"Wow."
Chen Ling feigned shock in response. "Who? Who would do such a thing?"
Wen Shilin pondered seriously for a moment before answering, "Most likely the victim's family? I’ve encountered this kind of situation before. After their child is murdered, parents, fearing the perpetrator’s influence, resort to methods like this to seek my help, hoping I can bring them justice… Or it could be someone who discovered the body but didn’t want to get involved."
"I see." Chen Ling nodded.
Chen Ling had initially wondered if he needed to come up with some excuse to distance himself from the corpse. Now, it seemed his worries were unnecessary.
"I took a quick look. The condition of the body closely matches what you described earlier—it’s likely related to the organ trade as well," Wen Shilin said solemnly.
Chen Ling’s expression immediately darkened. "You mean… those people are operating within Aurora City now?"
"Most likely."
"There are too many suspicious details about that body. It needs a thorough examination first… I’ll go find a friend of mine—he’s an expert in forensics." Wen Shilin checked the time and continued, "You take your credentials to the newspaper office first and collect your things. I’ll come find you once I’m done here."
As Chen Ling watched Wen Shilin’s retreating figure, he silently praised the man’s professionalism. If it had been any other reporter, waking up to find a hollowed-out corpse on their doorstep would’ve scared them half to death, making them wonder if they’d crossed someone…
But Wen Shilin? His reaction upon seeing the body wasn’t fear—instead, he acted like a hunter catching the scent of prey, springing into action with terrifying efficiency.
Chen Ling closed the gate and went back inside to pack a few things. When it was about time for the newspaper office to open, he leisurely made his way there.
Today was his first official day on the job. Though he only wanted to use the "reporter" identity to stir up trouble, he still had to put on a show of professionalism… He picked out a refined, understated shirt and vest from Chu Muyun’s wardrobe, tied a neat necktie, and layered it with a brown overcoat. Paired with his half-rimmed glasses, he looked the part from a distance.
Chu Muyun, also preparing to leave for work, stepped out of the house wearing a white lab coat. When he saw Chen Ling’s outfit in the courtyard, his eyebrows rose slightly.
"Sharp attire, Reporter Lin." Chu Muyun’s tone carried a hint of amusement. "Let’s hope the Aurora Daily doesn’t feature too many ‘big stories’ involving you in the coming days."
Chen Ling adjusted his glasses and smiled.
"Don’t worry. I’ve always been very well-behaved."
With that, he walked out the door under Chu Muyun’s exasperated gaze.
Chen Ling reached the roadside and casually hailed a rickshaw, heading straight for the newspaper office.
The Aurora Daily office wasn’t far from Chen Ling’s residence—though this was less about luck and more about the prime location of Chu Muyun’s mansion, situated in Aurora City’s most central and bustling district. Nowhere was too far from there.
However, to Chen Ling’s surprise, the newspaper office wasn’t as large as he’d imagined. A four-story Western-style building by the street comprised the entire premises. The deep brown brick facade bore the marks of wind and snow, and above the narrow entrance, the faded characters spelling "Aurora Daily" exuded a strong sense of history.
Chen Ling stood alone at the entrance for a moment before pushing the door open and stepping inside.
"Who are you?"
The moment he entered, the security guard at the door scrutinized Chen Ling warily, his grip tightening around the baton behind his back.
"My name is Lin Yan. I’m a new reporter," Chen Ling said, producing his press pass. "Today’s my first day."
The guard studied the credentials suspiciously before relaxing slightly. "Wait here."
With that, he turned and walked to the end of the corridor. After a brief exchange with someone, a figure strode out briskly.
It was a woman dressed in a beige professional suit and high heels, her short hair giving off an air of sharp efficiency. She examined Chen Ling carefully.
"You’re Lin Yan?"
"Yes."
"Apologies. We often get troublemakers here, so security measures are strict."
"I’m Feng Man, the editor-in-chief of the newspaper." As she spoke, she gestured for Chen Ling to follow her inside. "Wen Shilin has already briefed me about you. Come with me—I’ll show you around."
Chen Ling promptly fell into step behind her, his gaze curiously sweeping the surroundings.
Despite her high heels, Feng Man walked at a brisk pace. Weaving between workstations, she began her introduction:
"The Aurora Daily traces its origins back over three hundred years, to the founding of Aurora City itself. We were born bearing the responsibility of monitoring and safeguarding the truth. Through centuries of trials, we’ve endured to this day… Even now, we remain Aurora City’s most authoritative media outlet."
The moment Feng Man started speaking, Chen Ling was hit with a wave of déjà vu—it reminded him of corporate propaganda from his past life.
After listening, Chen Ling felt something was off. Adjusting his glasses, he asked as if casually, "Born bearing the responsibility of monitoring and safeguarding the truth… And now? What are we born for now?"
Feng Man’s steps faltered slightly.
She gave Chen Ling a deep, unreadable look before replying coolly, "I know what you’re implying. Since Wen Shilin was willing to stake his career to recommend you, it means the two of you must share something in common… All I can say is that our duty has never changed over the years. What’s changed is the people."
Hearing this, Chen Ling was surprised—first, because it seemed not everyone in the newspaper had been corrupted, and second, because Wen Shilin had actually risked his career to get him hired as a reporter. No wonder the procedures had gone so smoothly.
Catching the subtext in Feng Man’s words, Chen Ling nodded slightly. "Understood."
"The first floor is the reception area and the editorial department. Over here is the workspace section…"
Feng Man brushed past the earlier exchange effortlessly, continuing to brief Chen Ling on the newspaper’s operations. The other staff members had also noticed the newcomer, casting curious glances his way.
Amid the busy crowd, Chen Ling spotted a familiar face with just a casual sweep of his eyes.
At a desk not far away, Zhuo Shuqing—his mouth still packed with ice—seemed to have just finished his work. He lazily set down his pen and stretched with a yawn, revealing the few remaining broken teeth in his mouth… only to freeze mid-yawn when his eyes landed on Chen Ling approaching.
His gaping mouth hung open, his eyes wide with disbelief—as if he’d seen a ghost!
"You… What are you doing here?!"