148: Chapter 148 Using stones as bait to test the waters

Initiating contact with Su Qing to report the "discovery" was currently the most rational choice with relatively controllable risks.

Su Qing represented the academy and "official research" forces, with clear rules and procedures.

Contacting a "teacher" as a "student" due to "accidentally discovering a suspicious item and feeling worried" was reasonable and logical.

The "black stone" being shown had "lost its effect" and would not trigger any uncontrollable "abnormal" reactions, yet it could serve as an excellent "conversation starter" and "probing tool."

This move could achieve multiple goals: 1. Test the level of knowledge, handling procedures, and degree of importance Su Qing and the organization behind her placed on "abnormal residues"; 2. Evaluate his own "value" and "risk" and how they were being re-positioned in her eyes following the incident and amidst the background of screenings; 3. Potentially obtain limited official information regarding the progress of the incident, official attitudes, and even his own situation; 4. Lay the groundwork for possible future, deeper contact or "cooperation."

The key lay in the design of the "script"—it had to be the image of a panicked, confused, yet cooperative "good student"; the discovery process had to be "accidental," the worry had to be "genuine," and the motive had to be "simple."

Ling Ye did not act immediately. He spent two days carefully polishing every detail of the "script."

Character: Ling Ye, an ordinary student whose home was destroyed in the Oak Street Community incident, who was forced to evacuate and was temporarily staying at a relative's house (fictional) in Rust Town. He was in low spirits, feeling both fearful and curious about the incident.

Event: While scavenging near Rust Town (to cover for being forced to survive), he accidentally picked up a "strange black stone" that felt cold to the touch and had bizarre textures. Because it reminded him of the Old Factory District and the previous "strange events," he felt uneasy and had no one to ask.

Motive: Worried that the stone might be harmful (e.g., radiation, contamination) or related to the incident, and out of civic responsibility and trust in his teacher, he hoped to hand it over to professionals for identification and handling.

Expected Reaction: Su Qing would likely express concern, ask for details, possibly request that the stone be handed over, and conduct a simple inquiry (e.g., location of discovery, feelings after contact, etc.). Based on the intensity of her reaction, the professional depth of her questioning, and her attitude toward follow-up arrangements (e.g., whether a physical examination was needed, whether further cooperation with the investigation was required), a lot of information could be deduced.

Risk Contingency Plan: If Su Qing showed unconventional or overly eager interest, or asked about details he couldn't answer (e.g., specific scavenging location, time), he would respond vaguely with excuses like "I don't remember clearly" or "I was scared at the time," while emphasizing that he was just worried and had no other motives. If the other party requested an immediate meeting or travel to a specific location, he would need to assess the situation cautiously and delay it with excuses like "I need to inform my temporary guardian" (fictional) or "I'm feeling unwell" to observe what followed.

After everything was prepared, Ling Ye reactivated his personal terminal (which had been cleaned and checked). He first sent a text message to Su Qing, his tone carrying hesitation and unease:

"Teacher Su, hello, this is Ling Ye. I'm very sorry to bother you. I... I encountered something and don't know what to do. I remembered you are a teacher who researches this, so I'm taking the liberty of asking for your advice. Near where I'm currently staying, I picked up a very strange black stone that feels exceptionally cold and looks very odd... I'm a bit scared. Could it be related to what happened at Oak Street? Or does it have any radiation? I don't know who to hand it to... Could you give me some advice? [Attached is a blurry photo of the black stone (already cracked) in a dirty hand]."

The message was sent in the afternoon, a relatively normal non-resting time. The photo was deliberately taken to be blurry, with the background being dirty ground (a characteristic of Rust Town), and the details of the cracked stone were not very obvious, highlighting its "blackness" and "strangeness."

After sending it, Ling Ye muted his terminal and set it aside, while he continued his daily physical training and the circulation of "Qi," though his mind remained focused on any activity from the terminal.

The wait felt exceptionally long. It wasn't until evening that the terminal screen lit up; Su Qing had replied. It was a voice message, her tone sounding as gentle and professional as ever, but it seemed to carry a hint of imperceptible gravity compared to usual.

"Student Ling Ye, hello. I have received your message and photo. First of all, do not be overly panicked. It is very correct and responsible of you to remain vigilant after discovering an abnormal item and to think of contacting your teacher. Judging from the photo, the color and form of this stone are indeed somewhat special, but it is impossible to determine its specific properties or whether it is related to recent events based on the photo alone. For your safety, and for the purpose of investigation, I suggest you keep this stone properly secured (you can wrap it in a clean cloth or bag, avoiding direct contact), and then we can set a time for you to bring it to me, or tell me your specific location, and I will have a relevant colleague go to collect it. Additionally, I need to know the specific location and time you found the stone, and whether you have experienced any discomfort after touching it? For example, dizziness, nausea, or skin abnormalities, etc."

The reply was completely within Ling Ye's expectations. Su Qing displayed the concern and procedural handling methods befitting her identity, requesting that the item be handed over, asking for details, and showing concern for his health. Her tone was gentle but carried clear guidance and investigative intent. That phrase, "I will have a relevant colleague go to collect it," subtly revealed that she might have "action" resources that could be mobilized at any time, suggesting she might not be as simple as an ordinary academy teacher.

Ling Ye did not reply immediately; he needed time to "think" and "remember." About half an hour later, he replied via text, his tone sounding a bit more relaxed, yet still carrying lingering fear and cooperation:

"Thank you, Teacher Su! I feel much more relieved now that you've said that. I've packed the stone into an iron box. The place where I found it... was near the garbage dump next to the abandoned factory area west of Rust Town. I can't remember exactly which day, probably four or five days ago. It was in the evening, when it was getting dark. When I touched it, I just felt it was exceptionally cold and felt a bit panicked; nothing else, and I haven't felt uncomfortable since. Teacher Su, I can hand the stone over to you, but I don't really want to go to the academy. It's too close to Oak Street, and I'm still a bit scared... Do you think we could meet somewhere else? Or, if your colleague comes to collect it, where would be a safe place to meet?"

He provided a vague but reasonable pickup location (the abandoned factory area in Rust Town, fitting his persona of "temporarily residing" and "scavenging"), and also handled the time vaguely. He clearly expressed his fear of approaching the core area of the incident, which was a normal psychological reaction. By tossing the choice of the "handover location" back to Su Qing and observing how she arranged it, he could gain a lot of information—her considerations for safety, the scope of resources she could mobilize, and the importance she placed on this "handover."

This time, Su Qing replied faster, still via voice message, her tone steady:

"I understand how you feel, Ling Ye. Staying away from sensitive areas is wise. How about this: tomorrow at 3:00 PM, at the public lounge on the first floor of the 'Central District Third Public Library.' It's quiet there, and there are relatively many people, so it's safer. I will wait for you there. If it's convenient, please bring the stone. If something comes up or you feel unwell, contact me at any time to reschedule. Also, when we meet tomorrow, I will ask you a few simple questions and may need you to sign an item handover and situation statement. This is standard procedure, so don't worry."

The Central District Third Public Library was located in a relatively central area of the city with good public security, moderate foot traffic, and an open environment. This location choice was very "Su Qing"—public, safe, and compliant with procedures. She specifically mentioned "standard procedure," seemingly wanting to dispel Ling Ye's doubts, but it also implied that this matter had already been incorporated into some kind of "formal" handling channel.

"Okay, Teacher Su, tomorrow at 3:00 PM, Central District Third Library, I will definitely be there. Thank you!" Ling Ye replied, his tone sounding grateful and submissive.

The communication ended.

Ling Ye exhaled slowly. The first step had been successfully taken. Su Qing's reaction was within expectations, but that methodical "sense of procedure" hidden beneath her gentleness and the resources she could mobilize confirmed once again that her background was not simple.

Tomorrow would be a direct confrontation between a carefully disguised "student" and a "professional researcher."

He needed to prepare the "stone," prepare his "story," prepare his "state of mind," and also prepare to... handle any possible accidents.

Including, who would the "colleague" brought by Su Qing be?