"Your identity is important to us, so I want you to become our informant."
"Mm…"
Li Lin lowered his head and thought for a moment.
If he had to name his single best trait, it was this: once something involved his interests, he clamped down and refused to let go.
He was afraid of dying—and he was also afraid of being unable to survive. Whenever his personal safety or利益 was involved, he could usually shelve every other emotion and go straight into the purest form of bargaining.
It wasn't that he didn't like beautiful women. Who didn't?
But with this world being what it was, the moment you openly expressed desire—or even admitted you had thoughts—people looked at you like you were strange. Humans were social animals. Going with the flow and fitting in was always the safest choice.
Li Lin had no intention of challenging those social norms. Naturally, he planned to choose whatever was best for himself.
"I'm absolutely willing to help Lungmen's authorities with anything."
Sitting in the chair, Li Lin spoke with a trace of hesitation.
"I'm very happy to do my part for Yan. But…"
"But?" Officer Ch'en asked.
"Under what name?"
"Name?"
"Yes, of course. I need some kind of proof that I'm genuinely doing work for Yan and Lungmen."
With his hands folded neatly over his lower abdomen, Li Lin put on a compliant, agreeable smile and pointed out the practical dilemma he faced.
"Look—right now, I'd be acting as your informant, under a one-sided arrangement where you give orders and we agree. But the moment I walk out that door, nobody knows I'm yours. Nobody knows I'm working for Lungmen."
"And?"
"That means if anything happens to you—" Li Lin said quickly, tone earnest. "Not in a bad-luck sense. I mean if there's a handover error, or a transition problem, then internal friction becomes very likely. It could even happen that they—because of some purpose—or I—because of some purpose—we end up doing things to each other. You know."
He painted the future for her with clinical clarity.
"Also, our contact isn't perfectly secret. Some files and data will always be retained. People leave traces; records leave marks. If someone later digs it up… it won't be good for anyone's mental state. Attacking your own side—possibly getting your own people killed—that kind of psychological pressure is severe. Even imagining it is terrifying."
"So you don't want this job?" Ch'en asked.
"No, I'm willing," Li Lin said immediately. "I just want to do it with an identity that looks better—one that prevents my teammates from beating me to death."
He lifted two fingers and made a small turning gesture in the air.
"An identity. I want to become a formally registered member of the Lungmen Guard Department. Of course, the position can be confidential—but I need documentation as proof, along with adequate benefits and practical support. Only then can I serve you properly."
"That's not particularly difficult," Ch'en said, "but if that's what you want, then I'll need to understand how you intend to work."
She adjusted her glasses and began writing notes. Even though her figure and clothing made her look—by ordinary standards—questionably suited to "proper police work," she herself was painstakingly serious as she recorded her judgments.
"During operations, I can't provide you with informational assistance. I don't trust many people inside the Guard Department. The archives have had multiple leaks already." She paused. "I've heard your deductive reasoning is excellent. Consider this a record: what's your read on the current situation?"
"Oh, deduction, analysis—Officer Ch'en, I strongly advise you not to force me into the most lethal and stupid choice possible."
"The most lethal and stupid?" Ch'en echoed. "But I heard you're an excellent planner."
"That was just luck," Li Lin said, shrugging.
"Why do people always expect their luck to be higher than everyone else's? That's impossible. 'Deduction' is just a story a bunch of gambler-madmen tell themselves to justify gambling. It's not something you use in an environment like this."
"For example?" Ch'en asked.
"In a game, you can gamble countless times. You can bet on details, on story direction. But in reality, we all know the world is chaos. The idea that someone will follow a fixed track is nonsense. What if they get a sudden impulse and do something else? Gambling a little can be harmless—but this isn't something I'm going to gamble on."
Ch'en looked thoughtful. Li Lin continued evenly.
"I'm not putting my life on a gaming table. I need promises—and real support."
"…All right," Ch'en said at last. "I'll consider it."
"I sincerely hope you do, Officer Ch'en." Li Lin hesitated, then asked, "Actually, I have one more question. Why do you trust me at all?"
"Someone recommended you," Ch'en said, not looking up as she sketched quickly across the page. "And someone vouched for you."
"A guarantor?"
"Yes. A person I consider trustworthy spoke for you." Ch'en's pen didn't slow. "She said you're a gentleman, and you're someone with ideals."
"Me?" Li Lin blinked.
"She said: a man who can live on the edge and still refuse to touch any criminal traces is either hiding an enormous secret, or he's driven by a pure obsession—someone who insists on staying clean even while standing at the boundary. I believe you're the latter."
"Or both?" Li Lin suggested.
"I hope it's only the latter," Ch'en said. "And I'll give you that trust."
She smiled faintly, then closed the file with a crisp tap.
"Given what you reported and your past involvement, I'll extend you a measure of trust. I'm setting aside this complaint for now. As for the details of your treatment and benefits, I need time to consider. I'll give you an answer in three days."
"That's something to look forward to," Li Lin said. "So I can go?"
"Of course. I look forward to seeing you again."
Ch'en extended her hand in a friendly gesture, and Li Lin shook it.
Warm, smooth, delicate—there was even a faint fragrance. It was only a polite handshake, but leaning in like that still made Li Lin feel, viscerally, how fractured this world truly was.
They were discussing adult problems.
And yet the body in front of him was… even more adult.
Damn this world.
Li Lin grit his teeth, reluctant to let go—and then, without hesitation, turned and left.
A few minutes later, outside the Lungmen Guard Department building—
Li Lin looked at the Penguin Logistics vehicle waiting there, sighed, and climbed in. Inside, Texas was waiting; she glanced over with quiet curiosity.
"How did it go?"
"She said she'll consider it," Li Lin replied. "Even though my demands were basically extortion."
"You understand these things?" Texas asked.
"No. Not at all."
"Then why?"
"Because everyone involved is a good person…"
Fastening his seatbelt again, Li Lin looked back at the Guard Department building and sighed.
"And good people can be negotiated with—and they're often willing to accept terms. Once you know that, it's enough."
"Is that so…" Texas murmured. "About what you said—wanting a reliable girl—I think I have an idea."
"Oh? Really?" Li Lin perked up. "Who is it? What's her name?"
"You'll see very soon."
Texas gave him a small, oddly meaningful smile.
She stepped on the gas. The Penguin Logistics car merged into the endless stream of traffic—and vanished in the blink of an eye.
Thirty minutes later—
"Hello, senior! I'm Sora! Please take care of me from now on!"
"…"
Li Lin stared at the enthusiastic little idol in front of him—then looked, stunned, at the expressionless Texas beside him.
-------
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