Chapter 205: Watching the Dreamer

By the time Lu Xin walked out of the Security Hall, he had already finished a bowl of red braised pork noodles and was prepared for the upcoming mission.

He’d not only learned as much as possible about Dream Weaver-type ability users but had also applied for two special bullets.

He was now a Level 3 operative and eligible to request such ammunition.

Through the crash course on Dream Weaver abilities, he understood why Influence-type users were difficult to handle: they rarely engaged in direct combat. Their uncanny, insidious abilities made them exceptionally terrifying; often, their victims would be tormented to death without ever knowing where their attacker was.

According to Special Cleaning Department regulations, Spider-types generally wouldn’t handle such cases alone because the matchup was too unfavorable.

Even if they accepted the case, they’d definitely be equipped with special bullets to mitigate the disadvantages.

Lu Xin being allowed to take this mission was likely related to the recent changes in his personnel file.

Although many now knew he wasn’t purely a Spider-type, preparing special bullets was still the prudent choice.

…

…

Coming downstairs, he saw Vice President Xiao perched on the hood of the car, munching on some bread.

It dawned on him that while he had eaten upstairs, Vice President Xiao was still hungry.

He really was sincere, waiting this long without leaving, just grabbing some bread to make do… However, Lu Xin quickly noticed that Xiao’s idea of ‘making do’ with bread was different from his own. This bread wasn’t just toasted to a golden crisp; it had dried fruit, cream, and even a sausage tucked inside.

His mood instantly lightened as he walked straight to the car.

“Master Lu, do you have a plan?”

Seeing Lu Xin approach, Vice President Xiao hastily stuffed the rest of the bread into his mouth and hurried over to open the car door for him.

“Master?”

Lu Xin glanced back at him, a peculiar expression on his face.

“That’s right…”

Vice President Xiao seemed quite pleased with the fitting title he’d just devised. “Aren’t you skilled at handling… *that kind* of thing?”

“There are no ghosts in this world.”

Lu Xin explained earnestly, “So the ‘thing’ you’re thinking of definitely isn’t the ‘thing’ you’re actually experiencing.”

Vice President Xiao paused for a moment, feeling like he might have understood.

“So, what should we do now?”

He eagerly slid into the driver’s seat, his respect for Lu Xin now clearly evident.

The man hadn’t taken his money, and upon hearing about his problem, had immediately rushed to the Security Hall—obviously to look up information. He’d spent so long there he probably hadn’t even eaten. How could such a person not deserve his respect?

His only slight misgiving was, why would someone like this work at *his* company?

…

…

“Where are you staying tonight?”

Lu Xin pondered for a moment before asking Vice President Xiao.

“Don’t… don’t call me CEO Xiao. My name is Xiao Yuan. Just call me Little Xiao…”

Vice President Xiao quickly introduced himself properly before continuing, “I was staying at home before, but because I wanted to… well, avoid my younger brother and sister, I used the excuse of being busy with work and booked a suite at the Blue Mountain Grand Hotel. However, my parents went to the Main City for business these past few days, and my brother and sister, who are still in school, were sent over here. I was actually considering whether I should go back home to stay…”

“No need.”

Lu Xin thought for a second. “Let’s stick to the hotel today.”

Vice President Xiao grew slightly tense, lowering his voice, “Is it because what we need to do involves my brother and sister?”

Lu Xin shook his head, looking at Vice President Xiao strangely. “No. But your brother and sister came to the hotel looking for you, and then you just ditch them to go back home? Aren’t you worried your father and mother will think you’re deliberately abandoning them?”

…

Xiao Yuan hadn’t expected Lu Xin to be so considerate of the family dynamics. He could only nod dumbly.

Besides, even if he went back to the hotel, he absolutely wouldn’t stay in the same room as his siblings, just in case something happened.

Plus, with Lu Xin here now, he did feel genuinely safer.

The car started, heading straight for the Blue Mountain Grand Hotel. Upon arrival, even Lu Xin couldn’t help but let out a sigh of admiration.

He’d often passed by this place before but had never imagined he’d one day stay in such a grand hotel. It was even harder to fathom someone using ‘busy with work’ as an excuse to live in a place like this every day…

…Does he earn enough to cover the room fees?

Pondering this, he glanced at the car Xiao Yuan was driving and confirmed one thing.

…He probably did.

In Satellite City, there was one simple way to tell if someone had money.

The less practical their car, the richer they were.

Like that steel monster he and Gecko had driven out of the city. It was practical, sure, but neither he nor Gecko were likely as wealthy as this guy.

…

…

“Little CEO Xiao, you’re finally back! Luo Luo and Tong Tong have been looking for you all day…”

As Xiao Yuan and Lu Xin entered the hotel one after the other, his secretary and others hurried over, anxiously asking where he’d been all day. There were numerous business matters awaiting his attention, and his younger siblings had been clamoring for him to take them out.

But Xiao Yuan wasn’t in the mood to elaborate. He just brushed them off, saying he had important business and everything else could wait until tomorrow.

Additionally, after walking a few steps, he asked someone to send some food and two bottles of red wine up to his room.

He was still thinking that Master Lu hadn’t eaten yet…

However, this request immediately made the secretary eye Lu Xin suspiciously, her gaze flickering.

“Could this be…”

“No way…”

“Seriously…”

…

…

“To put your mind at ease, I’ll show you my identification now.”

After going upstairs, they closed the door to the suite.

Lu Xin looked around the suite, which was divided into inner and outer rooms. It boasted an incredibly luxurious living room, an exquisitely furnished bedroom, a dedicated walk-in closet and shoe cabinet, a refrigerator, a large TV, and even what looked like a brand-new gaming console. He was somewhat surprised; this was just a hotel room, yet the living area alone was larger than his entire home.

However, he didn’t let his surprise show. After sitting down, he followed standard procedure and presented his ID to Xiao Yuan. “You are likely experiencing a mental pollution incident. I don’t have enough time right now to explain what mental pollution is, but you just need to know that I’m the one who handles these kinds of situations. What you need to do is cooperate with me completely…”

“Understood?”

…

Seeing the bright red stamp and the deeply impressed official seal on Lu Xin’s ID, Xiao Yuan was filled with solemn respect.

Especially when Lu Xin spoke, his serious and calm expression instantly dispelled all of Xiao Yuan’s remaining doubts.

He nodded forcefully, his forehead breaking out in nervous sweat. “Un… Understood.”

“Alright.”

Lu Xin put away his ID. “Go lie down on the bed.”

Xiao Yuan quickly complied, lying down on the bed fully clothed, his body rigid with tension.

Lu Xin took the revolver out of his bag, checked it once over, then put it back. He then retrieved the files he’d gotten from the Security Hall and began reviewing them meticulously, page by page, to prevent any mishaps during the process.

Xiao Yuan lay stiff as a board on the bed. Five minutes passed before he whispered, “Master Lu, what now?”

Lu Xin looked at him in surprise. “Now you sleep…”

Xiao Yuan was completely baffled. “Sleep?”

“Yeah…”

Lu Xin couldn’t believe how slow this Vice President was. “How are you supposed to dream if you don’t sleep?”

“Ah, well…”

Xiao Yuan sat bolt upright, staring blankly at Lu Xin. “So, Master Lu, you’re saying I should hurry up and sleep, and then when I have that… that really terrifying dream again, you can figure out how to help me?”

Lu Xin’s brow furrowed. “If you understand, then why aren’t you sleeping?”

Xiao Yuan flushed crimson but didn’t dare explain. He quietly climbed out of bed. “I’ll just… get ready.”

Then, while Lu Xin continued reading the files, he disappeared into the bathroom. He showered, brushed his teeth, changed into pajamas, and even spritzed himself with some kind of scented water. Only then did he shuffle back to the bed in a pair of fluffy slippers. Whoosh! He dove under the covers, fluffed his pillow, and took a sip of water. Then, clutching the blanket with both hands, he lay down and closed his eyes…

“Is life always this complicated for rich people?” Lu Xin grumbled inwardly before turning back to his files.

Just then, the doorbell rang. Lu Xin went to open it and saw a waiter with a silver trolley.

On it were several dishes of various sizes covered with stainless steel lids, plus an ice bucket. Inside the ice bucket were two bottles of liquor.

Xiao Yuan’s secretary was right behind the waiter, craning her neck to peek inside.

When she saw Xiao Yuan already lying in bed, her face instantly turned green.

“Thank you…”

Lu Xin figured that if things ran late tonight, he might appreciate a midnight snack, so he accepted the delivery.

After all, because he’d made that call so quickly, Xiao hadn’t even managed to give him the intended payment…

…Was having a little snack really asking too much?

…

…

He pulled the trolley inside, the door closing on the secretary’s despairing gaze. Lu Xin was about to see what food they’d brought.

But suddenly, something felt off. He whipped his head around and saw Xiao Yuan huddled under the covers, blinking owlishly at him.

Lu Xin instantly realized how awkward it would have been if he’d just started lifting the dish covers.

He sighed helplessly. “Why aren’t you asleep yet?”

Xiao Yuan’s voice even held a hint of grievance. “It’s just… I lie down, but I really can’t fall asleep right away, you know?”

Lu Xin’s brow furrowed slightly. “If you don’t sleep, how am I supposed to observe your condition?”

Xiao Yuan didn’t dare talk back. He lay in bed for another moment, then a determined look flashed across his face, and he suddenly leaped out of bed.

He strode quickly over to the food trolley and gave Lu Xin a solemn nod. “I’m counting on you.”

Then, he snatched the bottle of chilled brandy from the ice bucket.

Deftly popping the cork, he tilted his head back and started chugging, glug glug glug…

Lu Xin watched, stunned, as Xiao Yuan downed the entire bottle in one go before stumbling slightly.

“Counting… counting on you…”

Xiao Yuan swayed, managed to place the brandy bottle upright on the table, adjusted its position carefully, then wobbled back to the bed.

He didn’t even bother pulling up the covers, just flopped face down. Before long, soft snores began to echo in the room.

“Ah, this…”

Lu Xin glanced back at him, contemplating a crucial question:

“Was the brandy he just drank the expensive bottle?”

…

Now certain that the Vice President was finally asleep, Lu Xin let out a sigh of relief.

After reviewing the files for a while longer, he took out his cigarette case and selected a cigarette with a golden filter tip, placing it between his lips.

He first switched on the ventilation system, then stood by the window to smoke.

As he smoked, he silently reviewed the information he’d gathered today about Dream Weaver-type ability users and formulated his plan.

…

…

Thorough preparation was essential; he needed to avoid any oversights.

Now, he just had to wait and see when the Vice President would enter that dream state and start exhibiting abnormal behavior…

Just as he was thinking this, he suddenly heard a soft rustling sound behind him. Alert, he instantly spun around.

And saw Vice President Xiao climbing out of bed again.

He was about to ask why he wasn’t asleep, but stopped himself. He watched silently as Xiao got up, walked barefoot towards the dining table, reached for a silver dish cover with one hand, and raised the other hand high. Then, he forcefully ‘chopped’ down onto the dish cover. Once. Twice. His palm striking the metal made dull, muffled ‘thump, thump’ sounds.

After finishing with one cover, a look of delight spread across his face. He picked up the other cover and continued chopping.

Soon, having finished with both, he slowly squatted down. His hands moved downwards slowly, then both reached out as if pulling something out from below. His right hand twisted to the side, like turning a switch.

Both hands made a rinsing motion. He took a deep breath, an expression of extreme pleasure appearing on his face…

…Lu Xin frowned slightly. He knew what Xiao was doing now.

He remained expressionless, silently watching as Xiao, after ‘washing’, mimed the actions of carefully cutting something up, then plating it. There was even a subtle motion like twisting open a small tube and squeezing something out – a complete pantomime.

Finally, he sat on the edge of the bed, his face radiating excitement and satisfaction.

He clasped his hands together lightly, then picked up an imaginary knife and fork, slowly speared something, and brought it to his mouth.

His face showed pure elation and contentment.

…

…

“Eating it raw?”

Lu Xin frowned, observing quietly:

“Based on what Vice President Xiao said earlier, he was initially forced to eat this stuff.”

“But now, he’s preparing and enjoying it with obvious pleasure, and his movements look very practiced…”

“So, was he lying from the start, or has the addiction taken hold, turning reluctance into active participation?”