Chapter 52: 52

Chapter 52: Replacement

The man examined Zhong Chengshuo for a few seconds.

After looking back, the man couldn’t help laughing. “Dr. Sun, the task given by your parents is heavy enough. Do you have to line up for a blind date as well?”

“I’m not here for a date. I’m just here to have a cup of coffee with Dr. Sun.” Zhong Chengshuo corrected him seriously.

Sun Qi’an: “……”

Sun Qi’an: “Mr. Bai, don’t mind. This is my friend. We have a counseling appointment at eight.“

She especially aggravated the “eight”.

“Counseling.” After harping on that word for a second, Mr. Bai looked back at Zhong Chengshuo. This time, his gaze was normal, and he quickly moved away.

Zhong Chengshuo looked at him calmly.

Mr. Bai seemed to be in his thirties. He had a handsome and elegant face, dressed in casual, but tasteful attire. Zhong Chengshuo recalled his blind date tragedy a while back—obviously the quality of Dr. Sun’s blind date was several grades higher than his.

“It’s not a formal counseling session. Just a casual chat between friends,” Sun Qi’an explained softly.

Mr. Bai smiled understandingly. “There’s no need to explain between us. Business matters are important. Since he’s here, why don’t you just begin. How long will it take?”

“About twenty minutes.” Dr. Sun tucked her hair back on one side.

“Alright, I’ll go for a walk.” Mr. Bai stood up. “I’ll come back and pick you up in half an hour, and then we can continue.”

Sun Qi’an breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you.”

Zhong Chengshuo sat down in the place where Mr. Bai was and watched as Mr. Bai left the café.

“Did I interrupt?” he asked directly.

Sun Qi’an looked at him with a smile. “No. It was just a blind date introduced by someone else. It just so happens that neither of us has any intention, so we were planning to talk about something else.”

Zhong Chengshuo nodded. He ordered two glasses of ice mochas and then sat down in a regular manner, with a gesture like he was waiting for an interrogation.

“Regarding your abnormality around Yin Ren, let’s continue to talk about the topic this morning… I haven’t touched these things in a while, so I’ll talk to you as a ‘friend’ today.”

Sun Qi’an wore a dark green suspender skirt and a long-sleeved, airy blouse, which looked soft and elegant. It was just when she was concentrating, her eyes were like awls, breaking through the “soft” thin shell.

“The first thing I want to determine is, does your tachycardia and elevated body temperature make you uncomfortable? For example, is it accompanied by fear, resistance, or other feelings?”

Zhong Chengshuo shook his head bluntly.

“So, if you can use one word to summarize your state, what word would you choose?”

Zhong Chengshuo thought for a moment, then replied, “Excited.”

To say that he and Yin Ren had several confrontations, this word should be able to summarize it.

“Well, from my personal point of view, your feelings for Xiao Yin shouldn’t be negative.”

Sun Qi’an didn’t show any weird expressions as she continued solemnly.

“We had dinner together. I can see that Xiao Yin’s personality is quite complementary to yours. Have you always admired this kind of cheerful and caring personality?”

Zhong Chengshuo: “No.”

His attitude was quite straightforward. It was obvious he had thought about this similar issue.

“I know that his character has many merits, but I have been in contact with a lot of such people, and I have never had any similar heart palpitation. As for other aspects… Yin Ren is indeed, um, a capable worker.”

For example, being able to release his killing intent.

Like always, Zhong Chengshuo wanted to continue to explain and dissect in detail. However, he was distressed to find that after counting the bits and pieces of their time together, he actually had nothing he could take out to specifically ask about.

He was left with nothing but unexplained feelings—the monstrous killing intent behind the door made him numb, and the frozen raindrops under the streetlamps made him hold his breath. Sometimes that person would lean over, and with just a simple touch, would cause his heart to struggle endlessly as if it were clenched tightly.

Zhong Chengshuo was miserably stuck.

How could he describe this feeling that he felt for the first time?

Zhong Chengshuo slowly frowned as he muttered to himself, “…I don’t know.”

He clenched his hands tightly, causing his knuckles to turn white.

“I don’t know.” After a long time, Zhong Chengshuo finally spoke again.

“I see. You’re trying to prove that Xiao Yin is special.” Sun Qi’an took a sip of her coffee. “At least to you, he’s special.”

“But this is not reasonable.” Zhong Chengshuo looked at the coffee stains on the table. “Everything should have a reason and explanation. Could it be that my research direction is wrong?”

Sun Qi’an almost choked on a mouthful of coffee. She understood; this person was more suitable for throwing a bomb on time, rather than caring if it reached the end.

“As far as I know, some people can like someone just by the way they smooth the pages of a book, and some people will dislike someone because of the contradiction of not putting down the toilet seat. There’s not so much logic in sensibility, and it’s just a momentary feeling.”

“You’re not the only one who can’t find the reason. Zhong Chengshuo, you are just moved by him.”

Zhong Chengshuo quietly gazed at Sun Qi’an.

This time, he didn’t deny it, and he didn’t know how to continue to deny it.

Zhong Chengshuo’s fingers twirled, as if he wanted to grab something and then slowly let it go.

“Of course, people will change, and their feelings will change them, not to mention the level of ‘heartbeat’. How to deal with these feelings next depends on your own thoughts—whether you want to move on or stop here. The latter solution, you can understand without me telling you.”

Seeing that he hadn’t spoken for a while, Sun Qi’an continued thoughtfully.

Zhong Chengshuo really understood. As small as changing residence, as big as applying for a partner switch, he had countless ways to reduce contact with Yin Ren.

But instead of attracting Shian’s attention, he let Yin Ren, an unidentified existence, wander around…

“I can take the risk of ‘liking him’,” he replied.

That’s it. It turns out it was ‘like’.

Zhong Chengshuo was relieved. Unfathomable reassurance and nervousness converged. What he was afraid of was the unknown. Since he was embracing this common positive emotion, he could study it with confidence.

Although it was fresh and sweet, it was nothing more than some hormones, physiological impulses, and stray thoughts that didn’t sound like a trick from the enemy. The excitement of discovering a new goal reappeared, raging even higher than before.

“Thank you for your help.” Zhong Chengshuo calmly added, “I’ll handle it properly.”

Zhong Chengshuo’s tone was mixed with relief, confidence, and ease. Compared to “understanding his own heart”, his tone was more like “just learned how to catch birds”.

Sun Qi’an cast a pitying look at Zhong Chengshuo and waved her hand wearily. “Another iced mocha with sugar. Are you sure you don’t want me to refer you to a psychiatrist?”

“No need.”

“…Okay.” Sun Qi’an smiled reluctantly.

Not far from the door.

Yin Ren was standing in line at a milk tea store with Ge Tingting.

Lord Ghost King was able to hold back his need for gossip and didn’t eavesdrop as he did last time, but there was a famous milk tea shop nearby and he had nothing better to do. Since he was so close, he could clearly smell Zhong Chengshuo.

Zhong Chengshuo and Sun Qi’an were sitting by the window. He and Ge Tingting were lined up, and he could see them with a tilt of his head.

It seemed that they were having a good conversation.

Yin Ren moved his gaze back to the menu, looking at two tempting red drinks on the stand-up advertising sign of the milk tea shop. A very cute and pink font was printed under the drink—”New on the market! Sweet rose tea for your favorite TA”.

“One passion fruit smoothie with less sugar, and one caramel pearl milk tea with ice and regular sugar.” When it was Yin Ren’s turn, he ordered skillfully. “Two sweet rose tea, half sugar, at room temperature. Please pack them together.”

The waiter tapped on the screen and gave him an embarrassed look. “Sir, I’m really sorry. We’re sold out of the rose tea.”

Yin Ren was startled. “Then do you have any drinks suitable for couples here?”

“This…”

“Do you want mine? I’ll give them to you.” A man standing at the side of the store laughed. “I just finished ordering two of them.”

Yin Ren smiled at the man. “Thank you. Let me order two other drinks for you.”

The man came over with a smile. He didn’t order any more but instead looked at Yin Ren for a while. Seeing the strange man approach, Ge Tingting moved two steps back and hid herself behind Yin Ren.

“This is my business card.” With gleaming eyes, he handed Yin Ren a business card with both hands. “Sorry, it’s a bit sudden—your image is very good. Will you consider cooperating with us?”

Yin Ren lowered his head and glanced at the business card.

[Bai Yongji, Head of New Media Center, Coral Reef (Group) Co., Ltd.,]

So that’s it. His job was similar to Lin Bei’s.

Lord Ghost King naturally didn’t want to expose himself to the public and engage in this cooperation, but since this person had helped him, he took out his phone and added the other party’s WeChat, then stuffed his business card into his pocket.

Bai Yongji immediately accepted, and Yin Ren transferred the money for the two milk teas.

“Thank you,” Yin Ren thanked again.

“If it weren’t for my appointment, we could have a cup of coffee and talk about cooperation.”

Bai Yongji smiled softly. He glanced at the time, nodded to Yin Ren, and walked to the café next door.

“Let’s talk again when we have time.”

Yin Ren: “Hey, Mr. Bai, wait a minute. Since you’re such a gentleman, won’t you do me another favor?”

Mr. Bai turned back in confusion.

“These two drinks, can you deliver them to my friend?” Yin Ren pointed at Zhong Chengshuo and Sun Qi’an by the window. “He’s on a date with a girl today, and I want to help him.”

“Haha!” Bai Yongji laughed out loud on the spot.

……

Five minutes later, Yin Ren and Zhong Chengshuo met in the café.

Bai Yongji explained the situation in a few words, then drove Sun Qi’an home. Before leaving, the two of them had a good laugh together, leaving behind a certain embarrassed Evil Spirit.

“It turns out it was just a private matter.” Yin Ren buried his face in the palm of his hand. “I still wanted to help you…”

Naturally, the two rose milk teas weren’t delivered. They lay quietly in the bag, with a layer of mist condensing outside.

“Forget it. Since it’s already bought, let’s just drink it.” Yin Ren took out a cup of rose tea and pushed it toward Zhong Chengshuo.

Zhong Chengshuo didn’t refuse. He looked around and said, “What about Ge Tingting? Mr. Bai said you came with her.”

“I asked her to go back first. At any rate, this matter concerns your privacy. Okay, let’s go home together.”

“Nn.”

The door of the café opened and closed, isolating the air conditioning. The two of them were instantly wrapped in warm air. The sunset was brilliant, casting its dimming light on the signboard of the café, making it red and orange. The original refreshing color had a bit more warmth to it.

“Yin Ren.” Zhong Chengshuo stopped.

“What?” Yin Ren also stopped as he put a straw into his rose tea.

Zhong Chengshuo suddenly approached and gave him a hug.

This hug lasted only for two seconds; a standard and polite hug. If this was between old friends with a cheerful personality, it wasn’t uncommon, but this was done by Zhong Chengshuo, which meant it suddenly had a more frightening implication.

Yin Ren turned stiff like a coffin board and almost made a combat gesture.

“Thank you for trying to help me out.”

Zhong Chengshuo found a perfect explanation for his behavior.

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Sun Qi’an raised the hypothesis, and this was the last step in his proof—Yin Ren’s long hair ran across his palm and his smell lingered at the end of his nose. With just a simple hug, the touch and body temperature of the other person made his heart flutter. Under the sunset, the back of Zhong Chengshuo’s neck and his ears were burning.

His heartbeat was so fast it almost broke his eardrum, but there was no confusion in his thinking.

Stimulation and relaxation mixed together, and there was a subtle sense of healing. For the first time since July 24, Zhong Chengshuo had never felt so at ease.

He had already determined this goal called “good feeling”. Research, control, and elimination had always been what “King Yama” was best at. However, Zhong Chengshuo felt a bit of regret—it would be great if this good feeling had an entity. When the research was completed, the problem could be solved by the Evil Fruit.

How long could this affection survive? Even he was a bit curious.

After letting go of Yin Ren, Zhong Chengshuo took a sip of his rose tea. The taste of flowers rushed into his nose, and the sweetness and coldness were perfect. He knew that if there wasn’t the cover of the sunset, his face and this tea would probably be the same color.

Comrade Xiao Zhong had figured it out, but his stress was almost immediately transferred to another person.

The cup Yin Ren was holding almost slipped from his hand. He was in a daze for a full few seconds before he said, “You’re welcome.”

While Zhong Chengshuo was walking, Lord Ghost King quickly clicked on Dr. Sun’s WeChat.

[Fruit Knife: Did Zhong Chengshuo say he had a terminal illness?!?!]

[Show Me Your Heart: …What’s wrong with him?]

[Fruit Knife: Something is wrong with him, but I can’t tell.]

[Show Me Your Heart: ……]

[Show Me Your Heart: It’s okay. He’s not going to die. ]

…Okay. Since the doctor said this… Yin Ren glanced at Zhong Chengshuo worriedly and put down his phone.

“I still want to go to the ghost market tonight.” He pretended that nothing happened.

“Nn.” Zhong Chengshuo responded absentmindedly.

“I’m going to the ghost market alone.”

“Nn.”

“Do you know ‘King Yama’ of the Nightwalkers?”

‘Nn.”

“Really? Who is it?”

“…No, I don’t know.”

……

At night, while Zhong Chengshuo was locked inside his bedroom, Yin Ren secretly took out a cabbage from the refrigerator.

“Aren’t you going to the ghost market? Are you going to set up a stall over there to sell cabbage?” Hu Tao’s face was full of suspicion.

Yin Ren didn’t answer. He cut the roots off the cabbage and put the leaves back in the refrigerator.

Immediately after, he pinched the blooming cabbage and began to forcibly pour evil qi into it. The evil qi quickly disintegrated, and strong evil qi quickly gathered in the cabbage. The white cabbage quickly turned black and shriveled, with its tips protruding from the flat incision looking like a dead man’s finger.

Soon, the cabbage turned into a ball of dried buds.

Hu Tao: “…Unwanted evil qi can be given to me, who’s in need. This is too wasteful!”

“This is called evil grass, which can be used to adjust medicine.” Yin Ren explained absentmindedly. “After the evil qi is washed away repeatedly, the plant will become like this.”

The evil grass that changed from the cabbage was put into cling film. It was neither rare nor common. Yin Ren planned to give this as a gift to Xiao Mengpo, as a way to make amends.

“I’m going to the ghost market,” Lord Ghost King said dreamily. “Keep an eye on Lu Tanfei. Don’t let him run around… I’m going to find clues for the case.”

After speaking, he hurriedly ran to Zhong Chengshuo’s door.

“Zhong Ge, I’m going to the ghost market.”

“Okay.”

“I might buy something.”

“I see. Contact me if you have something urgent.”

Yin Ren: “……”

Yin Ren: “Okay, then I’m off now!”

Brother, aren’t you suspicious of me? Didn’t you want to stick to me closely? How long has it been and you’ve already given up halfway? If it wasn’t for Sun Qi’an’s lack of malice and evil qi, Yin Ren would have suspected that Sun Qi’an was a member of Sunken Society and somehow brainwashed Zhong Chengshuo while he wasn’t paying attention.

Zhong Chengshuo didn’t even come to send him off!

Facing the closed door, Yin Ren was speechless. He understood that it was more difficult to deal with a serious Zhong Chengshuo than a Zhong Chengshuo who he didn’t know what was going on in his head.

Unfortunately, if it weren’t for the limited time, he really wanted to stand still.

Yin Ren walked slowly to the entrance, but he couldn’t help it and went back to Zhong Chengshuo’s bedroom. “Are you going for a night run, or do you have any other work?”

Zhong Chengshuo answered smoothly, “I need to do some research, so I’ll run later at night.”

Yin Ren listened to the meditation music faintly coming from the bedroom in a daze.

……

Xiao Mengpo held the evil grass under her nose and sniffed fiercely.

It was superb and big and round in shape. The evil qi inside was extremely strong. She didn’t know where this kid got it.

“The quality is good, and the plant base is not bad.” Xiao Mengpo instantly forgave Yin Ren.

Yin Ren added lively, “Well, the foundation is made of good snow lotus flowers. I didn’t mean to snatch the chair away from you. I really need it for work…”

“Shian. I get it. It’s not your fault.” Xiao Mengpo stepped out of the shadows and sat under the plaque displaying “Practice Medicine to Save the World”. “You came here specifically this time… Is it to ask about the ‘rat eye goji berries?”

“Yes, elder sister. Look, is this the person who bought rat eye goji berries from you?”

Yin Ren brought up Lu Guangzu’s photo and showed it to Xiao Mengpo.

“Yes. You don’t need to show me. I know Lu Guangzu.” Xiao Mengpo knocked on her pipe. “This kid has bought many things from me, but he usually only buys blood tobacco before. Recently, he started buying some serious medicine.”

“In addition to plum roots and living teeth, did he buy anything special?”

“He did. I’ll write it down for you.” Xiao Mengpo blew a ring of smoke. “In the past, I wouldn’t give this kind of information, but that kid dragged the Nightwalkers under the police’s nose, so he needs to be taught a lesson.”

“That’s right.” Yin Ren smiled as he hugged his arms.

“In addition to this matter, I have two more things to ask elder sister—I want the login method to the Nightwalkers contact station, and I also want the address of the Lu family’s home.”

“Well, neither are troublesome matters. The price… just bring me another evil grass next time you come.”

Yin Ren reached out his finger and tapped Xiao Mengpo’s brows after the old lady finished her explanation.

“No problem. I’ll bring you what you ask for.”

In the surprised eyes of the old lady, Yin Ren was smiling slightly.

“But please also forget about these things.”

……

Yin Ren came out of the ghost market, rubbing his hands casually on his face.

He had shrunk his long hair short, and his facial features were kneaded flat. The temporarily grown skin piled under his clothes, making him look like an ordinary middle-aged man with a beer belly.

After taking advantage of the night to change his face, Yin Ren went straight to a small internet café.

“I forgot my ID card, and it’s urgent,” he said in a thick, panting voice.

A young man was working at the internet café’s front desk. He yawned and nodded casually at Yin Ren. “Forgot to bring your ID? 20 an hour.”

“Done.”

Yin Blade smiled gratefully.

He went to the corner of the Internet cafe, jerkily turned on the machine, and logged into the Nightwalkers’ website.

He recalled the internal information of Shian for a while, carefully typed on the keyboard, and pressed in his account credentials one by one. After the account was created, Yin Ren pondered for a while and successfully entered the online chat room of the Nightwalkers.

The aftermath of Lu Guangzu’s case was still there, and the Nightwalkers were still chatting with each other.

[BOOS Supreme Evil Emperor: It’s been a few days, and Shian hasn’t found shit.]

[BOOS Supreme Evil Emperor: If King Yama were willing to take action, it’s estimated that the investigation would have been completed a long time ago.]

[Xinxin Kennel: I heard that a victim was found, but I don’t know if it’s true or not. Apparently, it was at Lao Jiang’s auction.]

[Xinxin Kennel: If that is really a victim, things will be interesting.]

[BOOS Supreme Evil Emperor: Hahahaha, I heard that Shian sent two stupid newcomers, and they caused a big ruckus.]

[Favorite Sky: Shian actually came to my house, but it seems King Yama isn’t interested. He didn’t show up at all…]

Yin Ren rubbed his hands as his fingertips jumped quickly on the keyboard.

[yamagald: I’m interested.]

[Favorite Sky: ???]

[BOOS Supreme Evil Emperor: ????]

[Xinxin Kennel: ????]

[My Name is Little Red Riding Hood: No, this name is a little off.]

[BOOS Supreme Evil Emperor: Laughing to death. Who dares to use the name of King Yama?]

[yamagald: Shian is getting in my way again.]

[yamagald: I checked a bit on it. Lu Guangzu has been exposed to the production method of human fragrance and may have other plans.]

[yamagald: If anyone knows anything, tell Shian. Point them to the right direction to investigate.]

Old Dog Peng said that at the level of King Yama, as long as he say something, someone would be willing to give it. Sure enough, as soon as he finished typing, he got a warm response…

[BOOS Supreme Evil Emperor: I’m going! I will go tomorrow!]

Sure enough, the name King Yama was really good. Yin Ren smacked his lips in satisfaction.

According to Shian’s records, King Yama only appeared once a month at most. The person had just been active a while ago, so it shouldn’t be too soon…

[yamaglad:?]

[yamaglad: Human fragrance?]

Yin Blade’s satisfied smile froze on his face.

[BOOS Supreme Evil Emperor: ???????]

[yamaglad: Who are you?]

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