I will be stronger after the remake

Tang Ping said, "Perhaps he has people in the prison who help him tip off others, or perhaps he has installed listening software on his subordinates' phones. As the head of the Armed Forces Section, he must have a lot of connections."

Yuan Ji glanced at Tang Ping with some surprise. Compared to his previous reasoning, Tang Ping seemed rather nonchalant now, as if he didn't care much about the answer.

"There's no need to guess. There's a very simple way to verify it. If it really was Fu Zhengyi who did it, he would have to come and meet Han Lin. So we just need to find someone to confirm where he was in the previous hour and a half."

As Hu Ze spoke, he took out his phone and dialed numbers, all of whom were members of the Armed Forces Section.

After contacting four people, he put down his phone and said, "Unfortunately, according to the reply from my colleagues in the Armed Forces Department, Fu Zhengyi was with them for the past hour and a half, interrogating prisoners and trying to extract more information. Three of the four witnessed it firsthand. During that time, Fu Zhengyi neither went to the toilet nor answered the phone, and he never left their sight."

Cen Qin breathed a sigh of relief and said with a beaming smile, "As expected, the director is innocent."

Tang Ping nodded, showing little regret, and said calmly, "It seems I guessed wrong. The murderer is not him, but this is all the information we have. We can't deduce anything more. Han Lin is dead, the clues have run dry, and there's no point in staying here any longer. Let's leave."

The other three exchanged glances. Although they were quite unwilling, they were powerless to change the case and could only silently agree.

After saying goodbye to the warden, the four of them left by car.

During the journey, Yuan Ji sent a text message to Tang Ping: "You still believe Fu Zhengyi is the murderer, why?"

"Do you remember the source of this incident?"

"Han Lin attacked the Psionic Administration Bureau?"

"No, it's that phrase, 'There are no coincidences among psychics.' It was because of that phrase that I had the idea to unravel the mystery. Han Lin committed suicide because of guilt, and there just happened to be someone around me who possessed this ability, and I just happened to discover it. Do you think this is a coincidence or some kind of inevitability?"

"Isn't this reason... a bit too far-fetched?"

“I’m neither a detective nor a police officer. I don’t need to collect a complete chain of evidence to reconstruct the truth, nor do I need to wait for the murderer to be driven to a dead end and reveal his motives for killing. Suspicion alone is enough. There are plenty of ways to force him to slip up. There’s no such thing as being able to guard against a thief for a thousand days, only being able to steal for a thousand days.”

Chapter 89 Lacking Key Clues

Early in the morning, Tang Ping and Yuan Ji ran along the riverbank.

Forty minutes later, Tang Ping slowed down and, while catching her breath, said, "I thought that after what happened yesterday, you wouldn't come to drag me for a morning run anymore."

"I thought about it carefully when I got back. The danger isn't the morning run, but going to the Illusionary Realm. As long as I report before each trip to the Illusionary Realm and go with a few other people, there won't be any problems."

After resting for a while, the two found a breakfast stall nearby. Yuan Ji glanced at the menu hanging above the store and casually said, "Boss, no spicy tofu buns and brown sugar buns, one of everything else."

She had a strong voice and a powerful presence, as if she wanted to take over the entire breakfast stall.

The shop owner paused for a moment, then asked, "To go?"

"Let's eat here."

Noticing the boss's gaze, Yuan Ji, who was already used to it, explained, "Don't worry, we can eat it all; we have big appetites."

Tang Ping said helplessly, "Only you, don't say 'we,' my existence is just to reduce other people's surprise at you."

The boss laughed and said, "Being able to eat is a blessing. We don't have the days of scarcity anymore. Eat as much as you can."

Anyway, she's not selling a buffet, so why would a shop owner be afraid of big-bellied men?

Once breakfast was served, Yuan Ji immediately switched into battle mode, devouring a steamer of xiaolongbao in a flash, and then picked up the bowl of soy milk and gulped it down in a few mouthfuls.

Feeling much less hungry, she finally spoke, "You weren't telling the truth yesterday, were you?"

Tang Ping laughed it off, saying, "Yesterday's scope was too broad; I can't recall where I didn't tell the truth."

Yuan Ji snorted twice: "You fooled me when we went back, saying something about 'there are no coincidences among psychics.' After I got back, I thought about it and realized you must have had other clues, but you deliberately didn't tell me and just made up some excuse to fob me off."

"Again, 'I thought about it after I got back.' Are you the kind of person who, after arguing with someone, goes home and goes through the whole thing repeatedly, coming up with a whole bunch of counter-arguments but then regrets that you can't have another argument?"

"How could I possibly be such a petty person? Don't change the subject!"

"Alright, alright, let's not change the subject. I admit that we've already analyzed yesterday's case quite thoroughly and are about 70-80% certain that the murderer is Fu Zhengyi. However, we're still missing one crucial piece of information. With this information, we can understand Fu Zhengyi's motives and methods."

"It sounds like a giant machine with a pre-built framework, where all you need to do is insert a single gear into the core to get the whole machine running."

"That's a good analogy, that's exactly the point. It's a pity it's not easy to find. The other side will definitely try their best to hide this information. All I can do now is wait for them to slip up."

Yuan Ji suggested, "Why don't we set a trap to lure him into revealing his true colors?"

Tang Ping sighed, "It seems you two really have a grudge. You're clearly his senior, but you don't seem to care about him at all."

"The only things I am willing to uphold are justice and fairness."

Yuan Ji said with righteous indignation, and then said, "Qin Ji was there yesterday, so I was embarrassed to say it. It is precisely because Fu Zhengyi is my senior brother and we have spent a long time together that I understand him so well and know that he is definitely not the kind of person who would regard justice as a belief in life."

“Let me tell you something and you’ll understand. His original name wasn’t Fu Zhengyi. He changed it after he awakened his unique spiritual personality. The purpose of changing his name is self-evident. What kind of principles can you expect from someone like that? He’s just driven by self-interest. He’ll do whatever is in his own best interest.”

Tang Ping defended him, saying, "There's no need to be so critical. That's just how society values ​​are these days. It's unacceptable for those at the top to live a life of luxury while those below make sacrifices for free. If we really want to get to the root of the problem, we should clean up the atmosphere at the top first. Only when leaders take the lead and set an example will the comrades below follow suit. Moreover, being righteous and driven by self-interest will actually make one a good person in the current situation. We should judge things by their actions, not their intentions."

While stuffing a meat bun into his mouth, Yuan Ji said, "I'm not some underage kid still shouting 'passion, friendship, and bonds,' so of course I understand this principle. That's why I didn't reject him at first; on the contrary, I was glad that he awakened the 'Bi'an'."

"After working under him for a while, I found that he was no different from before. He never regarded acting as 'Bi'an' as his own code of conduct, but rather as a facade to gain the trust of others, and only paid lip service to it."

"The more I listened, the more I felt he was hypocritical. In the end, I couldn't stand it anymore and didn't want to see his face, so I simply transferred from the Armed Forces Section to the Public Security Section."

"Sometimes, I really wish to increase the punishment for violating the nature of the spirit, preferably to abolish all of one's spiritual power cultivation, rather than just causing it to regress. This way, I can completely cut off Senior Brother Fu's escape route and force him to become a champion of justice."

"Your idea is too extreme."

Tang Ping shook her head and was about to continue eating breakfast when she noticed that there was only a steamed bun and a tea egg left on the table. She was dumbfounded and said, "No, I only ate a preserved vegetable bun and half a bowl of porridge. How come the whole table is empty? Are you trying to distract me by talking so you can take the opportunity to finish everything?"

Yuan Ji protested, "No way! I'm just eating at a normal pace. It's clearly you who's not eating actively and has a problem with your thinking."

Tang Ping glanced at the other person's flat stomach and asked in confusion, "I really don't know where all the food you eat goes."

Just then, a bird whose species they couldn't identify flew onto their table. It wasn't afraid of people and hopped and skipped closer to the steamed bun cage.

Yuan Ji whispered, "Look, doesn't it want to eat too?"

Tang Ping nodded, broke off a small piece of steamed bun wrapper and placed it on the table. The little bird tilted its head, looked at it, and quickly picked up the wrapper and flew away.

Perhaps birds also have a herd mentality. Seeing their companions easily obtain food, two more small birds that look similar flew over and landed on the table, raised their heads and stared at the soup screen, turning their dark and bright eyes, which was quite cute.

Tang Ping had no choice but to break off two more pieces. As she saw the other person off, she reminded them, "Don't invite any more of your fellow villagers. If they come again, I won't have any left to eat."

Yuan Ji laughed upon hearing this, saying, "You're being too petty, arguing with a bird."

"You're all full and talking like you don't know what's going on. I'm starving!"

Tang Ping quickly stuffed the steamed bun into her mouth and then deftly peeled the tea egg.

"I wasn't full either, only about 60% full. You shouldn't eat too much for breakfast."

After Tang Ping finished eating, Yuan Ji asked, "Did you have any inspiration?"

"What inspiration?"

"That's how it's always portrayed in TV dramas. When the protagonist is solving a case, they lack clues and rack their brains but can't find the answer. Then, they encounter an unexpected little thing that gives them inspiration, and they solve the case in an instant."

Tang Ping looked at Yuan Ji and slowly hummed, "Some casual words cleared up my doubts, and a strange impulse made me continue to pursue it."

"Yes, yes, that's what it means."

"You're kidding me! Even if that were the case, it's usually because someone next to me said something that inspired the protagonist. Who's next to me right now?"

Yuan Ji was taken aback for a moment, then pointed to himself: "Me?"

"Good to know. Now it's your responsibility to find a way to inspire me."

Chapter Ninety New Neighbors

Since it was the weekend and she didn't have to work, Tang Ping had to return to her dormitory after breakfast.

Yuan Ji followed closely behind. Tang Ping thought she was going to fulfill her duty as a bodyguard and was prepared to invite him into the house. However, she saw him go to the next room, take out a key and open the door.

How do you have the key to the neighbor's house?

"Oh, I forgot to tell you, starting today, I'm moving next door to you. My things will be delivered soon. If you encounter any danger at night, just shout and I'll come right away. Remember not to close the balcony window. If the cult still wants to kidnap you, closing the window won't help; it will only hinder the rescue."

Tang Ping said, "Moving is such a hassle, is it really necessary to go to this extent?"

"Of course it's necessary. I've said it before, I'll definitely protect you and won't make any more mistakes," Yuan Ji said with a serious expression. "I originally wanted to live with you, but Lao Hu said that cohabitation between unmarried men and women has a bad influence and didn't agree. I could only settle for second best and live next door to you. That guy is such an old-fashioned person. What era are we living in? What's wrong with unmarried men and women living together?"

"This matter is handled by the station director."

"I didn't expect someone born in the 00s to be so conservative," Yuan Ji blinked and teased, "You haven't even had a girlfriend yet, have you?"

Tang Ping truthfully replied, "No."

"Hey, you answered so readily. I thought you'd be embarrassed and just pretending to be strong."

"What era are we living in? If you don't have a partner, you don't have a partner. It's not something to be ashamed of. Only old-fashioned people would feel ashamed of being single."

Yuan Ji was silent for a while, then said with a complicated expression, "You won't think like that when you're older. Even if you still think like that, your parents will start pressuring you to get married."

Tang Ping's eyes narrowed, and she asked suspiciously, "Judging from your tone, it seems like you've been pressured by your parents to get married? That shouldn't be the case. You've only been out of school for a little over two years, you're only 25 at most, not even close to 30 yet, why are you in such a hurry?"

“Exactly! You also think it’s too early!” Yuan Ji said excitedly, as if she had found a kindred spirit. “My parents are really crazy. They say that girls should get married as early as possible, the younger they are, the more good partners they can find. The longer they wait, the harder it is to get married. In the end, they can only choose someone from among the ugly ones. They also said that someone like me should find a responsible young man who has just entered the workforce and take advantage of his lack of experience and discernment. Otherwise, once he sees through my true nature, there will be no hope.”

Household chores are hard to sort out, and emotional matters are hard to explain. If household chores and emotional matters are combined, then it's even more important not to get involved.

Tang Ping carefully considered her words and cautiously said, "When elders urge you to get married, they always tend to use some derogatory language. Don't take it to heart."

"Of course I don't care! I usually upload videos of myself exercising, and the comments section praises me as an athletic beauty who can punch a pervert to death and makes me feel super safe. Many people ask for my contact information. If I want to find a boyfriend, it's a piece of cake. Why should my parents worry? It makes it seem like no one wants me."

"Your parents aren't worried that you won't find a partner, but that you won't find a good partner."

"What constitutes a good partner? If we follow the consensus in the marriage market, does it mean that only those who are rich and powerful are considered good partners? Do I, a psychic, even care about such things?"

"Based on what you just said, I'm afraid in your parents' minds, the best partner is someone who knows your true nature but still chooses to be responsible for you. Of course, I don't know your parents well, so this conclusion may be a bit arbitrary."

Tang Ping didn't forget to patch up his own issues.

After hearing this, Yuan Ji seemed to find it acceptable, and his expression softened considerably. He only complained, "They really look down on their own daughter."

As the two were talking, they heard footsteps. Turning around, they saw a familiar face they hadn't seen in a long time.

The other person approached Tang Ping, stood at attention, saluted, and said, "Private First Class Feng Maimai has been assigned by his superiors to carry out a guard duty and has come to report for duty!"

Seeing this, Tang Ping gave him face and saluted, saying, "Welcome, Private Feng Maimai. My safety is in your hands now."

"Yes!"

After the scene was over, Tang Ping asked bluntly, "Yesterday, Director Hu said he would request more people to protect me, but why did he send you? You're not good at fighting, so if we were attacked, it would be hard to say who would protect whom."

Is Bai Ze a mythical beast that excels in battle?

"Rest assured, I have undergone intensive training, doing 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, 100 squats, and a 10-kilometer run every day. I am not the same person I was two months ago."

"Liar! Your hair is still there, which means you haven't gotten any stronger!"

"A very insightful comment, Watson. Congratulations on finding the blind spot."

Tang Ping couldn't hold back any longer. She clenched her fists and pressed them against Feng Maimai's temples, rotating them: "Be serious, or I'll churn out all the outdated anime references in your head."

"I...I don't understand what you're saying, um..."

After some effort, Feng Maimai finally replied with satisfaction: "Yuan Ji is already a strong combat operative. I am mainly responsible for information defense. If anyone tries to use modern technology to monitor or eavesdrop on you, I will counter it immediately."

Yuan Ji agreed, "That's right. The attempt to lure them into the Illusionary Realm and then kidnap them by force has already failed once. If they haven't given up, they will definitely try a different kidnapping method. There is a high possibility that they will take action directly in the real world. We must be on guard."

Tang Ping then asked, "Where will you be staying from now on, in a hotel?"

Feng Maimai pointed to the room next to Tang Ping and said, "From today onwards, we are neighbors."

Yuan Ji laughed and said, "Great minds think alike."

Tang Ping hurriedly said, "That's not right. The room Yuan Ji chose is empty, but the room you chose is clearly occupied. Although I haven't met the person, I can occasionally hear sounds coming from the other side of the wall at night."

Feng Maimai said confidently, "Don't worry, he will move out this afternoon."

Tang Ping asked suspiciously, "You didn't use any methods to intimidate them, did you?"

Feng Maimai crossed her arms in front of her chest: "Wrong. Your neighbor is an environmental science graduate who has failed the civil service exam for three years. He is currently considering whether to become a security guard. I found him a job at an environmental assessment company in the next city. I believe he will make a decision to move soon."

Just then, the door to the dormitory was pushed open, and a young man with slightly disheveled hair, who had just shaved and was wearing a brand-new suit, came out carrying a briefcase. He was startled to see three people standing in the corridor and greeted them somewhat awkwardly, "Hello."

Yuan Ji couldn't help but ask for confirmation: "Hello, are you looking for a job?"

Seemingly having not spoken to a woman up close in a long time, the young man appeared somewhat nervous: "Uh, yes, how did you know?"

Yuan Ji didn't know how to answer for a moment, but Tang Ping chimed in, "You look like you're going for a job interview."

"Yeah, that's true. Usually, no one would wear this outfit."

Influenced by the fox spirit, the young man's expression relaxed, and he was no longer flustered.

Thinking about his upcoming schedule, he felt a mix of worry and anticipation. He couldn't help but share with others, "A company is in urgent need of staff, and my major is relatively unpopular... It's not a popular major right now. They saw my resume and asked me to come for an interview."

"It sounds like you have a very good chance of getting the job this time."