Chapter 40: The Wolf Enters the Tiger’s Mouth
The next morning, Dongfang Cheng yawned, fishing the remote from under the sofa where it had been tossed last night.
The TV flicked on, Duhuang City’s morning news blaring: “Multiple brutal murders occurred late last night. The killer’s methods are extremely vicious, and they remain at large. Police are investigating and urge citizens to stay vigilant and avoid going out at night…”
The screen showed heavily mosaiced crime scenes, but the stark red of blood seeped through despite the blur.
Dongfang frowned. What a way to start the morning.
Before he could change the channel, the tone shifted. A radiant golden image flashed, and the anchor’s voice turned fervent:
“Meanwhile, the heroic Magical Girl Golden Needle Yellow struck again last night, thwarting a bank robbery orchestrated by the Ouroboros organization and defeating the Tiger-class monster ‘Gold-Digging Rat’ on the spot! Let’s cheer for her!”
The screen showcased the knightly girl, bathed in golden light, sword in hand, standing tall in the night sky.
Dongfang stared at Golden Needle Yellow’s gallant figure, then recalled the brutal murder reports. A strange sense of déjà vu hit him.
Stretching, he ambled to the dining table, where Lin Feng slumped, sporting massive dark circles, looking half-dead. A cold glass of milk and a half-eaten sandwich sat before him.
“What’s up, rich dog? Aliens abduct you and steal your eggs last night?” Dongfang pulled out a chair, sitting.
Lin Feng lifted his head, shooting him a resentful glance. “Don’t ask…” His mind was a mess. In the frantic midnight rush to submit his Magical Girl Zero Weakness Report, he couldn’t recall what wild nonsense he’d written—something about “extreme sensitivity behind the ears, causing full-body weakness when touched” (was that intel or fanfic?) and “low mental resistance, highly susceptible to hypnosis.”
If some creep tried anything with Zero…
Hmph, they’ll answer to my Shura Armor!
“Hey, Lin Feng,” Dongfang sipped his milk, casual. “You’re good with computers, right? Need a favor.”
Lin Feng eyed him warily. “A-Cheng, talk normal. That tone and look make me think you’re about to harvest my kidneys. I’m scared.”
Dongfang cleared his throat, trying to sound less ominous. “Can you get city camera footage? Like from those crime scenes on the news. And maybe police case files too.”
“Uh, technically, yeah, but A-Cheng, let me school you: hacking municipal and security systems gets you jail time.” Lin Feng hesitated, less about the law and more about the ask. “You’re playing detective?”
“Don’t worry about it. It’s important.” Dongfang’s tone was firm, his gaze unyielding.
Lin Feng sighed, recognizing that stubborn look. “Fine, I’ll try. But if you get nabbed by the cops, I’m testifying against you in court.”
“Wait, one more thing,” Dongfang said, his tone awkward. “Your family’s loaded, right? Could you…”
Lin Feng’s face fell before he finished. “A-Cheng, don’t tell me you want me to cover Hoshino’s 168 billion debt! Even if I had that cash, we’re not a printing press. Do you even grasp how big 168 billion is?! Selling you wouldn’t cover it!”
Dongfang shook his head honestly. Numbers like that were beyond him—his monthly allowance was around 1,600, and adding a billion was uncharted territory.
“Not asking you to fill the hole. Just dig into what happened to the Hoshino family—funding chain collapse, corporate sniping, all that…” He fumbled, parroting terms he’d half-understood from Kirara.
“Oh, that’s doable.” Lin Feng relaxed. “I can pull some corporate dirt, but…”
“Hack cameras, dig up secrets, and I’m doing all the work? What’re you doing, cheering me on?”
“I… have my own plans.” Dongfang’s eyes darted away.
“No way, absolutely not!” Lin Feng shook his head like a rattle. “I’m your bro, not your errand boy!”
After haggling, threats, and Dongfang uncharacteristically pleading—“Please, this means a lot to me”—Lin Feng stood firm.
Seeing his resolve, Dongfang took a deep breath, like he was making a grave decision.
“Fine, Lin Feng,” he said, voice trembling slightly. “If you can dig up the truth about the Hoshino collapse and get those surveillance files…”
He paused, cheeks flushing, struggling to continue. “My online girlfriend… she’s, uh, really close with Magical Girl Zero. If you help, I can… try asking her to set up a date with Zero.”
“Pfft—cough cough!” Lin Feng sprayed his milk, choking, eyes wide with disbelief. “Seriously?”
“Dead serious!” Dongfang puffed out his shrunken chest, trying to sound confident. “I swear on my manhood! If I’m lying, I’ll… dress as a girl and go on a date with you!” He racked his brain for the most sincere—and self-punishing—promise.
“Deal! You know I’m your best bro. I’m ready to fight by your side!”
Lin Feng’s sudden enthusiasm earned an eye-roll. In his head, Dongfang rationalized: Men don’t date men, but as Magical Girl Zero, I’m technically a girl! Body shapes mind, so it’d be Zero dating Lin Feng, not me. Totally logical, no problem!
Still, tricking his best friend nagged at him. Fine, I’ll save some allowance and buy him that figurine he wants as compensation.
Poor Dongfang, lost in his self-justifying logic, didn’t realize Lin Feng had already seen through his scheme.
A-Cheng, I didn’t ask for this—you’re the one walking into the tiger’s den… or rather, offering yourself up!