Infinite Game Ch.44.2

Chapter 44.2 – Dating Agency Back Online

With everyone settled, the operational members of the task force left, leaving the non-combatants who were supposed to finish their shifts.

The two tourist buses used to transport individuals had been found. They were recently acquired by a travel agency, mysteriously disappearing one day with no clues until they turned up here.

The other detained individuals had no external injuries but were severely shocked. Some were afraid to return home and sat nervously in the SIU lobby, reluctant to move. A few people surrounded them, patiently coaxing them.

The civilian named Shi Bu, who had fainted, was taken to the hospital. He woke up in the middle of the night, alone and desolate in the hospital bed. There were people outside, members of the SIU. When they learned he wanted to see his friend and had no phone, they kindly lent him one.

He dialed a series of numbers, holding the phone quietly.

After what seemed like an eternity, just before the automatic disconnection, the call connected. Shi Bu called out “brother,” and an unintelligible voice responded from the other end.

It sounded like someone speaking but more likely was sleep-talking. In any case, the person seemed to be sleeping deeply.

Shi Bu said, “Brother, have a good rest”, and hung up tearfully.

“…”

The member of the SIU took the phone back in silence.

There were warnings about this person being potentially highly dangerous. Despite the low probability, they remained cautious.

As expected, sometimes a low probability had its reasons.

*

After Jiang Yujin returned home, he took a shower and went straight to bed. It wasn’t until the next morning, when he reached for his phone to play Xiaoxiaole, that he noticed the call log on the screen and realized he had answered a phone call the previous night.

It was 11:30 now, an hour earlier than usual for him to wake up. Quietly impressed by his early rising, Jiang Yujin, clad in loose pajamas, got up. He rubbed his messy hair as he headed towards the bathroom, but halfway there, he abruptly stopped.

Quite unexpectedly, there were people in the living room, not just one but two – the high schooler and someone in a floral shirt. Both of them looked up as he paused.

His hand, which was tousling his hair, halted for a moment before resuming its motion. Jiang Yujin stifled a yawn, and his light-colored pupils, half-covered by drooping eyelids, met the gaze of the person in the floral shirt.

With a smirk, Hu Li said, “I have some more questions about yesterday’s matter. I happened to be around here, so I came straight away.”

Though Jiang Yujin had no objections to answering questions, he continued towards the bathroom.

When he emerged after brushing his teeth and washing his face, the high schooler who had been sitting on the couch stood up.

Chen Jing had intended to leave, but someone unexpectedly arrived before his departure, looking for someone who was still sound asleep in the room. Thus, he had to stay temporarily.

Now that the sleeper had woken up, he could finally leave.

Jiang Yujin sat down on the couch, and the high schooler placed breakfast in front of him before leaving and closing the door behind him.

Watching the high schooler leave, Hu Li turned to the person already eating breakfast beside him and remarked, “Your son is quite nice.”

The high schooler had even prepared tea and, despite saying little, showed great initiative. Compared to the person in front of him who showed no inclination to prepare water.

Father Jiang glanced up. “You think so?”

Then he added, “Well, that’s right.”

There was absolutely no modesty in his agreement.

Hu Li, in a seemingly formal manner, took out a small black notebook and began asking the questions that hadn’t been addressed from the previous night.

His eyes lifted slightly at the corners, naturally carrying a smile, saying, “These are just for record-keeping, don’t overthink it. Just give truthful answers.”

He chuckled, and Jiang Yujin also smiled, answering everything asked without changing his expression throughout, enjoying his meal. How much of his responses held truth or nonsense was known only to himself.

Click.

The information gathering concluded, Hu Li closed the notebook, neatly capped the pen with a faint sound. With nothing more to ask, he stood up. After a couple of steps, he turned back, smiling, “You’re quite good at arranging things. Ever thought of trying out for the SIU?”

Jiang Yujin nodded, completely ignoring the last statement, accepting the compliment without a hint of guilt, “Indeed, I did a few months of security work before.”

Outside the area he was responsible for lay a crossroad, bustling with traffic during rush hours. He often directed traffic there, quite experienced in managing these situations.

Surprised by the response he received, Hu Li’s expression twitched slightly before bidding farewell and leaving.

Jiang Yujin chewed his mantou (steamed bun) and bid farewell as well. Once the door closed, he leisurely switched on the TV.

It wasn’t time yet for the soap opera marathon today, but there was a midday rerun of the morning news, which would do for now.

Watching adjustments in the current social policies regarding elderly care, Citizen Jiang was already envisioning his own retirement life. Just as the news was about to transition to the next segment, his phone, placed aside, rang.

It was a call from the barber shop owner. Brief and concise as usual, “The person who went upstairs today stood down there for a long time.”

Putting the call on speaker, Jiang Yujin continued eating and watching the news, “I know.”

One could probably guess that not everyone in the SIU was as easily fooled as Xu Gao. He had anticipated some trouble while making the call yesterday.

Between Shi Bu being suspected by Zero and being doubted by the SIU, calling the latter seemed more worthwhile.

An issue based on subjective assumptions, lacking evidence and follow-up, would likely pass in a few days.

As a token of appreciation for the friendly heads-up from the dear barber shop owner, Jiang Yujin suggested a good opportunity, “Why don’t you join the SIU? Great benefits and high pay. Your shop can be mine, and I’ll take care of it for you.”

The call ended, the other person declined his offer.

Despite the rejection, Jiang Yujin wasn’t disheartened, putting his phone aside and continuing to watch the news.

The television aired recent societal news, emphasizing the ongoing reconstruction after the incident at Goose Square. The focus was on the commendable progress in post-disaster reconstruction, ensuring the square’s owner and affiliated businesses would receive due subsidies and compensations.

After several segments of societal news, the financial news section began. Just as the screen changed, a familiar face, sporting a billion-dollar expression, appeared.

“…”

Jiang Yujin promptly switched to a children’s channel where the storyline involved elementary school protagonists venturing out to save the world late at night. The main character had their own small team: Little Red, Little Blue, and Little Pink, comprising a professional trio.

It felt oddly familiar.

After watching an episode of children saving the world, Citizen Jiang finished breakfast, turned off the TV, and headed downstairs for a walk.

He had been absent from the recent important discussions about street events, which is called gossip. The elderly folks were quite concerned about him. Finally seeing him back among the crowd, they happily pulled him into the chatter.

Amidst the gossip and cracking sunflower seeds, Citizen Jiang was engrossed in conversation when his phone buzzed in his pocket. He wiped his hands and answered, finding an unknown number on the screen.

Upon answering the call, a voice instantly spoke from the other end, beginning with, “Hello, this is the F City Dating Agency.”

The surrounding gossip suddenly quieted down.

He had no recollection of any dating agency and was about to hang up. But just before pressing the disconnect button, the person on the line added, “Remember the lady who helped you fill out the application form?”

Jiang Yujin recalled vaguely, asking, “What’s the matter?”

The caller clarified their identity, “I’m not that lady. She went in and hasn’t come out. I’m her successor.”

After the previous incident, the dating agency’s reputation took a nosedive, yet their matchmaking abilities remained intact. They had a substantial pool of quality singles from both local and out-of-town sources. Despite the auntie’s arrest due to involvement with an anti-social organization, her main concern before going in was her last client. She entrusted her successor to find a match for that specific client.

Listening in silence, Jiang Yujin felt an unexpected sense of respect for this auntie’s dedication.

The caller continued, “Someone just contacted us today, located in the same city as you, wanting to meet you. You can choose the venue. Shall I send you the details?”

The gossip around him faded away completely as if awaiting his response.

Jiang Yujin seemed to notice something. When he lifted his gaze, he met many pairs of bright eyes.

<< _ >>