Hearing Old Xu’s words and knowing he wasn’t one to exaggerate, Bai Yuling felt a wave of relief. But remembering their original mission was still incomplete, she turned to the young bureau member and asked, “Xiao Wang, has our backup arrived yet?”
Hearing the Director’s question, Xiao Wang, the young agent responsible for contacting support, quickly replied, “They’ve reached the perimeter of Western Hill Cemetery. They’ll be here to assist us shortly.”
Upon hearing Xiao Wang’s reply and learning their backup had arrived, Bai Yuling said, “Good. That means I don’t have to worry about failing today’s mission.”
Not long after she spoke, the bureau’s backup team finally reached their location. Seeing the three agents, including the Director, were in less-than-ideal condition, the arriving members immediately arranged for their evacuation. The remaining agents stayed behind to handle the aftermath and, crucially, to continue searching for the suspect Liu Deli, who was believed to be hiding nearby to meet with the unknown supernatural being.
Thanks to her formidable strength, Si Yexing hadn’t expended much energy in the earlier battle and was still in good shape. After seeing Bai Yuling and the others off, she chose to remain behind voluntarily to prevent any other unexpected incidents at Western Hill Cemetery, apart from the sudden monster appearance.
After a hospital check-up confirmed that apart from Old Xu’s severely fractured right arm, neither Bai Yuling nor the young agent Xiao Wang had sustained any injuries, the two soon left the hospital. They returned with Yan Qi and Shen An’an to the main building of the Fangfeng City Supernatural Affairs Bureau.
“Auntie Bai, what you encountered at the cemetery today must have been really dangerous, right?”
Looking at Bai Yuling lying on the couch, Yan Qi—who, through her avatar, had been fully involved in the events and even personally slain the monster born from a failed advancement—asked this deliberately naive question. She knew she couldn’t reveal that Si Yexing was her avatar, as that would expose her biggest trump card.
Hearing the question from Yan Qi sitting beside her, Bai Yuling recalled the extremely dangerous monster they had faced at the cemetery and nodded. “Yes, the situation we ran into at Western Hill Cemetery today was indeed very troublesome. If it weren’t for Miss Si Yexing, whom you invited, Xiao Qi, my two colleagues and I might already be under a white sheet, headed for the mortuary.”
“Ugh, no talk about mortuaries! Auntie Bai, how can you say such unlucky things?”
Hearing Bai Yuling’s words, Yan Qi, who disliked hearing such talk, puffed out her cheeks, clearly a bit annoyed.
Seeing Yan Qi’s upset expression, Bai Yuling finally realized her earlier remark had been inappropriate and quickly apologized, somewhat sheepishly. “I’m sorry, that was your Auntie Bai speaking without thinking. Please forgive me for saying such an unlucky thing.”
Hearing the apology, Yan Qi’s anger quickly subsided. “Since you put it that way, Auntie Bai, I forgive you. But you absolutely must not say anything like that again, okay?”
“Don’t worry, I’ll never say anything like that again,” Bai Yuling assured her, patting her ample chest.
“That’s more like it.”
With Bai Yuling’s promise secured, Yan Qi beamed a bright smile at her.
But then, Yan Qi suddenly remembered something and quickly asked, “Oh, right, Auntie Bai, do you remember the contract?”
“Contract? You mean the temporary worker contract with our bureau?”
In response, Yan Qi didn’t speak, merely nodding in confirmation.
Seeing her nod, Bai Yuling understood and chuckled lightly. “Since you’re so eager to sign the contract with us, Xiao Qi, I’ll call your mother right now. She can sign it on your behalf.”
“Thank you, Auntie Bai!”
“Why thank me? You earned this.”
With a gentle tap on Yan Qi’s small nose and a faint smile, Bai Yuling didn’t waste any time. She soon contacted Yan Qi’s mother, Li Caifeng, by phone. She informed Li Caifeng of Yan Qi’s current strength assessment results and her desire to work as a temporary employee at the bureau.
Hearing what her best friend told her over the phone, Li Caifeng was both shocked and filled with worry. After giving Bai Yuling a few instructions, she hung up. Without bothering with makeup, she grabbed her purse, left home, and drove to the location of the Fangfeng City Supernatural Affairs Bureau building at top speed.
A little over ten minutes later, a knock sounded on the door of Director Bai’s office. Knowing it must be Li Caifeng, Bai Yuling quickly told her the door was unlocked and to come in.
Hearing Bai Yuling’s voice, Li Caifeng pushed the door open and entered the office.
There, she saw her youngest daughter, Yan Qi, sitting properly on the couch, and Bai Yuling lying on the couch, looking rather pale.
“Yuling, what’s wrong? You look terrible.”
“Nothing serious, just been taking on a few too many missions lately. A bit worn out,” Bai Yiling casually deflected, not wanting her good friend to know the details of today’s events.
Hearing it was just exhaustion, Li Caifeng breathed a sigh of relief. “Really now, Yuling, I know you’re the director of our city’s bureau, but you shouldn’t drive yourself this ragged just because of your strong sense of responsibility.”
“I know I shouldn’t push myself this hard, but who could help it? Our bureau has been established for less than a month. There are still so many, many things that require my personal attention.”
Hearing this truth, Li Caifeng paused slightly before saying, “Yuling, can’t you find more people to help you?”
At this, Bai Yuling smiled at Li Caifeng. “I’d love to find more helpers. Unfortunately, many matters simply can’t be handled by anyone else.”