New candidate: Tang Ning, female, 29, former Beijing police sniper.
Loyalty test: offered one million RMB cash to leak compound coordinates after thirty days.
She tore the check in half without hesitation.
"I left the force because I hated corruption and backstabbing. If your operation is clean, I stay. If not, I walk — but I don't betray."
Hired immediately. 90,000 RMB/month.
Old Huang sniffed her hand once, then lay down beside her boots — clear approval.
First woman in the inner circle.
Family update:
Li Na listed three designer bags online — all sold within hours at 40% below market. Posted vague status: "Starting over."
Mother stopped all social media activity entirely.
Li Wei added the pawnshop receipts to the evidence drive.
The silence from the old apartment was louder than any scream.
(End of Chapter 12)
Chapter 13: 120× Ends, Streak Continues (Word count: ≈570)
The temporary 120× window closed at midnight.
Returned to permanent 105× streak bonus.
New notification:
[Ding! Daily spending streak: 60 days maintained!]
[Permanent enhancement unlocked: Base cashback rate increased to 105× indefinitely. Future streaks will compound further.]
Test spend: 50 million RMB into rare-earth futures — another pre-virus play.
[+5,250,000,000 RMB cashback]
Compound population now seven humans + Old Huang.
Group training intensified: night shooting under NVGs, close-quarters battle drills in the factory wing, emergency medical simulations led by Dr. Xu.
Chen Hao wiped sweat from his brow after a session.
"Boss, we're ready for war if it comes early."
Li Wei chambered a round with a soft click.
"War hasn't started yet. But when it does… we won't be the ones running