After listening to Fang Ze's explanation, Bai Zhi finally understood what he meant.
She couldn't help but look at Fang Ze, her expression serious as she said, "Do you really intend to become a double agent? It's very dangerous."
Fang Ze sighed, slouched on the sofa like he had given up, and then countered, "Commissioner, let me ask you."
"Besides the clues about the Rejuvenation Society that I provided, do you have any other leads on them?"
Bai Zhi shook her head, "No."
Fang Ze, "Then do you have any leads on the mysterious organization involved in the smuggling of 'Ming 28' and attacking the Rejuvenation Society?"
Bai Zhi shook her head again, "No."
Fang Ze continued, "What about the Flower Morning Festival that's about to start soon, do you have any leads related to that?"
Bai Zhi once more shook her head, "No."
Fang Ze spread his hands and then said earnestly, "Commissioner, how can I put this? I know you want to achieve something great. You want to surpass someone named... what was it, Qing."
"That's why you spent a fortune to poach me to the Security Bureau."
"Wanting to compete fairly with him and uncover the secrets of the Flower Morning Festival."
"But... a clever wife can't cook without rice."
"You have no leads at all. If I know nothing, I can't just guess and solve the puzzle, can I?"
"So, I have to take an unorthodox approach and find leads myself."
"These various powers are obviously interested in the Flower Morning Festival. They've been investigating for so many years, they must have some leads in hand."
"Therefore, when we can't get any external help, getting their leads from these groups that already have them becomes the most justifiable approach."
Hearing Fang Ze's words, Bai Zhi had an epiphany, but she still said with some concern, "But... isn't this too dangerous for you?"
Fang Ze smiled, "No wolf can be caught without risking the bait."
As he said this, he fiddled with the small handgun in his hand and added, "Moreover, aside from solving cases, there's an extra reward for me, right?"
For some reason, Bai Zhi felt that this was actually Fang Ze's true intention.
Watching Fang Ze play with the treasure for a while, Bai Zhi snapped back to reality, and then she asked, "So, what do we do next?"
Hearing Bai Zhi's question, Fang Ze put away the treasure and said, "Next. We go in three different directions simultaneously."
"The first direction is you, Commissioner. You go to the Security Bureau and make as much noise as possible, trying to get some information about the Flower Morning Festival."
He said, "I guess Gu Qing will give excuses and not want to give you the information."
"But... if you make some noise, he will eventually give you some. After all, he can't look too bad."
"The second direction is me, I'm heading to the Red Light District tonight!"
"I'll meet up with the Rejuvenation Society folks! And then see if I can get any intelligence out of them!"
While saying this, Fang Ze was dead serious and intense. But Bai Zhi felt something was off...
Because the corners of his mouth seemed to be unabashedly turning upwards...
And he seemed to be itching to get going...
She shook her head to dispel the weird thought and asked, "And the third direction?"
Fang Ze said, "The third direction is..."
"Got any food, Commissioner? I'm starving. Haven't eaten all day."
"Also, I don't even have a place to stay in Emerald City."
"Can't you guys sort it out for me?"
"And when is my bonus coming through? I'm practically broke."
Five minutes later, Bai Ling was obediently sitting on the sofa, jotting everything down in a little notebook.
She cutely reiterated, "Hmm, Bai, I got it all down. I'll go prepare for Fang Ze in a bit."
The notebook was filled to the brim with everything from staples, vegetables, meats, to fruits, daily necessities, and even car assignments – all clearly recorded.
Even the right to use an apartment was listed at the end...
At this moment, Fang Ze was sitting cross-legged on the sofa, slurping noodles, and looking around.
Briefly, when Bai Zhi wasn't paying attention, he sneakily nudged Bai Ling and inquired, "Is Officer Bai Zhi that rich?"
"I just mentioned it offhandedly, and she agreed to all of it, letting you buy everything brand new."
He paused, then asked, "Is the salary at the Security Bureau that high?"
Upon hearing Fang Ze's words, Bai Ling paused for a moment, then said with a puzzled expression, "Salary? Does the Security Bureau have a salary?"
Fang Ze almost choked on his noodles: ???
He asked, "Then where do you get your money?"
Bai Ling replied, "It's inherited. When we come of age, the family gives a lot of money. Don't you have any?"
In Emerald City, at the Security Bureau building.
The sun was setting, and the sky was ablaze with the colors of the sunset.
A man with disheveled hair, wearing slovenly clothes that were a bit unkept, and with sleepy eyes, yawned as he entered the Security Bureau building.
Despite having no air of presence or dignity, the commissioners along the way genuinely smiled and greeted him with salutes, "Director." "Director." "Director, you've arrived."
Each time, the man would lethargically return the greeting, then add, "Deputy, deputy. Stop with the formalities."
In this manner, he greeted everyone all the way to his office.