Chapter 469: Tangled Currents of Pollution
by xennovel“Yes, this pollution incident should now be considered resolved.”
“The pollution source has been completely cleaned up, and those affected have been treated.”
“Of course, just to be safe, it’d be best to have them tested once more.”
……
After hearing Mom’s explanation, Lu Xin stepped out to call Han Bing and clearly explain how the pollution was handled this time.
He made no attempt to hide the complexity of the incident: “Although cleaning up this pollution episode was relatively straightforward, the situation was a bit complicated. The pollution source we located and eliminated turned out to be only part of a larger, more potent contaminant.”
“It’s like a seed of a plant, or a secondary pollution source.”
“I never found the real source, but one thing’s for sure – it’s extremely dangerous…”
……
On the other end of the line, Han Bing’s tone tensed: “So you’re saying that after this incident, there’s an even greater threat?”
“Well…”
Recalling Mom’s words, Lu Xin shook his head and replied, “There shouldn’t be. That pollution source doesn’t intend to cause us any trouble.”
“Think of it this way – it purposely contracts its influence to avoid causing chaos…”
……
At that point, he realized how hard it was to explain this matter.
That very ‘sister’ of Mom—what exactly is her nature? Even now, he still couldn’t quite grasp it.
A being that radiates influence subconsciously yet can decide whether to cross Qinggang or not…
……Is it a mental monster or a pollution source?
……
After listening to Lu Xin’s explanation, Han Bing let out a soft sigh and remained silent for a long while.
Lu Xin quickly asked with a smile, “What are you thinking about?”
Han Bing replied, “I’m wondering which shampoo can prevent hair loss…”
……
Lu Xin was momentarily at a loss for words.
“Look at her – that little girl is so pushed that she’d rather lose hair than not work overtime…”
He didn’t even know which shampoo could prevent hair loss himself, considering his hair was thick and hardly ever fell out.
So he quickly changed the subject, saying:
“There’s one more thing. I didn’t expect our latest support to come from the Security Hall’s Special Police…”
“Honestly, I still think that for these kinds of incidents, we should dispatch specialized personnel. During that previous event, they got into trouble and unknowingly got contaminated. Of course, don’t blame them – they did their best and were very professional. In the end, they were contaminated simply because their human compassion got in the way…”
“Even if we send a specialized support team, there’s no guarantee they won’t get contaminated…”
……
Having said that, Lu Xin didn’t want to continue any further.
This was the part of the incident that made him feel most uneasy.
Compassion is supposed to be a virtue.
But now, that very virtue has become a vulnerability to pollution, making people feel oppressed.
When pollution takes on such an insidious form, how are ordinary people supposed to protect themselves?
Before entering the villa, he had urged Big-Bearded Captain to make sure they were extra cautious.
Yet even with all that caution, they still ended up getting contaminated. What are we supposed to do then?
……
……
“Alright, I’ll report this issue up the chain and include your suggestions in the report.”
Han Bing agreed, and two faint sounds rang out from the other end of the line.
An image flashed in Lu Xin’s mind of a girl anxiously tapping her forehead, and then he heard Han Bing say:
“But sending them over this time was really our only option.”
“We’ve just got too much on our plate here in Qinggang.”
“You might not know, but after the Sea Country attack incident, Qinggang started negotiations with them.”
“And we discovered that Sea Country is now in a state of extreme distortion and chaos. We’re faced with the choice of either taking in their citizens or leaving them to fend for themselves.”
“In the end, we opted to accept them.”
“It’s not that Qinggang is exceptionally kind; it’s just that a place as vast as that, with pollution running rampant, if we left them on their own in the sea, no one can predict what consequences might follow.”
“But once you decide to take them in, you need to mobilize vast resources and manpower from the Special Cleaning Department, working round the clock to eliminate every potential hazard.”
“They’re still working on it to this day.”
……
While Han Bing was speaking, there came a crisp “crunch” sound, as if someone had bitten into an apple.
Her voice sounded a bit muffled as she continued,
“Sea Country hasn’t even been fully handled yet when Happy Town issues have arisen, forcing us to redeploy most of our specialized personnel. Plus, other Satellite Cities have plenty of special pollution incidents that require monitoring or handling, so…”
She sighed softly and said, “If only we had the ability to create clones.”
“Well…”
Lu Xin had long suspected that Qinggang Cleanup Department was exceptionally busy, but that was just a feeling – it wasn’t entirely evident.
After hearing Han Bing, he realized the problem was far more serious than he’d imagined.
He asked almost instinctively, “Then why not recruit and train more people?”
“Oh dear, even if we do, it’s not something that can be done overnight…”
Han Bing laughed wryly and explained, “Besides, it’s not that simple.”
“Our Special Pollution Cleanup Department has held immense power from the start, but with the rise in special pollution cases, some of our privileges have actually sparked a lot of resentment. The pressure from the Administrative Main Hall is mounting.”
“Previously, the City Defense Department was always at odds with the Cleanup Department – that gave some people a little reassurance.”
“But in the recent incidents, the City Defense Department and the Cleanup Department ended up working hand in hand. To many, it appears as if they’re one and the same, fueling unnecessary panic, suspicion, and wild speculation.”
“In this situation, what can we do?”
“Some pessimists even think that if we don’t resolve this, Qinggang might face a major crisis of trust.”
“There’s even talk that internal pressure could lead to our collapse…”
“……”
Lu Xin suddenly felt a wave of worry, an indescribable feeling.
It was even more stifling than facing a mental pollution incident.
He asked hurriedly, “So there’s no way to fix this problem?”
“Everyone’s been trying to find a solution…”
Han Bing remarked, “From what I understand, one major cause of professors losing their hair is exactly this issue.”
“Actually, Qinggang has been relatively fortunate because Mr. Su handles things in his own impeccable way – a real master at smoothing things over.”
“It’s thanks to him that many conflicts between the Special Cleaning Department and the Administrative Hall have been resolved and diffused.”
“Meanwhile, other Satellite Cities are in even worse straits…”
“I’ve heard that in several places, tensions between the Special Cleaning Department and the Administrative Hall are so severe that they’re on the brink of all-out conflict.”
“……”
A heavy feeling settled in Lu Xin’s heart.
He was just a small company employee, truly clueless and uninterested in these intricate, profound issues.
Yet knowing such problems existed and feeling helpless to resolve them left him somewhat disheartened.
“Alright then.”
Han Bing, seemingly realizing the weight of the topic, broke the tension with a cheerful tone, “Mr. Lone Soldier, we must have faith in Qinggang. Although these issues exist now, Qinggang has faced challenges since its founding – we’ve weathered far worse and come through just fine, haven’t we?”
“With someone as responsible and capable as you in our midst, and so many specialized researchers, what’s there to worry about?”
“I believe we can fix the problem. At worst, we might lose a little hair…”
“……”
Lu Xin’s spirits lifted under the influence of the optimistic little girl, even if the memory of that beautiful girl with thinning hair who once delivered wontons made his heart quiver slightly…
……How terrifying!
……
……
“Second Satellite City, Unit 169 – the Eye Bug Pollution Incident has been confirmed as fully cleaned up.”
“All related personnel are about to be relocated to the designated surveillance point at Second Satellite City for further comprehensive testing.”
“The pollution source and the logic chain have been broadly analyzed.”
“There are still some unresolved aspects that we need to wait for Mr. Lone Soldier’s report on…”
“…Addendum: Based on past experience, his report won’t be submitted promptly and is always rather concise.”
“Don’t expect his report to explain everything, but there will certainly be key points worth analyzing.”
“This is the recording of the conversation between the Information Support Specialist and him. Please review it.”
……
At this moment in Qinggang Main City, at the Special Pollution Cleanup Department’s Mr. Lone Soldier Affairs Office, someone handed over a document.
On top of the file was a box labeled with a date on a tape.
The office director didn’t pay much attention to the task file; he simply picked up the tape.
He listened intently to Han Bing and Lu Xin’s conversation and jotted down notes like “too enthusiastic” and “maintain boundaries.”
After hearing the complete conversation, he nodded slightly and placed the tape into a box.
It was evident that there were already dozens of similar tapes in that box.
“Mr. Lone Soldier has started to pay attention to some substantial issues facing Qinggang, and you can tell he really cares.”
“This is a very positive sign.”
“……”
The director then transcribed his provisional notes into a report, stating, “You can notify Mr. Su and Professor Bai – perhaps it’s time we share the details of Qinggang’s ‘Heavenly City’ initiative with Mr. Lone Soldier.”
“Won’t sharing this now be a bit premature?”
Someone nearby questioned, “Our departments aren’t fully prepared for this.”
“Didn’t Han Bing mention it in his conversation with Mr. Lone Soldier?”
The director smiled and replied, “Qinggang has always faced challenges.”
“When it comes to challenges, there’s never enough preparation time.”
“Besides…”
He chuckled softly, “That file from the Technology Church that landed in Happy Town has really helped us immensely…”
“I think we’re truly lucky in Qinggang.”