Chapter 471: The Priceless Watch

A two-hundred-thousand watch?

Lu Xin couldn’t believe that a watch could be valued at two hundred thousand!

Why would they price a watch at as much as two hundred thousand?

This isn’t the era before Red Moon when money didn’t count for much!

Just as he was about to speak, his words were cut off, leaving him staring fixedly at Vice President Xiao, unsure how to continue.

Vice President Xiao’s face paled under Lu Xin’s stern gaze, and he awkwardly explained:

“Brother Lu, I really turned you down. I said you’re not the sort to fuss over such trinkets. For you, money is probably just a number—unlike us who wallow in it every day…”

Lu Xin’s expression grew even more serious.

He wanted to tell Vice President Xiao that he didn’t wallow in money simply because he couldn’t afford such excess.

“But still…”

Vice President Xiao hesitantly presented the watch into Lu Xin’s view and murmured, “Gao Yan is truly grateful to you…”

“When we met in the Isolation Zone, he admitted that he was terrified of himself. He couldn’t understand how, during that period, he became crazily infatuated with that girl—as if bewitched, repeatedly shattering his own limits for her sake.”

“It all started when he accidentally caught a glimpse of her gaze. His heart just melted instantly.”

“He felt as if he were under a spell, utterly obsessed with her…”

“He couldn’t refuse any of her requests—even if it meant becoming…”

“…a devil!”

“…”

At that, Xiao Yuan even shuddered slightly—as if reminded of his own situation.

Had he not been cured of the Pollution so quickly back then, would he have ended up like Gao Yan?

He even understood it on a deeper level…

Because he once suffered continuous nightmares that affected even his younger siblings.

“A two-hundred-thousand watch…”

That thought kept echoing in Lu Xin’s mind.

“That sort of thing is just too terrifying…”

Vice President Xiao, still shaken, continued, “Gao Yan told me something when we were in Isolation.”

“He said he’d rather be swindled out of all his wealth than be cheated out of his very self…”

“…”

“So he insisted on giving me this two-hundred-thousand watch?”

Almost reflexively, Lu Xin answered and then couldn’t help but glance sideways at the small box.

Vice President Xiao was startled by the emotionless way Lu Xin’s gaze settled on the watch.

He couldn’t shake the feeling of unease.

“I know it isn’t ideal, but Gao Yan was insistent on having me pass it over…”

“If it weren’t for his leg needing proper care, he might have dropped by in person…”

After several more rushed explanations, Vice President Xiao added, “I originally planned to decline it for you, but Gao Yan wouldn’t hear of it.”

“He even said if I didn’t deliver this watch to you, he wouldn’t consider me a friend anymore…”

“…”

Lu Xin furrowed his brow and asked, “If I refuse it, are the consequences really that severe?”

“Exactly!”

Vice President Xiao said gravely, “During the Isolation, I met him and that friend of Mr. Li’s.”

“They seem to have an overwhelming need to confide in me about this matter.”

“In short, we’ve all become rather sensitive…”

“Whenever we see her, it’s as if we can understand her innermost feelings—her pitiful vulnerability, her grievances. It triggers an intense urge to protect her. Gao Yan was the worst afflicted; he said that in order to win over Pingping, he did some pretty extreme things.”

“He claimed that at that time he felt like a completely different person. Though he was still himself, he was controlled by a terrifying emotion that grew from mere protectiveness to an unquenchable plea…”

“Pingping would recoil in fear the moment she saw him.”

“But he could sense that Pingping actually liked that side of him—almost encouraging him to act that way.”

“Sometimes he’d snap back to clarity, frightened and unsure if what he was doing was right.”

“Yet, Pingping would give him subtle cues.”

“Cues he could instantly understand, though Pingping always had plenty of other explanations ready.”

“He said that during those times he was caught between external and internal pressures, constantly feeling wronged, because no matter how faithfully he followed Pingping’s wishes, nothing he said seemed to hold any weight.”

“He even mentioned the torture devices in his basement…”

“Pingping enjoyed being tormented by him. Only then would she show a trace of genuine pleasure…”

“There were moments when he was so scared that he’d cry and beg her to stop, only for Pingping’s expression to darken and her to berate him harshly.”

“He was a man of many beliefs. During that time, he felt as though he had become a devil…”

“So much so that he couldn’t even bear to look at Buddha statues or crosses…”

“He said that becoming a demon was something even gods would despise…”

“…”

Lu Xin had been listening half-heartedly to Vice President Xiao’s words.

He didn’t interrupt because he sensed that Xiao also had a lot to say.

Perhaps even the Special Cleaning Department wouldn’t have explained everything in detail after their tests.

But as the story unfolded, an odd twinge stirred within him.

Vice President Xiao spoke with a strained tone, clearly struggling to grasp the complex emotional turmoil.

But he couldn’t shake the feeling that it was an utterly desperate and oppressive state.

In the end, after the Pollution Incident was resolved and it was confirmed there were no further troubles, Gao Yan let it go.

However, the Special Cleaning Department wouldn’t be so hasty. They imposed post-incident isolation and launched further investigations into every detail.

They questioned how Gao Yan was affected by the Pollution and what his state was afterward.

They wondered why he tormented that girl, and why he was so afraid of Buddha statues, among other things.

I haven’t seen that report myself yet, but it’s undoubtedly tied to the Pollution.

Most people affected by the Pollution are mistaken for the mentally ill by ordinary folks—their symptoms are eerily similar.

In essence, ordinary people just can’t fathom why they act the way they do.

It’s as if Gao Yan was contaminated by that girl called Pingping.

In the chain of Pollution, she occupies a higher place. If she had abused Gao Yan, it would have been understandable.

But the fact that Gao Yan ended up tormenting her makes it all the more baffling.

Then again, how can those caught in the Pollution truly explain themselves?

Normal thoughts and desires are already distorted in such a state—anything can happen.

I once encountered an S-level Ability User from Sea Country who cared about nothing but the desire to die.

“Oh dear…”

He went on for what seemed like an eternity. Seeing Lu Xin remain silent, Vice President Xiao quickly interjected.

Forcing a laugh, he said, “What am I saying? You surely understand this better than I do…”

He then pleaded, “Brother Lu, please just take the watch. Gao Yan is actually quite frightened right now. His leg is still injured, and he wanted me to bring him to you. I refused him, which is why he didn’t come—but he insisted I deliver this watch to you.”

“Consider it a small favor to boost my pride, alright…”

“…”

Looking at his pitiful expression, it was almost as if he was trying to be cute for Lu Xin.

Lu Xin stared at him in silence, inner turmoil raging.

Should he accept it?

Accepting gifts privately goes against the rules, doesn’t it?

And if he refused…

Almost immediately, he made up his mind, nodding as he said, “Business comes first. I should find out more about this situation.”

As he spoke, he pulled out his Satellite Phone and added, “I need to make a call.”

Vice President Xiao looked anxiously and replied, “Mm, mm.”

In the midst of Xiao’s worried expression, Lu Xin calmly grabbed a cigarette and the phone before heading down the hallway.

A few colleagues were gathered there, smoking. When they saw Lu Xin approach, they tossed their cigarette butts to the ground and stomped them out, hurriedly giving a greeting to Supervisor Lu before snapping back to their workstations, muscles tensing as they returned.

“A two-hundred-thousand watch…”

Only when he was sure no one was around did Lu Xin let out a quiet sigh. He then pulled out his phone and dialed.

Recently, Han Bing had been so busy she was losing her hair, so Lu Xin hesitated to call her for trivial matters.

But this time it was important—he needed her advice.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Lone Soldier…”

Han Bing answered promptly, a slight background hum in the line.

“Hello, hello…”

Lu Xin courteously greeted her, “Are you busy right now?”

“Not at all,” she replied.

Han Bing chuckled, “I’m on a ride.”

“Oh, I see,” Lu Xin responded. “The real reason I called is to ask… well, to ask about how the last incident was handled.”

“That matter has been settled…”

Han Bing added with a curious laugh, “I already emailed you the analysis. Did you forget to check it?”

“Ah?”

Lu Xin felt a twinge of guilt, unable to answer immediately.

“Ah, I understand. You’re wondering about the payment, aren’t you?”

From Han Bing’s end, the sound of a vehicle coming to a stop and crisp footsteps could be heard.

“Payment?”

Although Lu Xin hadn’t intended to bring it up, once mentioned, he was indeed curious.

“Don’t worry, Mr. Lone Soldier. I’ll handle it. When it comes to mission payment claims, I’m a pro.”

The sound of footsteps on the metal stairs echoed from Han Bing’s side.

“Great, thank you so much…”

Lu Xin felt a surge of genuine gratitude. After a brief mental pause, he continued, “There’s one more thing…”

“Hehe, we have so much to discuss—there’s no end to it over the phone,” Han Bing giggled, cutting him off.

Lu Xin paused, instantly picking up on the hint in her tone—she wanted him to hang up.

Then he distinctly heard another voice say, “Why don’t we discuss this face-to-face?”

“Hmm?”

Lu Xin was momentarily taken aback.

For one, he hadn’t registered a response to Han Bing’s suggestion; for another, he thought he heard the sentence twice.

After a brief pause, he turned and peered down the hallway.

There, on the second landing of the metal stairs, stood a girl with long hair donning a white down jacket.

She wore slim black jeans, long boots, and silver half-frame glasses accentuating her fair skin. With an amused expression, she waved with a Satellite Phone in hand.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Lone Soldier…”

“…”

This time the voice was unmistakable, both over the phone and in the hallway.

“Ah…”

Lu Xin, cigarette dangling from his mouth and the phone pressed to his ear, was momentarily stunned.

“I’m on break…”

Noting Lu Xin’s surprised look, the girl beamed happily, hopped onto the steps, and lightly approached him:

“So today, I’m taking you to see a house…”

“…”

Staring at her youthful, radiant smile, Lu Xin’s gaze finally sharpened.

The girl in the hallway and the one who once delivered small wontons outside the High-Speed Train slowly merged into one image in his mind.

“Whoosh!”

He snapped back to reality, quickly stubbing out his cigarette in a nearby ashtray.

Han Bing?

Could it be that this girl was Han Bing?

Why had she suddenly shown up here?