“I can get in touch with Daoyan, but what does your Special Affairs Bureau want with her?”
Seeing the message Yan Qi sent through Hu Yao’er, Bai Yuling—who knew she was Daoyan’s friend and also a powerful superhuman—didn’t bother hiding anything and quickly typed a reply on her phone.
“Well, Little Hu, your friend proposed a deal to our bureau last week, offering a method to obtain superhuman abilities in exchange for certain conditions. After a week of discussion, our superiors finally reached a consensus and agreed to accept her terms—but with one condition.”
“A condition?” Muttering to herself, Yan Qi, who had a rough idea of what the bureau was thinking, typed back:
“What’s the condition?”
“Your friend must prove to us that her method actually works.” Bai Yuling relayed her superiors’ demand without holding back.
“I knew it.” Having expected this outcome, Yan Qi continued typing.
“How do you want her to prove it?”
“Simple. Your friend took on an apprentice in Shanghai last week, right? If she can—under our supervision—help that apprentice gain superhuman abilities without relying on monster cores, we’ll believe her method is legitimate.”
Reading Bai Yuling’s reply, Yan Qi frowned and quickly typed:
“That person hasn’t undergone an aptitude test yet, so she isn’t officially my friend’s apprentice.”
“I know she’s not formally recognized, but aside from her, does your friend have anyone else who could serve as proof?” Bai Yuling countered.
Yan Qi thought it over and realized that, indeed, Ma Fangfang was currently the only viable candidate. She stopped arguing.
“You’re right. Fangfang is the best option right now.”
“Since you understand, please pass this message along to your friend. We’ll wait for her response.”
“Got it.” Just as she sent the message, Yan Qi suddenly remembered something and hastily typed another line.
“Auntie Bai, how is Wu Qingqing doing?”
Bai Yuling had been about to close the chat app after Yan Qi’s acknowledgment, but the new message made her pause. Thinking of the pitiful yet fortunate little girl, she began typing again.
“Don’t worry, Wu Qingqing is doing well. She’s fully recovered and has returned to her hometown.”
Relieved to hear that Wu Qingqing was healthy and back home, Yan Qi then thought of the girl’s father and asked:
“What about her dad?”
“He’s still in jail.”
“How long will he be sentenced?”
“Probably just three to five years, given the circumstances.”
“Only three to five years? That’s not too bad.” Yan Qi murmured before continuing:
“Did he get his back pay?”
“Yes. After such a major incident, the boss of Daheng Realty had no choice but to pay up.”
Hearing that Wu Qingqing’s father had received his wages, Yan Qi sighed in relief for both him and his daughter. But knowing there was one true villain in this situation, she pressed further:
“Auntie Bai, will Daheng Realty’s boss face any punishment?”
Bai Yuling hesitated before replying honestly:
“He’ll be fined, but nothing beyond that.”
“Just a fine? No other consequences? That’s letting him off way too easy.”
Yan Qi’s fingers struck the keys with visible frustration. Seeing her reaction, Bai Yuling quickly warned:
“Little Hu, don’t do anything reckless. Even if the reason seems justified, killing someone will still make you a target for our bureau.”
Recognizing the warning, Yan Qi took a breath to steady herself before typing:
“Don’t worry, Auntie Bai. I won’t kill anyone and cause trouble for you.”
“Really?” Bai Yuling typed skeptically.
“Of course. I have my own moral code as a superhuman. Anyway, that’s all for today. Goodbye.”
After sending the last message, Yan Qi logged off without waiting for a response.
Seeing Hu Yao’er’s account go offline, Bai Yuling frowned as she read the final lines.
If Yan Qi truly had a moral code, she wouldn’t let Daheng Realty’s boss walk away so easily.
“I hope nothing happens…” Leaning back in her chair, Bai Yuling muttered under her breath.
…..
Not long after ending the chat with Bai Yuling, Li Caifeng returned home from a shopping trip with friends.
Suppressing her anger toward the unscrupulous boss, Yan Qi forced a smile and welcomed her mother back. She quickly ushered her to the living room, where they relaxed, watched TV, and chatted.
When the rice cooker beeped, Yan Qi paused their conversation.
She led her mother to the dining table, reheated the dishes she had prepared earlier, and the two enjoyed a hearty meal together.
“Xiao Qi, when did your cooking get so good?”
“Oh, just when you weren’t paying attention!” Yan Qi grinned.