"Hello? Are you there?"
Thirty minutes later, inside the ambulance, Huai Shi was receiving emergency medical treatment, getting bandaged and stitched up. Holding a phone borrowed from the Jinling Social Security Bureau, he dialed Ai Qing's number.
After a brief busy signal, the call connected.
Inside a silent conference room.
"Ah, I've received the updates from the scene," Ai Qing said, her tone still calm. "Well done. Compared to some, you've really made them lose face, huh?"
Following the teenage girl's words, the expressions of many attendees faltered, yet they could do nothing about it.
No matter how much idle talk there was, could anyone's actions be as impressive as his?
Even after being kidnapped, he'd managed to turn the tables, taking out Green Day members during a live broadcast. He not only salvaged the crucial reputation of the Jinling Branch but also gained significant leverage in subsequent negotiations with the Social Security Bureau...
Huai Shi's performance had been so slick that the attendees were still debating whether this was just a basic operation or something more, and if they should just sit tight for the moment.
There was no helping it; Ai Qing's perpetually calm expression was too bewildering.
Even if her heart was raging to the point of going berserk, her face remained so composed that no change could be detected. Now, receiving a call from Huai Shi, her demeanor showed no trace of triumph.
Instead, it was as if she were sharpening her knife eagerly, her calmness sending a chill down one's spine.
"Hmm?" Huai Shi sensed something was off. "It seems like I messed something up again, didn't I?"
"Don't worry, just rest up," Ai Qing reassured as she lowered her gaze. "I'll take care of the rest."
With that, she hung up the call.
"Let's continue—"
She twirled her phone, lifting her eyes filled with malice. "As for how to screen for internal traitors colluding with the enemy, I have an idea..."
After three hours of honing, the blade was finally unsheathed.
And so, the meeting continued.
.
.
"You're really okay?"
Huai Shi was taken aback by the disconnected call but quickly shrugged it off, pushing the matter out of his mind.
As long as Ai Qing could handle it, that was good enough. With her negotiating his compensation, he didn't need to worry about getting a raw deal.
Leaning against the wall inside the ambulance, he began to rest.
In fact, this entire ordeal turned out to be a blessing in disguise for him. Although he ended up in a bit of a mess, the intense struggle and subsequent healing had unexpectedly consumed his overabundant vitality.
After this release, he finally felt at ease controlling the Plague Halo.
He'd even figured out a few tricks to using it.
In any case, bidding farewell to the unsightly helmet and hazmat suit was certainly cause for celebration... Ever since his advancement, he hadn't slept for two or three days.
It was like he'd downed a case of Red Bull; he couldn't sleep even if he wanted to. Now, he was finally able to rest and eagerly anticipated finding a place for a blissful slumber.
Then, he heard a knock on the ambulance door.
"Sorry to disturb you."
With a warm smile, 'Older Cousin' stepped into the ambulance, sitting across from Huai Shi. "I've already learned about the situation at the scene from Mo San, but there are a few more details I'd like to clarify."
"Please go ahead."
Huai Shi nodded politely. "May I ask, how should I address you?"
"Ah, I forgot to introduce myself..."
Older Cousin paused for a moment, then smiled awkwardly and extended his hand. "My surname is Zhu. I'm Zhu Hongchen, Qingyu's older brother. I currently serve as the Director of the Jinling Social Security Bureau... Everyone calls me Older Cousin."
Qingyu?
Huai Shi was stunned for a moment before realizing—Zhu Qingyu... that was the White Emperor's Son's name! He was shocked. "Doesn't that mean..."
As if anticipating his astonishment, Zhu Hongchen chuckled. "Doesn't mean what?"
Huai Shi swallowed hard, forcing down the words 'older brother-in-law,' and managed a strained smile. "Doesn't mean... you're quite formidable, huh!"
He now understood why people called him Older Cousin. He really was an 'Older Cousin' in the literal sense. The White Emperor's Son's brother—a truly heavyweight character!
Thinking of his foolish actions when he met the White Emperor's Son, he began to feel a headache coming on; he was screwed; Older Cousin was probably here to beat him up.
Zhu Hongchen was amused by Huai Shi's hesitant expression and chuckled, shaking his head. "Don't worry, Qingyu has already explained it to me. Kids don't understand anything; it's just a misunderstanding."
Huai Shi immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
"Young man, just try not to be so reckless in the future."
He patted Huai Shi on the shoulder, a peculiar smile on his face. His gaze carried a hint of satisfaction and scrutiny, which felt somewhat unsettling.
"It seems Master Xuan Niao was right; you are someone who bears the Sky's Command," he mused softly, then suddenly asked, "Are you sure you won't consider joining the Social Security Bureau? Back when your great-grandfather Huai Guang was exploring the Border, our Social Security Bureau was one of his sponsors. Our cooperation goes back a long way."
"Uh..."
Thinking of all the formidable individuals in the Social Security Bureau, Huai Shi looked reluctant. "Well, you see, I'm doing pretty well where I am now, and I don't plan to switch jobs anytime soon."