The two sat down on the sofa at the same time.
Zhang Wan brought over two glasses of water, then turned and headed back into the kitchen to keep working.
After a brief silence, Fu Hu ventured, "Director Li, would you mind if I asked you a few questions?"
"Of course not, though some matters are classified, so I'm afraid I can't discuss those."
"Naturally. I wanted to ask when this National Strategic Risk Bureau was established, and what its responsibilities are."
"The National Strategic Risk Bureau was established thirty years ago. Put simply, it handles the forecasting, intervention, resolution, and concealment of major uncertainties at the national level. We specialize in 'risks beyond public view' and serve as the last line of defense for national strategic security."
Fu Hu narrowed his eyes. "Earlier, you said my rank was too low, so it was normal that I hadn't heard of the National Strategic Risk Bureau. Why are you telling me all this so freely now?"
Su Jin smiled, lifted his glass, and cast a sidelong glance at Fu Hu. "Simple. Before long, everyone in the country will know about this department."
"Why..."
Before Fu Hu could continue, Su Jin took a disc out of his jacket and held it out to him.
"Could you play this disc for me? Don't worry, it's just an ordinary movie. You can watch it too."
Fu Hu stared at the disc, thought for a moment, then turned to put it on.
Su Jin crossed his legs, took out a notebook, and placed it on the sofa's armrest, holding a pen in his other hand, ready to write.
When Fu Hu turned back and saw him sitting like that, he felt another wave of confusion.
"This has nothing to do with you." Su Jin waved his pen. "Go ahead with your questions, Old Fu. I'll tell you whatever I can. I really did drop in rather abruptly. We're on the same side, and I don't want you getting the wrong idea."
Fu Hu nodded and continued, "You said you're a director at the National Strategic Risk Bureau, but you only look twenty-something. In such an important department... how could someone so young be given a position like that?"
"I'm actually in my thirties. I just look young. But you're right-even being in my thirties, holding this rank in a department like ours is highly unusual."
"But the reason isn't complicated. People like me are hard to find. Our department handles extremely important assignments, which require a thorough understanding of foreign cultures, proficiency in several languages, mathematics, physics, computing... even psychology, among other things. You could count everyone in the country who meets those requirements on one hand."
"I've only just returned to the country and rented a place. The Talents Residential Compound is where a lot of the old hands used to live, so I chose it. I never expected to end up as your neighbor."
"Mm..." Fu Hu was momentarily at a loss for words.
An unusual stranger, a department he had never heard of.
Although the man had produced some evidence, Fu Hu still didn't dare trust him.
Strange. Everything about this was strange.
Even if the explanation made sense, he still couldn't accept that some young whippersnapper had become a director in such an important department.
What else should I ask...
While Fu Hu was lost in thought, Su Jin spoke first. "Old Fu, I know you don't believe me, but take a look at this and you'll understand."
With that, he unlocked the Xiaomi Mi 6 in his hand and tossed it straight to Fu Hu.
Fu Hu caught it with quick reflexes and immediately began examining it.
The first time he had seen this thing, he had thought it looked extraordinary!
It had to be some kind of cutting-edge technology. Now that he had a chance to hold it and play around with it, he couldn't let the opportunity go to waste.
"What's this thing called? And what's this writing on it?"
"It's actually just a mobile phone. Our department modified its operating system and replaced everything with encoded text that only insiders can recognize," Su Jin said calmly.
"The technology in this device incorporates almost every function of the electronic products currently on the market. It's a product secretly developed by a foreign agency, with groundbreaking strategic significance. My assignment abroad was to acquire the relevant manufacturing documentation."
Fu Hu fiddled with the phone in fascination. Once he had managed to lock the screen, he looked up at Su Jin with narrowed eyes. "Information this important... aren't you telling me far too much?"
Su Jin nodded. "Very good. As someone once shortlisted for the National Strategic Risk Bureau, you're certainly alert. Actually, there's no need to keep this particular matter under wraps. I sent all the production and manufacturing documentation back to the country a year ago, and internal trial production began six months ago."
"Once the National Strategic Risk Bureau goes public, this device will officially go on sale in the domestic market as a consumer product. Everyone will be able to afford one, and it's bound to cause a stir internationally... come to think of it, that's less than a month away now."
"Really? Everyone will be able to afford technology like this?" Fu Hu's eyes widened, his heart stirring with excitement. "How much will it cost?"
"Eight or ten thousand, give or take."
"That's a price everyone can afford?"
"Interest-free installments."
"..."
Before Fu Hu could recover, Su Jin took the initiative. "You must still have plenty of questions. You aren't convinced about my identity, and you can't understand why someone in my position would turn up here."
"To put it plainly, I returned to the country in secret without telling the higher-ups. My assignment was completed some time ago, and my post-assignment confidentiality period ends next month. Some things happened at the bureau, and the deputy director's position opened up. It should have been mine. But I've been away from Dragon Mountain for years, and someone at the bureau wants to exploit that. So I contacted my subordinates privately and rented a temporary place here."
"Running into you was also an accident. I only wanted to borrow a television... there's no harm in telling you all this, as long as you keep it confidential."
The wariness in Fu Hu's eyes hadn't faded. "Is it really appropriate to tell me all this?"
Su Jin was momentarily speechless, then leaned back lazily on the sofa, his eyes on the television. "There's nothing inappropriate about it. You aren't involved, so you can't affect anything. Besides, there's no way I spent all that time abroad without keeping a few cards up my sleeve. Once I decode the other documents and hand them over to the higher-ups, the deputy director's position will still be mine."
With that, Su Jin held up his notebook.
The writing on it was just like the writing on the phone-completely indecipherable.
Fu Hu fell silent for a moment, lost in thought.
This was far too big, and it had come out of nowhere.
Reason warned him not to believe everything this young man said. He didn't act remotely like someone in the system... yet Fu Hu couldn't find a single hole in his story.
The main problem was that the background was too murky. He knew nothing about it, and the things the man had produced were completely beyond his understanding.
"Old Fu..." Su Jin watched the television without looking away. "Our meeting must have been fate, and I've already told you so much. Almost all my subordinates are being watched right now. If you're willing to run an errand for me, I'd be very grateful."
"Money isn't an issue. My business here should be wrapped up in ten days or a couple of weeks. If you're looking for a job, there are still office positions available at the National Strategic Risk Bureau... starting pay is over ten thousand."
Starting pay of ten thousand?!
Fu Hu gave a slight shudder and said quietly, "Director Li, I'm afraid... this is why you moved in near me and told me so much, isn't it?"
Su Jin chuckled. "You're half right. Moving in across from you really was an accident. So, are you willing to help me out?"
"I'd still like to ask-which country were you assigned to, exactly?"
"My movements are top secret, and they won't be made public in the future either... It's all right, Old Fu. If you don't want to help, you don't have to. I won't interfere with your life."
"Thank you, Director... uh, have you eaten?"
Su Jin's pen paused, and he glanced sideways at Fu Hu. "No."
"Then why don't you stay for dinner tonight?" Fu Hu asked.
"Would that be all right?"
"Of course! It's no trouble at all! I'll go see how the food's coming along." After saying that, Fu Hu stole a glance at Su Jin, stood up, and headed toward the kitchen.
Fu Hu stepped inside and pulled the kitchen door half closed.
Zhang Wan stopped stirring and immediately leaned toward him to ask, "Who is he? Who's that young fellow? What does he want?"
"Shh! Keep your voice down. Something's wrong with this kid."
Before you continue