Chapter 296: The Only Way

Chapter 296: The Only Way

A novel plot?

Wang Dong and the others looked at Xiao Yu in confusion.

“I have a friend… he used to write novels, starting when he was just thirteen!”

Xiao Yu’s expression grew strangely serious as he replied, “So he knows a thing or two about writing techniques.”

A friend of mine?

Wang Dong and Shen Zhengyang exchanged a glance.

The other team members also wore odd expressions.

Everyone stared at Xiao Yu in unison.

“Is this friend really a genuine friend?”

Xiao Yu’s face flushed a deep red.

At that moment, his shame surged like a tsunami, engulfing him completely.

It felt as if someone had publicly humiliated him, sending a chill up his spine.

Alright, he admitted that he was indeed that… friend!

Back when he first time traveled through time and was still a kid – “427” – he thought life was too boring.

He wondered if he could make some extra cash.

So he decided to rewrite some of those hugely popular web novels from his past life.

For instance, something like The Grave Robbery Chronicles.

Wasn’t that an easy way to earn money?

At the time, Xiao Yu felt he was such a clever kid—a true genius.

Then he frustratingly realized: how could one possibly remember a novel that spanned hundreds of thousands, even millions of words?

It taught him one thing – those novels that claim the protagonist gets rich by writing after rebirth…

They’re all a bunch of lies!

What kind of memory allows you to recall a million-word novel and reproduce it verbatim?

In the end, he had no choice but to improvise as he wrote.

Xiao Yu’s first novel was about an ordinary, unremarkable protagonist who one day gets visited by a lawyer and learns that his great-uncle is a world-class tycoon with a vast inheritance and a sprawling harem waiting to be claimed.

So, with a mix of nervousness and anticipation, the protagonist inherits both the fortune and the harem.

One of the most thrilling scenes was when:

The protagonist, once a pauper working in an office, after inheriting the fortune and preparing to resign, was berated by his boss.

He shouted at his boss, “Stop pretending to be your dad—I quit!”

Then he revealed his true background: boasting a fortune of billions and owning dozens of mansions, leaving his boss and former colleagues green with envy.

Doesn’t that feel amazing?

From that moment, the protagonist soared to the peak of life…

Not to mention, Xiao Yu’s first novel achieved modest success, earning him some pocket money.

It allowed him to enjoy a relatively carefree life for quite some time.

So, Xiao Yu really does understand writing—especially web novels!

“Suspect Fang Shuoxin’s writing career lasted a full four years.”

Xiao Yu furrowed his brows, his face turning unusual as he questioned, “Why is it that what he writes seems to have made no progress at all? His latest novel, which revolves around a case, reads like an elementary school essay. Isn’t that strange?”

At his words, everyone fell silent.

Many believe that practice makes perfect.

For example, when starting a new job, you might fumble at first,

but with time you’ll manage it skillfully.

At worst, even the clumsiest person can eventually do the job right,

or so the common saying goes.

Such plain truths are widely known.

So here comes the bizarre twist.

Fang Shuoxin clearly had four years of writing experience.

So why does his current work show no improvement, rather remaining as rudimentary as when he first started?

Especially those painfully garish scenes—it’s even worse than his earlier work!

Does that seem reasonable?

Xiao Yu’s words suddenly enlightened everyone around him.

It was completely absurd!

“By your account, he should be our prime suspect.”

Team leader Shen Zhengyang frowned, “But you just told us that there was no evidence or any suspicious details about him—he might not even know the perpetrator. If he has no connection with the culprit, how can his novel be related to these cases?”

Anyone capable of working at National Security surely has a high IQ.

Especially in this team,

which is known as the Counterintelligence and Anti-Terrorism Unit.

They took on the case alongside the Second Team

because the perpetrator is suspected to be a “spy agent”!

Why do I say that?

Out of the four cases, one in particular—a suspected espionage and theft case—

featured methods that unmistakably belonged to a spy agent.

Ordinary people simply could not mimic such techniques.

“This is something I just can’t wrap my head around…”

Xiao Yu shrugged helplessly, “But we can roughly deduce that all cases linked to this bizarre novel… aren’t paranormal events!”

He said that with absolute certainty.

So all your earlier words were just to bolster your own reputation…” Wang Dong’s lips twitched as he glared at the younger man, “And then?”

“Wang Ge, don’t look at me like that—I suspect you have ulterior motives.”

Rolling his eyes, Xiao Yu continued, “I’m no deity. Cases have to be solved bit by bit as clues are uncovered. All I can confirm is that these aren’t paranormal events. As for the details… I’ve only just arrived and started looking into the case. Do you really think I’m some omniscient detective who can solve it instantly?”

“Uh!”

Wang Dong was stunned, his face turning awkward.

Even the other National Security personnel were feeling embarrassed.

Yes, you lot have been investigating for so long without uncovering a single clue.

And now you dare question the abilities of a younger man?

That image Xiao Yu had built for himself over the years—being supremely capable—made everyone believe nothing could ever stump him.

But the fact is, Xiao Yu is only human—not a god who can predict everything with a snap of his fingers.

He solves cases solely based on the clues he gathers!

“Not a single trace of evidence?”

Shen Zhengyang, juggling a messy tangle of hair, lamented.

For the sake of this case, he hadn’t showered or cleaned up in days.

“It’s not that there’s nothing,”

Xiao Yu said after a few glances at the case files on the tablet.

Calmly, he added, “Let’s have suspect Fang Shuoxin continue writing the book. I want to see how he comes up with those scenes!”

“This…”

A jolt ran through everyone; their expressions turned grave.

“Little brother…”

Wang Dong’s face tightened, “What if more cases emerge…”

The looks on everyone’s faces darkened.

They didn’t believe in paranormal events.

But the chilling fact was that what the suspect wrote actually happened.

These supernatural events defied explanation.

If more cases were to surface, the situation would be disastrous.

“This is the only idea I have.”

Xiao Yu threw his hands up, “It’s our only option right now!”