What do you mean by saying that the corpses I sew are all ominous creatures?

"Hello, Mr. Lin. I apologize for bothering you."

I smiled, greeted them politely, and then sat down on the stone bench opposite Tiangong.

And so the dinner party began.

Tiangong poured himself and Lao Lin each a full glass of baijiu, but didn't force me to drink.

They just gave me a clean glass and poured me a glass of cooled boiled water.

The two clinked glasses, each took a sip of wine, and then began to eat and chat.

This meal was rather strange.

Their conversation consisted entirely of trivial matters concerning family and friends.

Tiangong complained that there were too many sparrows on the back hill recently, and they were stealing the tomatoes he planted.

Old Lin said he went fishing in the moat a couple of days ago, but after sitting there all afternoon, he didn't even see a single fish scale.

The two chatted back and forth, just like two idle old men chatting at the entrance of an alley.

I sat quietly to the side, occasionally picking up a piece of cucumber or peanuts with my chopsticks, maintaining the politeness and quietness expected of a junior.

Most of the time, I play the role of a good listener.

However, as the dinner progressed, that strange feeling in my heart grew stronger and stronger.

These two old men didn't really talk to me much, as if my presence or absence made no difference to the entire meal.

But the old man named Lao Lin, although he was chatting with Tian Gong about fishing and growing vegetables, would occasionally glance at me.

His gaze wasn't sharp, nor did it carry any oppressive feeling of scrutiny or probing.

It felt like an elder casually sizing up a younger person.

As time passed, most of the braised beef on the table was gone, and half of the unlabeled bottle of liquor was also drunk.

Old Lin put down his wine glass, picked up a tissue from the table, and wiped his mouth.

He looked at me and suddenly asked, "Jiangcheng must be pretty hot in the summer, right?"

His words were very abrupt and really left me a bit confused.

I couldn't figure out what was so magical about that statement, so I could only answer truthfully:

"Jiangcheng is located by the river, so it is indeed quite hot and humid in the summer."

Compared to the dryness here in Beijing, it feels a little more uncomfortable.

"Yes, damp places are prone to breeding poisonous insects and rodents."

Old Lin said something casually, then stopped looking at me and turned to continue chatting with Tiangong about last night's TV news.

This sounds like he's just commenting on the weather, but I always felt there was something more to it.

Poisonous insects, rodents, and ants?

Does this refer to the recent series of incidents in Jiangcheng caused by heretical practitioners?

This meal made me feel extremely uncomfortable.

This strange atmosphere made me feel very uncomfortable.

I took out my phone and checked the time; more than half an hour had passed since I sat down.

At this point, I felt it was almost done.

I had a feeling that Tiangong had brought me here so that this "Old Lin" could see me.

But now that I've seen the people and eaten the food, I'm really going to feel like I'm sitting on pins and needles if I stay any longer.

I put down my chopsticks, stood up, and spoke in a gentle but firm tone.

"Senior Tiangong, Elder Lin, I am truly sorry."

I suddenly remembered that I still have some materials from Jiangcheng that I need to check as soon as possible.

I can't spend more time with my elders today; I have to go now.

The excuse I came up with was lame, but I really had no other choice.

Tian Gong picked up a peanut, popped it into his mouth, and chewed it with a crunching sound.

He looked up at me, but didn't say anything to stop me; he just waved casually.

"Okay, I understand that young people are busy with work."

Just go back the way you came. Once you get to the office area in front, you'll know how to get out.

"Alright, thank you, senior. Mr. Lin, please enjoy your meal."

I gave a slight bow and politely said goodbye.

Old Lin sat on the stone bench, still maintaining that calm and composed expression.

He looked at me and nodded slightly in response.

I didn't linger any longer and turned to leave the courtyard covered in ivy.

The moment I stepped out of the courtyard gate, I felt as if the air around me had become lighter.

As I walked back along the tree-lined path, my mind kept replaying the dinner that had lasted for more than half an hour.

Tiangong is definitely not the type of person who would be so bored as to randomly ask people to drink with him.

His actions today were clearly premeditated.

That old man named Lao Lin is definitely not a simple person.

Who exactly is he? A retired director from the General Administration? Or another powerful figure like Tian Gong, operating behind the scenes?

Why did Tiangong pull me in front of him?

Some kind of investigation?

Is it because I've made too much of a fuss in Jiangcheng recently, attracting the attention of the higher-ups at the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, that they specifically sent someone to assess my worth in person?

As I walked, I pondered this in my mind.

Although I didn't get a definite answer, I had a feeling that this trip to Beijing was far more complicated than I had imagined.

I originally thought that once I received the reward and got the new documents, I could just pack up and leave.

Now it seems that my every move has probably been seen by some people with ulterior motives.

However, I'm not worried.

As long as I hold my ground and keep my trump cards hidden, I can deal with whatever comes my way.

……

As my footsteps faded into the distance inside the courtyard, the atmosphere subtly changed.

Once he was sure I was out of sight, Tiangong put down his wine glass, his previously casual and relaxed expression becoming somewhat more composed.

He picked up the brass tobacco pipe from the corner of the table and gently tapped the ash inside against the edge of the stone table.

Looking at Old Lin sitting opposite him, he spoke with a slight smirk.

"Hey you old codger, what's wrong with you?"

The other day you were the one who was frantically asking me to find an excuse to bring this kid over for you to see, and now that he's here, you're just sitting here pretending to be all mysterious.

Tian Gong grumbled irritably as he stuffed tobacco leaves into his pipe.

"They treated the meal like an interrogation, and they scared the kid so much that he made an excuse to run away after only half an hour!"

This time, I'm afraid they've completely ruined my glorious image in front of the younger generation.

Who knows what they're thinking inside, calling me a crazy old man!

Old Lin did not respond immediately to Tiangong's slightly teasing and complaining words.

He maintained his upright posture, his gaze fixed on the direction of the courtyard gate.

A complex emotion, difficult for ordinary people to detect, flashed in his eyes.

After a long while, Old Lin slowly withdrew his gaze, picked up the half-empty glass of baijiu in front of him, and drank it all in one gulp.

The pungent liquor didn't seem to affect his expression at all.

Old Lin put down his wine glass, his voice still low, but it carried an indescribable sense of vicissitude and helplessness.

"What happened back then... the higher-ups still haven't made a decision."

Old Lin spoke slowly, each word seeming to have been carefully considered.

"That case involves too many things, and the water is too deep."

My current position is sensitive; countless eyes are watching me. I absolutely cannot get too close to him at this critical juncture.