Qin Siyang left the kindergarten.
Li Tianming and the others were still discussing the distribution arrangements.
After stepping out the door, Qin Siyang thought about how the recent turmoil in the market had been too intense and decided to walk to the Sequence Ability Management Bureau.
But after checking the bus stop map—
He gave up.
"The Sequence Ability Management Bureau of District 9… Why is it located in such a remote place?"
Too far.
Even farther than the exit of Safe Zone 213.
If he ran there, it would take at least two hours.
No choice, he had to take a taxi.
Since his phone was still with Chang Tianxiang, Qin Siyang couldn't contact his previous mute driver.
With tears in his eyes, he had to flag down a taxi on the street.
Then, for the price of a silver coin, the driver took him to the management bureau.
The most unbearable part—
This driver seemed to have worked in performing arts before the apocalypse.
His chatter was relentless.
Without drinking a single sip of water, he talked to Qin Siyang nonstop for an entire hour.
He discussed everyone from the high-ranking officials to the street vendors of District 9.
As if staying silent would somehow be unworthy of the silver coin Qin Siyang had given him.
So, when Qin Siyang got out of the taxi, he was dizzy, his vision blurred, and his heart bled.
Everything felt off.
Arriving at the management bureau, he initially thought that the building in District 9 would be much grander and more magnificent than the one in Area 14121.
But unexpectedly, it looked exactly the same.
The same square-shaped building, the same three floors.
Outside, the familiar gray wall paint reflected bright lights, emitting a near-black dim glow.
"Must be a standardized plan by the management department."
Qin Siyang pushed the door open and stepped inside, seeing a vestibule.
Its design also gave him a strong sense of déjà vu.
Identical to the vestibule of the Area 14121 management bureau.
"Even the interior décor is the same… Feels like a franchise store."
Muttering to himself, Qin Siyang walked in, ready to ask the staff for help.
Then he spotted a familiar short and chubby figure.
"Old Qian?"
The man heard Qin Siyang's voice and immediately turned around.
A pair of small triangular eyes locked onto Qin Siyang.
"Little Qin! It really is you!"
Qin Siyang quickly walked up to Qian Wenzhao, scanning him up and down.
"Little Qin, what brings you here?"
"Let's not talk about that first. How long has it been since we last met? When I left, hadn't you already slimmed down? Why are you fat again?"
"Sigh, that was weight loss from exhaustion, didn't count. I ate well, slept well, and after a few comfortable days, I naturally regained it."
"Alright then. I lost my Hunting Dagger and identity proof, so I came to get them reissued. Old Qian, why are you here?"
"Me? I benefited thanks to you."
"Benefited from me?"
"Yeah. The management department specifically named me for a transfer, saying I had experience hosting large meetings and sent me here to help preside over the distribution of your Crimson Crystal."
"Hosting large meetings?"
"The Vine Core Symposium from last time."
"So, you're here to chair a meeting?"
"Eh, not just that. I also have to represent the management department in the Crimson Crystal negotiations, and I'll likely represent the Education Department, the Armament Department, and others too."
"Huh? Why?"
"You still don't know? Didn't you publicly kick Xiao Zhigang? There's no way the United Government would actually stay out of the distribution. The management department pushed me forward, and since the other departments thought I had a decent connection with you, they decided I should represent them."
"I just arrived yesterday. First, I had a long overnight conversation with Tang Wanjing, the director of the management department. Then I met with Xiao Zhigang from the Education Department and listened to him complain about you for half a day. After a quick two-to-three-hour rest, before I could even get a bite of warm food, I was called in by Ivanov from the Armament Department for another long talk—until now."
"And after this, I still have meetings lined up with the Logistics Department, the Resource Department, and a few other directors."
Qian Wenzhao shook his head, "In the end, I might end up representing the entire United Government in the negotiations. Unbelievable. Instead of the big shots, they threw me, a small bureau chief, into the front line."
"Old Qian, aren't you soaring to the top? What's your new position? Minister?"
"Not confirmed yet. Right now, my title is a Special Commissioner of the Management Department, also affiliated with the Education and Armament Departments, temporarily assigned. After all, I'm only here in District 9 for this negotiation, not a long-term stay."
"Maybe I'll be reassigned to District 7 and end up sticking with you, brat."
"That'd be great! I was just thinking I had no familiar faces in the United Government and was feeling uneasy. With you around, I feel at ease!"
"You might be at ease, but now I'm feeling uneasy."
Qin Siyang directly threw an arm around Qian Wenzhao's shoulder.
"What are you worried about? The biggest safe zone under your jurisdiction, No. 38324, has now dropped from over a hundred thousand people to just tens of thousands. That means this year, Area 14121's Hunter revenue will take a massive hit."
"If you don't leave, you won't be able to shake off the blame! If the performance isn't good, won't that be a stain on your record?"
Qian Wenzhao licked his lips, "You brat, you sure think things through. Even considering how this would affect my career?"
"Of course. Hanging around you guys long enough, I've picked up a thing or two."
"'Hanging around'? That's called being influenced by a refined environment."
"Whatever you say. Either way, the next bureau chief is going to have a rough time."
"The next bureau chief has already been decided."
"Who?"
"Feng Shouben."
"Feng Shouben? Wasn't he dismissed? How is he back?"
"He was dismissed because he was in my way. He's back because he has to take the blame for me. Any problem with that?"
"No problem. By the way, he and Pan Youguang messed you up before—are you letting it slide?"
"Let it slide? No way! I've been holding this grudge. Those two better be ready, this is just the beginning."
When Qian Wenzhao said this, the cold sneer on his face even made Qin Siyang shudder.
It was clear he still deeply remembered their attempt to take his life.
"Old Qian, want to grab a meal later?"
"Eat? Do I look like I have time? I still have to put together a plan for the department heads to review. With so many bigwigs watching me, I can't afford to slack off!"
"You're doing it alone?"
"Obviously. I'm the only Special Commissioner. If I don't do it, who will?"
"Pull someone in to help you."
"Who?"
"Chen Zhongming. I think our cooperation with Mayor Chen has been quite smooth. He doesn't really fit in with that group of European folks under Jonathan. Bring him in—first, he can help you out, and second, we'd be repaying the favor for him helping to elevate you."
Qian Wenzhao clicked his tongue, "You brat, your mind is sharp as silk threads. What a waste not going into politics. Honestly, I was already planning to bring Chen Zhongming in."
"But to do so, I need your name as leverage. I'll have to report that you've worked with him and have a good relationship. That way, the higher-ups will approve of him joining me as a Special Commissioner."
"I wasn't sure about your thoughts on this, and you never mentioned him, so I didn't want to bother you."
"Old Qian, come on, with our relationship, just ask me directly."
"You're always busy as hell. I can't just keep bothering you."
"You should learn from Old Li. He even tells me when he farts—never feels embarrassed about it."
"Fine, I get it. Right now, I need to take a dump—want to come?"
"Are you nuts? Who reports taking a dump?"
"I'm just following your logic."
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