Chapter 165: Work Report
Chapter 165: Work Report
Although Lu Xin had returned to work at the company, he found that there wasn’t much for him to do.
The project he was responsible for had already been handled very well by Brother Zhang and Sister Sun; he had fallen quite behind, and even though he could catch up quickly, barging in while they worked steadily could easily disrupt their rhythm.
As a leader, micromanaging subordinate employees was a major taboo in the workplace.
Lu Xin understood this principle very well.
By not interfering with his subordinates’ work and getting along with colleagues, he could build good relations, but their enthusiasm made him somewhat uncomfortable.
Now, wherever he went, colleagues were very friendly: they let him fetch water first, gave him the lead in grabbing boxed meals, asked him first when discussing female colleagues, and even offered him cigarettes first while praising his Zippo as attractive.
However, Lu Xin disliked this sense of timidity mixed with their enthusiasm.
He didn’t like how colleagues seemed to avoid him, so he simply tried to avoid them as much as possible.
Having nothing better to do, he started considering how to write his work report.
Chen Jing had granted him a three-day leave, meaning he needed to submit the work report after those three days.
This was indeed a headache: carrying out the task had been straightforward, but scrambling to write the report was the hardest part.
After thinking it over carefully, Lu Xin felt it was necessary to distinguish what could be said from what couldn’t be.
The report was for the leader to see, whether it was a work report or a task report.
And what was shown to the leader needed to be truthful.
So he began along these lines: he and Gecko started by leaving the city, tracking the Knights Order to Blackwater Town; in Blackwater Town, they captured Chen Zhong, a Puppet-Type Ability User of the Knights Order; then, by interrogating Chen Zhong, they uncovered clues about Qin Ran’s hiding place.
Next, to pursue Qin Ran, they entered Happy Town.
Because the other party resisted vigorously, Lu Xin had no choice but to eliminate him, while also alarming the Queen of the small town.
That Queen was terrifying but very reasonable, so in the end, he retrieved the briefcase and escaped unscathed.
Done!
Lu Xin was very satisfied with this work report!
The report’s focus emphasized the outcome, mainly stating what he had done.
As for the detailed process, Lu Xin felt it wasn’t very important, so he skimmed over it briefly.
It wasn’t like writing a novel!
When writing monthly work summaries, he wouldn’t detail how he pretended humility in front of clients either.
The company’s leader had stressed many times in meetings that he only wanted the results!
After spending a little over a day, Lu Xin wrote out a detailed work report and sent it first to Han Bing.
Han Bing had already mentioned earlier that he could show her the work report first, and she would offer advice.
On the computer connected to Highwall City’s LAN, he emailed it to Han Bing; shortly after, Han Bing called back, her voice soft and gentle, “I’ve already looked at your report. I didn’t expect you to write it so quickly, and it’s quite detailed…”
Lu Xin was actually a bit uneasy and hastily asked, “How is it?”
“It’s very well done!”
Han Bing praised him sincerely, “I’ll help you polish it a bit more before submitting it.”
“Great, great, thank you…”
Lu Xin sighed in relief and, before Han Bing could say “no trouble,” preempted her, “But I have one more thing…”
Han Bing quickly replied, “Go ahead, I’m listening.”
Lu Xin nodded and, seeing no other colleagues near the stairwell, whispered softly, “Do you know about ‘Second Stage’?”
“Second Stage?”
Han Bing paused slightly, “Is it the Second Stage for Ability Users?”
Lu Xin nodded, “It should be.”
Han Bing fell silent for a while, as if flipping through materials; then her voice resumed, very calmly.
“I know about this concept; it’s part of ability development research.”
“But I only know the term. The specific description and explanation have a high confidentiality level, so with my current authority, I can’t directly access it. However, if Mr. Lone Soldier wants to learn more, I’ll apply as soon as possible.”
…
“This little girl is simply too good…”
Lu Xin reflected inwardly, then said, “Thank you, but no need to rush—I’ll wait for your call.”
“Don’t be so polite; it’s all what I should do…”
“Still need to thank…”
“…”
After hanging up the phone, Lu Xin breathed a sigh of relief. Now he could truly relax.
The mission report had been submitted. All that remained was waiting for the corresponding payment to be approved, and then for Han Bing to tell him about the concept of the “Second Stage.” To be honest, he had seen this term once before in earlier documents, but it hadn’t been explained in detail.
Originally, Lu Xin hadn’t paid it much mind. But now, he needed to understand it.
Figuring out exactly what had happened to him had always been a wish of his.
So, he was genuinely curious about that “Document 003.”
However, Mother rarely asked anything of him. Since she’d said she wanted him to wait until the Second Stage to look into it, that’s what he would do.
Only, if his abilities allowed it, he’d just like to reach it sooner.
…
…
“He asked about the concept of the Second Stage?”
However, Lu Xin didn’t know what kind of tension was building elsewhere just as he was beginning to unwind.
In Professor Bai’s office at the Qing Harbor Main City Research Institute, Chen Jing, acting as his assistant, was helping handle his research matters. On a nearby screen was the stern face of Minister Shen – judging by the background, he seemed to be inspecting something outside the city.
An open conference line connected them to Mr. Su, who was also very concerned about the matter.
“Yes.”
Chen Jing nodded. “The specific details of the Second Stage hold a high classification level, but the concept itself isn’t secret.”
“Many people in the Special Clean-up Department are aware of it, so it’s only natural he might hear about it.”
“…”
“The key isn’t whether he knows about the concept, but for us to discern his true intentions.”
Minister Shen stated gravely, “I’ve reviewed his mission report. What a slick operator. He meticulously recorded every single thing he did, even trivial details like firing three shots in Blackwater Town and paying a three-thousand yuan fine…”
“Writing it out that minutely… was he worried we wouldn’t even believe that?”
“Hmph. He’s incredibly clear about the minor events, but concerning how he actually accomplished anything? Barely a word.”
“For instance, regarding the withdrawal from Happy Town, he simply stated that the awakened mysterious entity codenamed ‘Queen’ woke up, and then he got out…”
“What? Does he want us to believe that mysterious entity is friendly and you can just talk your way out safely?”
“…”
He grew increasingly dissatisfied as he spoke, simmering with an anger that bordered on dark amusement.
As a military man, this was the least professional mission report he had ever read.
“He’s only willing to tell us what he can do, but not the specific reasons behind it…”
Minister Shen finally summarized, “He is definitely withholding a great deal!”
“Anyone could see that.”
Professor Bai looked up at that moment, gazing into the camera with a smile. “Have you read Gecko’s submitted report?”
“Yes, I have.”
Minister Shen nodded. “‘Asked questions but claimed to know nothing’ and ‘submitted expenses that were wilder than Lone Soldier’s.'”
Professor Bai chuckled. “What does that indicate?”
Minister Shen frowned. “That he’s not trustworthy?”
“No!”
Professor Bai shook his head. “It indicates they both harbor reservations.”
Without waiting for Minister Shen’s reply, he explained further with a smile, “In this world after the Cataclysm, possessing abilities that set them apart from ordinary people fosters a certain wariness. This wariness itself is reasonable. It’s also evidence that they are fundamentally like us. After all, our eagerness to understand them and their reluctance to be understood share the same root.”
Minister Shen frowned slightly, offering no response.
However, Mr. Su’s voice came through the phone line, laughing quietly, “Well said, Brother Bai…”
Then, with a note of confusion, he asked, “So you believe we can trust him?”
“Trust or distrust is not solely the point!”
Professor Bai smiled, glancing at Chen Jing. “I don’t have a gambler’s mindset; I don’t impulsively stake everything on a bet.”
“What we need to realize is this: no one in this world truly has absolute faith in another. Yet, survival requires cooperation. Hence, rules are born. Rules exist precisely to provide a foundation upon which we can tentatively place that faith.”
“…”
On the video screen, Minister Shen’s brow furrowed more deeply.
Mr. Su’s voice also fell silent for a moment before asking, “So, Professor Bai, your meaning is…?”
“Follow the rules!”
Professor Bai stated simply. “After reviewing this report, combined with his previous actions, my assessment of Lone Soldier has shifted somewhat. He appears willing to abide by the rules. For instance, paying a fine for firing shots in Blackwater Town… To be frank, in this post-Cataclysm world, an Ability User who respects the rules is a boon to ordinary folk. It’s practically cause to cork champagne…”
“And for someone willing to honor the rules…”
Professor Bai paused briefly here. “…the most dangerous thing you can give them is privilege!”
“Lone Soldier possesses the leverage to demand privilege from us. Yet, he hasn’t. And the course we must absolutely avoid…”
His tone became more serious as he faced the camera, “…is extending privilege to him!”
…
…
Mr. Su’s voice resonated through the phone speaker: “So… handle everything strictly by the rules?”
Professor Bai nodded. “Strictly by the rules.”
Minister Shen didn’t object either, though after a considerable pause, he asked, “And regarding the Second Stage matter…?”
“Also, strictly by the rules!”
Professor Bai’s smile returned. “My proposal is: Don’t refuse him outright, but don’t circumvent procedures to grant him immediate access.”
“After all, both refusal and granting a special exemption constitute bestowing privilege – both are deviations from the established rules.”
“…”
Professor Bai’s words left Chen Jing in the office, Minister Shen on the screen, and Mr. Su on the phone equally astonished. They understood each word individually, yet the logic seemed subtly contradictory at a core level.
It took Minister Shen a while to respond softly, “So… if he truly meets the requirements… we allow him to proceed to the Second Stage?”
“If the rules permit it, of course we agree.”
Professor Bai’s brows pinched momentarily before smoothing. “Why establish rules at all otherwise?”