Beneath the Dome, Sin within Sins - Chapter 75 - Clue

When I heard that Lu Xun was leaving, I became anxious and quickly walked over, saying, “Why don’t I join you?”

Truthfully, at this critical juncture, I didn’t know how to face Su Mo. Just this morning, we had an argument, and now I really had no idea how to confront him.

Lu Xun read my thoughts, patted my shoulder, and reassured me, “Lu-Ge, don’t worry. Director Su has already figured things out. And to be honest, this case is tough for us to handle without your help.”

After saying that, Lu Xun left with Tang Xin, leaving me standing there, unsure of what to do.

I stood there for quite a while, and in the end, I decided it might be better to leave. If Lu Xun caught sight of me and insisted on locking me up, it’d be pretty awkward.

Just as I was about to turn around and leave, I heard Su Mo’s voice: “Senior, come here for a moment.”

Even though I hadn’t seen Su Mo for just one day, he looked like he’d aged ten years.

Seeing him like this didn’t sit well with me, and after hesitating for a moment, I finally took a step toward him.

Once I was in the office, I cleared my throat and awkwardly said, “Well, I was just worried about my sister, so I came to check on her.”

“I know.” After saying this, Su Mo opened a drawer, took out an envelope, and placed it in my hand.

I froze slightly and, lowering my gaze, opened the envelope Su Mo had handed me. What I saw left me stunned-it contained two plane tickets for a flight to the United States departing tomorrow morning.

“What’s this supposed to mean?” I asked.

“Tomorrow, I’m going to report this case. After that, the province will send a medical team over. You and Che should go and take a break for a few days. By the time you’re back, the case will be resolved.”

Hearing this, I couldn’t help but frown slightly. “Resolved? Su Mo, do you really think this case is that simple?”

“Senior, I’m really exhausted. Can you please just listen to me and leave?”

“Su Mo, if this case isn’t resolved, we’ll all lose our homes. The bandaged man’s schemes are not something you can handle on your own.”

After saying this, I tore the plane tickets in my hand into shreds and extended my hand toward him. “Su Mo, let’s work together. After all, when brothers join forces, nothing is impossible.”

“Senior, why are you so stubborn?”

“It’s not about being stubborn. Do you think I’d abandon my brothers and run away on my own? That’s just not something I could ever do.”

What I said was a mix of reason and emotion. Hearing my words, Su Mo’s expression softened slightly. Just then, Lu Xun’s voice came through: “Su Mo, at this critical moment, stop with the lone hero act. With Lu-Ge’s help, solving this will be much easier.”

After Lu Xun’s words, the persistence on Su Mo’s face finally disappeared. He let out a long sigh and, somewhat helplessly, said, “Fine. Since you’ve put it this way, if I keep being stubborn, I’ll just come across as unreasonable.”

The moment Su Mo shook my hand, I couldn’t help but smile.

But before I had a chance to relax, the office door opened again. Tang Xin stepped in with a serious expression, looked at us, and said, “I think I know where the virus came from.”

Tang Xin’s words hit us like a bomb. Knowing the origin of the virus meant we could trace the source. And tracing the source meant we could quickly develop the antidote.

“Where?!” I asked eagerly.

“I’m not sure.”

Tang Xin’s next words wiped the smile off my face. How could she claim to know, then suddenly say she wasn’t sure?

“Tang Xin, are you messing with us? What’s going on?”

“Well, here’s the thing. Earlier, when I was helping Lu Che contain those mutants, I noticed a faint smell of leaves on them. It’s a scent I’ve smelled before-on my neighbor, to be exact.

My neighbor works at a small workshop. I asked him what kind of work they do there, but he said he didn’t know. He claimed he was just in charge of packaging and added that his boss was always acting all mysterious.”

Tang Xin’s revelation was definitely a breakthrough. It appeared we had a lead to follow-her neighbor.

Since Tang Xin had to stay here to assist my sister, I contacted Bigo. Bigo told me that she had just gotten off work and would head to the police station to meet us right away.

After Bigo arrived, she led us to the home of the neighbor Tang Xin had mentioned.

On the way, still unaware of the situation, Bigo told us that the neighbor hadn’t left his house for quite some time.

Hearing this, I asked curiously, “Why do you say that?”

Bigo explained that this neighbor’s work schedule was the same as hers, but starting three days ago, she hadn’t seen the neighbor leaving for work when she did.

Su Mo and I exchanged a glance at her words. With a slight frown, Su Mo asked, “So you haven’t seen him at all lately?”

“No, but there have been noises coming from inside his apartment.”

When Bigo said this, both Su Mo and I turned pale, a sense of unease creeping over me.

“How many people live there?” I asked.

“Just one. He’s single and lives alone. Actually, he once tried to pursue Tang-Jie, but she turned him down,” Bigo said, blinking mischievously, her tone playful.

Just as Bigo was about to knock on the door, I stopped her. “Bigo, go back to your room first. No matter what happens, don’t come out.”

Bigo paused and looked at me, confused. “Why?”

“Just listen and go inside,” I insisted.

Unlike Tang Xin, who would stop at nothing to get to the bottom of things, Bigo was much more obedient. She nodded and said, “Alright, but you guys be careful.”

I nodded back, and once Bigo was safely inside, I shifted my attention to the door. Swallowing nervously, I asked Su Mo, “Should we call for backup, or just go in?”

“We can’t call for backup. This is a residential building. If the armed police show up, this will blow up into a huge incident. If the public panic over this, it’ll be a disaster.”

“Then have Lu Xun send over two gas masks and a couple of protective suits. If you can, see if he can also get us a key. Whatever’s inside that apartment… it’s probably not human anymore.”

Su Mo deliberated for a moment before taking out his phone from his pocket and dialing Lu Xun’s number.