The meeting the next day had been scheduled early, with a limited scope, so preparations were relatively unhurried.
The deputy directors who had arrived in advance all knew perfectly well what was to be discussed. Each had their own information channels and at least knew the rough details of last night's "Regional High-Energy Tide" incident. But there was no way they could seriously discuss work during this little bit of time before the meeting. They chatted about domestic matters and online trends instead.
For example, the massive group incident that had just erupted in the Eleventh District—South Asia.
"The first wave of statistics was over twenty thousand, right?" Deputy Director Peng Yang was highly interested in the matter.
He was the youngest member of the leadership team. He used to be, anyway. Ever since Tang Li arrived, he had become the second-youngest, though he was only in his early forties. He was exceptionally handsome and had a good temperament. Within the regional center, he maintained a relatively detached position, neither competing nor scrambling, yet people naturally arranged his path for him.
"Twenty-four thousand four hundred and sixty people. That's what the public reports said." Deputy Director An Sa gave a more precise figure. Perhaps because he came from a finance background, he was particularly insistent about such things. As he spoke, he wiped his gleaming forehead with a handkerchief before offering his final assessment. "That many people dying from hunger strikes is unreasonable."
"It's basically confirmed that 'high-energy' elements were involved. The Eleventh District is really lively." Deputy Director Ang Tun, the broadest-built among them, leaned comfortably back in his chair and let out a long breath. "Compared with that, what we have here is just small-time stuff... Mm, I'm not asking for anything else. This is fine."
As he