Peeping and Tailing

After seeing a vampire-related answer posted by the user "August's Kasumi" on Zhihu, Xiang Kun made extensive preparations, "hooked up" with her online, and arranged to meet her offline.

Later, through fragments of Guo Tianxiang's memories, it was learned that the person who obtained the account "August's Kasumi" and "fished" online was a female hacker Mi Qiao.

Mi Qiao had discovered another identity Guo Tianxiang had used before, and knew that he was involved in a murder case, so he planned to use that information to blackmail him.

But after discovering that Guo Tianxiang was a vampire, she contacted him directly, sent him what she had found out, and taught him how to hide himself so that he wouldn't be suspected or discovered. She then expressed her desire to receive his "embrace" and become a vampire herself.

Guo Tianxiang promised to give her his "first embrace" in the future, on the condition that she finds at least one other vampire or Mutated Creature.

Mi Qiao did a good job, successfully "fishing" Xiang Kun, this "other vampire," so she could be considered to have completed her mission. It's just a pity that Guo Tianxiang couldn't keep his promise to her— Xiang Kun probably never intended to keep his promise anyway.

Of course, Mi Qiao might not have known that Guo Tianxiang already dead. Later, Xiang Kun, through fragments of Guo Tianxiang's memory, logged into the email address they used for emergency communication on the dark web, where there were two sentences:

"That vampire seems to have located me, what should I do?"

"The police are also looking for us, so don't contact us by phone."

At that time, Xiang Kun had already been to Yang City and found police officers watching Guo Tianxiang's clinic and Mi Qiao's residence.

Therefore, upon seeing these two sentences, Xiang Kun speculated that Mi Qiao might have already fallen into the hands of the police and was helping them "fish" for Guo Tianxiang.

But now it seems that she wasn't helping the police catch Guo Tianxiang, but rather helping "Shenxing Technology"? After all, Xiang Kun later recalled that outside Guo Tianxiang's clinic and Mi Qiao's residence, in addition to the police, there were also vehicles from the "Runs Very Fast" courier company, which were likely people from "Shenxing Technology" also keeping watch.

Of course, it's also possible that at that time she simply wanted to inform Guo Tianxiang, and it was only later that it fell into the hands of "Shenxing Technology".

Xiang Kun recalled the fleeting glimpse he had just seen. Apart from the fact that Mi Qiao's dreadlocks were gone, her eyes and expression were more relaxed and curious, even a little expectant. There was no sense of tension, fear, or other negative emotions.

That makes sense. If she were under some kind of restriction, it's unlikely that she would be allowed to sit on the back seat with the window half-open and freely enjoying the scenery.

So, she's actually already been recruited by "Shenxing Technology"?

In that case, "Shenxing Technology" should already know which city Guo Tianxiang disappeared in and what his purpose was in going there. They must also know Zhihu "Pipi Kaka Qiuqiu" on Zhihu is another vampire. Have they already started a targeted investigation?

Xiang Kun pondered this, he quickly walked to the intersection and, sure enough, saw the Q7 parked outside the gate of the company belonging to "Shenxing Technology," with the driver talking to the security guard.

After a while, the electric gate slowly opened, and the Q7 drove in and disappeared from Xiang Kun's sight.

Looking at the cluster of buildings, Xiang Kun stroked his chin, pondering how to spy on what was going on inside.

However, he immediately rejected the several plans that popped into his mind. It was inconvenient to do anything in broad daylight, and there was a high risk of danger. Even if he could sneak in, there was a possibility of being noticed and exposed.

It hasn't come to the point where he has to risk spying.

Xiang Kun found a secluded corner and entered "Hyper-Sensory State" to sense the pencil drawing that he had previously stuffed into the side pocket of someone's backpack.

Based on his interpretation of those sensory cues, it can be determined that five people entered the first floor of that building, stood still, and began to move upwards quickly, presumably getting into the elevator.

Judging from the fluctuations in sensory information around them, they were talking, but unfortunately, Xiang Kun was not yet able to analyze the specific content of their conversation.

After experiencing a wave of dizziness and exiting the "Hyper-Sensory State," Xiang Kun did not re-enter it. Currently, his ability to interpret the special sensory information obtained under the "Hyper-Sensory State" is still too weak, and he cannot obtain more useful information using this method.

Xiang Kun used his phone to send Alice the information she had obtained about Mi Qiao through Guo Tianxiang's memory fragments, along with some of his own speculations, and then asked her to search for more information about Mi Qiao based on this information.

Then he found a high vantage point to observe the traffic conditions on several surrounding roads, noting where the traffic lights were and where the traffic flow was heavier. He then had Alice use data from various traffic platforms and navigation apps to predict the upcoming traffic situation.

Around 4 PM, the Q7 drove out of the gate. Xiang Kun, who saw this scene at the corner of the road, immediately turned around and ran. Following the route he had previously planned, he took a shortcut between several buildings to a traffic light intersection.

Xiang Kun had previously speculated that once Mi Qiao went into that company, he probably wouldn't stay there forever. Based on his previous observations, there weren't many people in the buildings at night, so there probably wasn't much space for people to live.

Whether they're going to the city for dinner, shopping, to the airport or train station to leave, or to get on the highway, this traffic light intersection is a necessary stop for them.

Based on previous observations and the data analysis Alice helped with, this area also has relatively high traffic volume and is prone to congestion.

That Q7 is most likely to stop temporarily when it passes by here.

Of course, Xiang Kun had considered whether to orchestrate some minor accidents, such as puncturing its tires, but after thinking it over, he decided to avoid direct intervention or interference as much as possible. Although he initially judged that there were no other vampires or Mutated Creature in the Q7 when it passed by, there might be other powerful figures inside, so it was better to be cautious.

Two minutes later, the Q7 indeed drove up.

As the traffic light turned red, the Q7 slowly came to a stop at the end of the queue. Xiang Kun breathed a sigh of relief—although the traffic was heavy, it wasn't rush hour, and there was no guarantee that the Q7 would arrive just in time for a green light and smooth traffic.

He adjusted his black knitted hat, took out the chewing gum he had been chewing for a while, wrapped it together with a bead he had established a "Super-Sensory Link with," held it in his hand, and then quickly crossed the road while dialing 10010.

As he walked past the Q7, he subtly and precisely stuffed the wad of chewing gum, along with the gum ball, into the gap of the license plate.

He knew that even the people in the car following behind the Q7 at the red light wouldn't notice what he had done.

He looked like a rude pedestrian who was too busy making a phone call to even take a few extra steps to cross the street at the traffic lights.

Of course, even if they saw it, they would at most curse with "no manners" or "scumbag".

Anyway, the people in the Q7 definitely won't notice.

More than an hour later, using the location provided by the bead, Xiang Kun found the car's location. It was a parking space at a restaurant on the side of the road, and he initially judged that they were probably eating at the restaurant.

After confirming from a distance that there was no one in the car, Xiang Kun slowly "passed by" it, using smell and sound to determine that the people inside had entered the restaurant.

Xiang Kun took out his phone and pretended to make a call as he walked into the restaurant.

Xiang Kun pointed to his phone at the approaching waiter, mouthed "looking for someone," and then said into the phone, "... I'm here! I told you I'm fast. Which private room are you in?"

At the same time, he quickly pinpointed the location by smelling the odor emanating from the car, and then located the sound, soon discovering that the people in the Q7 were in a private room on the second floor.

Xiang Kun paused as he stepped onto the second-floor stairs, frowning as he spoke into the phone, "What? You're not at 'Treasure Restaurant'? You're at 'Fubao Restaurant'? What a joke! I've made a wasted trip. Eat slowly and wait for me..." Then he turned and walked out of the restaurant quite naturally.

The "Fubao Restaurant" he mentioned wasn't made up; there really is such a hotel in the area, and it's quite famous. He learned about it when he was Qicheng City.

After leaving the "Treasure Restaurant", Xiang Kun went into the Li Ning store next door, went straight to the second floor, and stood by the wall next to the "Treasure Restaurant", staring intently at the clothes on the shelves. In fact, he was using the location he had just determined to eavesdrop on what was happening over there.

Although there was a wall between them, Xiang Kun could still hear and interpret the content of the sounds.

"Ms. Chen, although Qicheng City can't compare to those bustling metropolises, it still has plenty of good restaurants. During your time here, you can try them out. The most famous dish at the restaurant we're eating at today is..."

There were four people in the private room, three men and one woman. It was obvious that "Ms. Chen" was referring to Mi Qiao.

Xiang Kun knew that the police were also looking for Mi Qiao. It seemed that this "Ms. Chen" was a new identity arranged for her by "Shenxing Technology". The man inside, who was introducing the food and acting like a host, should be someone from the local company acquired by "Shenxing Technology". As for whether this person knew the secret that "Shenxing Technology" was researching Mutated Creature, it was unknown for the time being.

After discovering Mi Qiao, Xiang Kun had several plans in mind. One was to anonymously notify the Yang City police and ask them to find the person. By creating a commotion with the police, he could observe Shenxing Technology's response and obtain more information without exposing himself.

However, he quickly rejected these plans. While stirring up the water might make it easier to see what was hidden in the underwater mud, it would also eliminate the opportunity to discover the shape of the mud itself. Whether the person behind "Shenxing Technology" was Lu Cheng'an or someone else, whether they were vampires, and what the purpose of their actions was, remained unknown for the time being.

Therefore, Xiang Kun decided to observe in a more conservative way.

Continuing to eavesdrop on the conversation inside the private room, Xiang Kun roughly learned that Mi Qiao was "sent by the boss," ostensibly to learn, but clearly, the people in their local department thought he was there to supervise and inspect.

Mi Qiao rarely spoke, mostly just offering a few humble and polite words. She maintained a very proper and reserved demeanor, completely different from the individualistic and radical female hacker in Guo Tianxiang's memory fragments.

"Sir, may I ask if you...?" came the voice of a female sales assistant from the side.

"It's nothing, I'll just take a look myself," Xiang Kun said casually.

"But... these are all women's sports bras, the men's are over there," the saleswoman whispered, because Xiang Kun had been standing in the women's sports bra section for far too long.

Xiang Kun was taken aback, but his expression remained calm, with a gentle smile on his face. He said to the sales assistant, "I'm helping my girlfriend choose. I just asked her, but she's having trouble deciding and is hesitating between these two." As he spoke, he picked up his phone and waved it.

The saleswoman looked relieved and then began to introduce the features of the two sports bras.

After listening attentively for a while, Xiang Kun looked down, opened WeChat, glanced at a conversation, and said helplessly to the sales assistant, "My girlfriend said she'll come and choose by herself tomorrow. I'm sorry to have wasted your time."

The meal in the private room of the restaurant next door wasn't over, but Xiang Kun didn't intend to listen any further, knowing he wouldn't get any substantial information. The local company representative, though very enthusiastic and deliberately trying to build rapport, didn't mention a single thing related to work or the research their company was conducting. Based on the conversation he'd overheard outside the hotel in that small town, those at "Shenxing Technology" working in this area had all signed confidentiality agreements, presumably prohibiting them from discussing related matters privately outside of their designated workplaces.

Xiang Kun waited quietly in the alley diagonally opposite the "Treasure Restaurant". Half an hour later, the four people he was watching came out of the restaurant.

With her short hair and dressed like a female corporate executive, Mi Qiao said goodbye to two of the men with a polite yet reserved expression. She watched the two men get into a taxi and leave before getting into the Q7 with another tall man in a black suit.

When Xiang Kun overheard the conversation in the private room, he knew that the tall man in the black suit, whom others called "Assistant Gao," was "sent by the boss" along with Mi Qiao to assist Mi Qiao with her work and life in Qicheng City.

Based on his observations of the man's physique, movements, and footsteps, Xiang Kun formed a preliminary cognitive model of him and concluded that this person had undergone systematic training in strength, combat, and security, and had a habit of observing the surrounding situation immediately. Clearly, he was not an assistant in the ordinary sense.

However, it seems that his primary role in protecting Mi Qiao is not surveillance or vigilance, so he is mainly responsible for ensuring Mi Qiao's safety rather than "keeping an eye on" her.

Based on the information we had previously gathered, it's practically certain that Mi Qiao is working for "Shenxing Technology".

But why did Shenxing Technology want to recruit her?

Her expertise lies in hacking, but compared to a behemoth like "Shenxing Technology," a tech company possessing a plethora of cutting-edge technologies, her skills are likely insignificant.

What other qualities did she possess that attracted the attention of the people behind "Shenxing Technology"?

After Q7 left, Xiang Kun slowly followed behind.

Around 10 p. m., Xiang Kun followed the car to the outside of an upscale residential area; the Q7 must have driven in there.

It seems that "Shenxing Technology" treats Mi Qiao well, providing him with accommodation that is significantly better than what Zhou Rui, a staff member, had to rent on his own. They even provided him with a luxury car like a Q7 for commuting, whereas Zhou Rui had to take public transportation to work.

The security in this upscale residential area was also quite good, but in Xiang Kun's eyes, it was far inferior to the secret research site of "Shenxing Technology," and could be described as full of loopholes.

He easily found a section of wall without any surveillance cameras, easily climbed over it, and then, by pressing the sensor on the ball, confirmed that the Q7 should be parked in the underground parking garage.

He didn't go into the garage to confirm. Although tracing the scent from the car would be a more accurate and convenient way to determine which elevator they took, there are quite a few surveillance cameras in the underground garage, which would be troublesome.

Anyway, he had other ways to find out which room Mi Qiao was staying in.

I've been busy during the day lately, so I've been writing from 6 or 7 pm every day. Therefore, I haven't been splitting the chapters into two, and I've been combining what I write into one chapter, often updating close to midnight. Last night, I finished writing at 6:58 pm and updated without proofreading, resulting in many typos. Alice became Alice, and "Emotional Injection" became "delicate injection" (I didn't even bother to correct the "everyone is talented" part in this chapter). The worst part is that I bought paper and pen twice... So I must apologize to the readers who read the first chapter yesterday.

I know that many readers have felt that there is too little plot and too much explanatory text lately. Actually, I realized this problem a long time ago, so every day when I'm writing, I think most about how to make the content more interesting and engaging, and not too dry.

The outline, basic structure, and even the ending of this book were planned long ago, and these are basically unchangeable, like a person's skeleton.

However, how to write it specifically is something I can think about carefully. Lately, I've been a bit immersed in explaining the setting, and my writing has become somewhat self-indulgent and not interesting enough. I will try my best to shift from "explanatory text interspersed with plot" to "plot interspersed with explanatory text"...