章 4: Paid Loafing
編集者: Atlas Studios
As Fang Ze pondered the possibility of Wang Hao as a candidate, he left the temporary residence and headed for the canteen.
The social development of this world was very interesting.
The higher the level of the city, the more advanced the technological development and the more advanced the material life.
Meanwhile, the lower the level of the city, the lower the technological development and material conditions. Moreover, it was a steep decline.
According to the records, there were already thousand-meter-tall skyscrapers, maglev cars, and private helicopters in the immediate jurisdiction of the Federation.
Meanwhile, high-leveled cities like the one Wang Hao was in already had electric cars, smartphones, computers, and other high-tech products.
However, a low-leveled city like Qingshan City had about the same level of technology as Fang Ze's original world in the early 20th century.
There was non-standard medical care, and simple sewage and living facilities.
Even to travel, one had to rely on walking or a carriage. Having a dilapidated car was a luxury…
However, compared to the discomfort in life, what made Fang Ze even more uncomfortable was the food in this world.
There were clearly many types of dishes, but this world liked to use spices with strong flavors. Moreover, they liked to mix various seasonings.
For example, today's breakfast was vanilla curry beef brisket, hot and sour steamed dumplings, and spinach milk tofu.
After getting his food, Fang Ze got himself two glasses of water before he dared to sit down and eat.
Looking at his colleagues eating with relish, Fang Ze really admired these people who liked strong tastes. He wondered if they liked to light candles at night.
After eating, Fang Ze started work as usual.
After all… One was only happiest when they secretly did personal things during work.
Besides, if he didn't work, how could he have reason to contact other "test targets"?
…
Compared to the collective investigation system in Fang Ze's original world, the agents in this world were more inclined to fight for themselves, perhaps because they had greater authority. Thus, they discovered the clues themselves, investigated, and solved the case alone.
When they encountered a case that no one could solve, they would discuss it collectively every few days. They would study it before investigating and solving it alone…
For a moment, Fang Ze suspected that this world's criminal investigation methods were far inferior to his original world. It was most likely caused by this system…
Since Fang Ze had been investigating the disappearance of the flying insects and birds yesterday, he naturally used this excuse to wander around the villa and interact with his other colleagues.
He strolled around the identification team twice and came into contact with a few colleagues.
Then, he strolled around the front hall of the villa two more times and came into contact with a few more colleagues.
Fang Ze was about to stroll elsewhere when he suddenly sensed that someone seemed to be following him.
After noticing the abnormality, Fang Ze did not say anything. Instead, he maintained his composure and quietly chatted with his colleague.
After that, he said goodbye to his colleagues and strolled out of the villa.
Outside the villa, Fang Ze deliberately waited a little longer before walking around the wall and turning to the other side.
After waiting on the other side for two seconds, Fang Ze turned decisively and walked back.
Sure enough, as soon as he turned the corner, he happened to bump into an agent who was hurrying after him.
The agent looked to be in his thirties, with a thin face, narrow eyes, and a roguish face.
His uniform was rumpled, his hair mussed, and he smelled strongly of cigarettes. He looked more like a punk than an agent.
Seeing the agent's slightly familiar face, Fang Ze immediately recognized him.
He was Han Kaiwei, an official agent with the Investigation Department. He joined the Investigation Department as a teenager and had been there for 20 years. He hadn't solved many cases, but he had learned to eat, drink, and gamble.
It was said that he had a gang background.
Others said that he was close to gangs because of his gambling debts.
In any case, he was an ignorant and incompetent old coot.
Seeing that it was him, Fang Ze greeted him with a smile, "Brother Han. What a coincidence. Are you here to look for evidence too?"
When Han Kaiwei was discovered by Fang Ze, a trace of panic appeared on his face, but he quickly suppressed it.
Then, he responded flippantly and said casually, "Yeah. I couldn't find any clues in the villa, so I decided to come outside and try my luck."
When Fang Ze heard this, he didn't expose him. Instead, he smiled and said, "I understand, I understand."
At this point, he asked, "Then, Brother Han, are you planning to search for evidence in the east?"
Fang Ze and Agent Han were currently in the east of the villa.
Upon hearing Fang Ze's question, Han Kaiwei did not answer directly. Instead, he glanced at Fang Ze and asked casually, "Are you also planning to search for evidence in the east?"
Fang Ze nodded and said sincerely, "Yeah, the east is where those suspects came from. I figured there'd be some clues left along the way."
"Now that the villa is almost fully searched, I think it's time to come and check in this direction."
Hearing Fang Ze's words, Han Kaiwei said, "Oh." Then, he said shamelessly, "Yes. Our plans are similar."
As he gestured with his hand, he casually made up a reason. "Me? I heard from my colleagues in the identification team that the material of the huge stone cone that pierced the villa actually has some similarities to the material of the stones in the jungle to the east."
"So, I thought I'd come east to see if there were any signs of people digging up the stones."
"After all, it makes more sense to use existing materials to materialize what you want than to create something out of thin air. Don't you agree?"
Fang Ze smiled and nodded. "That makes sense. In that case, Brother Han, search the east. I'll go south and take a look."
Han Kaiwei almost doubled over from Fang Ze's words.
He looked startled. "Aren't you interested in the east too?"
Fang Ze's smile widened. "Yeah, but I finished searching yesterday, so I'm just passing through today."
Han Kaiwei was speechless.
"See you at noon, Brother Han." With that, Fang Ze smiled and patted Agent Han's arm. Then, he turned and walked away.
As Wang Hao watched Fang Ze go, he looked grim and uncertain.
A moment later, he spat fiercely on the ground.
Then, he took out a walkie-talkie and said carelessly, "Fang Ze went to the jungle south of the villa. I was left behind."
"You've heard the reason. It's not because I can't follow him. It's because he's too alert."
"The rest is up to you guys."
…
At this moment, Fang Ze, who was slowly walking away with his back to Han Kaiwei, gradually hid the smile on his face.
This was because something didn't feel right.
The villa where the murder had occurred was very large. Although most of it had been searched, there were actually many corners that had not been searched.
Unless there was a definite direction, it was actually more efficient to continue searching inside the villa than finding a needle in a haystack outside.
However, Han Kaiwei had left the villa and happened to follow him in the same direction.
He didn't seem like a person who took initiative.
Combined with the stalking he'd sensed earlier…
Fang Ze thought there was something wrong. There was something very wrong.
A theory came unbidden to his mind…
Could it be…
Was Han Kaiwei trying to steal the credit?
After all, it was no secret that he could always obtain some important clues.
After entering the task force, Han Kaiwei didn't get any useful clues. He had been mocked in private.
Therefore, it did seem reasonable for Han Kaiwei to follow him and want to snatch the credit.
In any case… Han Kaiwei couldn't be spying on Fang Ze, right?
They were all colleagues. Why would they monitor him for no reason?
After considering for a moment, Fang Ze decided not to speculate.
Anyway, he had already made physical contact with him. If Han Kaiwei made any strange moves in the future, he would pull him into the Late-Night Investigation Room and see what he was up to…
…
After shaking off Han Kaiwei, Fang Ze continued with his paid loafing.
Regardless of whether it was in the villa, outside the villa, or in the jungle, wherever there were colleagues, he was there.
In the morning, he had come into contact with nearly half of his colleagues and had gained a lot.
At noon, Fang Ze, who had "worked hard" all morning, prepared to go for lunch.
He strolled to the canteen and had just stepped through the door when Fang Ze realized that the atmosphere in the canteen was a little strange.
Contrary to the usual bustling scene, many agents in the canteen did not dare to breathe loudly as they lowered their heads to eat.
Fang Ze looked at them strangely and realized that they were all secretly glancing in the same direction.
Fang Ze followed their gazes curiously. Then, he saw a beautiful young woman eating with her head lowered.
Because her head was lowered, the beautiful woman's appearance could not be seen clearly. Fang Ze could only see that she was wearing a long purple dress with a pair of antlers embroidered on the collar. Meanwhile, above her tall and soft chest was a peony brooch.
At first, Fang Ze didn't pay much attention to her. However, when he saw the color of the beautiful woman's clothes and attire, his gaze couldn't help but focus, and his pupils constricted slightly…
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