"According to the New Eridu Public Security, Vision Corporation executive Charles Perlman has been taken into custody. Based on his testimony, more than twenty high-ranking Vision Corporation officials have been arrested, with several others currently at large…"
"Reportedly, the key breakthrough in this case came from an anonymous tip received by the Janus Quarter Public Security Bureau. Officer Zhao Anmen, a Level-Two Superintendent, is leading the effort to trace the source of that call…"
"Currently, the metro renovation project formerly overseen by Vision Corporation has been reassigned to Belobog Heavy Industries. Now, let's hear from Officer Zhao Anmen for a brief account and summary of this shocking scandal…"
The day after Vision Corporation's scheme unraveled, the news dominated New Eridu's headlines—overshadowing even the recent terror attack in the city center.
Zhong Yan, watching TV at home, happened to catch the report. Not only that, he spotted Zhao Anmen himself appearing as a special guest on the broadcast.
Having saved so many civilians, Zhao Anmen's contribution was no small feat. Already a high-ranking officer, he was likely to be promoted even further thanks to this incident.
To achieve such a position in his thirties—his capabilities were unquestionable.
Unlike those who climbed through personal connections, Zhao Anmen had truly earned his place.
If not for his status as a member of the Nin-Village, Zhong Yan might've even considered befriending him.
"This case was cracked not only thanks to the anonymous tip," Zhao Anmen said on-screen, "but also because of a certain individual I encountered in the Dead End Hollow. It was thanks to their help that the message was successfully relayed, allowing the New Eridu Public Security to intervene in time."
"I'm very grateful to that brave soul. Even if you've committed serious mistakes in the past, after what you did today, I believe you've earned your redemption."
Zhong Yan raised an eyebrow at that. Staring at Zhao Anmen's smiling face on the screen, he knew those words were meant for him.
A moment later, he picked up the remote and turned off the TV, then flopped onto the couch, lost in thought.
"That guy talks too much..."
That was the only conclusion Zhong Yan could come to after reflecting for a while.
Just then, Pei waddled over, pointing at the now-dark television screen.
"Ehne-ehne! (Zhong Yan, I know that person! He's one of the higher-ups in our organization! He's really nice—always sends people to check and maintain our parts regularly!)"
As the designated Bangboo of the Nin-Village, it wasn't surprising that Pei recognized Zhao Anmen.
From its description, it was clear that Zhao Anmen was quite different from other Nin-Village members.
It was hard to understand how someone like him had joined the Nin-Village—let alone risen so high within its ranks.
Maybe it was time to dig deeper into the original purpose behind the formation of the Nin-Village.
...
A few days later, Zhong Yan returned to campus life.
With the threat from the Nin-Village neutralized and his injuries fully healed, Ellen also returned to school.
This meant Zhong Yan's days were no longer idle—he spent his time in class playfully teasing Ellen's tail. Although she would occasionally glare at him with fierce eyes, it seemed like her annoyance was only skin-deep.
If her tail really were untouchable, she would've snapped by now.
This peaceful routine carried on for a while. After all the recent chaos, things had suddenly grown quiet—almost too quiet.
It felt like the raging ocean had suddenly turned into a glassy sea. The contrast was so stark, it felt disorienting.
Fortunately, Zhong Yan would occasionally join the Phaeton siblings on Hollow commissions, which kept life from getting too dull.
But somewhere else, someone who hadn't seen him in quite a while was starting to feel a little lonely.
...
That evening, inside a luxurious rental suite operated by the Cunning Hares—
It was nighttime, and with no active commissions scheduled, Nicole was relaxing on the sofa. She watched a trending variety show while wearing a moderately priced whitening face mask.
This month, the Cunning Hares had made far less than the last—but that was to be expected. After all, just last month, Nicole had sweet-talked Uchiha out of a whopping three million Denny.
With that plus the six million Denny already in reserve, that one commission alone had covered several months' worth of expenses.
If not for that overnight windfall, they wouldn't be living in such a fancy place now.
Even with reduced income, at least they weren't in the red anymore.
Nicole had donated most of the commission's profits to charity, but what remained was still enough to sustain them for a good while.
"Nicole..."
Back in the moment, Nicole—nearly drifting off under her face mask—was startled by a voice. She looked up to see Anby in pajamas, standing there with an awkward look on her face.
Nicole blinked. "Anby? What's wrong? You feeling okay?"
Her first assumption was that something was wrong with Anby's health. If that were the case, she wouldn't hesitate to rush her to the hospital.
Say what you will about Nicole's obsession with money—when it came time to spend it, she never held back.
That, in itself, was part of her charm.
"I... I want to request a day off." But contrary to Nicole's expectations, Anby wasn't feeling ill at all.
Nicole blinked in surprise, then narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "You're not... asking for time off to see Zhong Yan, are you?"
Anby's expression immediately shifted—her little plan clearly seen through. She relaxed a bit, knowing there was no point in pretending.
"Zhong Yan said he needs my help with something important. And he said only I can help him. Please, Nicole." She pressed her hands together in a pleading gesture.
Nicole let out a sigh, then said, "We've had a ton of commissions lately anyway. I was planning to give you all some time off. If it's to see him, then go ahead."
"But don't come back empty-handed. I heard that guy's loaded. If you can, bleed him dry."
Nicole never passed up a money-making opportunity.
What she didn't realize was... she had already milked Zhong Yan for three million Denny last month—without knowing it.
If she did know—
She'd probably have told Anby to ask for even more.