Long Conversation

Guangling City.

Over the past month or so.

Because of the City Lord Election, the streets and alleys of Guangling City are bustling with activity every day.

Today, the Yuanhang Group's election convoy is here to promote their cause; tomorrow, Luo Tianyi from Qiming Heavy Industry will come to campaign for votes.

And so on.

No need to go into details.

However, ever since Luo Tianyi was exposed for allegedly smuggling Giant Beast parasite, Qiming Heavy Industry's election campaign has continued every day, but its votes have continued to decline.

Luo Tianyi, who was originally a strong contender for first or second place, is now at the bottom.

He is nearly a thousand votes behind Huang Yuanhang, who is in third place.

now.

Security Department Wu Shimo is currently leading in the vote.

Second place went to Di Zheng, the corps commander.

Judging from this situation...

With the election just weeks away, the final seat of the City Lord will be decided between these two men.

That evening.

Di Zheng returned to his residence.

No one would have guessed that the residence of the dignified regimental commander was in an ordinary residential apartment building.

A simple two-bedroom apartment, less than 60 square meters.

He was single and had no family, but his room was kept very tidy and orderly.

After returning home.

Di Zheng took out some fast food from the refrigerator and heated it in the microwave.

I made myself a cup of instant coffee, took a sip, and then the microwave beeped – the food was ready.

He ate a simple meal, drank a couple of sips of coffee, and watched the news about the latest election on TV without saying a word.

Just then, the doorbell rang.

Di Zheng took out a banknote to wipe his mouth, opened the door, and saw a middle-aged man standing outside.

He was short, had a bulky waist, and greasy hair; he looked like one of those middle-aged, overweight uncles next door.

Di Zheng stepped aside and said calmly, "What brings Minister Wu here?"

Yes.

This seemingly ordinary, greasy-looking middle-aged man is Wu Shimo, the Minister of the Security Department.

"It's the east wind, of course."

Wu Shimo picked up a bag. "I just passed by Ding's roast duck shop and bought half a duck. I figured Brother Di Zheng probably hadn't eaten yet at this hour."

"How about we get you a pair of chopsticks too, brother?"

Di Zheng walked towards the kitchen, not forgetting to instruct, "Remember to close the door."

After closing the door, Wu Shimo looked around and sighed, "Brother, with your achievements, it's really too much of a waste for you to live in a place like this."

Di Zheng came out of the kitchen carrying a pair of bowls and chopsticks. "One bedroom is enough for me, why would I need to live in such a big place?"

Wu Shimo smiled and placed the sliced roast duck on the table, saying, "I heard you donate money to the orphanage every month?"

"The Corps provides subsidies for food and lodging, and we have more work points than we can use, so they're just sitting there anyway."

"It would be better to buy some food for the children and give them some extra nutrition."

Di Zheng up a piece of roast duck with his chopsticks, tasted it, and nodded, saying, "The taste is really good."

Wu Shimo chuckled, "Right? Ding's roast duck has always been good, especially the ducks. They're raised with great care in the city, roaming freely in the fields every day, so of course they taste good."

Di Zheng chuckled, "Only Minister Wu can afford that. Nowadays, these fish, shrimp, pigs, geese, and live poultry are readily available."

"These are not things that ordinary people can afford."

Wu Shimo smiled and said, "Why do we work so hard? Isn't it so that ordinary people can return to the peaceful and prosperous life they once lived?"

"So, Brother Di, let me be frank with you: whether you or I take the position of City Lord, it doesn't matter."

"Actually, I don't think it makes any difference."

"But Brother Di, you are indeed skilled at leading troops in battle. When it comes to management, that's a completely different story."

Di Zheng placed a piece of roast duck on his plate. "So Minister Wu is here tonight as a lobbyist?"

Wu Shimo sighed, "I was just thinking that we shouldn't let things get too strained."

"You say it doesn't matter who becomes the City Lord?"

"I can assure you with my heart, brother, if I become the City Lord, I will absolutely support your efforts."

"This giant beast fell from the sky and emerged from the Jambu Realm Space. It's not like they'll stop just because we stop exploring the surface."

"Besides, without your army protecting our Undercity, I think many people wouldn't be able to eat a meal in peace."

"So those who call for a halt to surface exploration are just full of hot air."

A rare smile appeared on Di Zheng's usually stern face, "Could Minister Wu be a kindred spirit of mine, Di Zheng?"

"I dare not claim to be a kindred spirit, but I do have some understanding of what Brother Di is thinking."

Wu Shimo put down his chopsticks, sighed, and said, "Like Brother Di, I also hope to drive the giant beasts off the surface so that everyone can return to living on the surface."

"We are human beings, not rats."

"Even if you can survive in the Undercity for a while, you can't live there forever."

"Even if we can survive, what about our children and grandchildren? Are we going to let them live such humiliating lives?" "No!"

"Absolutely not!"

Wu Shimo waved his hand dismissively.

Then he said.

"Therefore, I hope that you, Brother Di, can support me in becoming the City Lord."

"Conversely, I will fully support your work on the surface."

"Mutual support, that's my idea."

No one is perfect.

"I believe that while you are carrying out surface work, you cannot possibly manage the Undercity at the same time."

"Me too, so we should support each other and stick together. That way, neither Huang Yuanhang nor Luo Tianyi can control our work."

Di Zheng took a sip of coffee, did not respond, and simply looked at Wu Shimo with a smile.

Wu Shimo chuckled dryly and took a photograph out of his pocket.

It was passed to Di Zheng.

"Old Zhang, Zhang Chunqiu."

"He was the one who had designs on your corps' supplies back then."

"He was also the one who sent our action team out on our own."

"He was a cancer within our Security Department. It took me quite a while to investigate him before I finally exposed him."

"We have already conducted an internal interrogation today and stripped Zhang Chunqiu of his position. He is now in prison."

"I assure you, neither the Security Department nor any other department will ever do anything to harm the interests of the Corps."

He chuckled again, "Of course, if I can't become the City Lord, then I can only guarantee the safety of our Security Department."

Without waiting for Di Zheng's reply.

Wu Shimo stood up and said, "That's all I wanted to say. I won't bother you any longer, Brother Di."

"You can think about it and get back to me later."

"Even if you don't want to support your brother, that's fine. We can always have a real fight."

"But no matter the outcome, Brother Di, I will always respect you as a true man and am willing to be your friend."

"Goodbye."

Di Zheng escorted him to the door.

After the door closed.

He gave a wry smile.

After quietly finishing her meal...

Di Zheng sent Wei Fenghua a message informing him of Wu Shimo's visit, and concluded by saying, "Old Wu is right about one thing: I really don't know how to manage things, and I don't want to waste my time on it."

"I wonder if he's just saying one thing and meaning another."

"If only I could hear what he was thinking."