Whispers and Laughter

"Yay! We finally arrive!" Lily exclaimed joyfully, forgetting that they were surrounded by a crowd. This startled Elena, who quickly covered Lily's mouth with her hand, while Gordon could only shake his head and sigh.

The streetlights here were adorned with red lanterns, and the LCD screens on the buildings displayed cute oxen against a red background with Chinese characters written all over them. Lily explained that these were New Year greetings, but Brian and the others couldn't understand a word.

People around them were all in high spirits, with laughter and chatter filling the air. Elderly, children, and adults, both men and women, were all happily conversing.

It was snowing at the moment, so many robots were busy clearing the accumulated snow from the roads, ensuring that people and vehicles could move freely.

Janice stood by, looking at the entrance of the subway station, feeling a sense of loss deep down. Just then, Uncle Michael received a call from Hudson, asking for help in investigating the theft of secret files from TOWER. Coincidentally, Michael had apprehended Peter Justin and had to turn back to escort him back to TOWER.

She sighed, wishing Uncle Michael would join her. Without him, she felt truly lonely.

"Alright, Janice, I'll treat you to hotpot!" Lily patted Janice on the back, pulling her back from her thoughts.

"Hotpot?" Janice echoed, puzzled. Except for Lily, no one else in the group had ever eaten or seen hotpot before.

"It's where you put various ingredients into a boiling pot and cook them. It's ready in minutes and tastes best with rice. More importantly, it's best enjoyed with family and friends. It not only enhances the flavor but also strengthens relationships," Lily explained animatedly, her eyes shining with excitement.

"Let's go check it out then. Sis, where should we go?" Gordon, pushing aside a bewildered Elena, asked Lily.

"Good idea, here we go!" Lily raised her clenched left hand high, leading the group like a tour guide.

***

Hudson entered a white room, so dimly lit that he could only see his surroundings through the camera on the table in the middle. The wall on the right was actually a window disguised to look like a wall, with its camouflage so convincing that it could even deceive one's sense of touch.

Peter sat at the table, showing off his handcuffed hands as if expecting Hudson to pull out a gun at any moment.

Sitting across from Peter, Hudson placed the tablet containing the stolen files on the table, his gaze fixed intently on Peter, as if trying to read his mind.

"Why so serious? Relax, my man," Peter said, smiling kindly, but the surrounding darkness made his expression seem eerie.

"I can't," Hudson replied firmly.

"...Ok... What do you want to ask?" Peter said, crossing his legs, his expression as relaxed as his tone.

"Let's get straight to the point. Why did you steal our secret files?" Hudson asked.

"Hold on, you don't seem like a spy or a high-ranking secretary. What's the deal? Did that old lady authorize you?" Peter seemed surprised by Hudson's question.

"People are curious," Hudson shrugged.

"Haven't you heard, 'Curiosity killed the cat'?" Peter pointed at Hudson.

"But I'm not a cat."

"Neither am I."

"So, you're curious about what's in the secret files?"

"100 marks."

Hudson frowned, feeling like he had just lost control to this audacious thief. But he wasn't concerned. He quietly opened the file on the tablet, revealing Peter's profile.

"Peter Justin, is that your real name? It doesn't seem like it. Previous occupation unknown, age unknown, blood type unknown, marital status unknown, religious beliefs unknown, educational background unknown, home address unknown, fingerprints unmatchable, medical history unknown, gender unknown... Has a small Adam's apple but speaks with an old man's voice, looks like a woman... Everything is unknown."

Hudson sighed, staring blankly at Peter, who was grinning like a mischievous child.

"By the way, are you curious about what's in the stolen files?" Peter looked at Hudson intently, as if trying to see through him.

Hudson widened his eyes, wondering if Peter had already seen the contents.

"I've seen the contents. After reading it, my only thought was, 'Only you people at TOWER could come up with such nonsense!' Do you understand?" Peter guessed what Hudson was thinking and gave him a more direct answer.

"Why did you look at the contents, and why are you telling me this?" Hudson leaned on the table, holding his head in his hands. He knew that those who viewed the secret files were tracked, and they would face constant pursuit. Yet, Peter, who had presumably seen the contents, was openly declaring it!

What was this man thinking? Hudson desperately wanted to know.

"Don't worry, I know the consequences of viewing the secret files, so I won't tell you the contents... And I need you to tell the old lady that the secret files have been... burned by me," Peter said, leaning in close to Hudson as he said "burned."

Suddenly, the handcuffs that had restrained him fell off, startling Hudson. But Peter simply stretched out his hands, laughing softly before sitting back down.

"Time's up! I need to go back to my room!" Peter looked at the wall on the right, reminding the staff behind it that it was time.

Before leaving the interrogation room, Peter leaned in and whispered something in Hudson's ear, leaving him stunned.

"Game Over, wait for me, my man."

What surprised Hudson wasn't Peter's words, but his voice.

It was a woman's voice!

"I will fly away."

Then, he used the voice of a middle-aged, overweight man.

Hudson's mind was even more confused now. He didn't know how to interrogate this man, so he simply held his head in agony, continuing to sit there.

All he could do now was listen to Peter's laughter fading as he left the interrogation room.