Get Back to Work

Feng Zi kept quietly tinkering with the little gadgets she had brought back from the Border Market.

The other three girls in the dorm had started getting to know one another. Feng Zi only spoke when someone approached her first, and then only to exchange a few words.

The three girls also talked about how the serial killer in the Afterglow District was growing more and more brazen, but Feng Zi showed no interest, unlike Li Wei.

The little things her father had left behind in the Border Market were common in the Central District, but in Sun City—especially in a place like the Afterglow District—they were exceptionally precious.

The most valuable items were the two communication devices that could transmit signals between cities through artificial light clouds.

The underground cities were isolated from one another and could only communicate via intercity railways, which required enormous amounts of manpower and resources to build.

That made light-cloud communications equipment, which enabled long-distance communication between cities, especially precious. It was usually controlled by a city's government.

There were also electronic devices powered by artificial light clouds. Feng Zi left the ones she didn't currently need in the rented apartment with Li Wei's cash box, bringing only a voice recorder.

She kept adjusting the two devices until lights-out, oblivious to the fact that the other three girls had already grown close and formed a little group, gradually showing signs of excluding her.

But then again, even if Feng Zi had noticed, she wouldn't have cared.

Early the next morning, after getting up at the scheduled time, Feng Zi secretly slipped one of the adjusted communication devices to Li Wei.

Li Wei fiddled with the device, which was only about the size of his palm, like a smartphone.

Its surface was one large touchscreen. It had no other apps, only a chat window, and the only way to enter text was by handwriting.

[We'll use this to communicate from now on. Don't let anyone else find out.]

A line of text appeared in the chat window. Li Wei looked up and saw Feng Zi, already standing among the girls, wink at him.

Li Wei slipped the device into his inner pocket, unable to help reflecting to himself:

That's just how socially anxious people are.

After that, his attention turned to Wang Xiaole, who had been bustling about since breakfast.

The boy hadn't recognized him. From asking around, Li Wei had learned that Wang Xiaole had come to the Church to seek refuge with a relative. After receiving the Bishop's approval, he had been allowed to stay and do odd jobs.

This put Li Wei somewhat at ease. Their unexpected meeting, as strangers, was most likely just a coincidence.

"Our people found the police car in the 45th Labor District. Several workers thought the Police Department had abandoned it in the wilderness. They fought over it and injured someone."

"After finding the car, we thoroughly searched Districts 35 through 55, but found no signs that Miss Feng Zi or the bioman had been there. As you instructed, we also asked the person in charge of the Afterglow Labor Union to come over. He's waiting outside to see you."

In the 1st Labor District, Tian Yuan had moved the command headquarters there. He listened to his subordinate's report with a frown, then waved a hand to have him bring the visitor in.

Soon, a middle-aged man with hair that was half black and half white walked in. His face didn't look particularly old, yet he seemed exceptionally tired and worn.

"Long time no see, Chairman Li Ming."

Facing the nominal head of the Afterglow District, Tian Yuan, a superintendent from the Police Department, clearly carried himself like a superior.

Li Ming also kept his posture deferential. He knew perfectly well that a labor union chairman was nothing more than a dog on a leash held by the Council, there to keep the Afterglow District under control.

"It has been a long time, Police Superintendent Tian. You should have let me know when you came to Afterglow. It wouldn't have been right not to treat you to a proper meal."

"I'm here on official business, so let's skip the pleasantries." Tian Yuan's tone was blunt, all business. "I called you here because this operation requires the union to send people to help the Police Department conduct a thorough search of the entire Afterglow District."

Li Ming's brows furrowed deeply.

"How many days do you need our help?"

"That depends on the results. If we find them quickly, we might not even need a full day. If things don't go smoothly, it'll take at least three days."

"Most union members are ordinary workers. If you ask us to help, their factory work will inevitably be affected. Does the Police Department have any—"

Tian Yuan looked at him with open displeasure.

"Helping the Council and assisting the Police Department with its investigations are duties every worker is expected to fulfill. It's a small task. Do you expect the Police Department to pay people for it? What's the point of having a union, then?"

Li Ming opened his mouth, wanting to argue the point, but after seeing Tian Yuan's expression, he eventually sighed.

"Fine, no compensation, then. But with so many officers in Afterglow on assignment right now, could you also look into the serial murders that have kept happening for more than a year?"

His tone was almost pleading.

"Because of this, the workers live in fear every day, and even their daytime work is affected. The Council and the factory owners certainly don't want productivity to drop, do they? At least give the people of Afterglow some hope. Let them know the Police Department is doing something!"

Tian Yuan repeatedly tapped the table with his knuckles. He seemed just as irritated, but in the end, he agreed.

"Have someone send over all the union's files on the case. But let me be clear: Miss Feng Zi's case is the priority. I don't know how many Council members are watching it. I can only promise to have people look into the Afterglow case on the side. Whether it leads to anything is up to fate."

Though it was only a limited promise, Li Ming could accept it.

He nodded and left Tian Yuan's office. After he was gone, Tian Yuan called over the subordinate who had made the earlier report.

"The union will soon send over the files on a serial torture and murder case. Pick a three-person team from our people to look into it on the side. Don't make results a requirement. Also, issue an announcement in Afterglow in the Police Department's name, saying we've begun investigating the murders and will soon give the public a satisfactory explanation."

The subordinate, who had only been assigned to Tian Yuan's side because of this incident, looked hesitant.

"Superintendent, is a three-person team really enough to solve a case like this, even on the side?"

Tian Yuan replied without expression.

"I said to give them a satisfactory explanation in the announcement. When did I say we actually had to give them one? You brainless fool, get back to work!"