Xu Qi’an was running late to a team-building event at his company due to a client meeting. Expecting nothing more than a simple dinner, he was shocked when the boss announced that Xu would be promoted to Regional Manager for the North, assisting Manager Zhu. Though this seemed like a great opportunity, Manager Zhu was less than thrilled. Having held a deputy position for years, Zhu had hoped for a promotion himself, and the idea of being overshadowed by a newcomer infuriated him.
Zhu openly insulted Xu Qi’an, accusing him of being inexperienced and only good at flattering the higher-ups. With colleagues watching, Xu Qi’an silently grabbed a beer, making everyone think he was about to smash it over Zhu’s head. Instead, he respectfully toasted to Zhu, defusing the tension.
To lighten the mood, Chu Caiwei suggested playing a murder mystery role-playing game after dinner. The idea was met with excitement, and the awkward atmosphere dissipated. After a few rounds of drinks, Manager Zhu passed out drunk.
During the game, Xu Qi’an was assigned the role of a “Nightwatchman.” Intrigued by the intricate backstory, he was caught off guard by the twists of the game. Little did he know, when he woke up, he would find himself locked in a dim prison cell, wearing the same costume he had on during the game.
A Shocking Discovery in the Da Feng Era
The jailer called him “Xu Qi’an” and served him a bowl of rice, which he dumped out for the dogs when Xu questioned him. Struggling to connect his current situation to the role-playing game, Xu began recalling the game’s storyline. Soon, a well-dressed man introduced himself as Xu Xinnian, Xu Qi’an’s cousin. Xinnian explained that their family had been implicated because Xu Qi’an’s father lost tax silver, leading to the family’s imprisonment. Xu Qi’an would soon be exiled, and his father was set for execution in five days.
Determined to change their fate, Xu Qi’an asked Xinnian to obtain the case files. Despite initial skepticism, Xinnian agreed. Once Xu received the files, he discovered a puzzling detail: an explosion occurred near the site of the missing silver. Suspecting foul play, Xu hypothesized that there was no supernatural involvement—this was a human crime.
Xu deduced that the missing silver had been swapped for a sodium-like metal, which explodes when exposed to water. Using Chu Caiwei’s magical assistance to recreate the substance, they demonstrated the explosive reaction. This revelation cleared the Xu family of wrongdoing, and the officials hurried to report the findings to the emperor.
A Hero’s Return
The news of their innocence reached the jailer, who freed Xu Qi’an’s father, Xu Pingzhi. Overwhelmed with relief, Xu Pingzhi was surprised to learn that it was his nephew Xu Qi’an, not his son Xinnian, who had uncovered the truth. Grateful for Xu Qi’an’s efforts, the family decided to honor him, finally inviting him to dine at the family table as a token of respect.
This whirlwind episode blends mystery, humor, and suspense, setting the stage for what promises to be a thrilling series. Stay tuned for more as Xu Qi’an navigates his unexpected journey through the Da Feng era!
