Chapter 13

Qi Xu always felt that Xia Zhiming pulling this stunt was definitely not just to let the Vice Bureau Chief know how ridiculously strong she had become as a ghost. There must have been some little secret she wanted to share with the Vice Bureau Chief first. And it definitely had to do with her—something about why she had become such a powerful ghost.

But by the time she returned to her human form and climbed to her feet, they seemed to have already finished talking.

That feeling of others discussing a secret right in front of her while she remained completely in the dark really made her itch to know what was going on. But Xia Zhiming was sly; no matter how Qi Xu circled behind her, she refused to say a word.

“Even if I told you now, it wouldn’t help. You’ll find out when the time is right.”

“How do you know it wouldn’t help if you don’t tell me?”

“I’m just not telling you.”

Qi Xu grew anxious and went to pester the Vice Bureau Chief instead. The little girl’s attitude toward her had completely changed from earlier; she no longer glared daggers but seemed hesitant, as if she had something to say yet held back. Still, just like Xia Zhiming, no matter how many times Qi Xu asked, the Vice Bureau Chief wouldn’t budge. She only said, “I’ll handle your paperwork for you.”

The Vice Bureau Chief said this with her eyes tightly shut, never once opening them—not even while walking.

Qi Xu wondered why she had become such a strong ghost, while also being curious about why the Vice Bureau Chief kept her eyes closed.

As for the latter question, Xia Zhiming noticed her curiosity and didn’t hide it. She explained directly to Qi Xu, “Some people have not just physical eyes but a third eye on their soul. We call this eye the ‘Heart Eye’. The Vice Bureau Chief’s Heart Eye is especially powerful—too powerful to close. If she didn’t keep her physical eyes shut, the two different visions would overwhelm her, so she just keeps them closed.”

“Oh…”

Qi Xu listened with keen interest to this game-like lore. Seeing her fascination, Xia Zhiming continued, “Legend has it that if a Heart Eye grows strong enough, it can glimpse the past and future, divine heavenly secrets. Extremely powerful.”

“Oh oh!”

By then, the Vice Bureau Chief had led them through the lobby to the “Vice Bureau Chief’s Office.” Once inside, Qi Xu noticed the room bore an uncanny resemblance to her counselor’s office. The Vice Bureau Chief had Qi Xu sit across from her, then bent down to rummage through a drawer.

Xia Zhiming took a seat nearby, playing the role of accompanying family.

The Vice Bureau Chief pulled out a sheet of paper and handed it to Qi Xu. Upon taking it, Qi Xu saw it was an information form. As she filled it out, she asked, “What do I do if I don’t know my blood type?”

“AB. Just write it,” the Vice Bureau Chief said.

“…” This Heart Eye really was impressive.

After filling out the “occupation” and “school” sections, Qi Xu heard the Vice Bureau Chief ask in puzzlement, “Huh? You’re a student at an ordinary school? Then where did you train at a Daoist temple before? You need to write that down—even if it’s a secret, we have to register it.”

Qi Xu was equally baffled. “What Daoist temple? I’m just a regular college student.”

The Vice Bureau Chief seemed even more surprised. She turned her head toward Xia Zhiming. “She’s not from your temple? Then how did you two meet? Add a line about how you know each other.”

Hearing this, Qi Xu’s eyes widened. She whipped her head toward Xia Zhiming. “Didn’t you say you weren’t part of Daoism? You even told me not to call you Daoist or priestess!”

“Everyone calls her Daoist Xia normally.”

Xia Zhiming just smiled. “What’s wrong? I was just teasing you. I should’ve recorded your reaction back then—it was hilarious.” As she spoke, she pulled out her phone and snapped a “click” at Qi Xu. “But your face right now is pretty funny too.”

And just like that, Qi Xu’s “dazed” expression ended up preserved forever in Xia Zhiming’s phone. She schooled her features, though she still puffed her cheeks in annoyance.

After being pranked so many times, Qi Xu had gotten a sense of Xia Zhiming’s personality. She was what netizens called a top-tier mischief-maker!

Once the form was complete, the Vice Bureau Chief said her credentials would arrive in a couple of days and handed her an employee handbook to memorize. After wrapping up, Qi Xu rubbed her hands awkwardly. The Vice Bureau Chief gave her a puzzled look. “What do you want to ask?”

“Well, what are our bureau’s working hours and pay like? And since I’m an intern, can you help me get an official internship stamp? Please, I really need that.”

Xia Zhiming chuckled merrily a few times.

Only a pure, silly college student would ask such questions right after filling out the form and officially joining. And only someone that innocently foolish would then sheepishly shrink after inquiring about pay.

Qi Xu had no idea what Xia Zhiming was laughing at. She shot her a glare, signaling her not to interrupt while she asked about serious matters.

Once Qi Xu finished, the Vice Bureau Chief tilted her head toward Xia Zhiming. Her expression was complicated, roughly conveying: How did you trick her into coming here without explaining anything?

But Xia Zhiming ignored her, engrossed in her phone. With no choice, the Vice Bureau Chief answered Qi Xu, “I’m sure you know our line of work means risking our necks. The danger level is extremely high.”

Qi Xu nodded; she knew that much.

The Vice Bureau Chief went on, “That’s why our working hours and pay are both quite generous. First, the hours: the workload is intense, but you’re only required to report for assigned missions until they’re done. Otherwise, you’re on standby rest by default.”

“For example, take the Level 1 Investigator Xia beside you. She handles about one to two missions a month, though more if things pile up. Outside missions, she rests at home. But during rest, unless you file a report, you can’t leave Xintan City—otherwise, we might not reach you in an emergency.”

Qi Xu thought it over and found it acceptable. The schedule was fairly flexible.

Next came the internship stamp she’d been eager for. The Vice Bureau Chief addressed it directly. “No problem at all with the internship stamp. We can provide one from a private company—for cover—or an official one as a street office clerk. Your choice.”

Perfect! She couldn’t imagine how much easier job hunting would be with official internship experience.

Yes, even now, Qi Xu still believed that once she returned to normal, she’d leave Xia Zhiming and these “abnormal” people behind, resuming school, thesis writing, graduation, and job hunting.

If Xia Zhiming knew, she’d probably call her “naive.”

Finally, the moment Qi Xu anticipated most: pay.

The Vice Bureau Chief had mentioned generous pay earlier, heightening her expectations. As the answer loomed, her hands under the table clenched in anticipation.

To Xia Zhiming beside her and the Vice Bureau Chief with her Heart Eye open, the gesture was plain as day.

Both thought the same: Heh, youngsters.

Even though the Vice Bureau Chief looked a few years younger than Qi Xu.

Seeing Qi Xu so eager, the Vice Bureau Chief couldn’t resist a bit of teasing. “As for the pay you asked about… like I said, we offer very high compensation due to the intensity. But that’s for full employees. For interns like you…”

Teasing Qi Xu really was fun—even the Vice Bureau Chief had to admit it. Her face changed with every word. Probably because she hadn’t entered society yet and had grown up sheltered, Qi Xu was so transparently pure; her every thought showed on her face.

When the Vice Bureau Chief said “very high,” Qi Xu’s eyes filled with eager sparkle, like a puppy’s watery gaze, her tail practically wagging like a propeller. But at “but” and “intern,” as if pay would be cut, she deflated like a sad pup, ears drooping.

Still, her eyes held a plea, hoping the words wouldn’t be too harsh.

Having had her fun, the Vice Bureau Chief thought to herself: Sin, sin. This was all Xia Zhiming’s fault—she hadn’t been one to tease before!

She cleared her throat lightly. “Well, intern pay is naturally a bit lower. But don’t worry: five insurances and one fund are included, base salary is ten thousand per month, plus mission bonuses—Ten thousand per task, more for outstanding performance. The insurances and fund base is twenty percent of salary. Thirteen salaries a year, plus year-end bonus.”

“Payday is the 28th of each month, no delays.”

Qi Xu’s eyes instantly turned to stars: So much?! Base ten thousand?! Thirteen salaries, year-end bonus, mission pay?!

What internship paid like this?!

Seeing her delight, Xia Zhiming chimed in, “Of course, the death benefit is quite generous too.”

Her joy instantly soured to resentment: Right, this job’s intense.