Forgotten Photo Studio

Chapter 14 New Commission

“…A very interesting point, Mr. Xu. I will submit your objections for review.” She skillfully avoided a direct confrontation, changing the subject, “Then, let’s talk about the ‘thing’ you brought back.” Her gaze swept meaningfully over Xu Yan’s camera bag, “That burned-out observation device is the center’s property.”

Here it comes! The true colors are finally revealed!

Xu Yan's expression remained unchanged: "I don't understand what you mean. All the belongings have been handed over according to regulations." He vehemently denied it.

"Is that so?" Manager Lin tapped the electronic notepad with his finger, and the large screen in the observation room suddenly lit up, playing a processed surveillance video.

It was the blurry image of Xu Yan picking up the USB drive from the bedside table in the old man's room! "'Failure to report contact with unusual items' also violates the agreement."

Lin Lan's fingertips gently traced the edge of the electronic notebook, like a spring that might spring out at any moment. "Mr. Xu, do you think the center allowed... a coincidence?"

The atmosphere became tense instantly.

Chen Zhiwei's palms were sweating.

Lin Lan's gaze was sharp as she stared intently at him: "Why was that observation device burned out?"

Xu Yan paused for a moment, his fingers tightening almost imperceptibly. A yellowed piece of paper flashed through his mind—a corner of his master's notes, a circle drawn next to the hasty handwriting:

“The central standard observer is not a neutral device. Under extreme loads, some models may trigger an ‘active intervention protocol’ that induces the observed object to have a self-destructive tendency.”

Why did Master repeatedly emphasize this point back then?

Now, he suddenly understood.

He looked up at Lin Lan, his eyes flashing with a coldness like a knife: "So the center's monitoring system not only observes ghosts, but also monitors 'contractors' in real time? Did this surveillance also record how it induced me to say the name to trigger the attack? Did it record its internally preset 'final protocol' for information carriers? Director Lin, I'd really like to submit this complete recording to the 'review department' for a look."

He turned the tables on him!
The report points out the suspicion that the center may have set traps or even murdered witnesses during the commission!

A flicker of emotion finally appeared in Manager Lin's eyes, though it quickly returned to normal, but the absolute, cold sense of control that had been present was broken.

She realized that the person in front of her was not someone she could easily manipulate; he, too, held his own cards.

She leaned back slightly in her chair, a subtle shift in posture from aggression to more deliberate negotiation.

“It seems there is some…information discrepancy between us.” She chose a conciliatory wording. “The observer’s self-destruct protocol is a security measure for extreme situations. The center has always been generous to its collaborators.”

She touched the notepad.

"The final payment will be made in full. As for that damaged observer... since it's beyond repair, you can handle it yourself. After all, it recorded your efficient processing of E-07's complete data, which is of great research value." She casually turned "pursuing" into "giving away," as if the confrontation just now had never happened.

She implied that the center had obtained data on Xu Yan's abilities and tacitly allowed him to preserve the remains, as if it were the beginning of a favor and a deal.

Before Xu Yan could respond, she immediately opened a new request.

“Your ability is quite special, Mr. Xu. ‘Sealing the soul’ rather than ‘dispelling’ preserves a valuable research sample for us. The center appreciates efficient collaborators.”

A new order appears on the screen, accompanied by a bizarre screenshot of a model crying out in black liquid on a subway billboard.

"New commission. Subway Line 7, 'The Eye of Sorrow' incident, preliminarily identified as a Class B 'Information-type' ghost. The reward is three times that of the previous one."

Xu Yan didn't look at the screen, but instead looked at Manager Lin: "Why me?"

For the first time, a subtle, unspoken meaning flashed across Manager Lin's gaze. Her words were like a carefully crafted key, attempting to pry open Xu Yan's defenses:
“Because of efficiency. And…” She paused, “According to records, your master investigated the abnormal energy points on Line 7 many times before his death, especially near ‘Lianhua Road Station,’ but he never seemed to find the core source. Perhaps, his disciple has a different… perspective.” She accurately presented the clue about her master!

This was an irresistible lure, and it also clearly told Xu Yan: the center knows you inside and out.

Xu Yan remained silent for a moment.

He knew it was an open conspiracy, but he had to take the bait.

Okay. I'll take it.

“Wise.” Supervisor Lin put away his notebook. “The equipment requirements and location details will be sent to your terminal. Now, you can leave.”

She gave them the order to leave.

The two walked out of the observation room and, at the direction of a staff member, left through another passage.

On both sides of the passage were tightly closed laboratory doors, from which strange sounds and energy fluctuations could be faintly heard.

Just as they were passing through an airtight door, it suddenly opened, and a tired-looking researcher in a white lab coat came out carrying a tray with several sealed test tubes labeled "E-15" and "E-09" on them. Inside the test tubes was a faintly shimmering, misty substance of different colors.

“They’re safer here than outside… for everyone.” The researcher paused for a moment when he saw the stranger, then immediately stepped aside to block the tray and quickly left.

Xu Yan and Chen Zhiwei both clearly saw those labels.

E-sequences... they weren't "cleaned up," but rather "contained" here!

"What if they weren't exterminated, but instead kept in captivity?" A chill ran down Chen Zhiwei's spine to the back of his neck.

The two remained silent and followed the staff into the elevator that returned to the ground.

Only after stepping out of that gray building and breathing in the not-so-fresh outdoor air did I feel the invisible pressure ease slightly.

"She knows Grandpa, definitely," Chen Zhiwei said definitively, her face pale. "The way she looked at me... and the tone of her voice when she mentioned Master..."

Xu Yan took out the encrypted terminal; the detailed information of the new order had already been transmitted.

He quickly scanned the page, his gaze finally settling on a line of small print in the notes section:

"Historical correlation records: The site exhibits anomalous energy fluctuations with a 37.8% spectral similarity to event number E-03. Please note: the 'echo' may have more than one frequency."

E-03! It's the same ghost that caused the riot at the photo studio and played the death echoes!

What Manager Lin offered was more than just a lure about his master.

She was practically implying that the incident at the subway station was directly related to the center's core experiment!
This is not a new task.

This is the entrance to an answer, the coordinates of a trap, and a declaration of war.

Xu Yan put away the terminal and looked towards the subway station in the distance, his eyes cold and sharp.

"Line 7... So Master's last gaze lingered here. If this is a trap, then I will make those who buried it pay with their lives."

(End of this chapter)