Chapter 578: When Love Clouds Judgment

Book Chapter 578: When Love Clouds Judgment (Update 1)

Did the system just pop up?

Xiao Yu looked as calm as a gourmet digging into his meal. Lin

Talking about it, the system brought back memories of his school days.

Back then, he would dream of the holidays every single day.

Yet, once vacation arrived, he suddenly missed school.

Sign in!

【Ding — Congratulations, host. Check-in successful!】

【System Reward: Ability — Authentication Expert!】

【System Task Assigned: Solve the Apartment Massacre!】

【Time Limit for the Case: Ten Days!】

【Complete the task within the time limit and earn an additional system skill: Awakening of the Migratory Birds!】

【Fail to finish within the time limit and all system abilities granted will be revoked!】

【Task countdown begins…】

OCD wasn’t the worst thing, but an OCD system? Xiao Yu muttered under his breath.

He had pretty much resigned himself to his system.

The system just gives out what it feels like giving.

Anyway, he had no choice but to lie back and take it.

After an avalanche of data on ‘authentication’ flooded his brain,

his calm demeanor completely evaporated.

Xiao Yu had originally assumed that the so-called ‘Authentication Expert’ ability was just for appraising antiques.

He was dead wrong!

Only after acquiring the ability did he realize

that authentication was far more complex than he’d imagined.

It applied to virtually every facet of life – truly endless.

From artifacts to legal cases, penal codes, investigations, medicine, science…

In essence, authentication was about discerning what was real and true from what was fake or flawed.

Breaking through illusions to see the truth!

Holy smokes, what an epic skill… Xiao Yu was genuinely thrilled.

This ability was clearly a godsend for criminal investigations!

“Master, are you busy?”

Wang Cheng, ever elusive, suddenly appeared before Xiao Yu.

“…”

Narrowing his eyes at his hapless apprentice, Xiao Yu chided, “Weren’t you supposed to check every tenant in the apartment? How is it that you’re already done?”

“They didn’t need me,” replied Wang Cheng.

Grinning broadly and baring his teeth, Wang Cheng said, “They only wanted someone to follow you around and run errands.”

In plain terms, he was merely a lackey.

These days, Xiao Yu reigned supreme as the undisputed boss of the Criminal Investigation Team.

All field cases – especially major ones – fell under his jurisdiction.

No operation was complete without a dispatcher to relay orders.

“So, what now?”

Xiao Yu glared at his apprentice, “Is that your way of startling me out of nowhere?”

“I would never dare to scare you, Master,” Wang Cheng answered.

Rubbing his hands together as if he had a pressing matter, Wang Cheng awaited further instructions.

Xiao Yu shot him a sidelong glance, “You’d better speak plainly…”

“It’s about our last conversation.”

Lowering his head, Wang Cheng admitted, “I haven’t confessed to Yan Yu Jie yet.”

“Confessing isn’t always a good idea,” Xiao Yu remarked.

Rolling his eyes, he added, “It just makes you look desperate!”

Wang Cheng was left speechless.

“Rome wasn’t built in a day, and a real craving for a good meal doesn’t happen overnight,” Wang Cheng quipped.

Shaking his head, Xiao Yu countered, “Love isn’t that simple.”

“Ha!”

Wang Cheng smirked slyly, “I heard you and the lady got married less than a week after meeting?”

“Uh, well…”

The cheeky little punk was talking back. Xiao Yu glared at his misfortunate apprentice, “Do you really believe I’d beat you up?”

“I do!”

Wang Cheng nodded solemnly.

Xiao Yu: …

Having an apprentice like him was truly a headache.

Sigh… that silly kid; always shunning Pinru’s clothes in favor of sporting Meitsibangwei outfits – so unconventional!

“Master, I got lucky—I met your wife,” Wang Cheng said.

With a resigned tone, Xiao Yu replied, “Real relationships develop step-by-step. It isn’t simple… Just like solving a case: reasoning must follow logic and every move must be strategic!”

“So, what about tonight?”

Wang Cheng looked troubled, “I have a date with Yan Yu Jie at eight. It’s our first date, and I have no idea what gift to bring.”

“It’s only a first date,” Xiao Yu remarked.

Shaking his head, Xiao Yu advised, “Don’t bring anything extravagant. Just go for a meal at that kebab place from last time. Remember, if a girl’s willing to go for kebabs with you, she’s pretty open-minded. When ordering, ask what she’d like to eat – but never ask about beers. Don’t give her the impression you’re indecisive. Once you order the beer, even if she doesn’t really drink, she’ll join you for a toast. Girls are peculiar that way – unless they don’t like you, once you start, a second drink follows, then a third…”

“I get it, I get it!”

Wang Cheng exclaimed excitedly, “So you’re saying I should get her drunk? And once she’s tipsy, we’ll get closer, right? Hahaha…”

Xiao Yu snorted, “Isn’t it more because your daydreaming sleep poses have you suffocating under the covers?”

He watched his gesticulating apprentice with a bemused expression.

It was like watching a hopeless, love-struck buffoon.

But his apprentice wasn’t entirely foolish.

Apart from matters of the heart, he was incredibly sharp.

Especially in criminal investigations – his talent in solving cases was undeniable.

Yet, when it came to romance, he turned into a complete novice the instant a girl appeared.

Getting her drunk?

Who exactly was Yan Yu Jie?

Although she worked as Mu Qingwu’s secretary, she was also a formidable businesswoman.

Her life had seen storms that a little scumbag like him couldn’t even dream of.

Last time, if Yan Yu Jie hadn’t taken the initiative to lean on his unlucky apprentice,

Wang Cheng might never have held her close—even for a moment.

Forget it, sometimes fools do get lucky… Xiao Yu chuckled.

After all, wasn’t it against all odds that he met Mu Qingwu?

If it hadn’t been for that blind date accident and the fact that the two mothers were best friends, could they really have ended up together?

Just look at the present.

If Wang Cheng weren’t my apprentice and Yan Yu Jie weren’t Mu Qingwu’s secretary,

would they still have a chance together?

Fate is such a mysterious thing…

It all seems preordained…

“No overtime tonight.”

Xiao Yu instructed his apprentice, “Go home early and tidy up. Wear the clothes the lady bought you last time – don’t act like a tough guy or be too shy. If you dare not wear them, she’ll get angry.”

“Got it.”

Wang Cheng grinned widely, a bit embarrassed, “Can I bounce now?”

Xiao Yu retorted, “What are you good for? Without you, we can’t crack cases, you know!”

Xiao Yu scoffed.

What a terrible master… Wang Cheng rolled his eyes and ran off.

Watching his apprentice’s back recede, Xiao Yu smiled and shook his head.

Standing outside the apartment building, he waited for the Criminal Police’s investigation results.

It wasn’t until 10 PM that over twenty officers gathered.

Then came an answer that took Xiao Yu by surprise.

The murderer… isn’t even a resident here!

Wen

Xue