Master of Deception System-Chapter 16: The Zhonghai Railway Station

"The admission letter?"

The staff hesitated for a moment, but ultimately nodded. "It's acceptable."

Normally, an employment certificate or driver's license would be the preferred form of identification. However, in special circumstances like this, where a promising student had lost their ID, the admission letter could indeed serve as proof of identity.

Upon hearing the word "acceptable," the "prospective college student" waiting by the window visibly relaxed.

"That's great!"

He then opened his bag and took out the admission letter along with a one-inch photo he had prepared, handing them over.

"Liuyang?" the staff member verified as she compared the photo on the admission letter with the one-inch photo and the individual standing before her. It seemed that she had found some assurance in her mind.

She nodded and pulled out a green booklet, taking a pen and asking, "ID number."

Liuyang immediately recited the "identity" number he had fabricated.

Scritch, scritch, scritch...

The staff member wrote neatly, and once she finished, she stamped the document with a seal.

The final step was completed.

An interim identification certificate, valid for purchasing and collecting tickets, was handed over through the window.

"Thank you," Liuyang expressed his gratitude to the staff behind the window and then left the office with the temporary identification certificate and his admission letter.

...

No one expected that Li Xuan would indeed choose to leave through the train station.

The most dangerous place can also be the safest.

He showed up confidently, got the temporary identification certificate, and then left the station just as confidently.

It seemed that Zhonghai could no longer hold him back.

After Li Xuan left the office for temporary identification certificates, the staff member at the window furrowed her brows.

"Why does he look a bit familiar?"

Out of curiosity, she started to investigate this "Liuyang."

Based on the ID number and public information records, there seemed to be nothing wrong with this person. However, she had an inexplicable feeling that something wasn't right.

During her spare time, she took out her phone and searched for this year's college entrance examination rankings.

She knew the university that the admission letter mentioned.

It was a prestigious university, and going to report so early meant that he must have been admitted to a top-tier major.

Based on these considerations, she began searching for Liuyang on the list.

Soon...

She found the name "Liuyang" ranked 302nd on the overall list.

"Am I overthinking?" she wondered.

Encountering numerous people from all walks of life every day, she shrugged off her suspicions for now.

...

Liuyang was, in fact, the grandson of Old Liu.

The admission letter was, of course, fake.

Li Xuan had independently handled everything, from the layout, font, printing, to stamping.

After making slight changes to his appearance and physique, Li Xuan began preparing for this plan.

Old Liu's ID was seldom used, so he didn't notice when it went missing for two days. Li Xuan utilized the ID for phone cards, bank cards, and fingerprint login at internet cafes.

He created the admission letter at an internet cafe, where the busy print shop owner didn't even notice what he was printing.

As for the seal...

With careful carving, a radish could look no different from a genuine seal.

"The Admission Letter:

Student Liuyang,

Our university has decided to admit you to the School of Mechanical and Electronic Engineering, majoring in Electronic Information Engineering.

Please arrive at our university on August 5th, and report with this letter."

"Jinling Engineering University."

The fake admission letter was flawless.

After all, Old Liu cherished the picture of the admission letter as if it were a treasure stored on his phone.

With the ID number from the household register, the photo of Old Liu set as his phone wallpaper, and the family's pride that Old Liu frequently boasted about, it wasn't difficult for Li Xuan to impersonate him.

Using this information to deceive a familiar person might be challenging, but to deceive a stranger was effortless.

To the staff member behind the window, both Li Xuan and Liuyang were strangers – service targets.

Especially for someone who had worked in this position for a long time, upon seeing any object representing identification, they would instinctively treat it as credible evidence of "Liuyang."

Li Xuan cleverly exploited the subconscious self-confirmation bias of the staff member.

Next, he proceeded with his plan.

Just like the admission letter, the temporary identification certificate was also effective for the staff at the ticket counter.

It was a matter of division of responsibility.

The ease of online ticket booking brought about such an effect...

When Li Xuan received his ticket, the staff didn't even glance at him.

...

The waiting hall was crowded and chaotic. There were still fifty-four minutes left until the train to Jinling arrived.

To Li Xuan, this was the perfect hiding spot. With the dense crowd and high fluidity of people, he easily concealed himself among them, attracting no attention.

As he walked further into the hall, Li Xuan suddenly froze.

"Liuzhen?"

He never expected to encounter Liuzhen here.

"What a small world."

Li Xuan had already deduced the reason why he might be exposed. Since Song Yang, the Deputy Director of the Education Bureau, had informed Zhong Xibei, it was unlikely that the information leaked from there. Additionally, Liuzhen's absence at the celebration banquet was a clear indication.

However, Li Xuan didn't want to stir up any trouble. He had to avoid any risks. Though they might have future interactions, today was not the day for that, especially not in this situation.

Quickly, Li Xuan passed by Liuzhen, who was busy with his phone, and went to an empty spot.

Time passed, and when there were only twenty minutes left until ticket inspection, Li Xuan's expression suddenly changed.

He silently looked up and turned his head to look behind.

Amidst the clamor, Li Xuan clearly heard something unusual.

"Inspection."

"Show your ticket and ID."

Li Xuan frowned.

"Why him?"

He hadn't expected this situation. freewёbnoνel.com

He was prepared for the inspection, but at this moment, he recognized one of the officers responsible for it - the one he had encountered at the fire exit of the Zhonghai Hotel, the officer who was waiting for him while he delivered the water.

Encountering him here was the last thing he wanted.

Though the officer hadn't seen his face clearly, if he recognized Li Xuan's voice...

The risk was too great!

Li Xuan's heartbeat accelerated. He knew that if his identity was discovered in a place like this, there would be no escape.

"What should I do...?"