Once, I wanted to be a good person

After dispelling the room's disguise, Fang Ze sat in his chair, then turned his attention to the table in front of him.

Just like several times before, when he'd restored the room to its original state, tonight's harvest was already quietly laid out on the table...

It was a piece of sheepskin paper the size of a handkerchief, its color somewhat similar to the table's, a shade of brown.

Fang Ze waved his hand over it to make sure it wasn't dangerous before picking up the paper.

The sheepskin felt a bit rough to the touch, and both sides were blank.

Fang Ze looked at it with some confusion, then rubbed his hand lightly over it a few times.

Suddenly, something magical happened: patterns slowly emerged from the center of the sheepskin paper.

A house-like symbol was at the very center of these patterns, which then started to extend outwards, slowly bringing trees, hills, and roads into view, one by one.

Along with these landmarks, more and more detailed coordinates appeared, and Fang Ze realized that this piece of sheepskin paper... it looked very much like a map.

Moreover, it was a map centered on himself.

Until all of the patterns on the sheepskin were fully visible, Fang Ze spread the map out on the table with some surprise and studied it carefully.

Then he noticed that the scale of this map wasn't large, it felt like it was around 1:50000.

Because at the edge of the map, it barely extended past the jungle, mainly depicting deep mountains that Fang Ze had never visited.

"What... is this?"

"Is it an Extraordinary Artifact related to maps?"

While thinking, Fang Ze calmly placed his hand on the sheepskin, trying to obtain an introduction to this paper.

Sure enough, after a moment, some information entered Fang Ze's mind.

He carefully read the information in his mind, and his facial expression slowly changed from indifferent to amazed, and then... to delighted...

This...

Was it really a wish come true?

Whatever he wanted just appeared?

With this... surely there would be no more problems with his escape plan, right?

With that thought, Fang Ze clutched the sheepskin paper tightly and began to laugh heartily.

He felt that Miaomiao truly was his Goddess of Luck.

Although he hadn't uncovered much information, the items he found were better than the last.

He absolutely couldn't let her go!

Tch. He definitely mustn't let go of her...

...

The next day.

The sky was clear and bright.

Insects chirped, and birds sang.

Life always finds a way out; the insects once controlled by Awakening Abilities, and the birds that had been killed, gradually became active in the jungle once control by the Awakeners ceased.

The Special Case Team's temporary residence.

Wang Hao had just gotten out of bed when he saw a big face right in front of his eyes.

"Ah!" he screamed in fright, then involuntarily shuffled backward, scrambling with his hands and feet.

After dodging, he realized that the face belonged to his inmate roommate.

Wang Hao patted his chest, still a bit shocked, and asked in annoyance, "What are you doing?"

His roommate's smile was particularly bright, "Nothing. Just wanted to say hello."

"Morning, Mouse."

Seeing his roommate's beaming smile and hearing the nickname, Wang Hao didn't quite know how to react for a moment.

"Mouse... Mouse...?"

This term of endearment usually reserved for close friends strangely touched him.

After all, he had been a lone wolf with very few friends due to his reticence and introverted nature.

Initially, he looked forward to having genuine male friendships, but gradually... he had given up on such fantasies.

Yet unexpectedly, he was now receiving this from the suspect he was guarding.

Wang Hao felt a mix of emotions wash over him.

He didn't quite know how to describe his own feelings and was a little unsure about how to face his foolish inmate who genuinely considered him a friend.

He sighed, then came back to his senses, wanting to chat with the other.

But he discovered that after greeting him, the other guy hummed a tune, hands behind his back, and went to wash up in high spirits, completely ignoring him.

Wang Hao: ???

Watching his roommate act as if he had won a ten-million Lini jackpot, Wang Hao was utterly baffled.

What was up with his roommate?

Why was he so happy?

And... were you really just saying hello?

You didn't have to get that close, though!

......

A person's good mood is hard to hide.

Soon, apart from Wang Hao, other Investigators in the Special Case Team also began to notice that Fang Ze was in an unusually good mood today.

Walking while humming a tune, his steps light, his eyes sparkling, and smiling at everyone he saw.

They all felt as if he might take off flying if they didn't tie him down with a string the next second.

Seeing Fang Ze like this, many Investigators were curious and shared their thoughts,

"What's up with this guy? He seems to be in a really good mood."

"Yeah. It's so strange. Hey? Why did you say 'again'?"

"He was acting weird a few days ago too, practicing the Horse Stance, running. But today he's even weirder. Smiling while doing the Horse Stance, smiling while running, that's freaking scary."

"True."

Meanwhile, in the Security Bureau's temporary residence, Bai Zhi and Bai Ling were also stunned as they watched through the screen.

What's with this criminal...?

Why is he so happy today?

Is his accomplice coming to rescue him?

Watching the monitor, Bai Ling glanced at Fang Ze's image, then turned her head to look at Bai Zhi, and couldn't help but ask, "Bai, what on earth is he doing...?"

Bai Zhi remained silent, her willow-like eyebrows furrowed slightly, and her stunning face was filled with confusion.

She murmured softly,

"Could it be that he's signaling to an accomplice?"

"But that's not right. Signals should be passed discreetly. What's with all this fanfare?"

"Or perhaps, he's planning to escape?"

"But that still doesn't make sense. How could he possibly run?"

Seeing that Bai Zhi was also confused about Fang Ze's situation, Bai Ling raised her hand high, and then said, "Bai, why don't I go see him... to test out what he's planning?"

Hearing Bai Ling's words and recalling how completely puzzled she was, Bai Zhi nodded slightly, agreeing to Bai Ling's request.

Having received Bai Zhi's approval, Bai Ling quickly skipped out of the secret base, heading to find Fang Ze....

...

When Bai Ling found Fang Ze, he was chatting with the old Investigator from Shan Hui, all smiles.

Well... it was more of a one-sided conversation.

Fang Ze kept talking while Shan Hui just drooped his eyelids, drinking water, without saying a word.

Seeing the two of them in this state, Bai Ling went over and asked, "Fang Ze, do you have a moment?"

Before Fang Ze could respond to her question, Shan Hui, as if he found his savior, turned and slipped away.

His pace was clearly slow, but he moved away quickly, leaving Fang Ze stunned.

Seeing Shan Hui leave, Fang Ze didn't mind and looked at Bai Ling, laughing as he said, "Of course, I have time, Chief Bai Ling."

Two minutes later, the two of them began to stroll through the jungle and chat.

Bai Ling tilted her head and asked Fang Ze, "What's with you today? You seem really happy?"

Fang Ze laughed and replied, "I'm alright."

"It's just that Han Kaiwei's murderer has been found, so I can investigate again. That's why I've become excited again."

Bai Ling: ...

"Oh... is that so?"

Fang Ze nodded and said cheerfully, "Yes."

"Also... I remember a few days ago the Special Case Team announced that we could work on cases outside for a long period."

"I plan to ask the director for extended leave to go catch the culprit."

Bai Ling: ??

Bai Ling said, "Do you know where the culprit is? Just like that, you're going to catch them?"

Fang Ze laughingly countered, "But even in the Special Case Team, we can't find the culprit, can we?"

"Going out to try my luck might bring some rewards."

Bai Ling: .....

For some reason, Bai Ling felt that Fang Ze's logic seemed... not wrong...

But... how could the Special Case Team possibly let him go? This was completely unrealistic!

So, she couldn't help but look up and ask, "When do you plan to leave?"

Fang Ze said casually, "Tomorrow, I guess. Once I get my leave approved."

Bai Ling followed up, "That's fast. But have you prepared everything you need to work on the case outside?"

Fang Ze was taken aback for a moment, then replied, "Oh. Right... it seems I really haven't prepared much."

Hearing Fang Ze say this, Bai Ling almost nodded in agreement, wanting to persuade him not to rush into taking leave.

Then... she saw an extended hand appear before her.

Bai Ling looked at the owner of the hand with a questioning face: Fang Ze.

"Lend me some money, Chief Bai Ling."

Bai Ling: ???

Bai Ling instinctively covered her purse and said, "You still haven't paid back the money you borrowed last time."

Hearing Bai Ling say this, Fang Ze scratched his head, "That's true."

While speaking, he reached into his pocket, pulled out 600 Lini, and handed them to Bai Ling, "Here. First, I'm returning 600 Lini of interest to you."

Seeing the money coming back, Bai Ling's eyes suddenly lit up!

Then... that hand was extended in front of her again, "Lend me some money, Chief Bai Ling."

Bai Ling: ...

Bai Ling felt something was off but couldn't quite put her finger on it.

She could only cautiously hold onto her purse, looking pitiful as she asked, "How much do you want to borrow this time?"

Fang Ze touched his chin, "2000 Lini should do it."

Bai Ling said, "Another two thousand?"

Fang Ze patted her shoulder, "Don't feel bad about it. I'll give you seven percent interest this time."

"2000 Lini, I'll pay you back 3400!"

"Seven percent interest?!" Bai Ling's eyes became wide, and her breathing quickened.

Then she looked up at Fang Ze with a pitiful blink, "You... you won't cheat me, right?"

Fang Ze patted his chest and promised, "I swear on my honor!"

Seeing Fang Ze's earnestness, Bai Ling finally relaxed, then she opened her purse, counted out a stack of banknotes, and passed them to Fang Ze.

Afterward, she carefully put the 600 Lini back into her purse.

Seeing her do that, Fang Ze couldn't help but ask, "You seem pretty happy?"

Bai Ling smiled like a crescent moon, patting her purse as she said, "Of course! It's my first time successfully getting my loan back!"

Fang Ze: ...

Looking at Bai Ling's innocent demeanor, Fang Ze's conscience started to feel unexpectedly uneasy.

He thought for a moment, then said with a smile to Bai Ling, "Chief Bai Ling, do you trust me?"

Bai Ling looked at Fang Ze, a hint of confusion in her eyes, "Why wouldn't I?"

Fang Ze said with a smile, "Then tomorrow I'll bring you a gift."