Chapter 13: Work Initiative
Chapter 13: Work Initiative
Lu Xin carefully considered it. Calling the police to contact the Guard Bureau over such a matter seemed inappropriate.
And using his gun was completely out of the question; he wasn’t a maniac.
Seemingly, only the second option remained. However, Lu Xin still felt a bit worried. Although Chen Jing had spoken very earnestly at the time, was it really appropriate to bother the boss of his other job over issues with this one?
But after pondering for a while, he couldn’t think of any other solution. So he could only find that single number and dial it.
“What happened?”
The call was picked up after just two rings.
Chen Jing’s voice on the other end was clear, calm, yet strangely tense.
“Um, Colonel Chen, sorry to disturb you…”
Lu Xin spoke as politely as possible, “It’s mainly that I’ve run into a bit of a problem here.”
“What problem?”
Lu Xin heard faint noises, as if countless people suddenly stopped their work, plunging everything into extreme silence.
He was involuntarily made nervous by the atmosphere. He hastened to explain, “It’s like this, because I clock out on time every day and then go patrol the streets… I really don’t leave early; I finish my work and leave on schedule… now the company suddenly wants to fire me…”
Dead silence reigned on the other end of the phone.
After a moment, Chen Jing’s voice came through: “Patrol?”
“Yes.”
Lu Xin elaborated, “Checking the streets for those Psychic Entities, being cautious. Honestly, I haven’t used any work time for it; I do it after clocking out. Really. But the company still fired me. The Director wants to give my position to someone else…”
Her voice sounded either relaxed or resigned: “That’s why you’re calling me?”
Lu Xin answered cautiously, “…Yes.”
Chen Jing seemed to have a lot she wanted to say but ultimately only slowly let out a sigh and said, “Then, wait a moment.”
Since she asked him to wait, that probably meant it could be handled?
Lu Xin had no choice but to wait patiently downstairs, smoking silently, waiting for the Satellite Phone to ring again.
“Let me turn them into toys, okay?”
His Little Sister appeared beside him at some point. She was crawling anxiously around him, her body seeming even more twisted than usual. Her hair hung down, covering most of her eyes, making the visible ones appear increasingly bright. Looking at Lu Xin with excitement, she said, “Big Brother, they actually dare to bully you? Shouldn’t we just kill them all?”
“Mother would definitely be happy to help with this…”
“Father might help you too…”
“…”
Passersby were nearby just then. Lu Xin had to pretend not to see his Little Sister, turning instead to look at the legs of a woman walking by.
After waiting about another minute, Lu Xin suddenly saw the Director hurriedly emerge from the stairwell. Behind him followed two flustered figures. The Director, wiping sweat from his brow, rushed down the stairs. He spotted Lu Xin immediately, crouched by the roadside smoking, and hurriedly rushed up to him, grasping his hand:
“Goodness me, Little Lu, why didn’t you say so earlier?”
Lu Xin didn’t know what the Director was referring to. He just let his hand be held.
“Since you know the Director Liu from the Main City’s Bogu Tech, why didn’t you tell me?”
Lu Xin still didn’t know what to say, because he didn’t know any Director Liu.
Seeing Lu Xin remain silent, the Director seemed somewhat uneasy. He forced a smile, “Director Liu just called. He said he very much appreciates your work ethic and is planning to award us one of their material transportation projects, specifying that you should be in charge. The Chairman called me directly. Look at this silly misunderstanding, haha! Come back to work, alright? After work, I’ll treat you to dinner…”
Lu Xin still didn’t know what to say, but he knew his job was safe now.
At that moment, the two young people who had followed the Director down stepped forward. One of them, wearing a pearl-blouse with a displeased expression, was the Director’s daughter, Xiaoqing. Because her eyes always looked down from above, and she bossed people around imperiously in the Office, everyone secretly called her “Princess Xiaoqing.” The other was Lv Cheng, who often pestered Lu Xin to teach him things.
Lv Cheng also wore an apologetic smile, shaking Lu Xin’s hand, “Brother Lu, I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean to take your job…”
“It’s fine, it’s fine…”
Lu Xin quickly pulled his hand back, “I understand. In these times, life is tough for everyone.”
Lv Cheng hadn’t expected Lu Xin to be so magnanimous. His eyes lit up, “Brother Lu, can I join you on this new project?”
Lu Xin looked at him.
Judging by the Director’s reaction, this new project must be quite substantial. If successful, the bonus should be significant too.
So he answered seriously, “No.”
Lv Cheng’s smile instantly froze on his face.
Nearby, Princess Xiaoqing seemed about to throw a tantrum, but unsure of Lu Xin’s backing now, she just rolled her eyes and kept quiet.
He’s connected to the Main City… his background is deep…
Only after Lu Xin repeatedly promised he would return to work soon did the Director, still wiping sweat, tremblingly lead his daughter and Lv Cheng back to the company. Just then, his Satellite Phone rang, perfectly timed.
Chen Jing’s voice came through the phone: “Problem solved?”
Lu Xin nodded, then remembering she couldn’t see, added, “Solved.”
“Good!”
Chen Jing paused for a moment before continuing, “You’ve already been recruited by us, you receive adequate support. Why are you still doing this job?”
Lu Xin answered quietly, “Your rules didn’t say I couldn’t have another job…”
Chen Jing was silent briefly, then suddenly asked, “Why do you patrol?”
Lu Xin was baffled by the question: “Isn’t that what you pay me to do?”
Chen Jing seemed to sigh; Lu Xin sensed annoyance.
“Since your work ethic is so strong, it happens there’s a matter requiring your attention.”
There were faint noises on the other end, as if she was muffling the receiver and asking someone for something. After a moment, her voice resumed:
“I just instructed a subsidiary of Bogu Tech to provide your company with a business opportunity regarding material transportation. Seize this chance to make contact with Mr. Qin Ran, the owner of the Sifang Transportation Company.”
“Find out if there are any issues on his end and report back to me promptly…”
Hearing Chen Jing directly assign a new task, Lu Xin was both surprised and rather pleased.
The boss is giving me work! That’s good news!
He quickly asked, “What kind of issues?”
Chen Jing responded over the phone, “The Intelligence Gathering Unit indicates that recently, at least seven or eight murders are linked to his Sifang Transportation Company. So, I need you to go and see if these cases are simply murders… or something else.”
“Seven or eight lives?”
Lu Xin was slightly startled, “What if they are murders?”
Chen Jing stated, “If it’s just murder, then we can be relieved. You can just return immediately…”
She paused briefly before adding, “But if it’s something else, report it instantly!”
“You’d be relieved if it’s just murders?”
Lu Xin was stunned for a second before grasping the implication behind her words. An absurd feeling washed over him.
To those dealing with Contamination, are seven or eight homicides considered minor now?
After a pause, he inquired cautiously, “Is it dangerous?”
Chen Jing said, “Yes. Dangerous whether it’s murder or infection. But that’s for ordinary people.”
“With your abilities, you should be able to handle it.”
Regarding this, a hint of amusement suddenly entered her voice, “Regardless of the outcome, there will be compensation.”
Lu Xin agreed.
A short while later, he returned to the company. He saw all his belongings had been put back in place, including the commendation banner.
Those around him, including Sister Sun, were sneaking glances at him before hurriedly pretending to be busy.
Lu Xin sat for a moment, then walked over to Lv Cheng’s isolated cubicle.
Facing Lv Cheng’s now-nervous eyes, Lu Xin said:
“I’ve thought about it. This project could use your help after all.”