Chapter 162

The meeting with the Peeping Mirror was scheduled for the seventh day after Xu Ming woke up.

Actually, Xu Ming wanted to meet her earlier, but it was inconvenient for Teacher Jing to go there. After she went back, she had been cooperating with Anxin Gardening to write reports and fill out forms. Because she had been parasitized by the Lantern Man, she also took the initiative to apply for isolation and physical examinations... although nothing was found.

In Teacher Jing's words, it was mainly to give humans peace of mind.

"Humans are a little sensitive." In the coffee shop, Teacher Jing was stirring the coffee cup in front of her while saying to Xu Ming seriously, "Once the seeds of doubt are planted, it is not easy to dig them out again. If left alone, they will sprout and grow on their own, and grow into a disturbing appearance..."

"So, for their mental health, some appropriate comfort is necessary."

She said, pushing the decorative glasses on her face: "So, I'm really sorry. The meeting has been postponed until now."

"No problem, no problem." Xu Ming said immediately, and glanced at the menu on the table, "Excuse me, do you want to order anything else? I heard from my colleagues that the strawberry tart here is quite good and very authentic."

Teacher Jing shook her head, exhaled softly, and turned to look outside. Outside the transparent glass wall, the sun was shining brightly. On the flowerbed opposite the coffee shop, two girls were sitting head to head, each holding a beautiful notebook in their hands. The younger one was wearing a middle school uniform, and the other was wearing a beautiful Lolita dress...

They were Guo Shuyi and Lu Yueling.

As they moved, the delicate stickers on the notebook were faintly visible. The two of them tapped on each other's notebook, looking like they were sharing something, but occasionally their eyes revealed a little vigilance.

Noticing the two people's vigilant eyes, Teacher Jing smiled, but didn't say much, and soon turned her eyes to the lush trees nearby.

"This is the first time I've seen such a leisurely ghost story." She said softly, "No wonder your colleagues came in specially to play."

"It's mainly to find Xiao Xiao Guo." Xu Ming also glanced outside and said, "They seem to be playing new things recently, Gooka or something... I don't quite understand."

Compared to this, she was more surprised that Teacher Jing actually chose Guo Shuyi's ghost story as the meeting place - logically, she should have never been here before.

"I haven't been here, but I've heard of it." Teacher Jing said as if it was a matter of course. "When this strange story was still closed, I peeked in at the request of Anxin Gardening..."

Crying, screaming, wandering and struggling, collapse and despair... As soon as the tentacles of the peek entered, they were overwhelmed and wrapped up by these emotions. It was so heavy that it was hard to breathe.

Perhaps because of the strength and resistance of the domain master, she didn't see more than these strong emotions during that peek.

And because this strange story was mainly handled by Dali Zhiwei at the time, Teacher Jing didn't pay much attention to it. The next time she heard relevant information, it was after the ghost story was incorporated into the Demolition Office - Guo Shuyi moved the entrance to the ghost story into the rule book, which was equivalent to adding another layer of cover to the ghost story. Teacher Jing couldn't read it anymore. It wasn't

until this haunted house incident that she became interested in this ghost story again because of Xu Ming's operation. Since she can't spy on it, she might as well come and see it in person.

"I can guess that its condition has improved." Teacher Jing took a sip of the coffee in the cup, raised her eyebrows in surprise, and her eyebrows became more relaxed, "But I didn't expect to see such good sunshine here, and I can also drink juice-flavored latte."

"Ah?" Xu Ming was stunned, subconsciously glanced at her coffee, and then suddenly realized.

"There is a colleague in our team who likes to drink sweet juice." She explained to Teacher Jing, "Xiao Xiao Guo started to work in the beverage store just for her, and this cafe is just a trial operation... I guess she is too young and hasn't had much coffee, so she found a bug."

"I see." Teacher Jing nodded in understanding, lowered her head and took a sip, "It's okay, it's quite interesting."

"I'm glad you don't mind." Xu Ming pursed his lips, pondered for a moment, and tried to speak, "But I think there should be more than one reason why you chose to meet here, right?"

"..." Teacher Jing paused slightly.

After a moment, he sighed softly.

"Human intuition is sometimes really surprising." She didn't mean to hide it, and said directly, "In this case, I'll just say it straight."

"The one called the lamp man is the one you surrounded... well, besieged."

Teacher Jing paused subtly in the middle of her words, and Xu Ming had reason to suspect that what she wanted to say was actually besieged.

"It's still in this strange story, right?" Then he heard Teacher Jing on the opposite side say, "If possible, I want to see it."

"..."

Xu Ming paused when he heard this, and a hint of hesitation immediately appeared in his eyes.

"Of course, not now." As if seeing her confusion, Teacher Jing added, "I understand your concerns. You can choose a time when you think it's okay to take me there. Before that, you can try to make some preparations, such as constraints, rules, protective measures, etc...."

"When you are ready, just notify me."

...This does sound more reassuring.

Xu Ming pondered for a moment, but still did not agree immediately. Instead, he said, "Do you mind if I ask the reason?"

"I don't mind." Teacher Jing was very frank, "Do you want to hear a nice lie, or a not-so-nice truth?"

...So frank that it can even be said to be a bit too much.

Xu Ming thought about it and decided to choose the former first. Teacher Jing smiled again.

"The nice lie is that I want to save the world."

"..." Xu Ming choked again, "Ah?"

"There's nothing strange about this." Teacher Jing casually tucked the strands of hair around her ears and said in a light voice, "There are other doors in this world... I think you know this."

"Some doors are about to open, and some have already been opened. Their existence may not be critical to the lighthouse, but it is not the case for humans, because the power of the lighthouse penetrates through those doors; and you have seen the result of the penetration-

"Even if it only relies on the nonsense of a group of people, it can create a ghost story by itself."

At this point, Teacher Jing paused with narrative skill, met Xu Ming's thoughtful gaze, and then continued:

"So, if I'm not mistaken, the focus of the demolition office's next actions should be those doors. "

"…" What answered her was Xu Ming's unfathomable look.

Xu Ming didn't know whether he should tell her or not. He was not sure about it and was still exploring everything. But since the other party had said it so firmly, it would be impolite not to respond.

So she hesitated for a moment and nodded.

Teacher Jing raised the corner of her lips.

"And I can help you." She said with certainty, "As for those doors and the existence behind them, although I have never been able to peek before... But if I use that person called the Lighthouse Man as a medium, maybe I can see more."

Lock the position of the door, peek at the state of the door - in other words, if the demolition office wants to continue to take action against the lighthouse, she can provide them with more useful information.

Of course, the premise is that she must contact the remaining Lighthouse Man.

... This doesn't sound bad. Xu Ming thought about it in his mind and asked again: "What about the unpleasant truth?"

"I don't like to owe favors to others." Teacher Jing said without hesitation, "and I also want to satisfy my curiosity."

This is an unexpected reason. Xu Ming changed his posture: "Do you mind talking about it in detail?"

"It's very simple. First, you and the Demolition Office saved me, I am very grateful, really - but I have some obsessive-compulsive disorder and don't like to owe things to others. Besides, I have always had a good impression of the style of your unit...

"You helped me, so I have to repay you. And helping you lock the door is the most effective way I can think of to repay you."

Teacher Jing said, slowly stirring the coffee in the cup again: "As for the second...how to say it. "

She looked suddenly distressed, and after considering her words for a while, she put down the spoon in her hand.

"Let me put it this way." Xu Ming heard her say, "This world is being infiltrated... I actually knew this a long time ago. "

Or rather, she can feel

it. But it's just a feeling. She once tried to trace the origin of this perception, but no matter how hard she tried, she could hardly see more.

The truth to her was like a thick film wrapped in it. It wasn't until the demolition office announced the existence of the "door" and the "key" that she seemed to have finally got a clue; and when she was caught and taken to the haunted house as feed, she learned more.

The more she knew, the more curious she became. Now she finally has the opportunity to get closer to the truth. It's ridiculous to say, but she doesn't want to let it go no matter what.

"Well..." Xu Ming listened, his eyes became subtle, "I can understand your thoughts..."

"But to be honest, you're a little worrying. "

What if one of them can't help it and finds an open door and just jumps in?

Who will be blamed then? Does the demolition office make a profit or a loss?

"I'm just curious, I'm not seeking death." Teacher Jing said, "Of course, it's not safe to spy through a medium." "

When you stare into the abyss, the abyss is also staring at you. Although this sentence has been criticized, it has to be said to be very close to the truth.

"...Okay." After another moment of thought, Xu Ming finally nodded, "Since it has come to this, I think this matter can be included in the scope of cooperation...but I hope to go through the open process."

Facing Teacher Jing's somewhat puzzled eyes, she added seriously: "I don't want to keep this a secret and concentrate on gardening. "

It's not something shameful, there's no need to hide it. Besides, there are always risks in snooping into the "door" or even the lighthouse. Let An Xin Gardening know so that we can take some protective measures in advance, and if anything goes wrong, we can respond in time.

On the other hand, private cooperation is fine if it is not discovered. Once it is discovered, it will inevitably affect the credibility of the Demolition and Resettlement Office - just like Teacher Jing said himself, once the seeds of doubt are planted, it will be difficult to dig them out again.

"You are very cautious. It's a good habit." Teacher Jing didn't care about this, "Okay, then I'll go back and tell the people in the unit."

After speaking, he drank the coffee in the cup, and then looked out the window again.

"The domain master is the little girl in school uniform, right? "She confirmed with Xu Ming, "If you want to leave, just find her, right?"

"Um..." Xu Ming responded absent-mindedly, his eyes flickering, as if he was thinking about something again.

Seeing that Teacher Jing was about to get up and leave, he quickly called her.

"?" Teacher Jing looked at her strangely, and sat back in her seat cooperatively, "Excuse me, is there anything else?"

"Nothing, I just want to ask..." Xu Ming pursed his lips and asked tentatively, "Do you know Xu Zhuangyan?"

"I know." Teacher Jing answered without hesitation, "I know that she is a human with psychic physique and also your family member."

"Um." Xu Ming stared into her eyes, his heartbeat slightly accelerated, "So, did you 'see' it or..."

"I read it. "Teacher Jing tilted his head, "When we were in the haunted house, I 'read' the notebook you carried with you, have you forgotten?"

"No, no, no, I remember this." Xu Ming pursed his lips, "What I mean is... I know there are some people, some people who used to work with my aunt, some of them have also become mutant roots because of certain things, so I am a little concerned..."

"Oh." Teacher Jing nodded in sudden realization, "I see. So you are wondering if I am one of them."

Xu Ming was silent for a moment, and nodded again. Teacher Jing just pushed his glasses.

"I'm sorry. Although I don't have any memory of my past... but I personally guess that this possibility is not high."

"...Is that so. "Xu Ming closed his eyes, trying hard to restrain himself from showing disappointment. Teacher Jing observed her expression, and a thoughtful look appeared on her face.

"If I'm not mistaken, it should be my cooperation with Anxin Horticulture that made you misunderstand?" she asked.

Xu Ming did not deny it, but shrugged: "I'm sorry, it's just that this kind of behavior inevitably makes people curious."

"Understand." Teacher Jing nodded slightly, was silent for a while, and turned to look out the window.

"As for the reason why I am willing to cooperate with Anxin Horticulture...well, how should I put it?

"It would be a lie to say that I simply want to help mankind. Rather, I have been curious for a long time about the direction people will go and the struggles they will make in this world that is gradually being infiltrated and eroded...

"If you want to peek into these things, there is no more convenient way than to observe them right next to humans, right?"

She said firmly, and Xu Ming raised his eyes slightly.

"Is this also a not-so-nice truth?" she asked, "or a nice lie?"

"Who knows." Teacher Jing smiled nonchalantly, "Or maybe I just like the present world better." As

she spoke, she stood up again. The chair dragged on the ground, making a slight sound.

"Thank you and Miss Guo for your hospitality. This is a very beautiful ghost story. I hope I can have the opportunity to visit again."

She said politely, and then said to Xu Ming, "No need to see me off." Then she stood up and walked out of the coffee shop, straight to Guo Shuyi outside.

Xu Ming was left alone, sitting at the table, with a heavier thought in his eyes.

*

So, another day later.

"...Huh?" In the private room, facing Xu Ming's question, Kuai Le paused while peeling a crab, "What the hell?"

"I said." Xu Ming repeated his question, "Why did you think of cooperating with humans before you recovered your memory?"

"...I heard your question." Kuai Le sucked the crab roe on his fingers and shook his head, "That's why I said, what the hell are you asking."

Xu Ming: "..."

Is this question so meaningless? Not really, right?

As if seeing Xu Ming's criticism, Kuai Le sneered unceremoniously.

"Comics, notebooks, PS5. What else? Could it be for world peace?" She said while skillfully unpacking the crab in front of her, "By the way, they also made a reservation for me at the restaurant where I'm inviting you to dinner today. The bill is on their head. Eat whatever you want. This crab meat steamed bun is delicious."

With such treatment, why would he still need a bicycle.

"..." Xu Ming on the opposite side stopped picking up the steamed bun, not sure for a moment whether this counted as eating and drinking on public funds...

"I thought there would be some more noble reasons." She was silent for a while and said truthfully.

"Believe me, when you want a notebook but are too lazy to queue up, nothing can tempt you more than a free service and door-to-door shopping agent." Kuai Le said meaningfully, and took a sip of the yellow crab meat noodles next to him.

"By the way, do we have to get tangled up in such a hypocritical issue? Do you know how difficult it is for me to come out..."

This is the truth - although Dali Zhiwei always responds to her requests, they are keeping a close eye on her because she has a history of quitting her job and running away.

It's very troublesome to go out and report and conduct risk assessment.

...Of course, the more important reason is that her left leg is completely useless.

Although the vines growing on her leg have faded away with the closing of the "door", until now, that leg is still like a cripple, without any feeling.

The other problems were not serious. She could even hop on one leg to do city walk and play dance machine if she tried hard... But this alone was enough to attract the attention of Dali Chucao.

Although her relationship with Dali Chucao was not as harmonious as that with Teacher Jing, she had helped them after all and helped them get out of countless deadlocks. In addition, although Kuai Le was difficult to get along with, they had been together for so long no matter how difficult it was... Dali Chucao was always concerned about her.

The result of her concern was that she was forced to do a bunch of useless examinations as soon as she returned, and she was also cordially comforted by the relevant leaders, so that she had to go through several more procedures to go out.

... It was so annoying that Kuai Le couldn't help but ask herself, do I have to stay in this crappy unit?

...But thinking about my own comic book PS5, it seems that it is not a bad idea to stay.

"In short, you have to understand that I am no longer the kind of person who can show up casually." Kuai Le said lightly, and soon half of the bowl of crab meat noodles was gulped down. "They will call to check on the post later."

"So, put aside the hypocritical questions, and put aside your eyes that seem to look at Lu Ping as a little pitiful - let's talk about something valuable directly."

Kuai Le said, looking at Xu Ming with flashing eyes in front of him, and added:

"And, I emphasize again, I am not Lu Ping - do you know the biggest difference between the mutant roots and humans? It is that the lack of limbs does not affect the performance of the mutant roots. I can walk with one leg, and I can walk with eight legs, understand?"

In other words, she is an enhanced version of Lu Ping!

Who is looking down on!

"..."

Xu Ming's nose was a little sour at first, but after being disturbed by Kuai Le, he didn't know what expression to show.

After a pause, she took a breath softly.

"Okay. That's what you asked me to ask."

Kuai Le peeled the crab in her hand and nodded casually.

Then Xu Ming sat up straight on the opposite side.

"So, what does 'climbing the lighthouse' mean?"

"..." Kuai Le's action of sucking crab roe froze again.

After a moment, she slowly put down the trembling big piece of crab roe in her hand.

"Well." She coughed lightly, "Zi Ling, sister's legs seem to be a little uncomfortable..."

Xu Ming: "..."

Come on, thank you.