Cooperation for Mutual Benefit

"I..." Ethan paused, thought for a moment, and then replied, "What would I do? I suppose... I'd choose to ignore it?"

"A very correct choice. That's exactly what my current director is doing. For the past year, he and I have been in agreement on these matters. Because of that, he went from minister to director, and as long as I don't violate the most fundamental principles, I can do whatever I want," Zhou Yi nodded.

"But that's not right, is it?" Ethan frowned deeply.

"It's indeed not right. That's why, even if everyone does it, or rather, if most people do it, they won't do it openly."

"No matter who it is, including myself, it's like this," Zhou Yi crossed his arms over his chest. "As long as you're not discovered, then this income can be considered 'legitimate.' But if you are discovered, then, naturally, you'll receive the punishment you deserve."

"Is that why you didn't arrest us directly?" Ethan asked.

"Otherwise?" Zhou Yi retorted. "Am I supposed to waste so much manpower and resources just to help you find conclusive evidence of the mole?"

"If you were to arrest us directly, it would mean that if I wanted to get involved further, it would basically be impossible."

"This concerns the mole within your CIA. If the IRS were to get involved openly... it wouldn't be very appropriate, considering the IRS and CIA are two departments that maintain friendly cooperation."

"Moreover, no matter how you look at it, our goals don't conflict," Zhou Yi finished his coffee and extended his hand. "You need evidence to catch the mole, and I want that ten million dollars. We can absolutely cooperate."

"..." Ethan hesitated for a moment, then extended his hand and shook Zhou Yi's. "I need top-tier support."

"I guarantee it will be absolutely top-tier," Zhou Yi said, tapping his fingers on the table. "Besides equipment and information, I will personally be at CIA headquarters to cooperate with your actions!"

"How will you get in?" Ethan asked, surprised.

"Over the years, there have always been some minor conflicts between the IRS and the CIA." Zhou Yi took a disc from his inner jacket lining and waved it in front of Ethan.

"These should be enough for me to enter legitimately. As for you and your teammates... I imagine you've already thought of a way, right?"

"Of course," Ethan glanced at the disc in Zhou Yi's hand and instantly understood his plan. "Didn't you just say that your IRS and the CIA are friendly and cooperative departments?"

"Friendly cooperation means there's a certain degree of benefit exchange. Benefit exchange means there will definitely be some friction," Zhou Yi smiled.

"Friction means you can go there to cause trouble, and at most, after the fact, there will be another benefit exchange?" Ethan's mind was working quickly.

"Yes, what they call 'friendly cooperation' is just a change of wording," Zhou Yi nodded. "You learn very quickly."

"I have to learn quickly," Ethan shook his head with a wry smile.

"It's something you have to go through," Zhou Yi said with the tone of someone who had been there before. He patted Ethan's shoulder, then stood up decisively and left.

In reality, he was quite experienced. After all, counting his previous life, he was almost thirty years old now.

However, the system's bonus to his Physique also included lifespan, so Zhou Yi's appearance hadn't changed much over the years; he still looked the same.

After Zhou Yi left, Ethan looked out at the scenery outside the window and breathed a sigh of relief.

Zhou Yi's frankness about his objectives had actually put Ethan's mind at ease.

As a special agent, Ethan wasn't naive. Especially after personally experiencing betrayal by a mole and the death of teammates.

If someone wanted to help him for no reason... how could he possibly believe it?

Previously, when Zhou Yi said his objective was to investigate tax evaders, Ethan didn't really believe him. It was only after this conversation that he confirmed Zhou Yi's true objective: that ten million dollars.

This objective was clearly more realistic and reliable.

However, Ethan didn't have any particular feelings about this. After all, the ten million dollars came from his enemies, and his goal wasn't the money itself, but the mole, Job, who had caused the death of his teammates!

As long as the ultimate goal didn't involve competing interests, cooperation was possible. It was for this reason that Ethan had shaken Zhou Yi's hand, confirming their partnership and agreeing to take what they needed.

Several days later.

After receiving a message from Ethan, Zhou Yi quickly drove to CIA headquarters in Langley City.

Although there were a few checkpoints along the way, they naturally couldn't stop Zhou Yi. Presenting his IRS identification and the operational permit issued by Director Chris, Zhou Yi was quickly allowed through.

Driving the new official car that Chris had recently acquired, Zhou Yi arrived unimpeded at the main entrance of CIA headquarters.

If nothing else, Zhou Yi enjoyed this feeling of openly showing up to cause trouble, yet being unable to be stopped.

Compared to the stealthy infiltration methods like Ethan's, this direct, brazen approach was incredibly satisfying!

As soon as Zhou Yi got out of the car, a man in a suit, even more bald than Chris, stepped forward to greet him.

"Mr. Zhou, I am the Director of Administration for the CIA Headquarters, Dar Mista..." Dar began his introduction, taking over a dozen words just for his name before finally getting to the point. "What brings you to our agency?"

"I'm here to investigate some matters," Zhou Yi said. "Regarding the CIA in recent years..."

"Mr. Zhou, I think it might not be convenient to discuss some things out here. Why don't we go inside first?"

Cold sweat broke out on Dar's back, and he quickly interrupted.

The CIA director was not at headquarters; he was on his way after receiving the notification. Dar was currently the one temporarily receiving Zhou Yi.

However, Dar obviously wanted to stall for time until the director arrived, so he could directly pass the responsibility to him!

Although Zhou Yi was just an IRS employee, the fact that he was driving Chris's official car and possessed a valid operational permit personally signed by Chris meant that Zhou Yi didn't just represent himself, but also IRS Director Chris!

Matters involving a director-level figure were undoubtedly major issues. How could he, a mere Director of Administration, handle such a significant event?

Of course, his own side needed to send a director as well!

Dar couldn't handle it, nor did he want to. He certainly didn't want to be sacrificed like a pawn!

So, not daring to hear what Zhou Yi was going to say, Dar directly interrupted, skillfully changing the subject, preparing to stall for time as much as possible so that Zhou Yi couldn't state the purpose of this operation before the CIA director arrived!

Zhou Yi didn't insist either, and naturally followed Dar into CIA headquarters.

His purpose for coming this time was originally to stir up trouble, cover for Ethan and the others, and also to prevent some unexpected situations from causing the operation to completely fail.

Dar's actions were exactly in line with his wishes.

Of course, if Dar hadn't planned to gloss over it like this, then Zhou Yi would have taken the opportunity to check the contents of the disc Chris had given him.

At most, the subsequent benefit exchange between the CIA and the IRS would just be a bit more.

PS: Revenue increased by a thousand, but votes increased by less than a hundred.

I really flopped Σ(°△°|||)︴

Finally finished my exams, time to write! ヾ()~

What, there's another exam next week???

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