Chapter 7: DoubtsBeside Fallen River, a group of people were holding a funeral. The spot they occupied was the scene of the Aberrant Attack Incident a few days prior, and the deceased was likely a victim of that incident.Mu Zimian waited in the distance, planning to conduct a final inspection of the scene after the funeral concluded. As he expected, the funeral ended quickly.The crowd dispersed in twos and threes, leaving only a young woman standing alone in place.The girl wore a French-style black dress, a small white flower pinned at her chest, and a navy blue embroidered handmade crossbody bag at her waist. Her long black hair, neatly combed, reflected a healthy sheen under the sunlight.Her dress swayed in the wind, yet the deep sorrow between her brows seemed as unfathomable as the waters of Fallen River.The girl possessed a calm demeanor rarely seen in the Fourth Ring, reminiscent of a commoner girl encountering a prince in a fairy tale.Mu Zimian shook his head, dispelling the romantic and impractical fantasies from his mind, a gentle smile curling at the corners of his lips. Though he knew little of art, influenced by his father since childhood, his resolute character concealed a touch of romance.His senses were unusually keen, and he noticed the girl’s gaze fixed on him. Puzzled, he walked toward her.Shan Xiaoxi performed a standard greeting. This was something Vincent had taught her, which had earned her much goodwill from customers in her work."Hello, sir. My name is Shan Xiaoxi—'Xiao' as in small, 'Xi' as in a babbling stream.""Hello, miss."A somewhat dry opening exchange; clearly, Mu Zimian did not recognize Shan Xiaoxi.Feeling a bit embarrassed, Shan Xiaoxi lowered her head and took out the "fateful" handkerchief."Thank you for your gentlemanly assistance that day. I didn’t expect to see you again so soon. I’ve washed the handkerchief clean."Mu Zimian recognized the handkerchief in the girl’s hand as his own and suddenly remembered that the girl before him was the one who had wept bitterly in the alley that day.Taking back his handkerchief, Mu Zimian hesitated for a moment before saying, "My condolences."He had said the same thing in the alley that day before turning to leave. Afraid he might leave again, Shan Xiaoxi anxiously stepped closer."Sir, were you the person in charge of the previous Aberrant Attack Incident?" Shan Xiaoxi went straight to the point, voicing her speculation.Mu Zimian paused, then asked in return, "Why do you ask?"Shan Xiaoxi glanced at his uniform. "You’re a Night Watcher from Bureau 404, right? In all my life, this is the first time I’ve seen a Night Watcher. You must be here to handle a major incident, and the only major incident that’s happened here recently is the Aberrant Attack Incident, isn’t it?"This was a clever girl.Wearing the Night Watcher uniform, Mu Zimian had no intention of hiding his identity or purpose. "I’m not the person in charge, just a member of the team in charge. Do you have any leads to provide?""No," Shan Xiaoxi shook her head. "My friend died in the attack. I believe I have the right to know the truth."Not only clever but also bold. She was the first civilian Mu Zimian had encountered who dared to question him directly. He found it intriguing, his gaze carrying a hint of curiosity as he looked at the girl."I believe the police should have already informed you about the incident. Haven’t you received any updates?"Sensing the change in Mu Zimian’s attitude, Shan Xiaoxi felt it necessary to flatter him a little."You are an approachable gentleman, unlike those self-important police officers who act as if their eyes are on the top of their heads. That's why I wanted to seek the truth from you. If my words have offended you, please allow me to take back what I said."Mu Zimian had seen Shan Xiaoxi at her ugliest and most embarrassing moment, yet he hadn't looked down on her and had even offered her his handkerchief. Shan Xiaoxi judged that he should be easy to talk to, which was why she dared to ask him so boldly.Mu Zimian gave a slight bow. "Your words make me feel ashamed. In fact, the police aren't intentionally hiding anything—the matter is still under investigation. Even as a Night Watcher, I cannot tell you the truth because I don't know what the truth is either."Shan Xiaoxi felt he had no reason to lie to her, but she still had many questions in her mind."Did that Deformity that attacked people during the day die?" Shan Xiaoxi had asked Steven this question before, and Steven had given an affirmative answer, but she wasn't entirely convinced.Mu Zimian's expression turned serious. "It died. It was shot on the spot by the Night Watchers."Shan Xiaoxi blinked. "Then why do you seem so troubled? Are there other Deformities like it that escaped and haven't been caught?""No, there's no such news for now. After the attack incident, the authorities ordered a cleanup of the Fourth Ring livestock farms. I think they won't dare to be negligent again, at least for a while.""I have one last question: why did that Deformity attack people during the day?" This might actually be two questions: why during the day, and why people? Of course, the answers to these two questions might be the same.Before Mu Zimian could answer, Shan Xiaoxi remembered an even more serious question: "Have the Deformities evolved again? Will they no longer be limited to appearing at night and targeting individuals in the future?"Shan Xiaoxi probably wasn't the only one with such doubts. If not for these concerns, why would the banks of the Fallen River be so deserted during the day? People were afraid."No, I cannot answer these questions," Mu Zimian hesitated before adding reassuringly, "but personally, I believe it was just an exception. As far as we know, it was the only one."Due to the radiation of the Crimson Moon, night had become a taboo for humans. If Deformities also appeared during the day, humans would have to hide indoors all day long.Although Mu Zimian said this, Shan Xiaoxi's concerns were not entirely dispelled.She guessed that these were the very questions the Night Watchers were investigating. In that case, she had to remind the people at the welfare home to reduce unnecessary outings.Shan Xiaoxi had asked many questions and received some answers. She felt she should know when to stop and not push her luck, even though this Night Watcher seemed like a good person."Thank you for clearing up my doubts. You are a kind gentleman."Watching the girl's heavy figure as she walked away after saying goodbye, Mu Zimian couldn't quite tell whether her last words were meant as a sincere compliment.It wasn't until Shan Xiaoxi returned to the welfare home that she realized she had forgotten to ask one more question—she hadn't asked for his name.She hoped there would be another chance to meet him in the future, so she could make up for it then.Finally, Mu Zimian was the only one left at the scene of the Aberrant Attack Incident.Walking to a spot where traces of blood still remained, he took out a cloth pouch from inside his trench coat. Removing his gloves, he retrieved a green seed from the pouch.This seed was called Thorn Pear, produced in the Bureau 404 laboratory, and was a non-aggressive genetically mutated plant.In the autumn wind, Mu Zimian softly chanted, the seeds at his fingertips emitting a green fluorescent glow representing vitality.He placed the seeds on the bloodstained ground.Rooting, sprouting, flowering, and fruiting were completed within a few breaths. The green plant bore red, fleshy fruits.Looking back at the ground, the bloodstains had completely vanished. The Thorn Pear had absorbed the blood from the soil to form the fruits. The juices within those fruits were the components of the blood.Mu Zimian picked the fruits. He had to deliver these fruits to the Bureau 404 laboratory for testing.

The Fashion Rookie and The Mysterious Gentleman