"What on earth is going on?" Zhang Wan whispered anxiously.
Fu Hu frowned deeply. "I don't know. The man appeared out of nowhere, claiming to be some high-ranking official from the National Risk Intervention Bureau—a department I've never even heard of. But he has my credentials, knows my entire service record… I honestly can't tell whether he's genuine or bluffing. Yet the tech he carries—no doubt about it, cutting-edge. Not something an ordinary person could ever get their hands on."
"He might be telling the truth… but then again, it sounds almost too unbelievable. Still, I can't afford to offend someone like that—if he is a real official, we'd be in serious trouble."
"Tsk, oh dear," Zhang Wan muttered worriedly. "What if he's a fraud? Old Fu, you better stay sharp. You were just a regular soldier back then—what kind of national crisis could have anything to do with you? If he dares mention money, we report him immediately!"
"Relax. I've invited him to dinner. I'll probe him a little. If he's a fake, do you really think some fresh-faced kid could fool me? Just follow my lead."
"This is ridiculous," Zhang Wan grumbled, fanning her hand in frustration. "I bought all those good ingredients today to nourish our daughter—now some stranger's going to mooch off them."
"Stop fussing and finish the cooking."
"And tell Qingdai to lock her door. She can eat later."
...
The table was soon brimming with dishes, the place settings neatly arranged.
Su Jin fast-forwarded through the movie with the remote, his notebook already filled with two full pages of notes.
As he placed the final dish on the table, Fu Hu turned and asked, "Director Li, have you finished watching?"
Su Jin paused the film, closed the notebook, and approached the table with a warm smile. "I must thank you both—I've truly imposed on your hospitality today."
"Let me introduce you," Fu Hu said, gesturing. "This is my wife, Zhang Wan. And this gentleman is—"
"Director of the National Risk Intervention Bureau, Li Haocheng." Su Jin nodded politely toward Zhang Wan with a slight smile.
"Please, sit, sit!" Fu Hu gestured eagerly.
The three took their seats. For a moment, silence hung between them.
Fu Hu lifted his glass and offered it toward Su Jin. "Director Li, as you said yourself—fate brought us together. Allow me this first toast."
Su Jin raised a hand in refusal. "My apologies. I don't drink outside of official functions."
The couple exchanged a glance, and Zhang Wan chuckled. "Quite right—less alcohol is better for the body. Then please, eat more."
She reached out and gently placed a helping of food into Su Jin's bowl.
"Director Li," Zhang Wan began casually, "I overheard you two earlier—something about a National Risk Bureau? I've never heard of such a department. Could you tell us more? When was it established?"
"Certainly. In fact, it's been around for quite a long time—" Su Jin started, but paused to glance toward the bedroom.
"Tell me, is that your daughter in the other room? Why not invite her to join us?"
"Oh, no need," Zhang Wan waved it off. "That girl snacks all day, barely touches proper meals. Don't worry about her. Please, go on."
"Ah... may I ask her name?" Su Jin suddenly shifted the topic.
The couple immediately tensed, exchanging a wary glance. Under the table, Zhang Wan jabbed Fu Hu's leg discreetly.
"My daughter's name is Fu Qingdai. Why do you ask?" Fu Hu replied in a guarded tone.
"That child…" Su Jin hesitated, then continued, "She seems... troubled. Her mental state doesn't appear very stable."
Again, the couple locked eyes—this time, their expressions changed.
Fu Hu seemed to remember something and leaned in. "Director Li, you mentioned earlier that you specialize in psychology. Can you really tell at a glance?"
Su Jin gave a soft chuckle. "Naturally. With enough expertise, even subtle signs are telling. It seems your precious daughter is indeed carrying some burdens. Bring her out—I'll take a look. I won't claim I'm above the nation's finest specialists, but I'm certainly not on the same level as those third-rate quacks either."
Before Fu Hu could respond, Zhang Wan had already risen to fetch Qingdai.
Moments later, the girl sat at the table, her head lowered, utterly silent.
"Say something! Greet our guest!" Zhang Wan nudged her daughter's shoulder.
"L-Li… Uncle Li…" she muttered, biting her lip, stealing a nervous glance at Su Jin before quickly dropping her gaze again.
"Director Li, please," Zhang Wan said, her voice tight with concern. "Lately, she's been..."
Fu Hu cut in with a low voice. "Let him do the diagnosing. Don't interfere."
A chance to test Su Jin's so-called expertise—perfect.
Su Jin lowered his gaze and studied Qingdai with a contemplative expression. After two full minutes of feigned analysis under the couple's expectant eyes, he finally spoke.
"This child… her complexion and facial tension suggest an immense mental strain. In fact, I sense a latent suicidal tendency. In most cases, this kind of pressure stems from academic overload."
Zhang Wan immediately turned to Fu Hu with a look that screamed, I told you so.
Fu Hu shot her a glare, visibly displeased.
Useless woman. Barely a word and she's already fallen under his spell!
"Hasn't her performance in math and physics been declining recently?" Su Jin asked calmly.
"Yes! That's exactly it! Her math grades have been plummeting," Zhang Wan exclaimed. "Director Li, how could you possibly tell?"
"It's simple probability," Su Jin replied. "Qingdai, lift your head. I have a few questions."
Qingdai looked up timidly and gave a small nod.
"What time does your school break for lunch? And when do you usually eat?"
"Break is at noon… I eat around twelve-thirty."
"What do you usually eat? Who do you eat with?"
"It varies… not the same every day."
Su Jin went on to ask a dozen more mundane questions, leaving the parents utterly perplexed.
Fu Hu's brow remained furrowed throughout, his eyes never leaving Su Jin's face.
After the twentieth question, Su Jin lifted his water glass, took a sip, and smiled.
"I believe the situation is now quite clear."
"What is it, Director Li?" Zhang Wan asked eagerly.
"The first issue, as I mentioned, is academic stress. But the second... is more complicated. She's been in a romantic relationship."
"I have NOT!" Qingdai cried out at once, her small hands gripping her thighs in desperation.
"Yes, you have," Su Jin said gently. "And the boy—he's not from your class, is he? Likely a student from the class next door. Poor academic performance, but athletic. You've been seeing him for more than two months. Then he lost interest, ended it, and you tried to reach out—but he humiliated you, didn't he?"
Tighten. Hold it in.
Qingdai's wide eyes brimmed with tears as her nails dug into her skin. At last, with a choked sob, she buried her face in her mother's arms and broke down crying.
The girl's sudden collapse left the parents stunned. Once again, they exchanged glances—this time, their expressions were wholly transformed.
This... this was uncanny.
Not even the hospital specialists had uncovered so much. And all it took was a few casual questions to hit the very root of the issue!
Was this the caliber of a top-tier agent?
"I knew it!" Zhang Wan exclaimed. "The child's just under too much pressure and got involved with someone—nothing more! But you insisted on sending her to a psychiatric clinic!"
She turned on Fu Hu with fiery indignation, her voice laced with vindication.