-Ding-dong!
As the agency's front door swung open, a clear, pleasant electronic chime rang out.
Behind the counter directly opposite the door, a middle-aged man in a navy-blue T-shirt was reading a book. Hearing the chime, he slowly raised his head. The instant he saw the visitor, his nerves tightened as though he had spotted a walking plague.
"You're [Daybreak]?" the man asked. He had too many secrets to welcome unfamiliar powerhouses into this city, especially ones who would attract a whole swarm of rats. Cangnan was already chaotic enough.
Wang Quan walked up to the counter and extended his hand with a smile. He had read this man's file, so he could count him as an acquaintance. "Sir, I've heard so much about you. I never expected to find you here!"
At those words, Chen Muye's expression froze for an instant. Naturally, neither Zhao Kongcheng nor Hongying noticed the change in their captain.
"Chen Muye, captain of Squad 136 stationed in Cangnan!" Chen Muye shook Wang Quan's hand, a hint of warning beneath his stern manner.
"Wang Quan. Just call me Little Wang!"
Without warning, Wang Quan leaned close to Chen Muye and whispered, "The renowned Black Impermanence. I've heard your story!"
"Oh?"
"You know quite a lot, kid!"
"Not many Night Watchers know about me!"
"So tell me, what brings you to Cangnan?"
"A vacation!"
Chen Muye's mouth twitched at that answer. He nearly let loose a tirade.
Someone like him had time for a vacation?
Who was he trying to fool?
Were special squads really that idle these days?
Seeing Chen Muye's doubts, Wang Quan explained in a voice as calm as still water, "Over the past month, I've dealt with three Sea-realm Mystery incursions, killed five Sea-realm experts from the Ancient God Church, and saved six cities. I really am due for some time off."
That record made Chen Muye suck in a sharp breath. This guy was seriously powerful.
"Then... welcome to Cangnan. Enjoy your stay!"
"Hahaha, will do!"
Their baffling exchange left Zhao Kongcheng and Hongying completely lost.
"Captain, have you two met before?" Hongying leaned over curiously.
"No, no. Brother Wang is a young hero. We just hit it off right away!" Chen Muye laughed.
"Show our guest a good time."
"Oh, right. Little Wang, where are you staying?"
The question silenced Wang Quan. He realized there was a very serious problem...
Yesterday, he had been docked a year's pay. Not long before that, he had been docked three years' pay. But he had only joined the Night Watchers a year ago.
Having always carried out missions on the organization's dime, he was flat broke.
"I need a place to crash. Please take me in!"
"I don't have any money!"
"Sir, are you still recruiting?"
Chen Muye: "???"
Recruit you, my ass! Bring someone from a special squad into Squad 136?
The higher-ups would tear me apart!
"No!"
"Alas!"
"To think I've bled for the people and risked my life for them, only to end up sleeping on the streets. Alas!"
Wang Quan heaved a long sigh, looking as tragic as the male lead of an angsty historical romance.
Just then, the little angel Hongying descended to earth.
"Stay at my place. It's a big villa, and only Xiaonan and I live there. We have plenty of spare rooms."
"My heroine, you're a true friend!" Wang Quan cupped his fist in his palm, deeply moved.
"Ahahaha, it's nothing, really!" Praised by someone she idolized, Hongying scratched her head bashfully.
"Um... Captain Chen, can I mooch meals off you too?"
"Why?"
"How could someone as capable as you be short on money?"
"Uh!"
"I'm on vacation..." Wang Quan said helplessly. "The organization isn't covering my expenses. And yesterday, the commander docked another year of my pay."
"Why did he dock your pay?"
"For hiring... ahem, ahem... eating and drinking at public expense!"
With so many people around, Wang Quan would rather die than admit he had hired a massage girl on the organization's dime.
"Fine. It's only a few meals!"
"How about helping train my squad members while you're here?"
With a top-tier expert like him around, not putting him to use would be an utter waste.
"Sure!"
With food and lodging sorted out, Wang Quan needed nothing else.
"Captain, pickup mission complete. I'm off to stake out that kid!" Zhao Kongcheng glanced at his watch.
"Go on. Try to bring him aboard. A god's agent is a talent among talents!" Chen Muye waved him off.
"Um, can I come?"
"I'd like to meet a god's agent too. I'm pretty curious!"
Wang Quan made the suggestion. Of course, he knew the agent they were talking about was the protagonist, Lin Qiye. More importantly, his system mission was to protect Zhao Kongcheng, so he had to stay with him at all times. Who knew when the man might run into danger?
"Sure!"
"With a role model like Little Wang around, I think it'll be easier to convince that kid!"
"Young people have more in common, after all."
Zhao Kongcheng gladly accepted the suggestion.
"Fine. Suit yourselves!"
On the curb across from the gates of Cangnan No. 2 Middle School.
Zhao Kongcheng wore sunglasses, a brand-new shirt, straight-leg trousers, and leather shoes, with a cigarette dangling from his mouth. He had transformed from a scruffy, greasy middle-aged man into a handsome older gentleman.
To draw less attention, Wang Quan had also replaced his blindfold with sunglasses.
The two watched the passing students, doing their best to spot Lin Qiye.
After one sweep of his gaze, Wang Quan declared firmly, "Uncle, the guy you described isn't here!"
"Huh?"
"How do you know?"
"I looked!"
"I've got amazing eyesight!" Wang Quan said confidently.
"Well, that won't do. That kid stood me up last night and even claimed he was some model student. Surely he wouldn't skip school altogether!"
"We'll wait for him!"
"Just sit here and wait?"
"Exactly!"
"Uh!"
With his system mission hanging over him, Wang Quan could only stick it out and keep the man company.
They had barely finished talking when several schoolgirls ran over. Some were so shy they dared not look Wang Quan in the eye, while a bolder girl asked:
"Hey, do you go to No. 2 Middle School?"
"No!" Wang Quan looked away. Before the Six Eyes, even a fairy descended from heaven would have flaws, let alone ordinary people. It was truly a torment.
"Then are you cosplaying?"
"Can we get a photo together?"
"Can I add you on WeChat?"
"You're still young. You should be thinking about studying hard, not dating!" Wang Quan advised earnestly, adopting a parent's tone.
"Be good and get to class!"
"Okay!"
"I'll definitely study hard!"
"And you're such a nice guy, handsome!"
Thanks to his stunning looks, even the words students hated most became music to their ears. Hearts practically sparkled in the teenage girls' eyes as they ran off bashfully.
Old Zhao's eyes widened as he exclaimed inwardly, That fucking worked?
Then he took out his phone to check his reflection, wondering, Aren't I pretty handsome too?
Gradually, the streetlights came on, their yellow glow illuminating the dim night.
Beneath a streetlight, the older man and the younger man squatted on the curb, looking indescribably forlorn.
Old Zhao's eyes were bloodshot, and cigarette butts littered the ground at his feet.
Wang Quan was bristling with frustration, with lollipop sticks scattered around his feet.
The two had actually staked the place out from seven in the morning until ten at night. They had squatted there until they went numb.
But just as Wang Quan had said, that kid Lin Qiye had not come to school.
"I've decided. If I run into that kid, I'm going to beat him until he understands exactly why flowers are red!" Wang Quan cursed.
"Little Wang, thanks for keeping me company. You've wasted a perfectly good day of your vacation!" Old Zhao felt a little guilty.
"It's fine. I wanted to come along!"
"I'll treat you to a meal sometime!"
"You're a good man, Uncle Zhao!"
The two started chatting again. After squatting there all day, they had grown much closer.
Just then, on the sidewalk across the road, a boy in a short-sleeved shirt was taking a leisurely stroll.
"Holy crap, isn't that the kid you described, Uncle Zhao?"
"Huh?" Zhao Kongcheng looked over, his eyes instantly widening. "Holy shit!"
"That's him!"
"Don't let him get away!"
Before you continue