Deity Investigation Report

Chapter 48 The Person Above

"Mother?"

Han Su was slightly surprised, both by Zhang Chiguo's continued investigation into the kidnapping case despite such obvious hints from "above" the Disaster Management Bureau, and by the clues he was following.

When Zhang Chiguo and Song Chu were together, they actually came up with the same idea.

“At the time, my thinking was very simple: since this case had been classified as neither bizarre nor allowed to be investigated…”

Zhang Chiguo said, "But I just want to help a child I know find his mother. Isn't that a reasonable thing to do?"

Han Su was struggling to control his emotions, but he didn't want to interrupt Zhang Chiguo.

He didn't think that was his mother, because that memory was very faint, like a film that had been developed, with only scattered images left. Even in those scattered images, he didn't remember ever calling her "Mom".

If she really is his mother, then no matter how forgetful a child is, he wouldn't forget this, right?

“Your mother disappeared very cleanly, which is exactly what I suspect.”

Zhang Chiguo continued, "No matter who it is or what method they used, it is impossible for them to disappear so easily in a city, without even leaving behind any relevant information or files."

"This was the first thing I suspected, but because she disappeared so completely, it was impossible to investigate. It wasn't until the Disaster Management Bureau was identified that I wanted to investigate her, and the only reason left was to help you find your mother. That's when I unexpectedly found a clue."

The word "clue" struck Han Su like a thunderbolt. He abruptly raised his head and looked at Zhang Chiguo in disbelief.

"She had helped you transfer schools before the kidnapping."

Zhang Chiguo said, "We transferred you to that elite school, but when we checked, all the relevant records of that school have disappeared."

"You don't even have a school from before, and you just can't remember it..."

"But just when I was about to give up, I unexpectedly saw your transfer record at the disaster management bureau..."

“Through this transfer record, I found your original school, and finally obtained a somewhat blurry group photo from a teacher who once taught you, and saw this woman…”

"..."

"That……"

Han Su asked nervously, "Where?"

Zhang Chiguo gave him a deep look, then took out a file folder from Secretary Cui's briefcase. Han Su immediately recognized it as the file folder from the kidnapping case ten years ago.

It turns out that Zhang Chiguo did not lie when he was in the police station.

He did indeed keep this file.

Zhang Chiguo took out an old photo from inside and gave it to Han Su. Han Su realized that it seemed to have been taken during a parent-child activity at school. There were many children and adults in the photo, and his gaze involuntarily fell on the face of a tall and thin woman.

is her.

The image in my memory is coming back to life; this tall, slender woman, her temperament is unlike anyone else's.

Beautiful, but aloof.

He stared blankly for a long time, trying to recall her, but to no avail. He was certain that this was the woman who had taken care of him before the kidnapping, but he just couldn't remember any more moments with her.

It was as if all memories of her had been brutally erased.

After a long silence, he finally spoke: "Is this the only photo?"

"Yes."

Zhang Chiguo slowly shook his head and said in a low voice, "Not long after that, the teacher who taught you also passed away. I went to that school several times, but I couldn't find any more clues. All that's left is this photo."

Han Su's heart, which had been clenching tightly, sank slowly. His eyes were fixed on the woman's face in the photo, and he didn't know what to say.

Zhang Chiguo gave Han Su a dozen seconds to look at the photo before slowly speaking, as if he had made up his mind: "She may still be in this city!"

"..."

"what?"

If seeing this photo only stirred some emotion in Han Su, then this sentence made him look up in astonishment.

"You heard that right."

Zhang Chiguo met his gaze and slowly said, "Three years ago, I met her while handling a case related to a mysterious organization..."

"I only caught a glimpse of her from afar before she disappeared into the crowd."

"Actually, it's hard to convince anyone of what I'm saying, because I've only seen her in photos, and I only saw her unexpectedly when I wasn't expecting it. No matter who I tell, that probably doesn't count as evidence..."

"but……"

He seemed to struggle for a moment, but then said in a resolute tone, "I'm pretty sure it's her."

"I guarantee with my eyes, which have been used for criminal investigation for decades, that person is her."

"..."

"..." Having experienced so many kidnappings and life-or-death escapes, Han Su never imagined that a single message would cause him to lose control of his emotions so suddenly.

"Then...where are you..."

"Don't get excited."

Zhang Chiguo gently patted Han Su on the shoulder and said, "I have information on this mysterious organization. Before telling you this clue, I must remind you."

"Some things, some organizations, once you know them, it means danger."

"The mystery, the bizarre nature, and the danger of this kidnapping case have reached a level that even I can't fully comprehend, which is precisely why I didn't want you to get involved again."

“If I don’t give you this clue, you won’t know who they are. To you, these people might just be passersby on the roadside, business people coming into the city, unlucky guys whose cars broke down on the road, or passersby who offer you cigarettes and ask for directions with a smile.”

"But if you become aware of their existence and deliberately approach them, you might soon and inexplicably turn into a corpse..."

"..."

As he spoke, he took out his third cigarette, sighed softly, and said, "So, I suggest that you should only investigate after you are able to protect yourself."

Han Su was anxious, but he held back and asked, "Uncle Zhang, when will we be able to protect ourselves?"

"An investigator?"

"You started as an investigator too, and from what you're saying, you're a veteran of the Disaster Management Bureau, but weren't you also under immense pressure back then? Just because I've become an investigator doesn't mean I can investigate without anyone stopping me."

"Kid, still don't understand?"

Zhang Chiguo slowly lit his third cigarette and said, "With your identity, entering the Disaster Management Bureau is destined to be fraught with danger at every turn."

"It's inevitable that you'll be blocked, harassed, or framed by some people."

"But precisely because you've joined the Disaster Management Agency, it's almost like walking into a trap, so you need to learn to make the most of everything."

"The reason why the Disaster Management Bureau exists is because there is the word 'reasonable' in it. If some things are done too obviously, not to mention the Disaster Management Bureau, even Ms. Ai, it is easy to cause paradox and internal conflict, which will damage their own foundation."

At this point, he smiled and said, "Of course, more importantly, I'll be there to keep an eye on things for you."

Han Su asked in surprise, "You?"

"Yes!"

Zhang Chiguo tapped the file folder lightly with his finger, smiled, and said, "Xiao Han, don't forget, this is not only your matter, but also my case."

“When we were at the Criminal Investigation Department, I didn’t lie to you. I never gave up on this case.”

"Whether it was the Public Security Bureau back then or the Disaster Management Bureau now, I believe that 25 children cannot just disappear like that."

"..."

"Uncle Zhang..."

Han Su could still smile calmly after hearing Zhang Chiguo talk about the dangers inside the Disaster Management Bureau.

But now, seeing Zhang Chiguo's attitude so suddenly, he felt a rush of blood to his head, and for a moment his chest felt empty. He wanted to say something, but it all felt stuck in his throat.

"We're all men, stop saying such sentimental things."

Zhang Chiguo patted Han Su on the shoulder and said, "Right now, you should focus on the present and get through your phase as an executor. Once you've truly become an investigator and are capable of protecting yourself, I will explain all the clues related to this kidnapping case to you in detail. What do you think..."

"..."

Han Su said, "No."

"?"

Zhang Chiguo was starting to doubt himself: Was there something I hadn't made clear just now?
"Uncle Zhang, I promise you, I won't recklessly investigate dangerous things until I have the ability to protect myself."

Han Su hurriedly explained, "But please tell me now about the clues related to your kidnapping case, especially the information about that organization you mentioned that might be connected to... her!"

"It's not that I want to outwardly comply but inwardly defy you, it's just that, in case..."

He paused for a moment, organizing his thoughts: "I don't mean to be mean, but what if something suddenly happens to you, Uncle Zhang, during this time?"

Zhang Chiguo was completely stunned: "This isn't considered unpleasant to hear?"

Han Su said, "No one can be sure how things will change. In short, I will keep your words in mind, but it's best if only two people know about the relevant clues."

"So, Uncle Zhang, please tell me!"

"..."

Seeing his earnest gaze, Zhang Chiguo sighed softly, giving in: "I can tell you, but you'd better be very careful..."

　It's still in the new book period, and if it gets any more, it'll be off the list. But I'm adding two thousand words just to make it more palatable for my readers.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)