162: rest

Shen Mingyuan nodded, gesturing for the other man to sit on the living room sofa while he sat down beside him.

"'Witness'... I see. So generally speaking, what are the requirements for a 'Witness' from your side... or rather, the official organization?"

"Under normal circumstances," Lu Jianchuan's tone was as calm as if he were stating a standard procedure.

"To ensure information control and reduce unnecessary public panic, a special agent is used to make witnesses temporarily 'forget' short-term memories of a specific time period related to the anomaly."

As he spoke, he took a sealed, finger-sized transparent tube out of an inconspicuous small black bag he carried. Inside was a small amount of pale gold powder that seemed to flow with a subtle luster.

"The main ingredient is a specially treated pollen, combined with some neuromodulatory components. The effect is mild and controllable, with no side effects."

He didn't seem to intend to explain the origin of the pollen in depth, casually putting the tube away again.

Shen Mingyuan watched his movements thoughtfully. He remained silent for a moment before suddenly asking, "Senior, you seem to... know me very well? Or rather, you're very certain about my 'situation'?"

Lu Jianchuan looked up at Shen Mingyuan, the corners of his mouth curving ever so slightly. "Of course. I've always maintained contact with 'The Forger.' Don't you?"

Shen Mingyuan was visibly stunned. "Uh... 'The Forger'? He's still in contact with you?"

"Of course," Lu Jianchuan's tone was natural, as if he were stating something obvious. "We're... old acquaintances. During the period when I was still 'silver skeleton,' he helped me a lot." He paused slightly, his gaze becoming serious. "It's because of that I know about you. As for the official side..."

He looked directly at Shen Mingyuan, his words clear and precise. "Currently, GUPA only knows the codename 'shadow' and its activities; they haven't equated 'shadow' with the person 'Shen Mingyuan' yet. If you're not prepared to let the officials know about this identity, I won't take the initiative to tell them. I respect your choice."

An "I see" expression appeared on Shen Mingyuan's face, and he relaxed a bit, his heart warmed by the other's candor and respect. He said, "I... it's the same for me and 'The Forger.' He's helped me quite a bit, providing intelligence and answering my questions... I'm very grateful to him. As for the officials... for now, I want to maintain the status quo."

"Understood." Lu Jianchuan nodded.

"It seems his way of 'taking care' of us is about the same."

Lu Jianchuan's tone carried a trace of almost imperceptible banter. This caused the steady yet slightly weary aura around him to fade a bit, revealing a sense of genuine closeness.

"He mentioned you to me before. To be honest, knowing that a... 'successor' like you has appeared makes me quite happy. At least it proves this path isn't completely lonely, and you seem to be taking a more... 'clever' path."

His gaze swept over the matte black "twin stars" pistol model sitting on the coffee table beside Shen Mingyuan.

Shen Mingyuan heard the recognition and goodwill in the other's words and smiled slightly. "Senior, you flatter me. I'm just used to solving problems in my own way."

The awkwardness and wariness of their first meeting quietly melted away during this shared topic regarding "The Forger."

After a few more brief exchanges about non-classified insights like their experiences using the armor and energy consumption, Lu Jianchuan shifted the conversation back to the main topic.

"Regardless, Shen Mingyuan, to the outside world—especially to the official eyes that might be watching this matter—your identity as 'Lawyer Shen Mingyuan' should have already undergone memory processing, forgetting the 'abnormal' parts seen at the Rescue Center yesterday.

I won't actually use the drug on you, but you need to be careful not to inadvertently show information that contradicts this. Otherwise, I might have trouble explaining things on my end, and the officials... might develop unnecessary suspicions about you because of it."

He stood up, his tone solemn. "Currently, GUPA only knows the codename 'shadow' and its activities; they haven't equated 'shadow' with the person 'Shen Mingyuan' yet. This is your greatest layer of protection; try to maintain it."

Shen Mingyuan also stood up and nodded seriously. "I understand. Thank you for the reminder, Senior."

"Mm, then I'll be going. Take care." Lu Jianchuan walked toward the door, his tone returning to its initial calm.

"Won't you stay a bit longer?" Shen Mingyuan followed and asked.

"No," Lu Jianchuan stopped at the door and looked back at him, a hint of knowing in his eyes. "I just came to see you. Besides, according to the 'procedure,' you should be in a 'rest period' after memory erasure. Staying quietly at home is the most logical thing to do."

Shen Mingyuan understood. "Then I'll see you downstairs?"

"No need," Lu Jianchuan waved his hand and pulled the door open. "Stay home. Remember, someone who just had their memory 'processed' wouldn't be in a hurry to see a guest out."

After saying that, he nodded to Shen Mingyuan, turned to walk out, and closed the door behind him.

Shen Mingyuan stood behind the door, listening to the steady footsteps outside fade into the distance. He walked to the window and gently pulled back a corner of the curtain to look down.

Before long, he saw Lu Jianchuan's figure appear downstairs, walking toward a motorcycle parked by the roadside.

The motorcycle had a sleek design and was painted in a striking silver and red pattern. Lu Jianchuan straddled it nimbly, and the engine let out a low, powerful roar before carrying him into the morning traffic, quickly disappearing into the distance.

Shen Mingyuan let go of the curtain and returned to the center of the living room. A trace of the visitor's aura, different from his usual days, seemed to linger in the room.

"Lu Jianchuan... 'silver skeleton'..." he murmured softly, feeling the complex emotions brought about by this unexpected yet reasonable meeting. This Senior's reminder, that sense of mutual understanding, and the "Forger" who connected them both gave him a more concrete sense of reality and a subtle sense of belonging on this path of shadows he had chosen.

He stood there for a moment, digesting the information. Checking the time, it was already late; ordinary people should be getting up and moving by now.

He picked up his phone, found Zhao Dayou's number, and dialed. The phone rang a few times before being answered.

"Hello? L-Lawyer Shen?" Zhao Dayou's voice came through, sounding a bit tired, but his emotions seemed stable.

"Mr. Zhao, it's me," Shen Mingyuan said in his usual steady tone. "I'm calling to ask if everything is okay on your end? No issues?"

"Oh, I'm fine, I'm fine," Zhao Dayou said quickly, lowering his voice slightly. "I'm doing well, it's just... I still haven't quite processed everything. That... 'Dahuang'... oh, the snake, it's fine too. It was... taken away by the relevant departments, said they'd settle it and study it properly." His wording was careful, clearly having been warned not to reveal too many details, but the concern and trace of relief in his tone were genuine. "Lawyer Shen, thank you so much for yesterday. If it weren't for you..."

"You're too kind, Mr. Zhao. It's what I should have done." Shen Mingyuan interrupted his thanks at the right moment to avoid the topic going deeper. "The best result is that both you and the snake are fine. If there are any legal procedures or areas where you need assistance later, you can contact me anytime."

"Good, good, definitely. Thank you, Lawyer Shen," Zhao Dayou said repeatedly.

After a few more pleasantries, Shen Mingyuan ended the call. Having confirmed Zhao Dayou was safe, the last bit of concern regarding yesterday's events was lifted from his heart.

Putting down his phone, he looked around the quiet apartment. He had already taken the day off. His body, which he had originally planned to use the day to recover, was actually fine thanks to the agent's effects, but a sense of mental fatigue remained. Coupled with his current status as someone who should be resting quietly after "memory processing," it wasn't suitable for him to go out or perform high-intensity physical training.

"Oh well, I'll just treat it as a real rest," he said to himself.

For the rest of the day, Shen Mingyuan allowed himself to fully relax for once. He unhurriedly tidied the room, prepared simple meals for himself, flipped through law journals he hadn't touched in a long time, and even watched an old movie. Without the pressure of cases, mysteries waiting to be solved, or imminent battles requiring transformation, he spent a peaceful time simply as an ordinary young lawyer on vacation. This pure "daily life" actually felt like a long-lost, unfamiliar sensation to him.

As night fell, he went to bed early, allowing his body and spirit to fully recover.

The next morning, Shen Mingyuan woke up on time. After a full day of rest, yesterday's weakness had completely vanished, and his energy was fully restored.

He put on a neatly ironed shirt and suit, carefully checked the armband on his left wrist to ensure it was in its most inconspicuous "watch" form, and properly stored the "twin stars" pistol. Finally, he took a look in the mirror at the image of the rigorous and capable lawyer.

Picking up his briefcase, he pushed open his front door and joined the morning flow of commuters. Shortly after, his figure appeared beneath that familiar office building in the city center, walking with steady steps through the main doors of the law firm where he worked.