American comic: From Beijing with Love, starting with a mutant.

The smile on Director Wang's face vanished as soon as it appeared.

This kid is definitely going to ask for money!

Travel expenses.

Compensation for emotional distress.

Battle damage compensation.

Or it could be something like "funeral expenses for a white-suited soldier who died in the line of duty".

Ling Lingqi.

"exist!"

"If you dare bring it up now..."

Before Director Wang could finish speaking, Zhou Xingxing's eyes widened.

"Chief, how can you look at me like that?"

"So you still need to pick a date?"

A heartbroken Stephen Chow clutched his chest: "Where has the most basic trust between people gone?"

Do you have it?

"Of course I have it!"

"I'm usually a little frugal, a bit obsessed with invoices, and a bit too protective of state property! But when it comes to the safety of my comrades, I never talk about money!"

Director Wang's expression softened slightly, but before he could speak, Zhou Xingxing pulled a notebook out of his pocket again, acting up once more.

Why are you taking out the ledger?

"Don't panic, Director. This time, we really won't reimburse you."

"I was representing the first batch of returning employees introduced from overseas special talents, and I applied to the organization for basic communication support equipment."

Director Wang frowned: "Communication support equipment?"

"My cell phone!"

Zhou Xingxing retorted confidently, "What era are we living in? It's all about information technology! Digitalization! Even the old lady selling scallions at the market has a QR code for payment. Our special personnel from Bureau 749 don't even have cell phones when they go to work? Is that acceptable?"

Director Wang had to swallow his anger.

The toad-man scratched the pimples on his face: "I have a cell phone now. It's an old-fashioned one issued by the construction site, and it's incredibly loud. Old Liu said I wouldn't be able to hear him shouting once I jumped up the mountain, so he got me one..."

Zhou Xingxing chuckled twice: "Xiao Luo is going to Jiuquan, Xiao Ruan is going to the cold drink window, A Ji is going to the rescue, Lan Jingling is staying at headquarters, and An Dong is going to the archives. Lao Mo still has to go back to Guizhou to install anchor bolts."

"How will we contact each other then?"

"Relying on brainwaves?"

He pointed to Anton on the bed.

"He's a human signal booster now. But he's the archivist. We can't expect everyone to carry him over to use our Wi-Fi every time they call, can we?"

Anton remained silent.

Dr. Fan glanced subconsciously at the test report in his hand.

In theory...that works!

"Besides, cell phones aren't just for making calls; they're also attendance tools, Chinese learning machines, and security trackers!" Stephen Chow counted on his fingers.

"Install a translation app for Xiao Luo. That way, she won't have to twist her cafeteria tray into a pretzel every time she hears about quarantine."

Polaris gave him a cold glance, but Zhou Xingxing pretended not to see it.

"Install a recipe app for Amy. She can develop more flavors of ice cream."

"Install a no-alcohol reminder for the Smurfs. Ideally, it should have an electronic fence. It should sound an alarm if they touch alcohol."

The carefree girl's eyes widened: "This is discrimination!"

"This is care!"

Stephen Chow put on a stern face: "Last time you got drunk, you drove us all the way to the desert!"

Director Wang was somewhat surprised; this kid actually spoke like a human today?

"That's all?"

"Is that all?"

Zhou Xingxing spread his hands: "Otherwise, Director, you don't really think I'm going to get my suit reimbursed, do you? That's a dangerous way of thinking. You have a stereotype about outstanding field personnel."

The anger that had just subsided flared up again.

Director Wang took two deep breaths, silently reminding himself to maintain his leadership dignity. Besides, Anton had just woken up; it wasn't appropriate for him to be involved in any bloodshed.

"Xiao Zhang!"

Secretary Xiao Zhang poked her head in from the doorway.

"Chief."

"Go to the logistics warehouse and get a few new cell phones. Also, get a few encrypted SIM cards."

Xiao Zhang nodded: "Understood. What model do you need?"

Director Wang looked at Zhou Xingxing.

"A large battery is needed! A sturdy screen is essential! Ideally, it should be waterproof, drop-proof, and protected against Bluetooth!"

"Why are you guarding against me?" the carefree girl retorted.

"To prevent you from sending your phone into the hot pot."

"I don't!"

"Not at the moment."

Xiao Zhang nodded, suppressing a laugh: "Then I'll go pick out a few ruggedized drones."

"Wait a minute." Stephen Chow raised his hand.

Director Wang narrowed his eyes: "What else do you want?"

Phone case.

"..."

"Whose responsibility is it if it gets damaged? Is it considered damage to public property or a work-related injury? Prevention is better than cure, Director. I'm doing this to avoid disputes!"

Director Wang gritted his teeth.

"match!"

"I want a tempered glass screen protector too."

"match!"

"charger."

"nonsense!"

"Headphones are out of the question; wearing them while working could easily lead to workplace injuries."

"roll!"

Stephen Chow stands at attention and salutes.

"The director is brilliant! This is what modern management looks like!"

Xiao Zhang turned and ran out, his shoulders shaking.

Director Wang looked at the door and felt that he had been demoted to the head of the logistics department.

After the farce, Anton cheerfully threw off the covers.

Jiliu grabbed him and said, "What are you doing?"

"I'm fine now, I can go to work."

Dr. Fan quickly waved his hand: "No! You need to observe for at least another 24 hours. It's hard to say whether there will be any fluctuations later."

Anton shook his head and refused: "I've had enough of lying down."

"I lie down every day in the lab. I lie down when I'm awake, and I lie down when I'm unconscious. I don't want to lie down anymore."

Anton looked at Zhou Xingxing, then at Director Wang: "You said I'm the archivist, so I'd like to go see my workstation."

He spoke very seriously.

"I used to work at a library. I can do all those jobs: organizing bookshelves, registering borrowers, repairing old books! If they really need me here, I'd love to get to work right away."

No one responded; even Leonardo da Vinci didn't pick up the plunger to give his comments.

Stephen Chow laughed: "Sure!"

"Comrade Zhou, his health..."

"Old Fan, don't worry. We're not letting him go to the construction site to carry cement." Zhou Xingxing waved his hand: "Let him go and familiarize himself with the place first, check out the workstations, and feel the filing cabinets. People aren't machines; even after they're fixed, they need to be put into trial operation for eight hours."

"Some illnesses can't be cured by lying down."

He walked over and patted Anton on the shoulder: "We need to get him moving. He also wants to know that tomorrow he won't be on the operating table, but at his desk."

Dr. Fan opened his mouth, then sighed.

A higher-ranking official can crush a lower-ranking one; what can a mere doctor like him say?

Director Wang, who was standing next to him, hadn't even said anything yet!

"Little Liu!"

Secretary Liu poked her head in: "Director?"

"Arrange a dormitory for him, preferably close to the medical room. Also, equip him with a call bell."

Director Wang ordered: "Then take him on a tour. The canteen, the dormitory, the training area. Finally, go to the underground archives and hand him over to Old Qian."

"clear."

The toad-man suddenly raised his hand.

"I want to go too! I've never been to the archives! Are there any old fraternity records in there?"

"You don't have the necessary permissions."

"Oh……"

Stephen Chow patted him on the back to comfort him.

"What's the rush, Lao Mo? You're an outstanding employee now. Your glorious achievements are definitely in your file."

The toad-man's eyes lit up: "Really?"

What do you think of "Long Tongues Driving Major Infrastructure Development: A Profile of Comrade Mortimer, the Special Technical Advisor for the Road Construction Project in Tiankeng Village, Guizhou"?

The toad-man puffed out his chest as he listened.

Lorna watched the group fooling around, her eyes crinkling with a smile.

She had never understood how this Mr. Zhou could turn everything into a vegetable market transaction.

Now she understands.

This person isn't incapable of understanding pain; he just doesn't want those trivial matters to take over his entire life.

Xiao Liu led Anton and Jiliu, who insisted on accompanying his younger brother, out of the area.

Anton stopped at the door and looked back.

"Stephen, thank you."

Stephen Chow waved to shoo people away.

"No problem at all. Just help me find the information faster next time I need to look it up! And... remember to buy me two packs of cigarettes after you get paid!"