Chapter 97: Bonus

The plane pierced through the clouds at a 65-degree angle, its belly skimming the orange light of dawn from the east.

Below, the city was being shredded into geometric specimens.

Clouds of gray-orange smoke blossomed in the sky…

Qin Qing: “The people from the embassy…”

Luo Yuan: “Don’t worry, they’ve already set out for Safir Port.”

More than ten hours of flight didn’t exhaust anyone—instead, it washed away the fatigue of the long pre-boarding journey.

Qin Qing allowed herself to fall into deep sleep, only waking midway to eat a few bites of bland rations.

The cabin was dimly lit. Even after resting well, she didn’t want to open her eyes—until she heard the captain’s voice again.

“This is your CA6027 Air China flight. I am Captain Lu Hui. It is currently 5:17 AM, Beijing time, January 28th, 2025.”

“We are traveling at a speed of 812 kilometers per hour through Chinese airspace at 40 degrees north latitude. Through the gaps in the clouds, you can see the glacial light reflecting off the northern slope of the Tianshan Mountains.”

“From this moment on, every cubic centimeter of the air we breathe contains wind that once swept across the dust storms outside the Jade Gate.”

Lu Hui gave a soft chuckle.

“Yes, we’re home.”

“Today is Lunar New Year’s Eve of the Year of the Dragon. Mission accomplished—we’ve made it in time for New Year’s dinner.”

“On behalf of the entire crew, I wish you all a happy new year. In three hours, we will land at Xijing Airport in Qin Chuan Province. The local weather is…”

Lu Hui reported the weather.

The cabin had already become lively.

After such a long journey, no one had realized it was New Year’s Eve.

Now that it was mentioned, everyone lit up with excitement, exchanging holiday greetings regardless of who sat next to them.

Some cried, others laughed.

One middle-aged woman called out enthusiastically, “My home is in Xijing. I probably won’t be able to buy a ticket home today anyway. Why don’t you all come to my place for New Year’s dinner after we land?”

Someone booed playfully.

“Even if you’re willing, your place can’t fit all of us.”

The woman wasn’t fazed at all: “Who says we won’t fit? My family runs a restaurant—the largest banquet hall can hold over 60 tables. There aren’t even that many of us, just 30-something tables. And we’ve already prepped the New Year’s ingredients. After what we’ve been through, you’re all like life-and-death friends now. This meal’s on me.”

She went on to describe the must-have dishes for a Xijing New Year’s celebration. She was eloquent, and with her restaurant background, her descriptions were mouthwatering.

Others chimed in, talking about New Year’s dishes from their own hometowns.

Voices overlapped, and the atmosphere was vibrant.

Qin Qing turned to look at Luo Yuan.

Luo Yuan quickly said, “We’re heading to Beifu. It was arranged before we boarded. Our contacts should already be waiting at Xijing Airport.”

Beifu?

Qin Qing raised an eyebrow, but said nothing.

When disembarking, the captain stood at the cabin door to see everyone off.

Nearly every passenger hugged or shook hands with him, praising his professionalism.

Lu Hui wore a warm smile the whole time, patiently saying to each, “Safe journey.”

This naturally slowed the deplaning process significantly, but no one minded in the slightest. After getting ample rest on the plane, everyone looked refreshed—like fans lining up to meet their idol.

As she stepped off the plane, Qin Qing casually glanced at Lu Hui’s system panel.

She left the aircraft contentedly.

How wonderful. Good people should be rewarded.

To her surprise, the contact waiting at Xijing Airport was someone Qin Qing knew.

Leading the team was Zhang Yao, the one who had assigned her this mission—also the soon-to-be deputy chief of the Wuning sub-bureau.

Zhang Yao: “Well, technically not yet. It’s still the holidays. I take office after the new year. Welcome back—and I have to say, you did a brilliant job on this mission.”

“You’re a busy guy. Didn’t expect you to come in person.”

Zhang Yao: “Have you forgotten? I told you—I’m your dedicated liaison officer.”

So?

Zhang Yao didn’t linger on small talk. He led his team toward the other side.

There, someone was guiding Yang Zhongjiao’s group through a special transfer channel.

Two people behind Zhang Yao pulled Xiao Luo out of the group and restrained him.

Xiao Luo struggled in panic: “What are you doing? Teacher! Teacher—”

Zhang Yao remained expressionless, his tone strictly official.

“Luo Weifeng, you are suspected of endangering national security. According to protocol, you must come with us. Here are my credentials and the relevant documents.”

“I didn’t—I’m not—what grounds do you have…”

Zhang Yao: “No need to panic. The law will give you a fair judgment.”

Xiao Luo was taken away.

Zhang Yao turned to Dr. Yang Zhongjiao: “Sorry for the disturbance, Dr. Yang.”

Yang Zhongjiao sighed. There was some regret in his expression, but no surprise.

After handling it in a few efficient steps, Zhang Yao returned to Qin Qing’s side.

“Let’s go.”

“Where to?”

“Beifu. To the bureau. There’s something there you’ll be interested in.”

“I’m not going. It’s New Year’s Eve—I’m going home.”

Zhang Yao didn’t press her, just nodded. “That’s my bad.”

At the airport tarmac, Qin Qing saw that two helicopters were prepared—one to Beifu, the other to Shuangyu.

Of course—Zhang Yao was such a smooth talker.

Before boarding, Dou Xu and the others came to say goodbye.

Luo Yuan said, “It’s been a pleasure working with you. Hope we get to work together again. See you.”

Qin Qing cut him off: “Please don’t. I prefer peace in the world. Let’s not meet again.”

Luo Yuan laughed heartily: “Fair enough. I like peace too. If I’m not on a mission, I’ll go back to my hometown and be a farmer.”

“Ambitious. I hope your dream comes true.”

“Take care!”

“You too!”

On the plane back to Beiyu, only Qin Qing and Zhang Yao were onboard.

Qin Qing: “You’ve moved to Beiyu?”

“Not exactly,” Zhang Yao said. “I told you—I’m your dedicated liaison officer. I need to coordinate closely with you.”

“So?”

“‘Closely’ means I need to be in the same city as you, at the very least—for emergencies.”

Qin Qing teased, “Sounds like your agency’s really something. Doesn’t even let people enjoy the New Year.”

City lights below filtered into the dim cabin, casting fragmented shadows on Zhang Yao’s face. He gave a bitter smile. The sigh that escaped his throat was barely audible beneath the hum of the propellers.

He said, “With that line, you’ve made it hard for me to say what I need to.”

“Then don’t say it.”

“I have to—otherwise I might not get my bonus this month.” To avoid any further interruptions, Zhang Yao got straight to the point: “As your liaison officer, I’m here with a mission—formally inviting you to join the bureau.”

Qin Qing stayed silent.

Zhang Yao pulled a folder from his briefcase and handed it to her.

Qin Qing: “What’s this?”

“By conventional standards, a pretty good benefits package that comes with your new position.”

She placed the folder on her lap, tapping it lightly with one hand, again and again…

Zhang Yao said, “I know that’s not likely to sway you. So I’ve brought something extra.”

Qin Qing waited patiently for his offer.

Zhang Yao said, “After complex mathematical modeling and simulation, based on the circumstances at the time, Dr. Yang Zhongjiao had less than a 10% chance of making it back safely. And yet…” he paused, “from departure to return, you completed the mission in just 60 hours—with near-perfect execution.”

His face flickered under the shifting light in the cabin. He stared at Qin Qing, enunciating each word: “Your ability is… formidable.”

Qin Qing: “I don’t think so. And you don’t seem scared.”

Zhang Yao’s expression softened. “That’s because I know you stand on the side of the nation and justice. I never harbor negative feelings toward my comrades.”

“Comrades?” Qin Qing repeated the word, savoring it. “You’re that sure I’ll join?”

Zhang Yao said slowly, “Aren’t you curious—whether there are others out there with abilities like yours?”

Qin Qing’s pupils contracted slightly.

Zhang Yao: “Join us, and you won’t have to hesitate before doing anything. No need to justify your actions—there’s a full support team to clean up after you. Join us, and you’ll find others like you. You’ll no longer be the most unique… or the one sticking out alone.”

Qin Qing narrowed her eyes.

“So, what exactly is 1122? Is it related to those ‘companions’ you mentioned?”

“It’s not that I don’t want to tell you—honestly, I don’t know much either. Before my transfer, I worked on the 1122 task force. All I know is that it’s a large-scale national case involving population anomalies. As for the details, if your clearance is sufficient after joining, you can access the relevant files.”

Zhang Yao was telling the truth.

He had no more information.

Only then did Qin Qing lower her head and begin flipping through the documents Zhang Yao had given her.

The first section contained her basic personal information.

The middle portion was the thickest—it covered every case she had ever handled.

From her days running a stall outside Baiyun Temple, to the time she opened her own studio, and even her work as a consultant at the Wuning sub-bureau.

Trivial matters like searching for lost cats and dogs were merely skimmed over, while significant incidents were thoroughly reported.

Even the urban fantasy novels she had browsed online, and the keywords she had searched related to special abilities, had been recorded in detail.

Qin Qing had never doubted the power of the state apparatus, but she hadn’t expected the investigation to be so exhaustive—it was quite presumptuous.

More importantly, she hadn’t even realized they had dug this deep.

The final section was the offer and benefits Zhang Yao had mentioned.

It was also very detailed. Qin Qing skimmed only the key points:

Department: National Security Bureau – Crisis Management Center

Position: National First-Class Intelligence Analyst

Rank: First-Class Superintendent, with compensation and medical benefits equivalent to division-level officials

Base salary and allowances totaling 30,000 RMB/month; additional mission-based performance bonuses and merit rewards; every two second-class merits add 3% to retirement pension.

Spouse to be assigned a public-sector job by the state.

All children guaranteed enrollment spots at nearby provincial key primary and secondary schools; if transferring, fast-track admission to Beifu No. 4 High School or RDFZ. With sufficient merit, children eligible for bonus points on national college entrance exams; priority admission in civil service and public recruitment exams.

Parents relocated to XX Cadre Rest Home, with post-retirement treatment and medical care equal to that of division-level officers.

Personal security team of 3 bodyguards for 24/7 protection; provided with a nano-ceramic double-plate bulletproof briefcase and a bulletproof car equipped with an emergency locator beacon.

No public commendations for honors; mission files sealed for 30 years.

Authorized to mobilize municipal and lower-level public security agencies; classification level provided for requisition of civilian vehicles during missions.

Access to national population database (excluding nuclear, military, and undeclassified espionage records), Tier-2 SkyNet access, and Tier-3 National Security database access.

Clack!

Qin Qing shut the folder.

“Looks good. But if you only talk about benefits and rights without mentioning duties, it’s all just fluff.”

Zhang Yao had remained quietly seated, waiting for her to finish reading.

Qin Qing tossed the folder back to him. “Go on then—tell me about the job and what’s expected.”

———

RDFZ (Renmin Da Xue Fu Zhong) is the top high school in China, famous for its elite academics and highly selective admissions. It’s officially named The High School Affiliated to Renmin University of China.