63: A secluded forest where both meat and vegetables are acceptable

"Hello! This is the customer service center of Underworld Culture Media Co., Ltd. I am operator 049."

"May I ask, sir, what business you would like to handle?" Ming Xuan asked politely.

A noisy sound came from the other end of the phone, followed by a man's exasperated voice: "Hello, Miss Operator. I want to file a complaint against Manager You Lin of your company."

Before the words fell, only a "swoosh" sound was heard, as if something had suddenly sprung up, followed by the man's increasingly agitated words, "That bastard is simply a shameless person!"

Ming Xuan, sitting at the desk, heard this familiar opening and couldn't help but sigh helplessly. She leaned back, slumped into her office chair, and gently supported her forehead with her hand.

She muttered to herself, "Here we go again. I don't know how many times I've received such complaints this week."

"He cheated me out of money and affection, and he was two-timing. He said he didn't mind gender, we were true love! But who could have imagined that after dating me for only four short weeks, he actually cheated on me behind my back... sob, sob, sob."

The more Zhou Bo spoke, the angrier he became. His voice unconsciously rose an octave, and he even gestured with an affected flick of his wrist.

"And what's most infuriating is that the hundreds of thousands of incense offerings I worked so hard to exchange, he didn't leave a single bit for me!"

Just like that, Zhou Bo rambled on about his experience, sometimes weeping bitterly, and sometimes swearing loudly.

His voice, filled with grief and indignation, echoed throughout the entire customer service center.

Ming Xuan listened quietly, her face showing an expression of someone long accustomed to this.

After about ten minutes, Zhou Bo seemed to have finally vented the anger in his heart, and his crying gradually subsided.

At this time, Ming Xuan took a deep breath, adjusted her emotions, and said in as gentle a tone as possible, "Sir, please calm down first. Have you read the 'Ghost Messenger Code' on the Underworld app?"

Zhou Bo hiccuped several times from crying, staring blankly at the marble floor. "Why should I read it?"

Ming Xuan's expression was extremely serious, and she said solemnly, "Article 16 of the 'Ghost Messenger Code' has clear and explicit regulations: it is strictly forbidden for ghost messengers to have any emotional entanglement with clients."

"As long as any ghost dares to violate this rule, they will inevitably suffer extremely severe punishment—to put it simply, it is 'recycling'."

Zhou Bo's face turned as pale as paper in an instant, his body began to tremble involuntarily, and even his voice carried a noticeable tremor: "W-what? There is actually such a rule in existence?"

Following that, as if grabbing onto the last straw, he explained eagerly, "Actually, I just wanted to use the complaint method to get his attention. I really didn't have any other thoughts!"

Then he shouted almost pleadingly, "Please don't punish him, okay! I have decided not to complain anymore, is that okay?"

Ming Xuan was unmoved, "Sir! This is an iron rule set by the Underworld, and every ghost messenger must unconditionally and strictly abide by it."

At this time, another staff member nearby interjected, "Sir! Once the customer service center receives a complaint, we will definitely verify the relevant situation. Even if you want to withdraw the complaint now, it is of no use."

Ming Xuan continued to add, "Therefore, if after investigation and verification, it is determined that Manager You Lin's actions did indeed violate the regulations, then we will do our best to help you recover the money you were cheated out of."

"At the same time, he will inevitably be punished by the company's Supervisory Committee."

After hearing these words, Zhou Bo slumped limply into his chair.

"I really didn't know there would be such consequences... I just wanted him to notice me..." he muttered to himself.

"Sir, since the complaint has taken effect, please cooperate with the Underworld's routine inquiry." Ming Xuan said softly.

"Can I not cooperate?" Zhou Bo asked in a voice so weak it was almost inaudible.

"Sir, would you prefer to accept the routine inquiry now, or shall we wait until midnight for the ghost messengers to work overtime at your home?" A creepy smile bloomed on Ming Xuan's face.

Zhou Bo crossed his legs tightly, placed his left hand nervously on his knee, and held his phone high with his right hand. "Miss Operator! I will definitely cooperate fully, please rest assured!"

"According to Article 22 of the 'Ghost Messenger Code': Underworld employees of the third rank and above have the ability to convert spiritual power and ghost power into each other. This is one of the important signs proving the identity of middle-level Underworld staff." Ming Xuan said seriously.

"So, may I ask, sir, during the time you were dating Manager You Lin, has he ever had this conversion phenomenon?"

Zhou Bo frowned, trying hard to recall the bits and pieces of the past, but it seemed he had no special impression. "No, I don't seem to have ever noticed these..."

"Alright then! Next, we will move on to the next question."

"Please tell me the specific time of your last date with Manager You Lin."

Zhou Bo was suddenly stunned, and images flashed rapidly through his mind.

After a while, he slowly opened his mouth and said, "Last Monday night at nine o'clock, the location was Mickey's Western Restaurant."

"Okay! The center will immediately verify Manager You Lin's recent whereabouts." After speaking, Ming Xuan pretended to type on the virtual keyboard in front of her.

Making a crackling sound, "Pa pa pa pa pa..."

One minute later, Ming Xuan picked up the landline handset next to her. "Sir, according to our understanding, Manager You Lin had been in the conference hall attending a meeting since 17:00 last Monday, and this meeting lasted until 22:00 that night."

After a pause, Ming Xuan continued, "Therefore, regarding the romantic partner you mentioned, we have many questions about their identity! May I ask, have you encountered some form of fraudulent behavior? If you have such needs, we can help you call the police to handle this matter."

Zhou Bo's eyes widened, his face full of disbelief, and he excitedly retorted, "That's absolutely impossible! I saw him perform magic with my own eyes!"

Ming Xuan's tone became increasingly heavy, "Sir, I wonder if you have recently experienced symptoms of loss of appetite, frequent headaches, and easy drowsiness... skin itching unbearably..."

"You... how do you know these things?" Zhou Bo said anxiously, while uncontrollably scratching his neck desperately with his hand, as if trying to relieve the unbearable itching.

"Sir! Here is a suggestion from the 'Customer Service Center'! Please hang up the phone first, and immediately go to streamer Xie Chi's live broadcast room to buy a few anti-evil talismans." Ming Xuan said unhurriedly.