Chen fell silent for a moment, her thoughts seemingly pulled back to that summer when the two of them had fallen out:
"Actually, you didn't have to become me. Everyone walks a different path."
Lin Yuxia opened her mouth, yet said nothing. Some things truly were beyond one's control.
Once upon a time, she, Chen, and Swire had been inseparable. Back then, they had naively believed the three of them would remain best friends for life. Yet time had passed, and they had all become familiar strangers.
It was like parting ways at a crossroads called "life," one going left and another going right.
When no sound came from the receiver, Chen sensed the emotion within the silence and took the initiative to break the deadlock:
"You didn't contact me this time just to catch up, did you? If there's something, just say it."
At those words, Lin Yuxia instantly pulled herself out of her melancholy. She stopped being polite and went straight to the point:
"When you were fighting at the basketball court in District 25 last night, I happened to be nearby. There was a man who seemed to be cooperating with the Lungmen Guard Department, secretly protecting you. I contacted you because I wanted to know his personal information."
At the mention of protection, Chen immediately recalled the brown film-like shield that had blocked out Originium Particles:
"The man you're talking about is someone Jiu and I are looking for too. We want to thank him in person. Did you see what he looked like? Could you describe him in more detail?"
Lin Yuxia had been the one asking questions, yet the other party fired back with one question after another, leaving her unsure of what to say.
Still, given Chen's straightforward personality, she did not seem like someone who would play dumb. If she said she did not know, then she truly did not know. That proved the man had no cooperative relationship with the Lungmen Guard Department. In that case, how had he learned of that night's operation, and why had he gone to help them?
Lin Yuxia did not reveal any more information. Once she confirmed Chen could not provide the answer she wanted, she promptly cut off the communication:
"If you don't know, forget it. Goodbye."
"Hey, you!"
Hearing the beeping from the receiver, Chen was utterly speechless. Lin Yuxia had come looking for her, which meant she had likely already searched everywhere from District 22 to District 29 without getting anything.
This situation could be investigated from the opposite direction. Perhaps they could obtain relevant intelligence from informants in the Slums.
November 29, 1094, 0:23 a.m.
Last night, under the leadership of their boss, Emperor, the many Penguin Logistics employees beat the people who had come looking for payback until they fled in disgrace.
Texas took on ten people alone and still handled them with ease. Every lethal strike stopped short, never hitting with full force. Her control over her strength was terrifying.
Croissant was a complete superhuman-strength girl. She could grab a grown man with one hand. With one person in each hand, she spun around on the spot like a Pinwheel, having the time of her life.
With the shield protecting her, Exusiai joined the fight despite not bringing rubber bullets. Her efficiency was not as high as the other two, but dealing with a few ordinary people was effortless.
The spectators were wildly excited, as if they had personally joined the brawl. They swayed along with the rousing music and occasionally snuck in a couple of kicks.
.
Seeing everyone act as though they had been pumped full of adrenaline, Shi Lei gradually loosened up. After putting up a shield, he decisively stepped forward to join the fight and experience the feeling of fists hitting flesh.
Once all the troublemakers had fled, he returned to the booth drenched in sweat and sprawled out on the sofa, feeling utterly refreshed.
Seeing that the area he had only recently cleaned was once again a complete mess, the bar owner wore a helpless bitter smile. Fortunately, he knew the customers would compensate him, so he was no longer as despairing as before.
As they drank and exchanged toasts, it was already deep into the night before they knew it.
Kong and Croissant were the first to get up. Supporting Emperor, who was slightly drunk and rapping softly, they sent him home.
Texas had drunk quite a bit, but she remained clearheaded as she escorted Exusiai back to the dormitory. Compared to drunk driving, they had violated far more Lungmen regulations while making deliveries.
Shi Lei walked alone beneath the vast starlight, heading back to the company's Safe House to rest.
It was midnight, and the night wind was bitter. This should have been the perfect time to open NetEase Cloud Music and wallow in melancholy. Yet he did not feel even a trace of desolation or loneliness.
After spending the past few days together, Shi Lei had already come to like the team atmosphere at Penguin Logistics. If his realm improved in the future, he would most likely stay here.
People were collections of contradictions.
These colleagues, whose outward appearances differed from their inner selves but whose personalities were all vivid and distinct, gave Shi Lei an entirely new understanding of playing Rex Lapis.
Playing Zhongli could not be merely about appearances, about copying his leisurely and indolent manner. Always thinking about eating the best things and using the best things was nothing more than imitating superficial behavior. Even if he copied it perfectly, it would do nothing to improve himself.
As the saying went, one could paint a tiger's skin but not its bones. He had to fully understand Zhongli's inner spirit. Beneath the surface of that retired old gentleman lay the righteous purpose of protecting all living beings. He had to understand the ways of the world without becoming worldly, striving to become someone as outstanding as him.
Only that could truly be called playing the role.
The Capitalist's Smile
The red sofas in the Safe House compartments could be pushed together into a bed. Shi Lei no longer had to sleep on the streets, and he comfortably slept until he woke naturally.
When he opened his bleary eyes and checked the wall clock in the hall, he found it was almost ten.
Holy shit, did I sleep that long?
Shi Lei did not have time to bake an apple pie. He hurriedly grabbed two boxes of biscuits and took the elevator to the top floor.
After swiping his card and entering, he found that only Texas was in the office area. Exusiai and Croissant had not arrived, probably because they had gotten too drunk last night and were still asleep.
As he filled a paper cup with water, he remembered that the boss had approved a day of paid leave yesterday. He had said Shi Lei should go to the Rhine Lab branch for a Comprehensive Medical Examination.
But Shi Lei had never been there and did not know the exact location. Maybe he could ask Texas later?
He returned to his workstation and ate the biscuits with warm water mixed from hot and cold water, counting it as breakfast.
During that time, he heard news playing on Texas's phone saying that Sarkaz leader Theresia had been assassinated and Theresis would succeed to the throne from now on.
Shi Lei wiped his mouth, checked the small mirror to make sure there were no biscuit crumbs, then leaned over and asked:
"Sorry to bother you. Do you know where the Rhine Lab branch is? The boss told me to get a medical examination today, but I don't know where it is."
The map only marked streets, and the companies listed on it were not updated in real time, so it could not be used as a reference.
Hearing this, Texas turned her head and glanced toward the office. She then withdrew her gaze, stood up, and said:
"Follow me."
"Okay, thank you."
Perhaps because the two were not familiar with each other, she did not speak along the way. She led Shi Lei downstairs, crossed three streets, and arrived at Rhine Lab's Lungmen branch.
This was a private security consulting company headquartered in Columbia, as well as one of Terra's best-known security contractors. Its core business was providing private security consulting and defense contracting services. Comprehensive medical examinations could also be conducted by other security agencies, so here it was considered no more than a side business.
Texas stood beside the reception desk. After seeing him finish filling in his registration information, she said calmly:
"Go in. I'm leaving. Goodbye."
"Wait!"
They had clearly had a great time at the bar last night, yet her attitude today was still as cold as before. Shi Lei was deeply puzzled and wanted to use this chance to clear things up:
"Did I do something wrong and make you angry? Or do you usually just not talk much? Don't misunderstand, I just feel like I might have offended you."
At that, Texas gave a rare smile:
"I don't talk much? Actually, I don't have much of an opinion about most things, so I simply don't speak. You don't need to worry about angering me. The people who could anger me no longer have the ability to do so."
Damn, worthy of the Eldest Daughter of the mafia. The moment she spoke, she sounded like a seasoned veteran, with the air of someone decisive and ruthless.
"I see. It's good that you're not angry. You're still on the clock, so head back early. Once I get paid, I'll treat you and Exusiai to a meal."
Texas hummed in acknowledgment and turned to leave.
The Rhine Lab attendant approached with a beaming smile and said words that felt strangely familiar to Shi Lei:
"Sir, there are discounts for getting a membership card now. The more you top up, the bigger the discount. Would you like to hear about it?"
November 29, 1:02 p.m.
Emperor did not come to the company until the afternoon. As the company's boss, he did not need to worry about clocking in late.
As usual, he poured himself a cup of hot coffee and turned on the record player. Today's selection was an album by D.D.D, an artist under the music studio. The impassioned music filled Emperor with energy.
He turned on his computer and received an email from the Rhine Lab branch. After completing the QR code payment, he successfully opened the Comprehensive Medical Examination report:
Codename: Shi Lei Gender: Male Combat Experience: No combat experience Place of Origin: Unwilling to disclose Birthday: June 24 Height: 176 cm Originium-related illness infection status: Refer to the medical examination report. Confirmed uninfected. The following is the Comprehensive Medical Examination: Physical Strength: Standard (The Casting Unit operates smoothly, and the summoned Rock Spine possesses high strength, but it is not flexible enough in use. With training, it has a certain degree of potential for improvement.) Battlefield Mobility: Ordinary (No evaluation.) Physiological Endurance: Outstanding (Shi Lei demonstrated astonishing endurance during testing in this category. The relevant data has exceeded the limits of what the branch can test. Under the coverage of Shi Lei's Originium Arts, others can also enjoy the same level of endurance. It is recommended that he visit the Columbia headquarters for more precise measurements.) Tactical Planning: Excellent (Possesses creative tactical command and can make full use of on-site resources for deployment.) Combat Skill: Ordinary (No evaluation.) Originium Arts Adaptability: ■■ Imaging results show that this Operator's internal organ outlines are clear, with no abnormal shadows observed. No abnormalities were detected in Originium Particles within the circulatory system, and there are no signs of Originium-related illness infection. At this stage, he can be confirmed as uninfected. Cellular Originium Fusion Rate: 50% An extraordinary fusion rate, yet Shi Lei shows no signs of Originium infection. After repeated testing, the result remained unchanged. It is recommended that he visit the Columbia headquarters for more precise measurements. Blood Originium Crystal Density: 0u/L No Originium crystal was detected in the blood, yet he possesses powerful Originium adaptability. It is recommended that he visit the Columbia headquarters for more precise measurements.
"Aha!"
After browsing through the Comprehensive Medical Examination report, Emperor excitedly slapped the desk over and over with his penguin flippers.
Exceeding the testing limit? That was outrageous.
No wonder those stinking rats from the Slums had put out a reward for his whereabouts under the pretext of a distinguished guest going missing.
Originium Arts like this, which not only gave him immense endurance but could also protect others, had limitless potential.
If Lin Gerei got his hands on him, wouldn't he be able to swagger through Lungmen from then on?
Emperor wore a capitalist's smile, feeling as though he had found a treasure. Originium Arts like Shi Lei's, which could protect both himself and others, were perfect for a bodyguard.
From now on, whenever Exusiai and Texas carried out dangerous missions, he should bring Shi Lei along whenever possible. Reducing employee combat injuries could save him a great deal of money.
Thinking this, Emperor jumped down from his leather chair and headed to the company office area with his hands behind his back. Exusiai and Texas were not around, so they had probably gone out on an assignment.
He walked straight to Shi Lei's workstation and patted his shoulder like a supervisor caring for a subordinate:
"Little Shi, I've read your Comprehensive Medical Examination report. You meet the requirements to become a Messenger. As I said before, the key is your personal willingness."
If Shi Lei had not wanted to become a Messenger, there would have been no need for him to get examined at Rhine Lab. Since the boss wanted to go through the process, Shi Lei would cooperate:
"I have no problem with it."
"Good, good, good."
Emperor said "good" three times in a row, then walked over to Croissant's workstation and instructed her:
"If you have time this afternoon, take Little Shi along on some ordinary delivery orders so he can familiarize himself with the work."
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