“... The Inner City Adjudication Office has accepted multiple complaints against the Anomaly Management Bureau and protested our methods of work.”
Fu Zhicheng’s voice echoed in the quiet office. The electronic pad in his hand glowed faintly, densely packed with today’s to-do list.
Ji Youran sat behind the wide desk, not responding immediately. She had changed into the Bureau’s signature dark uniform, her figure sinking into the shadows of the leather chair. Only the cold light from the computer screen outlined her slightly pale profile.
“You have a private encrypted communication from Central City; the relevant video materials have been sent as attachments. Please review them promptly.” Fu Zhicheng paused, then continued his report. “Sanye City’s inspection priority has been raised by the Safety Supervision Department. The higher-ups hope to transfer a group of experienced investigators from here to assist with residential area maintenance. According to the latest statistics, the frequency of Instance appearances this year is significantly higher than in previous years. The original emergency plan is no longer applicable and urgently needs updating.”
Ji Youran raised her hand and pinched the bridge of her nose. This subtle movement caused Fu Zhicheng’s words to halt abruptly.
“Your condition doesn't look right,” Fu Zhicheng said, his brow furrowing imperceptibly.
“It’s nothing.” Ji Youran lowered her hand, her tone flat. “Reply that Sanye City is currently short-staffed and the expansion plan is already in preparation; you lead He Ping and the Investigation Department to redraft the emergency plan; as for the Adjudication Office, ignore them for now.”
The phrase “ignore them” made Fu Zhicheng’s eyelids twitch. The great families of the Inner City were the true controllers of a city. If Ji Youran didn’t hail from Central City and possess irreplaceable special value herself, it would be difficult to be so forceful.
“Also, regarding the Instance situation you asked to investigate today—the [Stabilization Anchor] installed around Xinyuan Mall has failed and can no longer effectively suppress the probability of an Instance being born. Immediate recharging is suggested. Dou Wenbo is confirmed not to have evacuated from the Instance. Xinyuan Mall is currently still under lockdown. The dispatched team is still searching to see if they can find his corpse.”
Ji Youran twirled the pen in her hand and suddenly asked, “Any reaction from the Zhao family?”
“None for now. Dou Wenbo’s uncle had an accident a month ago, and since then, he became a marginal figure in the family, not counting as an important role. The Zhao family probably won't demand an explanation for this accident for another two days.”
This wasn't because the Inner City didn't want to seize the opportunity to make things difficult for Ji Youran, but mainly because Dou Wenbo was currently too insignificant. As long as the Bureau didn't send an urgent report, the Zhao family might not discover his death in time.
Ji Youran nodded slightly.
—Without the protection of his elders, Dou Wenbo’s status in the family depended entirely on himself. However, in Ji Youran’s eyes, this young man was clearly not smart enough. After all, although Ji Youran’s appearance at the time might have been too “chuunibyou” to easily associate her with the mature Minister Zheng of the Bureau, the name she used was her real one.
“Since the Zhao family hasn't reacted yet, then Dou Wenbo shouldn't have had a [Survival Beacon] on him.”
A [Survival Beacon] was an item used to confirm the survival status of the carrier when trapped in special zones. Because of its high cost and lack of sufficient combat auxiliary functions, it was considered a luxury item.
“Indeed not. There was originally an old model, but after his uncle passed away, it was taken back by his family.”
A cold sneer appeared on the corner of Ji Youran’s mouth. “Haven't visited the Inner City in a long time; it’s still so full of human warmth.”
...
The impact of the Cataclysm on society was all-encompassing, especially regarding the climate. Sometimes, the temperature difference within a single day would fluctuate violently. When Lin Xiao left home this morning, she was still wearing a thick coat, but by the time she arrived on campus, she had changed into a long T-shirt.
Lin Xiao walked with her hands in her pockets, her gaze sweeping over representative passersby: Student A frantically memorizing books on the side, Student B walking with unsteady steps and glazed eyes while muttering to themselves, Student C trying to fish in the artificial lake while tearing up in the wind. She sighed, “Haven't been back for a few days, and the school is still as inclusive and tolerant as ever, placing great importance on cultivating a diversity of talent.”
Wang Ruofei: “...”
Actually, their university was considered quite good in the Outer City. It was originally built specifically for young people from the Inner City who, for various reasons, needed to study in the Outer City, and only in recent years had the admission requirements been gradually relaxed.
Pedestrians were sparse on the campus road—since the new campus was built, Sanye Information University had gradually been moving faculty and students to the new site. The highest proportion of people in this old campus located in the old city district were the soon-to-be graduates running around for their theses and employment.
Lin Xiao could understand; after all, it was only ten in the morning. For many fourth-year students, the sun at ten o'clock wasn't enough to wake them from their warm beds.
Wang Ruofei said, “The job fair is in Building No. 3. It’s a bit far.”
Building No. 3 was located near the South Gate, a rather remote place that was perpetually under renovation. Even students of this school rarely went there.
Fortunately, a banner reading “Naisida Group Job Fair” had been hung outside specifically, so students intent on job hunting wouldn't get lost.
After Lin Xiao and her companion walked into the lecture hall on the first floor, it was almost time for the presentation to start as notified. However, the number of people inside was far fewer than imagined, giving rise to a desolate feeling of “Could it be that I am the only one who can't find a job nowadays?”
Wang Ruofei leaned over and whispered to Lin Xiao, “Feels like very few people came. So either this company isn't great, or the salary doesn't meet expectations.”
Lin Xiao agreed deeply.
The two sat in the back row. At first, they listened patiently, but the content spoken by the host on stage was too sleep-inducing. Large chunks were exaggerated introductions to the company and outlooks for the company’s future blueprints—parts that could be ignored without any substantial loss. Before long, Wang Ruofei’s head started nodding up and down, clearly about to enter dreamland.
Lin Xiao followed with a yawn.
The students’ enthusiasm was lacking, but the host on stage seemed accustomed to it, completely unaffected, still eloquently displaying his love for the company:
“... Naisida Group will do its utmost to cultivate and screen for the highest quality products...”
The host’s voice gradually turned into a meaningless buzzing, like a static-filled screen with poor contact. In her drowsiness, Lin Xiao took one last look at the stage. The figure