Chapter 754: Fees, Family, and Frenzied Facades

What do you mean, charging two fees?

A consultant fee and a translation fee—it makes perfect sense, doesn’t it?

However, Han Bing, ever the reasonable one, agreed to help him file an application. Soon after, he called back to announce that the Special Cleaning Department had approved both payments, and they were priced high, fitting for a B-level pollution cleanup task.

Lu Xin’s spirits soared as he turned back to his room to change, ready to take Mom to work.

What he didn’t know was that as he cheerfully hung up the phone, several old men around Han Bing—especially Mr. Su—also exhaled a long-held breath. One of them glanced at the awkward researchers and remarked, “See for yourselves?”

“I told you this method works!”

“Based on Mr. Lone Soldier’s usual practice and the contract we signed with him, he’s definitely going to claim his task fee.”

“But this is world-class mental pollution—you know, that thing you mentioned?”

“The Ultimate!!”

“How much do you think is appropriate?”

“Too little and it might hurt our feelings; too much…”

“Will all of Qinggang’s tax revenue this year be enough for him?”

“Everything’s set now. Let’s team up and make money from outsiders…”

“Look at how we handled it: later, we’ll claim half the declared fee plus an extra translation fee, and he’ll be all smiles…”

“…”

The researchers around exchanged awkward looks, casting sideways glances at Mr. Su with a hint of disdain.

Mr. Su coolly shot back at the group.

“You spenders have no idea just how tough it is to make money in this world…”

“…”

“…”

When Lu Xin came out after changing, he saw Mom already heading out the door.

She was now dressed in casual streetwear with a pair of Martin boots—looking surprisingly sharp for a workday. Although her outfit wasn’t as ostentatious as usual, the bag slung over her arm was clearly exquisite and expensive.

Her style remained unrivaled.

“Let’s go…”

She smiled at Lu Xin and asked, “How do we get there?”

“You already know?”

Lu Xin, both delighted and a bit embarrassed, quickly opened the door for Mom and said, “I’ll pick a car downstairs in a moment.”

Choosing one from three identical modified cars, he sat in the driver’s seat and took Mom off to the Special Cleaning Department.

Upstairs, Father and Sister pressed their faces against the window in envy.

“Just look at Mom…”

Sister wrinkled her nose and threw a disapproving look at Father.

“Ha, what’s that all about?”

Father, irritated, sneered, “Once I reclaim what’s mine, they’ll only tremble in my presence.”

“Hee hee…”

Sister, undaunted, retorted, “Then why don’t you go get it?”

“Sooner or later I’ll get it back…”

Father’s anger flared as he shot back, “At least you’ll never grow up…”

“But I do have a brother, you know…”

Sister, puffed up with pride, left Father fuming before hopping back to the living room with her Teddy Bear.

Father, furious, pounded his head on the balcony before heading back to the kitchen to chop bones.

“…”

“…”

Qinggang was facing its share of troubles—not only the Midnight Tribunal outside the city but also the Doll inside.

Moreover, even though the recent attack left minimal lasting damage, every assault leaves traces. Inspections, investigations, alerts, and endless communications now piled up.

Lu Xin drove straight to the Security Hall at Second Satellite City, where a helicopter was already waiting on the rooftop.

Upon entering, he found a plump female officer at the front desk, munching on youtiao.

Suddenly, when she looked up and saw Lu Xin, her face lit up with excitement as she stood to wave at him.

“Mr. Lone Soldier, are you about to have breakfast?”

“…”

“Um…”

Scanning around, Lu Xin realized there was no extra food, and he felt a surge of embarrassment.

“Looks like there’s no time—I’m heading to Main City shortly…”

“…”

“It’s all right…”

The female officer nonchalantly retrieved a fresh plastic bag from the drawer, still containing warm food.

With a cheerful nudge, she said, “Take it with you.”

“This…”

Lu Xin was taken aback—could she foresee his needs?

Why had she prepared an extra portion in advance?

“This is especially for Mr. Lone Soldier…”

She smiled and, still glancing around nervously, lowered her voice: “Whenever something’s about to happen in the city, I make it my habit to get two meals for you. I just worry you might end up with nothing after your work. But recently, since you haven’t been around, I had to eat both…”

“…”

Lu Xin couldn’t help but steal a glance at the female officer’s waist, suddenly feeling overwhelmingly guilty.

Despite her earnest offer, he accepted and promised that next time he’d join her for a late-night snack.

With her enthusiastic approval, Lu Xin, carrying his soy milk and youtiao, ascended the stairs. Outside, Qinggang had already prepped the helicopter, and aside from the pilot, two armed personnel armed with special weapons were assigned to protect him.

Lu Xin couldn’t help but marvel at how his stature in Qinggang had grown.

Just look—he was about to have his own financial team, and even bodyguards, albeit mostly for show, were at his disposal…

After settling in, he directed a somewhat nervous young soldier, “Sit opposite me.”

The young soldier clutched his gun tightly and gave Lu Xin a puzzled look.

Quickly, Lu Xin explained with a smile, “Mom is going to sit here.”

In an instant, the soldier straightened up and moved to the opposite side, standing rigidly alongside another armed guard.

After a call with Han Bing, the helicopter headed toward Main City.

According to Han Bing, the Midnight Tribunal was eagerly waiting for Lu Xin, and so was the Doll.

Although everyone in the Special Cleaning Department knew that Lu Xin had met with the Doll last night, Professor Chen—who was in charge of researching her stability and abilities—was anxious to determine the impact and potential dangers of the strange chains that had appeared on her.

He firmly believed that, compared to the Midnight Tribunal, Qinggang’s Doll was far more significant.

This matter even sparked a brief dispute between the two sides.

In the end, thanks to Professor Chen’s assertive kick against Grandson’s arrogance and the silent threat from the nanny teams, they managed to secure Lu Xin first.

Of course, there was another reason.

During the Sword Bearer’s incursion into Qinggang, several Ability Users assisting the Doll in controlling the cities were briefly subdued by the Knight Orders from the Wasteland. Although the control was lifted soon and no severe harm was done, they were all brought back to Main City for treatment and observation.

Since the force that subdued them was rather formidable, Qinggang was cautious and wanted to be sure nothing was overlooked.

Inviting Mr. Lone Soldier was simply to check for any lingering issues.

Thus, Qinggang hired Ms. Lu as a consultant. Her main tasks were threefold:

First, ensure that Qinggang’s Ability Users have no lasting side effects.

Second, assess the Doll’s current condition.

Third, provide clear research guidance regarding the Midnight Tribunal.

“…”

“…”

The helicopter buzzed upward, and by the time Lu Xin finished his breakfast, he had reached Main City.

On the rooftop, Han Bing was already waiting with a smile.

After descending the building and switching vehicles, he quickly arrived at a secluded hospital not far from the Special Cleaning Department.

Under Han Bing’s guidance, Lu Xin reached a third-floor ward. Peering through the glass, he saw Drunkard, Watchdog, Luohan, Red Serpent, and the Godly Woman locked in a large ward; their shouts could be heard from behind the door.

Drunkard sat cross-legged on the bed, tugging pitifully at the Head Nurse’s sleeve as he pleaded, “Just one sip…”

“One sip is enough?”

“I swear I’m fine—it won’t affect the test results…”

“You always act so charming and graceful, but you can’t just snatch someone’s Thermos cup…”

“…”

Elsewhere, Watchdog lay silently on a bed. While others donned hospital gowns, he was clad in a soldier’s uniform, wrapped up tightly, sprawled across two beds pushed together, his back leaning against the wall as he read a book.

The book was titled: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland?

Who would have thought such a rugged exterior could hide a soft heart…

Meanwhile, Luohan wasn’t lying on a bed; he was kneeling on the floor beside it, burning several sticks of incense.

With a look of devout sincerity, he prayed before a statue of Guan Gong.

But something about the statue seemed oddly familiar…

After a long moment, Lu Xin recognized it—it wasn’t Guan Gong at all, but the Doll.

And the statue was even dressed in a black skirt!

“…”

“Hey, we may not know everyone, but we’re young! Even half a year can make a huge difference, got it?”

Nearby, the voice of the bedridden Godly Woman caught Lu Xin’s attention. Glancing sideways, he saw her lying on a bed, adjusting her lipstick in a small mirror while tweaking her eyebrows. “Unlike some people, you’ll be a 26-year-old old woman before you know it. What good is knowing a bunch of people? Really, who in their right mind would want to marry you?”

“Hee hee, keep talking—I’m not offended…”

On another bed, Red Serpent, legs crossed elegantly, shook his head and remarked, “At least the people chasing us have lined up all the way from Heichao City. Just a stroll on the street and they’re queuing up to ask for a number—unlike some people who, after a rare blind date, end up getting scolded and sent packing…”

Godly Woman scoffed, “Ha, cheap is exactly what the masses love…”

Red Serpent shot back, “You can’t fake genuine cultivation…”

“Who said anyone doesn’t have cultivation?”

“Who said you’re cheap?”

“…”

In a few words, it looked as if the two were about to lunge at each other over tangled hair.

Lu Xin rubbed his brows, thinking that with them sprawled here, this no longer resembled a proper hospital.

It looked more like a psychiatric ward…

While marveling, he tossed an inquiring glance at Mom and asked, “Should we go in or not?”

Mom simply glanced and, with a lazy shake of her head, replied, “Do you really think they seem that problematic?”

“…”

“…”

With one dismissive remark, Mom swiftly wrapped up a task, signaled Han Bing to note it down, and stepped back into the elevator. She ascended directly to the seventh floor, where the entire level had been cleared and reconfigured with reinforced glass.

“Mr. Lone Soldier, you finally made it…”

But as he stepped out of the elevator, an old man with black-rimmed glasses—Professor Chen—approached him, visibly excited. Without any pleasantries, he fired off a string of questions:

“Is that high-level mental chain on the Doll your doing?”

“What is the specific function of this chain?”

“Could this degree of force impact the Doll’s mental state?”

“Is there any chance it’s overburdening her brain?”

“…”

Meanwhile, from the other side, a group of muscular, stern-faced women clad in protective suits surrounded him.

The captain of the nanny teams, looking anxious, inquired, “By sending this, do you have another motive?”