Closer to Revealing My True Self-Chapter 292 - 216: Realized the Mistake, Take Action!_1

Feng Yi was amazed by the comments online.

Wasn’t the Union Insurance Bureau notoriously fierce?

Now everyone dared to tease them, and it wasn’t just the photo. Feng Yi also saw someone Photoshopping the words "fatherly love, filial son" onto the picture.

So bold!

Normally, many people wouldn’t have the nerve, but this time, netizens were just too curious!

Exactly because they were aware of the Union Insurance Bureau’s usual style, how many rich and powerful generations had been humbled by the Bureau’s investigators, and accustomed to the Bureau’s unvarnished dealings with everyone, to suddenly see such a warm photo with such a harmonious atmosphere, complete with a warm filter – it made countless jaws drop.

And as Old Yuan’s identity was exposed, everyone became even more curious.

One was an internet celebrity, a young expert with high appeal.

The other was a senior authoritative figure in the Union Insurance Bureau.

All these elements put together...

The imagination of the masses was unstoppable!

The flames of gossip roared!

Everyone knew that a father-son relationship was impossible and that perhaps the real atmosphere was not as harmonious as in the photo, but that didn’t stop everyone from playing with the meme online.

How rare!

Still, there was a sense of reverence towards the Union Insurance Bureau, so the teasing was somewhat restrained.

Whether daring to joke or not, the image was saved.

How rare indeed!

Feng Yi didn’t take the online jokes seriously; with the current pace of information flow online, this would be old news within a week, perhaps even less time than that. There would always be fresh news to capture everyone’s attention.

After packing his things, Feng Yi went to check out of his accommodation and then casually headed to the cafeteria for a meal. He would hit the road after eating.

He left the dormitory through the north gate.

The big black dog was eating, smacking his lips, and wagging his tail vigorously as if in a great mood.

Hearing the commotion, the big black dog turned to glance at Feng Yi. In that brief moment, two pieces of dog food fell from his mouth.

Seeing a familiar face, the big black dog continued to gobble down its food.

Feng Yi didn’t get closer; he wasn’t sure if he still smelled of marker scent, although he had taken a shower upon returning, but what if there was still a lingering odor? He had spent quite a long time in the sea last night, still in his transformed state.

With so many people around, it was better to avoid trouble.

To be honest, Feng Yi quite liked the idea of having a dog, especially one that didn’t mind his quirks and wasn’t afraid of him.

But considering his own circumstances, he decided not to afflict any animals.

Professor Ding stopped by on Feng Yi’s way back from the cafeteria to the dormitory.

Professor Ding had compiled some marine ecology materials based on the situation here. Since people couldn’t immediately join the Sea Serpent Task Force, these materials could be brought along for additional reference, and the latest sampling data was still very valuable.

"I’ve already sent an electronic copy, but I’ve made handwritten annotations on this printed version, attached the latest reference images, and it’s more detailed. You can take it to the team leader," Professor Ding handed Feng Yi a folder.

The "team leader" mentioned here referred to the leader of the task group, not someone at Old Yuan’s level.

Feng Yi placed the folder in one of his suitcases, which was specifically for carrying documents.

"There’s also this," Professor Ding took a square box out of his backpack. "It’s a memento from the small exhibition hall here."

Feng Yi opened the box to find two starfish specimens inside.

One was a multi-armed basket star, the other a brittle star.

"During the starfish bloom sampling, the small exhibition hall selected some to make into specimens for the expert group," Professor Ding explained.

Feng Yi looked at the specimen box in his hands, which was crafted more delicately than those in the restaurants.

There was an engraving on the back of the box, a date, followed by a message—

[Thank you for your contribution to the construction of the marine pasture]

Feng Yi felt awkward, "I didn’t really do anything."

Professor Ding smiled, "No matter how much or little, big or small, it’s all a contribution. Marine pasture construction is very challenging."

When Professor Ding mentioned this, the smile on his face faded, "The marine pastures now are not what we have envisioned."

According to the ideals of Professor Ding and his peers, marine pastures were a very good fishing model. They could both replenish and protect fishery resources and improve the marine environment, achieving sustainable use of fishery resources.

But there were too many uncontrollable factors involved.

Professor Ding sighed as he left, as he had to continue following up on the investigation of the "isolation zone." For those studying marine ecology, the formation of the "isolation zone" was incredible. Was it related to the climate anomalies or not?

Feng Yi packed the specimen box and, with his luggage in tow, left the dormitory with Jia.

The route to leave Mo City was different from the one on arrival; the map indicated some congested sections, so Jia took a different path.

On the highway, Feng Yi could see the distant sea through the car window.

Beneath the seemingly calm surface hid an explosion of starfish numbers, as well as the "mysterious isolation zone."

Thinking of the underwater detector that he broke with a flick of his tail, Feng Yi called the butler.

"Did my great-aunt ever own an equipment installation company? Like for underwater installations or something?"

The butler recalled for a moment, "Yes, she did, but the company was deregistered after the climate anomaly period ended."

Feng Yi further inquired, "Would she get involved personally?"

The butler replied, "She was in charge of the tasks that required high diving skills."

This answer was within Feng Yi’s expectations.

My great-aunt rocks!

As for deregistering the company, during the chaotic times of climate anomalies, it was easier to conceal secrets, but after everything returned to normal, the risk of exposure increased.

Deregistering the company made sense.

Considering the butler had been staying at home and worried he might be bored and lonely, Feng Yi said, "Have you ever considered getting a dog?"

The butler didn’t hesitate, "No interest. I’m not interested in those fragile creatures. However, if you want to get one, I can accept it."

Feng Yi, "Oh, never mind then."

After ending the call, Feng Yi pondered:

Fragile creatures?

In the eyes of the old butler, even large fierce dogs are "fragile creatures"?

On the other side, within a residence in Yang City.

The old butler sat at the desk, put his cell phone aside, and continued to carefully record his insights and experiences in a notebook.

"We haven’t even managed to raise our own kid properly, where would we find the energy to raise other creatures?"

On the highway.

Feng Yi was scrolling through his phone.

Online rumors about Mo City were plentiful, and the arguments between the salvage households and the farming households were heating up. After discussion, Mo City’s investigative team revealed the news of the starfish army’s dispersal to the public, and at the same time, informed everyone that the increased number of starfish in the coastal areas was only temporary and that there wouldn’t be another gathering in the distant waters. Experts conjectured that the sudden retreat of the starfish army might be related to changes in the ocean currents.

The investigation of the quarantine zone was still ongoing, not ready for public disclosure; therefore, this was the temporary explanation to the outside world.

However, compared to the official new explanation, netizens were more interested in the relationship between Team Leader Yuan and Feng Yi—did Feng Yi have an unknown background? With caution towards the United Front Bureau, the internet memes weren’t too creative; everyone knew they were jokes. While friends could say anything in private chats, they were much more restrained on public platforms. As a result, the real-time popularity of Feng Yi and Team Leader Yuan wasn’t very high and they didn’t stay on the trending topics list for long.

But they still caught people’s attention.

Feng Chi saw it.

He had been paying extra attention to the trending search terms on social media at all hours recently.

It wasn’t that he believed the internet’s claim of "a doting father and a filial son". Regardless of what kind of relationship Old Yuan from the United Front Bureau had with Feng Yi, they definitely weren’t father and son.

No matter how much he disliked Feng Yi, Old Man Feng wouldn’t raise someone else’s child, and there was no way the bloodline could be mistaken.

What Feng Chi cared about was the matter of "trending searches".

"He’s beaten me to it again!"

To make his brilliant idea even more perfect, Feng Chi spent an extra two days adjusting, and after all the bustling around, he thought about taking a day off. But then he saw the trending search about Feng Yi.

No, he needed to act fast!

Make calls, set up meetings!

The more, the merrier!

Ramp up the atmosphere!

Feng Chi sent messages to people through a chat app and immediately called those who didn’t reply.

"Hey, Big Yellow, did you see the message I sent you... Yeah, tonight, I’ll send you the address... Hey, don’t bring your little Yellow this time... I just fixed up the yard and haven’t installed a dog toilet yet... Watch the time, don’t come too early!"

"Hello, Haoge, saw it... Right, tonight, make sure to get the address right and don’t go to the wrong place... Sure, bring her, I don’t mind even if you bring a boyfriend instead of a girlfriend. But just don’t bring any kids!"

Thinking about this, Feng Chi sent out another group message after hanging up: No underage individuals allowed!

Kids have limited psychological resilience and can easily be left with deep mental scars, so it’s better for them not to come.

They would occasionally bring younger brothers, sisters, or other young relatives to their gatherings for various reasons. To be on the safe side, Feng Chi added this message.

Without it, it might have been fine, but after adding it, someone immediately replied:

[A’chi, given our relationship, give me the lowdown—how serious is this gathering tonight?]

Feng Chi was furious. This was slander!

After replying with righteous indignation, Feng Chi got ready to cause some trouble.

He locked the gate first and would not open it until after dark!

There were too many flaws during the day, but at night, the atmosphere was just right!

After meticulous preparations—lighting, sound effects, machinery calibration, and plant placement—he checked everything once over.

Finally done and reassured, he lay on the couch, legs propped up, and sent Feng Yi a message.

Feng Chi: [Bro, are you coming back to Yang City today?]

Feng Yi: [No, I’m on a mission]

If it weren’t for running into Old Yuan, Feng Yi would have had time to return to Yang City for a bit; he was somewhat missing the big bed at home. Sleeping at home for a night before heading out to work would have been doable.

But since he had said in front of Old Yuan that he would leave Mo City immediately to look for sea serpents, he couldn’t just run around— who knew if someone was keeping an eye on him now?

Feng Chi: [That’s too bad~]

Feng Yi: [What, did you carry out your brilliant idea?]

Feng Chi: [In progress!]

Feng Yi: [I thought you were already done]

Feng Chi: [Impossible! My brilliant idea wouldn’t be implemented so quietly! To build the mood, I even picked out the sauciest BGM!]

Feng Yi: [And then receive the fiercest beating?]

Feng Chi: [Pfft! Look down on me? Just wait, I’ll show you what a ’heaven-sent trending search’ is! [Smirking with cigarette]]

Whenever he heard "heaven-sent," Feng Yi would remember how this guy once did a remake of a hugely popular online drama, creating a middle-school version that turned the original’s majestic moments into an arrival of a ’bully king’; a drama turned into a farce. The original creators wept upon viewing it and refused further authorization.

Another "heaven-sent" from him sounded unreliable. ƒreewebɳovel.com

Feng Yi: [Think three times before acting!]

Feng Chi: [1, 2, 3! Thought about it, action!]

In Feng Chi’s mind, it was ultimately just a prank, mixed with some of his ingenious ideas. They had done this sort of thing plenty of times—what was there to think thrice about?

After eagerly waiting for nightfall and hearing the doorbell ring, Feng Chi sprang up from the couch and hurried to open the door.

Haoge was the first to arrive, handing over a beautifully wrapped box after Feng Chi opened the door.

"What’s this?"

"A gift."

Feng Chi showed not even the slightest joy upon receiving the gift; instead, he looked baffled and then contemplative.

The few of them, close friends, never brought anything when visiting each other’s homes. Occasionally, they would bring some good liquor or rare delicacies to share and enjoy together, but formal gifts were almost unheard of. Why bother with that?

Feng Chi pulled Haoge aside, "What do you mean by this?"

Haoge answered, "It’s a gift."

Feng Chi looked at the box in his hand: "Suddenly receiving a serious gift, I’m stunned."

Haoge scratched his head, "I didn’t plan to bring this, but my girlfriend said it was proper etiquette, so I just went along with it. It’s a mecha model, gift-wrapped to look decent. It just feels weird giving a gift like this."

Feng Chi waved his hand, "Don’t do it next time. Good bros never bring anything, suddenly bringing something big, made me think you guys were going to ask to borrow money."

For him, coming empty-handed wasn’t a fear, but coming with things was!