Chapter 70: Headquarters Regulations

Seeing that Lu Xin had heard the specific payment and seemed tempted, even planning to file an application, the plump man was somewhat surprised.

However, he didn’t stop him; he just smiled and waited on the side.

Lu Xin considered for a moment, took out the satellite phone, and dialed Han Bing.

After undergoing training for a while now, he knew that Chen Jing held a high position, one even more significant within the Main City.

Previously, she had dealt with him quite a bit because she was responsible for his recruitment and his initial assessment phase. But in fact, once the work formally began, Han Bing, who he frequently spoke to, was really in charge of liaising with him in this regard.

Another reason was that Han Bing always seemed easier to deal with, no matter what.

Chen Jing… that was the top boss.

You couldn’t bother the top boss with every little thing.

…Especially smaller matters that didn’t seem entirely above board.

….

“Theoretically, Headquarters doesn’t actually prohibit these kinds of private commissions. Of course, it doesn’t encourage them either,” Han Bing explained gently to Lu Xin after receiving his call. “But because of some complex reasons, there are indeed people who understand the existence of Special Contamination and know its dangers, yet, due to various concerns, would rather hire Ability Users themselves or resolve things through other methods instead of going directly to the Special Contaminant Cleanup Division.”

“If we refused, it might actually lead to them simply hiding such incidents, brewing bigger trouble.”

“So, Headquarters’ stance is that members of the Special Operations Group are permitted to accept commissions when encountering similar situations.”

“There are just a few points to note, however:”

“First, estimate the time needed to handle the commission in advance, and it’s best to note the approximate location too. This avoids clashes with Headquarters’ operations during the private commission. Also, if anything goes awry during the private commission, it makes it easier for Headquarters to understand the whole picture.”

“Second, regardless of whether the client agrees or not, Headquarters will record such cases.”

“Even if they want a Non-Disclosure Agreement, we’ll at most anonymize their real identities and record them anonymously.”

“Third, after resolving such private commissions, you should assess any residual risks. If the situation isn’t truly resolved, or you suspect hidden potential complications brewing, you must deal with it promptly or report it to Headquarters…”

……

Lu Xin already felt quite good upon hearing her confirmation.

Then, he listened carefully to Han Bing’s points and smiled. “Alright, I understand. Sorry to trouble you so late.”

Han Bing replied gently, “It’s no trouble. This is your trust in me.”

“I’ve inconvenienced you…”

“It’s not inconvenient, this is my job…”

“Still, thank you…”

“I should be the one thanking you for trusting me…”

……

After the usual pleasantries, the call ended.

Since this was a private commission, Lu Xin felt it inappropriate to request Han Bing remain connected and provide information support as if it were an official task. So, after hanging up, he looked at the plump middle-aged man and said, “I can go take a look at the situation you mentioned. However, I’m afraid I won’t be able to fully hide it from Headquarters… You understand, right?”

The plump man smiled upon hearing this. “That’s fine. It’s ultimately recorded anonymously, right?”

Seeing he even knew this detail, Lu Xin was finally convinced that this plump man before him genuinely understood the Special Contaminant Cleanup Division well. After all, even he himself was finding out about this commission format just now… and the offered payment was surprisingly high!

“Then…”

He asked his most pressing question: “When?”

The plump man retrieved a document from his briefcase and handed it to Lu Xin, smiling. “We can arrange a meeting tomorrow.”

Lu Xin took the document. Pulling it out, he saw some typed clauses regarding payment, a Non-Disclosure Agreement, and such. It was fairly simple, with a place for his signature at the bottom. Farther down, written in ballpoint pen, were an address and contact number. This document gave the impression that the commissioning company was indeed quite professional.

After the Crimson Moon Incident, even following a period of chaos and disorder, the surviving people, whether within the Highwall City or out in The Wilderness, had largely come to place great importance on things like contracts, promises, and oaths.

It was a strange, yet widespread phenomenon.

Even back in the Red Moon Kindergarten during his childhood, the Old Dean had said that there used to be laws back in the day, yet people didn’t value them; now, surprisingly, they did.

….

“If it’s tomorrow, let’s tentatively set it for evening then!”

Lu Xin didn’t commit immediately. “If I suddenly get work called in for Headquarters, I’ll need to postpone the time. If not, I can go after I get off work at six in the evening. I can sign this contract then, would that be alright?”

“Okay!”

The plump man readily agreed, smiling. “Tomorrow at six, I’ll arrange a car to pick you up at the Guard Bureau entrance.”

After setting the time, the plump man rubbed his right hand, smiled, stretched it out, and offered it to shake.

Lu Xin, however, declined it this time. He just smiled and waved him off.

….

Returning to the Guard Bureau the next day, Lu Xin felt a little flicker of anticipation.

He still didn’t know what kind of task it was that had prompted such efforts, leading to a commission landing in the hands of a novice like him, who’d only just started dealing with Special Contamination Sources. Never having undertaken such a task, he was even less sure if he could handle it.

But none of that really mattered.

What mattered was that this private commission offered payment of ten thousand Alliance Currency even if he couldn’t cure it. That was simply astonishing.

Strangely, compared to the hundred thousand for fully completing the task, Lu Xin found himself more inexplicably drawn to that ten thousand…

…Hard to say what that said about his state of mind.

His good mood likely colored his perception; walking down the street, he noticed many more couples around.

Some were kissing by the roadside, others strolled arm-in-arm into shops, and some were arguing in alleyways, adding splashes of life to the city.

It was another routine day of training and studying. Thankfully, there were no Special Contamination Incidents requiring his immediate attention.

At six o’clock, Lu Xin stepped out of the Guard Bureau as night began to fall.

He immediately spotted the plump man he’d agreed with last night, waiting beside a black sedan.

Lu Xin got in the car with him, and they drove toward the city center. Soon, they entered the Qingyan Mountain area of East City. This was a less populated zone farther from the High Wall, yet without the desolation of other remote areas. Instead, it appeared meticulously clean, feeling almost like the Main City. The buildings here were mostly neat and spacious, rather than tightly packed skyscrapers.

The car drove into a villa compound enclosed by iron railings and stopped in front of a three-story mansion.

A well-dressed man, who had the air of a butler, opened the car door for them.

Lu Xin looked around curiously. The scenery here was quite beautiful, featuring large swathes of greenery and gardens, along with a sizable pond. Nearby was a small playground with swings, slides, and horizontal bars for play.

“It would be so wonderful to build an Orphanage in a place like this…”

Lu Xin couldn’t help but muse aloud, asking curiously, “Just how much would a house this big cost?”

The plump man, getting out of the car right behind him, smiled. “I certainly couldn’t afford it; I really don’t know. How much does your house cost?” He directed the last question to the butler who had driven.

The butler offered a measured smile. “I’m not entirely sure of the specific price, but I recall the master mentioning once that a gentleman from the Main City was willing to pay five million Alliance Currency to purchase this place as a retreat. Mr. Xu didn’t agree. For him, this mansion is an old German-style structure left from pre-Cataclysm times; it has inherent artistic value.”

“Five million…”

Lu Xin felt a sudden jolt of clarity. “Let’s go inside then.”