Time passed minute by minute, and Chen Jingsheng waited anxiously outside.
He couldn't imagine that Director Xiao, who shouldn't have believed in ghosts and monsters, would be so easily fooled by the casual story concocted by the young girl.
If it weren't for the instructions from his superiors before he came to maintain secrecy about Director Xiao's actions, he would have reported directly to them.
After more than twenty minutes, the office door was finally pushed open.
A tall and a small figure emerged from within.
Chen Jingsheng carefully observed their expressions but could discern nothing.
Director Xiao waved his hand, "You don't need to look at me like that. I've personally verified whether Shengsheng's words are true or false."
Chen Jingsheng: "..."
Why were they addressing each other so familiarly?
Verified? Verified what, the truth or falsehood?
If it was false, why were you so good to this young girl, showing no temper at all?
If it was true, weren't you trying to fool me?
However, what Director Xiao said next made him feel as if he were in a dream.
"I need to return to the capital first to file a report. In the meantime, Shengsheng will assist you with the case analysis."
"I know you have many questions, but we'll discuss them after I return."
"If you don't understand anything related to the case during this period, just ask Shengsheng. As for anything else, don't ask too much, and don't think too much."
Big question marks popped up on Chen Jingsheng's forehead.
Are you sure you're not joking with me?
The fact was, Director Xiao was truly not joking.
After saying this, he called Jian Sheng, left a team member to manage the scene, and then hurried away.
He left behind Chen Jingsheng, Jian Sheng, and the team member Director Xiao had just called, the three of them looking at each other blankly.
Chen Jingsheng took a deep breath, telling himself not to get angry.
But damn it!
This was the follow-up to a major serial murder case, not playing house!
Yet, Director Xiao had just finished giving instructions and vanished.
Here, one person was merely following orders, and the other was just a little girl of a few years old.
Chen Jingsheng, holding back a belly full of anger, couldn't find an outlet.
After enduring it, Chen Jingsheng managed to say:
"Brother, you take Shengsheng back first. We just brought Shengsheng over, and they should be worried by now."
As for Director Xiao's suggestion that Jian Sheng participate and help with the case analysis,
He dismissed it without a second thought.
Without understanding what kind of trick Director Xiao was playing, he had no intention of playing along with the game.
The person sent by Director Xiao to accompany Jian Sheng was a quiet young man.
After receiving the order, he directly led Jian Sheng out of the police station.
The photographer had been waiting outside. Seeing Jian Sheng come out with someone beside her, he couldn't help but be stunned.
"Shengsheng, who is this?"
The young man replied concisely, "Li Sheng. The boss asked me to follow her temporarily."
The photographer was even more confused.
What was going on?
It was one thing that he came out of the police station, but why did he bring someone back?
However, feeling the subtle yet discernible sharpness emanating from the young man when their eyes met, the photographer dared not ask anything further.
Li Sheng glanced at the camera in his hand and continued to speak concisely,
"Don't photograph me. It's a matter of confidentiality."
The photographer: "..."
Fine, it seemed he had to inform Director Hu again.
Wait, why did he say "again"?
On the way back, they were still escorted by police cars.
However, the photographer's gaze towards Jian Sheng was filled with a strange sense of unease.
On the road, he also made a phone call.
Hu Guangxu was mentally prepared when he answered the phone.
"Go ahead, what happened this time?"
"Ahem, Director Hu, I'm not entirely sure about the specifics, but Shengsheng will have someone with her when she returns, so please remind everyone else not to let him into the shot during filming."
Hu Guangxu: "...Alright, I understand. Hurry back, dinner is about to be served."
After dropping them off, the police car left.
Li Sheng silently followed behind Jian Sheng, like a background character.
Hu Guangxu was already waiting for them. Upon seeing the three arrive, his gaze couldn't help but linger on the person who had joined them.
Li Sheng raised his eyelids and gave him a slightly warning look.
Hu Guangxu's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately withdrew his gaze, not daring to look again.
He couldn't help but mutter to himself, should he really consider the assistant director's suggestion?
The commotion caused by the little girl before at least didn't involve the law.
But now, this had already drawn the public security organs into it.
Not only was there no buzz, but they also had to be extremely careful not to let the matters involving the little girl be exposed.
And with one wrong move, no one knew if the little girl would truly cause trouble.
Hu Guangxu rubbed his head in annoyance, forcing a smile and greeting the silent young man.
Li Sheng nodded slightly, "Hello."
Hu Guangxu: ...So cold.
Seeing that Li Sheng did not wish to interact with them, Hu Guangxu knew when to stop.
After contacting the others, instructing them not to photograph Li Sheng and, if possible, not to speak to him, he then beckoned Jian Sheng to hurry inside.
By then, only a faint light remained in the sky, and lights flickered on in the villagers' homes.
In the small courtyard where they had worked before, the streetlights were turned on, illuminating the entire area.
Li Sheng still followed behind the young girl, but he retreated a few steps, hiding in the shadows beyond the reach of the light.
This also prevented the cameras from accidentally capturing him.
In the center of the small courtyard, two large round tables were set up.
Everyone gathered around, with the guests seated in a circle around one of the tables.
The other filming crews sat at another table, leaving two cameramen with their cameras still on standby, ready to adjust their shots.
Seeing Jian Sheng arrive, everyone greeted her with smiles.
"Shengsheng, you're here just in time. We were all waiting for dinner!"
"Shengsheng, you're just in time. Let me tell you, Auntie is one of the chefs for tomorrow's wedding, so we can taste Auntie's cooking!"
"Hehe, although the production team is a bit unreasonable and made us work so hard, smelling the aroma of the food makes it feel like all the labor today was worth it!"
Jian Sheng sniffed the air and put on an exaggeratedly satisfied expression.
"Wow! It smells so good! When can we start eating? I'm so hungry!"
The others all laughed.
At this moment, an aunt began distributing disposable lunch boxes and chopsticks to everyone.
Soon, plates of delicious dishes were brought out and arranged around the round table.
Xiao Yufeng put on an exaggerated expression and sniffed the fragrant air.
"Hehe, this is the fruit of my labor. I have to eat a good meal today."
"Go on, go on. Shengsheng did the most work today, don't you dare snatch from her!"