My Strange Tale Love Strategy Simulator

Xie Lichun sighed.

The interrogation room fell silent instantly, the atmosphere becoming oppressive. Those standing nearby even lowered their breathing.

She slowly began to speak: "The forbidden zone for the living is exactly as its name suggests—no living people are allowed to enter."

"This place is generally a concentration of intense malice, separated from the real world, but there is a way to enter it. If a living person accidentally enters the forbidden zone, they will basically only face death."

"A powerful monster is usually born in the forbidden zone. The weakest is a top-level calamity, and the strongest can be a catastrophe-level existence."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Ying immediately thought of the Sick Death Ghost he had encountered in the movie world. Although that Sick Death Ghost was only at the Earthbound Spirit level, its abilities were already extremely troublesome.

If there is truly a catastrophe-level being behind this sickly and dead monster, how powerful would that catastrophe-level monster be?

Just thinking about it made Zhang Ying's heart race.

Xie Lichun continued, "The film studio you and your friend went to is a no-go zone for living people in Tiannan Province."

"There aren't many provinces in the entire country that have no-living-restricted zones; there are only fourteen in total. And Pingjiang Province doesn't have a single one."

"The fact that you and your friend were able to ride the 'strange bus' means that the 'strange bus' stops within the territory of our Pingjiang Province."

Zhao Husheng, who had remained silent throughout, slowly spoke up: "This also means that Pingjiang Province has given birth to the fifteenth forbidden zone for living people in China."

Upon hearing this, the interrogation room fell completely silent.

All the employees of the Supernatural Investigation Bureau, except for Zhang Ying, understood what the forbidden zone for the living meant. A sense of powerlessness and despair spread through them.

Looking at the expressions on the faces of the people around him, Zhang Ying realized the seriousness of the situation.

But there was one more thing he was unsure whether to bring it up.

When he briefly introduced himself to Xie Lichun, he did not mention what happened before he and Shen Yugang got into the car.

Therefore, Xie Lichun was unaware that he and Shen Yugang boarded the train at two different stations.

In other words, there may be more than one, but two, restricted areas for living people within Okura City.

However, he had some doubts.

If the Three Rivers and Lakes were a forbidden zone for the living, that would be understandable, since the area is inherently eerie. But where in his hometown would there be a forbidden zone for the living? He had never heard of any strange things happening in his hometown.

After a moment of contemplation, he decided to tell Xie Lichun about it.

"Deputy Director Xie, there's one more thing I haven't mentioned."

Xie Lichun looked at him.

"When Shen Yugang and I boarded the Ghost Bus, we were at different stops. I boarded first, and he boarded at the next stop. That means the Ghost Bus stopped twice in Dacang City. If the Ghost Bus stops in the 'Living Restricted Area,' then Dacang City may have more than one 'Living Restricted Area.'"

Xie Lichun's eyes widened suddenly!

"Two forbidden zones for living people?!" The words were practically shouted out.

Her voice echoed in the corridor.

Pang Zhidong took a step back, Cao Quan's brows furrowed, and Zhao Husheng's face turned pale instantly.

Zhang Ying nodded: "My friend and I boarded the bus at different stops, so the ghost bus stopped twice in Okura City. If what you're saying is true, Okura City might have more than one restricted area for living people."

Xie Lichun's legs went weak, and he was about to fall to the ground.

Fortunately, Zhao Husheng reacted quickly and grabbed her arm, stabilizing her.

Xie Lichun leaned against Zhao Husheng, one hand supporting her forehead, the other bracing against the wall. She looked visibly older. The wrinkles on her face seemed to have deepened, the skin around her eyes was wrinkled, and her lips were pale.

"This is of utmost importance," she said in a low voice, as if talking to herself, "we must contact headquarters immediately."

She looked up at Zhao Husheng.

"Mr. Hu, go see the bureau chief. Our Dacang City—is very likely about to undergo a major upheaval."

……

in the afternoon.

A black luxury car pulled up in front of Zhang Ying's apartment complex.

The car door opened, and Zhang Ying got out first, followed by Shen Yugang. The two stood at the entrance of the residential area, watching the black car turn around and drive away, disappearing at the end of the street.

Because of the news that there might be two no-go zones for living people in Okura City, the investigation bureau is now in complete chaos.

The fact that these two key figures in this incident were able to leave the investigation bureau so easily is also due to the immense importance of their current situation.

Xie Lichun's original words were, "If we stay in the bureau, it will attract too much attention," and he told them to go back first and wait for instructions from headquarters.

Given Shen Yugang's current situation, it's almost impossible for him to go back to his uncle's place.

The unfinished monster, the missing soul of the living, leaving only wandering spirits—these things are inexplicable, but one thing is certain: Shen Yugang's current state is unstable, and no one knows when he will run into trouble.

To ensure Shen Yugang's safety, and also to ensure the safety of Shen Yugang's uncle, Zhang Ying asked Shen Yugang to stay with him for the time being, and to discuss the matter further after the storm had passed.

Zhang Ying pushed open the gate of the residential compound, and Shen Yugang followed behind him. The two walked into the compound one after the other.

The two walked up the stairs of Building 6, their footsteps echoing in the stairwell. Shen Yugang walked behind, remaining silent the entire time.

Zhang Ying took out his key from his pocket and opened the door.

The house is quiet; it seems Mom hasn't come home yet.

Zhang Ying stepped aside to let Shen Yugang go in first, then closed the door.

He put the key on the shoe cabinet by the door, took out two pairs of slippers from the cabinet, put on one pair himself, and kicked the other pair to Shen Yugang's feet.

"You'll stay here for the next few days," Zhang Ying said, walking to the sofa and folding the blanket to make room. "You can sleep on the sofa. If it's not comfortable, I'll get you a blanket to put on."

Shen Yugang changed into slippers and stood in the living room, looking around.

"No need, as long as I can sleep, that's fine." He said, plopping down on the sofa and sinking into it. His expression was somewhat dazed, and his eyes were unfocused.

Zhang Ying went into the kitchen, opened the refrigerator, and looked inside. There were a few eggs and half a bunch of greens in the refrigerator, and a bag of dumplings his mother had made in the freezer. He took out the bag of dumplings, tore open the packaging, poured them into the pot, and turned on the gas stove.

As the dumplings were bubbling in the pot, Shen Yugang walked to the kitchen doorway and leaned against the door frame.

"Brother Ying," he began, his voice muffled, "is there anything else you haven't told me about that... half-finished monster?"

Zhang Ying used a slotted spoon to stir the dumplings in the pot to prevent them from sticking to the bottom.

"We've said everything we need to say. The investigation bureau doesn't know your current state either. Until then, pay attention to whether you have any unusual feelings."

Shen Yugang remained silent for a while.

Do you think I'll become...that kind of thing?

Zhang Ying turned off the gas stove, used a slotted spoon to scoop out the dumplings, and divided them into two bowls.

"No." He handed a bowl of dumplings to Shen Yugang. "Eat first."

Shen Yugang took the bowl, looked down at the dumplings inside, and didn't say anything.