Chapter 21

After listening to Leon’s report, the woman with red hair slightly raised her eyebrows and said thoughtfully: “No wonder… I remember Emma also mentioned in her report that a nurse could resist the control of the hospital director.

I originally thought she was just kind and upright, able to stick to her own position, not swayed by power, so she avoided the influence of authority-based anomalous items.

But now it seems that she probably carries ‘anomalies’ herself, which is why she can avoid being manipulated… Leon, you’ve done well!”

After giving Leon an appreciative look, the red-haired bureau director smiled and said:

“Despite having just finished the arduous cleaning task, you still insisted on applying for fieldwork, painstakingly revisiting victims’ situations, and acutely discovering new clues about anomalous items from a few traces. You’ve worked hard!”

Huh? That’s not right. Upon hearing the red-haired woman’s summary, Leon couldn’t help but be slightly surprised, then promptly reminded her:

“Thank you, Director, but I wasn’t on fieldwork this afternoon; I took leave to visit my younger sister. This information wasn’t obtained through visiting either; it was…”

“Taking leave results in half-day pay deduction, but one voluntary fieldwork session allows you to apply for two golden wheel subsidies.”

“…”

“Rather, I was actively communicating with the gas company compensation officer during fieldwork and successfully analyzed according to the methods taught by Director and Senior Emma.”

“Hmm, you’re truly worthy of someone I see potential in. You’re indeed suited for the Clearing Bureau.”

Satisfied with Leon’s understanding, the red-haired bureau director smiled and said, “Go ahead and fill out the fieldwork result receipt later based on what you said. But there’s no need to write about me and Emma.

We may deceive funds, but we don’t mess with achievements. What’s yours is yours. Regardless of how other bureaus operate, our Virgo Bureau doesn’t do such things.

Moreover, you gathered valuable information during your rest time. A special approval for fieldwork subsidy is rightfully yours.”

“That… thank you, Director… I’ll go back and fill out the receipt!”

“Alright, alright! Go ahead!”

…

Leon really didn’t know how to comment on his own director who openly talks about deceiving funds but somehow maintains a righteous demeanor.

However, despite the somewhat difficult-to-swallow methods, this leader who fights for her subordinates’ benefits and doesn’t steal their credit should be quite popular within the bureau, right? No wonder Senior Emma always speaks highly of her… Oh! Seemingly remembering something, Leon stopped just as he was about to leave and hesitantly asked,

“Director, can I go on another field trip tomorrow?”

“…”

Upon hearing this, the red-haired woman was momentarily stunned, then instinctively narrowed her fox-like eyes and said with a smirk,

“What? Short on money? Want to deceive funding again?”

“No, no, no, this time it’s real fieldwork, or you can count it as leave if you prefer.”

Shaking his head hastily, Leon earnestly explained, “Yesterday, I read Senior Emma’s archived materials on the Red Brick Road Hospital incident and felt the appearance of those patients was too coincidental, as if they were specially ‘manufactured’ to strengthen the out-of-control infected individuals.

After all, the Red Brick Road Hospital usually only has over a hundred beds. If it weren’t for simultaneous issues with the Water Power Corporation and the Road Administration Department, there wouldn’t be so many patients at once for the director to absorb.

So I was thinking, could the bureau investigate these two places to see if there’s a hidden hand causing trouble or if the Water Power Corporation and the Road Administration Department themselves have problems…”

“And while using the identity of a Clearing Bureau employee, dig up evidence of their negligence to help secure some compensation for the patients still lying in the hospital… Am I correct?”

The red-haired woman opened her fox-like eyes and stared gently at the startled Leon, smiling and said,

Hmm… Don’t be nervous. Although your suggestion slightly includes a bit of ‘selfishness,’ I actually don’t dislike it. After all, naive yet kind-hearted little ones are always very lovable~”

After giving Leon a vague and strange evaluation, the red-haired woman lazily stretched, revealing her good figure, then comfortably leaned back in the soft chair and smiled, saying,

“If you want to go, go ahead. And this time, it still counts as fieldwork, but don’t expect it next time.”

“Thank you, Director!”

“You’re welcome, but…”

Propping her cheek with her hand, the red-haired woman looked at Leon with interest and smiled,

“Are you just going to thank me verbally? How about taking some action?”

“Uh…”

Thrown off by her sudden “open bribery,” Leon glanced at the mountain of empty wine bottles behind the red-haired woman’s desk and tentatively suggested, “Then… after work today, I’ll treat you to a few drinks?”

Not a single mistake in every content on 69 Book Bar!

Hmm? Drinks? Upon hearing Leon’s words, the red-haired woman’s eyes brightened slightly, and she instinctively sat up straight.

Oh dear… What I meant by action was that the bureau is short-staffed recently, and I wanted you to voluntarily add overtime. After investigating the Water Power Corporation and the Road Administration Department, go to the home of that middle-aged nurse named Hanna to see her situation.

But if you insist on treating me to drinks… Hmm… With new employees joining, perhaps it’s appropriate for me as a leader to get closer to them, properly fostering relationships?

Touching her empty pocket at her waist secretly, the red-haired bureau director straightened up in her seat, cleared her throat forcefully, crossed her hands, and said kindly, “In principle, I shouldn’t accept your invitation, but since you’ve just joined, consider it a welcome party, celebrating your becoming a member of the Clearing Bureau.”

“Ah, okay!”

Leon nodded, then suggested,

“Then I’ll call Senior Emma and the newly returned…”

“Cough… There’s no need to invite them.”

Quietly calculating Leon’s salary, the red-haired woman stopped him and said sternly, “Emma has to rush home to take care of her kids. As for the two who just came back, I’ll assign them tasks soon… My point is, they’ll have new missions and will set out before sunset, so I’ll drink alone tonight!”

“…”

You drinking alone… Isn’t this even less of a pretense? Even saying you’re hosting a welcome party for me would’ve been fine!

Looking at the suddenly deranged red-haired woman whose rationality had vanished without a trace, Leon was momentarily speechless as he recalled Black Goat’s evaluation of his leader.

“Our man here, though calm and cunning with terrifying strength, becomes a complete drunkard once she starts drinking, spilling brainwaves like alcohol bubbles.

Everything goes smoothly until booze enters the picture. No matter who the opponent is, she can hold her ground, but once alcohol is involved, she becomes as unreliable as possible, as uncouth as possible. Be careful not to get entangled with her!”

“…”

It’s over… I seem to have dug myself a big hole!

(End of Chapter)