Chapter 9: Shape-shifting and Disguise
Chapter 9: Shape-shifting and Disguise
That day, Bai Ge returned to his residence after exercising and practicing boxing outside, and he intended to continue studying his “Brain Hole”.
Suddenly, his phone rang, and he saw the name: Zhuang Ze.
“This little guy…” Bai Ge certainly knew him; he was the youngest of his clients, still in senior high school.
“Xiao Zhuang, are you looking for me to intimidate someone again? Forget it, last time you said it was so serious, but it turned out that a fight didn’t happen after all…” Bai Ge said.
Zhuang Ze was a spoiled rich kid who didn’t study seriously in high school and caused trouble every day. Since meeting Bai Ge, possibly because he had read too many novels, he thought Bai Ge was incredibly powerful and believed he could achieve anything.
In dealing with ordinary people, Bai Ge’s former boxing skills were completely sufficient.
After building a fearsome reputation several times, often when others saw him arrive, they felt defeated beforehand.
The previous time, during a fight, Zhuang Ze paid Bai Ge two thousand yuan to help out. Bai Ge just stood there with a cigarette in his mouth, tall and muscular, puffing out his muscles. None of the kids dared to make a move, and the opposition backed down instantly.
From then on, Zhuang Ze loved stirring up trouble even more…
To be honest, if no fight occurred, Bai Ge quite enjoyed earning that kind of money.
“Brother Bai, it’s not about fighting anymore… Don’t you know the college entrance exam is almost here?” Zhuang Ze said over the phone.
Bai Ge realized it was true; for the past two months, he had been frantically learning martial arts to strengthen himself. Without noticing… it was already June, and the exam was approaching soon.
“There are only two days left, right? Have you decided to study hard?” Bai Ge laughed.
“Study hard? Heck no! You know I never learn all that rubbish,” Zhuang Ze said, suddenly lowering his voice. “But that girl I like, she said she wants to get into Peking University…”
Bai Ge’s smile vanished, and his heart skipped a beat. “What do you mean?” he said.
Zhuang Ze paused for a moment. “I’ve decided! Brother Bai… I want to get into Peking University too!”
Bai Ge was speechless, his mouth twitching.
“What nonsense? You want to get into Peking University? All your exam scores are single digits! How can you get into Peking University? Why not just fly to the sky instead?”
Hearing Bai Ge’s blunt words, Zhuang Ze felt no shame and asserted confidently, “I sure can’t… but aren’t you here? You’re the Cleaner!”
“Cleaner” was a nickname Zhuang Ze had given him, meaning he could resolve any troublesome matter.
Bai Ge felt annoyed; Zhuang Ze genuinely regarded him as omnipotent, and it was partly his own fault for boasting too much earlier, saying there was nowhere he couldn’t go and no problem he couldn’t solve.
This was actually just a self-promoting spiel, and Zhuang Ze, being overly naive, truly believed it.
“Your family has money, right? Have your dad find a way to donate to get you into Peking University,” Bai Ge said, while thinking about how to decline the matter.
“How is that possible? Even if my father could manage it, it wouldn’t work. My father knows I can’t study well and plans to send me to business school to waste time. So if I want to go to Peking University, there’s only one option: I have to take the exam myself! Then my father will have nothing to say,” Zhuang Ze said.
Bai Ge shook his head. “Take the exam yourself? Do you think there’s any hope?”
“Hope is zero,” Zhuang Ze admitted, showing self-awareness.
“But if you could help me steal the exam papers, Brother Bai, that would change everything…”
Bai Ge was stunned and exclaimed, “You’re asking me to steal the college entrance exam papers?”
Although he had expected it, hearing the request still shocked Bai Ge.
Zhuang Ze had immense guts! And he overestimated Bai Ge far too much.
The college entrance exam papers were created in total secrecy, sealed by professionals, and secretly escorted by armed police—how could they possibly be obtained easily?
“Zhuang Ze, I won’t do this. Give it up,” Bai Ge firmly refused.
However, he said he “wouldn’t go,” not that he “couldn’t do it.”
This was his professional habit; Bai Ge never said he “couldn’t do” something. Even if he turned down a task, he always framed it as “not wanting to take it.”
But for some reason, Zhuang Ze seemed dead set on getting into Peking University this time.
“Please, Brother Bai! Twenty thousand! I’ll give you twenty thousand yuan!” Zhuang Ze pleaded.
Hearing twenty thousand, Bai Ge fell silent.
Stealing exams wasn’t as severe as stealing stock documents; for twenty thousand, he had done the latter. The offer was too attractive.
“No… I don’t need to take risks anymore, and besides, I can’t…”
Thinking this, Bai Ge still declined Zhuang Ze.
Of course, he couldn’t say aloud that he “couldn’t do it.”
“Don’t say any more. It’s not that I can’t do it; it’s futile. If even a single copy of the college exam papers were missing, or the sealing altered… they’d use backup versions, so stealing it would be pointless.”
After speaking, Bai Ge felt he had been very clever and picked up his teacup to take a sip.
But Zhuang Ze quickly followed up, “Then, Brother Bai, take the exam for me! You at least score better than I do.”
Pfft!
Bai Ge spat out his tea, thinking Zhuang Ze had gone mad.
“You’re asking me to be a substitute tester?”
Substitute testing was even more absurd than stealing papers.
If Bai Ge could have gotten into Peking University, he would have done it back then! Why bother attending police school?
Of course, after gaining Brain Hole, Bai Ge could absorb knowledge at a shocking speed. Over the past two months, he had learned much, and cramming to master exam topics was possible.
Given the chance to take the exam, he could definitely achieve a high score.
But the core issue with substitute testing wasn’t that—it was eligibility!
Bai Ge had no idea what Zhuang Ze was thinking. With their appearances being so different, would they forge exam credentials?
Even if they got past the credentials, meeting a teacher or classmate on the way, even just one, would blow their cover in seconds.
“Zhuang Ze, do us both a favor and study more! Read fewer novels! If substitute testing were so easy, the college entrance exam would have been abolished ages ago!”
Bai Ge was exasperated. For the girl he liked, Zhuang Ze had hatched truly bizarre ideas.
Yet at this point, Zhuang Ze persisted.
He said, “Please, Brother Bai, I know you have a way. In your line of work, how could you not have special tactics? Aren’t you skilled at infiltration? Can’t you change your appearance?”
Hehe…
Bai Ge was wordless.
Zhuang Ze had clearly read too many novels, thinking he was some master thief? Disguise?
“Forget it. If absolutely necessary, I’ll have to confess the truth—admit I lack the ability…”
Just as Bai Ge prepared to be honest, he suddenly froze.
He thought of his Brain Hole. Regarding disguise, it seemed the Brain Hole could actually achieve it.
Molding changes to real-world matter could be applied to reality.
In a previous mission, he had used it on a Vicious Dog corpse, effectively deceiving that household and perfectly hiding its true cause of death.
So what if he used this molding on himself?
After all, it was his own body—he couldn’t alter it recklessly—but making minor facial adjustments was harmless.
It was just shifting facial muscles slightly or relocating extra fat.
“Brother Bai? Brother Bai, say something…” Zhuang Ze urged.
Ignoring him, Bai Ge plunged into his Brain Hole and tried to reshape his own body.
Not daring to change much, he made subtle adjustments to his face while looking in a mirror.
Soon, he had made himself better-looking…
Strangers wouldn’t recognize any difference, while those familiar with him might at most assume he had minor cosmetic surgery.
“What about changing it more?”
Bai Ge focused on adjustments, starting to increase the degree of alteration.
Soon, he couldn’t even recognize himself anymore… he had completely taken on the appearance of another person.
By the time he returned to Reality, this appearance persisted; Reality wouldn’t idly change him back.
“It really works…” Bai Ge smiled. This ability allowed him to disguise himself as anyone.
“Brother Bai! My dearest brother! Don’t ignore me! How about three hundred thousand? I’ll give you three hundred thousand!” Zhuang Ze noticed Bai Ge had gone silent and actually increased his offer.
Bai Ge picked up the phone and said, “Do you even have that much money?”
Hearing Bai Ge wasn’t refusing but discussing money, Zhuang Ze breathed a sigh of relief.
“So it’s about money? You should have said so earlier! I only have two hundred thousand in savings, but if I get into Peking University on my own, my dad will be so happy, he’d agree to anything! Forget three hundred thousand, if I ask him to buy me a three-million car, he’d probably say yes! After all, I’d be making him proud! To him, that would be a great surprise!” Zhuang Ze laughed.
Bai Ge had looked into Zhuang Ze’s family—his father owned gas stations, more than a dozen of them! He also invested everywhere and was a shareholder in many enterprises, so his net worth was substantial.
“I wouldn’t do such a thing… Don’t I know you? This is just a spur-of-the-moment crush.” Bai Ge said.
Seeming to express his determination, Zhuang Ze replied seriously, “That’s nonsense; I’ve pursued her for three years, never gave up, and it’s still unrequited. Bai Ge, I truly like her. Please help me—twenty thousand in advance, and another three hundred thousand after it’s done!”
That totaled five hundred thousand! What a spendthrift!
What couldn’t you do with that much money?
But over the past two months, to focus on the Brain Hole, he hadn’t earned much, and his savings were nearly depleted; he really was short on cash.
Although he had already thought up several schemes to make money using the Brain Hole.
If he could easily earn five hundred thousand, why not take it?
Bai Ge decided to accept. He said, “Do you really love her that much?”
“Really, the thought of her getting with someone in university just…” Zhuang Ze began.
Bai Ge didn’t want to listen. He cut him off, “Ahem, then for the sake of love… I’ll help you!”
Zhuang Ze was overjoyed, “Really? Thank you, Brother Bai! So… how will you do it?”
Bai Ge replied, “Bring the money to my place!”
……
After only an hour, Zhuang Ze came running.
Bai Ge checked the time—just 11 a.m., so this kid had skipped class.
“Sigh, even if I take the exam for you, people need to believe your results. Could you at least put on an act these days and pretend to study hard?”
Panting, Zhuang Ze insisted, “Who cares if they believe it? The papers aren’t graded by our school’s teachers—just don’t get caught. Besides… I can’t fake it convincingly anyway!”
Bai Ge shook his head, “Did you come empty-handed?”
Zhuang Ze grinned and pulled out a card, “Twenty thousand. This is my saved pocket money, all in one go.”
Taking the card with the written password, Bai Ge didn’t verify it.
With regular clients, there was mutual trust; he knew Zhuang Ze wouldn’t mess around.
“Alright, you know my motto—take money, get the job done! Now that I’ve accepted your payment, I’ll definitely handle it.” Bai Ge said.
Zhuang Ze also smiled, “I trust you. When you helped me in that fight, you charged two thousand. The other side offered twice as much to make you switch sides, and you still refused. I know you’re a principled man. Principled men are capable—that’s when I started thinking of you as my big brother!”
Bai Ge waved his hand dismissively, “Enough blabber. Show me your exam admission ticket.”
Zhuang Ze produced the ticket, excitement written all over his face.
He had rushed over just to witness Bai Ge’s real skill.
Zhuang Ze, being a bit naive, often fantasized about Bai Ge, especially given his unusual profession.
Bai Ge understood this perfectly but never exposed it.
He never claimed he could or couldn’t do things.
“Brother Bai, how are you gonna pull it off?” Zhuang Ze asked eagerly.
Taking the ticket, Bai Ge headed straight for his bedroom, casually saying, “Wait for me!”
“Are you forging a fake ticket? What exactly are you doing? Brother Bai?” Zhuang Ze shouted, but Bai Ge ignored him and shut the door firmly.
Locking himself in the bedroom, Bai Ge took the ticket straight into the Brain Hole.
“Ling Dang! Record my current appearance. I need to restore it later…”
As he stood within the Universe, Bai Ge began altering his features.
Soon, he looked identical to Zhuang Ze.
It consumed some body Energy, but it was like the time he modified the dog—manageable.
“Record this appearance too.” He had Ling Dang store the data for “one-click disguises,” which were much quicker than manual tweaks; issuing an order to Ling Dang could change him back instantly.
When Bai Ge emerged from the room looking indifferent, Zhuang Ze was stunned.
“Holy shit! Brother Bai?”
Zhuang Ze flinched backward, then crept closer with shock.
Like seeing a ghost, he reached out to touch Bai Ge’s face, only for Bai Ge to slap his hand away.
The push used a tai chi technique, spinning Zhuang Ze neatly onto the sofa.
“Well, this is the shape-shifting you wanted…”
Bai Ge stood before the full-length mirror as Zhuang Ze hurriedly joined him; they stood side by side—one chubby and one lean—like twins.
Ignoring their clothes, they were identical.
Their weights differed; after lowering his height to 1.75 meters, Bai Ge had gained bulk.
But wearing the uniform would hide the muscles.
Honestly, even Zhuang Ze’s own father wouldn’t spot his real son.
“How did you do that? Amazing! Is this shape-shifting?” Zhuang Ze trembled with excitement. As a naïve youth, witnessing such magic only reinforced his wild theories based on novels!
“It’s just advanced disguise.” Bai Ge lied.
Zhuang Ze gaped, “Disguise? This is like swapping faces!”
“Oh man! Even your height changed, and… your voice too?” Voice shifted by altering the vocal cords. Zhuang Ze scrutinized Bai Ge, spotting no flaws.
He wanted to touch Bai Ge’s face but held back out of awe.
“Brother Bai, this is insane! Are you using shape-shifting and bone-shrinking techniques?”
Zhuang Ze practically offered an explanation for him. Bai Ge smiled ambiguously.
“Heh, if not for love, I wouldn’t help. Keep quiet about this, got it?” Bai Ge instructed.
“Can you teach me? Please! I’ll pay any price!” Zhuang Ze begged again.
Bai Ge refused flatly, “You’re incapable. Forget it.”
Even if willing, he couldn’t teach it—this was a derived ability from the Brain Hole.
“Brother Bai, I used to wonder if you were bullshitting, but now I see—you really are a Cleaner! Do you know martial arts? I want to be your disciple!” Innaive, he went wild with imagination.
“Stop dreaming. Be the rich heir you are.”
Bai Ge added, smirking, “Also, give me all your high school textbooks, including revision materials.”
Zhuang Ze frowned, “For cheating?”
“I don’t need to cheat; the college entrance exams aren’t hard.” Bai Ge clarified.
“Then why not just go and take it… Haha, Brother Bai, you must have some kind of cheating trick in mind…” Zhuang Ze thought: if Bai Ge was truly knowledgeable, he wouldn’t need the materials; requesting them proved he lacked certainty to score high.
After all, nobody could cram effectively two days before finals.
“You should cheat! You’ve surely got special methods…” Zhuang Ze felt cheating was smarter reliance than pure skill.
Avoiding argument, Bai Ge concluded, “Enough talk. Wait to check your scores.”