Chapter 340: Reunion with an Old Friend

The three of them sat at the table, each with a cup of tea in front of them, as calm as if they were having a family meeting.

Reuniting with an old online friend brought a lot of emotions for Chen Shi.

Back then, most of the young people were frustrated and faced setbacks in real life, so they came up with this game to relieve their stress. They learned and exchanged criminal techniques, giving each other tasks every Wednesday—pranks, simulated thefts, kidnappings, and even simulated murders. In the silent midnight city, no door or wall could stop them. These restless young people felt like they had superpowers.

Breaking the monotonous order was so much fun, they never considered the dangerous consequences of tasting this “black honey.”

Chen Shi said, “We were just naive back then, thinking that having skills others didn’t was cool. We called it a release. But now, I wonder, did those who joined ‘Black Honey’ really just do it for fun? Human nature is complicated. Some joined with hatred in their hearts, wanting to learn criminal skills for revenge. Others, initially good people, found that shortcuts could achieve their goals faster, leading them down a dark path. I often think this game should never have started.”

Gu You traced the edge of her teacup and smiled faintly, “But neither of us went down the wrong path. You used it to solve crimes, and for me, it was a release. I was a graduate student at the time, tired of the monotonous daily life, the harshness of my advisor, and the indifference of my classmates. This prank-like game gave me a breather. I believe the evil in human hearts needs regular release; otherwise, it becomes corrupted from suppression.”

“There are many people in this world with their own life pressures. Should they all sneak into others’ homes in the dead of night to relieve it? Some evils are better buried deep inside. They’re like fire; once out of the stove, they’ll ignite everything around them.” Chen Shi paused, “Let’s not discuss philosophy now. I have a question for you. Was Zhou Xiao a member too?”

“Yes! I’ve been looking for him all these years. I want to kill him with my own hands!” Gu You gritted her teeth.

Tao Yueyue looked at Chen Shi, then at Gu You, “Uncle Chen, Sister Gu, had you never met before?”

“No!” they both replied in unison.

“Then how did you play together?”

“Online!” Chen Shi smiled. “‘Black Honey’ was a very secretive website. We discussed things anonymously online. At its peak, there were more than twenty people. Then something happened, and ‘Black Honey’ changed.”

“The Lorraine Villa Massacre!” Gu You’s eyes sparkled. “That was Zhou Xiao’s plan, a purge of dissent. Those willing to join him survived; the others were killed. ‘Black Honey’ was tainted by that snake Zhou Xiao.”

“It seems you joined earlier than I did.”

“Much earlier.”

“What do you know about Zhou Xiao?”

“I never met him in person, nor do I know his real name. He appeared like a ghost, spreading his crazy ideas, inciting the evil in people’s hearts to commit real crimes.”

“Your online name was…”

“KK!”

Chen Shi stared at Gu You for a long time. Gu You brushed her short hair, “What, disappointed with the real person?”

“Ahem… not my type,” Chen Shi said awkwardly.

“You two didn’t have an online romance, did you?” Tao Yueyue had never seen Chen Shi so embarrassed.

“No… no, we just talked a lot. I suggested meeting up…” Chen Shi looked at Gu You. “You agreed, but when I got there, you set a bunch of puzzles. By the time I solved them, you said time was up, and I missed seeing you.”

“Weren’t you infatuated with me back then?” Gu You smiled. “You said a lot of cheesy things. Yueyue, do you want to hear them?”

“No, no, let’s not talk about the past!” Chen Shi held his forehead.

Gu You looked around, “Renting a place like this, Mr. Chen, you’re going all out. What’s your plan?”

“I need to make sure you don’t have any plans to corrupt Yueyue.”

“Of course not. I just think she’s like us. I want to teach her a few things.”

Tao Yueyue said, “I like being a criminal. It’s fun.”

Chen Shi sighed and pointed at her, “We agreed you could do some bad things, but you must report to me truthfully.”

Tao Yueyue pouted, “You said that was only at school.”

“Fine, I won’t hold you accountable for breaking into a house this time, but from now on, if you play dangerous games, I must know. And I need to know what criminal techniques you learn… as long as it’s not illegal.”

Tao Yueyue nodded seriously, “I won’t cross the line. It’s just pranks.”

“Back to the earlier question!” Gu You said. “What’s your plan?”

“I’m helping the police solve a case. We’ve identified the suspect, but her defenses are too perfect. Regular methods aren’t working. I need the help of an old friend, and luckily, I found you!”

“What’s her name?”

“Yi Qing, a graceful beauty.”

“Yi Qing, Yi Qing?” Gu You recalled. “Is she the quiet girl who was rumored to have been sexually assaulted as a child?”

“Oh, you know her?”

“One of the few whose real identity I know.”

Chen Shi thought to himself, thankfully no one knew his real identity. No one knew he was Song Lang, a police academy student, not Chen Shi.

What luck. If he had met KK back then, he wouldn’t be able to talk so calmly now.

“Who else do you know? If they’re still comrades, bring them in. This place will be our temporary base. If they’ve turned bad, I’ll get rid of them through the police.”

“Fighting evil with evil, I like it!” Gu You laughed. “There’s one more, Grandpa Ge.”

“Grandpa Ge, that guy… the only one who knows his real identity is Xiaochong.”

“The four of us should be able to bring down Yi Qing.”

“Let’s hope so!”

Tao Yueyue clapped her hands, “You’re going to find old partners, so cool!”

“Cool my foot,” Chen Shi laughed. “In reality, we’re all losers.”

“Can I sleep here tonight?”

“No, this temporary command center is off-limits to you. You can’t show your face to them either. This time we’re just dealing with Yi Qing. Once it’s done, I’ll return the house.”