Chapter 262: Mid-Autumn Festival Isn’t Even Here Yet, and Someone’s Already Lovesick?

Words : 1216 Updated : Sep 29th, 2025

..... Little Hai shrank his neck. But most of what was said, Xia Tian had already heard. He quickly tried to smooth things over: “Have you guys eaten? I just saw a wonton stand outside. I’ll go get some for you.” “Sister Hua, do you want chili?” Originally, Hua Qing wasn’t in the mood to eat, but after glancing at Little Hai, she said, “I’ll take it mild.” “Got it.” Once Xia Tian turned to leave, Hua Qing looked at Little Hai with a serious expression and said, “Little Hai, rules are rules. Xia Tian is not officially an Investigator at our branch yet.” “So you need to understand what you should and shouldn’t do!” “Understood, Sister Hua. I’m sorry, Sister Hua.” Hearing his apology, Hua Qing’s tone softened: “It’s fine. Just don’t let it happen again.” Hearing that she had forgiven him again, Little Hai instantly returned to his usual self: “Sister Hua, I think Mr. Xia is really into you. Maybe you should.....” Hua Qing lowered her head with a smile, her heart full of joy, but she still had some concerns: “Mr. Xia is amazing. I’m not worthy of him.” In the office, Many people were chatting, encouraging Hua Qing to seize the opportunity. Soon, Xia Tian came back again. The atmosphere quickly lightened. Just like that. The next day, Xia Tian officially joined. Hua Qing and Jiang Hai also began handling the grave affairs. Things continued quietly for the next two to three days—Xiang’an 749 was highly efficient. A fresh, elegant new grave mound rose from the slope. As if everything had returned to peace. Everyone returned to their lives. Everyone except Hua Qing. She faintly felt something was off. Over the past few days, Little Hai kept casually mentioning to her that he and Xia Tian had discussed the grave’s condition. Once or twice wouldn’t be strange. But asking every day— That made it seem like Xia Tian was paying too much attention. Hua Qing did like Xia Tian. After all, everything he’d shown so far—his demeanor—was good, sunny, and positive. And he was handsome. Capable. Easygoing. He never hid his feelings for Hua Qing, but never crossed any lines. A guy like that— Nobody could dislike him. And if he happened to be your type, then things could work out. Of course. That’s for ordinary people. As an Investigator, Hua Qing had sharp instincts. She couldn’t explain it, but she kept an eye on the grave. But nothing ever happened. Not that she expected anything to—she just wanted to be sure nothing would. Until the sixth day. As usual, Hua Qing quietly went to check on Ke Ruyu’s grave. When she got within a few hundred meters of the site, She stomped the ground. Her talent in aperture unlocking leaned toward sensing and hearing. She could use sound to form a picture in her mind. On all previous visits, just a single stomp and she could sense Ke Ruyu’s corpse beneath the grave. But today— The corpse was gone. Hua Qing froze on the spot. “She was definitely still there yesterday!?” “Could it be......” Xia Tian’s image popped into her mind. Because he kept asking about the grave. But she didn’t want to believe it. She instinctively tried to shake him off in her mind, but her professional ethics as an Investigator Pulled him right back. She turned and left without a word. Was she going to confront him? No! Accusations and confrontations were foolish. If Xia Tian really did it, approaching rashly would only alert him—and given his skills, she wouldn’t be able to stop him. If he didn’t do it, confronting him would ruin their relationship. Either way, nothing good would come of it. So. Hua Qing chose to quietly report it to superiors. Because if the Director found out, he might handle things differently. Since higher-ups were involved in this matter, and they’d instructed to renovate the grave— If the corpse went missing and they found out later, That would be a bigger mistake with even graver consequences. Between a big mistake and a small one, Hua Qing chose the latter. ..... Still night. Nighttime was when 749 Investigators were most active. At this moment, Lu Ding was in a large conference room at Yunhai 749, attending a meeting. Listening to leadership assign tasks for Mid-Autumn Festival deployments. The moon is also called Taiyin. On the 15th of any lunar month without a major holiday, the full moon marks the peak of Yin energy for that month. But the 15th of the eighth month—Mid-Autumn Festival—is the peak of Yin energy for the entire year. On this day, people enjoy lanterns, dance fire dragons, and follow other customs to gather Yang energy. As for eating mooncakes—that’s the bright side, symbolizing reunion. So on Mid-Autumn Festival, while everyone is happily celebrating— 749 Investigators are at their busiest. But since the Ghost Festival (Zhongyuan) just passed, And a massive purge had already been carried out recently, internally at Yunhai— Things could be slightly more relaxed. There weren’t many dark entities left in Yunhai. The main battles would be external, or preventive. But the front line was made up of idle Investigators—someone like Lu Ding, who was both an advanced trainee and a patrol officer, Could only serve as a free agent, ready to be deployed anytime. The meeting ended quickly. No unnecessary nonsense. But just as they exited the room, Yan Feifan looked at his phone and blurted: “Brother Lu, Ms. Ke’s body is missing?” Lu Ding paused for a second, then a slow grin spread across his face: “Mid-Autumn’s not even here yet, and someone’s already lovesick?” For a request like this, All Lu Ding could do was oblige. He had given orders, and someone dared to play games behind his back? At this moment, Lu Ding had already decided how the corpse thief—or monster—would die. If it was a monster: rip it apart, alive, mash it into meat paste. If it was a person: hang them from a tree, slice them thin, let them flutter in the wind. “Let’s go. Xiang’an County.” Not wasting a second—immediate departure. Mid-Autumn was coming, and this needed to be settled today. On the road. Yan Feifan told Lu Ding: “The message came from one of the handlers at the receiving department—it was sent by Investigator Hua Qing from Xiang’an 749, one of the people responsible for restoring Ms. Ke’s grave.” “She didn’t report through normal channels—went straight to the top.” “Didn’t co-sign it with the other handler either.” “Brother Lu, I feel like there’s something fishy here. As soon as I saw the message, I submitted the paperwork request.” “Let’s swing by and pick it up on the way—if anything goes down, I’ve got the paperwork and you’ve got the punch. All legal, proper, and compliant.” Lu Ding’s way was always legal and proper, but not exactly by the book. But with Yan Feifan around, He would go all-out with his strategies and phrasing to make everything Lu Ding did compliant. Lu Ding’s straight-line approach curved smoothly. “All those fancy words—you trying to show off?” Yan Feifan: “Just came out naturally.”

Chapter 262: Mid-Autumn Festival Isn’t Even Here Yet, and Someone’s Already Lovesick?

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