“What’s with that look? Are you doubting my promise?”
Noticing the expression on Yan Zhenyi’s face, Sun Tao couldn’t help but sound a little displeased.
In response, Yan Zhenyi placed his empty coffee cup back into Sun Tao’s hand and replied with complete seriousness,
“I’m not doubting your promise—I simply don’t believe you can fulfill it.”
Hearing this, Sun Tao took the cup and immediately switched to a wounded expression.
“After all these years as colleagues, you still don’t trust me? How did I end up with a friend like you? Ah, such misfortune…”
“Alright, enough with the act,” Yan Zhenyi waved him off, unamused. “If you’ve got nothing better to do, go interrogate some suspects. Stop bothering me.”
Realizing his theatrics weren’t working, Sun Tao quickly dropped the act and asked,
“Lao Yan, drinking bitter coffee every day isn’t good for your health. Why can’t you just appreciate my kindness?”
Leaning back in his chair, Yan Zhenyi sighed.
“I know you mean well by adding sugar, but I just don’t like sweet coffee.”
Sun Tao sighed in disappointment.
“Fine, if that’s how you feel, I won’t add sugar next time.”
With that, he walked away, shoulders slumped, empty cup in hand.
“Too bad you’ll never actually stop adding sugar,” Yan Zhenyi thought to himself, shaking his head as he watched Sun Tao leave. After years of knowing him, he was certain Sun Tao would never give up on converting him to sweetened coffee.
Some time later, as Yan Zhenyi was still resting at his desk, Sun Tao suddenly came rushing back, looking unusually excited.
“Hey, Lao Yan, have you heard the news?”
Seeing Sun Tao’s energetic demeanor—completely different from his earlier dejection—Yan Zhenyi was confused.
“Heard what?”
Sun Tao leaned in and lowered his voice.
“About the new agency the higher-ups are setting up nationwide.”
“Oh, that?” Yan Zhenyi frowned. “Isn’t that just an unverified rumor?”
Sun Tao quickly shook his head.
“No, it’s real! My father-in-law confirmed it—solid intel.”
“You sure?”
“Absolutely. You know my father-in-law isn’t someone who spreads baseless gossip.”
Hearing Sun Tao invoke his father-in-law—a man of considerable influence—Yan Zhenyi finally took the claim seriously.
“I never thought that rumor would turn out to be true. But what’s this new agency even for?”
Noticing Yan Zhenyi’s thoughtful expression, Sun Tao grinned.
“You’re wondering what the agency’s purpose is, aren’t you?”
Yan Zhenyi turned to him.
“Don’t tell me you already know?”
Sun Tao smirked.
“I might have some clues.”
“Also from your father-in-law?”
“Yep.”
“Figures. At our rank, we’d never get insider info without connections. Quit stalling—spill it.”
Sun Tao obliged.
“From what I’ve heard, this agency is related to… people with supernatural abilities.”
Yan Zhenyi’s face darkened.
“Are you messing with me? ‘Supernatural abilities’? Have you been reading too many novels?”
Sun Tao raised his hands defensively.
“I’m serious! My father-in-law told me in strict confidence. He even warned me not to spread it.”
“You’re not just using his name to pull my leg, are you?”
“Do I look like I’d dare? If he found out, he’d skin me alive!”
Seeing Sun Tao’s earnestness, Yan Zhenyi began to reconsider.
“Could he actually be telling the truth? Is the government really establishing an agency for… supernatural individuals?”
Just as he was lost in thought, the police chief suddenly burst out of his office and barked an order:
“All armed personnel—gear up immediately! Assemble at the entrance in five minutes. We’re heading to Fengcheng Railway Station!”
“Chief, what’s going on? Why the sudden mobilization?” Sun Tao asked, bewildered.
The chief’s reply was grim.
“Intel from a sister department confirms that a group of extremist terrorists has infiltrated Fengcheng Station. They’re planning an attack on civilians. We move now to stop them.”
The moment the word “terrorists” was mentioned, everyone in the room—including Yan Zhenyi—understood the urgency.
“Oh no—Caifeng!”