For the Scoop, I'm Willing to Enter the Tiger's Den (Definitely Not for the Upgrade)

In the private room of the hotpot restaurant, the spicy red broth bubbled away, but it could not warm the frozen air.

"No."

"Absolutely not."

For once, Huo Si and Jian Xiu agreed. They spoke in unison, their tones so firm that there was no room for negotiation.

Jian Xiu put the old photograph away again, frowning deeply. "Ning Ning, you have no idea how dangerous that old fox Huo Zhen is. There's more blood on his hands than rice you've eaten. Letting you act as bait at his birthday banquet? Over my dead body."

Huo Si also set down his chopsticks, his gaze dark. "Jian Ning, you can make trouble however you like normally. But this time is different. Huo Zhen is the craziest dog among the Huo Household's side branches. He even dared to lay hands on his own brothers, let alone you."

"Leave the investigation to me and your brother. All you need to do is stay home and... spend money."

Jian Ning looked at the two men before him, who protected him as if he were fragile porcelain. His heart felt warm, but he was even more anxious.

[Not going? How could I not go!]

[The system said Huo Zhen has key evidence from the murder case back then on him—maybe a recording or a keepsake.]

[And as long as I get that S-rank scoop at the birthday banquet, the system can upgrade to version 4.0! Invisibility! Eavesdropping! Those are nuclear weapons in the scoop-eating world!]

[For the sake of enjoying scoops even more happily in the future—cross that out, for justice—I have to brave this den of dragons and tigers!]

Jian Ning's eyes shifted. He put down the shrimp paste in his hand, and in an instant, his inner drama queen emerged.

He lowered his head, his shoulders trembling slightly. When he looked up again, his eyes were already rimmed red, tears brimming but not falling, making him look pitiful beyond words.

"Brother... husband..."

Jian Ning sniffed, his voice thick with tears.

"Do you think I'm doing this for fun?"

"That is... the grudge over our parents' deaths!"

Jian Xiu's heart clenched sharply. "Ning Ning..."

Jian Ning grabbed Jian Xiu's sleeve, tears pattering down his face.

"For twenty years, I drifted around outside, unable to eat or dress warmly—though I actually did alright at the orphanage. Every night, I dreamed of finding out how our parents died. Now that we finally have a lead, you want me to hide behind you like a coward?"

"I can't do that! As their son, if I don't catch the murderer myself, my conscience will never be at peace for the rest of my life!"

Jian Ning turned to Huo Si, his expression resolute and tragically beautiful.

"Huo Si, you said we were partners, companions. Aren't companions supposed to share blessings and hardships alike? Do you want me to be a canary raised in a cage?"

[How was that? Even I'm starting to believe it!]

[Just agree already! Agree! If you still refuse, I'll have to use my ultimate move—rolling around on the floor!]

Faced with Jian Ning's tearful accusation, the psychological defenses of the two grown men completely crumbled.

Jian Xiu's heart nearly broke. He wanted nothing more than to slap himself twice. "Fine, fine, fine! We'll go! Your brother was wrong. I shouldn't have stopped you from fulfilling your filial duty!"

Although Huo Si knew this little thing was most likely acting—after all, he could hear his thoughts—he still sighed when he saw those tears and gave in.

"You can go."

Huo Si pulled out a tissue and wiped Jian Ning's tears away, his tone helpless.

"But you must listen to instructions. You are not to leave my sight for even half a step."

Jian Ning instantly went from tears to laughter and gave a salute. "Mission guaranteed, sir!"

Three days later, at the Huo Family Old Residence.

Although Huo Zhen belonged to a side branch, his immense influence in the underworld and senior standing meant that his seventieth birthday celebration was extravagantly lavish.

The entire old residence was decorated with lanterns and banners, while luxury cars filled the grounds. Nearly every influential figure in the capital had come, and even many retired big shots from the underworld had appeared.

Before setting out, another small war broke out at home over Jian Ning's "battle outfit."

Holding a bulletproof vest, Jian Xiu tried to put it on Jian Ning. "Ning Ning, wear this. It's the same model used by the U.S. Military—light, breathable, and capable of saving your life in a critical moment."

Huo Si held a custom-made white suit and said coldly, "He's attending a birthday banquet, not going to war in Syria. If he dresses like that, aren't you afraid Huo Zhen will notice something is wrong?"

Jian Xiu snapped, "What matters more, his life or looking good?"

Huo Si replied calmly, "By my side, he doesn't need a bulletproof vest."

In the end, amid the two men's argument, Jian Ning silently chose Huo Si's white suit. But underneath it... he was covered in the miniature trackers and alarms Jian Xiu had given him.

[This feels... like I'm a walking signal tower.]

The motorcade drove into the old residence.

Jian Ning got out of the car with his arm linked through Huo Si's, while Jian Xiu followed behind as the president of KM Group, accompanied by a group of bodyguards.

The moment the three of them appeared together, they drew everyone's attention.

"Isn't that President Huo? He actually came?"

"Is that Jian Ning beside him? He really is quite handsome."

"Who's that imposing man behind them? Why does he keep staring at Jian Ning?"

Jian Ning maintained a polite smile, but inwardly, he activated radar-scanning mode.

[System, get to work! Scan the place! How many scoops are in this courtyard?]

System: [Ding! Scan activated.]

[High-energy warning ahead! The current area has an extremely high density of scoops!]

[That bald, fat man on the left is plotting with his mistress to transfer assets.]

[That wealthy lady on the right is actually Huo Zhen's goddaughter. The two have an unspeakable relationship.]

[Straight ahead... target Huo Zhen has appeared!]

Jian Ning looked up.

On the steps of the main house stood an old man dressed in a dark red traditional Chinese jacket. He rolled two walnuts in his hand, his complexion rosy and his expression kind and benevolent. He looked like an ordinary grandfather next door.

If the system had not warned him, who would have imagined that this was a wolf wearing human skin?

Huo Si led Jian Ning forward and presented a gift—a jade Buddha.

"Second Granduncle, may your blessings be as vast as the Eastern Sea and your longevity as enduring as the Southern Mountains."

Huo Zhen accepted the gift with a smile, his gaze settling on Jian Ning for several seconds.

That look was like a snake flicking its tongue—cold, damp, and sinister.

"So this is... Jian Ning?" Huo Zhen's voice was somewhat hoarse. "I heard you caused quite a stir recently. You've got A-Si completely enchanted?"

Jian Ning smiled obediently, revealing a row of little white teeth.

"You flatter me, Second Granduncle. It's not that I enchanted him. He insists on clinging to me. It gives me quite a headache too."

Huo Zhen paused, clearly not expecting the young man to speak so boldly.

Then he burst out laughing. "Good! You've got guts! No wonder you managed to enter the Huo family. Come, go inside!"

Inside the banquet hall, glasses clinked amid lively conversation.

On the surface, Jian Ning obediently ate pastries. In reality, he was frantically issuing commands to the system.

[System, where's Huo Zhen's scoop? Where is that key evidence?]

System: [Ding! Signal interference is strong. The key evidence seems to be hidden in a signal-shielded secret room. The specific clue... may be in Huo Zhen's study.]

The study?

Jian Ning glanced at Huo Zhen, who was surrounded by people offering toasts, then at the two guardian statues standing at his side without leaving so much as a step—Huo Si and Jian Xiu.

There was no chance of slipping away like this!

He had to find a way to lure them away.

Jian Ning clutched his stomach and suddenly frowned. "Ow..."

Huo Si immediately grew tense. "What's wrong?"

Jian Xiu hurried over as well. "Stomachache? Was that shrimp from earlier not fresh? I'll have someone seize the chef right now!"

Jian Ning weakly waved his hand. "No... no. Maybe... the juice I drank earlier was too cold. I want to use the restroom."

Huo Si said, "I'll go with you."

Jian Xiu said, "Me too."

Jian Ning: "..."

[Do you want to follow me into the stall and watch me use the toilet?]

Jian Ning looked awkward. "Well... the restroom is at the end of the hallway. There are so many people watching. What would it look like for two grown men to accompany me to the restroom? I'll only be gone for five minutes. I'll be right back."

Huo Si looked toward the restroom. It was only ten meters from the banquet hall, and bodyguards stood at the entrance.

"Fine. Five minutes. Keep your phone on."

As if granted amnesty, Jian Ning clutched his stomach and slipped away.

However, he did not enter the restroom.

At the corner, after confirming that no one was around, he flashed away. Taking advantage of his slender build, he slipped into a side corridor used only by servants.

[System! Navigate me to the study! Hurry!]

System: [Navigation activated. Turn left ahead and go up to the second floor. Caution! There are two bodyguards at the second-floor stairway. Combat capability: B-rank.]

Jian Ning crouched down and hid behind a vase.

[Bodyguards? How am I supposed to get past them? Forcing my way through definitely won't work.]

[Looks like I can only use that move...]

Jian Ning took the Golden Trash Can from his pocket—a miniaturized pendant that was actually a multifunctional tool—and pressed a hidden button on it.

"Bzz—"

A tiny holographic projection appeared at the other end of the corridor.

The projection showed a... naked little pig dancing.

Hearing the noise, the two bodyguards turned their heads. The instant they saw it, they were dumbfounded.

"Holy shit? What the hell is that?"

"Go take a look!"

Taking advantage of the moment they left their posts, Jian Ning darted up to the second floor like an agile cat.

Outside Huo Zhen's study on the second floor.

No one guarded the place, but the door was locked. And it had the highest-level fingerprint and iris scanner.

Jian Ning was stumped.

[How am I supposed to open this? It's not like I have Huo Zhen's finger.]

System: [Host, did you forget? You have a Universal Lockpick—previously exchanged from the system store with scoop-eating points.]

Jian Ning smacked his forehead. [Right! I almost forgot about that!]

He took out the lockpick and fiddled with the lock twice.

"Click."

The door opened.

Jian Ning slipped inside and locked the door behind him.

The study was dark, filled with the old scent of sandalwood.

He switched on his phone's flashlight and began rummaging through drawers and cabinets.

[Evidence... where's the evidence?]

[In a safe? Or a hidden compartment?]

Just then, the system suddenly issued a piercing alarm.

[Warning! Someone is coming! Three meters from the door!]

[It is Huo Zhen!]

Every hair on Jian Ning's body stood on end.

[Holy shit?! Wasn't this old man downstairs toasting people? How did he get up here so fast?]

[Hide? Where?]

The study was large, but there were not many places to hide.

The only hiding spots were beneath the enormous rosewood desk.

Or... behind the curtains?

Footsteps had already stopped outside the door.

The sound of fingerprint verification rang out.

"Beep—"

The door opened.

The lights blazed on.

Huo Zhen entered alone, with no bodyguards behind him. But the kindness on his face had long vanished, replaced by an eerie killing intent.

He walked straight to the desk, sat down, and gave the empty room a cold smile.

"Come out."

"Little mouse."

"I know you're in here."

Behind the curtains, Jian Ning's heart nearly stopped.

[I've been discovered?!]

[Does this old fox have a system too? Or did he install surveillance cameras?]

The air seemed to freeze.

Jian Ning tightened his grip on the Golden Trash Can—it was an electric self-defense device—and prepared to fight for his life.

However, just as he was about to rush out, Huo Zhen suddenly picked up the landline on the desk and dialed a number.

"Hello. It's me."

Huo Zhen's voice echoed through the empty study.

"That Jian Ning has taken the bait."

"Huo Si and Jian Xiu are both downstairs. This is the perfect chance while he's alone."

"Do it. Make it clean, just like... just like when you dealt with his parents back then."

Jian Ning's pupils constricted.

[Do it?]

[Who was he talking to on the phone?]

[And... hadn't he discovered me? Why didn't he just grab me?]

Jian Ning suddenly realized that Huo Zhen's earlier "Come out, little mouse" might not have been directed at him!

Sure enough, the next second—

The enormous bookshelf in the study slowly slid aside.

A hidden door appeared.

A man dressed in black and wearing a mask stepped out of the secret room.

"Rest assured, Second Master." The man in black had a hoarse voice. "As long as he's in this residence, he won't be able to escape even if he grows wings."

Huo Zhen nodded in satisfaction. "Go. Bring him here. I want to interrogate him personally and find out whether that thing... is on him after all."

The man in black accepted the order and left.

Jian Ning hid behind the curtains, cold sweat soaking his back.

[So they didn't know I was in the study!]

[But... what is that 'thing'?]

[System, look! The secret room door hasn't closed yet!]

This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Should he take the chance to slip away and save his life, or risk sneaking into that secret room?

System notification:

[S-rank mission triggered: Enter the secret room and obtain the crucial recording from the murder case years ago.]

[Reward: System upgraded to 4.0 (invisibility function unlocked).]

[Risk: If accidentally trapped inside, you may die of oxygen deprivation.]

Jian Ning looked at Huo Zhen's back, then at the pitch-black opening.

He gritted his teeth.

[Fortune favors the bold! I'm going for it!]

The instant Huo Zhen lowered his head to light a cigarette, he moved like lightning, silently slipping into the secret room before it had fully closed.

"Rumble—"

The bookshelf shut.