Chapter Ninety-Three: Leadership Inspection

Early in the morning, Xiao Si’s relentless barking roused Hao Yingjun from his sleep.

Hao Yingjun opened his eyes in a daze. “This isn’t a dream.”

He got out of bed, brushed his teeth, and washed his face. “My name is Hao Yingjun. I run a pet clinic. I used to be a veterinarian. A month ago, I was inexplicably caught by a mysterious organization. Wang Zixuan is my supervisor. Her temperament is highly unstable. For the sake of my escape plan, I must win her favor.”

While eating breakfast at the door, Hao Yingjun sent a WeChat message to Wang Zixuan: “Big Sister, this is the mantra for calming the mind I mentioned. Next time you want to celebrate your birthday, recite it silently for immediate effect. ‘Frozen for eternity, all things are still, my mind and breath are calm, I seek unity of spirit, spirit and breath as one, breath follows, alternating as needed, unshaken by myriad changes, free of ignorance and anger, free of desire and demand, without abandonment or attachment, actionless and egoless.’”

He continued researching relevant information. Meanwhile, Wang Zixuan read his message as she ate breakfast. The more she read, the less she understood.

Wang Zixuan exclaimed, “What in the world is this?”

She finished reading and tossed her phone aside. Hastily, she finished her breakfast and packed her things. The two, as if synchronized, ate and tidied up, preparing to leave.

The only difference was that before leaving, Wang Zixuan merely glanced back.

Hao Yingjun, however, turned around and said, “Xiao Si, I’m off to work. Be good at home.”

Xiao Si watched Hao Yingjun leave, then sprawled on the sofa, gazing wistfully at the door.

Wang Zixuan drove straight to the investigation center. Today, headquarters was sending people to inspect. After all, it was a sister department, so when the leaders came to review, it was necessary to lend a hand. Upon arrival, she saw Gu Weimin waving a large flag at the entrance. The front of the team was filled with key members of the investigation center, and representatives from Supermarket No. 444 stood nearby to show support.

After finishing his flag-waving, Gu Weimin handed the flag to Hao Yingjun, leaving him utterly bewildered. What kind of nonsense was this?

Gu Weimin said, “When the street is empty later, give it your all and wave the flag.”

Hao Yingjun asked, “Is this really necessary?”

Gu Weimin replied, “Absolutely.”

Zhou Tong interjected, “Director, shouldn’t flag-waving and cheering be Xiao Jia’s job? Besides, Hao Yingjun, you’ve already been assigned elsewhere.”

Gu Weimin walked over to Zhou Tong, straightened his clothes, and said, “Xiao Jia said he’s too anxious and disappeared somewhere. Needs to compose himself.”

He then turned to address everyone seriously, “Listen up, everyone. The headquarters leaders are coming.”

Wang Zixuan stood beside Gu Weimin and asked, “Later, when Director Wang arrives and asks about you, how do you plan to introduce yourself?”

Hao Yingjun nervously replied, “Han nationality, male. My hobby is…”

Wang Zixuan interrupted, “Because of your special situation, you can't tell headquarters you're human. If they dig deeper and investigate, you’ll end up getting your brain cut open.”

At the mention of brain surgery, Hao Yingjun’s expression twisted with discomfort. He’d been living under the shadow of that threat for some time and was on the verge of a breakdown.

Wang Zixuan continued, “Since you’ve been assigned to the supermarket, just say you’re a tiger spirit. Got it?”

Hao Yingjun, recovering somewhat, asked, “Why a tiger spirit? There’s no ‘king’ character written on my forehead.”

Wang Zixuan explained, “Director Wang is most afraid of tigers.”

Hao Yingjun retorted, “Ridiculous. How could he be afraid of tigers?”