Chapter 25: Lu Donghua

The Director said, "Let me tell you a story. There was a child who grew up in a household obsessed with standardized testing. All he knew was studying and taking exams; he couldn't do chores, couldn't socialize, and by the time he was grown, he could barely speak clearly. Just after he was kicked out of an exam hall for falling asleep, two middle-aged men put him into a car. Though reluctant, he got in. During the ride, he learned he was being taken to a highly classified location and realized the responsibilities he would have to shoulder. It is no exaggeration to say that this place allowed a soul sunken in darkness to see the first glimmer of hope..." His story was half-truth, half-fiction, delivered with a keen sense of operational security.

As I was listening to him expose my shortcomings, I suddenly felt a tap on my shoulder. Instinctively, I spun around, pinned the person down, and shouted, "Don't move! Hands up!" No sooner had I finished than the door opened and Liu Shan stepped out. "Who is it? Damn it! Let go!"

"This kid was acting suspicious and even tried to ambush me," I said. "He’s clearly up to no good. Stay still!"

Liu Shan retorted, "Let him go! I’m the one who called him here!" Only then did I release my grip.

As soon as we stepped inside, the Director asked, "Donghua, what took you so long? And what’s wrong with your arm?"

Liu Shan replied, "It was probably dislocated when someone pinned me down earlier."

Lü Donghua pointed at me, trembling. "Director, he... he was eavesdropping on you, and he attacked me! He’s a psychopath! Arrest him! Now!" I was speechless.

"Wait, Director, who is this guy?" I asked. "He’s pretty sharp; has he had some training?"

"His name is Lü Donghua," the Director said. "He’s the new political instructor assigned to you."

"What about the old one?" I asked.

An Mingshan replied, "The previous instructor was killed in a car accident a month ago—the work of those people."

"Why didn't I know about this?" I asked.

"Because you are indifferent to your subordinates," the Director replied. "Besides, I told An Mingshan to notify you. Didn't she?"

I protested, "When have I ever been indifferent? I’ve just been busy with work lately..."

An Mingshan chimed in, "I meant to tell you, but I’ve been so busy lately that it slipped my mind. Don't be angry."

"I'm not angry," I said. "Not in the slightest. If you have a problem with me, just say it to my face. Backstabbing is beneath you!"

Just then, a nurse entered to examine An Mingshan. As she approached the bed, Lü Donghua suddenly yelled, "Cannabis!"

Despite his bulk, Liu Shan was faster than anyone. Before Lü Donghua had even finished the word, he had the nurse pinned down. An Mingshan pulled up the nurse's sleeve, revealing arms covered in needle marks.

The Director paused and said, "Send her to the police station; let them handle it. Alright, get to know each other. I'm heading out." With that, the Director left.

"Hey, look," I said to the new guy, "sorry about what happened earlier."

"It's fine, just a misunderstanding. We’ve fought, so now we’re friends... Ah!" As he spoke, I suddenly snapped his dislocated arm back into place.

"I studied bone-setting," I said. "Just getting a little practice in."

"Big brother, are you using me as a test subject?" Lü Donghua coughed twice, stood up straight, and said solemnly, "Let me officially introduce myself. My name is Lü Donghua, the political instructor and deputy chief assigned to the Special Investigation Unit by the General Bureau of the Paranormal Affairs Bureau. Please look after me." He gave a sharp salute.

I stood up and returned the salute. "Welcome. I am the Chief of the Special Investigation Unit, Li Shucheng. You can start by reviewing the unit’s situation and personnel files, then try to integrate with the team. That’s your priority right now. As for how you get them to accept you—that’s up to your own capabilities. Good luck."

Just then, my phone rang. It was an unknown number.

"Excuse me, I need to take this," I said. "Make yourself at home." I walked out into the hospital corridor.

It was past nine in the evening. "Li Shucheng speaking. Who is this?"

A man's voice came through the phone, sounding chillingly sinister.

"Li Yi, Chief Li," he said. "Your recent actions have made the 'Master' quite displeased. A good number of our 'brothers and sisters' have been invited to the station by you, haven't they?"

"What are you getting at?" I asked.

"Nothing much, just a friendly reminder. If you stop interfering with our 'work' from now on, fine. We are magnanimous and will pretend none of this happened. But if you continue, we will be forced to take necessary measures."

"Let me tell you something," I replied. "I’m handling your case, and that’s final! Bring whatever you’ve got—I’ll take you on anytime. Whoever chickens out is a coward and a bastard!"

"I gave you a chance. Don't refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit. That car accident earlier was just a warning. You have until tomorrow morning to reconsider. If there’s no answer by then, don't blame us for taking necessary action! We are everywhere, so don't even think about running!" He hung up. I knew a new, greater trouble was fast approaching.