Jiang Baimian looked at Shang Jianyao, her expression serious, and said:
“Using abilities on superiors is no small matter.
“No organization can tolerate such a thing.”
Shang Jianyao replied with a nonchalant look:
“After entering the 'Mind Corridor,' the company once said I could be directly promoted to M1, but I refused.
“According to that standard, Minister Xi Yu and I are considered equals.”
He paused, a smile returning to his face:
“Besides, everyone who needs to know knows I have a severe mental illness.”
That's a pretty versatile excuse... Jiang Baimian was speechless.
“Someone like me, even if I make a mistake, it's perfectly reasonable, and it has nothing to do with you,” Shang Jianyao said triumphantly. “Before taking me to see Minister Xi Yu, you couldn't have foreseen that I would suddenly have a fit. Moreover, for a valuable mental patient like me, imprisoning me or killing me aren't the best ways to extract value. If I were the big boss, a member of the board of directors, I would definitely choose to throw such a person onto the graylands, dispatching one task after another, compressing his time in the company, and letting him wreak havoc on other forces.”
At that moment, Jiang Baimian felt like applauding.
She even automatically added some details for Shang Jianyao:
Not completely prohibiting the other party from returning to the company, but letting him come back to visit "relatives" every so often to maintain an emotional bond.
Seeing Jiang Baimian's silence, Shang Jianyao continued to entice:
“We were born in the company, grew up in the company, this is our home. We must take any matter that might threaten our home seriously, without the slightest bit of luck, better to err on the side of caution than to let it go.”
These words, like sharp arrows, pierced Jiang Baimian's softest spot.
People from other factions might find it hard to understand the feelings these native-born employees had for Pangu Biology, but as a kindred spirit, Shang Jianyao understood very well.
Such a closed, relatively stable environment could itself create a sense of belonging, not to mention that Jiang Baimian and Shang Jianyao's parents' generation were already born and raised locally.
After a few seconds, Jiang Baimian teased:
“Did you use your ability on me?
“Otherwise, how would I accept such a risky, bold, crazy, and seriously rule-breaking plan?”
“Yes,” Shang Jianyao nodded.
“Huh?” Jiang Baimian was a little stunned.
She was very certain that Shang Jianyao wouldn't use his ability on her in such an important matter.
Moreover, before Shang Jianyao gave that reason, she was already wavering, stemming from her emphasis on the company as a big family.
In an instant, Jiang Baimian understood the reason for Shang Jianyao's nod:
“He wants to make me not bear any responsibility, pushing my cooperation onto the 'thought guidance' ability...”
Thinking of this, Jiang Baimian felt a warmth in her heart and said with a smile:
“Then I'll just take it as that.”
Shang Jianyao laughed along, very happy.
...
Monday morning, Long Yuehong and Bai Chen, who had met with their parents, took leave to register at the Order Supervision Bureau corresponding to the 495th floor. Only Jiang Baimian and Shang Jianyao remained in the Old Task Force's office.
This was a pretty good opportunity. Jiang Baimian picked up the microphone and dialed Minister Xi Yu's office number.
After getting through, she said seriously:
“Minister, this is Jiang Baimian. I have something to report to you.”
She then said “Mm” twice, answering the question on the other end:
“It's quite urgent and important.
“Okay, I'll come over right away.”
After Jiang Baimian hung up, Shang Jianyao asked curiously:
“Why didn't you mention that I was going with you?”
Jiang Baimian slowly exhaled and explained simply:
“If Minister Xi Yu really has a problem, knowing in advance that you're going with me, she will definitely try to guard against abilities like 'thought guidance'. Then, the results of our probing would be hard to say if they're true or false.”
Jiang Baimian's smile carried a hint of self-deprecation. After all, she was using her cunning within Pangu Biology, on her immediate superior.
Clap clap clap, Shang Jianyao applauded Dabaishi’s meticulousness.
Then, the two exchanged a look, walked out of Room 14, and headed all the way to the elevator area that led to the 646th floor.
With Shang Jianyao around, Jiang Baimian didn't get lost and successfully arrived at Xi Yu's deputy minister's office.
Knock knock knock, under the gaze of two fully armed guards, she bent her fingers and knocked on the door.
“Come in,” Xi Yu's voice came out.
Jiang Baimian twisted the handle, opened the door, and saw Minister Xi Yu wearing a neat and sharp white shirt and black short jacket, sitting behind a large desk.
“Him?” Xi Yu, with chestnut-colored long hair and chestnut-colored eyes, saw Shang Jianyao and gave Jiang Baimian a questioning look.
Jiang Baimian put on a smile and said:
“He discovered that matter. I was afraid of overlooking important details, so I brought him along.”
After explaining, Jiang Baimian began to wait for Minister Xi Yu's reaction.
If she was very reluctant to communicate with Shang Jianyao now, then her level of suspicion would increase sharply.
Xi Yu slowly nodded and pointed to the sofa area:
“Let's talk over there.”
She then got up, carrying her sky-blue ceramic teacup, and walked over.
Jiang Baimian led Shang Jianyao inside and closed the door.
The two sat on the long sofa opposite Xi Yu, with Jiang Baimian taking the lead in laying the groundwork:
“Minister, regarding that matter, Shang Jianyao actually mentioned it when he met Director Su, but later we had some new discoveries and felt it was necessary to report to you as well.”
Xi Yu didn't hide her realization:
“You're talking about Mu Renjie's matter?
“Director Su and I have communicated about it. I am in charge of selecting reliable people to do the corresponding investigation.
“What, you want to join?”
“Yes, yes!” Shang Jianyao had a look of “I'm here to recommend myself,” very sincere, without the slightest bit of pretense.
This was within Jiang Baimian's expectations, because Su Yu couldn't personally investigate, she would inevitably find a trusted subordinate to assign the task to, and the probability of giving it to Xi Yu was not low.
What Jiang Baimian didn't expect was that Shang Jianyao would perform so naturally, completely from the heart.
This might be the benefit of multiple personality disorder... she could only sigh like this.
Xi Yu responded with a smile:
“I will consider it. With your joining, and with your abilities, the investigation will be much simpler.
“Well, didn't you say you had a new discovery?”
Jiang Baimian deliberately looked at Shang Jianyao beside her.
Shang Jianyao struck a pose of considering his words, and said unhurriedly:
“That new discovery actually involves Minister Xi Yu a little, which should have made you avoid suspicion.”
The faint smile on Xi Yu's face revealed obvious doubt.
Shang Jianyao expressed his “loyalty”:
“But we trust Minister Xi Yu, just like you have always trusted us.
“We always stand on the same side as you, and we are comrades-in-arms in the same trench.”
Xi Yu's expression relaxed, and she said with a smile:
“Tell me about the new discovery first.”
“It's like this, our team's Long Yuehong and Bai Chen used to live together and had the same dream on the same night,” Shang Jianyao first pointed out the abnormality of the matter, and then said, “In that dream, they discovered that Section Chief Mei Shouan of the Meilan Security Department was a member of the 'Life Ritual' cult, and then tried their best to find you and report this matter to you, but you were also a member of the 'Life Ritual' cult.”
Xi Yu chuckled:
“Such a dream is indeed problematic.
“But we can't just believe what others 'say,' right?”
Shang Jianyao asked back seriously:
“Then Minister Xi Yu, are you a member of the 'Life Ritual' cult?”
“Of course not,” Xi Yu replied with ease.
Seeing this, Jiang Baimian quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
This was because Shang Jianyao had already subtly used the “thought guidance” ability in the narration just now, making Minister Xi Yu see the two of them as trusted companions, comrades who would live and die together, and members of the same small organization.
Under such circumstances, if Xi Yu was indeed a member of the “Life Ritual” cult, then she would think that Shang Jianyao and Jiang Baimian were also, and thus frankly tell the truth.
The person who created that dream is truly evil... Fortunately, we didn't act blindly, uh, it's not called acting blindly now, it's called confirmation... Jiang Baimian muttered to herself.
“That's good,” Shang Jianyao said with a look of relief. “‘Lifespan’ symbolizes new life, but the 'Life Ritual' cult disregards the lives of others and deprives them at will. It is clear that they have gone astray, the kind who have misread the scriptures.”
Xi Yu listened with a smile, without commenting.
According to the plan, Shang Jianyao began further confirmation.
He turned and asked:
“Minister Xi Yu, do you believe in a Ruling God?”
Xi Yu's gaze swept over the two of them and replied with a smile:
“I do believe in a certain Ruling God.”
Jiang Baimian and Shang Jianyao's spirits tensed, and they felt the atmosphere in the deputy minister's office become incredibly rigid.
“Which one?” Shang Jianyao asked with a smile.
Xi Yu placed her hand over her heart and replied solemnly:
“The long night is endless, Lifespan provides shelter.”