Once, I wanted to be a good person

At this moment, the owner of the steamed bun shop was outside, expressionlessly chopping meat.

But inside... there was another him, speaking through a communicator with Director Pang.

The two were obviously of a similar rank.

The emotionless face of the steamed bun shop's owner asked, "Have you made up your mind? Are we going to snatch that Hua Jian away, just like Fang Ze said?"

Although Director Pang wasn't in his former identity, his demeanor remained the same.

He said with a chuckle, "Look at you, always so impatient."

"This matter is definitely not as simple as Fang Ze has described."

"Your guess is probably correct. It's very likely a trap."

At that, his tone took a turn,

"But... even if we know it's a trap, we can only walk into it."

Hearing Director Pang's words, the owner of the steamed bun shop couldn't help asking, "Why?"

Director Pang laughed and said, "Haven't you realized? Fang Ze has a secret."

"We've been investigating for so long without any leads on the Shadow Organization. Yet Fang Ze found a lead within just a few days?"

"That suggests that his Awakening Ability is likely of the Mind Category, and a very powerful one at that, capable of being used on Awakeners and even Fusors. That's how he could obtain such information so easily."

The bun shop owner said, "So what? How does that affect us? He obviously doesn't really want to join the organization; he just wants to use us."

Director Pang said with a smirk, "See, you're thinking too small."

"Right. You're not wrong."

"He indeed is not genuinely looking to join us."

"But.... does that have any adverse effects on us?"

"I did invite him to join the organization, and I promised him resources, but there's a catch."

"He has to provide information valuable enough in exchange."

"So actually, our deal with him is just a clear-cut transaction."

"And looking at this situation, he does have value worth our investment."

"Since that's the case, why not just go along with his wish? If he wants us to fall into a trap, we'll do it. If he wants us to take the blame, we'll take it."

"We're meant to work in the shadows anyway. What's there to fear?"

"And once our actions help clear his path of more obstacles, allowing him to obtain more information..."

"He'll still have to sell that information to us if he wants the resources, right?"

"To sacrifice a short-term benefit for a long-term one is worth it. Heh heh...."

Hearing Director Pang's words, the bun shop owner stayed silent for a while.

"Okay. I'll go kidnap that Hua Jian in a bit then."

Yet Director Pang said again, "No rush. No rush."

The bun shop owner made a questioning "hmm?" sound.

Director Pang chuckled, "No one cherishes things they get too easily."

"It's the same with transactions."

"Even though we willingly let him pull our strings, if we make it too easy for him to achieve his goal, he'll undervalue us."

"Let's wait until... no, the day after tomorrow. When he's getting a bit impatient. Then you make your move."

"That way, he'll regard us more highly."

The bun shop owner looked at Director Pang's image for a moment, then fell silent before quietly uttering, "You plotters... are just so heartless...."

......

Meanwhile, in Emerald City, the Governing Hall.

Since it was after working hours, the entire Governing Hall was plunged into darkness.

Only one room still had its lights on until now.

The room decoration was incredibly lavish and beautiful, mainly in turquoise and purple tones, engraved with patterns only nobles could use.

The floor was covered with high-end cashmere carpets, and the walls decorated with exquisite gold and silver vessels.

If one didn't enter from the Governing Hall, they wouldn't guess it was a government department at all.

At that moment, the man previously dressed in extravagant nobility attire sat on the central sofa with a gloomy expression. (Chapter 4)

In front of him stood the young man who had attended the hearing at the Security Bureau, reporting the day's activities of Fang Ze and Bai Zhi.

Upon hearing that Qiu Yue and Kai Shi had been taken into custody, the nobleman's anger caused him to smash a white jade penholder onto the floor!

The sound of "crash" echoed as the white jade penholder shattered.

The nobleman's face twisted with fury as he stood up, paced a few steps, suppressed the violence in his heart, and then asked in a deep voice, "How much evidence do they have?"

The young man shook his head, "I'm not sure."

"It all happened so suddenly. No news leaked out. It was like they found the evidence in a matter of minutes and then reported it directly to the state through a special channel."

"So we received no notice."

The nobleman's expression turned even darker.

After a moment, he inquired, "Has there been any news from Hua Jian's side?"

The young man shook his head, "Nothing."

He said, "I suspect Hua Jian might fear being under surveillance and thus dares not contact us. He's concerned about leading the fire to us."

Upon hearing the young man's words, the nobleman let out a cold "hmph," "At least he's got a brain."

He pondered a moment, then instructed, "Things are getting dangerous now. Tie up any loose ends they might have, and put a halt to the business."

Saying this, he paused before adding, "I'll get in touch with the family later. We'll put some pressure on the State Security Bureau."