Looking at Zhao Liang, who had stepped forward to ask her a question, Shen An’an, not one for beating around the bush, quickly got to the point.
“Xiao Liang, if I remember correctly, your task for today is to investigate a suspected supernatural phenomenon at a company, right?”
Hearing this, Zhao Liang promptly replied:
“Yes, that’s exactly what I’m responsible for today.”
“Good. Then today, Xiao Qi will go with you to investigate this suspected phenomenon. Any issues with that?”
“I have no issues at all.”
Upon hearing Shen An’an’s words, Zhao Liang—who also happened to be quite fond of the adorable, white-haired, red-eyed loli, Yan Qi—immediately perked up. He straightened his posture and gave a serious assurance.
“Very well. So, Xiao Qi, you’ll follow Xiao Liang and assist him with this task from now on. Understood?”
“Mhm, I understand. But there’s one thing I’m not quite clear about.”
Yan Qi, having received her assignment, quickly acknowledged it, but a moment of confusion arose in her mind.
“What part don’t you understand?”
Hearing Yan Qi’s words, Shen An’an asked with a tone of concern.
In response, Yan Qi decided not to keep her doubt to herself.
“Well, Sister Shen, what I don’t understand is… why aren’t you taking me on the mission yourself? After all, you seem to like me a lot.”
“Oh, so that’s what’s puzzling you—why I’m not the one taking you on the mission.”
Now understanding Yan Qi’s confusion, Shen An’an couldn’t help but let out a light chuckle before explaining.
“So, Sister Shen, can you tell me the reason?”
“Of course. It’s nothing that needs hiding. The reason I’m not taking you is that the mission I’m handling today is a bit risky. Plus, you’re a complete newcomer. I really wouldn’t feel comfortable having you tag along on something like that. That’s why I assigned you to Zhao Liang. His task for today is much safer than mine, and it’ll be a better way for a little rookie like you to get started.”
“Oh, I see. Thank you for your concern, Sister Shen.”
After hearing Shen An’an’s explanation, Yan Qi finally understood. A look of realization dawned on her face, and she thanked Shen An’an once more.
“You’re such a polite little white-haired, red-eyed loli! It’s absolutely adorable, I could just die!”
Hearing Yan Qi thank her again and seeing her utterly cute demeanor, Shen An’an couldn’t restrain her impulse any longer. She immediately reached out, pulled Yan Qi into a hug, nuzzled her head against Yan Qi’s while happily inhaling her scent, and whispered into her ear.
Yan Qi didn’t resist. After all, she really did enjoy the feeling of being close to a well-endowed big sister.
…
After the morning welcome ceremony concluded, the Bureau of Anomalies’ busy schedule meant it wasn’t long before Yan Qi got into a car with Zhao Liang. They left the Windbreak City Bureau headquarters and began driving towards the company where the suspected supernatural phenomenon had been reported.
“Brother Zhao Liang, can you tell me more about what kind of suspected phenomenon is happening at the company we’re going to?”
Buckled into the passenger seat and thinking about the mission, Yan Qi couldn’t help her curiosity as she asked the question to Zhao Liang, who was in the driver’s seat.
Hearing her, Zhao Liang kept his eyes on the traffic while answering.
“According to the person who reported it, their company has been experiencing strange temperature drops at night for the past few days. There’s even been ice forming on the ground. Several people have already slipped on the ice and gotten hurt because they weren’t paying enough attention.”
“Does that have to do with supernatural powers? Could it just be some malfunctioning equipment inside the company?”
After a moment’s thought, Yan Qi followed up.
In response, Zhao Liang shook his head.
“Daheng Real Estate is just an ordinary company in the real estate business. Aside from air conditioners for cooling and dehumidifying, they don’t have any other refrigeration equipment there. So, the suspected phenomenon at their location is most likely genuinely related to supernatural powers.”
“Daheng Real Estate? You mean that company in our city with the pretty bad reputation?”
Catching the keyword in Zhao Liang’s answer, Yan Qi asked with some surprise.
Knowing that Daheng Real Estate was indeed the company with the notorious reputation Yan Qi referred to, Zhao Liang nodded after overtaking a white sedan in front of them.
“Yes. Our destination today is that very company, Daheng Real Estate, the one with the terrible reputation.”
“It’s really that company? If I had known, I wouldn’t have come.”
Upon getting Zhao Liang’s confirmation, Yan Qi, who deeply disliked that damned company, couldn’t help but voice her regret.
“Just because a real estate company has a bad reputation, you’re unwilling to help them resolve a problem that likely involves supernatural powers? That’s not the attitude a member of the Windbreak City Bureau of Anomalies should have, Xiao Qi, even if you are just a temporary worker.”
“I know my attitude isn’t great. But… I just can’t stand those capitalists who have money and still use every trick in the book to exploit and bully the poor.”
“In that case, should I take you back and have someone else assign you a different task?”
Sensing the disgust in Yan Qi’s tone, Zhao Liang offered a suggestion.
Hearing this, Yan Qi very much wanted to nod in agreement. But then she thought: if she turned back and returned to the Bureau halfway, it would definitely delay Zhao Liang’s mission progress and might even get him in trouble. Not wanting to cause problems for someone else because of her own feelings, Yan Qi suppressed the impulse to leave. Instead, she said to Zhao Liang:
“Forget it. We’re already on the way. Turning back now would be too much trouble for you, Brother Zhao Liang.”
“Wow, you’re quite considerate, Xiao Qi.”
Hearing her words, Zhao Liang let out a soft laugh and murmured to himself.
“Alright, Brother Zhao Liang, enough of that. Let’s speed up. The sooner we get there, the sooner we can finish the investigation, and the sooner I can get back to the Bureau to do other things I’m interested in.”
“Alright, I get it. I’ll speed up now.”