Counterterrorism??

Lin Xu sat up in bed. The number on his bracelet now displayed a "2."

Two chances left.

However, he was in no hurry to enter Bracelet World again. Instead, he sat down before his computer and updated the clue document with three new pieces of information.

First, neither he nor Jiang Xingye had an office at Skyvault Technology headquarters.

Second, he had access to the CEO's office, meaning he had most likely once been Skyvault Technology's CEO.

Third, both he and Jiang Xingye possessed astonishingly high-level access. Jiang Xingye in particular could issue warnings not merely company-wide, but across the entire city.

Any two of these three pieces of information would have been easy enough to explain.

If he could not find an office but had once been CEO, then perhaps he had been transferred elsewhere to take up a position in another division.

His high-level access could also be explained by his former high position.

But when all three pieces of information appeared together, they became highly unreasonable.

If they had both been transferred away, why would they still retain such authority? Why could they even enter and leave the CEO's office freely?

And if they had such high-level access, then even after being transferred, how could they not have retained even the most basic office at headquarters?

The information contained several logical contradictions, leaving Lin Xu thoroughly confused.

—But no matter what, finding Jiang Xingye through an office was no longer possible.

She was not at Skyvault Technology headquarters.

Perhaps he should find a way to get her contact information?

Call her?

In Bracelet World, in order to avoid being monitored before the operation, he had not carried any personal communication devices.

But... if he did not have one, surely someone else did?

So many people left Skyvault Technology's campus after work. He could borrow a phone from anyone.

As long as he could find her contact information.

Where could he look?

The HR office?

That was right.

Lin Xu perked up. Though he had stumbled along the way, he felt that he was not far from the truth now.

It was still early, barely past one o'clock.

He still had time. He could go in once more, then take an afternoon nap and head out for dinner with the Jiang Xingye from this world.

Perfect!

Lin Xu lightly tapped his bracelet. The next second, his consciousness was hollowed out once again...

"So, you—"

"Shut up."

Lin Xu gave Skullhead no chance to speak. He tore off his body armor and helmet as quickly as possible, then immediately asked Skullhead, "Which one of you brought a phone?"

"A phone? That's a pretty retro term..."

Skullhead tugged at the corner of his mouth before saying, "Don't worry. As you requested, we destroyed all personal communication devices before the operation began."

"There definitely isn't a single... phone, as you call it, here."

"We're safe. So, shall we begin the operation?"

What professionalism.

I told you not to bring them, and you actually didn't? Aren't you just making things difficult for me?

Lin Xu shook his head and replied, "No."

"The situation has changed. The mission is suspended."

"I need to go inside and take a look first. Wait here."

"I'm going with you!"

Skullhead spoke decisively. Lin Xu did not bother responding much, merely tossing out, "Then hurry up if you're coming," before swiftly heading toward security.

Iris scan, registration—done in one smooth sequence.

With Skullhead following behind him, Lin Xu entered the lobby and took the elevator straight to the fifteenth floor.

That was where Skyvault Technology headquarters' Human Resources department was located. Lin Xu remembered an office there labeled "HRD," the Human Resources Director's office.

If he could enter that office, then with his access privileges, he would most likely be able to obtain Skyvault Technology's personnel information as long as he could turn on the computer.

Once he had the information, he could borrow a phone from anyone on the street and call Jiang Xingye.

Plan successful √.

Lin Xu did not slow his pace, moving through the building with complete familiarity.

Watching him, Skullhead could not help asking, "Boss, are you coming home or something?"

"How are you this familiar with the place? What's going on? Are you an insider?"

"...You've asked that question countless times already. Every time, I have to think about how to answer you."

Lin Xu shot Skullhead a helpless glance, then said, "Promise me that for the rest of the time, if I don't speak first, you won't ask any more questions. Okay?"

Skullhead really did not say anything. He raised a hand in a tactical gesture indicating receipt, then obediently shut his mouth.

The elevator reached the fifteenth floor. The moment the doors opened, Lin Xu stepped out.

Following his memory from last time, Lin Xu quickly found the Human Resources Director's office. But to his surprise, the lights in the office were on.

Unlike last time.

Someone was inside!

With some confusion, Lin Xu cautiously pushed open the door. The moment he saw the man inside, he froze.

He had seen him before.

It was the man he had encountered in the exhibition hall.

The man looked up at him as well.

"Eh? President Lin?"

"Coming back to the company this late?"

"Mm, I happened to have something to discuss with you."

Lin Xu's expression did not change.

Without question, the man before him, whose nameplate read "He Xin," was Skyvault Technology's current HRD.

Just when he wanted to sleep, someone delivered a pillow. Just when he missed his family, an uncle showed up.

Since He Xin was here, he would not need to go through the trouble of accessing a computer and searching through permissions.

He could just have him look it up!

He walked into the office. He Xin smiled broadly and said, "You work far too hard, President Lin... Just tell me what you need. I'm ready to serve at any time."

"You work hard too."

Lin Xu exchanged the pleasantry, then asked, "Do you have the latest employee list? Including the roster and contact details?"

"Yes, yes. Shall I open it for you now, or send it to you later?"

He Xin was extremely enthusiastic, further confirming Lin Xu's guess.

His position in the company was definitely not low. It was quite possible that stepping down as CEO had merely been a routine personnel transfer. Perhaps he had even been appointed to a more powerful position now?

Since that was the case, Lin Xu did not hold back.

Power was meant to be used.

He said, "No need to send it to me. I just want to find someone."

"Jiang Xingye. Do you have her information?"

The moment the words fell, He Xin froze.

Lin Xu clearly noticed the other man's eyes flicker several times.

But very quickly, his expression returned to normal.

"Yes, yes."

He Xin cleared his throat and said, "But her information is classified. I can't access it here."

"President Lin, how about you wait here? I'll go get it for you."

"No problem."

Lin Xu nodded and walked directly over to sit on the sofa.

Meanwhile, Skullhead silently took up position beside him in a protective stance.

He Xin glanced at the two of them, then quickly left the office.

Lin Xu did not know where He Xin would go to retrieve Jiang Xingye's information, nor did he know how long it would take.

Still, instinctively, it seemed perfectly normal for Jiang Xingye's information to be classified. It was also reasonable that a special process would be needed to retrieve it.

So he waited.

Lin Xu leaned against the sofa and closed his eyes to rest. But after a full five minutes, He Xin still had not returned.

Did it take that long?

Lin Xu walked to the window and looked out at the nightscape.

And just then, he suddenly noticed red and blue lights flashing on the road outside Skyvault Technology's campus.

Immediately afterward, the distant wail of sirens reached him.

Before he could understand what was happening, Skullhead, who had just sat down, abruptly shot to his feet.

At this point, he could no longer care about Lin Xu's order to keep quiet.

He silently listened to the intelligence coming through his concealed earpiece, then cursed, "Fuck!"

"Boss, can you actually handle this or not?!"

"Your insider identity has been exposed! They called the police!"

"Move! We need to break out now!"

"If we don't leave now, it'll be too late!"

"What's going on?!"

Lin Xu stared in disbelief.

Called the police?

Why had they called the police?

I just wanted some information, and you called the police??

"Don't worry about what happened!"

Skullhead's face had turned tense to the extreme.

"We have to leave immediately!"

"Forget about continuing the mission. We can't beat them!"

"Those aren't police! It's the fucking military!"

"Rapid Counterterrorism Units... They're here for counterterrorism!"

"They don't need any reason to kill us!"