Chapter 135: The Flag is Raised High

The crowd surrounding Wang Guotao scattered in an instant.

Within the entire office building, aside from a few duty officers, only Xiao Liu remained by Wang Guotao’s side.

"You’re a loyal one, kid." Wang Guotao glanced at Xiao Liu and nodded with satisfaction.

Xiao Liu forced a grimace, managing to squeeze out a stiff smile. In reality, he was terrified; he wanted nothing more than to follow his colleagues’ lead and find an excuse to slip away. The only reason he hadn’t was his clear understanding that he owed everything he had today to Wang Guotao. He had to stay glued to Wang’s side, regardless of the danger. After all, no superior appreciates a subordinate who shows up for the perks but vanishes at the first sign of trouble.

Though his heart hammered against his ribs and his legs trembled, Xiao Liu mustered his courage and stepped forward to lead the way. As he walked, he prayed silently, "Oh God, please, show some mercy. Don't let that jinx cause any more accidents. My fragile little heart simply cannot take it!"

Before long, Xiao Liu led Wang Guotao to one of the interrogation rooms. Pushing the door open, Wang Guotao froze at the sight before him.

After a few seconds of stunned silence, he grabbed Xiao Liu by the collar and demanded furiously, "What is the meaning of this?"

Li Sichen, sitting inside the interrogation room, looked entirely too comfortable—hardly the demeanor of a suspect undergoing questioning! He sat in the chair, a cup of tea, various fruits, and snacks spread out before him on the table. He even had an iPad, allowing him to watch a show while cracking sunflower seeds and sipping tea.

This was hardly the treatment of a suspect, nor did this look like an interrogation room. Wang Guotao was tempted to ask if Xiao Liu was planning to quit his job to open a teahouse and was using the interrogation room as a trial run.

Xiao Liu explained, looking aggrieved, "Chief, I had no choice. Ever since this student arrived at our station, accidents have been happening one after another. We were terrified, and this was our only recourse..."

"Nonsense!" Wang Guotao nearly exploded with rage. "You said yourself, those were accidents. If they are accidents, what could they possibly have to do with this kid? You’re afraid of him because of coincidences? Have you no shame?"

Xiao Liu replied, "But ever since we improved his treatment, no more accidents have occurred in the station. It stands to reason that those incidents were at least somewhat related to him..."

Wang Guotao ignored his explanation and barked, "Related? It’s pure coincidence! I’m surprised an experienced officer like you can’t see through something so simple."

Xiao Liu opened his mouth to defend himself, but Wang Guotao cut him off. "If you think those accidents are linked to this kid, then let me see if there’s a real connection!" With that, he brushed past Xiao Liu and strode into the interrogation room.

Li Sichen looked up and said, "What took you so long? I’ve already finished watching this episode..."

Wang Guotao’s suppressed anger flared, and Li Sichen’s attitude was like pouring gasoline on the fire. His rage peaked; he grabbed the table in front of Li Sichen and flipped it over with a violent shove.

Fruit and snacks scattered across the floor, and the steaming cup of tea tipped over, drenching the iPad. With a sharp crackle of electricity, the screen flickered twice and went black.

"My iPad..." Xiao Liu, who had followed him in, felt his heart break, but he dared not show it; instead, he quickly shut the door behind Wang Guotao.

"So, you’re a jinx? If I provoke you, an accident is supposed to happen? Come on then, show me where the accident is!" Wang Guotao sneered, glaring at Li Sichen. "What’s wrong? Afraid to play your spooky tricks in front of me?"

No sooner had the words left his lips than a series of sharp, electric pops echoed through the room. Immediately after, the lights in the interrogation room flickered out, plunging the space into darkness.

"Huh?"

The sudden change left both Wang Guotao and Xiao Liu stunned.

"It’s happening again... this kid really is a jinx!" Xiao Liu wailed inwardly. Seeing Li Sichen sitting calmly in the dark, he shrank back and retreated two steps.

"It can't be that sinister, can it?" Wang Guotao didn't speak, but a seed of fear had taken root in his heart.

Outside the interrogation room, chaos erupted.

"Xiao Liu, stay here and watch him; I’m going out to check," Wang Guotao commanded before opening the door.

Stepping out, he discovered that the entire office building had lost power. Curiously, the shops and residential buildings just a wall away were brightly lit, completely unaffected.

After finding an officer with electrical knowledge to inspect the scene, Wang Guotao asked, "What’s going on? Why the sudden power outage? Did a breaker trip?"

The man shook his head and replied, "It appears there was a short circuit in our building’s wiring, which caused the lines to burn out! I can’t fix this; we’ll have to wait until dawn to bring in a professional electrician. I expect the repair work will be extensive. Also, I’ve just discovered that our office computers, water dispensers, and other appliances have all been fried in the surge..."

Wang Guotao nodded, his expression outwardly calm, but his mind was in turmoil.

"How can this be? How could it be such a coincidence? Could it really be the accidents he brings? Is he... truly a jinx?"

Wang Guotao’s resolve began to waver. Just then, his phone rang. He pulled it out to see that it was none other than Lu Changxing calling.

He pressed answer before he could even speak, Lu Changxing’s voice came through: "Well, Chief Wang, has the matter I entrusted to you been settled?"

The call wiped away Wang Guotao’s hesitation and retreat. "Don't worry, Young Master Lu, it will be handled shortly. You will hear good news soon!"

Lu Changxing laughed heartily on the other end. "I knew you were capable, Chief Wang! Do a good job; as long as we are satisfied, we will certainly make sure you are satisfied as well."

How could Wang Guotao miss such an obvious hint? He nodded firmly and replied, "Understood!"

After hanging up, he strode back toward the interrogation room. For the sake of his fortune and his future, regardless of whether Li Sichen was a jinx or an arsonist, he had to make the charges stick.

Yet, he remained somewhat fearful of Li Sichen’s "jinx" ability. To comfort himself, he thought, "These accidents are no big deal. At least I haven't been hurt!"

Unknowingly, he had set himself up for a fall.