Prodigy’s Playground

Chapter 169 Interwoven Crossings

September 30, 2025. Donghai City Public Security Bureau. Secret command center.

“This is our plan.”

In the dim room, the doors and windows were shut tight, the curtains drawn. The projector cast the PPT onto the screen as Officer Liu pointed at the image above.

“This is a photo of Jingshan Bamboo Cemetery, and also the place our current No. 1 suspect, Cheng Mengxue, intends to bring Jiang Ran.”

“As for timing, the two of them have decided to leave Donghai City on October 1 and head to Hangzhou. After spending some time in the shopping district and at the amusement park, they will go to Jingshan Bamboo Cemetery the next morning, October 2.”

“According to the clues provided by Jiang Ran, this girl is very likely connected to the Mutual Aid Society of Regrets that we are currently investigating, as well as Wu Yuanzheng.”

“And those two, in turn, appear to be the direct suspects in both the Zhou Xiong case in Hangzhou and the Yan Chonghan case at Donghai University.”

“So this is an excellent opportunity for us to solve the case. Once Jiang Ran confirms there is something wrong with this girl, we can arrest her on the spot, follow the trail, and wipe out the entire criminal network in one sweep!”

“Jingshan Bamboo Cemetery, at Cheng Mengxue’s gravestone, is the most suitable location for divine punishment.”

Inside the luxurious conference room, every light blazed brilliantly. Beyond the enormous floor-to-ceiling windows stretched the prosperous skyline of Lujiazui. The middle-aged man stood with his hands behind his back.“I have already informed Fang Yang of the time and location. He has long since gone to wait near the cemetery and has found a suitable sniper position atop a building 1,200 meters away.”

“On the morning of October 2, when Jiang Ran enters the Jingshan grave district, walks up the stairs, and arrives before Cheng Mengxue’s gravestone, he will step perfectly into Fang Yang’s optimal firing zone.”

“He is the most professional assassin under our command. He has never once made a mistake in carrying out a mission, so your task is simple—just find a way to bring Jiang Ran to the gravestone.”

“I don’t think that will be any problem. Jiang Ran has no guard against this at all, and with the assassin positioned 1,200 meters away, he will never notice a thing.”

“Afterward, there is no need to panic in the slightest. Lilith will handle all follow-up matters and ensure Fang Yang escapes safely. Besides, carrying out divine punishment in such a remote place naturally won’t attract much attention, so there’s no need to worry about alerting the enemy.”

——“Jiang Ran, pin this button bug beneath your collar.”

Officer Liu held up a listening device shaped like a button.

“For this Hangzhou trip, plainclothes officers will remain around you at all times to protect your safety. This is a one-way communication bug, so you don’t need to worry about it making any sound, but we’ll be able to monitor your conversations at all times.”

“You said you need to conduct one final verification of that girl. We’ll patiently wait for your signal. The moment you give the order, we’ll arrest her immediately and leave the other side no chance to react.”

At that moment, a female officer stepped forward carrying a sewing kit.

She took the button from Officer Liu, rolled Jiang Ran’s collar, and began stitching.

“In a bit I’ll sew one on the other side of the collar too, so it stays symmetrical. But the one over there is just a decorative piece with the same appearance. Just pretend neither of them exists.”

——“Wear this necklace.”

The middle-aged man took out a Tiffany necklace and handed it to the short-haired girl behind him.

The necklace was small and delicate, with a uniquely styled ring pendant.

“There was a more suitable earring bug originally, but since you don’t have pierced ears, we can only use a necklace instead.”

“A basic Tiffany piece also fits your student identity. After all, in the story we set up for you, your father owns some modest business in America.”

“This necklace bug is one-way communication, allowing us to stay updated on your situation at any time. But as I said, your mission itself is very easy, so don’t worry about too much. Just focus on bringing Jiang Ran to the gravestone.”

“Hangzhou Paradise is also a place we need to monitor closely during the itinerary. Although we believe the probability of danger there is low, we cannot relax at any time.”

Officer Liu continued explaining while pointing at the PPT.

“In any case, we’ll make sure there are plainclothes officers around you at all times, Jiang Ran, so you can stay assured on that point.”

“As for your side of the plan, just adapt to circumstances. If anything unusual happens, just speak directly toward your collar.”

“I am rather surprised—why add a whole extra stop at Hangzhou Paradise out of nowhere?”

The middle-aged man turned around and looked at the short-haired girl behind him.

“Even if today was meant to coordinate with us, whether the grave visit was on October 1 or October 2, there was absolutely no need to make a trip to that old amusement park.”

“I wanted to go.”

The girl blinked.

“I think it makes things feel more natural. At least—if it were Cheng Mengxue, this is what she would think, and what she would do.”

“She isn’t the kind of girl with strong initiative. Aside from being fiercely competitive in swimming, she’s actually rather lazy in many other ways. A special-forces-style whirlwind trip doesn’t suit her at all.”

“And besides—going to Hangzhou Paradise has always been her wish since childhood. It’s just that Jiang Ran had no interest in those childish things, so it never happened.”

At this point she could not help but laugh.

“So you see, she’s exactly that kind of girl—very weak in initiative. If she really wanted to go to an amusement park, she could’ve just gone with her parents. Why insist on waiting for Jiang Ran?”

——“I’m surprised too that we have to go to Hangzhou Paradise.”

Jiang Ran patted the collar where the button bug had just been sewn in and scratched his head.

“When we were kids, that park really did seem wildly popular. Now it gives me the feeling it’s practically on the verge of going under.”

“But I checked yesterday, and it’s definitely still operating. The foot traffic is decent. I’m guessing during the October 1 National Day holiday there’ll be even more visitors.”

“During this rare peak travel season, they’ve added a lot of performances and attractions too. But I definitely won’t go on dangerous rides like the giant pendulum, bungee jumping, or the Hand of the Wind or anything like that—at most I’ll ride the carousel or the Ferris wheel.”

“After all, the main purpose of this operation is still to secure evidence and the evidence chain, expose the real mastermind behind it all, and give justice to the dead!”

“So as far as I’m concerned, this Hangzhou Paradise trip is nothing more than playing along. Aside from the dangerous rides, I don’t plan to alert the enemy. Wherever Cheng Mengxue says to go, I’ll go.”

“Father.”

Inside the deliberately shadowed conference room, the girl walked to the meeting table and faced the old man in Tang robes.

“My wish, my regret—you really will help me make up for it, right?”

“We will.”

The old man in Tang robes rubbed the coin in his hand and nodded.

“This is something we agreed upon two years ago. You have also seen me make up for the regrets of believers many times—keeping one’s word is our principle, and also the reason so many believers remain loyal to us.”

“No later than October 16, I guarantee you will see your younger brother. As for everything else, Lilith will arrange it all.”

The girl’s eyes flickered.

“You really—can find my younger brother?”

“Of course.”

The old man smiled faintly.

With a flick of his thumb, he spun the King Coin across the tabletop and watched it whirl in circles.

“Lilith is omnipotent.”

“That so-called Father is a liar.”

Officer Liu stood straight before the screen.

“According to Jiang Ran’s intelligence, this so-called Mutual Aid Society of Regrets is actually a cult organization behind the scenes.”

“They talk about making up for regrets—but it’s all nothing more than deception driven by power and money. Including Old Tian’s daughter, Tian Xiaoli, waking up—while it’s hard to explain medically, what exists is reasonable. There is no feudal superstition in this world. Everything is based on science and materialism!”

“They exploit people’s regrets, exploit their desires, and under the banner of making up for believers’ life regrets, what they’re really doing is fraud, manipulation, and murder-for-hire! Every single one of them is an evil criminal! We must bring them to justice!”

——“Everything we do is justice.”

Amid the spinning rumble of the coin, the old man in Tang robes closed his eyes.

“On the surface, it may seem as though we are strangling humanity’s future. But in reality, where humanity’s future lies should be chosen by the broadest masses of ordinary people, not decided by elites standing at the summit of wealth and power.”

“The victor becomes king, the loser a bandit, while the realm remains as ever. History is written by the victors, and rules are set by those in power.”

“Only by winning this game and seizing the authority to control everything can we guide this world back onto the right path.”

“When that time comes—all sacrifice and bloodshed will gain value. They will all become the steps by which human civilization ascends toward beauty.”

“The truth is the truth, and the false is the false.”

Officer Liu looked at Jiang Ran.

“What’s real can’t be made fake, and what’s fake can’t be made real. I believe the facts will give us the answer.”

Having said that, he stepped forward and patted Jiang Ran on the shoulder.

——

“I can tell that deep down, you still have a trace of hesitation, a trace of unrealistic expectation.”

“But trust me, Jiang Ran. I’ve worked in police service for forty years. I’ve seen countless bizarre and difficult cases. Before they’re solved, everyone imagines the killer as some godlike phantom capable of anything.”

“But when the case is finally solved and the truth comes out—it’s often disappointing. You realize the once all-powerful, endlessly imagined criminal methods were never as intricate or glamorous as they seemed. They were only flashy on the surface.”

“You still need to be careful.”

The middle-aged man turned from the floor-to-ceiling window and looked at the girl by the conference table.

“Even though Jiang Ran can’t distinguish whether you’re real or fake, from that day until now he has not once returned to the Film Camera Club activity room for secret experiments. That alone proves he is still on guard against you.”

“We will always be your strongest backing.”

Officer Liu looked straight into Jiang Ran’s eyes.

“Trust your own judgment.”

————

“Don’t worry.” “Don’t worry.”

At opposite ends of Donghai City, Jiang Ran and the girl both touched their heads.

“I’ll complete the mission.” “I’ll complete the mission.”