Chapter 226: Following the Threads

Vice President Xiao really doesn’t quite measure up to Section Chief Chen as a leader…

Lu Xin marveled inwardly at Section Chief Chen’s decisiveness as he slowly scrolled through the second-stage screening results that had just arrived.

The woman Lu Weiwei had contacted, Yu Chen, was a typical housewife living in the Main City.

She didn’t have a corporate job; her main focus was raising her children. But with one child in university and the other in high school, she found herself with plenty of free time. She often met up with friends or attended various activities.

“Whoever introduced her to this ‘wishing’ business must be somewhere in her social network, right?”

Lu Xin examined the files closely. At first glance the sheer volume of information felt overwhelming.

There was no way this much data could have been gathered in just a few hours.

Even with the Main City’s extensive network of cameras and comprehensive resident registration, it just wasn’t feasible.

So it was highly likely the Main City Security Hall had already investigated Yu Chen after the incident at her home. They must have compiled all this data back then and simply pulled it up now that it overlapped with Lu Weiwei’s case.

Faced with such complex data anyone would instinctively want to back away, but Lu Xin patiently pushed forward with his analysis.

However, after a closer look Lu Xin noticed something interesting.

At first glance Yu Chen’s file seemed complicated, her web of connections a real headache to untangle.

But after some digging and filtering, it turned out she didn’t actually interact closely with that many people.

Simply put she seemed busy, but had few real friends.

“Yoga studio twice a week…”

“Often asked friends to go shopping, but usually ended up going alone…”

“Liked attending gatherings hosted by the wives of mid-level company executives, but never really fit in…”

…

Lu Xin scrolled through the details, wondering which of these interactions was the most likely point of contact for the “Wishing Incident.”

“There are certain protocols we must follow when investigating abnormal incidents in the Main City.”

Chen Jing’s voice came over the comms channel.

Apparently she was reviewing the files alongside Lu Xin, offering timely advice:

“In the Main City order and safety are paramount. Our investigations must be meticulous. Ideally once we find a suspicious lead, we locate the source as quickly as possible and neutralize it swiftly and decisively.”

“Take this woman Yu Chen for example. Her social circles involve many people. In a Satellite City we could round them all up for questioning, but in the Main City we must consider the potential fallout of such actions.”

“Therefore investigations and inquiries must adhere to specific protocols…”

“Of course after Yu Chen’s incident the Security Hall already questioned everyone involved individually. They found nothing unusual.”

…

Lu Xin nodded and kept reading. Suddenly his finger paused mid-scroll.

The screen stopped on an activity Yu Chen had participated in, highlighted with a red box.

“Stress Relief and Guidance Course?”

According to the file before her incident Yu Chen had shown great interest in this activity, attending at least twice a week.

“This is part of a series of initiatives Qinggang rolled out to prevent Special Pollution Incidents.”

Chen Jing slowly explained, “We have substantial data indicating stress and emotional instability are common triggers for mental abnormalities. Therefore finding ways to help the public manage stress and mental well-being, alongside ensuring basic needs are met, is a crucial research topic.”

“The promotion of entertainment and culture, which is already underway, is one approach. These psychological guidance courses are another.”

“The core curriculum subtly informs attendees about the existence of Mental Pollution, teaching them gradually how to cope and resist. As you know public emotions are difficult to manage. Publicizing Mental Pollution incidents would very likely trigger widespread chaos. So this basically teaches people self-protection without revealing the full truth.”

“These courses have been running in the Main City for a while and are about to be rolled out to the major Satellite Cities.”

“Because these courses are supervised by the City Defense Department and monitored by the Special Cleaning Department they are actually considered the least likely vector of suspicion.”

…

Lu Xin didn’t say much. After a brief pause he asked, “Can I go check it out?”

“…Yes.”

Chen Jing agreed readily without further comment.

This wasn’t the first time she had acted as Lu Xin’s intel analyst, communicating this way.

But back during the investigation of Special Pollution Incident 041 Lu Xin was a novice, so her role was primarily guidance.

This time however she was truly acting as an intel analyst, filling in for Han Bing. Her role was primarily support.

An intel specialist provides analysis and suggestions but must not overstep their authority.

…

…

“According to the schedule the Stress Relief and Guidance Course Yu Chen attends has a session tomorrow morning at ten.”

“Do you want the relevant personnel brought to the Security Hall for questioning or would you prefer to go observe the class tomorrow?”

…

Chen Jing always operated on a grand scale, like wanting to haul everyone in for questioning at the drop of a hat…

Lu Xin let out a breath. “Let’s just go observe the class tomorrow.”

He didn’t have a solid plan or any real evidence yet; he just wanted to see for himself.

Bringing everyone in would cause too much of a scene.

“Understood. I’ll have a car waiting downstairs for you tomorrow morning at 8:30.”

Chen Jing made the arrangements efficiently.

This highlighted the difference between Chen Jing and Han Bing for Lu Xin. With Han Bing he could usually discuss her suggestions.

Like maybe suggesting 8:00 instead of 8:30.

But Chen Jing was his superior after all, so Lu Xin didn’t dare argue…

…

…

The next morning at precisely 7:00 AM the safe house curtains slid open automatically, bathing the room in sunlight.

Lu Xin opened his eyes and sat up.

At the same moment he saw the Doll sit up on the large bed across the room.

“Morning…”

Lu Xin smiled a greeting at her, grabbed his bag, and headed to the main bathroom to wash up.

The Doll instinctively moved to follow, but Lu Xin stopped her. He pointed to her en-suite bathroom and patiently explained, “You wash up in here, I’ll use the one outside. I’ll be right back…” He added with sincere assurance, “I promise I’ll come back.”

The Doll watched him quietly, seeming to understand. A smile bloomed on her face.

Ten minutes later, Lu Xin returned and saw the Doll had changed back into her black thermal underwear and was sitting on the sofa, hugging a pillow.

Seeing him return, she shifted aside.

Lu Xin sat down beside her, turned on the TV, and they started watching quietly together.

“Suffering from frequent or urgent urination?”

“Ankang Hospital welcomes you…”

…

At 7:30, three people wearing heavy protective suits arrived on this floor via the elevator.

They wheeled a small silver cart into the safe house, placing a breakfast tray in front of Lu Xin and another before the Doll. One person began tidying the room, while a second started combing the Doll’s hair and the third inspected her dress.

Lu Xin’s breakfast consisted of soy milk, youtiao, and three tea eggs, neatly packed in a cardboard box. It looked quite appetizing.

This was his special request.

The Doll’s breakfast was a soft white glutinous rice cake, specially made without the usual sticky powder coating.

This was her regular breakfast.

…

…

“As the Doll has grown older she’s learned basic self-care routines under the service team’s guidance.”

“For instance returning to the safe house, changing out of her heavy dress, brushing her teeth, washing her face, bathing, and putting on pajamas before bed. Then after washing up in the morning, putting on a fresh set of thermal underwear and waiting for the service team to help her dress.”

Chen Jing was already on the channel, her voice betraying no hint of fatigue despite the early hour. “However the Doll still struggles with more complex tasks, so she requires this professional service team for daily care.”

“Originally their duties were limited to her meals, daily routines, and safety.”

“But over time the service team even learned how to style her hair and design attractive dresses for her…”

…

Lu Xin glanced instinctively at the attendant who was deftly tying the Doll’s hair into a neat bun while she was absorbed in the television.

All three wore the heavy head-to-toe protective suits characteristic of the Support Team.

And yet, their tasks…

…well, it fit Lu Xin’s general impression of Support Teams – they could handle just about anything.

…

Since this was technically part of his mission, Lu Xin carefully observed their work.

While listening to Chen Jing explain over the channel, “There are three essential items that must be prepared whenever the Doll goes out.”

“First is her clothing.”

“She has seven similar outfits, all European palace style. This style was chosen partly because the design requires substantial material and partly because the Doll showed some interest in this particular style compared to others…”

“I suspect it might be because she was watching a lot of Disney-style cartoons back then…”

“The outermost layer of these dresses is a fabric woven from a new type of softened glass fiber. It’s similar to the material in our standard protective suits, only much softer and lighter. This fabric helps contain some of her mental power emissions, preventing her from inadvertently affecting passersby or personnel when she’s outside.”

“The second item is the small cherry hairpin she wears. It contains a miniature mental fluctuation detector. The alarm threshold is set high, so it normally remains inactive. Only when the Doll’s mental power output reaches a certain level does it trigger an automatic alarm, which also plays music the Doll enjoys.”

“This serves to alert those nearby and, to some extent, prompts the Doll to subconsciously retract her mental power.”

“Based on this principle some researchers proposed using this method to gradually train the Doll to completely suppress her mental radiation, much like using conditioning responses to teach a lab mouse complex tasks.”

“However that proposal was rejected.”

…

Hearing this Lu Xin nodded subconsciously.

He glanced at the Doll who was nibbling her rice cake while intently watching the prostate health ad on TV. She was a living person. He knew he’d be angry if anyone tried to treat a girl like her as some kind of lab rat.

The Doll sensed Lu Xin’s gaze and turned to look at him. After a moment’s thought she offered him her rice cake…

Lu Xin looked at the half-eaten cake and didn’t take it. Instead he tore off a piece of his youtiao and offered it to her.

The Doll leaned closer and took a tentative bite. She clearly didn’t like the taste but ate it anyway.

The attendant behind them, who had just finished a hairstyle on the Doll that would cost at least ten yuan at a salon, visibly froze for a second.

“The third item is a pair of contact lenses made from a special glass material.”

Chen Jing, unaware of this little interaction, continued her explanation over the channel: “The Doll’s negative influence on others generally falls into three categories. First without shielding anyone within a certain radius is susceptible to her influence.”

“Second direct eye contact with her face causes active influence.”

“And third if she intentionally focuses her gaze on someone, they will experience a strong effect.”

“These contact lenses are specifically designed to counter that direct gaze effect.”

“With these three protective measures in place the Doll can generally walk on the street like a normal person without affecting those around her… Theoretically, of course. Our guiding principle is still utmost caution.”

“Alright…”

Lu Xin understood.

…

…

After breakfast Lu Xin and the Doll went downstairs. The area was deserted except for a large van waiting for them.

The van’s interior had been modified; it was lined with glass panels and featured warm-toned decorations.

A driver, also clad in full protective gear, stood by the front of the vehicle.

Chen Jing continued her explanation, “The driver is part of the Doll’s dedicated service team. He’s wearing top-grade protective gear and has taken medication to regulate his emotions. Per protocol he’ll only drive for thirty minutes before being relieved.”

“Other members of the service team will be shadowing you constantly. They can be on site within a minute if required.”

…

“What a hassle…”

Lu Xin sighed listening to the exhaustive and strict regulations.

The girl sitting opposite him suddenly looked up at him.

Lu Xin felt awkward and quickly pointed towards the driver. “I meant him.”

The attendant started the vehicle smoothly. His eyes, meeting Lu Xin’s in the rearview mirror, held a hint of resentment.