Chapter 41: Returning Home

On the Bureau of Investigation’s official vehicle, Luo Di and Wu Wen had just settled into the spacious back seat when the heating and massage functions activated automatically. It felt as if two gentle arms were caressing their bodies, and their already intense fatigue instantly doubled.

The driver’s voice came from the front, “I will take you to the home address listed in the personal information database.”

“Wait... let’s discuss this first,” the squad leader said, prying her eyelids open with a finger and turning her head toward Luo Di. “How about I continue on to your place and go back later tonight? If we survive this abnormal incident safely and receive a reward from the bureau, my father will surely be pleased and might ease up on his supervision. Even if I come home late today, he’ll think I’m just busy at the bureau. Besides, I want to watch a movie, and my clothes are still at your place.”

Luo Di hesitated briefly when he heard the word “movie.” The idea of watching one together seemed pleasant, especially since the squad leader had already been to his home. He finally nodded in agreement.

“Driver, driver~ just take us to his house!” The driver initially intended to refuse according to bureau regulations, but when he glanced in the rearview mirror, the two young people were already squeezed together in the backseat, asleep. The sight reminded him of his own youthful days. He shook his head and reluctantly pressed the accelerator.

Four hours later, the two awoke to find the vehicle parked at the outer lot of Residential Complex No. 13. The cabin was still in sleep mode, with temperature and humidity perfectly balanced. The driver was nowhere to be seen in the front seat. As they gradually regained full consciousness, they spotted the driver sitting on a stone bench nearby, scrolling through videos on his wristband, a bowl of finished noodles beside him.

With a click, the car door opened. Seeing the two young people exit, the driver strolled back to the driver’s seat at an unhurried pace.

“Thank you,” the squad leader said politely.

The driver merely gave an “OK” sign before driving off.

“Brr~ it’s so cold! Let’s hurry home!” The squad leader was still wearing the short-sleeved shirt and shorts Luo Di had lent her the previous night. Since they had been inside the bureau or the vehicle earlier, she hadn’t felt the chill until now.

The complex had been fully reopened. As they ran toward the deepest building, they encountered numerous residents, all hurriedly carrying large bags and luggage. Those who had hesitated about moving before had decisively chosen to leave following last night’s incident.

Luo Di paid no mind to the residents; he just wanted to get home as quickly as possible.

Once again, he ascended the familiar stairwell and looked at the weathered wall marking the third floor. The door was sealed with bureau tape, and cleanup personnel inside were gathering residual pheromones.

They continued upward and reached the top-floor apartment. Before Luo Di could even take out his key, the door was opened from within.

Three staff members clad in protective suits were inside, collecting traces of the replicants’ activity and tidying up. Their work was just finishing.

After verifying each other’s identities, Luo Di and the squad leader finally stepped back into the warmth of his home. Everything was intact—no furniture damaged.

Relieved by the unchanged surroundings, Luo Di exhaled deeply.

Half an hour later, the squad leader emerged from the bathroom, still wearing Luo Di’s short-sleeved shirt.

Compared to before her shower, a rich aroma now filled the house, instantly whetting her appetite.

Luo Di pointed to the freshly cooked fried egg noodles on the dining table. “Let’s just make do with this for lunch. You probably don’t want to go out to eat.”

“Great! We can watch the movie while eating! To celebrate our survival, cheers!” The squad leader raised her bowl and clinked it against Luo Di’s.

Despite the recent possession and trauma, she showed no signs of discomfort or stress, maintaining the same cheerful demeanor as before the incident. In her eyes, nothing was happier than eating and watching a movie together.

Luo Di had wanted to discuss last night’s events but seeing her eagerness, he changed his mind, deciding to watch the movie first. Sharing a film with someone else felt unexpectedly pleasant, sometimes even more enjoyable than watching alone.

The movie passed quickly. Like a diligent student just released from class, the squad leader immediately began questioning details, sparking a sense of joy in Luo Di known as “sharing.”

But as the conversation wound down, the topic shifted.

“Squad leader, how did you wake up so promptly last night?”

“That’s obvious, isn’t it? I happened to meet the suspect from the third floor during the day, and I fit the victim profile perfectly. Plus, you yourself did something unusual by giving up the couch and letting me sleep in your bedroom. I guessed something was off. With all these factors combined, how could I sleep peacefully? Besides, I’ve undergone sleep training—any slight disturbance wakes me up automatically. I was already awake when you got out of bed. You, however, coincidentally went to the bathroom... What’s going on, Luo Di?”

Luo Di didn’t hide anything and recounted the nightmare brought on by the hellish tongue.

“That tongue you encountered during the fieldwork? To be honest, your ‘demonic possession’ was supposedly completely removed, yet it still gave you a danger warning? Be careful—the corner’s invasion is everywhere. If you feel anything wrong, contact the research bureau immediately.”

Luo Di nodded, seemingly unconcerned.

The tension in the squad leader’s brow eased quickly. “Maybe it’s nothing serious—after all, it’s been half a year, and you get monthly tests at the research bureau. You’re not affected yourself; perhaps it’s just your innate danger alert. Phew, surviving this was no small feat, and our gains were substantial. Facing genuine replicants ahead of time—even those a year old—will boost our resumes for further studies. Most excitingly, the bureau is willing to give me their combat suit. Just thinking about it thrills me.”

“What’s special about it?” Luo Di asked, unaware of this knowledge beyond textbooks.

“I heard it from a tutoring teacher. The investigators’ suits use a special technology—not purely human science but possibly linked to the anomalies within the corners. Though it’s a simplified version, the basic functions remain. Here’s an idea: once I receive the suit in a few days, I’ll accompany you to the research bureau to collect your reward. I also want to see what happens if your knife absorbs the intracranial blood of the spider woman.”

“Let’s coordinate then.”

The squad leader hugged a cushion with one hand while raising the other high. “Time’s short—we should keep watching the movie!”

At dusk, Luo Di prepared for his nightly run and coincidentally escorted the squad leader downstairs.

The bulb the squad leader had removed from the corner yesterday had been replaced.

Marks of claws still occasionally appeared on the handrail, steps, and ceiling.

As they neared the third floor, Wu Wen walked ahead, hands folded behind her, gently swaying them with movements more pronounced than the night before.

Yet, even after passing the third floor, nothing approached them; her hands merely brushed through the air.

“Tsk,” the squad leader clicked her tongue and stopped.

When Luo Di reached the same step, just like the previous night, she reached out and slipped her hand into his rough, uncharacteristic high school palm and held it gently.

Though she wanted to complain about something, only two words slipped between her teeth.

“Thank you...”