Ma Ran was unemployed, with a house and a car at home. Though he could not be considered a second-generation rich kid, the wealth his parents had accumulated was enough to let him live as a freeloader and salted fish for the rest of his life.
His greatest hobbies were novels, anime, and games.
There was only one thing Ma Ran did every day without fail—follow novel updates on Green River Literature Network.
Opening Green River's official website, Ma Ran navigated to his favorites list with practiced ease.
His favorite cute-pet novel still had not updated...
Glancing at his Alipay balance, he gritted his teeth and left a comment: "Mrs. Xiaoyue, you've stopped updating for seven days already. Please resume updates soon! Once you do, I'll immediately tip you a Little Leader!"
The willful author who had stopped updating was named "Zhang Xiaoyue." As for why people called her Mrs., Ma Ran did not understand either.
Among readers, authors of male-oriented novels were called Great Gods, while readers of female-oriented novels were called Mrs.; the difference was just two dots.
That was what everyone else called them, so he followed along without looking too deeply into it.
Not long after the review was posted, a large group of reader angels swarmed in and began discussing it.
"Mrs. Xiaoyue stopped updating right on the second day after the Crimson Moon, didn't she?"
"Wow! What a vicious guess! Mods, please delete this post!"
"Are you saying Mrs. Xiaoyue became a Golden-Eyed One?"
"Heh heh heh... Would this kitty tell you cuties that this kitty is a Golden-Eyed One? More importantly, Mrs. Xiaoyue, update already! Once this kitty evolves into an Essence Devouring Beast, I'll make you my personal poop-scooping servant. No writing, and I'll spank your butt!"
"Waaah! Since you've become a superpowered person, hurry back and update ten thousand words daily! Why are you being so silly? Do you know you'll get your water meter checked if you keep abandoning updates like this?"
Seeing his fellow readers' replies, Ma Ran guiltily wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.
He opened his phone camera, switched to selfie mode, and examined his eyes.
Black.
These contact lenses were genuinely good. He had to remember to leave a positive review later.
Knock, knock, knock!
Someone suddenly knocked on the door.
Ma Ran sprang up from his gaming chair, quietly turned his computer volume down to the lowest setting, and pretended he was not home.
The ticking of the second hand made every moment feel like a year.
His phone suddenly began to ring.
"Beacon fire rises, seeking love like waves sifting sand, meeting her, like spring waters reflecting pear blossoms."
"With one sword swing, I sever the horizon, lightly setting down my longing..."
It was an unfamiliar number. The caller ID read: 01234567890.
A gentle male voice sounded from outside the door. "Open up. Water meter inspection."
Ma Ran gave a bitter smile, hung up, and straightforwardly opened the door.
The visitor was an exceptionally striking-looking fellow.
His skin was fair as jade, with sword-like brows and starry eyes. His black hair resembled silk, and his temperament was outstanding. He looked like an entertainment industry trainee who had only recently debuted and was not yet famous.
"Who are you looking for?"
Ma Ran's throat felt a little dry as he forced a faint smile onto his face.
"You're a Golden-Eyed One, right?"
Though it was phrased as a question, the handsome man said it like a statement.
At the same time, he presented an official-looking personal ID card.
Yaoguang Section—Action Team Special Duty—Yan Anqing—Serial Number 19S0A25.
"This voice is really nice. What a waste not to become a singer..."
Ma Ran's thoughts raced as countless twists and turns ran through his mind, rapidly concocting several lies and excuses.
But when his gaze met that of the man named Yan Anqing, he could no longer bring himself to speak a lie.
He sighed, unsure whether he felt sorrow or joy. "You people can even find someone as homebound as me?"
Impressive, my country!
Yan Anqing smiled, speaking in an unhurried tone. "One of our staff members discovered that you recently bought a pair of black cosmetic contact lenses on Taobao."
"Generally speaking, golden cosmetic contact lenses have been the recent bestseller."
"Based on intelligence from Tmall staff, the Information Section used the XieZhi System to access your laptop camera."
Hearing Yan Anqing's explanation, Ma Ran felt the urge to chop Tmall to death for the first time.
He spread his hands and admitted frankly, "Fine. I'm a Golden-Eyed One."
As he spoke, Ma Ran removed the item concealing his eye color. His brilliant golden eyes gleamed brightly, looking somewhat uncanny, and his entire bearing changed drastically.
"How will you deal with me? Slice me up? Conduct live experiments?"
Ma Ran blinked and asked in a pitiful tone.
Yan Anqing curled his lips. "The higher-ups only want to ensure that you don't disrupt public order. After all, among the Golden-Eyed Ones, there are several death-row criminals whose political rights have been stripped for life due to their heinous crimes."
"I don't know about other countries, but China does not lack test subjects."
"You don't need to make any particular contribution. Once you arrive at the base, there'll be internet, delicious food, games, novels, and special government subsidies for Golden-Eyed Ones."
Hearing this, Ma Ran understood what the other man meant.
It was roughly equivalent to how monarchs in historical novels treated their feudal princes. China intended to keep them provided for for the time being. As long as they did not spend every day trying to make some huge mess, they would not face any danger.
To some workaholics, this might amount to restricting their personal freedom.
But who was Ma Ran?
As long as his Alipay had money in it, he had takeout to eat, and novels to read, he could stay home for an entire year without stepping outside!
Yan Anqing saw through Ma Ran's train of thought. "Now, let me explain in detail the benefits China offers Golden-Eyed Ones..."
Before long, the two reached an agreement.
Ma Ran decided to cooperate with Yan Anqing's work, repeatedly saying things like, "I'll definitely behave well and never hold China back."
Making one's position clear was important.
Not everyone possessed the wisdom and accumulated knowledge to see directly into another person's heart.
Yan Anqing could fully understand Ma Ran's thoughts.
Before leaving, Yan Anqing casually glanced at Ma Ran's computer screen.
He said softly, "Before returning to the base, we need to find two more people... Mm, sorry for the trouble."
Ma Ran was flattered and quickly replied, "No trouble! No trouble at all! You're so considerate, brother... Just let my parents know later, so they won't worry themselves sick."
Ma Ran was not concerned about his own safety. He only worried that if he suddenly disappeared, his parents would overthink things, obsess over them, get high blood pressure, suffer a stroke...
People of their age could not endure too many intense emotional fluctuations.
"Don't worry. Just be careful not to reveal confidential information about Golden-Eyed Ones. The Xuanhe Section will properly handle the matters you're worried about."
Thirteen hours later.
Yan Anqing returned to Yaoguang Section's Secret Base beneath Zhaofu Well with three young men and women.
Ma Ran, the Golden-Eyed One, had gained two more female companions.
They were: Zhang Xiaoyue, the shameless webnovel writer who had abandoned her updates; and the silly girl who called herself this kitty and exposed her own identity in Zhang Xiaoyue's review section.
Perhaps others would have thought the latter was bragging. That silly girl herself probably thought so too.
The darkest place was under the lamp!
Yet Yan Anqing was the mastermind behind the Blood Moon Incident and Huaxia Golden Pupil Syndrome.
Would he not know exactly who was and was not a Golden-Eyed One?
If they did not step forward, Yan Anqing would pretend not to see them. But since he had seen them, he casually dragged them out.
After handing the three Golden-Eyed Ones over to the head of the Archives Section, Yan Anqing saw that Little Panda again, so fat that it panted even while walking.
"Congratulations, player. You have obtained the achievement: Capable Official." "This achievement belongs to the Internal Affairs Department and is granted only to those who listen to the people's voices and excel at practical public affairs." "Main Quest, second stage completion progress: 4/10."
Yan Anqing's lips curved slightly upward, and his eyes bent into crescent moons.
An Internal Affairs Department achievement.
This trip had not merely earned him one achievement; it had uncovered an entire clue to obtaining achievements.
Since there was a Capable Official, could there also be titles such as Strict Official, Pure Stream, and Diligent Official?
It was nothing more than role-playing and doing things that met the required conditions.
Suddenly, an aged yet vigorous voice interrupted Yan Anqing's thoughts.
"Young man... your luck is quite good."
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