Chapter 236

After waiting in line for what felt like forever at the newspaper subscription counter of the post office, Leon finally managed to挤到 the service desk. Handing over the pre-written list of publications to the clerk, he rattled off at lightning speed, “Renew all these subscriptions for two weeks at the maximum limit. Get me double issues of the newspapers—both popular entertainment and high-quality political/business editions. And for the magazines, platinum editions with special features and booklets only!”

“Alright, I’ll process that for you right away!”

Upon receiving Leon’s subscription form, the clerk glanced at the long list of newspapers and magazines. The previously worn-out face, showing disinterest during service, instantly transformed into a radiant smile resembling a freshly bloomed trumpet flower.

After a series of rapid calculations on the counter, the clerk beamed and said, “Sir, the total cost for renewing these subscriptions comes to 7 silver wheels and 9 copper wheels. Do you happen to have our post office stamp card?”

“If you’re an old customer of our bureau, according to your subscription volume, you won’t need to queue up at the gift area for stamps. I can directly stamp your new card here.”

“That would be great trouble taken care of.”

Hearing the clerk’s words, Leon couldn’t help but let out a sigh of relief. He then pulled out a stack of stamp cards he had found in the director’s drawer and handed them through the small side door of the window to the clerk.

The so-called stamp cards were actually a disguised rebate system provided by various post offices and newsrooms to retain old customers. After subscribing to any publication from the post office for the first time, one receives a corresponding thin iron sheet. Every subsequent renewal allows the machine to press a stamp onto the sheet.

Once enough stamps are collected after a sufficient subscription period, the post office and newsroom offer corresponding gifts, renewal discount qualifications, or invitations to special events such as annual viewings or fan reading clubs—exclusive perks for major clients.

Under the disgruntled gazes of people waiting in line, the clerk behind the counter completely abandoned their regular duties. They directly pulled out a stamping machine from under the table and began diligently pressing stamps onto each of Leon’s stack of cards.

In no time, having finished stamping all the cards without even wiping sweat, the clerk handed them back with a smile and carefully reminded, “Sir, the stamps for your subscriptions to ‘Wine Traveler,’ ‘Sun Newspaper Mass Edition & Quality Edition,’ and ‘Merry Focus’ are now complete. You can directly go to the gift area to claim your rewards.”

“I just checked for you; the ‘Wine Traveler’ reward is a small bottle of selected Chardonnay dry white wine. The ‘Merry Focus’ reward is a friend card from Meikou Underwear, allowing early trial of new models with a 30% discount when purchasing.”

“As for the ‘Double Sun Newspaper Edition’ reward, it’s a temporary pass. You can use it to visit the Sun Newspaper newsroom and meet journalists and editors you’re interested in, asking about secret news not published due to space or policy limitations.”

“Thank you.”

After retrieving the stamped cards from the clerk, Leon couldn’t help but let out a breath of relief, his task finally completed. Following the clerk’s guidance, he went to the gift area and claimed three rewards.

The small bottle of wine and the underwear discount card naturally had to be returned to the director. If he hadn’t guessed wrong, she must have been eyeing these items for quite some time. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have specially asked him to help subscribe while attending a meeting at headquarters.

However, this pass…

Looking at the golden gear-shaped sun emblem on the pass in his hand, Leon hesitated for a moment on the street corner. Instead of boarding the public carriage, he headed toward the Sun Newspaper newsroom across the street.

Leon never had money to spare for newspapers before, nor was he particularly interested in them. Even when he occasionally needed information, he usually read others’ discarded papers. Naturally, he didn’t have any journalists he wanted to visit.

But yesterday, while flipping through the director’s newspaper, Leon noticed her clipping articles about his embarrassing moments. Beneath those reports about him, he saw a name that made him curious: Nicole Collins.

Could it be possible that this journalist who wrote several negative pieces about him is the twelfth rebel? Although Leon suspected the background of this Sun Newspaper reporter, following his usual habit, he preferred to wait until the director or Emma Senior returned before taking action.

However, since he had obtained the pass from the stamp card, providing a reasonable excuse for investigation, and with the dual protection of the sheep heart and the director’s hair, going ahead to scout things out wouldn’t hurt, right?

…

‘Phew… Your undercover work these few days almost killed me!’

After being taken out from the small mirror and placed inside the shopping bag Leon was carrying, the black goat, which hadn’t complained for a long time, couldn’t help but grumble:

‘Isn’t the undercover job over? Why do you still keep stuffing me into that broken mirror? Can’t you just carry me like before?

Let me tell you, your damn mirror is utterly suffocating. There’s nothing but that second-rate heart nobody cares about and a stupid little puppy. Not a single living thing to chat with! It’s too boring staying in there!’

‘Alright, I’ll try to carry you more often.’

Although the black goat wasn’t exactly a good companion, it had fought alongside Leon and helped him get through the most dangerous “beginner phase.” Thus, it held a certain status in Leon’s heart, and such a minor request was certainly not worth refusing.

With Leon’s promise, knowing it wouldn’t have to return to the Mirror World, the black goat immediately cheered up. After letting out a couple of eerie laughs, it surprisingly took the initiative to ask:

‘Alright, kid, just say it. Whose soul do you want me to check this time?’

Hmm? In the past, although the black goat cooperated, it always demanded something in return verbally. It had never been this agreeable. Looks like it was really cooped up these few days.

After observing the significantly changed attitude of the black goat thoughtfully, Leon showed his stamp card and pass to the gatekeeper of the Sun Newspaper while answering,

‘A journalist named Nicole. I suspect she’s a holder of anomalous items among the rebels. I’m planning to probe her background… The procedure will be the same as before. When we find her later, if she lies, give me a heads-up.’

‘Got it, leave it to me!’

Afraid that Leon might think it troublesome and throw it back into the desolate Mirror World, the black goat, determined to showcase its own “value,” unusually took the initiative to inspect souls within a one-kilometer radius.

‘Hmm?’

After glancing around, seemingly noticing something amiss, the black goat’s expression drastically changed. Urgently, it urged,

‘Quick! Quick! Put me back!’

(End of Chapter)