Chapter Eighty-Eight: A Feast of Geese

Gu Wei-min said, “Zi-xuan, don’t forget why we came together in the first place. And you folks from the Investigation Center—yes, we are an investigation unit, but we are also obliged to help the management company keep the relationship between nonhumans and humans in order. Our purpose is to make sure nonhumans and human society can live in harmony. If every time we handle a case, we treat every nonhuman as a criminal from the outset, how can they not feel resentful? Given enough time, who would ever trust us? And then how are we supposed to govern anything? Both departments exist to investigate cases, yes—but investigation depends on the mind, not on temper.”

Wang Zi-xuan said, “Hey, Old Gu, are you lecturing me now?”

Gu Wei-min replied, “Not exactly. Just offering a suggestion. After all, there will be plenty more cooperation between our two departments in the future. I hope we can get along more pleasantly with our brother department.”

At that moment, Hao Ying-jun burst into applause, smoothing over the awkwardness.

“Hear, hear!” Hao Ying-jun cried. “The director speaks so well! Brother departments should help each other, understand each other, and learn from each other. And what came before was truly enlightening. My heavens.”

Wang Zi-xuan could not bear to listen any longer and hurled his notebook straight at him. The blow was a ruthless one. They kept talking for a long while after that, but no conclusion was reached. By noon, they simply broke up and went to eat.

“Roast goose heart, roast goose leg, dry-fried goose head, and a cast-iron pot stew of goose—bring me two orders of each.”

While saying this, Hao Ying-jun, who had been staring at a tablet, gave Wang Zi-xuan a sidelong glance, his expression one of utter disbelief.

Old Xie said, “You’re ordering that many dishes. Can you even finish them?”

Wang Zi-xuan said, “What, are you worried I can’t pay?”

Old Xie spread his hands, said nothing, and went to cook.

Hao Ying-jun said, “Ahem, everyone. I think the key breakthrough in this case lies with the goose spirit—why does it beat people and curse at them? That is to say, you monsters.”

At that, the others looked at him in silence, their eyes murderous. The air seemed to fear sudden stillness; it was the prelude to an eruption. The room remained heavy for quite a while.

Hao Ying-jun cleared his throat and added, “I mean, among you masters of transformation—those masters among masters—under what circumstances would you take the initiative to hit someone and hurl insults? Hahaha.”

Xiao Deng said, “When I was in elementary school, I was always being bullied by my classmates. One time they really pushed me too far, and in front of the whole class I went invisible and stripped off his shorts.”

Xiao Deng said, “No, no, no. Shapeshifting is a violation. In my dictionary, the word violation does not exist.”

Wang Zi-xuan looked at him with open disdain. Who among them did not know that? Before he became independent...

Xiao Deng went on, “Brother Deng definitely can’t transform. The moment he reverts to his original form, he’s ready to eat people on the spot. Big Sis is different. Whenever she gets angry, she transforms—very often, too. But...”

Hao Ying-jun asked, “But what?”

Xiao Deng said, “But Big Sis is not obvious. She is...”

At that moment, Wang Zi-xuan slapped the table, and Xiao Deng swallowed the rest of his words in a fright. That big sister had a temper beyond the ordinary.

Hao Ying-jun said, “That must be incredible. If I get the chance, I definitely want to see it.”

Wang Zi-xuan said, “Xiao Deng, showing off how much you know, are you? Hao Ying-jun, do you want to see what Xiao Deng looks like after he goes invisible and is left with only a pair of shorts?”

Once again, the air fell silent, save for the sound of Hao Ying-jun drinking water. No one else even dared breathe too loudly. It was clear that Wang Zi-xuan’s lingering威势 was still deeply formidable.