Chapter 68: Private Matters

The Support Team arrived upstairs quickly using a glass case to collect the lone occupant’s corpse. Then they left people behind to conduct a final assessment of the room and the entire building for any mental residue. Amidst their orderly work Lu Xin led his Sister downstairs.

Night had fully fallen casting long, flickering shadows across the residential area under the sparse lights.

Lu Xin faced the slightly cool night breeze let out a long breath and spoke into the channel, “This round of checks should be wrapping up soon right?”

Han Bing’s voice came through, “It should be over in another day or two. Similar checks are usually done once a year it’s just that this year’s was moved up because of recent events. Right now all the satellite cities and the Main City are undergoing strict checks. We’ve actually found quite a few hidden pollution incidents but thankfully most are only D-level or even lower relatively easy to handle.”

Lu Xin nodded gently. “I hope we don’t see many more incidents like this.”

Han Bing paused for a moment before saying, “Do you have some aversion to these kinds of pollution incidents?”

Lu Xin was slightly taken aback. “Hmm?”

Han Bing continued, “I can sense your low spirits. If you dislike or feel resistant to this type of pollution incident I can add it to your file. That way when similar incidents occur in Qinggang City in the future we can try to arrange for you to avoid them.”

“That’s not necessary.”

Lu Xin paused then slowly shook his head. “I certainly don’t like this kind of thing or rather I dislike all pollution. But work is work. Since I receive a salary for this and earned the reward for this mission I naturally have to do my job well. Besides… this person Wang Chu probably hoped he’d be discovered sooner right?”

Han Bing paused again. “I think so too.”

Then her voice lifted becoming brighter as she chuckled, “The Administration Hall is already considering repairing more signal towers and releasing more mobile phones into the market. Things like this should become less common.”

“Also the Alliance has recognized the gloom and emptiness of life and is starting to promote the entertainment and culture industry. Maybe soon we won’t have to just immerse ourselves in old pre-cataclysm movies and songs. We might have our own stars. And the professors say that a certain level of entertainment and cultural proliferation is an effective way to help people relieve mental stress.”

“Let’s hope so…”

Hearing the girl’s somewhat happy tone Lu Xin smiled. “About the reward for this mission…”

“Don’t worry I’ve got it!”

Han Bing’s voice sounded cheerful over the channel. “I’m on your side you know. From now on I’ll handle carefully calculating your usual subsidies basic salary and the rewards for every field mission and apply for quick transfers. Take this mission for example its difficulty was less than D-level. Normally the reward would only be around ten thousand but I’ll help you apply for at least twelve thousand…”

Hearing this Lu Xin felt a surge of goodwill. “Thank you thank you…”

“Heehee I should be thanking you Mr. Lone Soldier. This is what you deserve…”

“Regardless I still have to thank you…”

“No no no I should thank you and represent the citizens of Qinggang like me in thanking you…”

“I’m serious about thanking you…”

“I’m serious too…”

…

Hearing Lu Xin’s words his Sister watched him quietly from the side. “Why don’t you just go to the Main City and thank her in person…”

Lu Xin felt a bit awkward. After closing the channel he whispered to his Sister, “She’s helping us get a better reward…”

His Sister tilted her head sized him up for a few moments and said scornfully, “Are you desperate for a girlfriend?”

“What are you talking about?”

Lu Xin blushed and glared at his Sister. “She’s a colleague!”

His Sister completely ignored his explanation scrambled up a nearby utility pole without looking back and said, “I think you should just forget it. Those girls from the Main City are all pampered raised delicately. They’re pretty and have good personalities. I hear they’re like little fairies so delicate they probably don’t even need toilet paper. And you’re just a minor employee from a Satellite City…”

“Not needing toilet paper? Does that even make sense?”

Lu Xin’s gaze followed his Sister’s retreating figure. “Where do you even hear this stuff?”

“Mr. Lone Soldier thank you for your hard work!”

Before his Sister could answer Cheng Hui approached holding his gun his face full of courtesy. “Do you need me to give you a ride?”

It wasn’t just him; many people around including police officers and soldiers responsible for guard duty were looking at Lu Xin with a mixture of admiration and awe. After all this was a terrifying pollution source they couldn’t even get close to. Yet after Lu Xin went upstairs alone he resolved it completely in less than ten minutes without even making a sound.

This shrouded Lu Xin in an aura of mystery in their eyes.

“No need there’s a car outside!”

Lu Xin noticed everyone staring at him and quickly explained with a smile.

He glanced helplessly at his Sister’s back then walked towards the community entrance accompanied by Cheng Hui.

…

…

“Mr. Xu that’s him Lone Soldier.”

As Lu Xin got into the Jeep waiting for him at the community entrance heading towards the Security Hall a black sedan starkly contrasting with the era’s typical vehicles was parked about fifty meters down the road. Its body was streamlined the black paint gleaming but it hadn’t been modified. The low chassis marked it as an older impractical model.

…Impractical meaning it could only handle the good roads within the city; outside the city was basically out of the question.

Inside the car in the left rear seat sat an old man dressed in a sharp suit with a cane placed beside him. His hair was neatly combed and he sported a meticulously trimmed but graying beard. His long thin face radiated an air of authority.

His gaze passed through the one-way window landing on the slowly starting Jeep naturally also seeing Lu Xin.

Frowning slightly he asked, “This is the person who can see mental monsters?”

Sitting beside him a rather slim man wearing gold-rimmed glasses nodded. “Yes that’s him. He hasn’t been recruited for long but he’s already shown excellent performance. During his first official contact the 041 Special Pollution Incident he saved three of our Investigation Team members. Later during the 039 C-level Special Pollution Source incident he demonstrated exceptional logical search capabilities. And just now as you saw he resolved another incident in less than ten minutes.”

The old man watched silently. “I heard his loss-of-control risk is very high?”

“Seeing is believing hearing is deceiving!”

The young man smiled. “At least judging from the available data he actually shows the fewest signs of losing control.”

“Furthermore he’s currently the only one capable of directly seeing and even resolving mental monsters.”

…

The old man remained silent for a moment then nodded. “Yes. I didn’t really have any other choice anyway.”

The young man smiled slightly. “However there is one issue. He currently doesn’t have a pass to enter the Main City.”

“That’s not really a problem.”

The old man nodded slowly. “I can bring my daughter to the Second Satellite City. I still have some business interests here. The most important thing is this is a private commission. We must ensure there’s no direct connection with the Cleanup Department…”

The young man smiled. “No problem. You just need to set a time.”

“Let’s make it tomorrow then.”

The old man paused briefly then sighed softly. “Her condition… is already very serious.”