Chapter Fifty-Seven: Something Feels Off
Old Xie took the menu and gave an OK gesture. Wang Zixuan responded with an OK gesture as well. Old Xie turned around to get the food ready.
As he walked away, Old Xie murmured, “How is it that she eats so much yet never gains weight? Truly a mystery I can't fathom.”
Wang Zixuan picked up the kettle, about to pour some water, when Hao Yingjun immediately took it from her.
Hao Yingjun said, “Let me, let me.”
He poured the water and handed it over. Wang Zixuan was drinking.
Hao Yingjun, curious, asked, “Sister, do you usually eat these things?”
Wang Zixuan glanced at him, “If I don’t eat this, what do I eat? Surely not you, right?”
When she said “eat you,” an aura of dominance radiated from her, startling Hao Yingjun.
Hao Yingjun said, “See, now you’re overinterpreting again. I was just asking casually. Look at you.”
Wang Zixuan replied, “Different non-human beings need to consume different things, it’s true. But for corporeal non-humans, aside from their innate attributes, there’s little difference between us and humans. Three meals a day, one night’s rest. Eating, drinking, and other needs—nothing special. You wouldn’t notice anything unusual. Who doesn’t look human? Hmm? That big guy over there is a pig spirit. He’s been in M City for thirty-five years. Drives a bus.”
Hao Yingjun looked over, imagining a pig’s head, which was a bit hard on the eyes.
Wang Zixuan continued, “The bald man behind me is a skeleton spirit. He’s the publicity director for the M City government.”
Hao Yingjun then conjured up images he shouldn’t have, quickly shaking his head to clear them.
Hao Yingjun said, “Ah, cough, cough, sister, you say just this small restaurant has so many non-humans. Isn’t there supposed to be over nine thousand in M City?”
Wang Zixuan replied, “Firstly, the owner here isn't human. So a lot of non-human beings come here. They treat this place like a cafeteria.”
Suddenly, Wang Zixuan noticed something, and looked at Hao Yingjun seriously.
Wang Zixuan asked, “How do you know it’s over nine thousand? You’ve investigated this so thoroughly. What are you really up to?”
The question hit Hao Yingjun at his core, making him nervous. His hand holding the kettle began to tremble, unsure how to respond. Just then, Wang Zixuan’s phone rang. She glanced at the caller, then at Hao Yingjun, and answered the call—but now she was more wary of him. After all, things were chaotic, and for some reason, many matters seemed to revolve around him.
Dr. Bai said, “Zixuan, one of the samples you brought back as evidence matches exactly with the sample from the crime scene.”
After hearing Dr. Bai’s words, Wang Zixuan hung up immediately.
Wang Zixuan muttered, “It really is her. There’s no escaping this time.”
At the Hao Yizhen Pet Hospital, the leader and his group were waiting by the roadside all night. The fat guy who’d been peeling apples was sleeping in the leader’s arms. He was startled awake by a nightmare, which in turn scared the leader. The leader flicked the big man on the forehead.
The leader said, “You startled me, you idiot.”
At that moment, everyone’s stomachs began to rumble. They held their bellies, starving.
The leader declared, “We’ll wait one more hour. I refuse to believe he won’t come back.”
…
Meanwhile, Zhu Gui was facing trouble. The department responsible for approving certificates absolutely refused to process theirs. They insisted Zhu Gui prove his own identity, demanding a slew of bizarre documents. He tried to resolve it himself at first, but no matter what, spending money to pull strings didn’t work. He couldn’t even spend his money. Now it was awkward. He had no choice but to call Wang Zixuan.