Electronic Nezha

Chapter 204 is just a mission.

Many wise and powerful rulers in ancient China had loyal and brave bodyguards during their conquests, such as Fan Kuai for Liu Bang, Xu Chu for Cao Cao, and Qin Qiong and Yuchi Gong for Li Shimin. These bodyguards prioritized the safety of their lord, rushing to the front in times of crisis. They were genuinely happy when their lord escaped danger, and would risk their lives to save him if he were surrounded. If their lord had already reached safety, but they had to fight back to rescue their bodyguards, their first reaction would probably not be gratitude, but rather a veiled rage that they didn't know whether to utter.

So Ma Chaoran was very angry when she saw that I had taken the bullet for her.

The problem is I'm not a king, and the situation was different then. I bet the fishman's gun was unloaded... no, I bet he wouldn't dare shoot me.

The fishmen's attack was aimed at me, and the koi were fighting desperately for me. You've caused trouble; your friends are fighting with the opposing side. Do you think you can just run away?

Okay, the nature of the problem might be different, but the root cause is that I'm not very knowledgeable, I'm petty, and I'm not cut out for great things. But that's just who I am, isn't that what ordinary people think?

So when Ma Chaoran brought this up, my first thought was to say I'd run faster next time. When she wouldn't let it go, I thought I'd just agree to her first and that would be the end of it. But I also wanted to tease her a little, so I started by pretending to be asleep, and then I actually fell asleep...

The next day, when I opened my eyes it was almost eight o'clock in the morning, and Ma Chaoran was no longer beside me. I could hear the sound of a shower in the bathroom, so I quickly lay down facing the wall.

"You're awake." Ma Chaoran came out and greeted me. I could hear her drying her hair.

"Ah."

Are you going to the restroom?

I got up to wash my face and go to the toilet, finishing quickly, while Ma Chaoran kept her back to me the whole time. This despicable design—didn't Zhao Jun consider that even for a real couple, having absolutely no privacy is aesthetically displeasing?

We packed all our things and set off. When we passed the fourth floor, we took a special look. Several young people in work clothes were whistling as they worked. The place had been almost completely restored.

When I got to the lobby, I immediately saw Zhao Jun dozing off behind the counter with his head hunched over. When he saw me, he darted out from behind and pulled me aside, his face a picture of intrigue: "Tell me, I wasn't dreaming last night, was I?"

I said, "Why are you asking me that? It's not like I'm the one who slept with you."

Zhao Jun said, "Don't play dumb. Last night I invited a few girls to drink with us, and suddenly a few men came with guns and almost smashed up my apartment. I think I called the police at the time, but they came and left. Just now, someone from the Public Security Bureau called me and said it was all a misunderstanding and told me not to talk nonsense. Can you help me remember if this really happened?"

I said, "The police said it was a misunderstanding, so just listen to the police."

"What misunderstanding is this? The bullet holes on my wall aren't fake."

"Well, maybe someone got drunk and was just messing around here, shooting water guns at you—" This explanation came from Zhao Jun, and I'm just repeating what I said.

Zhao Jun spread his hands wide and said, "I've been a soldier! I've seen the world!"

I was speechless. No wonder he behaved differently in the chaos; he must have seen it all.

Zhao Jun said, "Who exactly are you? Even 'Reporter Ma' might not be a reporter, right?"

I scratched my head and started thinking of an explanation.

Zhao Jun said, "If you don't want to talk about it, you don't have to. Don't lie to me."

I said directly, "I'll tell you after I've finished writing it."

Zhao Jun paused for a moment and said, "I understand. You don't need to make it up. If the police say it's a misunderstanding, then it's a misunderstanding. I won't ask questions I shouldn't ask. If you're willing to treat me as a friend in the future, you're welcome to come visit. If you don't want to disturb my peaceful life and don't want to associate with me anymore, I understand."

I chuckled and said, "You make it sound like we have a history."

At this moment, my parents brought Liu Zhenhua downstairs. Liu Zhenhua looked unhappy. I found out that the old couple had gotten up early to go for a soak and brought their grandson along. It was a trip that truly stayed true to their original purpose.

My dad went to the front desk to pay the bill, and Zhao Jun pointed at the receptionist and said, "Give these people a free meal!" His tone was extremely firm.

My dad quickly said, "No way, you can treat me to dinner yesterday, but you can't waive the room fee."

Zhao Jun said, "It must be free. Uncle Liu, if you want to come visit in the future, just give me a call, and I'll book a room for you and provide transportation."

“Okay.” My dad said to the cashier, holding his bank card. “You have memberships, right? I’ll top up my card.” The old man had been in business all his life and knew that personal relationships were more valuable, so he decided to play the part of a socialite.

"I won't top up!" Zhao Jun threatened the receptionist again, and the receptionist could only smile and remain silent, not making a move.

This left my dad a bit at a loss. Usually, in this situation, getting a membership and topping up the card would be a happy solution, but Zhao Jun was acting a bit unconventionally.

Zhao Jun said to my father, "Uncle Liu, don't take it to heart. Fengzi and I are sworn brothers. It would be too formal to say such things."

I whispered to Zhao Jun, "By the way, my son smashed your computer—"

"I heard from Zhao Hanyu that it's okay, good thing he smashed it. Although I don't know why, the top student in the grade must have his reasons for doing this. The previous top student even smoked. Like I said, I won't ask questions I shouldn't ask."

As they were talking, Zhao Hanyu came into the hall carrying a basket of eggs. He handed the basket to Liu Zhenhua and said, "These are hot spring boiled eggs for you to eat on your journey."

Liu Zhenhua thanked him and accepted the gift.

The Zhao family father and son drove us to the parking lot. Zhao Jun said to Ma Chaoran, "Reporter Ma, I'm just a rough man. Please don't take it to heart if I offended you yesterday."

Ma Chaoran said, "Mr. Zhao, you flatter me. I will always remember your kindness to Lao Liu."

"Huh?" Zhao Jun was taken aback, realizing the words didn't sound like a compliment.

Ma Chaoran smiled and said, "I was just joking with you. I'm sorry to have troubled you."

Zhao Hanyu said to Liu Zhenhua, "Actually... the basket of eggs I gave you were all from the restaurant. The onsen eggs aren't ready yet. If you really want to eat them, I'll prepare some real ones for you next time you come."

Liu Zhenhua asked, "Is there a difference in taste?"

"There's not much difference, but I've decided to follow you from now on, so shouldn't I be more honest?"

All the adults laughed and said, "This child is honest."

Our car was on the road again. Although it didn't go as planned, we still had a good time overall. Especially since we didn't spend a penny, the two old people were happy. My dad asked in confusion, "Isn't this Mr. Zhao Zhenhua's parent? How did you become such good friends?"

I felt a little bad for Zhao Jun. It was his bad luck to run into me. First, two of his men were constantly short of oxygen, then he was thrown to the ground by Ma Chaoran, and finally, he was shot at by submachine guns all night in the hotel. It was truly an undeserved disaster. Fortunately, I am "Electronic Li Jing" and not Shinichi Kudo, so no one was killed.

We escorted the elderly couple home and arrived at the Sixth Division's compound around mid-afternoon.

Sixth Master and the little fat boy were already standing on the steps.

The cars behind pulled up, and Koi, Shark, and Dolphin got out one after another. Old Ma was the last to jump out of his car. He looked up and said, "This must be the headquarters of the Sixth Bureau. What a nice place. Great seclusion in the city. Oh, isn't this Sixth Master?"

Sixth Master said, "Ma Fugui, why can't you ever have a moment of peace wherever you go?" It turned out that Old Ma's real name was Ma Fugui, so it seemed that the two old men knew each other.

Ma Fugui said, "You should still call me Canglang."

Sixth Master said, "Canglang was just the last code name you used, right? It's better to call you Ma Fugui."

Ma Fugui chuckled and said, "Whatever. You're getting old, are you sunbathing to get some calcium?" Sixth Master said, "A legendary agent has set foot on my humble land, so I have to accept the offer."

Ma Fugui asked, "Are we picking up guests or prisoners?"

Sixth Master said, "Look, this wolf is ruthless and has a sharp tongue."

Ma Chaoran frowned and said, "You two, stop arguing!"

Sixth Master said, "I kindly picked him up and he still got scolded. Old Ma, you mustn't take sides." As he spoke, he took out his cigarette case, shook out a cigarette, and handed it to Ma Fugui.

Ma Fugui asked, "Did you add truth serum?"

Sixth Master said, "What are you thinking? I'll give you the one I didn't add."

Ma Fugui put a cigarette in his mouth and took out a cigarette case from his pocket, handing one to Sixth Master: "Try mine too."

Sixth Master lit the fire without hesitation, and the two old men walked into the house.

I asked Ma Chaoran in a low voice, "What's the situation between these two? Did they have a grudge in the past?" I always felt that in addition to the smell of smoke, there was also a pungent, old-fashioned smell of a clash in the air.

Ma Chaoran said, "You're joking, there's no such thing as a truth serum."

Even a simple cigarette exchange between two veteran agents can be quite dramatic.
Today was a day when all six people were exceptionally present. When the group arrived at the living room, some found places to sit while others stood. The centerpiece was two old men sitting face to face on two sofas.

Ma Fugui said, "Are you planning to interrogate me right here?"

Ma Chaoran glared at him and said, "Dad! Don't speak so sarcastically. Besides, given what you've done, it's only right that you be interrogated!"

Sixth Master took a puff of his cigarette and said, "Bringing you back to our hideout means we don't consider you an outsider. That's what I wanted too. I know everything that happened yesterday. Don't say anything in anger. I just want to know what your purpose was in going to the hot spring hotel last night?"

"Your cigarette is weak." Ma Fugui first showed the cigarette in his hand to Sixth Master, and then said, "Tell me what that thing I fought with yesterday was. Your Sixth Division has been claiming to be researching some high-tech stuff all these years. Have you made any progress, or did that thing escape from your laboratory?"

Sixth Master laughed: "This old fellow, he hasn't explained a single question about his own problems, but he wants to know the core secrets of the Sixth Division first. Let me tell you this—don't even think about asking about anything related to the Sixth Division."

Ma Fugui said, "What secret do you have? A bolt of lightning struck out and you set up the Sixth Division, doing all sorts of weird and superstitious stuff. You're always researching this and investigating that. There's nothing you won't do. The only reason you haven't been shut down all these years is because of your extensive connections, Liu Laoliu."

Ma Chaoran shouted, "Dad! Don't be so unreasonable!"

Ma Fugui said to Sixth Master, "You don't need to doubt who tipped me off. I'm an international field agent with the highest authority to access files. Your affairs can't be kept from me at all."

The chubby guy leaned close to me and whispered, "International field operations also have different levels of secrecy. Senior Canglang is the highest level, and he only carries out top-level missions. Because we're afraid of making a mistake while he's out there, he can access the information of our regular intelligence organizations."

I nodded. The existence of the Sixth Division has always been somewhat awkward, and Ma Fugui should be one of those people who are prejudiced against the Sixth Division.

Sixth Master wasn't angry. He smiled and said, "Fugui, you probably don't know this yet, but the Sixth Bureau's security level has been downgraded from top secret to 'blank paper'."

The chubby boy whispered a lesson to me: "'Blank paper' means that no written or visual materials are left behind, only oral tradition. Ever since Liu Zhenhua and you came along, the 'electronic Nezha's' security level has become the highest level." So the highest level isn't "top secret"?

I gave a dry laugh and said, "No need to take me with you." Without Liu Zhenhua, my security clearance level would probably be about the same as an official document issued by a regular public institution…

Ma Fugui frowned when he heard the words "blank paper".

Sixth Master said, "You don't believe me?"

Ma Fugui said, "I believe you. There's no point in lying about this kind of thing."

Sixth Master said, "See, it's easier to talk to your own people. There's no need for so much deceit and treachery."

Ma Fugui asked warily, "What do you want to do?"

Sixth Master said, "What can I do? Just report to the higher-ups according to regulations. The legendary agent Canglang was unintentionally involved in the Sixth Bureau's incident. Although it was a misunderstanding, it is customary to remain silent for five years. Find a place with mountains and rivers to rest for five years, and come out to operate again after the confidentiality period is over. You won't have a penny deducted from your salary."

Ma Fugui pointed at Sixth Master and said, "You old bastard, you're really vicious. How old will I be in five years? Will I still be able to get out?"

I grabbed the chubby guy and asked, "How old do you guys in this line of work retire at?"

The chubby guy smiled and said, "It depends on ability and willingness. A good-for-nothing like me can just submit a transfer application if I want to retire. As for a legend like Senior Canglang, he probably wouldn't want to be idle either." He said this in a normal volume.

"Thank you so much!" Ma Fugui glared at the chubby boy.

Sixth Master asked, "How are you, Fugui? Do you want to rest?"

Ma Fugui stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray and said fiercely, "Stop talking nonsense and state your terms."

Sixth Master asked, "What did you do at the hot spring hotel yesterday?"

Ma Fugui first looked up and stared at Ma Chaoran, then stared at me.

I shrugged and said, "Why are you glaring at me?"

Ma Fugui said to Sixth Master, "I suspect my daughter is dating someone, so I'm going to see who's stealing my girl. Is that against the rules?"

"Huh?" Everyone in the room let out a long, questioning sound, and I even chuckled.

Ma Chaoran said, both amused and exasperated, "Dad, how could you have such a thought?"

I pointed to myself and said, "You're not talking about me, are you?"

Ma Fugui said irritably, "It better not be you!"

Sixth Master remained relatively calm. He slowly said, "Fugui, you're in this line of work too. Haven't you ever carried out a mission where a man and a woman pretend to be a couple?"

Ma Fugui said with certainty, "I'm not talking about the mission, I'm talking about a feeling. Recently, Chao Ran has been talking to my husband and me in a mysterious and ambiguous way. She has never been like this before. As her father, how could I not sense that something is wrong?"

Everyone in the room laughed and said, "Senior Canglang is overthinking it."

Sixth Master said, "Old Ma is in this line of work. Have you ever considered that her evasive way of speaking is a professional requirement?"

Ma Fugui said, "It doesn't seem like it! I know what I'm doing." He suddenly turned to Ma Chaoran and asked, "Besides Liu Chuanfeng, do you have someone else on the side?"

The people in the room laughed again, saying, "Senior is overthinking it. We and Lao Ma are almost always together, except we don't sleep together."

Ma Fugui pointed at me and said, "That's you! You two slept together, didn't you?"

The room was filled with laughter again, saying, "This time, what you've been thinking about most is the mission, the mission!"

(End of this chapter)