Chapter 217: Dissolving

Zhang Wenda's expression turned serious at these words. He knew they were finally getting to the crucial part.

"Do you remember the first time you encountered 2826?"

"Of course." Zhang Wenda recalled the time he'd gotten stuck in the past. It was in that temporal rift that he first came into contact with the Big Circle and the Third Line.

"Then you must also remember that moon, right? Where do you think the Big Circle got such a high-grade ideological object? Including the ones confiscated by other combat teams, there's a total of 75 suns. That's no small number."

"And then there's the Angel Engine, a constant source of clean energy. The number of Angels is finite. Even if the Big Circle wanted to buy them, they probably wouldn't be able to find a seller. Yet, they just so happened to capture three of them, and there wasn't a single peep in the ideological tide news from anywhere?"

As he listened, Zhang Wenda started to understand. "Are you saying the Big Circle has backing from another power now?"

Ouyang Shuangdian nodded. "Yes, that's right. It's basically impossible for them to buy these things on the black market. The only other possibility is that someone is deliberately strengthening the Big Circle."

"This is why we haven't counterattacked. We haven't figured out where this power comes from, or how many such powers there are. The Big Circle of the past simply didn't have this kind of strength."

"We have to get a clear picture of the situation before we make a move. If we were to act rashly without complete intelligence, then we wouldn't be sending home two urns today, but 200, or 2,000, or even 20,000."

Zhang Wenda's heart grew heavy hearing this. 'So the situation is really that dire?'

Ouyang Shuangdian gave a big stretch and stood up, their tone suddenly becoming lighthearted.

"Don't worry, it's not the end of the world yet. The Big Circle can find allies, but we aren't fighting alone either. This is all stuff for Old Tan and the others to worry about. As for you, just be good and stay out of trouble for me. I'm heading out."

"I've answered your questions. Are you satisfied now?"

Zhang Wenda just smiled and said nothing. He had come here with certain ideas, but after seeing the despair in that old woman's eyes, those ideas had completely vanished.

'Everyone in Bureau 507 is a living, breathing person. They aren't pre-made characters or NPCs. They aren't tools for my revenge.'

With a casual gesture from Ouyang Shuangdian, a door appeared on the wall.

"Oh, right. Because of your outstanding performance on this mission, remember to pick up your mission bonus from finance."

Zhang Wenda didn't know how the so-called mission bonus was calculated, but in total, he received a subsidy of 260,000, which was more than two months of his salary.

Seeing the money didn't make Zhang Wenda particularly happy. He took 200,000 from the bonus and sent 100,000 to each of the families of the two who had died.

Noticing it was almost noon, Zhang Wenda, still in low spirits, packed up some fresh fish and headed toward his dorm.

Before he even reached his door, Zhang Wenda heard the familiar sound of the walls shaking. When he pushed the door open, he was immediately surrounded by the meows of Black Cats drawn by the fishy smell, and at the same time, saw "Auntie" pinning Song Jianguo to the wall with one hand and hammering her repeatedly.

"Auntie's here? Long time no see." Zhang Wenda forced himself to sound cheerful as he greeted her.

"Hello there, you little punk. I missed you guys to death," Auntie greeted Zhang Wenda while continuing to pummel Song Jianguo.

Zhang Wenda started walking toward his bed, but stopped abruptly after a few steps and looked at the two of them.

"Since you're back, let's all go out for a meal. Oh, and I'll call another friend to join us."

Later, in a private hotpot room, the four of them, including Hu Maomao, were noisily enjoying a meal.

They didn't invite 2826 mainly because he didn't live in Shanghai, and also, with that mechanical head of his, it was unclear if he could even eat.

"Maomao, how have you been lately?" Zhang Wenda asked, watching Hu Maomao furiously devouring some beef aorta.

"How could I be? I'm still on administrative leave."

"Still on leave? This one's lasting a pretty long time," Zhang Wenda said with surprise, looking at the young woman in the tinfoil helmet.

"I was undercover in the 'Cavalry' for two whole years. Don't you think I've earned a little extra rest? It's my right. How about you? How have you been?"

"Me? I'm doing great." Zhang Wenda picked up a slice of fatty beef, dipped it in sesame paste, and popped it into his mouth.

Glancing at Song Jianguo and Auntie, who were stuffing their faces across the table, Hu Maomao leaned closer to Zhang Wenda. "You don't have to hide anything. Don't forget what I'm good at."

Zhang Wenda's chopsticks paused for a moment before he resumed eating. "It's nothing. I just suddenly realized something. I can't use other people's lives as bargaining chips for my uncle's revenge. They're someone's family too."

"Getting revenge is my own business. I can and must do it myself, without relying on anyone else's power. It's just... it's so damn hard."

He wanted to improve his strength, but the gap between him and Qianxi still seemed insurmountably vast.

Hu Maomao picked up a piece of raw black fish and tossed it to the Black Cats staring up at them from under the table with longing eyes. "As long as you've thought it through, that's what matters. But don't count me out. I'm all alone in this world, and besides, I need to get revenge for Biaozi, too."

"Okay," Zhang Wenda agreed with a smile.

"Want a drink?" Hu Maomao pulled out a green bottle of beer, popped the cap off with her teeth, and filled a glass to the brim.

"You're on!" Zhang Wenda immediately picked up a glass and downed it. As the glasses of beer went down, he felt his mood lighten considerably.

"Do you know how to play finger-guessing games?"

"Nope!"

"No problem. Auntie will teach you."

Amidst the lively atmosphere, Zhang Wenda was able to relax properly for a change.

Zhang Wenda got completely black-out drunk. It was only after getting drunk that he discovered his rabbit fur would actually turn pink.

In the dead of night, Zhang Wenda was woken by a weight on his chest. It felt incredibly heavy. He looked down and saw Song Jianguo, contorted like a judo master, curled up in a perfect ball on his chest.

"Is there any water?" Zhang Wenda mumbled. A glass of water was immediately handed to him.

He gulped it down, said, "Thanks, Auntie," and drifted back into a groggy sleep.

But he couldn't stay asleep for long. He felt the urge to pee, and it was getting stronger.

Reaching out, he pushed her off. Zhang Wenda swayed as he got up to go to the bathroom. In his daze, he was tripped by a Black Cat and almost stumbled to the ground.

Luckily, a blue rabbit hand steadied him. "Thanks, thanks a lot."

Back on his feet, Zhang Wenda opened the bathroom door and went in. After relieving himself, he groggily made his way back to the bed.

"Where's the remote? I want to watch Animation City." A familiar voice spoke up.

"What time is it? Why are you watching Animation City? Go to sleep!" Zhang Wenda flopped onto the bed, subconsciously pulling Song Jianguo into his arms as he fell back asleep.

He had only been asleep for a few seconds when he came to his senses and his eyes shot open in disbelief. "Huh?!"

He scrambled up and whipped his head around to look at the living room. There was no one there—only the TV, which was playing Huluwa.

"What the hell?! Is Bureau 507 headquarters haunted or something?!"