"So he's the only child who escaped from that kidnapping case all those years ago?"
"Heh, who would've thought he was worth so much? A three-million bounty—that's enough to buy me a new car..."
In another room at the base, the Strange Bird Investigator had changed into loose-fitting clothes. Holding a glass of whiskey, he lounged lazily on the sofa.
As he listened to his assistant's report, he wore a constant sneer.
"His records have already started disappearing."
Beside him, his assistant reported cautiously, "Anyone who joins the Disaster Management Bureau gets a higher confidentiality rating on their records, but his are being sealed faster than anyone else's. It looks like Zhang Chiguo cares a lot about him."
"Sir, Zhang Chiguo was sent here by the higher-ups, after all. I think... we might not need to go after someone under his protection."
"..."
The Strange Bird Investigator looked at him coldly, and the assistant swallowed the rest of his words. He sneered. "I don't even take Zhang Chiguo seriously, let alone that kid."
The assistant wanted to dissuade him, but didn't dare say another word.
Then the Strange Bird Investigator suddenly changed tack. "Still, I can't afford to ignore the higher-ups' attitude."
The assistant paused, then said quietly, "Judging by the Disaster Management Bureau's attitude toward that kidnapping case, the higher-ups probably won't like this kid."
"I don't know what Zhang Chiguo was thinking, letting him join the Disaster Management Bureau anyway. Isn't that just asking the higher-ups to take offense?"
"Heh. You think the higher-ups don't like him?"
The Strange Bird Investigator gave a cold laugh and suddenly asked, "If they didn't like him, they could've made him disappear. So why, all these years later, is the only survivor still alive and well?"
"Are those people at the top