As an agent of the Bureau, Yu Jin felt this kind of slander was completely groundless.
But when he thought about Li Ji's actions today, he hesitated again.
There was certainly nothing wrong with taking the initiative to use oneself as bait, but had they asked for old Director Chi's consent regarding this "fishing" operation?
Did old Director Chi, who was now in the psychiatric ward, even have the lucidity to make a choice?
Elder Chi held an esteemed status, and there was no room for error. If the security slipped up and an accident occurred, the blow to the Bureau and Haicheng would far outweigh any potential gains. In Yu Jin's eyes, there was absolutely no need to take such a risk.
But then again, the bigger the storm, the more expensive the fish.
Wouldn't a more prestigious identity reel in an even bigger fish?
Could the Bureau really be thinking along those lines?
Surely not?
Yu Jin caught himself with a sudden start, snapping back to his senses. Looking at her half-smiling gaze, he felt as if she was trying to shake his trust and loyalty to the Bureau.
His expression tightened slightly, and he responded with silence.
But in his heart, he thought that the Chi family's resentment toward the Bureau was rather deep.
Had they accumulated a lot of dissatisfaction during the transition of power?
Thinking of this, Yu Jin suddenly remembered the mysterious current director who had succeeded Elder Chi.
He had never seen that director in any news reports. Strangely enough, despite working as an investigator for so long, he still had no idea what his ultimate boss looked like.
Seeing Yu Jin lost in thought, the woman let out a snort and turned to continue walking, pulling the conversation back to the Bureau.
“There's nothing wrong with thinking things through. Not everyone in the Bureau is a good person. Those in high positions have different perspectives, and while their decisions might be far-sighted, once they trickle down to the lower levels, they can easily turn into disasters. Nightmare Disasters are already troublesome enough. We could do with fewer of these 'man-made disasters.'”
“...”
The more Yu Jin listened, the stranger it felt. He pondered her intent, sensing that she had a double meaning.
It sounded like the high-ranking officials of the Bureau were locked in infighting over power.
Then what did she mean by saying this to him?
Was she trying to get him to take a side?
But as a mere entry-level investigator, what side could he possibly take?
The only lines he had ever stood in were the ones at the breakfast bun shop.
He knew exactly which bun filling was the best, and that was the extent of his expertise.
The woman's pace was brisk, yet her footsteps remained completely silent. Following behind her, Yu Jin's mind raced:
While it wasn't unusual for the second generation of such a family to become Awakened, was it possible that this woman wasn't actually old Director Chi's daughter?
Could she be wearing a disguise, or merely playing a role?
Could she be Wu Xinting?
It didn't seem likely.
If Wu Xinting was a Dream Thief, there was no way he would have noticed her real appearance during her initial onboarding as an intern nurse.
Of course, it was also possible that this was her real appearance, and the one with the mole near her eye was the disguise.
However, such speculation was too flimsy, with no evidence to support it.
Considering that reality was often stranger than fiction, Yu Jin didn't dare to lower his guard. His hand never relaxed its grip on the revolver concealed beneath his coat, and red-haired Yu Jin, who trailed not far behind him, remained highly alert.
Soon, the two arrived at their destination.
The woman pushed open the door and entered. The white-haired elderly man lying in bed turned to look at her. Recognizing her immediately, he smiled with relief.
“You're here.”
The moment Yu Jin saw the white-haired elderly man, he let out a sigh of relief. He recognized old Director Chi; it was indeed the man before him.
However, compared to the commanding, tower-of-strength image that had appeared in past news reports, television, and conferences, the elderly man in the bed looked much more withered and thin.
Still, he didn't look as bad as Yu Jin had imagined. At least he seemed like a normal person.
But only seemingly so.
For anyone staying in this place, no one would dare claim to be completely sane.
The woman walked over to the bed, set down her tray, and helped old Director Chi sit up. She offered him water, administered his medicine, wiped his hands and face, adjusted the backrest, and recorded his vital signs—handling the entire process as smoothly as if she had done it countless times.
Old Director Chi cooperated in silence, anticipating the woman's movements every time by lifting his head or shifting his body. Their interactions were completely seamless, without a hint of awkwardness.
Seeing this, Yu Jin was certain that this second-generation member of the Chi family wasn't an impostor.
Her attentiveness toward her father and the innate air of authority from growing up in a powerful family were enough to verify her identity.
After completing her quick tasks, old Director Chi let out a long sigh and finally found a moment to look toward the doorway.
The woman followed his gaze and looked over as well. Her slightly teasing eyes seemed to ask Yu Jin, Have you verified my identity now?
Finding himself under the scrutiny of these two gazes, both of which carried the commanding weight of high-ranking individuals, Yu Jin felt a sudden twinge of guilt.
He felt as though he had stumbled blindly into a rather troublesome circle and heard things he shouldn't have. Originally, he was only acting in the interest of the Bureau, hoping to ensure the former director's safety.
But now, he realized that the issues weren't just external; things didn't seem peaceful internally either.
But was this really something a lowly investigator from the Post-Disaster Investigation Team should be worrying about?
Yu Jin forced a smile, thinking that since everything was normal, perhaps he should make his exit.
But before he could come up with a way to slip away, the woman introduced him to Elder Chi first:
“This is Yu Jin, a subordinate of Mei Yu from the Post-Disaster Investigation Team.”
Elder Chi certainly didn't know Yu Jin, but he nodded upon hearing the name Mei Yu.
“Ah, one of Xiao Mei's people. Why did Xiao Mei get transferred to the Post-Disaster Investigation Team?”
The woman didn't stop her work. Preparing the injection, she drew the fluid into the syringe and replied:
“Her entire family died. We had to keep at least one of them alive. You older folks are just too stubborn. You work yourselves to the bone and never listen to a word anyone says.”
Hearing this, Elder Chi's expression turned stern:
“As agents of the Bureau, if we do not risk our lives, how can we protect our families and defend our city? The oath we took under the Monument of Dawn is no joke! Once you join the Special Response Team, you must have the resolve to sacrifice yourself.”
The woman nodded in agreement, though it was clear she was just humoring him.
“Yes, yes, protect our families and defend our city. But if the family is gone, what is left to protect?”
“Absurd nonsense!”
Elder Chi slapped the bedboard in agitation and said righteously:
“The Bureau protects the greater good, not individual families! It is true that the Bureau failed those who lost their families, but it is precisely because countless individual families were sacrificed that the survival of Haicheng's greater collective can continue today! As a...”
“Alright, alright, you're right, you're absolutely right. Let's not talk about this. Let's talk about Yu Jin instead. He's a fresh face.”
“?”
Talk about failing at the final hurdle!
Yu Jin, who had been just half a step away from slipping out, froze on the spot. Under the woman's half-smiling gaze and old Director Chi's searching look, he managed to squeeze out a stiff smile.
Elder Chi's thoughts didn't seem fully coherent. In a split second, he forgot about his righteous indignation from a moment ago. His gaze softened, and he sized Yu Jin up with his weathered eyes before asking with a smile:
“Are you Shanshan's friend?”
Who was Shanshan?
Yu Jin was taken aback. Then, he saw the woman by the bed pointing at herself with the syringe, silently mouthing the word:
“Me.”
Her name was Chi Shanshan?
Before Yu Jin could even process this, Elder Chi waved him over:
“Come inside and take a seat. Why are you standing so far away? Don't be afraid of me. Since you are Shanshan's friend, just call me Uncle. I had a child late in life, and Shanshan is my only daughter. They say a ten-year difference makes a generation gap, so there are probably several generation gaps between us. I was always busy, so she needs friends like you to keep her company and talk to her so she doesn't get too lonely. Today, let's forget about official ranks and just speak as family. Come, come sit by Uncle.”
“...”
Good news: the grandfather-figure had become an uncle, giving him a generational promotion.
Bad news: he couldn't leave anymore.
Standing at the doorway, Yu Jin was caught in a highly awkward spot, unable to leave and reluctant to stay. Seeing Yu Jin hesitate, Elder Chi's brow furrowed, radiating a natural aura of authority without even being angry:
“What, are you also going to keep your distance from Shanshan because of her family background?”
“...”
No, old man, how could you just throw baseless accusations around like that!
When did I ever keep my distance from her?
I don't even know her!
Utterly helpless, Yu Jin looked at the woman by the bed. Watching her depress the syringe plunger into the old man's arm, he cleared his throat twice and said:
“Since old Director Chi needs to...”
“Call me Uncle!” Elder Chi corrected sternly.
“...”
“Since old Direc... Uncle still needs to undergo treatment, I should probably come back next time. Yes, next time.”
With that, Yu Jin turned, intending to bolt.
However, before he could even complete the turn, he discovered that his feet seemed to be pinned to the floor by an invisible, colossal force. He couldn't budge at all.
Struck with horror, he whipped his head around to look at Chi Shanshan by the bed, only to hear her say with a half-smile:
“Who do you think he is? The kind-hearted Mei Yu of the Post-Disaster Investigation Team, whom you can easily brush off with a few excuses without any consequences? Or just a sick, senile old man with psychiatric issues who doesn't know what he's doing and is just waiting to die?”
“...”
Hearing this, Yu Jin's heart leaped into his throat. He stealthily glanced at old Director Chi, only to find that the old man showed absolutely no reaction to these comments. He was still waving him over.
His lips twitched. He suddenly felt like adding one more description to that list in his mind:
A silent old father who allowed his daughter to mouth off right in front of him without talking back, only knowing how to 'bully' an innocent agent.
Chi Shanshan wasn't finished.
“He was once the Director of the Bureau. Here's a fun fact for you: up until now, not a single director of the Haicheng Bureau has been anyone other than a Dreamwalker. Since the old man doesn't want you to leave, how could you, a mere clerk, possibly walk out of here? Unless...”
With that, Chi Shanshan cast a meaningful glance at the white wall beside Yu Jin. There was absolutely no one in that spot.
Yet, Yu Jin was drenched in cold sweat.
Because in another ward right across the corridor, red-haired Yu Jin was pressed against the door, warily monitoring the surroundings.
The straight line connecting his position and Chi Shanshan's gaze passed exactly through the spot where her eyes had landed!
“!!!”
Had he been discovered!?
...
Rate on N.U.
