Rebirth: Once Again With You

"Is something like that really possible? A world made by geniuses, I can't really imagine it to become real," Li Caiyi commented.

"Up to a hundred years ago or so, humankind had never thought we could explore the sky or space, yet we made it. As long as the theory is there, humankind will always find a way to make something impossible possible. So this isn't about whether you can or can't, young lady."

Li Caiyi dug her nails into her palm as she clenched her hands tightly. "Even so…. that's just too cruel. To mess up with people's brains just for that reason…."

Detective Tang smiled. "Sometimes, a small sacrifice is needed to make a huge discovery. A person said that once; I forgot who said that, though. I bet all my fortune that these researchers and the organizations behind that have the same train of thought."

"Small sacrifices…" Li Caiyi's voice trailed off in disbelief before she retorted angrily. "No matter the reason, it's wrong to experiment with a living human like that! What a huge discovery? In the end, they are only doing this to fulfill their greediness. There is nothing wrong with being a normal human!"

Detective Tang smirked victoriously. "Oho? But I have never said anything about those people experimenting with living humans? How do you know that, young lady?"

"Urk!" Li Caiyi was rendered speechless when she realized she just had been had.

By deliberately saying provocative lines like that, he made her slip her mouth and revealed what she knew. To put it simply, Detective Tang was just playing with her.

"Fine, you got me. Though you already knew everything from the beginning, anyway."

"Regardless if I knew or not, it's always fun to see you trying to keep your act together, young lady. It seems lying is not your area of expertise, that's a good quality you have there."

"Are you mocking me?" Li Caiyi pouted.

"Haha, how could I? When you are still holding my payment in your hands? I can't live through this month without that payment. It was a sincere compliment from me, which is rare to happen, believe it or not."

"Oh yeah. You mentioned they forced you to quit your previous position. What happened to you?"

Detective Tang shrugged his shoulders. "Just the usual thing where human nature was tested in front of personal interest. I tried to push this case through, but I dissatisfied some people because of that. Instead of a promotion, I got kicked out instead."

"Oh…" Li Caiyi muttered, feeling sympathetic to him.

"Haha, don't make that face. On the contrary, I'm glad because I can move freely now that those geezers with narrow minds aren't there to block my way. I can investigate as much as I like, and no one can say a damn to me. It's a win-win solution, I reckon."

Her respect for him suddenly increased tenfold. As a person who didn't like conflicts, Li Caiyi wasn't sure if she would be able to keep persisting when the odds were stacked against her. Most people would just lower their heads and give up without even trying. However, Detective Tang was still investigating this case diligently, even after getting kicked out.

She didn't know about the other person, but she mostly would feel devastated if that happened to her. It was amazing how he could keep a positive mindset about this.

'Perhaps I was wrong about him all this time. He always plays around, but he is probably a good man who can't stand injustice.' Li Caiyi thought inwardly.

"Now that we have covered the main issue, not let's talk about the REAL, real business." Detective Tang rubbed his palms together before staring at Li Caiyi inquisitively. "I have explained everything I can disclose to you, so I will be glad if you can cooperate with me in this case, young lady."

"You are talking about my father's document, right? Did you already know the content when you sent me that video clip?"

"I was unsure then, but after I saw Gu Xue's reaction and how she fought with your father after that, I was convinced that my hunch was correct."

"Gu Xue was fighting with my father?"

"Yeah, something about demanding to break up or something. That was one kind of lover's quarrel. I never want to see it again," Detective Tang groaned repulsively, making Li Caiyi wonder what did he saw through the hidden camera.

"When did you start suspecting my father, anyway?"

"Roughly soon after I took your request. As for how, let's just say I have my own reliable source to find out about it."

"What? You can't even tell me that?" Li Caiyi pouted.

"This is all for your sake as well, young lady. There are many things in the world that would be better left unknown." Detective Tang meaningfully.

Li Caiyi couldn't argue with that. "Fine, I understand. You want me to show you the things Gu Xue sent to me, right?"

"Yes, and if you can, please fill me in about what kind of person your father is in the house. I can understand if you can't trust me, but what you have right now is probably an important lead to crack the case. So, I will give this to you first."

It surprised Li Caiyi when he suddenly put a familiar audio recording device on top of the table. "This is…"

"I have secretly recorded our conversation so far. You can keep this as a guarantee from me. A guarantee for not deceiving or betraying you behind your back." Detective Tang put both his hands to his knee as he lowered his head slightly to her, catching her off guard.

"I beg you, please cooperate with me." He said in a grim tone while showing the top of his head towards her. "For now, you are the only lead I can find, and I don't want to miss this chance."

Li Caiyi felt awkward having a person older than her bowing his head like that to her, so she quickly asked him to lift his head in a fluster.

"Detective Tang, please lift your head! You have clarified your point, and I understand your situation now." Li Caiyi folded her arms together. "I admitted I was pretty skeptical of you at first, but after hearing your side of the story, I feel like I can trust you more. Especially after you have gone so far to even record our conversation."

"In my line of work, trust is essential. After asking so much of you, that's the least I can do." Detective Tang said with a solemn but strangely wise expression on his face.

His response moved Li Caiyi to the point she felt like she could entrust this information to him. Not only because of his reasonable explanation but also the sincerity she felt from him.

"Then, I hope you won't disappoint me after I tell you everything I know." Li Caiyi smiled playfully at him.

"Hehe, you won't find any better guy for this job, young lady."

"Let me send you the picture I got from Gu Xue first, then we can talk." Li Caiyi said as she took out her phone.