"At 12:27 on April 15th, a 3.1-magnitude earthquake occurred near Jiani Mountain in Eastern Jingchu, with a focal depth of 8 kiloters. Due to the remote location of the earthquake, no reports of casualties or property damage have been received so far..."
Outside Celestial Strategy Trading.
Chen Lusi was holding his phone, casually browsing the news while waiting for Wu You.
About ten minutes later.
Wu You finally ca down.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
As soon as Wu You ca down, he enthusiastically hooked his arm around Chen Lusi’s neck and walked forward with him.
Chen Lusi curiously asked, "Why did you suddenly want to treat to a al?"
They had just finished their first day of training.
And before it ended, Wu You suddenly said he wanted to treat him to dinner...
That’s why Chen Lusi was waiting here.
"No particular reason, just wanted to connect a bit emotionally."
Wu You explained, "After all, since we t, we haven’t really sat down and chatted."
Chen Lusi glanced at him, hesitatingly said, "You’re not treating out of guilt or sympathy, are you? It’s really not necessary... Also, don’t you guys do background checks when recruiting people?"
"If we did everything, then what would be the use of Kunlun?"
Wu You laughed and replied, "As for guilt, not really... I honestly just want to sit and chat."
"..."
Upon hearing this, Chen Lusi didn’t say anything more, and proactively shifted the topic: "Is Kunlun a sister departnt?"
"Sort of, but not quite as close as siblings."
Wu You replied casually, "Celestial Strategy is a first-line action departnt, while Kunlun is more of a secondary functional departnt. They mainly determine the locations of superpower activations and assess threat levels. They also handle miscellaneous tasks like archiving Yellow Springs Fragnts. They don’t have authority to issue orders but possess advisory and coordination rights, akin to administration and logistics."
"And first-line and functional departnts inherently don’t get along. This is the sa even in superpower organizations. Kunlun people think Celestial Strategy Mansion is a bunch of lazy good-for-nothings who can cause casualties even in a D-Class Anomaly Realm.
On the other hand, people in Celestial Strategy think Kunlun is full of boastful idiots who always ss up commands. Eight out of ten pieces of information are wrong. They insist on labeling a B-Class Anomaly Realm as D-Class and are stubborn about it."
"You could say neither side likes the other."
"So every year when there’s a mid-to-high-level eting, it’s quite a spectacle. I’ll let you see it soti."
Chen Lusi thought for a mont and responded, "This... really adds a down-to-earth vibe."
"The unpredictability of superpower activation leads to a rather complex composition in both departnts. Most mbers were ordinary before becoming Empowerers, so their mindset isn’t on par with the Security Army. Naturally, it’s more grounded."
Wu You chuckled, "Besides, I suspect the higher-ups might even enjoy this situation or secretly encourage it. After all, departntal rivalry is better than any infighting that turns the departnts into so kind of ’Sect.’"
"Sect?"
"You can ask Ah Yue about it later. Why talk about this after work."
Wu You didn’t continue, instead tightening his arm around his neck, saying, "Let’s talk about things we guys like to discuss... So, have these years been tough?"
"That’s sothing I don’t like talking about."
Chen Lusi said sowhat helplessly, "Brother Wu You, are you really concerned? It’s just a question-and-answer thing, no need for this."
"Alright... don’t think I’m being pretentious, it’s human empathy. Being able to understand the hardship or misfortune others face just proves I’m normal... But if you don’t like talking about it, never mind."
Wu You thought for a mont, "Then let’s switch topics... Would you like a raise?"
"..."
Chen Lusi was silent for a long ti before responding, "I think I suddenly understand what empathy ans."
"Haha, let’s talk over dinner then."
As they spoke.
Wu You had already led Chen Lusi to their destination.
It was a small and cramped eatery.
And next.
The two chatted happily.
Of course, it was mainly Wu You doing the talking, and Chen Lusi just listened.
Wu You, this middle-aged man, was at an age with a strong desire to express himself.
And Chen Lusi was a competent listener.
So the more Wu You talked, the more excited he beca, and by the end, he was even bringing up the familiar phrase ’of different fathers and mothers.’
The dinner lasted nearly two hours.
When they left the restaurant, night had already fallen.
"Rember to cooperate with when you see Ah Yue later."
Wu You looked down, lighting a cigarette, and smilingly reminded Chen Lusi.
"Sure." Chen Lusi nodded in agreent.
Wu You exhaled a puff of smoke and suddenly asked, "Was it boring?"
"Not at all, it was quite interesting."
"Ha, I knew it."
Wu You imdiately stubbed out his cigarette, once again hooking an arm around Chen Lusi’s neck, laughed, "Since I got the ’Heart Sound Reflection,’ this is the first ti I’ve had such a pleasant chat with soone. Next ti, I’ll take you to places where adults go, how about it?"
"Ah, this..."
"Just kidding."
Wu You shook him with a smile, then let go of his neck, "Alright, see you tomorrow."
With that.
He waved his hand, saying goodbye to Chen Lusi, and turned away.
"See you tomorrow."
Chen Lusi also said farewell, then watched him leave before turning around and slowly walking forward.
The gentle evening breeze brushed against his cheeks.
The sound of car horns continuously buzzed in his ears, and the city’s myriad neon lights made it bright and dazzling.
Chen Lusi looked ahead, silently moving forward.
He had always had mixed feelings about this vibrant city.
It always felt grand yet hollow... with a vague sense of loneliness.
Thinking of this.
Chen Lusi couldn’t help but look up at the night sky.
Until his phone in his pocket vibrated, bringing him back to his senses. He reached into his pocket for his phone and glanced at it.
"Brother-in-law."
Seeing the ssage, Chen Lusi imdiately replied, "Don’t call that."
"Chen Lusi."
"Yeah, what’s up?"
"It’s about Lin Ying, she suddenly wants to teach to study."
"Isn’t that great?"
"Don’t think I don’t know, you’ve been doing her howork for her since childhood! Can she teach ? She’s just annoyed that I’m idle during the holidays."
"That’s the past, it doesn’t an anything now."
"Cut it out, help out."
"No."
"Then tomorrow I’ll go to your room, play your ga saves, give you spoilers, and overwrite all your ga saves."
"..."
"Choose, either be the accomplice with Lin Ying or join as Lin Wan’s ally."
"I’ll see what I can do."
Chen Lusi replied, then closed the chat window, opened Lin Ying’s profile, and typed: "Lin Wan still has my room’s spare key, go confiscate it."
And soon enough.
Lin Ying replied, and even through the text, her happiness was evident: "You’ve really grown up, already seeking outside help... hold on."
About three minutes later.
Lin Ying replied again, her joy evident even through text, "Done, she’s realized her mistake deeply and handed over three spare keys [flower confetti]."
"Well done."
Chen Lusi gently tapped the screen, and no sooner had he replied to Lin Ying.
His phone vibrated crazily.
Lin Wan sent him a barrage of emoticons, bombarding him relentlessly.
And finally, she sent two words: "Traitor!!"
Chen Lusi glanced at the phone screen but didn’t respond to her.
Instead, he put away the phone, looked up at the night sky once more, and smiled lightly.
Actually, it wasn’t so bad after all.
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