Chapter 382: Chapter 382: Attending the Banquet
Of course, that’s great!
Chen Xuan roughly understood why the other party was so enthusiastic about him... It was obviously because they valued his abilities. If they successfully recruited him into the agency, the agency would gain a skill that could be inherited long-term, and the return on this investment was significant.
He also happened to need an opportunity to approach them.
However, on the surface, he couldn’t agree too readily.
Judging by Lin Qing’s expression, Chen Xuan had just mentioned another story about Lin Qing to her and claimed to be her ally, yet now, faced with the olive branch extended by the Dimensional Limit Mechanism, he immediately changed his attitude. In her view, wouldn’t that make him a fair-weather friend?
"I definitely won’t join the agency." He firmly stated his position, "And I advise you all not to trust these people too much; they never do business at a loss."
Lin Qing nodded, "Don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten they’re the source of the world war. So your answer is a refusal?"
"No, I must agree," Chen Xuan said righteously.
"Huh?" She was stunned.
"The purpose of coming here, after all, is twofold... One is to find Lin Qing, which is you, and the other is to gather intelligence on the agency. If I can get closer to an Arbitration Court Ability User, it would certainly help with the second objective." Chen Xuan said this with a slight shake of the head, seemingly letting out a sigh of regret, "...Even if I become their nominal ’collaborator,’ I must take the risk."
Lin Qing was speechless.
At this moment, Honglian cleared her throat, "Although his words may seem exaggerated, this part can be trusted. After all, that... Miss Lin would never compromise with the agency, and he would not fail Miss Lin in this regard."
Although both were equally unsupported statements, after Honglian said this, Lin Qing’s questioning expression noticeably softened.
Chen Xuan silently rolled his eyes, did these two have telepathy or something?
"Are you two really that close?" She said, with her hands behind her back, staring at Chen Xuan, "The thought that this person might actually be me makes me instinctively feel... incredulous, even a bit scared."
"Scared? Why?" he asked, puzzled.
"Afraid of being replaced by another set of memories, becoming a stranger my companions no longer recognize." Lin Qing pouted, "Just as I don’t remember that Lin Qing... she certainly wouldn’t remember my experiences with the Fire Line Band, right?"
"..." Chen Xuan didn’t know what to say for a moment.
He had never considered this aspect, only hoping to turn her back into the Lin Qing she was. In theory, retrieving a memory is more like doing addition; it won’t erase the person’s existing memories, but who can guarantee what reality holds?
After all, Lin Qing wasn’t experiencing amnesia.
She was a new being born from a reshaped history.
"But I can understand your actions... If my best friend disappeared, I would go to great lengths to find them." Lin Qing then smiled, "So regardless of the final result, I think it’s fate."
"You..."
"By the way, since you’ve agreed to act as a liaison, you won’t miss tonight’s banquet, right?" she suddenly changed the topic.
"Banquet?" Chen Xuan was taken aback.
"Yes, a banquet to welcome the agency’s visit and to celebrate the signing of the cooperation agreement," Lin Qing said, "It’s in the VIP private room of the cafeteria. If you’re willing to go, they certainly won’t stop you."
"Aren’t you going?" He heard the implication in her words.
"Well, such events that waste a lot of resources for show would only annoy any Searcher. It’s enough to have Uncle Li represent the Fire Line Band."
After saying this, Lin Qing waved her hand and stood up from the sofa, "I’ve delivered the message, so I’m heading off now."
"You’re trying to gather information on the ’Agreement’s Birth’ from that person?" Just as she left, Honglian immediately asked.
As expected, she was quick to see through it.
Chen Xuan nodded, "Lin died in 2026, and the successor appeared a century later, indicating that the ’Agreement’s Birth’ was also inherited. What’s more crucial is that the person with this ability might have existed before 2026. If we can learn about him in the future, we might have a chance to trace him back to the past!"
At least during the 21st century, all parts of the agency were still on Earth, and obtaining a visa was enough to reach them.
But now, as the agency had moved to the Moon, going to the Moon base to find someone had become significantly more difficult.
"Makes sense." Honglian nodded, "But it’s probably not that simple. From what I know, the agency’s confidentiality measures are quite strict, especially regarding an Ability User of such great value. If you try to fool an Arbitration Court agent and speak a little flattery to her, expecting to get information about this Ability User, it’s likely a waste of effort. Moreover, if you push too hard, you might raise their suspicions, making it even harder to achieve your goal."
"Unless... you play the long game and truly infiltrate the agency, at least reaching the level once held by Xiao Canong."
"Another three years?" Chen Xuan rejected decisively, "I don’t have that much time to waste."
He looked at Liuli, "Perhaps... we can try another approach."
Liuli, eager to try, licked her lips, "A forceful method? No problem... I could kill her once before, I can definitely do it a second time now."
"That’s not necessary." Chen Xuan massaged his temples, "What I mean is... you accompany me to tonight’s banquet."
...
In the evening, there were indeed many changes at the subway station. For instance, at the entrance, there was a red banner with large words welcoming the Dimensional Limit Mechanism’s visit to Binjiang Court. The underground floor’s general store area had long closed, and the 2nd Layer’s plaza area was also cleared, the ground cleaned spotless, with worn walls covered with waterproof cloth to hide the flaws.
The cafeteria was no exception.
Usually, even by nine p.m., food was supplied here, but today the cafeteria clearly opened earlier and closed by seven-thirty, leaving voices of complaint in the corridor. When Chen Xuan reached the entrance, he found that the usually freely accessed main entrance now had two guards outside.
Seeing Chen Xuan approaching with someone, they sought approval from their superiors before allowing him and Liuli into the hall.
The so-called VIP private room was inside the cafeteria, usually only open to management. In reality, people eating outside wouldn’t disturb those in the private room, but considering the Evangelicals possibly among the residents, the station chief still chose to isolate the entire cafeteria.
Chen Xuan was led by guards all the way into the VIP room.
It was completely different from the outside scene here, like stepping back into a prosperous era. The room, less than a hundred square meters, was decorated like a luxurious restaurant, the wooden floor polished to a new shine, not a speck of dust in sight. The decorative ceiling was covered with exquisite murals, and a tower-shaped crystal chandelier radiated dazzling brilliance. On three walls were diverse buffet counters, the air filled with the aroma of food, offering freshly made meats and pies as well as pre-packaged delicacies.
Even though the variety and quantity of dishes were substantially less compared to past-life hotels, given this was a resource-scarce shelter, assembling this many dishes was already quite remarkable.
There weren’t many participants at the banquet, fewer than twenty in total.
Judging by their attire, there were five or six people from the agency, one from the Fire Line Band, and the rest were the subway station’s managers.
"Mr. Chen, you’re here." Station Chief Du waved and walked over, his smile holding a friendly tone, "And Miss Liuli as well... I almost didn’t recognize you in these clothes. Welcome, welcome, feel free to help yourselves to anything you’d like."
His secretary Shasha, following beside him, also looked at Liuli in surprise, as if seeing her for the first time.
Actually, Liuli’s outfit wasn’t particularly extravagant.
Or rather, she reverted to simplicity—from an extravagant costume-like outfit to typical office attire with a business suit, short skirt, black stockings, and high heels. But precisely this ordinary attire highlighted her exquisite appearance and white hair, especially those prism-like eyes that could capture one’s heart at a glance, as if a character from a painting had walked into reality.
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