"D*mn, this is cursed… nightmares every single night."
Kane was now sitting alone in a room, waiting for Jia Weixuan to take his statement. He'd already rehearsed what to say and felt perfectly calm.
"Whew, sorry to keep you waiting. That Alan fellow seems… mentally unwell. Won't say a word." Jia Weixuan walked in, brow furrowed and clearly in a bad mood, but he forced a pleasant smile for Kane. "Don't worry, you've been a big help. We confirmed with the landlord—you're just a tenant. Cooperate with us on the details, and you're free to go."
"Oh, that's easy enough," Kane chuckled, his opportunistic nature surfacing. "But honestly, I haven't eaten in ages. Heard you guys offer free boxed meals? Mind grabbing me two?"
"Say, this case has dragged on so long, forget the commendation banners… but is the reward money still up for grabs?"
"Uh… haha, hungry, huh? That's no problem," Jia Weixuan replied, his eye twitching involuntarily. *This guy's mental wiring is something else. Just went through that ordeal, and all he's thinking about is scamming free meals…*
"There *is* a reward, but only after we close the case. That depends on Alan's cooperation."
Less than two minutes later, an officer brought in two boxed meals and handed them to Kane. Kane immediately opened one and started eating, stuffing the other into his bag right in front of Jia. The officer stared, dumbfounded. *D*mn, packing a to-go meal from the station? This guy's definitely got screws loose.*
Kane shoveled food while answering questions for the record. By the time he finished one box, the officer was pretty much done too.
"Hmm… thanks for your cooperation. We've got what we need for now. Someone will see you out shortly." Jia Weixuan scanned the notes, his frown deepening. Despite Alan's capture, the questions were multiplying.
"Captain Jia! The large number of photos recovered from Alan's place have been sorted. Ready for your review." A young officer suddenly appeared at the door.
"Understood. Next time, remember not to discuss sensitive matters in front of outsiders," Jia Weixuan said curtly, giving Kane a polite nod before hurrying out. Kane's eyes narrowed.
"Large number of photos? Not in his bedroom or computer room… Was it behind that third door?" Kane recalled the eerie footsteps, seeming to beckon him inside. But he wasn't the recklessly curious type and hadn't taken the risk.
*Was the female ghost trying to lure me to see those photos? Why?*
Just as the thought crossed his mind, the young officer knocked and entered to escort him out.
"You can head home and wait for updates. We'll contact you when there's progress regarding the reward and commendation."
"Ah, no need, no need. Skip the banners, could you just cash them out with the reward money?" Kane asked with shameless audacity. The young officer gave an awkward laugh, unsure how to respond.
*Click-clack, click-clack.*
As Kane was being ushered out the door, the sharp staccato of high heels echoed down the hall. A familiar figure approached, radiating anxiety.
"Su Xueqing?"
Kane paused, surprised. Su Xueqing saw him and glared, her eyes burning with unmistakable resentment. Kane was taken aback for a second, then relaxed. *Ah… Alan was her only family. And I'm the one who turned him in. Hmm… But how does she even know?*
They passed each other. She just glared, wasting no further time on him.
"Alright, Mr. Kane, here are your belongings." The young officer handed him a large bag containing his personal items: his Peachwood Sword, several packets of salt, and the bloodstained lace apron.
"Ahem… Everything's been cleared. Sorry for the inconvenience," the officer said, clearly struggling not to laugh. *First time seeing someone this bizarre.* Kane shrugged, thanked him, hailed a cab, and headed straight back to his agency. Only one thing was on his mind: collecting his reward. Two tasks combined meant 15,000 yuan! Since crossing into this world, this was the first time his savings would crack five figures—he'd never even hit four before.
The twenty-minute ride flew by. Kane rushed upstairs and booted up his computer to check the app.
"What? How is this possible?!" Excitement turned to dismay. Neither of the two tasks showed as complete.
*Where did I go wrong?*
**[Nightmare Quest: Love, The Cruelest Devil in the World]**
**[Progress: 20%]**
**[Special Quest: Snowsoft Flower - Uncover the Truth Hidden Within Creekview Apartments & Resolve Eve's Lingering Grudge]**
**[Progress: -10%]**
"Seriously?! Negative?! What the hell is this crap?!" Kane was stunned. He vented his frustration, then sat back in his chair, forcing himself to think calmly.
*The Nightmare Quest isn't complete… meaning I haven't found the whole truth. But the 20% means I did something right!* Kane massaged his temples, genuinely unused to this kind of mental labor.
*So… Alan isn't the killer, but he's definitely involved! But why did the Special Quest go negative?*
He pondered for a long time but made no headway. Sighing, he stood up, ready to head out again.
*Su Xueqing is the only lead now. Thinking back, she really was suspicious.*
*The authorities didn't release news of Alan's arrest. It's only been a few hours—it shouldn't have spread yet, certainly not fast enough to reach her ears.*
A pattern started forming in Kane's mind. He frowned, the pieces feeling increasingly wrong.
*And that glare… Why? How did she know I was the one who reported him?*
Kane's heart lurched. A cold sweat broke out.
*She was monitoring Alan!*
The more he thought about it, the more it made sense. It was the only explanation for how she got the news so fast. The questions were *why* she was watching, and *how*.
*Whew… I need to check this out.*
Kane prepped thoroughly again. Backpack secured, apron tied on, he hailed another cab back to Creekview Apartments.
"Hey! Officer Kane! You're back?" Jake, who'd been relaxing in his shed, hurried over, having seen Kane arrive in a police car. His belief in Kane's official status was now rock-solid.
Seeing his cover was still intact, Kane decided to milk it. "Yeah, some loose ends to tie up. Say, are there surveillance cameras in the residential building?"
"Cameras? Only in the main lobby and the elevator areas, I think…" Jake scratched his head, seeming unsure. Kane didn't have time to waste. He had Jake take him to check the locations immediately.
"No cameras! And the ones that *are* here don't cover this corridor! How was she monitoring him?" A growing sense of unease, bordering on dread, settled over Kane. Standing now outside apartment 1303, he realized the bone-deep chill was gone. The supernatural presence had vanished!
*No way…*
A suspicion formed, but Kane hesitated to jump to conclusions. He turned to the puzzled Jake, a thought occurring to him. A grin spread across his face—the smile of a born con artist.
"Comrade Jiang, I need your help." Kane adopted a grave expression, deepening the atmosphere.
"Huh? What is it?" Oblivious to the unpaid labor trap being set, Jake looked on earnestly.
"This mission carries significant risk. You're free to decline. No pressure." Kane laid out the danger first, offering a choice. Predictably, Jake's expression turned hesitant. Safety was paramount to anyone; helping within reason was already commendable.
"It's just… an innocent man's freedom hangs in the balance! As does bringing a dangerous criminal to justice!" Kane switched gears, selling the noble cause with a look of tragic resolve.
"I could try alone. My safety doesn't matter. But… poor, lovesick Alan, wrongfully imprisoned? While the real culprit walks free in the sunlight? What injustice!" Kane's speech was impassioned. Jake's face lit up with admiration, clearly moved by Kane's apparent nobility!
"You mean… Alan might be innocent?! Then why arrest him?!" Jake's concern for Alan was instantly hooked.
"Ah, it's only just dawned on me. He's already in custody. Proving his innocence requires evidence! Besides…" Kane now wore an expression of deep regret, tinged with apology. "I'm not actually a Plainclothes Officer. Just someone trying their best to bring some justice and peace. I lied earlier to use your kindness to uncover the truth."
Kane proactively revealed the lie, preempting discovery. As he predicted, Jake's focus wasn't on the deception. He seemed even more impressed by Kane's "character."
"Please! I admire heroes like you! Even if it's thankless, it's worthy of respect!" Jake was starstruck. If Kane were really an officer, it might just be duty. But he was an ordinary person, risking himself for others! That made it truly noble!
"Tell me what you need! I'll do my absolute best to help!"
"Heh, simple. Just stick with me, follow my lead, and keep us safe." Kane's scheme succeeded—he'd just scored a powerful bodyguard for free! His grin widened like a blooming chrysanthemum.
"And don't call me a hero. What heroes? Just ordinary people who step up when needed."
Jake, overwhelmed by the idea of Kane's selfless dedication and willingness to face danger for others, shook his hand fervently, utterly convinced.