Chapter 13: So arrogant! We're hopeless.
Zong Linhan's phone vibrated. He glanced at the message; it was from Meng Run:
"The boss can't keep this under control! Those idiots from the 'ecological faction' heard you were trying to bail someone out and immediately reported it to higher authorities! Director Yu arrived with a group of people, three armored vehicles drove off, saying they were going to arrest him!"
He frowned, quickly replied to Wen Zhiling, "I'm leaving now, I'll contact you later. Don't go too far these next couple of days, and definitely don't try to run away."
Wen Zhiling sighed, "Fine, I'll wash it clean at home and soak it in formaldehyde."
Zong Linhan lifted his eyelids. "If you want to try running, go ahead. The elite team from the Bureau of Surveillance will be assembled downstairs in six minutes, and they'll blow up your shabby little apartment in three minutes. You can eat your tomato-flavored instant noodles outdoors."
Wen Zhiling: "..."
If a staff member's family member is so arrogant, this institution is doomed.
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Near the pier, the waves crashed against the rocks with a loud clatter. Under the simple tin shack, a dim light bulb hung forlornly, swaying precariously, its light and shadow flickering on the damp ground.
The iron gate was open, and Zong Linhan leaned back on the sofa, his fair fingertips resting on his forehead, his long legs languidly propped up on the coffee table, twirling a lighter in his hand, the flame flickering and going out with a soft, crisp sound.
Three minutes later, the roar of engines filled the air, and headlights pierced the night, illuminating the small house. Black figures jumped out of the armored vehicle and quickly surrounded the entire yard; at least three elite squads had been deployed.
The moment he saw who was inside the door, one of the agents instinctively stepped back, only to have his colleague press a gun against his waist, leaving him no choice but to bite the bullet and step forward.
"Captain Zong, sorry to bother you..." The room was small and could be seen at a glance: simple tables and chairs, broken windows, fallen leaves piled in the corner, no one else was there, and there was no sign of anyone having lived there. He immediately understood that no matter how fast Director Yu was, he couldn't have prevented Zong Linhan from providing the wrong address from the start.
"Why are you all working overtime so late at night? It's good that young people love their jobs, but they should also balance work and rest and give themselves more time. The overtime pay in the bureau isn't high, so it's not worth it." Zong Linhan's lips curled slightly.
The crowd parted to the sides, and a middle-aged man walked in, dressed in a sharp suit with the Bureau of Surveillance badge on his chest, without a trace of a smile.
"Director Yu," Zong Linhan greeted warmly, sinking lazily into the sofa without standing up to show respect. "The leaders are taking the lead in working overtime. I was wondering why everyone was staying up so late. Your department has such a good atmosphere. I should learn from you."
"Where is he?" Director Yu glanced into the room. "The blood test results are in. Superpowers are no small matter; they endanger national security. Captain Zong is usually carefree and has his own ideas. He should be able to distinguish between what's important and what's not. He wouldn't go against the bureau, would he?"
Zong Linhan slowly stood up, his figure tall and slender. He walked up to Director Yu, like a ghost emerging from the darkness into the light, so close that the other could smell the faint scent of tobacco on him.
"Director Yu's words are really barbed. With your entourage, how dare I disobey? Alas, it's a pity I only have a few people under me, and it's still after get off work hours. Who knows where they're off drinking and playing games and having fun. What can I do?"
His tone was nonchalant, and the lighter in his hand clicked to life, the flame reflecting in his eyes with a sly and delighted expression.
Director Yu said coldly, "You think you can get away with playing a little trick and hiding people? Or do you naively think that the higher-ups are completely unaware of what you're planning? Going to Meilan Island under the guise of finding the light circle, but actually investigating your brother's affairs—just those two things are enough for me to punish you! Out of consideration for our colleagues, I haven't touched you yet, but you've gone even further, planning to raise a vampire?"
Zong Linhan seemed to be thinking: "Hmm?"
Director Yu said sternly, "What other nonsense do you have to spout?"
Zong Linhan clicked his tongue, as if talking to himself, "That makes sense. I took such a big risk, and that little vampire wouldn't even feed me a cup of noodles. He's a bit stingy."
"Zong Linhan, don't push your luck!" Director Yu said angrily. "I advise you to send him to the station as soon as possible. It's true that you have a special identity, but your Zong family can't cover up everything forever. If that vampire harms more people, no one can protect you!"
An agent standing nearby couldn't help but interject, "Captain Zong, rules are rules. You've ruined your future for a woman..."
Before he could finish speaking, Zong Lin gave him a cold glance. Just that one glance sent chills down the man's spine, as if he were being stared at by the most terrifying supernatural monster. His throat itched, and he dared not utter another word.
Director Yu also felt that intense sense of oppression, and he gritted his teeth. To be honest, if he could, he wouldn't want to be the unlucky one who went against Zong Linhan.
He was well aware of Zong Linhan's strength: top-notch combat ability and meticulous strategies, plus the powerful political backing of the Zong family. He wouldn't stand a chance in a direct confrontation, but he couldn't back down, at least not in front of his subordinates.
Director Yu used a feigned retreat to advance, saying, "You submitted a report to the bureau requesting to take her to Meilan Island as an assistant in searching for the aperture. With comprehensive preventative measures in place, I can compromise and agree with your assessment. We'll hold three meetings within the bureau to discuss the feasibility..."
Zong Linhan chuckled, interrupting her, "Precautions? Does that mean we have to wear some high-tech gadgets? Tracking shackles or electric shock chains?"
Director Yu: "Everyone should wear them; this is just the most basic requirement."
He raised his hand, signaling for someone to bring up all the tools.
Zong Lin chuckled nonchalantly, "She won't wear it."
"Then she can just wait to be locked up in the surveillance area!" Director Yu couldn't contain his anger, his chest heaving violently. "Captain Zong, I advise you to think twice before you act. She's no longer human, and something bad will happen to her sooner or later. You can protect her for a while, but not forever. It's not worth it!"
Zong Linhan lazily responded, took out a coin-shaped round chip from his pocket, and casually tossed it up and let it fall, repeating this process over and over. The light was dim, and most people couldn't see what it was.
Director Yu's expression changed instantly; it was the aperture code. "Don't do anything rash!"
Zong Linhan: "I never act recklessly. Director Yu, you know me well. I'm a little willful, and my ideas aren't easily changed."
His tone was soft, yet every word was like a knife, sharply carving out the bottom line, brooking no argument. The air seemed to freeze; for a moment, no one dared to speak, a chill running through their hearts.
Everyone present knew there was no room for further negotiation. Director Yu forced a smile. "It seems Captain Zong is very confident. Even if she goes berserk or loses her instincts, she's not afraid? Can you guarantee there won't be any problems?"
Zong Linhan's smile vanished, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. "I can."
No one dared utter another word. The imposing force of their arrival vanished in an instant, turning into the cold mist of the night, fading away with the sound of cars reluctantly retreating. Outside the iron house, tranquility returned, broken only by the gentle lapping of waves.
Zong Linhan leaned against the door, lit a cigarette, and held it between his teeth. He opened his contacts, found Wen Zhiling's new number, his finger hovered over the dial button, hesitated for a moment, then exited and went to the recording save interface.
With the phone to his ear, in the silent, cold night, Zong Linhan listened to this last remaining voice call.
A groggy female voice asked, "Who?"
His eyes softened, and then he heard his own voice, from a night three years ago, "Me."
The girl rolled over, her voice tinged with annoyance at being woken up, "Zong Linhan... wow, it's only three in the morning... you'd better have something very important to tell me..."
"I just finished work and didn't notice the time."
The girl choked up, taking several deep breaths, "Okay, so you've noticed now... We can talk about it tomorrow, I'm so sleepy, I have an exam tomorrow... If I fail, you'll have to take responsibility..."
The short recorded call ended.
In those three years, Zong Linhan couldn't remember how many times he had listened to it repeatedly.
But this time, after hearing it, the smile on his lips disappeared.
His meeting with Wen Zhiling was an unpleasant accident. At the time, he was searching for clues about his missing brother. His family tried their best to stop him, so he rebelliously ran away from home, encountered a vicious superhuman, and was injured, collapsing at Wen Zhiling's doorstep.
He stayed at her house to recover from his injuries, avoiding various forces, and continued to investigate clues.
Their feelings for each other deepened as they spent more time together. He gradually fell in love with this girl who was studying at National Central University, listening to her stories about her classes, taking walks on her campus, and listening to her complain about the troubles she encountered while working.
Those were very happy times. But until today, he was suddenly told that Wen Zhiling is a person without an identity. She could never study, go to school, or work like a normal person. Perhaps, even her name is fake.
In the dim light, Zong Linhan slowly exhaled a puff of smoke. His arrogance and swagger faded, and he no longer seemed so manipulative. His eyes and brows held a lazy and roguish air, mixed with a hint of barely perceptible hurt, blending into the night along with the hazy dissipating smoke.
A note from the author:
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Expanding on yesterday's update -3-
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