Chapter Ninety-Eight: Acting Separately

By the time Qi Chen arrived at the Department of Strange Affairs, he was practically the last to enter. Wearing an awkward expression, he quickly located the gentle man in the conference room, pretended as if nothing had happened, and sat down swiftly.

“What’s going on exactly?” Qi Chen whispered, turning his head slightly to ask in a low voice.

The gentle man shrugged. “I’m not entirely sure either. Captain Fu will explain everything soon.”

“Captain Fu?” Qi Chen’s face lit up with surprise. After their parting at the medical center, he had assumed Captain Fu Ying would soon find herself in a dire situation, and she had even mentioned the possibility of leaving the Department of Strange Affairs for a while.

Yet here she was, still in charge of the department’s matters.

Feeling reassured, Qi Chen relaxed and began observing those present. Most were members of the previous special operations team. Aside from himself and the gentle man, the only other operatives were Zhuoguang and Old Jun.

Zhuoguang seemed fine, sitting comfortably, flipping through a magazine and occasionally chuckling softly. But Old Jun, sitting beside her, looked different. His handsome face was covered in bandages, his left arm encased in a cast, and a fierce aura lingered about him. He remained silent, merely sitting there.

“Old Jun… what happened?” Qi Chen asked, curious about how this proud colleague had ended up in such a state.

The gentle man covered his mouth to laugh, his expression almost provoking Qi Chen’s irritation.

“Why else? He got himself hurt, of course. Didn’t he go with Captain Fu to the Shangfu City to root out the infiltrators from the Upright Eye Society? Things were going smoothly until the leader of the Upright Eye Society, who is also a strange operative, suddenly launched an attack.”

“What should have been an easy cleanup turned complicated because Old Jun, with his personality flaws, pushed the leader of the Upright Eye Society to the brink of losing control, and well, this is the result.”

Hearing this, Old Jun seemed to realize he was the subject of gossip. He turned his head, shooting a strange glare at the gentle man, snorted, and then turned away, ignoring the conversation.

“Cough, cough, mocking a colleague like this isn’t very appropriate,” Qi Chen reminded him. The gentle man, however, shook his head indifferently.

“You don’t understand. Respect doesn’t always come in formal ways. This is how Old Jun and I bond. Besides, am I really mocking him? I’m clearly concerned.”

Qi Chen’s lips twitched slightly, beginning to understand why these two didn’t get along.

Suddenly, the sharp staccato of high heels echoed through the room. Qi Chen was particularly sensitive to this sound—it reminded him of a near-fatal encounter with a pair of high heels.

A woman with neat short hair, Captain Fu Ying, briskly entered the room, dressed in a tailored suit that emphasized her professionalism.

“The meeting begins!”

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“According to the directive from the Administration Office, the entire special operations team will undertake two missions,” Captain Fu spoke clearly, each word infused with strength.

“First, cooperate with the City Guard in conducting a sweep around City No. 3 to eliminate any forces or individuals that may threaten our security. Second, proceed to the outlying transit station to receive the returning Elder Li and ensure his safe escort back to the city.”

Elder Li was truly returning soon?

Qi Chen exchanged a glance with the gentle man, both sharing a look full of surprise.

“So you didn’t know the details either? What was the communicator telling me?” Qi Chen whispered, mildly accusing the gentle man. The communicator had made it sound urgent, yet upon arrival at the Department of Strange Affairs, no one had shared any information with him—apparently, even the gentle man didn’t know.

Unfazed, the gentle man patted Qi Chen’s thigh with a solemn expression. “Focus on Captain Fu’s speech. No interruptions!”

You jerk...

Qi Chen’s face stiffened, realizing that veteran members really did have far more experience than he did.

“The two tasks will be divided into groups. The list is as follows,” Captain Fu glanced coldly at Qi Chen and the gentle man before reading the roster.

The grouping was simple, still centered around the strange operatives. Qi Chen and the gentle man were assigned the task of welcoming Elder Li.

“Any questions?” Captain Fu surveyed the many members seated before her. Unsurprisingly, no one raised any doubts.

“Then meeting adjourned. Return immediately to prepare the necessary materials. The two groups of strange operatives will stay behind.”

Following her command, the large conference room quickly emptied until only four strange operatives remained. Captain Fu said nothing further, and Qi Chen and the others remained silent, waiting.

“This mission isn’t particularly difficult. The only potential obstacles are you two—Zhuoguang and the gentle man. But there’s no need to worry excessively. Once you meet Elder Li, the combined strength will be enough to handle most troubles,” Captain Fu said calmly.

“Captain Fu, what’s Elder Li’s current situation? Why is his return so soon?” The gentle man voiced the question on everyone’s mind.

“It went smoothly,” Captain Fu answered. “Details will be discussed at a high-level meeting once Elder Li returns. I will convey the outcomes of the multi-city talks to you then.”

“But be cautious. Intelligence from Elder Li’s side indicates they were monitored by an unknown force in the mist. Likely, this group is connected to the agitators within City No. 3.”

“Then why haven’t they acted?” Zhuoguang’s large eyes shone with curiosity.

“Because they don’t dare,” Old Jun said coldly, his tone oddly contrasting with the layers of bandages and casts covering him.

Seeing no one responding, Old Jun turned his head away again, signaling “do not disturb.”

Qi Chen increasingly felt that among his colleagues in the Department of Strange Affairs, he was one of the more normal ones. The only hothead was the tyrant; what did that have to do with him?

“If there are no more questions, collect your equipment promptly. We’re heading out of the city, so bring all necessary supplies,” Captain Fu said before decisively leaving the room in her high heels. Zhuoguang called out, seemingly wanting to ask more, and followed her.

That left only Qi Chen, the gentle man, and Old Jun in the room.

“Old Jun, I suggest you get your bandages changed soon. Going out on a mission still injured could be dangerous,” the gentle man said with a cheerful smile.

“Hmph! Take care of yourself first. Don’t die in the mist before even meeting Elder Li!” Old Jun snapped as he limped out of the conference room.

Watching him go, Qi Chen glanced at the gentle man beside him and said speechlessly, “What’s going on between you two?”

“Nothing,” the gentle man shrugged, “Just normal colleague banter.”

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