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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter Eighteen: Running and Diving
The location where the mountain flood rushed down was quite a distance from the highway, yet the thunderous roar that shook the mountains and forests did not fade into silence due to the distance.
Kenny stood in the rain, holding a black umbrella, silently watching the forest shrouded in darkness. He knew that Wen Tao and the others not only failed to complete their mission, but their lives were now uncertain.
A muscular Black man stood behind him, silent, with his hands crossed in front of him. Raindrops struck his bald head rapidly, splattering into pieces.
"Is the signal still there?" Kenny asked.
The man pulled out a tracker from his pocket, identical to the one Wen Tao had, and the red dot on it continued to blink steadily.
"It's still there." The man spoke the two words like he was singing, revealing his half-baked Chinese pronunciation.
Kenny nodded at the night and turned back to the Coach.
Aso sat cross-legged on the bed, numerous papers scattered in front of her. She held up two sheets, one of which bore a red stamp with five stars. Strands of hair fell behind her ear, perfectly covering the beauty mark on her forehead when viewed from the side.
The contents of the paper were unknown, but judging by Aso's furrowed brow, it was clear that whatever was written held significant weight.
Once Kenny returned to the vehicle, he removed his stern expression and replaced it with one of calmness. Noticing Aso's serious demeanor, he curiously asked, "What are you looking at?"
"Have you seen the latest report?" Aso asked with a frown as she looked up.
Kenny picked up a half-burnt cigar from the ashtray on the table and raised an eyebrow. "No, I haven't. Professional matters should be handled by professionals."
"The research has completely gone in the opposite direction. Was this directed from above? Do you know?" Aso's face turned pale as she gripped the thin sheets of paper tightly, her hands trembling slightly.
"Oh?" Kenny chuckled. "Haven't you always been reluctant to go to the lab? Why ask about this now?"
"Wang Chengyu! Answer me!!" Aso suddenly erupted with a roar that was entirely mismatched with her petite frame.
Kenny, who had maintained a blank expression for years, raised his eyebrows in surprise at Aso's question. However, it was only for a moment before his expression returned to normal as he said lightly, "Just call me Chengyu."
Aso felt a surge of anger rising from the depths of her heart. Suddenly, she had the impulse to strangle the man in front of her.
Looking at Aso's stormy face, Kenny sighed, seemingly considering his words carefully before slowly speaking. "If you are questioning me... then, Su Lan, I am your superior. I have no obligation to answer questions unrelated to your duties, and you have no right to access information beyond your authority. Do you understand?"
Kenny took off his glasses and wiped them, his sharp gaze meeting Aso's.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying hard to suppress her fury.
"As... close friends, I can only tell you one thing: the more you know, the more dangerous it becomes." Kenny noticed the disdain in Aso's eyes and smiled nonchalantly. "I know you won't take this advice to heart, but it's the truth."
"Mr. Superior, what about your promise to me?" Aso's voice trembled slightly—not out of fear, but from a desperate attempt to contain her anger. "You said that as long as I provided information, no one would be harmed. So where are Director Hu and Professor Niu? Why did you give such orders to Wu Wentao and Caroline?"
Kenny seemed to find this amusing; he pretended to clean out his ears and teased, "Did I hear you wrong, Ms. Su Lan? Are you sure you're using reason to talk to me right now? Understand this: you are not a research assistant; you are an employee of the company!"
Aso got off the bed, slipped on her high heels, walked over to the door to look around before closing it, then returned to sit across from Kenny. She spoke each word deliberately: "I know what I'm saying because I can't forget what I've done. You know better than anyone why I don't want to go back to the lab—you're just using me! It's been lies from start to finish!"
Aso picked up the two sheets of paper from the bed and slammed them onto the table. "The company and the research institute are on completely different paths! Why didn't you tell me? Why did you lie to me?"
Kenny exhaled a puff of smoke and retorted, "Why should I tell you?"
With a sharp sound, Aso slapped him across the face.
A bright red handprint appeared on Kenny's cheek, with five clear finger marks.
He turned his head back and quietly watched Aso's chest rise and fall with emotion before breaking into a smile. "I think... our conversation can come to an end."
Kenny stood up and walked towards the car door, leaving behind a remark before getting out.
"Your permissions are temporarily lifted. I'll send someone to take you back tomorrow morning."
The next morning, the sound of a knock on the car window woke Kenny, who was curled up asleep in the business vehicle.
"They're back," the Black man said in his self-taught Chinese.
Kenny rubbed his face to shake off the sleepiness and got out of the car, twisting his waist as he complained, "Nothing beats a bed..."
The Black man smiled as he watched his boss wiggle out, remaining silent.
Wu Wentao and Caroline had returned, but only six out of the ten people they took had come back.
The group looked weary and muddy, their faces covered in dirt.
Kenny was surprised to see Caroline holding a little girl by her side.
"We—" Wu Wentao said with a look of guilt, stepping forward to explain the reasons for their mission's failure, but Kenny waved him off.
"No need to say anything. It's not your fault. Go rest... Caroline, stay for a moment."
The team sighed in relief and returned to the cargo truck. Wu Wentao hesitated, wanting to ask something but ultimately swallowed his questions.
Kenny climbed back into the business vehicle and waved at Caroline outside. "Come up."
"Here?" Caroline asked, her eyes widening in confusion as she pointed at the large Coach nearby.
"There was a fire. Let's talk here."
"......"
Half an hour later, Caroline stepped out of the car, feeling a sense of relief, while the little girl clutched tightly to the hem of her dress.
Caroline smiled and crouched down, pinching the girl's soft cheek. "Little Angel, are you hungry?"
The little girl nodded shyly, her eyes darting to the Raincoat Man standing guard by the roadside, and she timidly shrank behind Caroline.
With a slight smile, Caroline effortlessly lifted the little girl onto her back.
The window of the business vehicle slowly rolled down, revealing Kenny's stern face. He called out to Caroline, "You're personally taking the child back. Also, take this." He handed a sealed folder out of the window and instructed, "Deliver it directly to the teacher."
Caroline accepted the folder and gave an 'okay' gesture, asking, "What about reinforcements?"
Kenny thought for a moment and replied, "Report the situation as it is; the teacher will know what to do."
"Oh," Caroline said, surprised.
Kenny seemed to remember something and added, "Take Aso with you."
"Oh?" Caroline looked puzzled.
Kenny didn't explain further; he waved his hand and rolled up the window.
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