“I know you’re anxious, but don’t be anxious just yet. I was just educating some kids on safety knowledge. As the person in charge, I definitely have to lead by example. When you see uncivilized behavior, you have to stop it immediately.”
“Alright, alright.” The female voice on the other end of the phone continued: “Dachang City’s safety assessment coefficient in Headquarters’ report is very high; there are virtually no supernatural incidents. But I still suggest you tell Yang Jian. After all, it’s his territory.”
Cao Yang waved his hand and said: “Not yet. It hasn’t been confirmed. Right now, we’re only suspecting that thing ran over here. Besides, that thing came from Headquarters. What’s the point of telling Yang Jian?”
“Understood. I’ll keep monitoring Dachang City’s situation, but there are some places I can’t see without Yang Jian’s permissions.”
“Alright, that’s it then. I’m going to properly enjoy the New Year atmosphere. Working myself to death day in and day out—I finally got a nice assignment, so I have to enjoy it to the fullest.”
After speaking, Cao Yang hung up the phone and walked toward a bustling market up ahead.
“Leg Bro, Leg Bro, what do you think of my outfit?”
Zhang Wei was wearing a God of Wealth hat with a fake beard pasted on, striking an imposing pose.
Jiang Yan immediately stepped forward and ripped the fake beard off Zhang Wei’s chin. “Ah Wei, the God of Wealth isn’t someone just anyone can dress up as! Take it off right now!”
“That hurts like hell!” Zhang Wei clutched his chin.
“Then I’ll dress up as a ghost to scare my old man.”
Saying this, Zhang Wei ran upstairs and rummaged through his room.
Yang Jian set down his cola and said: “What about Tong Qian and the others?”
Jiang Yan replied: “They’re at the company. Zhang Han and Feng Quan are there too. The company’s holding an annual meeting, and Tong Qian insisted on dragging those two along, saying something about how if they stayed here any longer they’d grow mold, so they should go soak up some human atmosphere.”
Yang Jian nodded. With Zhang Han there, he felt relatively at ease. Tong Qian was too much of a bleeding heart. After Feng Quan’s memories were altered, he was becoming more and more like Zhang Wei. Only Zhang Han had the most steady disposition.
Just then, a child’s voice came from outside the door: “Move aside! Does this Bear Dad need to report to anyone?!”
The door was pushed open, and Xiong Wenwen stood in the doorway with his hands on his hips.
A security guard stood awkwardly to the side, about to stop Xiong Wenwen, when Yang Jian waved his hand: “Let him in.”
“Yang Jian! Don’t push your luck! My mom is already waiting at home. Come back with me and have a meal with my mom, and I’ll join your team from now on.”
Jiang Yan walked up holding two red envelopes: “Where did this brat come from, talking so arrogantly?”
Xiong Wenwen slapped away the red envelopes in Jiang Yan’s hand and walked up to Yang Jian.
“Yang Jian, I’m talking to you.”
The Ghost Eye on his forehead suddenly looked toward Xiong Wenwen, scaring him into leaping backward, putting a large distance between him and Yang Jian.
Yang Jian looked at Xiong Wenwen and said: “You want me to be your dad again?”
“Ptooey, ptooey, what kind of talk is that.” Xiong Wenwen jumped onto the sofa and said: “Who knows, I might die any day now. I need to find a safety net for my mom. I can’t accompany her for too long.”
Speaking to this point, Xiong Wenwen’s voice grew smaller and smaller, until finally he sat on the sofa without saying a word.
Jiang Yan also understood what was going on. This child was probably also a ghost controller.
Stepping forward, Jiang Yan rubbed Xiong Wenwen’s head: “Little one, don’t worry. Why don’t you bring your mom to Dachang City too, so you can look out for each other.”
“You don’t know squat.” Xiong Wenwen slapped away Jiang Yan’s hand and then said to her: “Who the hell are you?”
Jiang Yan’s expression stiffened. She hadn’t expected Xiong Wenwen to speak so arrogantly, but she still smiled and said: “I’m Yang Jian’s girlfriend.”
Xiong Wenwen’s eyes went wide upon hearing this. Pointing at Yang Jian, he said: “Holy crap! What a scumbag! You have a girlfriend and you’re still thinking about my mom!”
“Huh?” Jiang Yan looked at Yang Jian. She hadn’t expected Yang Jian to be into that.
“Enough.” Yang Jian stood up and walked toward Xiong Wenwen. “Xiong Wenwen, join my team. As long as I’m alive, I’ll guarantee your mother’s safety.”
Xiong Wenwen pondered this, then nodded and said: “Then will you still date my mom?”
“.I’ve never wanted to date your mom.”
Just then, Wang Shanshan’s voice came from upstairs.
“Everyone, time to eat.”
It was rare for Wang Shanshan to come out of the old residence. If it weren’t for the New Year approaching, she probably would have stayed holed up inside the whole time.
Zhang Liqin also came out carrying a plate of hot food.
“Everyone go wash your hands. Since it’s a family meal, I just casually made some dishes. I hope nobody minds.”
“Family?!” Xiong Wenwen’s mouth fell open. He turned to look at Yang Jian and said: “And you still say you’re not a scumbag? Keeping three women in one building.”
Yang Jian couldn’t be bothered to explain. In his eyes, Xiong Wenwen was just an undisciplined brat. Although his personality was indeed awful, the fierce ghost he controlled was an extremely special existence in the entire supernatural circle.
At the dinner table, Zhang Wei looked at Xiong Wenwen, stretched his neck, and whispered quietly to Yang Jian: “Leg Bro, when did you get an illegitimate son? How come I didn’t know about it?”
However, his voice was too loud, and even Jiang Yan beside them heard it.
“Zhang Wei! If you dare talk nonsense again, believe me, I’ll delete everything on your computer!”
“Damn, my mouth is on my body. You think you can control me?”
Xiong Wenwen also stood up and said to Jiang Yan: “Auntie, Yang Jian likes my mom. I advise you to give up while you still can.”
“Who are you calling auntie?!”
Zhang Liqin quickly interjected: “Alright, alright, everyone eat. It’s New Year’s...”
Wang Shanshan sat beside Yang Jian, quiet the entire time, simply looking at him quietly, completely out of place with the lively atmosphere.
Just then, Yang Jian looked at the television.
“Everyone quiet down.”
Everyone immediately sat back down and followed Yang Jian’s gaze to the TV.
The people of this country had always had a habit of keeping the TV on during New Year’s meals, and the volume had to be turned up loud.
The TV was currently broadcasting an international news report.
“This station reports that this morning, a catastrophic mountain fire disaster broke out abroad. The affected area covers more than five urban districts; the casualty count is unknown. Currently, the disaster-stricken country is requesting aid from our nation. With the Spring Festival approaching, the general public should practice fire safety and remember the three don’ts...”
Zhang Wei tore off a mouthful of chicken leg and said: “Leg Bro, are you trying to become the President of Country M? Why do you care so much about international affairs?”
Yang Jian didn’t speak. Watching the overwhelming flames on the television, a strange look flashed in his eyes. He walked out to the balcony alone and fell into silent contemplation.
Wang Xiaoming had told Yang Jian that before the raid plan was carried out, another matter needed to be completed, and then today a fire broke out abroad.
Yang Jian would never believe it was such a coincidence. Wang Xiaoming always planned a hundred steps ahead for every step he took. If he planned to kill someone or destroy an organization, he would definitely have one or two complete operational plans.
Moreover, the scope of this disaster was clearly man-made. Yang Jian dared to confirm right now that this fire was set by Wang Xiaoming, with the goal of weakening foreign forces so that the captains could more smoothly carry out this raid plan.
That was how Wang Xiaoming had always been. If he didn’t make a move, so be it; but once he did, he would definitely beat the opponent until they were hurt and subdued.
“Perhaps... this raid abroad isn’t entirely about striking first as Wang Xiaoming said... There might be deeper reasons behind it...”