Chapter Twenty-One: The National Special Investigation Bureau

Li Hongzhi looked at Lin Xiaoyan and thanked her solemnly, "Thank you. I apologize for what I said earlier."

Lin Xiaoyan waved her hands hurriedly. From his previous words, she had guessed Li Hongzhi’s identity, and her eyes sparkled with admiration.

"Do... do you have a photo of that person? Could you let me see it? Just in case the person I’m talking about isn’t the one you mean..." Lin Xiaoyan thought for a moment before looking at Li Hongzhi.

Li Hongzhi paused, then took out his phone and showed her the photo. Lin Xiaoyan glanced at it, pursed her lips, and nodded at him apologetically.

Li Hongzhi closed his eyes, feeling a wave of bitterness. When he opened them again, he looked at He Qi'an and said firmly, "I’m going back to the hospital to retrieve my computer."

He Qi'an looked up, narrowed his eyes, and stared intensely at Li Hongzhi. "Absolutely not!" he said in a tone that brooked no refusal.

"But all my things—the evidence I’ve collected over the years—are on that computer. I must get it; what will happen to that evidence otherwise?" Li Hongzhi stood up, ready to leave.

Yang Lin stopped him and whispered, "Stay here and don't be rash. You can go back, but you must have someone go with you!"

Hearing this, Li Hongzhi took a deep breath to calm himself down.

He Qi'an glanced at Li Hongzhi, picked up his phone, and made a call to have someone come over to accompany Li Hongzhi to the hospital to retrieve his belongings.

Lin Xiaoyan looked from one to the other, finally bowing her head in silence.

In the end, two plainclothes police officers from the station were sent to accompany Li Hongzhi to Al Hospital to get his things and, incidentally, to request his leave. The details of that process were unknown to Lin Xiaoyan.

She was driven home by He Qi'an. He scanned the surroundings and watched the apartment complex she entered, standing in place to light a cigarette while reflecting on the day's events. After finishing his cigarette, he got into his car and drove away.

Back in her rented room, Lin Xiaoyan washed up and lay in bed. The events of the afternoon had caught her completely off guard. Remembering the "National Special Investigation Bureau" mentioned by He Qi'an and Yang Lin, she immediately picked up her phone to search for it.

However, she searched the entire web and found no information regarding a National Special Investigation Bureau. For a moment, she wondered if He Qi'an had lied to her.

Just as she was doubting, her phone pinged. It was a link from Yang Lin, saying that clicking it would reveal what she wanted to know.

Lin Xiaoyan clicked the link directly and was greeted by the large, bold characters: "National Special Investigation Bureau." Her heart began to race as she scrolled down, reading carefully and intently.

Half an hour later, Lin Xiaoyan let out a long breath, her body relaxing. The nerves that had been frayed for days finally began to settle.

So, she wasn't mentally ill!

So, there were many others like her in this world!

So, this world was also a place of fantasy.

After reading the information on the National Special Investigation Bureau, she realized that their country was home to many hidden masters. Not only were there experts in metaphysics—people with legitimate lineages and extraordinary skills who could cast spells, practice feng shui, capture ghosts, predict fortunes, and determine destiny—but there were also those like her with supernatural abilities, such as wall-phasing, clairvoyance, and telepathy.

To avoid social instability, the National Special Investigation Bureau had remained hidden, known only to those in the upper echelons. A common person like her had no idea such a department existed. She hadn't expected that while the Flower Country continued to promote science and discourage superstition to the public, it maintained such a special department behind the scenes.

Knowing this, Lin Xiaoyan’s heart finally found peace. She no longer feared being captured for study or dissection.

Early the next morning, Lin Xiaoyan groomed herself and headed out, full of spirit, to go to work. However, upon reaching the lobby, she saw He Qi'an waiting there.

Lin Xiaoyan looked at him, wondering why he was waiting. She had already confessed everything yesterday; was there something else?

Seeing her emerge, He Qi'an raised his hand to signal her to come over. Lin Xiaoyan pursed her lips and walked over. "Is there something wrong? I need to catch the bus."

He Qi'an looked at her. "I have already requested leave for you—with pay. I reported your situation last night, so you need to come with me to register your information."

Hearing this, Lin Xiaoyan had no choice but to leave with him.

"The headquarters of the Special Investigation Bureau is in the capital. The director is named Qian Yisheng; his age is unknown," He Qi'an explained on the way. "There are two deputy directors: one is Gao Chengan, who manages the Metaphysics Group, and the other is Li Yun, who oversees the Supernatural Group."

"I reported your case last night, and two people arrived this morning to register your details..."

Along the way, He Qi'an shared information about the Bureau, educating her on its people and affairs. "The people in that department..." He paused, then added, "They can be a bit arrogant. So, when you meet them later, try to be patient. Once you become one of them and prove your worth, they will no longer look down on you."

"???"

Lin Xiaoyan looked at He Qi'an, bewildered. "What... what do you mean?" she asked. "I have to go on missions? Can I refuse? I don't know how to do anything! Isn't this just a registration? I never said I wanted to join them..."

Lin Xiaoyan felt a wave of panic. He Qi'an understood her unease; after all, five days ago, she was just an ordinary person. Suddenly gaining special abilities and having her entire life of over twenty years turned upside down would certainly cause a sudden sense of maladjustment.

"You can discuss the details with them. However, I believe having the country as your backing is better. At the very least, no matter what happens, the country will be your solid shield."

Listening to his words, Lin Xiaoyan fell into deep thought. She remained silent until they reached their destination, still wrestling with the problem.

"Boss, you're back." Seeing He Qi'an's car, Li He ran over immediately. When he saw Lin Xiaoyan, his eyes flashed with excitement and envy. Superpowers! He wanted them too!

"They are in the Director's office," Li He whispered.

He Qi'an nodded and led Lin Xiaoyan directly to the office. When they reached the door, it was quiet inside. He Qi'an knocked.

The next second, the door opened, and they saw the Director eagerly welcoming them in. Seeing that He Qi'an had finally brought her, the Director wiped the faint sweat from his forehead and let out a sigh of relief. If they hadn't arrived soon, he would have been driven crazy by the tension.

As soon as Lin Xiaoyan stepped inside, she saw two people sitting on the sofa—a man and a woman, both roughly thirty years old. Their expressions were uniformly cold, and their gazes toward her were critical and scrutinizing.

However, when the two of them saw He Qi'an, a flash of surprise crossed their eyes.