I work as a security guard at a cemetery, and I overhear the dead chatting about getting rich quick.

Lin Ye thought he could finally go back to his rented room and get some sleep.

As it turns out, he was still too young.

He and Xiaoman had barely stepped out of the lockdown point when a black minivan pulled up on the side of the road.

The car window rolled down.

The driver was wearing a dark coat and black gloves were resting on the steering wheel.

"Lin Ye, Jiang Man."

"Shen's team requests your presence."

Xiaoman did not move.

"Didn't you just say we could leave?"

The driver said calmly, "The restrictions at the case level have been lifted."

He paused for a moment, then said, "Now it's an invitation."

Lin Ye looked at the black car.

In the middle of the night, a black car, black gloves, asking for help.

This invitation format leaves no room for refusal.

He looked at Xiaoman.

Xiaoman's right hand was still wrapped with a strap, and her left hand was holding a small black bag.

"go."

Lin Ye asked in a low voice, "Are you sure?"

"If they really want to arrest you, there's no need to ask them to."

That makes a lot of sense.

It's also very heartbreaking.

Instead of driving back to the checkpoint, the car bypassed the outer perimeter of Qingshan and entered an old office building in the east of the city.

A sign reading "Cultural Relics Restoration Center" hangs outside the building.

The lights were on inside the glass door, but there was no one at the front desk.

They were taken up to the third floor.

There was one person sitting in the conference room.

He was thirty-seven or thirty-eight years old, wearing a dark shirt with the cuffs rolled up to his forearms, and a pair of black gloves sat on the table.

It was the leader from the back mountain.

He wasn't wearing a jacket, which lessened the sense of pressure on the scene, but his eyes remained calm.

"sit."

Lin Ye and Xiao Man sat down.

There were two glasses of water and a stack of documents on the table.

The top page reads:

Preliminary agreement for special collaborators.

Lin Ye stared at those words for two seconds.

Are all these newbies this formalized these days?

The man spoke: "Shen Yan, East China Action Group, Division Seven."

Lin Ye nodded.

"Team Leader Shen."

Shen Yan looked at him: "Aren't you going to ask what the Seventh Division is?"

"Would you answer if I asked?"

"I can say part of it."

"Then I won't ask for now." Lin Ye leaned back in his chair. "Free knowledge is usually not free."

Shen Yan glanced at him.

"You say more than what's written in the transcript."

"They didn't give me water in the statement."

Shen Yan pushed the water glass forward.

"It's been given now."

Lin Ye didn't drink.

Shen Yan didn't dwell on these trivial matters.

He opened the folder, pulled out a few pages of information, and pushed them in front of Lin Ye one by one.

A review of the underground route in Qingshan.

Excerpt from Xing Shanhe's confession.

Excerpt from Su Tinglan's confession.

There are a few more photos.

The photo shows Lin Ye's little black notebook.

The cover was worn white, the corners were curled up, and a few words were written on it:

Aoyama's night shift log.

Lin Ye felt a pang of pain in his heart when he saw the photo.

This notebook was just something he used to do when he was slacking off.

Looking at it now, it looks like evidence of a crime.

Shen Yan pointed to the photos.

"We've compared your notebook with others."

"Some of the clues about old goods, people in the cemetery, and unusual time points in Qingshan recorded inside overlap with the information we have."

Lin Ye said, "I have a bad memory, so I just wrote it down casually."

"Know."

Shen Yan turned to the next page.

"So you casually wrote down 'Old Li Talks About Snuff Bottles' as well."

The meeting room fell silent for a second.

Xiaoman turned her face to the side.

Lin Ye looked at Shen Yan.

"Do all seven departments hurt job applicants' self-esteem like this before hiring?"

Shen Yan's tone remained unchanged.

"You are not an applicant yet."

"Then what am I?"

"High-risk abnormal contacts".

Hearing this word, Lin Ye felt like he had been labeled as a dangerous item.

Shen Yan closed the documents.

"We won't ask you how you made your judgment for now."

Lin Ye's eyes flickered slightly.

Shen Yan looked at him: "But we only look at the results."

"At the stone gate, it was you who stopped them from touching the fragments of black jade."

"In the hidden ditch, you chose the sound of water, avoiding the wind."

"In the main hall, Lai Changqing kept pressuring you to speak."

"In the end, he looked at you before he ran away."

"He wants to take you away."

Lin Ye didn't say anything.

What he least wanted to recall these past few days was Master Lai's last glance.

It's not about letting them go.

There wasn't enough time to bring it.

Shen Yan continued, "These are enough to show that you have special value."

Xiaoman looked at him.

"What do you want him to do?"

Shen Yan pushed the contract in front of Lin Ye.

"Join the Seventh Division."

Lin Ye looked up.

"Formal staff?"

"No. You'll start as a special collaborator, signing confidentiality and collaboration agreements. Whether you can be promoted to a full-fledged position depends on your performance and the level of risk you face."

Lin Ye opened the file.

The preceding text is the job description.

The following are obligations of confidentiality, cooperation in operations, risk notification, task allocation, and acceptance of control when necessary.

He became more and more silent as he looked at it.

This isn't work.

This is about putting yourself into a more sophisticated box.

This box, however, comes with a salary, medical insurance, and even eligibility for housing resettlement in Beijing.

Shen Yan could see his concerns.

You can refuse.

Lin Ye asked, "What happens after you refuse?"

"You can go back to Qingcheng and continue working as a night shift security guard."

"And then you keep watching me?"

"meeting."

Shen Yan's answer was so straightforward that Lin Ye had no way to respond.

"You've already been targeted by Lai Changqing and placed on our high-risk abnormal contact list. Even if you don't join, we'll still keep an eye on you."

"The difference is that once you join, you can set conditions."

The meeting room fell silent.

Lin Ye put the contract back on the table.

"Then what can you give me?"

Shen Yan seemed to have been waiting for this sentence.

He pulled out the second document.

"First, Zhao Shoushan and Zhao Lele."

Lin Ye's fingers stopped.

The paper had Uncle Zhao's name on it, as well as Zhao Lele's school information.

Lin Ye's eyes darkened.

"You've done a very thorough investigation."

"Lai Changqing's people investigated earlier than we did."

Shen Yan said, "This isn't a threat, it's a reminder."

Lin Ye did not refute.

When Master Lai mentioned Zhao Lele's name at the grave, he knew why Uncle Zhao had been silent all this time.

Shen Yan said, "They will be added to the security protection list. Their residences, schools, and daily routes will be monitored."

"It's not surveillance."

"It's to prevent anyone from using them to threaten you again."

Lin Ye looked at the paper without saying a word.

Shen Yan took out a second copy.

"Second, Ningzhi."

Lin Ye looked up.

"She's currently unemployed. We can give her official status."

"A cultural relics safety awareness campaign, or a specially appointed investigation consultant."

Lin Ye frowned.

"Are you going to bring her in?"

"Give choices, don't force."

Shen Yan looked at him and said, "Whether she's willing or not is up to her to decide."

Lin Ye stared at him for a few seconds.

"You're not using her as bait, are you?"

Shen Yan said calmly, "We are not kidnapping the company."

He paused, then added, "Although based on your experience these past few days, the difference might not be significant."

Lin Ye glanced at him.

This person even has a dry sense of humor.

It's just not very funny.

Shen Yan took out the third one.

Third, Gu Wantang.

Xiaoman's eyes flickered.

Lin Ye also looked over.

Shen Yan didn't keep anyone in suspense.

"We can help her solve some of the business problems she's currently facing."

Lin Ye asked, "Within the legal scope?"

Shen Yan nodded.

"Within the legal scope."

Lin Ye thought for a moment.

"What about the scope of illegality?"

Shen Yan glanced at him.

"You haven't started working yet, so don't ask such detailed questions."

Lin Ye remained silent.

The boundaries of this unit are very flexible.

Shen Yan pushed the last document over.

Fourth, your own treatment.

Lin Ye originally wanted to remain vigilant.

Upon seeing the numbers on the first page, I embarrassingly fell silent.

Base annual salary.

Task allowance.

Special risk subsidies.

Commercial healthcare.

Disability protection.

Safety protection.

Long-term right to use a safe house in the capital.

After the formal transfer, the eligibility for special talent resettlement housing will be granted.

Lin Ye picked up the page and read it twice.

Xiaoman looked at him.

"Your eyes are practically glued to the ground."

Lin Ye didn't look up.

"I'm checking the decimal point."

Shen Yan said, "There's no mistake."

Lin Ye slowly raised his head.

"Is it too late for me to say I love the organization?"

Xiaoman remained expressionless.

"That's a bit pathetic."

Lin Ye glanced at her.

"You don't understand. Poverty precisely strikes at a person's dignity."

Xiaoman didn't respond.

Shen Yan flipped to the back of the contract.

"The conditions are in front, and the constraints are behind. After you sign, you'll be part of the Seventh Division."

"There are missions at seven locations, and you need to cooperate."

"Seven departments believe you pose a risk and may restrict your actions."

Lin Ye looked at the terms and conditions.

That's not a nice thing to say.

But at least let's get this straight.

He was silent for a moment, then asked, "I want to add supplementary terms."

Shen Yan nodded.

"explain."

"Uncle Zhao and Zhao Lele must be safe."

"You can write it."

"As for Ningzhi, we can only give her a choice; we can't force her."

"Can."

"Don't sell me out to Gu Wantang."

Shen Yan looked at him.

"That's not guaranteed."

Lin Ye's brow twitched.

Shen Yan said, "She'll find out sooner or later."

Xiaoman gave a very soft "hmm".

Lin Ye turned to look at her.

"What are you 'umming' about?"

Xiaoman said, "President Gu isn't stupid."

Will she yell at me?

"meeting."

"How long will you keep yelling?"

"It's hard to say."

Lin Ye remained silent for two seconds.

"Then you'll have to explain it to me later."

Xiaoman looked at him.

"I am only responsible for stating the facts."

Lin Ye felt a chill in his heart.

That's it.

Shen Yan wrote a few lines on the supplementary clauses and then asked Lin Ye to confirm them.

Zhao Shoushan and his immediate family members have been included in the list of those under safety protection.

The identity of Ningzhi in cooperation must be voluntarily confirmed by the individual.

The resolution of Gu Wantang's related business issues must not be done in Lin Ye's name.

The meaning is clear.

Lin Ye picked up his pen.

Just before the pen touched the paper, Xiaoman suddenly spoke.

"Once you sign, it's hard to get a refund."

Lin Ye paused for a moment.

He looked at the contract.

Then he smiled.

"Is it possible for me to withdraw now?"

Xiaoman looked at him.

"It doesn't look like it."

"Then let's pick a high-paying job."

He bowed his head and wrote his name in the signature area.

Forest.

The handwriting isn't particularly beautiful, but it's very clear.

Shen Yan smiled and put the contract away.

"Welcome to Division Seven."

Lin Ye looked at him.

"Is there no applause segment?"

"no."

"What about the welcome gift?"

"I'll give it to you in the car."

Lin Ye was stunned.

"In the car?"

Shen Yan closed the folder.

"I'm leaving tonight."

Lin Ye thought he had misheard.

"Where to?"

"The capital city"

The meeting room fell silent for a moment.

Lin Ye looked at him.

"So urgent?"

Shen Yan stood up.

"You think this is onboarding training? You think you can give me three days to pack my bags?"

Lin Ye opened his mouth.

"My rented apartment..."

"Someone is handling it."

"The deposit hasn't been refunded yet."

Shen Yan paused for a moment, then looked at Lin Ye again.

"The finance department will handle it."

Lin Ye breathed a sigh of relief.

"That's alright."

Xiaoman carried her small black bag.

"Should I go too?"

Shen Yan looked at her.

"Gu Wantang's side has confirmed that you will continue to accompany him temporarily until the handover in the capital is completed."

Xiaoman nodded.

"What about President Gu?"

"Someone notified me."

Lin Ye retrieved his phone.

The screen lit up, and a row of messages popped up.

Ningzhi's.

Uncle Zhao's.

Gu Wantang's.

There are also a few unfamiliar numbers.

Ning Zhi's latest post was twenty minutes ago.

Where are you?

"Stop playing dead."

"I really will call the police now."

Lin Ye stared at those few lines of text for a long time.

In the end, he only replied with two words.

"Safety."

He had just sent it when Shen Yan glanced at him.

"Don't reveal your location."

Lin Ye put his phone face down.

"Do I look like someone who lacks professionalism?"

Xiaoman looked at him.

Lin Ye coughed.

"I just started this job, and I'm still getting used to it."

They left through the back door of the office building.

There were no sirens.

There was no farewell.

A black minivan was parked downstairs.

The car door opened, revealing a black backpack on the seat.

Shen Yan said, "Temporary equipment."

Lin Ye opened it and took a look.

Encrypted phone.

Document holder.

Temporary pass.

Two sets of clothes to change into.

There was also a thick envelope.

He pinched it.

"cash?"

"Emergency backup".

Lin Ye zipped up the zipper, his movements noticeably gentler.

Xiaoman saw this and couldn't help but say, "You're gentler to the bag than to people."

Lin Ye hugged the bag tightly.

"It lacks a sense of security right now."

Xiaoman: "..."

Before getting on the bus, Lin Ye glanced back in the direction of Qingcheng.

The night was deep.

Qingshan has been left far behind on the other side of the city.

He couldn't see the cemetery, nor could he see the sealed-off back slope.

But he knew he couldn't go back anytime soon.

The car started.

Shen Yan did not get on the bus.

He stood downstairs and glanced at Lin Ye through the car window.

"Someone will pick you up after you arrive in the capital."

Lin Ye asked, "Aren't you going?"

"I'll stay in Qingcheng to finish things up."

The car door closed.

The van slowly drove out of the back alley.

The driver in the front seat didn't say anything.

The car was quiet.

Xiaoman sat next to her, her right hand strap resting on her knee.

After a long time, she asked, "Do you regret it?"

Lin Ye looked out the car window.

The streetlights in Qingcheng receded one by one.

"It's too late to regret it."

Xiaoman didn't ask any more questions.

Lin Ye glanced down at the copy of the contract and the documents in his bag.

"However, housing prices in Beijing are quite high."

Xiaoman closed her eyes.

It seems like they don't want to comment.

The car drove onto the elevated road and headed towards the airport.

The lights outside the window slowly stretched into long lines.

Lin Ye leaned back in his seat, suddenly feeling a strange sensation.

He used to think that the most bizarre experience of his life was at Qingshan Cemetery.

Patrol, clock in, listen to the dead chatting, and maybe snag a few scraps along the way.

I only found out now.

Aoyama is just a beginner's guide.

Starting tonight, he will no longer be the night shift security guard at Qingshan Cemetery.

He was listed in another duty roster.

This class will be held in Beijing.