Su Fan listened quietly as Sheriff Dyson talked about the political turmoil, and poured him a bit more tea.
“Before I was promoted to sheriff, I never imagined the city government could be this chaotic on the inside.”
At this point, Sheriff Dyson couldn’t help but let out a sigh.
“This political storm isn’t just about one city councilman.”
“His son’s in prison, his wife died tragically—the guy seems convinced someone’s out to get him. In his panic, he named quite a few people.”
“I don’t know the specifics, but you know how it is—in situations like this, the higher-ups are all watching their backs, and it’s got those of us below feeling on edge too.”
“Lately, the chief’s been nitpicking over every little thing. I really don’t know when days like this will end.”
He had barely finished complaining when he heard Su Fan speak.
“Is that so? Well, I’d say it won’t be long now.”
“What do you mean?”
Dyson didn’t quite catch on.
“That councilman will meet an untimely end in the next few days. When that happens, everything will settle down.”
“That—that seems a bit far-fetched…”
Su Fan’s words seemed to wake Sheriff Dyson up. The latter’s expression was one of disbelief.
Of course it was far-fetched—but true nonetheless.
Su Fan didn’t bother explaining in detail to Dyson. The latter, of course, couldn’t admit it out loud, but in his heart, he knew this prediction would most likely come true.
What he didn’t know was that bizarre political incidents had always existed—it was just that very few people ever heard about them.
A typical example was the legendary Lolita Island.
After investigating for so long without any results, the reason it eventually came to light wasn’t due to the efforts of investigators, but rather the outcome of partisan infighting.
The mastermind behind it was a household-name billionaire, and even he still “committed suicide” in prison.
The Armitage family’s public supporter was that councilman, but the guy was probably just playing the role of a front man—there had to be someone higher up pulling the strings behind the scenes.
Killing off that city councilman was easy enough, but this political scandal wouldn’t be so easy to make disappear.
When necessary, it could drag them straight into the abyss.
No doubt the big political figures behind the scenes were currently tossing and turning in bed, unable to sleep, because their leverage had fallen into someone else’s hands.
Of course, apart from the black hands involved in the case, the Sheriff Dyson standing before Su Fan now had a hint of worry on his face.
“So, the recent turmoil really is connected to that matter you had me investigate before, isn’t it?”
“They won’t trace it back to you, will they?”
Before him, Su Fan smiled slightly.
“How could they?”
“Maybe they just did too many bad things and got what was coming to them.”
“Is that so? Well, thank goodness they got what was coming to them. Otherwise, there really wouldn’t be any way to bring them to justice.”
Sheriff Dyson’s tone was meaningful.
Both sides understood each other without needing to say more.
“By the way, that travel voucher I gave you last time—have you used it yet?”
Sheriff Dyson suddenly remembered his earlier gift.
“Ever since you went to New Orleans, you haven’t had much free time. If you’re going to use it, now would be a good time.”
“It expires at the end of this year.”
“Sometimes you’ve just got to give yourself a break, don’t you think?”
Hearing this, Su Fan was slightly taken aback, then gave a small nod.
“I understand.”
After the detective left, Su Fan watched the bustling street outside and felt a bit dazed.
It was already mid-December. Before he knew it, another year was about to pass.
“Gong Xi Fa Cai” hadn’t appeared yet, and “Good Luck Comes” wasn’t well known.
But there was one song that had already quietly conquered the streets and alleys of America.
“I don’t want a lot for Christmas~~”
“There is just one thing I need~~”
The familiar melody played by his ears. After so many years, Su Fan once again felt the power of this “Christmas Will Kill You.”
Compared to the Lunar New Year, Christmas came earlier.
Western countries had already begun bustling with preparations for Christmas celebrations.
Christmas trees of all sizes had quietly appeared in supermarkets and department stores.
Decorative colored lights hung from streetlamps as well.
The already crowded Walk of Fame now had even more people strolling about in pairs and groups.
Su Fan looked through the shop window at the scene outside, and suddenly found himself agreeing with what the detective had said.
He was right. It really was time to give himself a vacation.
Su Fan fished out the travel voucher Dyson had mentioned earlier from under the counter.
Just then, his phone suddenly rang.
When he answered, he heard a female voice he hadn’t heard in a long time.
“Hello, Mr. Su Fan. I apologize for calling out of the blue.”
“Rachel?”
On the other end, Rachel was slightly taken aback.
“I didn’t expect you to remember me. I’m truly flattered.”
“I just have a good memory, that’s all.”
“This call isn’t about Anne—it’s about something that TV station asked me to discuss with you.”
Rachel knew Su Fan was a straightforward person who didn’t like beating around the bush, so she got straight to the point.
The TV station he had previously worked with on the antique appraisal show seemed to be planning a wilderness survival program.
To make it more interesting, the production team had invited people from all sorts of different professions to compete.
“Because of your outstanding performance on the antique appraisal show, they sent you an invitation.”
As a professional agent, Rachel of course wouldn’t just be a mindless messenger.
Before notifying Su Fan, she had done thorough homework and carefully inquired about the program’s safety measures.
These included, but were not limited to: before filming began, dedicated personnel would lead the contestants through basic survival training.
Photographers and a professional medical team would follow them twenty-four hours a day to ensure immediate rescue if needed.
“I’ve confirmed it—the contestants’ health conditions are monitored at all times. If any problem arises, they’re immediately withdrawn from the competition.”
Rachel explained.
“The staffing, the equipment sources, and the filming environment—there are no issues with any of them. That’s why I came to ask for your opinion, Su.”
After hearing it all, Su Fan couldn’t help but nod.
She really was a professional agent—able to investigate even the smallest details.
But unfortunately, Su Fan had no intention of going on the show this time.
“Thank you for everything you’ve done, Rachel. But unfortunately, I’m not interested in survival reality shows.”
He had gone on the antique appraisal show earlier to build name recognition and save the antique shop’s business.
Su Fan himself wasn’t a person from the entertainment industry, nor did he have any plans to develop in that direction. Now that he had two sources of income—exorcism and the antique trade—there was no need to earn that kind of money from being in the public eye.
What he wanted to do now was go on a vacation.
“Alright, I fully understand your meaning, Su. I’ll pass it along to the production team.”
Rachel on the other end agreed readily. After a brief goodbye with Su Fan, she hung up.
