Shen Mingde settled dinner in a restaurant, and then wandered through the bustling downtown until late at night. It wasn't until the crowd had largely dispersed and he was very tired that he returned to his home. The two-storey villa is brightly lit. Shen Mingde usually doesn't turn on all the lights in this room. For now, however, he would only feel safe in this brightly lit environment with no dead spots. He closed the door, locked the window, and inspected every corner of the room before returning to his bedroom with peace of mind. At the moment, he is sitting on the bed, turning on the TV, and browsing the information on the Internet through his laptop that has nothing to do with him.

Once again, he logged on to the forum site called the Circle of Mysteries. The discussion on the forums about the topics he posted has cooled. A few replies that were not new made Shen Mingde not in the mood to read it at all. It was only the message from the writer with the pen name "Chang Ci Hua Yu" that caught his attention. The message was very brief, just saying: "No news from you for a few days. What's the situation? ”

Shen Mingde noticed that this message was left about ten minutes ago. That's when he remembered that the writer had left his phone number. So, Shen Mingde sent a short message to the writer in a mocking tone: "It's not good. I'm dying. ”

He didn't expect the writer to reply to his text message, and then went on browsing the forums as if nothing had happened. However, just a few minutes later, Shen Mingde's mobile phone rang with a prompt tone to receive a text message. He opened the text message, and in between, it read, "Dying? Branded? ”

Shen Mingde was suddenly shocked. He sent a vigilant text message and asked, "Who the hell are you?" ”

Seconds later, he received a text message replying: "I am who I am." Old man, I'll pinch my fingers, you don't have much time left. What do you think? Have you found a way to sacrifice in the lake? ”

Shen Mingde was excited in his heart, he felt that if this person was not Chen Huaizhi's person, at least he was an insider. So, he immediately dialed the writer's mobile phone. However, the phone was turned off the moment it was connected. After a while, he received another text message: "It is inconvenient to answer the phone at this time. ”

Shen Mingde quickly edited a large number of questions in the text message, there were so many things he needed to know. However, he was afraid that the writer "insider" would run away from him inadvertently. As a result, most of these questions are messy and illogical. It took him a few minutes to edit the questions and send them out. However, what he feared most happened anyway. Shen Mingde did not receive a text message full of answers in time, and it seemed that the writer had disappeared again. He waited anxiously for the other party's text message. It's a bit like a middle school student confessing to the girl she likes for the first time, with anticipation and fear of being decided. After waiting for more than ten minutes, Shen Mingde received a reply from the writer again.

The text message replied: "I'm so sorry to disappoint you. I'm not an encyclopedia. So can't answer so many of your questions. Some of these questions can be very complicated to answer. I look forward to meeting and discussing it together in the future. Please don't doubt it, I'm just a storyteller. I'm really looking forward to getting your story. I hope to come to me for an interview in your lifetime. While I can't help you avoid death, I promise your story will be passed on through the ages. If I'm in your position, I feel like I'm bound to catch all the clues in front of me. Change what can be changed, accept what can't. Even if we don't have the wisdom to tell the difference between the two, at least I'll have to try it first. Good luck. When you come to visit, please text me first. ”

The text message ended, and the writer seemed to have disappeared. No matter how many messages Shen Mingde sent, he did not receive a reply from the writer. He called the writer's phone number again, only to get the message that "the phone has been turned off." Shen Mingde sat on the bed blankly. He wondered if his life would come to an end in a few days, should he waste those days visiting the writer? Shen Mingde picked up the mobile phone with residual warmth again and read the last text message. When he read the last few sentences of the text message, Shen Mingde seemed to have a wise old man in front of him, constantly urging him to "don't give up until the end".

Shen Mingde turned over and got out of bed, and ran to rummage in front of the closet without even bothering to put on his shoes. In a moment, he found the key that Chen Huaizhi had given him in his trouser pocket. The key appears to be made of stainless steel, with a silvery metallic sheen on the surface, and some weight. The key is about a dozen centimeters long and looks a bit like the key to a home security door. The top of the key does not have the irregular key teeth like that of ordinary keys, but is flat and rectangular. If you look closely, you can see that the two parallel "ravines" on the smooth surface are covered with uneven bumps. It seems that this key is still very difficult to copy.

Shen Mingde was playing with the key in his hand while pondering in his heart. What benefits will Chen Huaizhi get from meeting with the "sixth uncle"? He thought about it for a long time but couldn't find an answer. Could it be that he wants me to get some information from the "sixth uncle"? But after thinking about it, Shen Mingde shook his head again. The "Sixth Uncle" is already under Chen Huaizhi's control, so he should already know the secret of the "Sixth Uncle". Could it be that Chen Huaizhi really wanted to help him find the lake and successfully sacrifice in the lake? If so, why didn't he just tell me how to see the lake? Maybe the way to see the lake can only be understood, not spoken? The "Sixth Uncle" has already made many people see the lake, and according to Gao Bowen, as long as he enters his school, he can see the lake. Is it only the people of the lakeside village who have the ability to let people see the lake? However, didn't Yang Chuan and Xiao Jing also see the lake? Shen Mingde simply gave up thinking on this side and continued to figure out Chen Huaizhi's intentions.

Shen Mingde slowly opened his eyes. Thick curtains and closed doors keep the bedroom tightly in the room. He fell asleep unconsciously. This sleep seems to be particularly sound, as if I have returned to my carefree childhood. He lay on the bed and didn't get up, and the darkened room still made him drowsy. He didn't want to know time, and it seemed that for the first time in many years, he realized that time was a shackle that humans had placed on themselves. The room was quiet, and even Nini didn't yell for food. Oh yes. He suddenly remembered that Nini had not wanted to be in the same room with him since yesterday. So, the kitten left the bedroom and was outside the door by Shen Mingde. Every morning, Nini, the little one, would be clamoring for food. Even if you keep it out, won't you keep scratching at the door? It seems that I haven't slept for long, maybe it's only early in the morning.

Shen Mingde had just turned over and was about to fall asleep again when a doorbell suddenly remembered. This doorbell is installed at the gate of the yard and the ringing is transmitted by the videophone speakers in the villa hall and master bedroom. To be honest, just before today, Shen Mingde had almost forgotten that he still had a doorbell at home. He was a little skeptical that some of the children in the neighborhood were playing a prank and ringing the doorbell. He ignored the doorbell call, because it was a friend's visit, and he would probably call his cellphone. If it weren't for an acquaintance, maybe a salesman who had infiltrated the neighborhood or a neighbor he had never met, he wouldn't want to answer the door. Shen Mingde lay on his side on the bed and closed his eyes again. Unexpectedly, the guy outside the door rang the doorbell twice more reluctantly. Supported by a wave of anger, Shen Mingde jumped up from the bed and rushed to the video phone next to the bedroom door. He pressed the turn button hard and glared at the monitor. I saw a middle-aged man wearing a white shirt and a black tie with an honest face standing in front of the surveillance camera. Isn't this Chen Huaizhi's follower? Isn't it the white-collar man who picked him up and left the police station? Before Shen Mingde could ask, "What are you doing?" The white-collar man first bowed politely and informed himself that he was sent by Chen Huaizhi. Shen Mingde pressed the switch button to open the gate of the courtyard, and planned to personally greet the "honored guest" sent by Chen Huaizhi. Just as he opened the bedroom door a thin crack, there was a "whoosh", and a black shadow rushed into the bedroom. Nini hid her entire body under the bed, and her two round dripping eyes could be seen in the shadows. It looked nervous, staring at Shen Mingde, its two sharp ears flat on the sides of its head, like the wings of an airplane. At this time, Shen Mingde didn't have much leisure to tease it. He closed the door softly and went downstairs.

Shen Mingde came to the entrance and opened the door. I saw that the sky outside the door was really stained with ink, and the rain was pouring down. Maybe it's because the house is so well insulated, and he really doesn't realize it. The white-collar man was standing respectfully on the edge of the steps in front of the door, folding his umbrella and holding it upright in his hand.

Seeing Shen Mingde who opened the door, the white-collar man said with a sneer on his face: "Mr. Shen works day and night. It's really disturbing your rest. ”

Shen Mingde glanced at him angrily, and then let the person into the living room. He asked the white-collar man to sit in the living room for a while, and then went upstairs to change his pajamas. After a simple grooming, Shen Mingde picked up his mobile phone and left the bedroom. When he casually glanced at the time on his phone, he was very surprised to see that it was already one o'clock in the afternoon. He couldn't confidently pick up his phone and double-checked, it did show that it was the 26th, 13:06. There were also several missed calls and a text message from Xiao Jing on the phone.

The text message reads: "I arrived safely. Don't worry, I'm fine. No need to reply, I'll get back to you. ”

It seems that Xiao Jing is safe. Shen Mingde walked down the stairs briskly with a look that he didn't even notice himself.

The white-collar man sat on the sofa in the living room in a regular manner, wiping his face with a handkerchief of his own, whether it was rain or sweat. Shen Mingde put a small bottle of mineral water on the coffee table in front of the sofa, and then opened another bottle and took a big sip of it. Although he knew in his heart that this was not the kind of "hospitality" that should be, Shen Mingde had no good impression of the Chen family's father and son and the people they sent.

He sat down on the sofa seat near the white-collar man, pretended to leisurely Erlang's legs, and asked, "What are you doing when Mr. Chen sent you?" ”

The white-collar man pointed to the mobile phone on the coffee table, and replied with a smile: "Mr. Shen is really a noble person who forgets things." Didn't you ask Chen Huaizhi and Mr. Chen to help you? ”

Shen Mingde stared at the white-collar man with some confusion, his hand slowly reaching for the phone. When he opened the "read text message", a message sent by himself to Chen Huaizhi appeared in it. The message reads: "I'm ready. I'm going to visit 'Lao Yu' in the near future. If I can make a successful sacrifice, what benefits do you want? ”

Suddenly, Shen Mingde remembered all the memories he had before he fell asleep last night. At that time, he was thinking about Chen Huaizhi's purpose in bed, but to no avail. The only explanation that can make Shen Mingde feel plausible is not what benefits he can give Chen Huaizhi when he meets the "Sixth Uncle". But when they can see the lake and sacrifice in the lake, the Chen family father and son are profitable.

The "sacrifice" incident currently involves a total of three forces. On the one hand, the first is to play the role of "police", the "Shanmiro believers" in the lakeside village. As a group of religious fanatics, they certainly want as many "believers" as possible. The second aspect is the Chen family father and son. They themselves are so-called "believers" and also seem to have played the role of "missionaries". In order to obtain "immortality" as bait, many rich people were tempted to "sacrifice", and they profited from it. The third force is Gao Bowen. This person appears to be in control of matters related to the "sacrifice" and the channels of communication with the believers in the lakeside village. However, the Chen family father and son have mastered the method of "sacrifice" through the "sixth uncle" and Gao Shan Xing. In this case, Gao Bowen has become an unnecessary "middleman".

If Shen Mingde sacrificed in the lake and was stopped by Gao Bowen. So, can the Chen family father and son go to Hubian Village to denounce Gao Bowen as "suspected of hindering the cultivation of believers"? If Shen Mingde succeeded in sacrificing, he was not stopped by Gao Bowen. Does that mean that Gao Bowen actually has no power over the matter of "sacrifice"? Therefore, Shen Mingde's "sacrifice" is a test of Gao Bowen's "hole card" for the Chen family father and son. Regardless of whether the test is successful or not, the Chen family father and son will be the winners. Of course, the Chen family father and son chose Shen Mingde as an "experimental object", and it is estimated that they still found Chen Yongyi's principle of "useful and controllable people".

However, for Shen Mingde, even if he is regarded as a "guinea pig" by the Chen family father and son, it seems to be a way out to solve the incident. If the "sacrifice" is successful, and the "immortality" is not mentioned, at least you can avoid the pain of being hunted down and killed by the believers. Even if he was blocked by Gao Bowen. After having the qualification of "sacrifice", he may be able to find a way to turn evil into good fortune on his own. Of course, before that, Shen Mingde still had some questions and wanted to "ask Chen Huaizhi" in person. Thinking of this, Shen Mingde sent a message to Chen Huaizhi. However, Chen Huaizhi's reply was not as he imagined, but told him to rest early first, and then he would send someone to help the next day. Judging from the current situation, in the face of this white-collar man who just came to do things for Chen Huaizhi, Shen Mingde probably couldn't ask anything.

The white-collar man opened his briefcase and pulled out an old-fashioned brown paper document bag. In silence, he untied the thin white thread from the seal of the document bag, one by one. After that, the documents in the document bag were taken out one by one and laid out on the coffee table according to a certain pattern. He moves skillfully and is focused. The expression of not squinting reminded Shen Mingde of the appearance of the teachers in the school when they were classifying the exam papers. After a while, the white-collar man stopped his movements and made a "please" gesture to Shen Mingde. His actions seemed to be inviting Shen Mingde to "appreciate" the documents placed on the coffee table.

Shen Mingde picked up the nearest A4 printer paper. There is no text on these sheets of paper, but a printed floor plan of a building. After glancing at the floor plan, Shen Mingde asked, "Is this the structural diagram of the Yongning Rehabilitation Home?" ”

The white-collar man nodded, and then pushed the other drawings in front of Shen Mingde. The top drawing stands out from the rest. When you go down the stairs, you will reach a straight horizontal passage. This passage is connected to a circular passage in the shape of a "mouth". The passage looks narrow, with rooms on both sides. A red circle was drawn on the northwest corner of the circular passage in the shape of "kou". It is estimated that that this is Shen Mingde's destination. However, in the center of the red circle, Shen Mingde did not see the "door" sign, so he felt very puzzled. He flipped through a few other sheets of paper, which contained diagrams of the mechanics and circuits.

Shen Mingde put down the printer paper and said, "Let's just say it." I can't read the drawings. It seems too complicated. Could it be that Mr. Chen wants me to memorize these contents like the agents and sneak into this building? ”

The white-collar man laughed, I don't know if it was Shen Mingde's analogy that amused him, or if he laughed at Shen Mingde. Then, he said to Shen Mingde in a tone when reporting to the leader: "Mr. Shen is too worried. Actually, the plan is not that complicated. It's not a well-defended military facility, it's just a retirement home. It's just that Mr. Chen hopes to inform you of all the plans as a way to show his sincerity. That's why I have brought all the drawings and explained them to you. ”

"Huh? Strange, huh? Looking at the white-collar man who was attracted by Shen Mingde's attention, he continued: "Wasn't the rehabilitation home built by Mr. Chen himself? Why can't he take me swaggering in. Rather, this method of stealing chickens and dogs? ”

The white-collar man replied, "Mr. Shen may not know something. Yongning Rehabilitation Home was funded and built by Chairman Chen Yongyi. However, it was later handed over to the municipal units of the city for management. Even if it is a kind act of Chairman Chen. The recovery home is not the Chen family's own property, so we can't blatantly go in and find people. Moreover, after 'Lao Yu' was sent to a psychiatric hospital, Gao Bowen felt that this approach was inappropriate. Because he was afraid that the hospital side would get too many secrets about that lake through 'Lao Yu'. He probably took the old man as a hostage and didn't intend to send the old man back to the village. As a result, Chairman Chen and Gao Bowen reached an agreement. They arranged for the 'old slip' to be admitted to a rehabilitation home. This is a 'third-party agency' that both of them trust. Moreover, according to the agreement, neither Chairman Chen nor Gao Bowen could meet with 'Lao Yu' in person or send someone to meet with 'Lao Yu' alone. Both of them have placed people they trust in their staff to monitor each other's movements......"

"I see!" Shen Mingde interrupted the other party's words and asked, "Gao Bowen already thinks that I am Mr. Chen's person. Could it be that Chen Huaizhi sent me in to see 'Lao Yu' with the intention of triggering a conflict between the two of them? ”

"Mr. Shen, you misunderstood. Just in order not to cause conflict between the two sides, we can't blatantly go in and find the 'old slip'. The white-collar man explained.

"So what is Chen Huaizhi's intention?" Shen Mingde asked again.

The white-collar man unhurriedly took out a work note with a black cover from his pocket and said, "Mr. Chen asked me to bring you a word." He said, 'Shen Mingde, Mr. Shen, only alive can I fight against Gao Bowen'. ”

Shen Mingde looked at the movements of the white-collar man, like the ancient "passing on the emperor's dictation", and felt funny. Then he asked, "Okay." I understand that Mr. Chen wants to help me. Wants me to live. But what virtue can I have to help him against Gao Bowen? ”

"Your identity." When this sentence came out, the white-collar man saw Shen Mingde stunned for a moment, and then laughed.

So, the white-collar man said patiently: "Don't worry, Mr. Chen asked me to explain to you." I don't know all of Mr. Chen's plans. But he told me what he had done for you. On the night of the celebration in Yushugou Village, Mr. Chen deliberately portrayed you as a 'client' in front of Gao Bowen. That night you infiltrated the drama school. After that, Mr. Chen received a complaining call from Gao Bowen. On the phone, he re-emphasized your 'customer' status. As a 'customer', you are a third party. It can not be controlled by Mr. Chen. Gao Bowen couldn't stop him from investigating the lake. Therefore, your activities, Mr. Chen can not be blamed by Gao Bowen. For Mr. Chen, you are different from other 'customers'. Because he can trust you. So, in your investigation, you can reveal a lot of Gao Bowen's secrets. That's why Mr. Chen needs you to fight Gao Bowen with him. Mr. Chen said, 'Trustworthy people are available but not sought'. ”

Shen Mingde nodded. He still didn't trust Chen Huaizhi, but what he said just now sounded like a reasonable explanation. At this time, Shen Mingde looked at the white-collar man with a contemptuous look and asked, "Then how can Mr. Chen think that you are a trustworthy person?" ”

The white-collar man smiled shyly, then pulled his wallet out of his pants pocket. He opened the folded wallet in front of Shen Mingde, only to see a photo sandwiched in the inner wall of the wallet. In the center of the photo is a smiling girl of six or seven years old in a hospital gown. The photo was apparently taken in the hospital. The child sits on the hospital bed, accompanied by a man and a woman on the left and right sides. Apparently this is a photo of a family of three, and the man in the photo is the white-collar man in front of him.

The white-collar man held up the photo and explained to Shen Mingde: "My daughter suffers from severe kidney disease. It was taken in the hospital on her birthday. ”

Shen Mingde understood what he meant, and said: "Chen Huaizhi really 'controlled' you with the words of treating your daughter's illness. That's why you can be trusted. ”

"Nope! It's gratitude. As long as I can cure my daughter's illness, I can give everything. The white-collar man said righteously.

Shen Mingde asked: "In order to save your daughter's life, you need to pay the price of another person's life." Do you feel at ease in doing this? ”

The white-collar man sneered, changed his usual harmless face, and said, "With all due respect, Mr. Shen." When your life is on the line, will you still think about morality? The current situation is not for us to decide the lives of others and the death of others. It's about saving my daughter's life and your own. Isn't it the primary responsibility to protect one's own life? Is it immoral and selfish to do so? If so, I see, perhaps selfishness is proof of our human rationality! ”