Chapter 152: One should still have dreams; what if they come true?

Chapter 152: One should still have dreams; what if they come true?

The forest wasn't vast. The ground was covered in weeds, but a path had been trodden by the Special Security Bureau. Uncle Zhang held a flashlight, leading Chi Shen about ten meters in. Ahead, an outdoor light hung from a tree, guarded by two individuals. Behind them was a pitch-black coffin.

Both had stern expressions, standing at the ready. One of them was an older man Chi Shen had met by the seaside. The elder had introduced himself as Li Shu'an, a special envoy from the Special Security Bureau to the harbor city. He had said to just call him Uncle Li.

Seeing Chi Shen approach, Li Shu'an stood up and said, "Ah, Little Chi, you've finally arrived. Tell me, how should we deal with this?"

There was a tone of familiarity in his voice.

Under the dim light, Chi Shen immediately spotted the dark coffin. Though the light was faint, it didn't prevent him from discerning the patterns engraved on it.

Ignoring Li Shu'an's peculiar tone, Chi Shen asked, "Isn't handling this the responsibility of the Special Security Bureau?"

At this hour, he should be back reading his novel.

Without a hint of embarrassment, Li Shu'an responded, "This belongs to the Bai family. We need to consult you about how to handle it."

Chi Shen was even more taken aback. "Shouldn't you be asking my father about this?"

"He fled," chimed in Uncle Zhang. "We had planned to capture Bai Xi Ming. Before we could act, he disappeared after last night's events. We don't know where he's hiding. So now, we need to ask you about handling the Bai family's matters."

Li Shu'an continued, "Bai Xi Ming is now on the wanted list. We've apprehended most of the Bai family members. We always consider blood relations when handling family matters. Since you're Bai Xi Ming's close relative, we have to consult you."

Uncle Zhang chuckled, "Moreover, after our discussion, even if you weren't a Bai family member, we'd still seek your opinion. After all, dealing with this zombie is no simple task. You'd likely know the best way to handle him."

Chi Shen: "..."

He understood now. They were expecting him to provide his services without compensation.

"Dealing with this zombie is an exceptionally challenging task," said Li Shu'an, his expression grave. "This creature is centuries old, enduring without decay. It must be formidable. We're unsure why it remains dormant, despite our proximity. Precisely because of this, we're hesitant to move it. Share your thoughts, will you?"

Chi Shen: "Oh."

Uncle Zhang added, "We'll consider you as an external consultant and provide you an allowance accordingly."

Chi Shen flashed a professional smile, "Alright. Have you found his coffin lid?"

"We've found it," Li Shu'an replied. "It's on its way here."

"I'll have a word with him." Saying this, Chi Shen headed towards the coffin.

"Alright then..." Li Shu'an glanced at Uncle Zhang and stepped aside.

As Chi Shen approached, Li Shu'an murmured, "Zombies lack souls. They act purely on instinct and can't communicate..."

Suddenly, there was a loud noise from the coffin's direction. Li Shu'an looked up and was immediately taken aback.

Just as Chi Shen was about to touch the coffin, the zombie, feigning death till now, abruptly rose. It extended an arm out of the coffin and seized Chi Shen. Without missing a beat, Chi Shen warmly gripped the outstretched hand and yanked the old zombie out entirely. He then conveniently used an iron chain found in the coffin to bind the creature.

The old zombie looked unwilling and uncooperative from head to toe. Yet, he was firmly restrained by Chi Shen, rendered utterly defenseless.

After securing him, Chi Shen tossed the zombie back into the coffin. Dusting off his hands, he remarked, "We've had our chat. He says he's quite pleased."

Li Shu'an twitched an eyebrow, "Pleased with what?"

Don't pretend I didn’t see! You didn’t utter a word from start to finish! You just tied him up. Do you genuinely believe that's communicating?

Chi Shen, seemingly oblivious to Li Shu'an's inner rant, cheerfully responded, "I asked if he'd be alright with us filling his coffin with cement and sinking it in a trench. He seemed quite enthusiastic."

The two elderly men exchanged glances. Finally, Uncle Zhang gestured, "Proceed as discussed."

Li Shu'an still had reservations. He peeked at the old zombie, noticing it glaring back, its chains rattling but unable to break free.

"I initially thought he'd find a way to help this ancestor find peace," Uncle Zhang said, noting Li Shu'an's shocked expression. "But this approach seems efficient too."

"Are we really going by his plan?" Li Shu'an protested, visibly irritated.

Uncle Zhang retorted, "What's your alternative? Want to take the lead?"

Li Shu'an pondered a moment, then sighed, "This indeed seems like the most straightforward solution, provided he helps us keep the zombie restrained."

Uncle Zhang added, "Given how troublesome just this one entity from the Bai family mansion is, I wonder how many ghosts Bai Xi Ming has taken with him this time."

In the woods, the two elderly men stood silently for a while. After a long pause, Li Shu'an said, "None of us expected Bai Hengqing to suddenly become so despondent, gathering everyone here."

The Bureau of Special Security acted swiftly. By the next day, Chi Shen received feedback from Uncle Zhang, indicating they had set out to sea!

To sink the old zombie into the deep sea, they would sail for a full day and night, then drop him into a carefully selected trench.

Another day passed, and Chi Shen received a short video clip from Uncle Zhang.

They had retrieved the lid of the zombie's coffin, nailed it back in place, and bound the entire coffin with chains engraved with sacred scriptures. It was then thrown off a fishing boat. Judging by the coffin's weight, it seemed they had indeed heeded Chi Shen's advice and sealed it with cement.

The coffin splashed heavily into the sea and quickly sank until it was out of sight.

At that moment, Ma Caijin happened to walk by Chi Shen. Glancing inadvertently at Chi Shen's phone, he curiously asked, "Are you watching some cultural documentary for reference?"

Chi Shen thought for a moment, considering its potential in-game use, and replied, "Sort of."

"Why 'sort of'?" Ma Caijin squinted suspiciously at Chi Shen, "If you're slacking off, you'll end up getting your pay docked."

"Does our boss even care about that?" Chi Shen inquired.

Ma Caijin pondered, "Guess not. What are you having for lunch? Want to order some takeaway?"

"Let's have something nice. Let's eat downstairs. I'll treat you at that Cantonese restaurant," Chi Shen said, putting away his phone.

Ma Caijin looked at him with suspicion, "Did you do something to feel guilty about? Treating me to lunch?"

Chi Shen replied, "If I did something wrong by you, I'd still have you treat me. I'm just celebrating some good news."

"Found a girlfriend?" Ma Caijin teased.

"Not exactly... but it might as well be."

Ma Caijin: "???"

Chi Shen laughed, "Just kidding. What I meant is, a friend of mine is finally living the life I've always dreamed of. I think it's worth celebrating with a meal."

Ma Caijin's eyes sparkled, "A dream worth five million?"

Chi Shen was already browsing the menu, "He worked hard his whole life. Now, he can finally relax, enjoy the rest of his days, with a sea-view apartment, waking up to the sight of great white sharks showing their teeth. How wonderful is that?"

Ma Caijin daydreamed for a moment, "That does sound amazing. My ultimate life goal isn't far from that! Plus, beach babes and surfboards!"

"The last few aren't included."

"With a sea view room and all, how can those last few be missing?!"

The ghostly face sticker on Chi Shen's desk blew a bubble and quipped, "Of course, because this 'sea view room' refers to the physical sea burial. How can there be beauties at the bottom of the ocean?"

But being a ghost, its sarcastic remarks went unheard by Ma Caijin.