The words Zhao Longfei spoke were like the smoke drifting from his mouth, blurring the clear sense of purpose Guan Ming had when he first took on this mission with complete determination.
Having just arrived in District 7, he hadn't refused the first personally assigned task Director Kafu had given him. At first, he thought it was a good chance to build a closer relationship with the influential European District Director.
Kafu's face-to-face instructions had stirred even someone like him, a veteran of officialdom. For a moment, he had even felt as though he'd arrived in a utopia, to the point that his political instincts had dulled by several degrees.
("The demolition task was given to Dadova, but he didn't handle it very well. There's a saying in East: 'You can't appoint people based solely on favoritism.' Section Chief Guan, I've reviewed your resume. It's excellent. That's why I decided to hand you the task of sealing off the South Glory University guesthouse. I hope you'll impress me.")
Earlier, Guan Ming had even wondered whether Director Kafu lacked capable people around him and intended to train him.
He had ridden all the way to South Glory humming songs in the car.
But now, after meeting the Zhao family's second-in-command, he finally realized just how deep the waters behind Kafu sending him to South Glory to paste those seals really were.
In less than two hours, he had already met both leaders of the two major factions in District 7.
What kind of person could pull that off?
Either someone on the same level as them, or a disposable sacrifice meant to be used only once.
And he was undoubtedly the latter.
The image of Jing Ke attempting to assassinate the King Qin instantly surfaced in his mind.
The difference was that Jing Ke knew he was going to Qin to kill the king, while he himself had foolishly believed until now that he was merely delivering a map.
The moment Guan Ming seriously applied his political instincts to the situation, his scalp went numb.
A few casual remarks from Zhao Longfei had shattered Guan Ming's inflated confidence and dragged him back to reality.
"Wait. Stop sealing the place."
Guan Ming suddenly spoke up, stopping his subordinates.
The group obediently halted and turned to look at him.
Zhao Longfei nodded with a smile, "Section Chief Guan, decisive indeed! Same as before, just to thank you, I'd like to treat everyone to hotpot tonight. What do you think?"
Guan Ming sighed.
Even if he failed to complete Kafu's assignment, there was no way he could sit at the same table as Zhao Longfei for a meal.
Unless someone came from a major faction or powerful family, dining with a person of Zhao Longfei's status was a huge taboo for anyone serving under the United Government.
His surname was Guan, not Zhao. Naturally, he understood what he should do.
"Thank you for the generous invitation, Principal Zhao, but I suddenly don't feel well. Let's do it another day," Then he turned back to his people, "Take me to the hospital for an examination. I'm dizzy, nauseous, and can barely stand. I'll probably need to be hospitalized for a few days."
"Yes, sir."
"And help me report to Director Kafu that I'm unable to complete this assignment. I hope Director Kafu can send another colleague instead."
Guan Ming then smiled faintly at Zhao Longfei.
"Principal Zhao is a very reasonable person. I'm sure whichever colleague comes to South Glory University to paste the seals won't be given a hard time."
Zhao Longfei burst into laughter, "Of course! Who doesn't know South Glory University has an honest and upright culture? And without sounding too arrogant, when the upper beam is straight, the lower beam won't bend either."
"I'm not feeling well, so I won't disturb you any longer. Goodbye, Principal Zhao."
"Goodbye."
After Guan Ming left, Zhao Longfei turned toward the guests who had been driven outside and bowed apologetically.
"What happened today was due to South Glory University's poor hospitality. How about this, everyone's stay at the guesthouse this week will be completely free. If anyone doesn't wish to continue staying, we'll refund you in cash. Please bear with us."
Most of the people there were South Glory students or parents. Seeing the university resolve the issue, they immediately felt much more at ease.
The people staying at the guesthouse were never short on money to begin with. What they wanted was simply an attitude from Zhao Longfei.
Since Zhao Longfei's apology was sincere, nobody made further demands, and everyone returned to the guesthouse.
———
Only after Zhao Longfei returned to the principal's office did exhaustion finally show on his face. He collapsed directly onto the sofa.
"Rushing all the way here just to clean up this mess. I'm exhausted."
Lin Yaman poured him a cup of hot water, "Principal, is everything settled?"
Zhao Longfei picked up the cup and said, "Once Dadova, who was handling the demolition, disappeared, there wasn't much left to deal with. I only came back to hold things down. The real problem was all the traveling."
"Dadova… really disappeared?"
Zhao Longfei drained the cup in a few gulps, then looked up at Lin Yaman.
"What do you think?"
"But… but I heard people say Dadova was Sequence Level Six. He was supposed to become a Tiger Badge holder next year."
Zhao Longfei set the cup aside, lay back down again, and rubbed his temples.
"If he hadn't reached Sequence Level Six, he wouldn't have disappeared."
Lin Yaman frowned, trying to process the meaning behind Zhao Longfei's words.
After resting for a moment, Zhao Longfei took out his phone to make a call, only to notice Qin Siyang's text message. He immediately laughed.
"This brat probably spent who knows how much money and resources helping me, yet he still stretches out his hand asking me for things every single day. Feels like something's wrong with his brain."
Then he muttered to himself, "Don't worry. I won't shortchange you."
Still lying on the sofa, Zhao Longfei called Zhao Longteng.
"Hello, big brother. It's settled. We've confirmed Dadova has disappeared. Little Qin, Sifang, and Hu Chan are all at the Administration Bureau, and they're safe."
"Mm! I agree too. Since the Richard family jumped out first, let's start by cutting into them."
"You handle the arrangements. Let me know if anything comes up. I'm pretty tired right now and need some rest. That's it."
After hanging up, Zhao Longfei said, "Secretary Lin, head home. I'm sleeping here tonight."
Lin Yaman skillfully opened a cabinet and pulled out a blanket and pillow.
"It's fine to stay here tonight if something came up, but tomorrow night you need to—"
Zhao Longfei grabbed the blanket and threw it over himself, "Relax, I know. Besides, I'm a Sequence ability user. What's a few nights on the sofa?"
"Your health is the foundation for everything."
"Alright, alright. Pretend I never said anything."
Zhao Longfei wriggled around twice on the sofa before shutting his eyes.
Lin Yaman looked at him, the worry in her eyes flashing away in an instant before she turned and left.
———
[Inside the Administration Bureau]
Qin Siyang had been browsing forum posts the entire time.
Just as boredom was setting in, he received a call from Wang Defa.
"Hello, A'Fa. What is it?"
["Boss Qin, I've got good news to report! Yesterday Old Snake overtook us and awakened his Sequence first. Then today, almost one after another, Ah You and I awakened Sequence abilities too!"]
Qin Siyang immediately stood up from his chair.
"All three of you awakened too?"
["That's right! My Sequence is called [Crossbow Hunter], Ah You's is [Stacking], and Old Snake's is [Shadow]."]
Qin Siyang's eyes lit up when he heard that.
"Good! A person's Sequence ability determines their upper limit. When you first told me, I was worried you'd awaken some ordinary Sequences like [Phantom Assassin] or [Warrior]. Didn't expect all of you to get pretty solid Sequences."
"Your [Crossbow Hunter], Ah You's [Stacking], Ah Zhong's [Stone Warrior], and Old Snake's [Shadow], you can even try coordinating with each other. Not bad! Really not bad!"
["Hehe! It's all thanks to Boss Qin's help."]
"Where are the four of you right now?"
["We just got back from outside the Safe Zone. We're calling you from the courtyard you arranged for us. Do you have any instructions?"]
Qin Siyang paced around the room for a moment before speaking.
"I'm at the Administration Bureau right now. Don't go out today. I'll see if I can figure out a way to get your Sequence registrations handled and secure official identities for you."
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