Chapter 296: The Only Solution

“The plot of the novel?”

Wang Dong and the others looked at Xiao Yu with confusion.

“I have a friend… who started writing novels when he was just thirteen,” Xiao Yu began, his expression gradually becoming more awkward. “So he knows a thing or two about writing techniques.”

‘I have a friend?’

Wang Dong and Shen Zhengyang exchanged glances, their expressions tinged with skepticism. The other team members also looked at Xiao Yu with strange looks.

Was this ‘friend’ a real friend?

Xiao Yu’s face flushed red. For a moment, a wave of shame—no, a tsunami of embarrassment—washed over him, threatening to swallow him whole. It was like someone had dug up a steamy story you’d written and was now reading it aloud in public.

‘Okay, fine.’ He admitted it. He was the so-called friend.

Back when he had first crossed into this world, with time to spare and no pressing concerns, Xiao Yu had thought about making some extra money. He came up with the brilliant idea of rewriting popular novels from his past life. Something like The Grave Robbers’ Chronicles, for instance.

Easy money, right?

At the time, Xiao Yu had thought he was a genius. Then reality hit him like a freight train.

Who could possibly remember millions of words from a novel and reproduce them perfectly?

It was then he learned an important lesson: all those stories about reborn protagonists getting rich by writing famous novels from their previous lives?

Utter nonsense.

Unless you had a photographic memory, rewriting a million-word novel was next to impossible.

In the end, Xiao Yu had to make up his own stories.

His first novel? A mundane protagonist suddenly inherits a fortune and a massive harem from a rich, long-lost great-uncle.

The story follows the protagonist as he transitions from being broke to living a life of luxury. One particularly memorable scene involved the protagonist resigning from his job after inheriting his fortune. When his overbearing boss berated him, the protagonist retorted: What’s with the attitude? I quit!

He then revealed his newfound wealth—billions of dollars and dozens of mansions—leaving the boss and his coworkers green with envy.

Pretty satisfying, right?

And so began the protagonist’s rise to the pinnacle of life.

That first novel earned Xiao Yu some pocket money and brought a sense of carefree comfort to his go-with-the-flow life.

That to saw, yes, Xiao Yu understood writing. He understood web novels.

“The suspect, Fang Shuoxin, has been writing for four years,” Xiao Yu said, furrowing his brow. “So why hasn’t his writing improved at all? Why does his latest novel, the one tied to these cases, read like something written by a child? Doesn’t that strike you as strange?”

Everyone froze at his words. The principle of practice makes perfect was well understood.

When someone starts a new job or skill, they may struggle at first, but over time, they usually improve. Even the least talented person can eventually perform basic tasks competently, right?

This was the strange part.

Fang Shuoxin had been writing for four years.

Why did his recent work show no improvement?

In fact, why did it seem even worse than his earlier attempts?

Especially those cringe-inducing scenes, they weren’t even as polished as his older works.

Was that reasonable?

Xiao Yu’s words struck a chord with the crowd. This made no sense.

“So according to your reasoning, he should be highly suspicious,” said Shen Zhengyang, frowning. “But earlier, you told us there’s no evidence connecting him to the crimes. You even said he likely doesn’t know the suspect responsible. If he’s not involved, why are his novels tied to these cases?”

There was no questioning the intelligence of those who work for State Security. Especially the First Division, which specialized in counter-espionage.

The reason they were handling this case alongside the Second Division was the strong suspicion that the perpetrator was a spy.

Why?

Because one of the four cases—the suspected espionage and theft—used techniques characteristic of espionage operatives. Such methods weren’t something an ordinary person could imitate.

“That’s exactly what I don’t understand,” Xiao Yu said with a shrug. “But based on what I can deduce, these bizarre cases linked to the novel, they’re not supernatural.”

His statement carried a tone of absolute certainty.

‘So, you just gave a long explanation to save face?’

Wang Dong’s mouth twitched as he shot Xiao Yu a displeased look. “And then?”

“Brother Wang, don’t look at me like that. You’re making me think you’re up to something shady.” Rolling his eyes, Xiao Yu continued, “Look, I’m not a god. Investigating cases takes time, following leads, and uncovering clues. All I can say right now is that this isn’t some supernatural event. As for the details… I just got here. You expect me to solve the case the moment I walk in?”

“Uh…”

Wang Dong froze, a bit embarrassed.

The other State Security agents looked equally sheepish.

It was true. They’d been working on this case for so long without getting anywhere. Who were they to question Xiao Yu’s capabilities?

This was the downside of the near-mythical image Xiao Yu had built in their minds.

Everyone assumed nothing could stump him.

But Xiao Yu wasn’t a deity. He couldn’t solve a case with a snap of his fingers. He needed evidence and clues like anyone else.

“Is there really nothing to go on?”

Shen Zhengyang ran a hand through his messy hair. He hadn’t showered in days thanks to this case.

“There’s something.” Xiao Yu picked up a tablet containing the case files, scanned through it, and said calmly, “Let the suspect, Fang Shuoxin, keep writing. I want to see how he comes up with those scenes.”

“This…”

The crowd exchanged uneasy glances, their expressions tense.

“Little brother…” Wang Dong looked concerned. “What if another incident happens?”

The others’ faces darkened. They didn’t believe in supernatural events, but the fact remained: the suspect’s writing somehow aligned with real-world crimes. This was an unexplained phenomenon, and if another case occurred, the consequences would be severe.

“This is the only solution I can think of,” Xiao Yu said with a shrug. “It’s also the only solution we have right now.”