Chapter 16: Captain Xia, Surely You Don’t Want Those Reporters to Know What You’ve Done, Do You?

Zhang Huai’an caught up with Zhou Mo after dinner and they arrived at the City Guard Office on Zhongshan Street.

As soon as they got out of the car, three or four reporters holding cameras began snapping pictures of Zhou Mo. However, the anticipated big scene never materialized; after taking a few shots of Zhou Mo shaking hands with Xia An, the reporters left.

It made sense—this was just a minor local news story, not something to draw widespread attention.

But for Xia An, the goal had been achieved.

Inside Xia An’s office, dressed in what could barely be called formal attire, she looked at Zhou Mo with a faint, ambiguous smile. “Well? I didn’t break my promise, did I? Here’s your bonus—fifteen thousand yuan in total, with five thousand of that as compensation for your injury.”

For some reason, Xia An handing over the money had an air of a wealthy woman’s generosity.

Zhou Mo’s expression stiffened as he looked at her. “But Captain Xia, you never mentioned there would be reporters interviewing me.”

Xia An chuckled. “Isn’t it because of the recent call to action? Subconscious monsters are increasing, and the City Guard can’t handle everyone alone. Of course, we have to encourage the public to provide useful tips.”

Zhou Mo narrowed his eyes. “I’m afraid you just want to use me as bait to catch the brain-eating monsters.”

Xia An’s expression suddenly darkened. “How did you know I was using you as bait? Didn’t I tell you all the brain-eating monsters have already been caught?”

Zhou Mo sighed slightly. Sure enough, Xia An was hard to deal with—every sentence felt like a trap.

“Because I think the two who attacked me were brain-eating monsters. One carrying tools from the Messer Clinic has already been arrested by you, but the other one is probably still at large.”

Xia An was momentarily taken aback. “Two people? Why didn’t you tell me that yesterday?”

Zhou Mo tilted his head. “I forgot. My memory isn’t great since my brain was injured.”

That ridiculous excuse again!

Xia An was itching to retort but found herself powerless against Zhou Mo. However, the two attackers he described roughly matched the evidence Xia An had.

There had been seven or eight consecutive brain-eating monster incidents. Judging by the scene and method, each time involved two perpetrators, a detail the City Guard had never made public.

Xia An furrowed her brow and asked, “What other clues do you have?”

Zhou Mo thought for a moment and decided to mention the voice. “After meeting Liao Feng yesterday, I suddenly remembered one of the attackers had a voice I was very familiar with, but because of the amnesia, I couldn’t recall who it was.”

“Voice?”

Xia An pondered, then took a bloodstained recorder from a nearby box. “Listen to this and see if it sounds the same.”

The first recording played—a man muttering nonsense.

After listening, Zhou Mo shook his head. “No, that man’s voice is magnetic, and this is completely different.”

Xia An said nothing, then pressed another button. Soon, a slightly deranged voice of Li Ya came through.

“The human brain remains a mysterious and unknown realm, but before we fully understand it—”

Before the sentence finished, Xia An stopped the recorder and looked at Zhou Mo expectantly.

Zhou Mo had prepared for this. He had already heard Li Ya speak these words before, but he had to hide that now.

Frowning, Zhou Mo suddenly gasped, “Wait! I remember! That voice belongs to the short attacker who targeted me—it’s completely different from the tall one!”

Xia An had initially just intended to test him but was surprised to actually get a lead from Zhou Mo.

She regarded him curiously; the clue matched perfectly.

The first recording was just an irrelevant clip on Li Ya’s recorder; the second was Li Ya’s rambling before death.

Xia An had doubted Zhou Mo’s testimony initially, but now, with the direct match, it confirmed that Zhou Mo was truly attacked by brain-eating monsters.

Swallowing nervously, Xia An put the recorder away and asked, “If you hear the other attacker’s voice, can you identify him?”

Zhou Mo nodded firmly. “I should be able to.”

Xia An’s palms were sweaty as she forced a charming smile. “Well then, it seems you’re willing to cooperate with us?”

Zhou Mo had to admit that Xia An was quite clever—not only beautiful but sharp-minded as well.

Still, that didn’t mean he would be led blindly by her. In fact, on the way to the City Guard, Zhou Mo had been thinking about how to counter Xia An’s outrageous tactics.

He didn’t want to bring so much trouble upon himself; he wanted to minimize the matter. Although he admitted to some lies, his real goal was to catch the brain-eating monsters and retrieve his memories.

But this Xia An kept piling on problems. So then...

Don’t blame me if I get a little ruthless.

Zhou Mo smiled faintly. “Although I want to cooperate, do you really think using a witness as bait is appropriate?”

Xia An’s smile stiffened unnaturally, tugging at the corner of her mouth. “Of course not. There must be some misunderstanding...”

Damn it!

Misjudged!

This damn college graduate was quite smart!

Xia An’s method was indeed against regulations. If Zhou Mo used this as a complaint to the City Guard headquarters, Xia An would at least face disciplinary action.

Though she suspected Zhou Mo, it was only suspicion—no proof he had committed a crime.

Moreover, Zhou Mo had verbally given her relevant evidence on the brain-eating monsters. Most importantly, he was still a victim.

Xia An had hoped that giving him an extra five thousand yuan would distract him, but from the moment he entered, Zhou Mo barely glanced at the envelope.

Zhou Mo’s smile was like bright sunshine. Glancing at the envelope full of money on the table, he said, “Captain Xia, do you really think this is appropriate? You wouldn’t want those reporters to find out what you’ve done, would you?”

Zhou Mo knew Xia An was targeting him, but he was the victim now.

As for whether Xia An would give him trouble behind the scenes?

Zhou Mo wasn’t afraid—she had already invited several reporters to cover the story.

With his current news value, if Zhou Mo went to a few more reporters, Xia An’s career as a City Guard officer might be over.

After all, he was just an ordinary citizen. If Xia An was truly unscrupulous enough to cause him trouble, then he wouldn’t hesitate to expose them both.

But who could blame him?

Xia An’s face twitched. Gritting her teeth, she snapped, “What exactly do you want? You’re not hoping I’ll go on a date with you, are you? Don’t even think about it! Don’t think you can use that to blackmail me!”

Zhou Mo laughed and shook his head. “Forget the date. I might consider it if there’s more money involved, but what I really want to know is what you meant by the ‘Deep Diver’ you mentioned earlier.”

Xia An suddenly froze. “Deep Diver? You don’t know about that?”

“Didn’t you just kick Liao Feng out?”