At the Inspection Office.
Confidential Information Room.
Li Hao was the first to arrive. He did a simple sweep of the office and boiled a pot of hot water as usual.
Chen Na was a newbie like him so she arrived early as well. Just a few minutes after him.
The weather was hot and Chen Na looked sleepy early in the morning. She probably hadn't slept well last night. She kept yawning. "Li Hao!" she said when she saw him. "You are so mean. Why didn't you tell me you were investigating last night?"
"You heard about it?"
"Of course, I do!" she said. "The law enforcement team was dispatched last night."
The law enforcement team being dispatched wasn't a small matter, so naturally the news might have spread far and wide.
Chen Na shook her head to brush off the drowsiness. "Did you meet the murder last night?" she asked curiously.
"No," he said. "But I felt like I was being followed."
"Really?" she asked eagerly. Chen Na had never been involved in a major case before, so she was excited to know more. "So, the files you showed me… the people were all murdered?"
"Probably." Li Hao nodded.
"Then you have already made an important contribution to the case!" said Chen Na. "Li Hao, if you find the murderer, you will be a hero! You might even be promoted to a Level 2 rank!"
She was a little envious that Li Hao could be a part of such an investigation while she couldn't. But she was glad for him, nonetheless.
"We don't have any more clues yet," said Li Hao.
Chen Na rolled her eyes. "That's where I come in. We agreed to go to my hometown tomorrow, right? Maybe we will find clues there! Li Hao, if I help you and get involved in the case and if we somehow find the murderer, do you think I will be recognized too? Do you think we will be followed?!"
Li Hao had almost forgotten that they had planned a trip to Chen Na's hometown. But he had been targeted so easily yesterday. It had been dangerous.
Li Hao hesitated. "Forget about it. We are not going. It's too dangerous. It's better to keep a low profile right now."
He didn't want to put Chen Na in danger. The field of superhumans and superpowers was hazardous.
As for the Silver City Song, he wasn't in a hurry to find out more. Now that he had more information about the red shadow, he felt that he could find a way to defeat it. He could always investigate the song later anyway.
"What? We aren't going?" Chen Na was disappointed. "Li Hao, let's go together! What's there to be afraid of? We can just tell the law enforcement team that we will be their bait, if they ask. We might even lead them directly to the murderer and they will be caught!" She knew the risk but she still wanted to be part of this.
"We'll see how it goes," said Li Hao.
They talked for a while till others arrived. Many people seemed to know about last night's incident.
Sister Yu made a beeline towards Li Hao the moment she reached the office. "Little Hao! How could you be so stupid!" she scolded. "Don't involve yourself in such a dangerous case! Just stay in the Confidential Information Room. It will be safer for you. Don't get involved with the law enforcement team."
"That's right, little Hao," said Brother Zhou. "Listen to Sister Yu. Don't get involved in something like this. It's very dangerous and there is no benefit."
Everyone either scolded him or urged him to be safe. They all cared for him so they tried to persuade him in their own way.
Staying in the Confidential Information Room had been safe and comfortable. Most of them had not been at the front lines for quite a while now. They were worried they would be dragged to the front lines to fight.
Li Hao didn't try to argue. He just nodded and remained polite. He made it appear as though he had no choice in this matter.
...
The crowd around him only dispersed when Wang Jie arrived.
"Li Hao, come to my office," he said and headed to his cabin.
Li Hao got up and followed.
...
When they were both in the office, Wang Jie looked at Li Hao carefully. He then smiled and pressed his hand together. "Sit," he said.
Li Hao sat down.
"You don't have to be so quiet and reserved," he said. "It will not be easy to be in the law enforcement team."
Li Hao raised his head and looked at his Chief.
"They called me last night," said Wang Jie. "They said they wanted you transferred to their team. Liu Long rarely ever takes an interest in anyone. It is very rare for him to personally ask for anyone. It seems he places great importance on you. You have really caught his eye because of the self-immolation cases. The law enforcement team wants you. What do you think?"
Wang Jie couldn't refuse Liu Long. Of course, if Li Hao refused, Yuan Shuo was there like a pillar for him. But Liu Long was much more powerful in title and status than Wang Jie. But Wang Jie wanted to hear Li Hao's opinion on this first.
Li Hao lowered his head and thought for a moment. "Chief, I would like to join them. I have learnt a great deal being in the Confidential Information Room. I like working here but… as you already know, I want to avenge my friend by finding the culprit."
Wang Jie sighed. He did care for this kid. "Actually, personally I don't want you to leave. I am even prepared to write a letter to the higher-ups and see if I can give you a promotion. But… I understand. I understand how much the self-immolation cases mean to you. So, I won't stop you."
Wang Jie looked at Li Hao with worry. "But you must be careful. The law enforcement team deals with dangerous cases. Especially for this self-immolation case, I suggest you stay away and maintain the paperwork and such. Don't be eager to rush to the front lines no matter how simple a mission might sound. If this case can't be solved by the law enforcement team, it's likely to attract the attention of… other higher-ups."