I'm being held captive by a monster

Chapter 280 Minister's Call

Chapter 280 Minister's Call
In the south of the city, the afternoon sun shines brightly at Heroes' Square.

Lin Xing'an was pushing Xu Ye slowly through the flower bushes.

Amidst the wafting fragrance of flowers, the two wore expressions of pure happiness.

"Lin Xing'an, look! A little butterfly!"

Xu Ye looked up and pointed to her leg in surprise.

A light blue butterfly quietly landed on her knee.

"You are more fragrant than flowers, that's why they fall."

Lin Xing'an said with a smile.

Xu Ye blushed and pouted, "It doesn't smell that good..."

She muttered quietly.

Lin Xing'an then took the opportunity to bend down and exaggeratedly sniffed the air, causing Xu Ye's face to turn even redder.

"What a beautiful day!"

Pushing past the flowerbeds, Lin Xing'an arrived at a soft patch of grass and stretched lazily in the sun.

Then they lifted Xu Ye off the wheelchair.

The two put on sunglasses and lay down on the grass.

"It feels so warm and cozy."

Xu Ye leaned closer to Lin Xing'an and said happily.

Lin Xing'an closed his eyes and nodded.

After saying goodbye to Yu Yu.

During this period, he would practice his combination skills with Xu Ye every day during the day, and in the afternoon he would go for a walk with Xu Ye and bask in the sun.

The two are currently working together seamlessly.

But most importantly, through the enhancement of his abilities, Xu Ye actually used the [chill] to suppress the [epidemic] from raging within her body.

More than twenty days have passed.

According to normal procedures, Xu Ye should have already progressed to the stage of internal organ ulceration.

But in reality, Xu Ye was only experiencing the initial cough.

This was an unexpected bonus, as it meant Lin Xing'an no longer needed to call Zhang Guang and use Xu Ye as an excuse to rush back to Beicheng.

Instead, they could patiently wait for Zhang Guang's call, using a strategic retreat as a means of advancing.

Of course, while waiting for the call, Lin Xing'an would go to Si Que's place almost every night to study his abilities.

After so many rounds of practice, Lin Xing'an had a pretty good understanding of Si Que's abilities.

Just as he had initially guessed.

Si Que's ability is to see "if" scenarios that are completely different from the current development.

The specific decision or event that triggered the "if" line can be limited by Si Que's "physical strength".

The more stamina Si Que has, the closer the event that will appear in the IF line will be.

For example, the first time Lin Xing'an saw Zhang Guang and Xu Zhe coming to Beicheng together, it was because Xu Zhe truthfully told Zhang Guang that he obtained the location of the hidden place from a human organization, which created an "if" scenario.

For Lin Xing'an, it was something that had only happened that morning.

The less stamina Si Que has, the greater the time jump will be.

It might even jump to an "if" scenario that occurred when Lin Xing'an was six years old, due to a decision he made.

Of course, besides just watching, Lin Xing'an can also "enter" these if lines by interacting with Si Que.

But just to be on the safe side, Lin Xing'an never actually went inside.

This can only be used as a "secret weapon" when this storyline truly comes to an end.

However, there are still many doubts about Si Que's abilities, as well as about Si Que himself.

For example, she can only unleash her abilities within Lin Xing'an's timeline.

For example, Si Que, like Lin Xing'an, is not affected by the "rollback" and so on...

"Let's try to get to the bottom of Si Que's problem before we go back to Beicheng..."

"But it'll probably be within the next few days..."

Judging by the timeline, the earliest infected individuals, especially those with weaker constitutions, should have already died.

This is probably the time when Zhang Guang is under the most pressure and morale is at its lowest...

"Buzz~"

As Lin Xing'an was thinking, his phone suddenly vibrated.

"Who is it?"

Xu Ye turned his head to the side, somewhat nervously.

Having spent so much time with Lin Xing'an in Nancheng, she always had a feeling of unreal happiness.

Recently, as life has become increasingly blissful and comfortable, an ominous premonition has grown stronger.

"...It's the minister..."

Lin Xing'an frowned and said, feigning confusion.

"minister……"

Xu Ye clenched his hands nervously.

"It's alright, don't be afraid. The minister will probably just ask how we're doing."

Lin Xing'an patted the straw hat on Xu Ye's head, indicating that she didn't need to worry.

"Hello, Minister."

After getting up and going to the shade of a tree, Lin Xing'an answered the phone.

"An'an, how have you been lately? Are you doing alright in the South City?"

Zhang Guang leaned back in his chair, looking at the mess he had just made of the table, and asked.

"Not bad, a pretty good minister."

"The weather in Nancheng is warm but not hot right now, and Xu Ye and I both want to stay here forever."

"Taking a stroll every day feels like being in a paradise!"

Lin Xing'an looked at the children flying kites on the grass in the distance and said with a smile.

"Haha, An'an, you're kidding me. If you stay in Nancheng, who will help me?"

"Oh, by the way! How is Xu Ye doing now?"

"Judging from your tone... Xu Ye is alright?"

In the office, Zhang Guang frowned and asked.

Actually, he had already sensed something was wrong when Lin Xing'an hadn't called him for so long.

Even just now, I had a vague doubt in my heart.

After all, he had already sent Lin Xing'an the symptoms of each stage of the epidemic.

Given Lin Xing'an's personality and Xu Ye's physical condition, by the second or third cycle, he should be unable to resist calling every day, wanting to come back.

So I didn't call...

Could it be that Lin Xing'an really has a problem, that he anticipated Xu Zhe's words, and deliberately didn't fight?

Could it be that Xu Ye has really recovered...?

"Minister, don't worry, Xiaoye is in very good health now."

"And now, with my help, she can even take a few simple steps!"

"I estimate that if Xiaoye stays in Nancheng for another year, she won't even need a wheelchair anymore."

Lin Xing'an smiled at Xu Ye, who turned around to look at him.

Seeing his relaxed appearance, Xu Ye also breathed a sigh of relief and lay down again.

"……what?"

Zhang Guang was taken aback. "An'an, didn't Xiao Ye get infected with the [Epidemic]?"

"Yes, I am infected. I have a cough and cough up blood, and the symptoms match the form you sent me."

"And now? Have the symptoms remained unchanged?"

He squinted and asked.

"Minister, Xiaoye's ability is [Coldness], she used... uh..."

Lin Xing'an scratched his head.

"Anyway, she herself said that she had been using her power to turn her body into a 'refrigerator'."

"And now I just have a slight cough, but it hasn't gotten any worse."

"In fact, Xiaoye's skills have become more and more proficient in the past two days, and her cough is almost gone."

Lin Xing'an played with the water balloon in his hand.

He let the water droplets bounce between his five fingers.

"Oh, no wonder."

His words made Zhang Guang nod.

That night was in the same situation as him.

He also used his own abilities to raise his body temperature to over a thousand degrees, thus preventing him from being infected by the epidemic.

Xu Ye's abilities are exactly the opposite of his.

Unfortunately, this method is only effective for the person who possesses the ability.

After all, he couldn't possibly raise the temperature inside other gluttonous ghosts to 1000 degrees Celsius... "Minister, what's the situation in Beicheng right now?"

Sensing the underlying meaning in Zhang Guang's words, Lin Xing'an also took the initiative to ask.

"This part of the northern city...tsk tsk tsk..."

Zhang Guang paused for a moment, shook his head with a wry smile, and sighed, "An'an, is it convenient for you to talk over there?"

"Yes, yes, please."

Lin Xing'an quickly said.

His eyes gleamed.

Judging from Zhang Guang's words, the situation seems to be more serious than he imagined...

"The current situation... to put it simply, is that humans and animals have hidden the sixteenth month too well."

"For humans and animals, in this game of hide-and-seek, they just need to hide for long enough."

"They're in the shadows while we're in the light; the situation is dire."

Zhang Guang gripped the water glass tightly.

The water, which was originally lukewarm, began to boil in the cup as he squeezed it tighter and tighter...

"...Minister, now...hiss..."

Although Zhang Guang didn't say it was that serious.

But Lin Xing'an still gasped.

He was pondering how to speak in a way that would resonate with Zhang Guang...

After all, Xu Zhe must have said something to Zhang Guang when he died.

Therefore, Lin Xing'an must now regain Zhang Guang's favor.

This also lays the groundwork for his later discovery of Sixteen Months.

Otherwise, it is indeed quite suspicious...

"Minister, I'll go back to Beicheng tomorrow. I'll go back and help out!"

After a long silence, Lin Xing'an suddenly spoke firmly.

"Oh?"

Zhang Guang raised an eyebrow in surprise.

He thought Lin Xing'an would hold him back for a while, waiting for him to take the initiative to invite him.

Unexpectedly, Lin Xing'an volunteered directly, handing over the initiative to him...

But upon closer reflection, this actually aligns with Lin Xing'an's personality...

Whether it was being used as a scapegoat by Xu Zhe because of Jiang Xiaojiang's situation at the beginning, or killing Tao Yuan later, including protecting Xu Ye at the victory celebration banquet...

Lin Xing'an never engages in any kind of back-and-forth or pulling.

Moreover, saying it so directly only proves that Lin Xing'an didn't expect Xu Zhe's words...

“Minister, to be honest, this matter has nothing to do with you right now.”

"But you are the head of the siege department, so in everyone's mind, this is your fault."

Seeing that Zhang Guang didn't speak, Lin Xing'an spoke again.

“Once everyone is watching you like this, everything you do will be wrong.”

"Everyone will blame you for all your decisions and actions."

"If you can't find the sixteenth month, people will blame you; if you do find the sixteenth month, people will blame you for taking so long to find it."

"So... Minister, although I'm not very useful, I can at least help you draw some attention to this, since... I'm the one who started this whole thing."

Lin Xing'an took a deep breath and said.

“An’an, you…”

In the minister's office, Zhang Guang took a sip of water.

Having sat in this position for so many years, he rarely experiences any strong emotions other than anger.

But what Lin Xing'an just said...

He was really touched!
A warm feeling clearly flowed through my heart.

Lin Xing'an truly understands him; he spoke his mind perfectly!
Everyone is pressuring him now, pressuring him to make better decisions, pressuring him to consider the feelings of his colleagues on the front lines, pressuring him to find Sixteen Months quickly...

Only Lin Xing'an truly understands the pressure and pain he is currently under!
"An'an, do you know how much pressure Beicheng is under right now?"

Zhang Guang put down his water glass and picked up the weekly report on the table again.

"I know, Minister, I understand you."

“You called me not because you were helpless, not because you really couldn’t do anything to Sixteen.”

"You're just in this position, you have too many things to consider, and every decision you make is constrained."

"If I gave you the highest authority and let you do whatever you want, you would have found Sixteen months ago."

"If I go back, at least you won't have to fight alone like this. As long as I can help you withstand some of the fire, finding the Sixteenth Month will be a piece of cake!"

"All you need now is a helper."

A gentle breeze rustles through the grass.

Lin Xing'an stood under the swaying shadows of the trees, his voice not loud, but it silenced Zhang Guang on the other end of the phone.

"An'an, really, only you understand me!"

"Only you understand me, only you understand me!"

After a long while, Zhang Guang slammed his fist on the table a few times and said heavily!

Not out of anger.

Instead, I felt excited and moved!

Yes!

Zhang Guang, how could he lack ability? How could he make poor decisions?!

He just needs to think too much!

If he were truly given the highest authority, if everyone were truly at his disposal, where could he possibly hide in a mere sixteen months?

He had to consider the feelings of his colleagues, since they held the votes.

He had to obey the orders of the committee members above him; he couldn't do this or that!
How can he act freely when he's caught in the middle?!
How can you dance when you're in shackles?!
All he needs now is a helper to untie him!

Li Lu is capable, but she is not on his side and has always been considering the interests of her so-called frontline colleagues.

Zhao Wuji was busy researching medicine and couldn't spare the time.

Xu Zhe, who was most likely to help Zhang Guang, is also long dead!

So it really is only Lin Xing'an, only Lin Xing'an!

At this moment, Zhang Guang felt as if he had received timely help in a snowstorm!
"Minister, let me go back. I'll go back by myself. Let Xiaoye stay in Nancheng."

Lin Xing'an spoke again.

“An’an, you can stay in Nancheng and not get involved in this mess.”

Zhang Guang took a deep breath, looked out the window, and said with a bright gaze.

Lin Xing'an smiled.

"Minister, do you still remember our long-standing goal?"

"Only you can reform the committee. If you fall... the committee is truly doomed!"

"So let me go back, Minister."

Lin Xing'an even pleaded.

"it is good!"

Having said all that, how could Zhang Guang possibly refuse?

He slammed his hand on the table.

With that "good," he felt the depression and resentment that had been building up in his chest being expelled!