Chapter 166: Special Talent Acquisition Mechanism

Director Liu had been in high spirits all day long.

Because Lu Xin had requested leave again…

When he saw Lu Xin waiting in his office early in the morning, he initially worried Lu Xin was dissatisfied with the Model Employee reward. His heart trembled, wondering if he should offer some personal compensation. Instead, Lu Xin sheepishly asked for a day off.

He approved it immediately.

Lu Xin requested one day, but the Director insisted on granting him two.

“If you don’t sort out your personal affairs, how can you focus on work?”

“We’re an efficiency-driven company, and one that practices humanized management.”

“So, unless your personal matters are settled, don’t you dare return!”

“…”

Lu Xin left with deep gratitude, boarded the intercity subway, and headed to the Guard Bureau.

Having just returned from leave only to request more time off felt inappropriate. But Han Bing had already called him. She explained that higher-ups had reviewed the field mission report, verified the details of their team’s operation, and deemed it largely accurate. The payment was now processing, and due to the substantial amount, Lu Xin needed to sign for it personally.

Arriving at the Guard Bureau, everything seemed normal. The recent chaos appeared to be a distant memory. Those reporting cases and those handling them worked methodically. The little policewoman in the lobby even asked if Lu Xin would be staying for lunch.

Lu Xin agreed, then went straight to the fourth floor to wait.

Soon, that little policewoman carried over a thick stack of documents, the pages still faintly warm with the scent of fresh ink.

They seemed freshly faxed.

Lu Xin opened the file and scanned page after page, unable to contain his excitement.

“Happy Town Exploration: Based on the significance of firsthand intelligence, designated as a Grade II Incident reward: ‘300,000’.”

“Mission Confiscation: Four motorcycles, firearms, ammunition… Equivalent to 8,000 Alliance Currency.”

“Intelligence Collection: 100,000. (Note: Due to engaging with the Ability User ‘Zhang Sihuo,’ the collected data on the opponent’s abilities proved highly valuable for unraveling the Logic Chain of Qing Harbor Satellite City No.2’s Special Pollution Incident No. 041, thus specially approved!)”

“Loss Verification Subsidy: Blackwater Town fine, ammunition expenditure verification form…”

“…”

“Huh?”

Lu Xin noticed something amiss. “Where’s the 3 million?”

“Mr. Lone Soldier.”

Just then, Han Bing’s voice emerged from the speaker beside the wall-mounted TV at the front of the conference room.

He was familiar with this setup from past training sessions.

Sounding perplexed, Lu Xin asked, “Is a portion of the payment for this mission missing?”

Actually, a very large portion.

Han Bing’s voice sounded unusually light. “That’s precisely what I need to discuss with Mr. Lone Soldier.”

“Regarding the pursuit mission against the Knights Order, there’s something I must clarify first. After the Knights Order attacked our Qing Harbor Satellite City No.2 and stole that painting, the City Defense Department’s original plan was twofold: dispatch our personnel to track them down while simultaneously reporting to The Alliance to issue a unified bounty and warrant. However, our situation is…”

“The bounty wasn’t even posted when you departed.”

“…”

Lu Xin was bewildered. “Then what?”

Han Bing continued, “As a member of the Special Clean-up Department operating under an official work assignment for this outbound pursuit…”

“According to Qinggang Special Cleanliness Department rules, this qualifies as an internally authorized Special Pursuit Operation.”

She paused briefly. “Such operations… do not include a bounty.”

“What?”

Hearing this, Lu Xin was stunned. His head jerked up sharply.

“Don’t worry.”

Han Bing’s voice, gentle and timely, sounded again. “That would be the case if we strictly followed regulations. However, upon analyzing the rules, I identified a loophole for you. Therefore, the bounty is still attainable…”

“…”

Lu Xin exhaled in immense relief. “What loophole?”

A hint of amusement seemed to color Han Bing’s reply. “According to your file, you are still technically classified as an external personnel affiliate of the Special Clean-up Department. Meaning, you are not a full-fledged, salaried staff member.”

“Consequently, the rules governing internal assignments do not bind you in this scenario.”

Lu Xin was astounded. It worked like this?

Overwhelming gratitude surged within him. “Really… thank you so much…”

“No need for thanks. As I’ve mentioned before, I’m on your side.”

Han Bing laughed cheerfully. “Let me continue explaining:”

“My discovery of this unique qualification prompted me to submit an appeal to higher management. I secured two distinct compensation pathways for you. The first option involves processing this mission as a standard bounty operation and depositing the corresponding reward into your account.”

“The second option leverages this mission as grounds to formally submit your application for full-time conversion and promotion within the Department.”

“……”.

Lu Xin instinctively wanted to choose the first option.

But after a moment’s thought, he felt he couldn’t appear too eager, so he asked, “What exactly… is the second option?”.

“It pertains to the welfare benefits within our Highwall City and the Special Clean-up Department’s Special Talent rank advancement system.”.

Han Bing spoke softly, “Since you grew up in Satellite City No. 2, you must know that those from outside The Wilderness need an adjustment period after entering a Satellite City. Before living in a Satellite City for three years, one isn’t granted formal identity status and isn’t allowed to attend school. Before residing for ten years, one cannot register a company or work in Administrative Hall departments. This is part of our system.”.

“Those who haven’t received formal resident status are internally referred to as informal residents by our regulations.”.

“Those who have lived for three years and obtained formal resident status are Tier-One Citizens.”.

“Those who have lived over ten years without any criminal offenses, permitted to register companies or work in Administrative Hall offices, are Tier-Two Citizens.”.

“……”.

“This citizen classification standard isn’t publicly disclosed, but it’s a crucial basis for Qinggang City’s stability maintenance system.”.

Han Bing paused briefly before continuing, “Regarding this system, we have many rigorous plans and multiple calculation methods.”.

“For example, residents of ordinary Satellite Cities couldn’t receive full retirement and medical subsidy benefits before residing a required period, accumulating sufficient work experience at Qinggang-registered or specially designated companies, or paying sufficient taxes.”.

“Being eligible for these benefits already qualifies one as a Tier-Three Citizen.”.

“As for Tier-Four Citizen treatment, it grants the freedom to freely enter the Main City and choose permanent residency!”.

“……”.

“Mr. Lone Soldier…”.

At this point, as if worried Lu Xin might form unfavorable associations, Han Bing gently explained:

“This system possesses a vast framework and countless branch rules. Occasionally, it may seem unfair, but its core pursues fairness and protects every individual within Qinggang. No one can override it.”.

“Perhaps, suddenly hearing it for the first time, some might feel this system makes Qinggang City unfair…”.

“But this was established from the founding of Qinggang Highwall City. Highwall City rose from its ashes amid numerous incidents—betrayal, sabotage, attacks, abandonment. The contributions and sacrifices of the earliest city builders versus those who later entered from The Wilderness were unequal. We cannot afford to grant them identical fairness and treatment.”.

“Furthermore, it proved afterward that this internal evaluation system lent greater stability to our Highwall City’s foundation.”.

“……”.

Listening to Han Bing’s detailed explanation, Lu Xin nodded slightly and said, “I know.”.

Though terms like Tier-One or Tier-Two Citizen were new to him, similar disparities weren’t unheard of.

Within Satellite Cities, everyone knew being born there differed tremendously from entering newly.

Working in a Satellite City wasn’t the same as working in the Main City.

Workers in factories subsidized by the Administrative Hall differed more drastically than those in small workshops…

He hadn’t concerned himself with it before, finding it too distant.

But colleagues at his company often joked about someday making it big and becoming important figures in the Main City.

Of course, all their efforts aimed at a wealthy, beautiful young woman from the Main City inexplicably falling for them.

…

“The system I just described applies to ordinary people. As for Ability Users, another framework exists.”.

“That is the Special Talent Recruitment Mechanism.”.

Han Bing paused, seeming to let Lu Xin digest this, then continued, “For instance, recruited Ability Users immediately enjoy Special Talent Treatment. In terms of benefits and privileges, Tier-One Talent is directly on par with Tier-Two Citizen treatment.”.

“Thereafter, based on performance and Cleanup Mission completion rate, Contribution Points are rewarded to progressively enhance benefits.”.

“Upon reaching a certain level of Contribution Points, the individual is promoted to Tier-Two Special Talent, which corresponds with Qinggang City’s Tier-Three Citizen treatment.”.

“……”.

Here, Han Bing hesitated briefly, stating: “At present, Mr. Lone Soldier has yet to formally join, so you remain outside the Special Talent system. As someone born in Satellite City No. 2, your current benefits actually align with Qinggang Tier-Two Citizen standards.”.

“……”.

Lu Xin suddenly understood the key point Han Bing intended to convey.

The issue of formal employment!

Aside from earning more compensation itself, this had always been one of his major concerns.

“So…”.

An ill omen tinged his voice as he spoke.

“Your standards for formal employment were met long ago; approval is achievable now!”.

Han Bing said softly: “But after formal employment, corresponding Contribution Points are needed to realize positional and welfare benefit promotions.”.

“Contribution Points are earned based on resolved Cleanup Missions. Every Field Duty assignment, besides the reward you’ve already received, also accumulates Contribution Points. I’ve calculated for you; currently it’s roughly around one hundred points…”.

“That’s all right…”.

Lu Xin relaxed slightly, feeling their handling was reasonable—no erasure of his past merits.

“Precisely because your upgrade is involved, I called you.”.

Han Bing’s tone grew lighter: “This pursuit of the Knights Order Outside the City was an event the Administrative Hall heavily prioritized. You executed it flawlessly. If we choose the bounty distribution route, 3 million is what you deserve.”.

“Alternatively, choosing the Contribution Point accumulation upgrade path grants you a large sum of points at once, elevating you to Tier-Two Talent.”.

“However, should you choose the Contribution Points, you would only receive internal commendations rather than the bounty.”.

“Calculating solely by internal commendations, you eliminated three Ability Users, retrieved that painting…”.

“The internal reward should amount to… around ¥700,000.”.

“……”.

“Do I have to make such a choice?”.

Lu Xin’s mouth hung agape; his head almost spun.

He suddenly felt faced with the most significant multiple-choice question of his life.

Formally join and upgrade, or formally join and claim the bounty?

…

“I have a suggestion—this is personal…”.

Han Bing spoke in a light, tender tone, seemingly understanding Lu Xin’s dilemma: “Perhaps for balance, you could claim part as the bounty to receive considerable rewards, while categorizing the remainder as an internal dispatch…”.

“This way, not only would you gain ample compensation, you’d also accumulate Contribution Points to be promoted to Tier-Two Special Talent…”.

“……”.

Hearing this proposal, Lu Xin was taken aback: “That’s even allowed?”.

“Regulations actually include no such clause… but there’s nothing forbidding it either…”.

Han Bing gave a soft laugh: “Of course, a key reason is also your outstanding task completion this time. Converting all into Contribution Points could potentially leapfrog you from Tier-One to Tier-Three Special Talent.”.

“The suggestion I offer also holds another key motive.”.

“Previously, you inquired about the ‘Second Stage.’ I’ve submitted an application upward. Regulations state that Special Clean-up Department recruits—only upon reaching Tier-Two or above—are eligible to access this level of classified information.”.

“So, what do you think…”.