Investigation Report of the Gods

Chapter 47: The One Above (4000 characters asking for monthly votes)

“Mother?”

Han Su raised his head slightly in surprise.

He was surprised that Zhang Zhiguo would continue investigating this kidnapping case despite such a blatant hint from above the Disaster Management Bureau, and also surprised by the lead he had uncovered.

Zhang Zhiguo and Song Chu-shi had arrived at the same conclusion.

“At the time I thought very simply: since this case had been classified—not supernatural—and no further investigation was permitted…”

Zhang Zhiguo said, “But I only wanted to help a child I knew find his mother. That seemed like a perfectly reasonable thing to do, right?”

Han Su felt his emotions welling up, but he didn’t want to interrupt Zhang Zhiguo.

He didn’t think that was his mother, because that memory was already very faint, like washed‑out film, with only scattered images remaining.

Even in those scattered images, he had no recollection of calling her ‘Mom.’

If she truly was his mother, then a child, no matter how forgetful, wouldn’t forget that point, right?

“You said your mother disappeared completely,” Zhang Zhiguo continued. “That was precisely what made me suspicious.”

Zhang Zhiguo continued: “Whoever it was, and whatever method they used, it shouldn’t be easy to vanish in a city. There shouldn’t have been any trace—not even records or files left behind.”

“That was my earliest suspicion. But because she disappeared so completely, I couldn’t investigate. Until the Disaster Management Bureau classified the case, the only reason left for me to look into her was to help you find your mother—and unexpectedly I found a lead.”

The word lead struck like thunder. Han Su jerked his head up, staring at Zhang Zhiguo in disbelief.

“Before the kidnapping, she helped you transfer schools.”

Zhang Zhiguo said slowly: “She transferred you to that prestigious school. We checked that school—but all related records had vanished.”

“Even your original school left no records. And you can’t remember…”

“But just when I was about to give up, I unexpectedly found, inside the Disaster Management Bureau, that transfer document I had been searching for—your school transfer record…”

“Through this, I found your original school. And finally, from a teacher who had taught you, I obtained a somewhat blurry group photo. I saw this woman…”

“…”

“Well…”

Han Su’s voice was hoarse as he spoke: “Where is it?”

Zhang Zhiguo looked at him intently, then took a file folder from Secretary Cui’s briefcase.

At a glance, Han Su recognized it: the case file from that kidnapping ten years ago.

So Zhang Zhiguo had not lied back when he was in the Public Security Bureau.

He had indeed held onto that dossier all this time.

Zhang Zhiguo pulled out an old photo and handed it to Han Su. Han Su noticed it seemed to be taken during a parent‑child activity at school.

Among many children and adults, his gaze inevitably settled on a tall, skinny woman.

It was her.

The shadow of memory revived—the tall, skinny woman, with a temperament unlike anyone else.

Beautiful, yet reclusive.

He stared blankly for a long time, trying to evoke more memories of her, but there were none.

He was certain this was the woman who had cared for him before the kidnapping—but he couldn’t recall more moments with her.

It was as if all memories of her had been violently erased.

After a long while, he finally spoke: “Is this the only photo?”

“Yes.”

Zhang Zhiguo shook his head slowly and said softly, “Shortly after that, the teacher who had taught you passed away. I went to that school several times but couldn’t find any more leads. Only this photo remained.”

Han Su’s tightly contracted heart began to sink again. His eyes stayed fixed on the woman’s face. He didn’t know what to say.

“And this time, during our conversation…”

Zhang Zhiguo gave Han Su a dozen seconds to examine the photo. Then, as if making a quiet resolution, he began: “The most important thing is to tell you one thing.”

“She might still be in this city!”

“…”

“What?”

If seeing this photo stirred emotion in Han Su’s heart, these words made him look up in surprise.

“You heard me right.”

Zhang Zhiguo met Han Su’s gaze and slowly said, “Three years ago, while handling a case related to a certain mysterious organization, I saw her…”

“It was only a distant glance. Although I immediately went after her, she had already vanished into the crowd.”

“Honestly, what I’m saying is hard to believe, because I had only seen her in a photo, and then saw her unexpectedly in a moment when I was completely unprepared. No matter who I told, this probably wouldn’t count as proof…”

“But…”

He seemed to struggle internally before speaking firmly, “I’m very sure it was her.”

“I guarantee it with these eyes that have worked criminal investigations for decades—that person was her.”

“……”

“……”

After experiencing so many kidnappings and brushes with death, Han Su had never imagined that a single piece of information could cause him to lose control of his emotions like this.

“Then you… where did you…”

“Don’t get agitated just yet.”

Zhang Zhiguo gently patted Han Su’s shoulder and said, “I have information about this mysterious organization. Before I give you this lead, I must warn you.”

“Some things, some organizations—just knowing about them means danger.”

“The mystery, strangeness, and danger of this kidnapping case have reached a level that even I completely cannot understand. And this is precisely why I didn’t want you to get involved.”

“If I don’t give you this lead, you won’t know who they are. To you, these people could just be passersby on the street, merchants entering the city, unfortunates with broken-down cars, or smiling strangers offering you a cigarette and asking for directions.”

“But once you learn of their existence, and deliberately try to approach them, you might very quickly and inexplicably turn into a corpse…”

“……”

As he spoke, he pulled out a third cigarette, sighed lightly, and said, “So I suggest that you should only investigate when you’ve gained the ability to protect yourself.”

Han Su was anxious, but endured it, saying, “Uncle Zhang, when can I be considered to have the ability to protect myself?”

“Becoming an Investigator?”

“You started out as an Investigator too. From the way you speak, you’re even a senior member of the Disaster Management Bureau. But back then, weren’t you also suppressed to the point of suffocation?”

“That’s different.”

Zhang Zhiguo answered with certainty, “The other party—whether it was the Investigator who submitted the report or the big shot above who stamped it—first redefined the case, then suppressed it. That in itself reveals something.”

Han Su frowned. “Reveals what?”

Zhang Zhiguo said quietly, “It shows that their power is great, but they still have to follow the rules of the Disaster Management Bureau when handling things.”

Han Su was silent for a long time before saying softly, “What if they don’t follow the rules?”

Zhang Zhiguo slowly lit his third cigarette and said, “Kid, haven’t you figured it out yet?”

“The fact that they won’t follow the rules is a certainty.”

“Your very identity, entering the Disaster Management Bureau, means you’ll be walking on thin ice every step of the way.”

“If some people try to stop you, even frame or sabotage you—that’s to be expected. Ever since you entered the Disaster Management Bureau, none of this can be avoided.”

“You are at the heart of the kidnapping case. If those above didn’t even want to see the report I submitted, then naturally, they don’t want to see you either.”

Zhang Zhiguo continued slowly, “If they get the chance, it wouldn’t be hard for them to make you die somewhere or find a reason to imprison you forever.”

“……”

This intricate web of consequences actually left Han Su feeling somewhat invigorated.

He smiled and said, “I believe what you say, Uncle Zhang.”

“But if that’s the case, even if I do nothing, wouldn’t they still have a chance to imprison me forever or make me disappear?”

“It’s different.”

Zhang Zhiguo shook his head and said, “Precisely because you entered the Disaster Management Bureau—essentially walked right into their net—that’s why you must learn to make strategic use of everything.”

“The Disaster Management Bureau exists because within it, there’s still the word ‘reasonable.’ If something is done too overtly, not only the upper and lower ranks of the Bureau but even Miss Ai could trigger a paradox, resulting in internal conflict, which would shake their own foundation.”

“Don’t forget…”

As he spoke, his expression grew grave, even somewhat severe. He looked at Han Su seriously and said, “The greatest strength of the Disaster Management Bureau is power.”

“And power is, by nature, restricted.”

“Just like a stream must flow within its banks—once it crosses the line, it becomes a disaster.”

“……”

Han Su still couldn’t fully grasp Zhang Zhiguo’s words, but he tried hard to process them.

Seeing his pensive expression, Zhang Zhiguo realized that with Han Su’s current age, fully understanding these ideas was a bit of a stretch. So he chuckled and said, “Of course, more importantly, I’ll be watching your back.”

Han Su was surprised. “You?”

“Yes.”

Zhang Zhiguo lightly tapped the file folder with his finger and smiled. “Xiao Han, don’t forget, this isn’t just your matter—it’s my case too.”

“Back at the Public Security Bureau, I wasn’t just coaxing you. I’ve never given up on this case.”

“Whether it was back at the Public Security Bureau or now at the Disaster Management Bureau, I’ve always believed that twenty-five children can’t just disappear.”

“……”

“Uncle Zhang…”

Just earlier, when Zhang Zhiguo spoke about the dangers inside the Disaster Management Bureau, Han Su could still smile calmly.

But now, suddenly witnessing Zhang Zhiguo’s attitude, a rush of blood surged to his head. His chest suddenly felt empty. He wanted to say something, but everything felt stuck in his throat.

“We’re men. No need for those sentimental words.”

Zhang Zhiguo patted Han Su on the shoulder and said, “For now, focus on getting through your phase as an Operations Officer. When you truly become an Investigator and gain the ability to protect yourself, I’ll tell you everything I know about this kidnapping case, down to the last detail. Do you think…”

“……”

Han Su said, “No.”

“?”

Zhang Zhiguo was a bit confused—had he missed something just now?

“Uncle Zhang, I promise you that before I gain the ability to protect myself, I won’t recklessly investigate those dangerous matters.”

Han Su quickly explained, “But the clues related to this kidnapping case—especially the organization you mentioned, the one that might be connected to… her—please tell me now!”

“It’s not that I want to pretend to obey while disobeying. Mainly, just in case…”

He paused, choosing his words carefully: “Not to jinx it, but let’s say, what if something suddenly happened to you during that time, Uncle Zhang?”

Zhang Zhiguo was taken aback. “And that’s what you call not jinxing it?”

Han Su said, “Things can change so fast—nobody can predict the future. In short, I’ll remember every word you’ve said. But for the clues, if two people can know, it’s better than only one person knowing.”

“So, Uncle Zhang, please tell me!”

“……”

Seeing the seriousness in his eyes, Zhang Zhiguo let out a low sigh and gave in. “I’ll tell you—but you must be extremely careful…”