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

Did you call the police?

As Director Wang spoke, he frantically reached for the landline phone on the table.

"No, no, we can't just wait around like this."

I need to call Old Liu at the local police station right away and ask him to send someone to check the surveillance footage and find the person…”

While Director Wang was saying and doing these things, I sat quietly in my chair, keeping my eyes fixed on him.

Within my limits of perception.

His heartbeat did indeed quicken due to anxiety and worry, reaching about ninety beats per minute.

His breathing became rapid, and his blood flow accelerated.

This is entirely consistent with the normal physiological reaction of an ordinary person when encountering a sudden and serious event.

Most importantly, I carefully examined every pore and meridian on his body.

There was not a trace of true energy, internal energy, or malevolent energy emanating from him.

The muscles are relaxed, lacking the instinctive tension of someone who has practiced martial arts for many years.

Although his eyes were anxious, they lacked the depth and sharpness characteristic of those in positions of power or top masters.

There was no trace of lying, no flaw in the disguise.

His every reaction now is exactly what an ordinary company leader would do if he learned that his long-time employee was involved in a gangland feud, and he was confused, scared, and anxious.

Could it be that I guessed wrong?

Was the mysterious person who saved Lao Zhang ten years ago really not Director Wang?

The "benefactor" that Lao Zhang mentioned was merely the matter of Director Wang recruiting him into the funeral home back then.

I withdrew my senses from the speaker and looked at Director Wang, who was holding the receiver and preparing to dial a number, and sighed softly.

It seems I'm overthinking things; Director Wang is just an ordinary unit leader.

Either he's hiding it too well, so well that even with my current level of understanding, I can't get a glimpse of it.

Regardless of the outcome, since the probing has yielded no results, continuing this stalemate will only backfire.

Just as Director Wang was about to press the number for the local police station, I immediately reached out and firmly pressed the receiver of the landline phone, stopping him.

Director Wang paused for a moment, looked up, and stared at me with a puzzled expression:

"Xiao Chen, what are you doing? This is a matter of life and death, we can't delay!"

I smiled at him, my tone tinged with apology, and explained:

"Director, please don't panic."

Actually… all that stuff about the folk customs bureau, the gangster chase, and the bronze military token was just me joking around with you.”

"Nonsense?"

Director Wang stared wide-eyed, still gripping the phone receiver tightly, seemingly unable to react for a moment.

"yes."

I withdrew my hand, leaned back in my chair, and spoke in the same tone I used when reporting to him.

"I did go to Lao Zhang's house this morning, but no one answered the door after knocking for a long time, and his phone was switched off."

I figured that although Lao Zhang was usually unreliable, he wouldn't just disappear for no reason.

So, after leaving his house, I went straight to the police station and told the officers there what had happened.

I paused, watching Director Wang's gradually changing expression, and continued to cover up the lie:

"As a result, the police officer checked and said that since Lao Zhang had not been missing for more than 48 hours, according to regulations, a case would not be filed."

They told me to go back and wait while they waited, to see if there was any news about Lao Zhang himself.

Alternatively, if the person hasn't returned by the appointed time, then a further report can be submitted before they can formally begin an investigation.

Upon hearing my explanation, Director Wang's anxious expression instantly darkened at a visible speed.

"Little Chen, oh Little Chen!"

Director Wang slammed the receiver on the landline and said angrily:

"You kid, you usually seem like a very steady person, how come you're following in Old Zhang's footsteps and acting so unreliable today?"

Such a matter of life and death, how could it be treated with such casual jokes?!

As he spoke, he patted his chest, still shaken.

"Do you know that the whole gangster chase story you just made up almost gave me a heart attack!"

I really thought that old Zhang had gotten himself into some deadly feud!

Seeing Director Wang's exasperated yet relieved expression, although I still had a lingering doubt in my heart, I immediately put on a humble attitude of accepting criticism.

"Yes, yes, yes, Director, you are right to criticize me. It was indeed my oversight this time that led me to make such an inappropriate joke with you."

I smiled apologetically and sincerely apologized.

"I was just thinking that it wouldn't be interesting to just tell you he wasn't home, so I made up a suspense story on the spot."

You are a magnanimous person, please don't hold it against me.

Seeing my sincere attitude, Director Wang's dark expression softened slightly.

He picked up the thermos on the table, took a big gulp of tea to calm his nerves, and then let out a heavy sigh.

"Alright, alright, this is the last time."

Director Wang waved his hand, his earlier annoyed expression vanished, and he looked at me seriously.

"Xiao Chen, you must have worked hard making this trip this morning."

Director, I always keep my word.

Now that you've already checked with Old Zhang, you should go home and rest today.

Anyway, the museum isn't busy today; I'll have someone else cover for me if there's anything else to do.

He paused here, his brow furrowing slightly, as if deep in thought:

"As for Lao Zhang's matter, you don't need to worry about it anymore."

Since the police said they wouldn't file a case for at least 48 hours, I'll use my personal connections to ask a few friends in the municipal bureau to keep an eye out for me.

"That old rascal, he's usually so quiet, I hope he hasn't really gotten into some trouble out there."

"Alright, then I'll leave Old Zhang's matter to you, Director."

I stood up, nodded to him, and went along with it.

"Then I'll head off work now. Feel free to call me anytime if you need anything."

"Go on, go on, drive carefully on the road."

Director Wang waved his hand and picked up the Jiangcheng Evening News from the table again.

His gaze fell on the newspaper, as if he had reverted to his leisurely and carefree demeanor as a unit leader.

I turned around, opened the office door, and stepped out.

I had no idea that as soon as I left the office, closed the door behind me, and my footsteps faded into the distance down the corridor, a completely different atmosphere was about to unfold in this seemingly ordinary second-floor office.

Behind his desk, Director Wang slowly put down the Jiangcheng Evening News, which he hadn't actually read a single word of.

The snobbishness, bureaucracy, and even the exasperation he had just felt vanished from his face in that instant.

Director Wang breathed a long sigh of relief, and patted his chest with a hint of lingering fear.

"Damn, that was close..."