Enforcer Manual
Chapter 795 - 793: Team Building_1

Chapter 795: Chapter 793: Team Building_1

On this day, Song Lan finally remembered the three members of his department.

To celebrate his return, the trio decided to treat Song Lan to a fine dining experience at an upscale restaurant that had recently opened in the square district that evening.

Speaking of gourmet food, the "radar" on Zhuang Chi’s head became active once again. She was filled with emotion, recalling that it was the prospect of freeloading meals and drinks that had originally drawn her to work in the publicity department.

But what was the outcome?

The outcome was that their department head rarely showed up for work, not to mention bringing them any snacks.

"The accursed Chai Ke and his persistent minions!"

Zhuang Chi raised her glass high, filled with a high-end alcohol rumored to be air-freighted from The Fourth Region, its price over ten times higher than what they’d typically pay at a bar after work.

"Chief, to you!"

Song Lan also raised his glass, suddenly feeling a twinge of guilt.

By sustaining this "beautiful misunderstanding," he turned Mr. Chai Ke into a target for verbal attacks, unable to rest in peace even after his untimely demise.

"To your health."

Song Lan sipped his drink symbolically, well aware of his limited alcohol tolerance; he didn’t want to stumble home drunk.

Lu Xiang actually supported their department’s team-building events wholeheartedly, and as it happened, he had a social engagement that same evening. Mayor Aureliano had arranged a banquet to welcome a few mysterious guests and hoped that Lu Xiang could attend.

As for the restaurant named "Jinzuo"...

Song Lan could only say that it exhibited all the characteristics of an upscale establishment: an elegant environment, aesthetically pleasing dishes with meager portions, and prices so steep that merely glancing at the menu could make one’s heart ache—its target was crystal clear; from the very beginning, it excluded the vast majority and catered solely to corporate clients.

No sooner had Zhuang Chi taken her seat than the waiter eagerly recommended a VIP card to her.

To celebrate their grand opening, topping up 30,000 Valerians now afforded one a 10% discount, unlocking a special menu exclusive to VIP guests.

It was said to contain very precious ingredients.

Zhuang Chi declined without any hesitation—splurging on dinner today had already cost her a great deal, and, despite being a food enthusiast, she understood one simple truth.

Eating everything only harms you.

"See that photo wall over there? The main restaurant is in The Fourth Region, a very prestigious upmarket eatery," said Zhuang Chi, pointing to the photo wall near the restaurant’s entrance. She had done plenty of research beforehand, "Supposedly, many national-level rescuers from Kolo Film Industry are members here. If you’re lucky enough, you could get a photo with a celebrity, though that’s limited to The Fourth Region. Big stars wouldn’t visit a remote small city like ours."

"That might not be strictly true. Su Li visited our place not long ago, right? Maybe they’ll choose The Seventeenth Region for the new movie’s shooting."

At the dining table, the two naturally fell into discussing celebrity gossip.

Following the release of "Chai Ke’s Revenge," Su Li quickly rose to become one of Kolo Film Industry’s leading figures, his career in entertainment skyrocketing.

"By the way, chief, I’ve been meaning to ask you something."

The "radar" on Zhuang Chi’s head wiggled again; whenever she had a sly idea, this tuft of hair betrayed her inner thoughts.

Song Lan always found it fascinating, even suspecting at times that the cowlick on Zhuang Chi’s head was somehow related to spiritual energy.

"Hmm?"

"Recently, I heard that several important individuals are coming to The Seventeenth Region. Since you’re so close to the supervisor. Do you have any inside information?"

"I don’t know."

In an attempt to maintain the façade of one struck on the back of the head and bedridden, Song Lan shook his head blankly, "However, the supervisor does have a social obligation tonight. The mayor made a special request for her to attend, so it might be related to the mysterious individuals you mentioned."

He surmised that the mysterious individuals Zhuang Chi alluded to were from the "Yaku Barrier," coming from far away and responsible for receiving the High-level councilors that were being escorted back.

"Actually, while you were hospitalized and unconscious, a lot happened in The First Region. Have you heard of a five-star rescuer called ’Yaku Barrier’? He became a Six Star candidate at a young age."

Song Lan deliberately took out his phone and searched for the term right in front of Zhuang Chi, then after briefly browsing, asked, "Why, do you know him?"

Could it be that a fan of "Yaku Barrier" was right beside him?

"Of course, though I don’t think he knows me," Zhuang Chi replied, her voice echoing the subtle disappointment of countless fangirls. She quickly adjusted her mood, saying, "A friend of a friend hinted that he might come to The Seventeenth Region on official business. If you happen to meet him, could you help me get his autograph?"

As she spoke, she carefully took out a photo she had treasured for a long time.

The "Yaku Barrier" in the photo seemed even younger, facing the camera with a bold pose.

"This was when he was still a four-star rescuer. He also spent some time at Kolo Film Industry but later left."

"Wow, I never knew our Miss Zhuang Chi was a star-chaser," said Valerian, taking the photo first and examining the person on it closely, teasing, "He’s quite handsome, although he probably is a playboy. But I don’t think he measures up to our chief. Our chief is not only good-looking but also loyal."

"What about me? How do I measure up?"

Roger seized the right moment to enter the conversation.

Among the three of them, Valerian had the most extensive experience in romance. Although her affairs often ended in failure, she cultivated a keen eye through her constant failures, earning the admiration of the man known as "the Death Negotiating Expert".

"You?"

Valerian stared at Roger for a moment, "You... look a bit like a criminal."

Who with a serious demeanor would have a nickname associated with "death"?

Facing Roger, who was glaring at her, Valerian said, "I’m already being as tactful as possible, considering we’re colleagues."

Criminals come in all varieties.

Roger’s appearance belonged to that of an S-class wanted felon.

Actually, Valerian always thought that Roger’s looks were such a waste. His face would have been more suited for one of those rebel leaders with multimillion rewards in "the outer world".

"Get lost, I’m doing serious business here!"

Zhuang Chi interrupted them gruffly, snatching the photo and shoving it into Song Lan’s hand, "If you meet him, you must help me get an autograph."

"If I have the chance, I can try."

Song Lan said, "But Valerian is right, I didn’t expect you to be a fan too."

As the saying goes, a crooked beam leads to crooked rafters; Song Lan’s habit of brazenly watching movies during work had deeply influenced Valerian and the others, making movies and celebrity gossip a part of their daily conversations. He also clearly remembered that previously when the topic of fandom came up, Zhuang Chi had been quite disdainful of it.

Could this be the magic stars wield?

Yet Zhuang Chi looked puzzled, "Fan? Are you guys misunderstanding something?"

"Asking for his autograph isn’t clear enough?"

Valerian snorted coldly.

"’Yaku Barrier’ cut off all ties with the media companies after leaving Kolo Film Industry and quickly disappeared from the public eye. He could only be seen in some news reports, and if he had stayed with Kolo, he would definitely have had a place among the national level rescuers by now!"

Zhuang Chi was like an encyclopedia when it came to Yaku Barrier’s deeds, but what she was referring to was news from years ago.

To the entertainment industry, several years is an incredibly long gap. Without exposure and gossip, rescuers are quickly forgotten, and now only Yaku Barrier’s die-hard fans still follow his news, remembering his time as a "superhero" under Kolo Film Industry.

Valerian put on an expression that suggested she saw through everything, "I get it, so you mean ’Yaku Barrier’ is different from other rescuers?"

This rhetoric was all too common.

Every fan believes their idol is different, untainted by the chaos of the industry.

"Of course he’s different. Do you know what it means when the rescuer department starts to hide someone’s whereabouts?"

The "radar" on top of Zhuang Chi’s head stood erect.

Song Lan was really afraid she might impulsively poke Zhuang Chi with the antenna atop her own head.

Instead of the topic of fandom, he thought of the recent violent incidents caused by fandom.

In 2167, it wasn’t uncommon for people to blow others’ heads off with guns in defense of their stars.

"So go on, what does it mean?"

"It means he’s getting promoted! Maybe he has already become a Six Stars rescuer!"

"...Really?"

The fame of the Six Stars rescuer made Valerian lose some of her momentum. Unlike those who chose the path of performance, Six Stars rescuers were synonymous with mystery and strength, reputed as the United Government’s ultimate war power, the real apex of the Pyramid.

After becoming a Six Stars rescuer, relevant departments would seal off all information about them, maintaining the public’s last impression of them when they were still Five Stars rescuers.

"Of course it’s true, and if he really has come to The Seventeenth Region this time, it’s mostly for some important mission!"

"It seems I misunderstood you, no wonder you’re so excited."

The chance to meet a Six Stars rescuer was much rarer than national level rescuers; most people would never in their lifetime get to see these shadowy figures within the United Government.

"This is a great opportunity to make a fortune!"

"Hold on... what do you mean by making a fortune?"

"I infiltrated the ’Yaku Barrier’ fan group and got a photo from them. Once he really gets promoted to Six Stars, they won’t receive any news about him ever again, meaning this photo will become the only signed photo in the world—a collector’s piece!"

As she spoke, Zhuang Chi’s eyes sparkled, "Those fans would be willing to pay a six-figure sum for it!"

She admitted that her previous views on fan groups had been biased.

After interacting with them, she found that they were all very nice people.

Big Fat Sheep, friends for life.