Things Are Going South

Richard truly could not understand it. How capable could General Ross possibly have been? Forget being charged with treason after such an enormous blunder—within just a few short years, he had somehow risen straight to Secretary of State. Even an amateur should have smelled a story there.

But before, he had only been watching a movie. When Richard saw that part back then, he had merely tossed out a couple of snarky remarks. Who had the time to nitpick the logic of a movie plot? But things were different now. He had transmigrated into the world of that movie, which meant there was plenty to dig into regarding General Ross.

Maybe Ross had made some dirty, under-the-table deals with certain departments?

Maybe he had proven to the higher-ups that he possessed even greater potential value?

That certainly gave one something to think about.

The hands of the office clock had only just reached five thirty when Richard immediately got up and left his office. Outside, the newsroom was still bustling. Though it was already past quitting time, no one showed any sign of leaving.

Richard nodded approvingly. Yes, this was what made their newspaper special.

Every newcomer who joined the paper had received a warning from him personally: once you entered this newspaper, forget about going home on time. Especially when there was big news, pulling all-nighters every other day was practically routine. Richard had even wanted to tell everyone to just set up beds in their offices, so they would not have to waste time commuting back and forth...

But in the end, he did not say it.

This was management experience he had drawn from his own life in his previous world. Government-run newspapers were generally manageable, but whether private newspapers required overtime depended entirely on the boss's mood. Unfortunately, the paper Richard had worked for before had happened to have an overtime-crazed boss—not that he meant himself, of course. The moment quitting time arrived, the boss would pat his backside and vanish in the blink of an eye. But the employees? Heh, sorry, but if anyone dared step out of the office at five thirty, their bonus vanished with them.

Once, a foreigner had come to work at their newspaper. When he first arrived, he had been brimming with enthusiasm, practically wanting to tell everyone in the office, "Hello, I'm a famous workaholic where I come from. Let's all work hard and stay late every day!"

Yet after only a week, the foreigner had shown up with two dark circles under his eyes and told them, "I'm telling you, the way you people work overtime is inhumane..."

Everyone had sneered at the time. Hah, he could not even handle this much, and he called himself a workaholic? When there was real breaking news to cover, would he not just drop dead on the spot?

Richard had been so envious back then. Every time quitting hour came around, the boss could drive home in style for dinner while they had to keep working themselves to the bone in the office. What went around came around, and now he had finally gotten the same opportunity. He strolled past the busy employees with his hands swinging at his sides, saying, "Good work, everyone," as he headed for the door. Seeing their envious, jealous, resentful expressions gave him a secret thrill.

Before heading home, Richard stopped by a small supermarket nearby. The owner was also Chinese, an auntie in her forties or so. Her surname was Lin, and since they were fellow countrymen, Richard got along with her quite well.

The moment he entered, Auntie Lin smiled and said, "Oh, Little Li, what are you buying today?"

"Soy sauce." Richard waved a hand and headed straight for the shelf stocked with soy sauce.

"Top row." Auntie Lin pointed at the highest shelf from afar. "That's a brand we just got in. Those foreigners aren't really used to it, but this is the most authentic soy sauce."

"Really?" Richard took a bottle as she instructed. "If Auntie Lin says so, then I'll give it a try."

Then he picked up a sandwich and brought both items to the counter to pay.

"I read your paper today." Auntie Lin waved a copy of the Daily Planet in her hand. "Things are getting more and more dangerous these days. First giants, then monsters..."

"Yeah," Richard replied casually.

This was still nothing. Things would get even more exciting later.

Richard finished paying and was about to leave when Auntie Lin called after him. "Do you have any plans tonight?"

Richard paused. "Why?"

"My daughter is throwing some kind of party at home. It's really lively," Auntie Lin said. "If you're free, why not come join the fun?"

Here we go again. Ever since they had met, Auntie Lin had never given up on trying to sell him on her daughter. According to her, her daughter was beloved by all and made flowers bloom wherever she went, practically a fairy descended from heaven. Richard had never met her in person, but he had heard so much about her that his ears were nearly callused.

Richard waved a hand. "No, I have other plans tonight."

"Oh, I see." Auntie Lin was a little disappointed, but she did not lose heart. They were neighbors, after all. There was plenty of time, and there was no need to rush this.

Curiously, she asked, "Then can I ask what you usually do when you go home at night?"

She really was curious. As far as she knew, Richard lived alone. He had no relatives nearby and no friends who came around often. What did he usually do to pass the time?

Richard smiled at her.

"It's nothing much." He walked out the door and waved. "Just being a babysitter."

The young intern reporter Cathy could hardly believe her own luck. Her investigation had gone far too smoothly... almost suspiciously smoothly. She had gone to several places and asked several people about the shipload of girls brought in through Wednesday Wharf. Though no one knew the exact location, one ex-con had told her to try her luck at a certain warehouse.

The Green Snake Gang often liked to store their goods in that area, the man had said.

Under cover of the dark night, Cathy made her way to the warehouse. It was ancient, its outer walls covered in rust, and she had no idea what year it had been built. The main entrance was wrapped in a battered chain, but such a minor obstacle could not stop her.

Cathy moved as nimbly as a graceful little cat, climbing up to the warehouse roof along a water pipe—thank heavens the old pipe was much sturdier than it looked. She dropped through a skylight onto the suspended walkway on the top floor of the warehouse and successfully slipped inside.

Cathy heard faint voices. Following the sound, she found a huge shipping container. Its door had only a padlock hanging from it, one that looked like cheap street-vendor junk. Cathy pulled out the lock pick she always carried and easily opened it.

When she pulled open the container door, she found a group of raggedly dressed girls huddled together, each staring at her with terrified eyes.

Cathy could hardly believe it. She had actually found them just like that. It felt like winning the lottery. She was already more than halfway to success. All she had to do now was hurry these victims to the nearest police station while those criminals were away, and this mission would be perfect!

"Shh, don't make a sound. I'm here to save you." Cathy lowered her voice as she spoke to the girls. "Now stay quiet and follow me..."

"Follow you where?"

A deep male voice suddenly rang out. Cathy jumped and whirled around, only to find that a thickset man with a large gold chain around his neck had appeared behind her at some point. He stared at her with the vicious gaze of a wolf.

Cathy took a deep breath.

This was bad.