Shi Qinghai is an extraordinary individual who seems to have no interest in prying into others' secrets, yet he can't help but feel curious due to his instinctive nature. Recognizing that people enjoy hearing about chance encounters, Xu Le decides to create a new story to satisfy their curiosity. However, he faces a dilemma as he realizes he lacks the necessary experience in socializing and must resort to telling numerous lies to explain things. He is also concerned about the position his boss, Uncle, arranged for him back in his hometown. Should he find time to visit? The new chance encounter story resembles those told in the ancient Bell Number and the story of the fat merchant ship. However, Xu Le is more cautious this time, introducing a fabricated class leader who appears enigmatic and skilled.
"What's the surname of that class leader?" Shi Qinghai, clearly skeptical, asks with a smile.
Xu Le's heart stirs, and subconsciously, a surname comes to mind, and he unexpectedly says, "Perhaps it's surnamed... Li?"
Shi Qinghai's expression barely changes, but something seems to click in his mind. His forehead furrows slightly, and he falls into contemplation. He hesitates to associate the surname in a certain direction, but if Xu Le's words are true, it would explain everything. However, he hasn't heard of any juniors from Philadelphia wandering destitute in recent years. Shi Qinghai looks out behind Xu Le and shakes his head, finding the young man's strange experience somewhat believable. He smiles to himself, thinking that this boy probably doesn't know the true origins of the person who taught him fighting skills.
Having satisfied his curiosity and with a hint of amusement, Shi Qinghai smoothly changes the topic, saying, "Are you planning to work as a gatekeeper at Pear Flower University? The Ministry of Defense's servicemen office can arrange a job for you, which is better than working here."
In his view, Xu Le, this young fellow, has remarkable character, although he doesn't know if he possesses any special skills. But based on his combat abilities and his entry into the police station's security company, even joining the police force through some connections is not an impossible feat.
"I work as an auditor at Pear Flower University," Xu Le turns around and looks at him, saying, "I have some savings from my previous job, so I thought about taking classes again."
"An auditor won't be awarded a diploma," Shi Qinghai remarks, taking out a crumpled cigarette case from his pocket, placing one in his mouth, and offering another to Xu Le. He continues, "What about the future? Do you have a clear idea of what you want to do?"
Xu Le takes the cigarette and lights it with a lighter, inhaling deeply. He tries to imitate his former boss's perfect smoke rings but ends up exhaling a scattered mist from the humidifier. He coughs twice and looks at Shi Qinghai, realizing that he doesn't have a clear vision of his future. How can he ask himself such a question when he's uncertain about the path he wants to take?
"I wanted to be an auxiliary officer for battleship machine repairs, but... I changed my mind afterward. I want to obtain a machine repair card and find employment with a major manufacturer in S1. No matter what position I reach in the future, as long as I am engaged in something I love, it will be good enough," Xu Le said, gazing at the dissipating smoke with a somewhat lost expression. This is one of his life's ideals, but as he speaks these words, they carry a hint of absurdity and lack confidence. Since the implantation of the camouflage chip, perhaps his life has been destined to be neither peaceful nor tranquil. A shadow has lingered in his heart, hidden from the prying eyes of others. He yearns to uncover the true story behind that matter, but given his current position and abilities, even revealing the truth behind Uncle's death seems like wishful thinking.
Shi Qinghai's eyes grew heavy, and after a prolonged silence, he suddenly said, "Pursue your life's ideal, and if you need any help in the future, just ask."
...
The unfolding of events did not come as a surprise to Shi Qinghai. Around 7:00 am, the seaside police headquarters received a direct order from higher authorities to release them from the lockup. The police officers and Shi Qinghai, who had been playing a highly damaging joke, were scolded by Shi Qinghai instead. In the midst of their conversation, Xu Le, who had been listening quietly, began to grasp the details of the situation.
The Zou Family had indeed used their connections to suppress the conflict at the nightclub entrance forcefully. The clash between the people from the seaside Field Personnel Office and those from the Third Military Region involved pulling out firearms. If this matter were to be utilized by ambitious individuals, it would surely implicate a big shot within the Ministry of Defense. The Zou Family couldn't let this happen and chose to handle the matter discreetly. As Xu Le walked out of the police station, he welcomed the slightly cool morning breeze and couldn't help but shake his head. The federation, known for its democracy and freedom, still retained a strict hierarchy. Even an inconspicuous family like the Zou Family could extend their influence to the police force and systematically suppress a serious case, causing the gunshots from the Thirteen Entrance to vanish into thin air...
Shi Qinghai drove Xu Le to the back entrance of Pear Flower University. As he looked at the few female students doing morning exercises, he glanced at their tightly-fitted gym attire and said in a serious tone, "For the next few days, don't leave the campus and be more cautious."
The Zou Family had managed to suppress the matter from the surface. However, they had been humiliated by two insignificant individuals, and it was impossible for the young master and young lady of the family to swallow this indignation. Consequently, they retaliated mercilessly in secret. Shi Qinghai looked at Xu Le, feeling a sense of worry, and said, "I don't need you to worry about me. Even if I were to be dismissed, I am an outstanding graduate of an institute. Those highly ranked and terrifying professors at the institute will always vouch for me."
"Why did you have to get involved with that brother and sister?" Xu Le was about to enter the iron gate when he suddenly stopped in his tracks. He then earnestly asked, "Perhaps you have your own goals, but those two are truly dangerous. So, this time, there should be no next time."
Shi Qinghai tilted his head as he held the cigarette in his mouth, his gaze resembling frost on a leaf. Although his expression remained calm, he couldn't hide the fact that
he had some mixed feelings. He thought that his little brother's insight was truly incisive, and he couldn't hide anything from him.
...
At 66 years old, the constitution is undergoing a hot spring. However, despite it being late April, the weather feels like an early arrival of intense summer heat. The Hai State construction has installed an interior integration atmosphere control system that provides refreshing coolness to those busy working. But in the slightly feverish twilight, on the rooftop of the highest building in Hai State, two individuals engage in a heated conversation without any fear of heights. One of them, around 40 years old, has a serious appearance with a gentle and dignified gaze. The other person emits a lingering smell of alcohol, and his wrinkled suit is more tedious than the cigarette hanging from his mouth.
"Agent 005, it seems a bit foolish to meet with me on this rooftop, 588 kilometers away from the Z-series E-Espionage satellite in outer space. This rooftop is high indeed, with forty tall buildings. Aren't you afraid someone might see my face with a telescope? And the issue is, do you know how hot it is here? Or how cold it is in winter? Why can't I take the elevator and instead climb the stairs when I'm tired? Furthermore, isn't this meeting place lacking creativity?" Shi Qinghai expressed his annoyance to the middle-aged man in front of him.
The middle-aged man's gaze shifted, not allowing himself to be affected by Shi Qinghai's irritation, and he stared at Shi Qinghai's face before saying, "You haven't complained in two years, and now you suddenly realize that this arrangement is a mistake. Do you expect to gain a psychological advantage? Give up that idea. Don't forget, I'm the one who taught you about psychology."
Shi Qinghai chuckled self-deprecatingly, took a drag from his cigarette, and then looked at the city below in the evening. He thought that the city looked more and more like a monster. If he didn't escape one day, he feared that he would be devoured.
"What happened last night?" The middle-aged man inquired sternly. "Do you know how many resources the organization invested to protect your position in the Bureau of Investigation? And you can't let anyone know about it. The cost has exceeded the budget by 60%!"
The cigarette in Shi Qinghai's mouth trembled slightly. He didn't turn around but heard the word "dismissed." His charming eyes revealed a deep sorrow and disappointment. When he finally turned around, all those emotions had vanished from his gaze, and he calmly said, "My intention was to establish good relations between the Zou Family siblings and the Crown Prince. Their visit to Linhai was also to see the Crown Prince. Since my goal is to prevent the Ministry of Defense from establishing a relationship with the Crown Prince, last night's operation was a step in that direction. So, don't accuse me."
The supreme leader of the federation is the President, and bills related to the budget go through a committee of over 300 congressmen. Court structures handle legal proceedings. There hasn't been a monarch in this society since the 37th constitution was established. Naturally, there is no emperor, and therefore, there can't be a crown prince. When Shi Qinghai and the middle-aged man mentioned the Crown Prince, it was clearly a code name. They weren't referring to the Crown Prince of the empire. Rumor has it that the remote interstellar empire's emperor only has one daughter... Who could be considered a character that would make the Zou Family siblings travel hundreds of kilometers to see him? Who could Shi Qinghai be referring to as the Crown Prince?
The middle-aged man lowered his head, pondered for a moment, and seemed to accept Shi Qinghai's explanation. He suddenly asked, "Who is this person named Xu Le? What is your connection with him, and does it need to be documented?"
Shi Qinghai frowned slightly, extinguished the cigarette in his mouth, and the fiery red ember scattered sparks on the ground. He squinted at the middle-aged man and said seriously, "He is my personal friend. I warn you."
Perhaps Shi Qinghai's warning had an effect because the middle-aged man didn't continue asking that question. However, his tone became even more severe as he said, "Years ago, when you decided to join this great cause, you made a commitment. You don't have the privilege of having friends. You can't have friends!"
"At that time, I didn't understand the meaning of friendship," Shi Qinghai replied nonchalantly, dismissing the warning. The middle-aged man calmly observed him and suddenly asked, "Did you open fire last night to withdraw from the Federal Bureau of Investigation? I know you've been through a lot over the years, and you've been passively resisting the organization's orders. But don't forget, the future of the federation will rely on young people like you to fight and make efforts."
After a long silence, Shi Qinghai replied in a low voice, "Yes, Chief."