Chapter 19 Reserve Service
'Next is the time to proactively take risks…'
This world has never had a saying about gaining without giving.
I also must put in certain effort and pay a price for my own life.
Looking at the black building before him, Li Lin took a deep breath, not regretting his decision.
He wasn't some fool, nor was he struck by some righteous spring fever; it was purely because the current environment no longer allowed him to be idle and at ease alone. Li Lin had investigated the number and proportion of attacks Penguin Logistics suffered during deliveries in this period, far more than in the past.
And in the attacks, what originally were just physical types had become a mix of physical types and Originium Arts users, even with the appearance of Oripathy patients. They mixed in with some robbery teams, becoming an unstable factor in this era. And Penguin Logistics, due to its own business issues, often had to face all this by itself. They couldn't even call the Lungmen Guard Bureau to handle these troublesome things, only able to resolve them through their own means.
This, in other words, added a lot of unnecessary risk costs. Now that Lungmen society was still stable, it was better to join in, increase one's own bargaining chips while exchanging for Penguin Logistics' right to be protected. What's more, the international situation wasn't actually as grim as imagined; after the civil war had been fought for so long and the whole world gradually descended into chaos, Victoria had already announced the formation of an international court to maintain the current fragile international order; they didn't want wars to escalate further on their world. Maintaining it at the level of corporate wars or proxy wars was what they wanted. Destroying Columbia was what they needed, but what came next was not.
Relying on Li Lin's meager political abilities, he judged that in the coming days, Penguin Logistics might have a rather difficult time, so he decided to join the preparatory internal affairs organization. This wasn't purely because he liked it, but because there were some reasons he had to go.
But recalling when he left this morning, the subtle expressions on those girls' faces when they heard him on the phone, Li Lin always felt they misunderstood something.
'And they definitely sneaked out, right?'
Feeling the faint gazes from all directions, Li Lin felt somewhat awkward in his heart.
These girls didn't even intend to hide their tracks, just hiding somewhere out of politeness. But the direct stares still made Li Lin feel like he had thorns on his back , shrugging somewhat uncomfortably. It wasn't that he didn't understand their desire to ensure safety, but this was a bit too much.
When participating in work, having a cheering squad of relatives and friends sending blessings with their eyes and whatnot; although it was just to participate in a qualification certification and receive some documentary proof, not a big deal, Li Lin always felt something was off about this state. Especially after hearing Officer Ch'en ask him out alone, the meaningful gazes from Exusiai and Texas made him feel itchy all over , just uncomfortable.
No problem, right? Me, an enthusiastic good citizen, cooperating with police work, this is no problem, right? Where's the problem? Why look at me with that strange gaze?
And isn't my going out to cooperate with work for your own good? Why look at me with the eyes one uses for someone with ulterior motives ?
Seeing Officer Ch'en gradually approaching from across the street, Li Lin instantly felt a kind of salvation, waving at her.
"Ah, Officer Ch'en, I'm over here."
"Li Lin."
Officer Ch'en, looking slightly more radiant and prettier than usual, stood by the street and nodded at him.
Compared to usual, Officer Ch'en's current attire was significantly more formal, looking quite stunningly beautiful. Although on normal days he also knew Officer Ch'en was a young lady of marriageable age , and also very pretty, seeing a truly cute girl now still made Li Lin feel his eyes brighten.
But no matter how beautiful a girl, her essence was still that famous workaholic from the Lungmen Guard Bureau. After exchanging a few meaningless words, although she was the one who proposed the request first, she somewhat uncertainly leaned towards Li Lin, bent down, and asked in an uneasy low voice:
"Are you really sure you want to join this lineup? Although the list is confidential, appearances and such are hard to hide. You are very likely to fall into some risks. Although no one in Lungmen dares to directly confront the Guard Bureau now, this kind of affiliated unit is still very risky. If you can accept it, actually, I will also try my best to fight for a separate personnel quota for you. After all, you now look… although healthier than before, still very problematic."
"No problem. Actually, I just have an albino issue; don't look at me like this now, I'm actually quite sturdy." Li Lin smiled at Ch'en and made a muscle-flexing gesture, showing he was still okay. But before Ch'en could say anything, he vaguely heard stifled laughter from behind him.
Damn it, why, clearly I'm doing this for your good, why still laugh at me.
Unable to hold back, he glared behind him, but the feeling of being watched didn't seem to be coming only from Penguin Logistics. Clearly gave Exusiai, hiding in the crowd, a warning look, but still felt another kind of attention on him.
...?
Why are there more and more gazes?
Feeling the inexplicable sense of being watched, Li Lin looked behind Ch'en.
As if sensing Li Lin's gaze, a tall, familiar-looking green-haired woman, carrying a yellow figure, hastily hid behind a corner. Seemingly accidentally bumping into something, faint exclamations and miserable cries, as well as a series of clattering sounds, could be heard.
How should I put it… this scene seems familiar?
"…Officer Ch'en, I've always wanted to ask you a question."
"Go ahead."
"There seems to always be someone from your side staring at me, is it my illusion?"
"My subordinates and colleagues are just very interested in this newly created organization. But Penguin Logistics' operators also seem to be looking at me?"
"They are more concerned about my safety; they've been saying so since morning, I can't help it."
"…"
"…"
"Then why not take this opportunity to call them all out and get to know each other?"
"That's also fine."
The two looked at each other, feeling the scorching gossipy gazes from behind their respective sides, and the two, whose minds were only on work, both let out silent sighs.
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