Chapter 154: Elder Xu

Xu Yunzhou, standing beside them, was flabbergasted. He exclaimed inwardly, "Holy crap!"

The amount of information was overwhelming!

So these two had actually teamed up multiple times over the past few years, carrying out high-risk, high-stakes missions like cross-border crackdowns on criminal syndicates?

The destruction of the infamous "Four Families of Feibei" telecom fraud syndicate—that international sensation—was actually led by this "Black and White Duo" working together?

It sounded like their cooperation was quite seamless—one attacking openly with thunderous force, the other planning behind the scenes—yet it seemed they had also accumulated a lot of "grievances"?

His mind even uncontrollably started to wander:

If this plot were put on the big screen, it would definitely be the blockbuster commercial hit of the year!

A dual female lead setup—one black, one white; one in the open, one in the shadows; frenemies who love and hate each other—the tension would be maxed out!

The action scenes must be bone-crunching, close-quarters combat sharp and realistic; the gunfights need a touch of old Hong Kong cinema's romantic brutality—bullets flying, slow-motion close-ups, coat tails fluttering...

As for the cast... let Shen Mingyue play Xu Nuo—the cold Lantern Bearer in a moon-white martial arts robe, dark beads on her wrist, killing with a smile, perfectly capturing that aura.

As for Wen Xi... damn, just let her play herself! The wild, untamable energy—few actresses in the industry could handle it.

Have Song Jiaru sing the theme song, and a heartfelt monologue for the ending theme... Yeah, I've even got the movie title: War Hawk! Just that name alone guarantees at least three billion at the box office!

Xu Yunzhou listened while letting his imagination run wild. The more he thought, the more feasible it seemed. He almost pulled out his phone to jot it down in his notes.

Seeing that the two were revealing more and more, and noticing Wen Xi really seemed ready to pull down her pants right there to show her scars at any disagreement, he quickly called a halt:

"I'm still standing right here! What are you taking your pants off for!"

Wen Xi's hand paused on the button of her leather pants. She looked up and shot Xu Yunzhou a knowing, half-smiling glance:

"As if... you haven't seen enough already."

Xu Yunzhou:

"???"

His mind went blank in an instant!

When did I ever see that?

I didn't... Wait!

He suddenly realized!

Wen Xi was referring to... his "future" self! The one who had been attached to her as a "grandpa in the ring!"

In that state, seeing something... seemed, probably, maybe... not so strange?

After all, the "perspective" follows along, you can't help it!

But can she say something so blunt, so ambiguous, so devastatingly hurtful?

This is pure provocation, setting off a nuclear bomb! The damage is too great! And Xu Nuo is standing right there!

Sure enough!

Beside them, Xu Nuo, who had been maintaining a calm expression, suddenly sharpened her gaze!

The air seemed to freeze.

Wen Xi seemed very satisfied with the nuclear explosion effect of her words, a triumphant smile spreading across her face.

She wisely stopped while ahead, not lingering on the topic:

"Alright, alright, no more messing around."

She waved her hand, looked at Xu Yunzhou, and her tone turned much more serious:

"Elder Xu, the reason I came today is actually... to ask for your help."

Elder Xu?

Xu Yunzhou was confused again.

Damn, she's talking to me? What's with the title? Is this your respectful form of address for me in my 'system form'?

As expected from a big shot who rose through the system—this title brings a sense of weight, age, and authority at once! It sounds much more impressive than titles like 'Big Brother,' 'Tyrant,' or 'God'!

Wen Xi ignored his subtle expression and continued:

"There's a case I've been working on for nearly two months with no leads at all. I've tried every conventional and unconventional method, and I'm completely stuck."

She looked at Xu Yunzhou, and in those always sharp, piercing eyes, there was a rare clear expression of expectation, and... dependence?

"I really had no other option, so I thought of asking you, old master, to step in."

"You've been resting for so long; it's time to stretch your muscles."

"Help your useless disciple?"

Xu Yunzhou:

"!!!"

When did I learn to solve cases?

I'm a former programmer turned otaku addicted to nurturing games. At most, I've watched Detective Conan and read a few Higashino Keigo novels!

Sure, when my future self was attached to you helping you solve cases, that was easy—just looked up future news reports or case files and read them to you!

But now a brand new, baffling case that even you can't crack is in front of me... How am I supposed to break it? With the power of love? That's something the dear readers do!

(TL: You heard him guys, generate the power of love to help our MC solve the case.)

He was screaming internally, a storm raging, but he had to keep his composure and not show weakness.

Can't break character! Have to maintain the "Elder Xu" persona!

Sigh, whatever. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

Better wait until I clear Wen Xi's instance first and get the complete future memory package. Maybe then I'll automatically know how?

So, he pondered for a moment, put on the calm demeanor befitting Elder Xu, and spoke slowly:

"Sister Xi, unfortunately today I have two rather important personal matters to attend to, and my mind cannot be distracted."

He glanced at Xu Nuo standing silently beside him, exuding a powerful aura, then at the clock on the wall:

"Here's what we'll do: compile the basic case information—excluding any confidential parts—and send it to me."

"I'll give you my answer tomorrow."

Wen Xi stared at him for a few seconds, then nodded and said briskly:

"Alright. I'll send the information to your email later."

The matter seemed to be settled for now.

Xu Yunzhou breathed a sigh of relief internally, feeling that this asura field-like atmosphere needed to be diffused.

"It's getting late, almost lunchtime. There are some nice restaurants by West Lake, with great views too."

He tried to lighten the mood:

"How about... I treat you two to a simple meal? We can... talk while eating, and it can be my welcome feast for you both?"

He still thought a public place would be safer—with many eyes around, they wouldn't start a fight at the dinner table, right?

Wen Xi, however, shook her head decisively.

She stood up, adjusted her leather jacket with swift movements, and regained her sharp, capable demeanor.

"I'll skip the meal. You two, master and disciple, have a reunion after a long separation—you must have a lot to say. I won't be an electric light bulb(third wheel) here and get in the way."

As she spoke, she even winked at Xu Nuo, who returned a calm, impassive gaze.

"I still have to rush back to the bureau this afternoon for a case review meeting with some experts. Lots to do."

"Elder Xu, see you tomorrow."

With that, she pulled open the door, and her figure vanished outside, as brisk as when she had arrived.

Bam.

The door was gently closed.

The living room suddenly fell silent.

The sunlight outside was perfect, streaming through the window and filling half the living room.

The breeze from West Lake gently stirred the beige curtains, carrying the faint scent of the lake and the laughter of tourists in the distance.

It was as if the world had instantly switched from a tense action blockbuster to a quiet, soothing art-house film scene.

Xu Nuo simply stood there, at the boundary between light and shadow.

She didn't speak, didn't move, just looked at Xu Yunzhou with a smile, quietly and intently.

Xu Yunzhou suddenly felt the atmosphere was a bit too delicate.

What was she thinking? Recalling the bits and pieces of the past eight years? Speculating about the real relationship between him and Wen Xi?

What should I say to her now? Catch up?

Ask about her experiences overseas these past years?

Or just cut to the chase, rush over and hug her, fulfilling that farewell promise?

"Ahem..."

Xu Yunzhou cleared his throat. He walked over to the tea cabinet, took out two transparent glass cups, and then took out the can of Mingqian Longjing tea leaves,

"Sit down, don't stand. You've been in Binzhou for a few days now? The journey must have been tiring."

While rinsing the cups with hot water, he quietly observed Xu Nuo's reaction out of the corner of his eye.

Hot water poured into the glass cups, white steam rising, blurring his view.

Xu Nuo finally moved.

She walked over to the sofa, sat down, and took the glass cup Xu Yunzhou handed her, holding it with both hands.

The steam warmed her face, tinting her always slightly pale cheeks with a faint pink.

"It's only right."

She looked down at the tea leaves floating and sinking in the cup, her voice very soft:

"Your instructions, Teacher—for eight years, I have never dared to forget them."

Xu Yunzhou's heart skipped a beat.

The probe succeeded!

So she really had been nearby these past few days!

Then about his matters with Lin Ruoxuan, Song Jiaru, and even Shen Mingyue... How much had she seen? How much did she know? And... what was she thinking?

Tsk, better not think too deeply.

The more I think, the more frightening it gets.

Whoever brings it up is stupid. Whoever explains is guilty.

Xu Yunzhou decisively changed the subject. He sat down opposite Xu Nuo and said in a light tone:

"What do you want to eat for lunch? Local Binzhou cuisine? Or is there something special you're craving? Later we can rest a bit, then I'll take you out for a stroll—walk by West Lake, or check out Hefang Street. It's pretty lively there, lots of snacks and knick-knacks."

Xu Nuo looked up.

Her eyes were very bright, looking straight at Xu Yunzhou.

She stared for a full three seconds.

Then, she suddenly curled her lips into a faint, self-deprecating smile:

"Teacher."

"These past two days..."

She paused, as if choosing her words carefully, but the phrase she finally settled on was direct, blunt to the point of being almost brutal:

"...Have you been drained dry by them?"