Regarding the matter of awakening lightning abilities after transformation

Weak rift... Gu Cheng vaguely remembered that the giant spider's rating was also weak.

"Are the creatures in the real world stronger than those in the rift?" she asked curiously.

"That's true at the same level. Because what you face in the rift is never the complete form," Song Shiyan explained carefully, adjusting his glasses.

"Moreover, I heard from your Captain Su that you are the key to the success of this operation."

As soon as she finished speaking, Gu Cheng subconsciously looked at Su Wanxi.

The other person was still flipping through the documents, as if they hadn't heard anything, their face clearly saying, "Those weren't my words, don't look at me."

"It was just a coincidence; those things are more afraid of lightning." If her ability level had reached C-rank, the battle wouldn't have been so dangerous.

The debriefing meeting didn't have a fixed agenda; it mainly involved having the ability users present briefly supplement their understanding of the battle details.

From the conversations of others, Gu Cheng was surprised to discover that the dark figure had been killed at lightning speed after she fell unconscious.

Oh, it's so bad!

No, that would make me look even worse.

After realizing the reality, Gu Cheng became lazy and indifferent again, and the confidence she had painstakingly built up was ruthlessly shattered once more.

After the meeting ended, Su Wanxi was kept behind by Song Shiyan, Gu Cheng went to the basement to practice shooting, and Zhou Li had to go back to the restaurant.

"Uncle Zhou, how long does it usually take for Captain Su, the captain of the Song Bureau, to talk?" Gu Cheng asked Zhou Li carefully in the elevator.

"It depends on whether there are any special circumstances recently; it usually won't take more than an hour."

"I see, thank you, Uncle Zhou."

"Are you planning to wait for her to leave together?" After all, she's a girl, and she likes to stick together when she gets home. Zhou Li asked Gu Cheng with a smile.

"Mm." Gu Cheng nodded, watching him leave the elevator...

Inside the meeting room, the secretary collected the documents on the table and left the room on her own.

"Miss Su, do you think there's anything wrong with Gu Cheng?" Song Shiyan rested his hand on his chin, his expression serious.

Something's not right?

"Hmm, I can tell you're very curious about her." Besides the dream analysis when he first joined, Song Shiyan had also privately collected a lot of information about Gu Cheng, or rather, about Gu Chengyan.

"Is that so..." Su Wanxi's fingers gently stroked the tabletop, her tone somewhat unnatural.

“It’s obvious.” Song Shiyan shrugged. As a senior colleague who had watched her join the company, he understood Su Wanxi’s personality quite well.

"I just think she's very strong..."

When Song Shiyan helped Gu Cheng forge documents, he deliberately made her life trajectory overlap with Gu Chengyan's.

It's not surprising that Su Wanxi has such thoughts, given that she was an orphan, grew up in an orphanage, and joined the Hermit Bureau after a near-death experience.

"She is indeed very strong." Song Shiyan knew more about the truth than Su Wanxi, and this praise came from the bottom of his heart.

"Returning to our previous topic, do you know anything about Gu Cheng's awakened ability?" According to various tests, Gu Cheng's ability strength is D. However, in the previous battle in the basement, she demonstrated abilities far exceeding that.

"Judging from the description, the 'restraint' effect on her was far less than yours." In the summary meeting just now, Gu Cheng mentioned that when her movements were about to be frozen, she suddenly bounced back and regained her flexibility. She attributed this result to Su Wanxi.

In fact, Su Wanxi did nothing but simply hold her back, preventing her from being completely bound. Considering Gu Cheng's experience of being invaded by a subjugated creature, Song Shiyan guessed that the changes in her body might not only manifest in her gender.

“There’s one more thing…” Su Wanxi added promptly, as if she had just thought of something.

“When I visited Yu Jinlin’s villa, I could only vaguely sense that supernatural forces were watching me, but Gu Cheng could pinpoint the location more precisely.”

The feeling was most obvious in the living room near the bedroom... that was her answer, and it turned out that the shadowy figure was hiding in the basement next to the bedroom.

"Her displayed spiritual vision and ability strength D are not consistent." Song Shiyan picked up a disposable teacup and muttered to himself while looking at the water.

"'The shadow vanished in a way that resembled the melting away of an oil painting.' None of the ability users present could achieve such an effect."

"If possible, keep a close eye on her for me." Unsure whether the consequences would be good or bad, Song Shiyan could only ask Su Wanxi this request.

Section 38 Chapter Thirty-Eight: Parchment

“The things I asked Zhou Li to investigate have recently yielded some results, and your uncle should have more detailed information.”

Was "Parchment" involved in the case in Xicheng District?

“That’s right, and all kinds of information indicate that the ‘parchment’ has been active in Lanjiang City for quite some time, possibly even dating back to more than twenty years ago.”

Su Wanxi leaned forward, her brows furrowed, as if she was deep in thought.

"Understood, I will convey your message to him." After a moment, she gave her reply.

The Parchment is a superpowered criminal organization established at the end of the 20th century, with operations in various countries around the world. Su Wanxi did not expect that they had infiltrated Lanjiang City so early.

Twenty years... At that time, her uncle had not yet taken up a high-ranking position in Lanjiang City; it seems to be a mess left by his predecessor.

"The Hermit Bureau will also get involved. I hope the two sides will cooperate smoothly at that time." Song Shiyan extended his hand and shook hands with Su Wanxi symbolically.

That's all for today. People outside must be getting impatient.

Meanwhile, outside the conference room.

Gu Cheng stood by the glass window in the hall, quietly gazing into the distance.

Lanjiang City got its name from the river that flows through its city center. At sunset, the golden sunset casts a shimmering glow on the water, while willows sway in the breeze, creating gentle ripples.

"Are you waiting for me?" A cool voice came from beside her, and Gu Cheng turned around to look at Su Wanxi.

"Ah."

"How long have you been waiting?"

"About... half an hour."

"You can send me a message first, I can leave earlier if you want."

"It wasn't long at all. I just enjoyed the scenery along the coast for a while," Gu Cheng said with a smile, shaking her head as her long hair fluttered in the breeze.

"So, what brings you here?"

"Do you have time now? I'd like to invite you to dinner." Inviting a lady to dinner over the phone doesn't convey enough sincerity, so Gu Cheng decided to muster up the courage to ask in person.

Su Wanxi didn't speak, but just silently looked at Gu Cheng.

"Why so suddenly?" she asked curiously.

"Miss Su has helped me so much, I just want to do something small to repay her."

Whether it's renting a house or being hospitalized, there are countless ways she has helped me.

"Is that so..." Recalling Song Shiyan's previous conversation, Su Wanxi hesitated for a moment, then shook her head.

"I have other things to do tonight, maybe next time."

She refused. Was I too hasty?

"Well... that's settled then, you can go ahead and get busy." Gu Cheng was a little disappointed, but she hid it well.

"Tomorrow should be fine, if you're free too."

"Uh-huh?"

Did she agree? Gu Cheng was stunned for a moment before she realized what she meant.

"I heard you've been learning Zhou Li's cooking recently. If possible, may I try some?" Su Wanxi really liked Gu Cheng's absent-minded look, so she couldn't help but pause a little longer between her sentences.

"Yes...yes, that's fine."

Miss Su, you'd like to come to my house and eat the dishes I cook.

The contrast between before and after was so great that Gu Cheng felt dizzy.

"If it's inconvenient, that's fine. We can eat somewhere else." Su Wanxi smiled slightly when she heard the hesitation in the other person's words.

"Of course it's convenient! I just... feel that what I make doesn't taste as good as what Uncle Zhou makes."

"Don't underestimate yourself before you've even tried it," she encouraged Gu Cheng, patting him on the shoulder.

Looking at the beautiful woman so close to him, Gu Cheng's heart was about to melt into a puddle of water.

"I will do well."

"Mmm." Su Wanxi turned around to face the setting sun, her long, smooth hair swaying in the summer breeze.

"See you tomorrow." She waved, her arms, exposed by the setting sun, appearing even more radiant.

"See you tomorrow." Gu Cheng leaned against the windowsill, watching her figure grow smaller and smaller until it disappeared around the street corner.

......

"Xiao Xi, eat more of this, it can relieve eye fatigue."

"Thank you, Aunt Zhou." Seeing the bowl piled high with various dishes, Su Wanxi gave the woman a sweet smile.

"Xiao Xi, have you been having any work troubles lately? I haven't seen you come to the store much."

"Work is fine, I've just suddenly gotten very busy these past few days."

"We should be almost done with this busy period. Anyway, Xiaorong is on vacation now. Why don't you come on a trip with us?"

"travel?"

"Yes, Xiao Rong said she plans to travel abroad this summer." Xiao Rong is Aunt Zhou's daughter, and she's a junior in college this year.

"I'll wait and see if it's fake," Su Wanxi politely declined.

"Work may be busy, but sometimes you still need to rest. Look at how old you are, why are you working so hard every day..."

“It’s good that young people have their own ideas, so don’t try to persuade her.” A man in a white shirt interrupted Aunt Zhou from the other end of the table.

He had a standard square face, wore black-rimmed glasses, and exuded the air of a superior in every gesture.

The man's name was Fan Ruosong, nearly fifty years old, and he was a high-ranking official in Lanjiang City. Although she called him "uncle," Fan Ruosong was Su Wanxi's uncle by marriage.

"Yes, thank you for your concern, Aunt Zhou. I will make sure to balance work and rest." Su Wanxi chewed slowly as she put food into her elder's bowl.

"That's good, eat more." Aunt Zhou nodded kindly.

After dinner, Fan Ruosong took Su Wanxi to the study to discuss business, while Aunt Zhou stayed in the living room to watch her favorite soap opera.

"Is there a problem with your work?" Aunt Zhou didn't know about Su Wanxi's job, but as the top official in the city, Fan Ruosong knew his niece's current status.