Having received Ji Zige’s confirmation, Zhao Liang didn’t stay put. He quickly stepped forward, knelt down, and pulled out the restraint collar and handcuffs he kept in his jacket—tools designed to suppress superhumans’ powers—securing the unconscious Han Xiaohu.
“That should prevent any major problems,” Zhao Liang said, speaking with confidence in the quality of the Special Affairs Bureau’s restraints.
He then stood up and looked at Ji Zige standing before him. After a brief hesitation, he spoke in a requesting tone, “Ms. Ji Zige, I wonder if you could trouble yourself to come to our bureau to give a formal statement? Although you’ve given a general account here, written records are always better for our future investigations.”
“A formal statement? Sure, I can do that,” Ji Zige replied upon hearing Zhao Liang’s request. After considering it and finding no downside for herself, she agreed readily.
Zhao Liang, who had half-expected a refusal, couldn’t hide his pleased expression. “Thank you, Ms. Ji Zige, for your recognition of our work and your cooperation.”
“It’s nothing, just what I should do,” she responded.
Not long after, personnel from the Fangfeng City Special Affairs Bureau and other relevant departments arrived at Daheng Real Estate’s headquarters to handle the aftermath. After handing over on-site command to colleagues from other units, Zhao Liang and his team soon left with Yan Qi, her clone Ji Zige, the unconscious Han Xiaohu, and other individuals involved, returning to the Fangfeng City Special Affairs Bureau headquarters.
Inside the bureau, after completing her statement, Ji Zige was soon escorted out of the interrogation room by the enthusiastic Ms. Ge Mi and led to a guest lounge to rest.
A cup of tea sat steaming before her. Influenced by her original self’s preferences, Ji Zige had no fondness for such traditional beverages with their peculiar tastes. She didn’t reach for the cup, instead sitting quietly on the sofa, waiting for someone she knew to find her.
A knock sounded at the door. Knowing it was for her, Ji Zige called out, “Come in. The door isn’t locked.”
Hearing her voice, the person outside didn’t hesitate, pushing the door open and entering.
“Hello again, Ms. Zi Ge,” said Bai Yuling, who was meeting the twin-tailed beauty for more than the first time, raising a hand in greeting. “It’s been a while since we last met. How have you been lately?”
“I’ve been well, thank you. And you, Director Bai?” Ji Zige answered, turning the question back to her.
Upon hearing this, Bai Yuling thought of recent events and answered honestly, “I’ve been getting by, just a bit too busy lately.”
“Too busy? Is it because of the recent surge in unregistered superhumans and the mysterious figure behind them, spreading these powers?” Ji Zige asked, recalling information she had gleaned from accessing the Bureau’s confidential archives, which had given her a general understanding of the situation.
Unaware of Ji Zige’s detailed capabilities and assuming she was just a superhuman with some sound-control abilities, Bai Yuling couldn’t help but praise, “You’re quite sharp, Ms. Ji Zige. Your guess is spot on. It is precisely because of this matter that I’m swamped.”
“I wasn’t guessing,” Ji Zige thought to herself, secretly amused. “After all, the intelligence I have now came from your own Bureau’s hard work.” Out loud, she said, “Thank you for the compliment, Director Bai. May I ask how the investigation into this incident is progressing?”
“Not well, I’m afraid. No leads to speak of,” Bai Yuling replied, thinking of the reports from her colleagues in recent days, which indicated a complete lack of progress.
“Is that so? Would you like me to ask Yexing to assist you?” Knowing the Bureau’s investigation was slow and sensing that a formidable mastermind must be behind the recent spate of supernatural incidents, Ji Zige didn’t want these troublemakers causing chaos in her hometown. She thus offered her suggestion to Bai Yuling.
Hearing the proposal, and despite being well aware that the supernatural organization behind Ji Zige was extraordinary, Bai Yuling didn’t feel the Bureau currently needed outside help to get the job done. She quickly shook her head, declining the offer. “Thank you for the suggestion, Ms. Ji Zige, but I have full confidence in my colleagues.”
“I see,” Ji Zige said, showing no sign of disappointment upon hearing the refusal—after all, pride was a factor. Changing the subject, she asked, “By the way, I heard from Yexing about what happened yesterday after she arrived here. Was that monster that attacked you at the West Hill Cemetery the same suspect you were trying to apprehend?”
“Yes, that monster was indeed our suspect, Liu Deli,” Bai Yuling confirmed, showing no suspicion about how Ji Zige obtained this information, assuming it came from her friend.
Although she had already guessed this might be the case, Ji Zige still feigned surprise to avoid exposing her identity. “It really was the suspect from yesterday? How on earth did he become like that?”
“That… I’m not entirely sure either,” Bai Yuling admitted. “The only thing we can confirm is that his transformation is definitely connected to that mysterious woman with black hair.” She spoke with certainty, recalling the information extracted from Ma Sanyou’s confession the day before.