cooperation—people for people, equipment for equipment.

That is the privilege of the Federal Weird Investigation Bureau.

In the newly assigned office, everyone began to settle in.

Youling flopped onto his chair, pulled out his prized laptop, and his fingers clacked on the keyboard, muttering, "What a crappy intranet, I have to set up my own proxy server myself—wasting my life..."

Wang Zhangzhi then methodically instructed several special police captains on the matters at hand.

Jiang Yuan, as a newcomer, stood awkwardly to the side, feeling like an unnecessary decoration.

At that moment, a light‑footed figure hurried over.

"Jiang, Yuan~"

Jiang Yuan was startled, turned his head to look.

It was the petite woman from the Smiling Dummy task force.

"Haven't introduced yourself yet? I'm Mo Shu, delighted to be your partner on this mission!" She extended her hand, smiling with two shallow dimples, lively as a little sparrow.

"I'm honored as well. Mo, Mo Shu... sister," Jiang Yuan said somewhat formally, shaking her hand.

"I've read your file!" Mo Shu's eyes sparkled as if she'd discovered a new continent, "They say you can cut flying mosquitoes with a Poker Card! Really? That's so cool!"

Jiang Yuan felt a bit embarrassed by her unabashed admiration, scratched his head, and said, "Um, it's just that my hand is steadier, nothing remarkable."

"That's not a big deal?!" Mo Shu exclaimed exaggeratedly, "It's like a master from a wuxia novel! Look at Youling—he only pokes the keyboard with his fingers, nowhere near your coolness!"

From not far away, Youling didn't lift his head, lazily replying, "I can hack a Federal Bank account by poking the keyboard; let him try cutting a safe with a Poker Card and I'll watch."

Mo Shu made a funny face at him, then turned back to Jiang Yuan in a low voice, "Ignore him; that's just his style, his mouth is poisonous. You're really impressive!"

The girl's crisp voice and sincere eyes dispelled most of Jiang Yuan's newcomer nervousness, replacing it with a satisfying sense of recognition.

He straightened his chest.

At dusk.

The mission officially began.

Wang Zhangzhi, Jiang Yuan, and Mo Shu arrived outside the residential complex where the target was located.

Youling stayed at the command center, handling remote technical support.

At this time, Wang Zhangzhi was stationed in a command vehicle outside the complex, coordinating surrounding deployments with a large contingent of special police.

Jiang Yuan and Mo Shu, as the advance team, entered the complex where the target Li Mo resided.

"Ling Shui Garden".

A name that sounds very poetic.

The area around the complex was not very bustling; there were unfinished constructions and the commercial district hadn't developed yet.

But stepping through the gate, a strong scent of everyday life hit you.

The sunset's afterglow bathed everything in a warm golden hue.

Children's laughing chase, a few aunties pushing strollers chatting about family matters, and not far away on an open space, a group of silver‑haired elders followed the "one two three four" beat from a tape recorder, performing their afternoon exercises methodically.

The air was filled with the aroma of food.

Jiang Yuan inhaled deeply, gazing at the tranquil scene, and felt a strong impulse rise within him.

He clenched his fist.

No matter what, he must protect this everyday life that ordinary people can reach.

Following the address Youling gave, the two quickly found Building 6, Unit 2.

They took the elevator to the 18th floor and arrived at the door of Room 1802.

Jiang Yuan and Mo Shu exchanged a glance; she gave him an encouraging look.

Jiang Yuan straightened his clothes, raised his hand, and knocked on the door.

Dong, dong, dong.

"Who is it?" a middle‑aged woman's voice called from inside.

"Hello, we are from the community mental health center, here to conduct a simple resident survey," Mo Shu replied with her sweet, non‑aggressive voice.

The door was opened quickly.

The one opening the door was a kindly‑looking middle‑aged auntie; she scanned them from head to toe and immediately showed a warm smile.

"Oh, it's the community folks, please come in, please come in! Thank you for your effort!"

Jiang Yuan and Mo Shu stepped into Li Mo's home.

The house was small but tidy and bright, very cozy.

A young man wearing black‑rimmed glasses, looking sharp, sat on the sofa playing on his phone—presumably Li Mo.

Another slightly plump middle‑aged man peeked out from the kitchen, smiling and nodding at them.

"Sit down, sit down, don't stand!" Li Mo's mother hurried, "Jianguo, stop being so busy, pour some water for the kids!"

The man named Li Jianguo immediately set aside his work and cheerfully went to fetch water.

This overly, somewhat unnatural enthusiasm made Jiang Yuan feel an indescribable awkwardness.

Conversely, Mo Shu was at ease, quickly chatting animatedly with Li Mo's mother.

After about five minutes of small talk, Mo Shu skillfully steered the conversation onto the right track.

She looked at Li Mo.

"... Actually there's another matter, Mr. Li. We've recently monitored online rumors about 'Fake Persons', and the earliest detailed description seems to have come from your account. This rumor has caused some social panic, so we'd like to learn more about the specifics,"

Hearing the word "Fake Person", Li Mo's expression clearly stiffened for a moment, but quickly returned to normal.

He smiled awkwardly.

"Hey, so that's what it is."

"I'm really sorry for causing you trouble. It was all made up by me, just because those weird story rumors are popular lately, I wanted to spin one to ride the wave, you know."

As he spoke, he apologetically spread his hands, "I never expected it to get this big… I'll post a clarification and apology on Weibo later."

His attitude was sincere.

At that moment, a lazy ghostly voice came through Jiang Yuan's earpiece.

"Captain, something's off."

"When this kid went berserk online, it wasn't an act. I ran his psychological model; based on his word frequency and syntax at the time, there's a 92.7% chance he's genuinely feeling that monsters have infiltrated his surroundings."

In the command vehicle, Wang Zhangzhi's voice sounded calmly: "Since that's the case, Ghost. Investigate Li Mo's current social circle. Jiang Yuan, Mo Shu, subtly ask him whether he's being threatened by something, or has any unspeakable secret."

Receiving the order, Mo Shu immediately understood.

She put on a concerned expression and asked softly, "Mr. Li, have you run into any trouble? Or… is there someone preventing you from speaking the truth?"

"Rest assured, we're professionals. If you can't reveal the facts in front of others, don't worry—we're different; we're actually here specifically to help you."

Li Mo's complexion changed instantly; he sprang to his feet, his voice growing louder.

"What nonsense are you spouting? I already said I made it up! There's no monster; are you guys from a prank show or what?!"

His reaction was so intense it seemed abnormal.

Li Mo's parents hurried over to smooth things over.

"Yeah, yeah, this kid just loves to blab online; we've told him many times."

"Comrades, don't listen to his nonsense, come, come, have some snacks, just bought."

Jiang Yuan wasn't good at refusing, so he half‑reluctantly took a piece of snack.

Listening to the family's confident words, even Wang Zhangzhi on the other end of the earpiece began to doubt, wondering if this time they really messed up a blunder.

However, the next second.

The Ghost's voice sounded again through the earpiece, this time without any laziness, only a tension that made the scalp tingle.

"Found it! Li Mo's family data......."

"The database shows… Li Mo's father, Li Jianguo, died in a car accident three years ago, with death certificate and cremation record."

"Li Mo now lives dependent on his mother!"

Boom!

Those words made Jiang Yuan's blood instantly solidify throughout his body.

His pupils contracted sharply; instinctively he lifted his head, calmly looking at the middle‑aged man who was carrying a plate of sliced apples out of the kitchen.

The man wore a kindly smile, greeting warmly.

"Comrades, here, also apples. Freshly sliced, still sweet."

Jiang Yuan stared at that smiling face, a chill shot from his tailbone straight to his Heavenly Spirit Cover, his hair stood on end.

Li Mo's father is dead.

And now......

The "father" currently bringing apples to everyone.

Who is he again?