Chapter 18: Night of Fateful Encounters

Night, 8:15.

Xiao Yu entered the Criminal Investigation Team’s interrogation room and frowned at the middle-aged man shackled to an interrogation chair.

Liu Shu, male, 37, owner of XX Factory… the suspect!

Apprehending him had been effortless, without any drama.

The man had not resisted at all, nor made any move to escape.

It was as if he already knew the police would come for him.

“You want to see me?”

Standing before Liu Shu, Xiao Yu spoke in a cold tone.

“Yes.”

Liu Shu maintained a remarkably calm expression, curiously appraising Xiao Yu. “Trainee… officer?”

Xiao Yu replied coolly, “You know your rank?”

“Yes.”

Liu Shu nodded. “I once attended the police academy, but due to certain circumstances, I never became an officer. Perhaps even fate knew I wasn’t cut out for the job!”

I see!

No wonder his anti-surveillance techniques seemed familiar… Xiao Yu narrowed his eyes. “Why not run?”

“There’s no running away.”

Liu Shu smiled and shook his head. “When my plan was uncovered, I knew I was done for. I just didn’t expect the one catching me to be so young.”

“Not bad—you haven’t completely lost it,” Xiao Yu nodded.

What was he getting at?

“I’ve tried.”

Liu Shu gave a bitter smile and explained, “After all, it’s my wife of many years—I just couldn’t bring myself to hurt her!”

Xiao Yu’s expression grew complex as he took out a pack of cigarettes.

In his past life, he was a heavy smoker.

But this life, he hadn’t a single drag.

Xiao Yu opened the pack, took one cigarette for himself and another for Liu Shu, and lit them with his lighter.

“Thank you.”

Liu Shu took a drag and nodded.

Squinting his eyes, he savored the taste of tobacco.

“Cough, cough!” Xiao Yu choked.

In this life, his body was feeling cigarette smoke for the first time and couldn’t quite handle it.

Yet he kept on slowly smoking, gradually embracing the taste and rediscovering feelings from his past life.

He smoked cautiously, fearing he might get lightheaded…

“Was it worth it?” Xiao Yu finally asked.

“I have lingering regrets!”

Liu Shu spat out his cigarette butt. “What can you do, man.”

“You won’t regret it, will you?”

Xiao Yu met Liu Shu’s gaze. “You know the consequences?”

Liu Shu nodded and gave a small smile. “Yes.”

“I’ll help secure some personal assets for your parents and child.”

Xiao Yu replied coolly, “Your wife isn’t getting any of it.”

An unfaithful woman expecting to claim her husband’s fortune?

Not a chance!

“Thanks,” Liu Shu’s eyes brightened.

“You didn’t escape—it’s what you deserved,” Xiao Yu shook his head.

He knew full well that with Liu Shu’s limited intellect, a quick capture was unlikely.

It’d be nearly impossible to apprehend him swiftly.

The Criminal Investigation Team wouldn’t be able to close the case, and his mission would remain incomplete.

Even if a breakthrough came later, it would mean little…

“Is there anything else you want to say?”

As a police officer, Xiao Yu would never sympathize with a criminal.

No matter how many reasons there may be, they can never justify a crime.

No one is exempt, not even him.

Once you commit a crime, you must be punished.

Otherwise, why be a cop?

“Nothing more.”

Liu Shu spat out his cigarette butt. “The only regret I have is for my child and parents.”

Xiao Yu turned and left…

Stepping out of the interrogation room.

Outside in the hall, police officers wore cheerful expressions.

The weight in his heart eased, and a smile crept onto Xiao Yu’s face.

The team chief approached, extending his hand with a hearty slap on Xiao Yu’s shoulder.

“I filed your report.”

Zhao Changshan laughed, “Outstanding performance and contribution—your promotion is guaranteed, maybe within a week your official position will be approved. As for landing a third-class merit, it depends on appearances. But at a minimum, you’ll receive an internal honor medal. How’s that?”

Xiao Yu couldn’t help but laugh at the team chief’s straightforward way of winning over his subordinates.

One could see he was a no-nonsense, earnest man.

Straightforward and unpretentious!

Working under someone like that was a pleasure—no gimmicks involved.

Three deputy chiefs, an instructor, and a group of future colleagues all offered their congratulations.

Meanwhile, four trainee officers forced smiles that looked more like wry grins.

Envy and jealousy were feigned.

They all started the internship together, so why was he so damn impressive?

Oh well, as long as a case is cracked—especially a murder case—it’s all good…

Once the case was closed, Xiao Yu’s future work on it would be minimal.

The rewards from above wouldn’t be given until the case was completely wrapped up.

Still, the Criminal Investigation Team granted Xiao Yu a reward.

Three days off!

Xiao Yu felt a surge of excitement.

No one knew better than a cop how rare a vacation was.

In the dead of night, even a single phone call meant you had to jump out of bed and report for duty.

Forget leaving early—overtime could kill you.

Pulling all-nighters to crack cases was the norm.

And you still want time off?

Wake up—daydreaming like that won’t get you anywhere!

……

【Ding! Congratulations, host, on cracking the Storage Room murder case!】

【Reward: Skill – Falcon’s Eye!】

Just as Xiao Yu stepped out of the Criminal Investigation Team’s gate, he paused.

His eyes suddenly looked different, as if a brilliant light shimmered within them.

It flashed by in an instant…

Xiao Yu realized that his vision felt unlike before.

The world he saw had changed.

He could see further, picking up on more details in his field of vision.

Even moving objects appeared to slow down in his eyes.

Finally, Xiao Yu understood the difference between the system’s granted ability and a skill.

An ability affects the body directly.

A skill, however, can be toggled on or off at will.

With a blink, ‘Falcon’s Eye’ was turned off.

Xiao Yu smiled broadly.

Clouds parted, the moon shone, illuminating thousands of miles.

Bathed in moonlight, he walked the path back home…