Volume One, Chapter Fifty-Two: The Person Whose Temperament Has Changed Drastically

Mr. Wang seemed a bit surprised, his motion to push them away coming to a halt.

Chi Xingwan said, “Since we’ve accepted the case, we won’t be charging any additional fees. For you, this is a deal with no risk and only gain. Are you really going to turn it down?”

Mr. Wang interjected, “Hey, I already said we don’t need your help. You should leave.”

Chi Xingwan looked at him and replied, “Our client is Ms. Wu. Mr. Wang, you don’t have the authority to make this decision for her.”

Mr. Wang grew annoyed. “I’m her husband!”

Chi Xingwan curved her lips into a chilling smile. “Even if the Emperor himself showed up, our client would still be Ms. Wu.”

Though her voice was soft and her tone mild, Mr. Wang felt a cold sweat break out on his back, unable to utter another harsh word.

At this moment, Ms. Wu spoke up, “Please, come into the reception room. I’ll explain the details to you.”

The three young investigators looked at Chi Xingwan with eyes full of admiration and surprise.

Chi Xingwan cleared her throat lightly, reminding them, “Let’s go inside.”

Seeing them enter the reception room, Mr. Wang hesitated, then closed the shop door, hung up a “Closed” sign, and followed them in.

Once everyone was seated, Ms. Wu said, “My son started his first year of high school this year. Not long after the semester began, we noticed his personality changed. At first, we thought it was just him growing up and adjusting to a new environment, so it didn’t seem strange. But then, his changes became more and more pronounced. He’s become a stranger to us.”

Chen Yixuan asked, “What was he like before? And what is he like now?”

“He used to be lively, always laughing, and had a great temperament. He would never mind the little jokes people made around him. But now, his moods are completely unpredictable. Sometimes he bursts out laughing for no reason, sometimes he gets angry over nothing. Even a mosquito flying by can set him off on a tirade.”

Mr. Wang seemed unconcerned. “If you ask me, he’s just a teenager going through mood swings. Isn’t that totally normal? Why make a fuss?”

Ms. Wu glared at him. “Do you even believe what you’re saying? You’re a man too—were you like this during your adolescence?”

Mr. Wang fell silent.

Ms. Wu turned back to Chen Yixuan. “I’m sure it’s not just puberty. I’ve talked to his teachers and other parents. No one else’s child is acting like this.”

Chen Yixuan tried to reassure her. “Of course we believe you. We’re here to get to the bottom of this.”

Ms. Wu gazed at her with hope in her eyes. At this point, Chen Yixuan should have continued asking questions, but she suddenly found herself at a loss.

Zhao Yuxin’s mind worked quickly, and she jumped in, “Ms. Wu, has your son visited any unusual places lately? Or met anyone out of the ordinary?”

Ms. Wu thought for a moment before answering, “He moved up to high school in September, so the school changed, his teachers and classmates changed—it’s been a lot of change all at once.”

As the questions continued, the three of them found their rhythm, and even the usually reserved Yao Bin joined in.

“Since the problem started, you must have visited the school and spoken to them?” Yao Bin asked.

Ms. Wu nodded. “Yes, we’ve gone to the school, talked to the teachers, and even observed a few of his classes with the teacher’s help. None of his classmates are like him.”

“Then it’s probably not something at school,” Chen Yixuan said. “What about outside of school? Does your son have any favorite places to go?”

“High school is demanding, and he doesn’t have much free time on weekends. We enrolled him in some tutoring classes, and usually after class, he comes straight home.”

With no more information to be gleaned, Chen Yixuan considered suggesting a visit to their home, but decided against it. She exchanged glances with the other two, deciding it was time to take their leave.

“Thank you for trusting us. Next, we’ll check out his tutoring class. Ms. Wu, we’ll be in touch soon.”

Ms. Wu and Mr. Wang saw them out. Watching the four leave, Mr. Wang snorted. “It’s like kids playing house.”

Ms. Wu replied, “If they’re not capable, all I’ve lost is a little time. But if they are, maybe our son’s problem can be solved.”

“I told you to find a psychologist, or at least some famous master at a temple. These kids are barely older than our son—how could they possibly have any real skills?”

Ms. Wu ignored him, her gaze lingering at the door. For reasons she couldn’t explain, she felt she’d made the right choice.

Chi Xingwan led the three to an educational training center and said, “Let’s go in.”

Yao Bin asked timidly, “Consultant Chi, there’s a security gate. How will we get in?”

Chi Xingwan glanced at him with exasperation. “Look over there.”

The three looked over to see a large recruitment poster.

“At the very least, we’re students from Yanjing University. That’s more than enough to qualify as tutors, right?”

Chen Yixuan brightened. “Of course we’re qualified. We’ll pretend to inquire about a job, get inside the center, and investigate while we’re there!”

The three pulled out their student IDs and marched confidently forward. The security guard checked their IDs and, as expected, didn’t stop them; he even personally took them to meet the manager.

Four students from Yanjing University coming in to apply for jobs made the manager beam with delight.

He took their student IDs with a smile. Oh, they really were from Yanjing University. But then—Department of Taoist Studies?

What kind of department is that? How obscure!

But it didn’t matter. If they could get into Yanjing University, no matter how obscure the major, their grades were undoubtedly solid.

Chen Yixuan said, “We’re looking for part-time work, and your institution has a great reputation, so we wanted to learn more.”

The manager was clearly pleased. “Not to boast, but there’s not another training center in the area that can compete with us. Most students around here choose us. Let me tell you about our benefits…”

After listening patiently, Chen Yixuan quickly asked, “Would it be possible for us to tour the facilities?”

The manager rose at once. “Of course, right this way.”

The group straightened up, with Chen Yixuan and Yao Bin providing cover while Zhao Yuxin, at the rear, quietly formed hand seals to sense any traces of dark energy.

After the tour, Chen Yixuan excused herself, saying they’d need time to consider. Once outside, Zhao Yuxin reported, “There’s not a trace of dark energy in the whole training center.”

She looked uncertainly at Chi Xingwan.

Chi Xingwan nodded in agreement. “That’s right, there’s none.”

Her own perception far exceeded the others’. In fact, the moment she arrived she sensed that the training center was perfectly clean. However, as a matter of principle, she wouldn’t interfere in this case, so she hadn’t said anything.

Relieved to have made no mistake, yet troubled nonetheless, Zhao Yuxin said, “Since there’s nothing here, the only other place the client’s son frequents is the basketball club Ms. Wu mentioned.”