2: Chapter 2 A Beauty Elixir, More Handsome Than All the Handsome Guys

Zhao Yang wanted to continue slacking off to study the System—after all, it was the foundation of his survival.

But with the big Director Meng calling him out by name, he didn't dare delay.

“Cousin-uncle, you called for me?”

Meng Dehai's face darkened: “During work hours, use my professional title!”

Zhao Yang froze, feeling like he was in the wrong scene. He reflexively snapped to attention: “Yes! Director Meng!”

Meng Dehai's expression softened slightly as he lowered his voice: “Why didn't An Xin come over just now?”

“Him...” Zhao Yang gave a faint smile and pointed to his head, “Too stubborn. He always thinks you're intentionally giving him a chance to show off, so he's unwilling to come. But he doesn't think—if he doesn't do this kind of dirty, exhausting work, who else would you let go?”

The corner of Meng Dehai's mouth twitched slightly as he glanced at Zhao Yang: “Next time, I'll send you!”

[Obtained 10 Emotion Points from Meng Dehai]

Zhao Yang's mood instantly brightened.

Twenty-five Emotion Points—enough to buy a roll of toilet paper.

“What are you thinking about?” Meng Dehai asked in a deep voice, seeing his absent-minded look.

Zhao Yang blinked, scratching his head sheepishly: “I was thinking back to university; my grades in that Forensic Science elective were terrible... If I went down to fish for the body, I’d likely destroy the evidence.”

Meng Dehai lost interest in talking and waved his hand: “Go get to work.”

...

There really weren't any valuable traces in the vicinity.

Even a novice like Zhao Yang could judge that this was definitely not the primary crime scene.

Huang Cui-cui's body was taken away by the coroner for an autopsy, while the others returned to the police station to organize the clues.

Zhao Yang used the excuse of changing clothes to slip back to the dormitory, finally having time to focus on studying the System.

During the Transmigration, the System had thoughtfully brought his personal belongings along, storing them in the System Space.

A laptop, a mobile hard drive, a printer, a phone, and a decorative calabash gourd.

As for his assets in the real world, like the second-hand BYD car and the TV, the System converted them to cash at a discount, which combined with his bank savings to give him a total of 80,000 in cash.

Eighty thousand yuan.

It wasn't much in the future, but in the year 2000, it was an absolute fortune for an ordinary person. His monthly salary now was only a few hundred yuan.

Besides that, there was something particularly eye-catching in the private space.

A booklet titled 'Military Boxing: Enhanced Edition,' labeled as a [Secret Manual].

This was a good item he had painstakingly hunted down, costing over a thousand yuan. It didn't just have Military Boxing moves and practical explanations; most importantly, it contained killing moves only taught in special forces units.

He hadn't expected the System to actually certify this thing as a Secret Manual.

Zhao Yang chose to learn it in his mind.

In the next second, information surged into his brain like a flood; he instantly understood all the moves and applications of Military Boxing.

A new entry appeared in the skill column of the System panel:

[Unarmed Combat Technique: Level 6]

The maximum level was 10; Level 6 already reached the level of an elite special forces soldier.

Regular practice could continue to improve it, and it could simultaneously increase his Physical Body attributes.

In an urban criminal investigation world, this was definitely a valuable asset.

In addition to his personal items, the System also gave him an exclusive reward for his first world—a Newbie Five-Pull Gacha.

Zhao Yang started the pull immediately.

[Obtained: supplementing creation pill ×1, beauty pill ×1, Talent: Photographic Memory, Skill: Acting, Skill: Fishing.]

[supplementing creation pill: Instantly recovers any damage to the Physical Body while restoring stamina]

[beauty pill: Beauty is justice; subtly adjusts facial features to make them perfect]

[Photographic Memory: What I see is what I remember]

[Acting: Level 6]

[Fishing: Level 6]

Zhao Yang had figured out the pattern.

Any skill obtained directly from the System started at Level 6, the level of Minor Achievement.

Whereas the skills forced upon him to match his identity—Criminal Investigation, Driving, and Shooting—all started at only Level 4.

However, Level 4 in the real world could already be considered professional level.

The supplementing creation pill was equivalent to having an extra life.

A talent like Photographic Memory was definitely standard equipment for a tech genius.

As for the beauty pill... Zhao Yang felt it was a bit redundant, since he felt he was only a tiny bit behind all those handsome actors like Yan-Zu.

Nevertheless, he used it immediately.

A warm current surged over his face.

He couldn't wait to lean in front of the mirror—it was still him, but all the flaws had vanished.

His features looked pleasing no matter how he viewed them, completely erasing the gap between him and the Yan-Zus of the world.

Zhao Yang nodded at the mirror with satisfaction.

Just as he finished studying the System, a knock sounded at the door.

A meeting, a case analysis meeting.

Zhao Yang sat in the very last seat of the conference room.

Regarding this case, he already had the answer in his heart, but for now, he could only listen.

New Year's Eve was approaching. After the brief meeting, Captain Cao Chuang took the opportunity to explain the holiday duty schedule—An Xin and Li Xiang would be on duty on New Year's Eve, and Zhao Yang was scheduled for the third day.

Just as Cao Chuang was about to adjourn the meeting, Zhao Yang raised his hand: “Captain Cao, I have something to say.”

“Speak,” said Cao Chuang.

Everyone's gaze snapped toward Zhao Yang, their eyes filled with a bit of strangeness.

How did this kid seem a bit different?

Everyone's impression of this newcomer had been very faint, but at this moment, they only felt—this newcomer is damn handsome!

Zhao Yang saw the confusion in the crowd and felt secretly pleased: I'll dazzle you all to death!

He nodded to those present and said casually: “I live in the station's dormitory anyway, so I don't need to go home. If any of you have something urgent, just let me know and I can cover your shift.”

Smiles appeared on everyone's faces.

Cao Chuang gave him a thumbs up: “Xiao Zhao, not bad! You're showing some great spirit!”

“I don't have anything to do usually anyway.”

“If you have nothing to do, go stroll around the streets; after all, it's the New Year.”

Zhao Yang smiled: “Sure! But if the brothers have any emergencies, just give me a call.”

This statement earned him fifty Emotion Points.

The bulk of it came from An Xin and Li Xiang, who accounted for two-thirds of it.

It seemed the value of major plot characters was indeed high—the System probably feared he would wander off too far and deviate from the plot.

...

In the blink of an eye, it was New Year's Eve.

Over the past few days, his main work had been visiting various places to gather information on Huang Cui-cui.

When he had nothing to do, he practiced Military Boxing. Although the skill level hadn't increased yet, his Physical Body value had increased by 1 point, reaching 7. Zhao Yang could clearly feel the change in his physical fitness.

Colorful fireworks bloomed in the sky.

The continuous sound of firecrackers rose and fell.

Zhao Yang took a deep breath of the long-lost air—the air of the millennium, with a faint scent of gunpowder.

“This is what you call a New Year,” he lamented loudly. “If it's all quiet, what kind of New Year is that?”

He turned and walked toward the station's interrogation room.

Looking at the time, the iconic scene was about to happen.

Just as he entered the building's entrance, he saw An Xin and Li Xiang leading a bruised and swollen middle-aged man into the interrogation room.

Zhao Yang followed them and pushed open the door.

Li Xiang turned his head: “Zhao Yang? What are you doing here?”

Zhao Yang smiled, pulled out two packs of Wahaha cigarettes, and handed one to each of them: “It's the New Year, smoke something good.”

The two were stunned, their expressions strange.

“Xiao Zhao, what's the meaning of this?”

“You don't happen to have some kind of connection with this man, do you?”