Those words were indeed Huang Yi’s heartfelt thoughts, not a test or a trap.
On the side that Yin Lin was unaware of, the Human Supremacists and the Witch Faction had already held dozens of specialized meetings. From her debut until now, nearly three months later, they sometimes held a meeting every three days, sometimes every two days, and in extreme cases, even two meetings in a single day.
Her Magic Cannon and Spear of Heaven could serve as powerful tools for breaking through defenses, and her extraordinary sensory abilities could become a divine skill for early warnings. This kind of Magical Girl, overflowing with strategic value, made the Human Supremacists salivate, hoping desperately to exploit her worth.
The Witch Faction, of course, was constantly interfering, blocking the Human Alliance’s plans to deploy more resources to capture Yin Lin. The two sides had been engaged in a battle of wits and courage for nearly three months.
The politics that Song Wuli loathed both caused her trouble and helped her.
Lately, the Human Supremacists had been continuously proposing things like “Increasing Air Defense Forces in the Eastern Region’s Yiri City” or the “Yiri City Three-Year Infrastructure Plan”—proposals that seemed to have nothing to do with Yin Lin. In reality, they contained a great deal. They called it a three-year infrastructure plan, but if one opened the proposal and looked inside, it was full of things like fixed turret emplacements and aerial surveillance.
The Human Supremacists had many tricks up their sleeves.
The people of the Witch Faction had been blocking them for nearly three months and were still doing so. The last time the two factions had fought this hard over a single Magical Girl was over Black Phoenix.
Huang Yi didn’t want to discuss politics too much with the Magical Girl, so he kept these hidden matters a secret. He sent a few more abstract messages. [By the way, we want to award you a few medals here. Will you accept them?]
Yin Lin: [What competition did I enter? How come I didn’t know?]
Huang Yi: [Medals to commend the Magical Girl Yin Lin for saving the world.]
Yin Lin: [If you dare to send them, I dare to take them.]
Huang Yi: [If you dare to take them, I dare to make them.]
And so, the matter was settled.
It was clear that Huang Yi had switched his mindset again, treating Yin Lin like a child. After saying words that were too heavy, he found a bit of humor to wash away the somber atmosphere.
“What’s wrong, Old Song? Why the big smile?” Qian Dehao was passing by to get some hot water.
Song Wuli quickly tucked his phone away and said seriously, “Nothing, just watching some short videos for a bit.”
Old Qian didn’t leave after getting his water and making his coffee. He leaned in and whispered, “Old Song, do you want to get off work on time tonight? I’ll take you to play something fun.”
Qian Dehao’s expression was a bit strange, wearing a sleazy grin.
Song Wuli refused. “No, I love working. I love overtime. I feel uncomfortable all over if I don’t work overtime for a day.”
Qian Dehao tried to persuade him again. “Really, there’s something fun. A man simply can’t refuse it. You’re not a man if you don’t go.”
Song Wuli hesitated now. “No way? That much confidence? Is it the kind of activity that can’t be seen by others?”
Old Qian smiled and nodded.
Song Wuli lowered his voice even further and asked, “The kind where if someone saw us, our reputations would be ruined?”
Old Qian nodded again.
Song Wuli: “How fun is it?”
Old Qian: “You won’t be able to stop.” He held out his palm and asked, “Are you coming or not?”
Song Wuli also reached out, and their hands slapped together.
Consequently, Old Song did not work overtime today and left right on time.
This shocked the people in Copywriting Group 2, though Greta was still working overtime alone.
Huang Yijun came by in the evening and was also stunned when he didn’t see Old Song. He asked Greta, “Where is your Group Leader Song?”
Greta: “Mr. Song has gone home.”
Huang Yijun: “Did he say anything? Why did he leave so early?”
Greta shook her head.
The next day at work, Song Wuli and Qian Dehao looked significantly better than usual, working with great vigor. That evening, Huang Yijun came by again, and still, he didn’t see Old Song. He had left on time again with Qian Dehao.
For three days in a row, they were nowhere to be seen.
On the fourth day, an accident happened.
Just as work ended, Huang Yijun came looking for them, but he was a few minutes late. Song Wuli and Qian Dehao had already left the company and gone downstairs. He hurried down, wanting to ask them in person what was going on.
As soon as he reached the main entrance, he saw Old Song and the other guy boarding a bus and leaving.
Sigh, maybe I should just send a private message to ask what they’ve been up to these past few days?
Just as he pulled out his phone, a taxi suddenly stopped at the entrance. “Get in! Huang Yijun!”
Who is it?
Old Huang looked up and saw it was a woman. “Qian… Qian? Why are you here?”
Actually, this person was Qian Dehao’s wife. Calling her that felt a bit strange, but since he was used to it, he didn’t change it.
After he got into the taxi, the car started and accelerated to follow behind the bus.
“What’s wrong, Qian’s Wife? What are you doing?” Huang Yijun looked bewildered.
Looking at Qian’s Wife, she was staring at the bus ahead with a look of disappointment, gritting her teeth. “Qian Dehao lies to me every day saying he’s working overtime and hasn’t come home. He’s actually not working overtime at all, is he?”
Oh boy, a life-or-death question.
Huang Yijun was in a bind. Was he going to betray his brother?
He stammered, “Don’t be like that. I can’t answer. He’s my brother.”
Qian’s Wife: “Put down your phone. No tipping him off.”
Huang Yijun did as he was told. “He didn’t go back, and I don’t know why either.”
Qian’s Wife: “What are they doing? How long have you known about this? Why did Song Wuli have to hide it from me too? Who is that woman?”
Huang Yijun: “Qian’s Wife, I think you’re overthinking it. Old Qian is usually a very honest person.”
Qian’s Wife: “Shut up. I can see everything clearly now!”
The driver wiped his sweat and continued the tail.
Ten minutes later, the bus stopped.
Qian Dehao and Song Wuli got off the bus chatting and laughing, then walked into a small hotel. It looked like the cheap kind, with a sign saying they offered hourly rooms.
I’m doomed. Huang Yijun’s scalp felt numb. He quietly pulled out his phone, intending to blindly type a message to warn them.
“Give me the phone!” Qian’s Wife saw his small movement and snatched the phone away.
She was just about to throw the phone out of the car.
“Twenty thousand yuan!” Huang Yijun quickly shouted, finally stopping Qian’s Wife’s action. She tucked the phone away on her person.
The two of them waited in the car for over ten minutes and finally saw someone go into the small hotel. It was a woman dressed in skimpy clothing, following behind a man as they entered together.
“Fine! Old Qian, Old Song! Playing 3P, are we?! You’re dead meat today.” Qian’s Wife got out of the car aggressively, dragging Huang Yijun by his clothes with her into the hotel.
She bombarded the front desk with questions. “Those two men who went up ten minutes ago, what room number? If you don’t tell me, don’t even think about opening this shop today. I’ll call the police.”
The receptionist wasn’t that tough. After being pressed, they talked and even handed over a key card.
It seemed this small hotel was indeed shady. Qian’s Wife was so angry she picked up a broom from the corner and charged upstairs.
“Wait, wait, Qian’s Wife, calm down. Old Qian might have just been confused for a moment. He’s a reasonable person, just talk to him.” Huang Yijun tried desperately to persuade her.
Of course, it was useless.
Upon reaching the door, she swiped the card, kicked the door open, and rushed in.
“Qian Dehao, you damn idiot, I—” Qian’s Wife’s words weren’t finished before she froze.
Four people and eight eyes stared at each other.
In the room, Qian Dehao and Song Wuli were each holding a controller, playing a Famicom. The screen on the TV showed the game Contra.
Seeing this scene, Huang Yijun shouted excitedly, “Holy crap, Contra! I know how to play this! Back in the day, they used to call me God Hand Kato Jun!”
He rushed inside immediately and snatched the controller from Qian Dehao’s hand.
Ain’t no way they had to be this shady to play Contra