Chapter 4: Absentee List

The scrutiny was silent, yet it set his heart pounding. Tai Mo held his breath for what felt like an eternity. What he felt wasn’t the sticky slide of sweat down his skin, but the icy chill of a gun barrel pressed against his forehead. His scalp had gone from exploding in panic to numb, so numb that when the woman finally spoke, he almost couldn’t keep up.

“Before tomorrow afternoon, deliver all the goose meat to the Nante Market in the North District. Any problems?”

“Ah?” Tai Mo’s scalp prickled again. “No problems.”

Goose meat? Nante Market? What was this about?

He waited for more instructions.

But the woman simply picked up the fruit wine from the table and admired her spoils of victory—the pale yellow liquid in the glass swirled and shimmered under the light, shifting colors enticingly.

The wine looked tempting, but the woman didn’t touch a drop. She placed the glass back on the counter, steadying it with her index and middle fingers on the stem before pushing it back toward the innkeeper.

At the door, the operative stood guard. When the woman emerged, he nodded in salute. “Commander!”

Ji Tingxi walked to the car door and murmured her orders. “Notify Group 2. Get disguised and keep a close eye on this shop.”

The operative replied crisply, “Yes, ma’am!”

The sun had fully set, yielding the stage to the night. The vehicle pressed forward with its headlights cutting through the darkness, like a sharp-nosed shark slicing through water. Flanking the road were sleeping houses and fields of yellow daffodils. The car sped past, leaving a faint hush in its wake.

Ruo Xing volunteered to drive. He should have focused on the road, but he couldn’t resist splitting his attention. “Director Ji, I never thought releasing those two bees would actually work. But how did you know they’d leave pollen behind for sure?”

In the back seat, a sliver of night breeze slipped through the cracked window, tousling the hair at Ji Tingxi’s forehead. It danced along her temple and occasionally brushed her jaw, tickling faintly, but she let it be, enjoying the coolness.

“This shop was one of our prime suspects. Wherever those bees lingered, there had to be pollen—whether it was there naturally or not.”

The town faded into the distance behind them as they drove into vast open fields. Streetlights grew sparse, and flowers blanketed the hillsides like a jug of ice-cold flower wine spilled under the night sky. Ji Tingxi’s gaze stretched into the darkness, and she let out a laugh. Her eyes didn’t crinkle with mirth, though; the sound carried a chill thinner than the evening breeze.

“The Sern people are too generous. I’ve barely taken office, and they’ve already gifted me two heads on a platter. Are they worried my seat might be shaky and need some color to liven it up?”

…

The Wei Investigation Institute sat on the northern bank of the Taina River. The waters of the Taina flowed calmly year-round, mirroring the beautiful scenery of both shores like a clear mirror. Not only did it reflect the world pristinely, but it also single-handedly kept the bustle confined to the southern bank, granting the north a serene quiet. The vehicle crossed the stone bridge, traversing not just the river but shedding the clamor behind it.

The institute required such tranquility. This introverted, stately building preserved the architectural style of Bangdu from centuries past—its upturned eaves and railings visible from afar, the wall pillars casting shifting three-dimensional shadows throughout the day. Within the towering white stone walls, square glass windows were embedded, but every curtain was drawn tight, offering no glimpse inside.

Beneath the grand archway, Valkyrie statues flanked either side, standing sentinel over the building’s safety—though the elite personnel inside were far more formidable than any statue if danger struck.

Ji Tingxi passed through the iron fence and the white stone arch, successfully scanning her card for entry. At the security cabinet, she surrendered her phone and any other electronic devices capable of taking photos. In this building, personal gadgets were even less welcome than in an exam hall.

A new broom sweeps clean, and Ji Tingxi—though not yet officially instated—had already captured two fugitives, resolving the institute’s most pressing issue.

The staff had been eagerly awaiting her arrival. Now, with achievements already under her belt, she shot to stardom overnight. Dean He De and Vice Director Yesuiying dressed to the nines, their hair slicked to a shine. They stood at the entrance like a pair of high-wattage incandescent bulbs, personally welcoming the new arrival.

Unlike yesterday’s casual attire, Ji Tingxi today wore the full uniform: a deep gray jacket cinched at the waist with a leather belt, contrasting piping along the lapels, and a collar that perfectly hugged her neckline. On her chest were two emblems—one a stylized daisy in stretched petals, symmetric to symbolize stability and peace; the other a blue vertical stripe denoting the Special Action Department, distinguishing it from other divisions. A wheat-ear lanyard draped from her epaulet to the buttons, evoking olive branches cradling the floral motif.

Ji Tingxi’s dignified features were amplified several times over by the uniform. Radiant and poised, she approached the two directors, her elegance outshining even their bulb-like hairstyles. He De and Yesuiying had seen her photos, but meeting her in person brought no disappointment—only added sparkle to their eyes. Escorted by Personnel Department Chief Ge, they headed straight to the Oath Pavilion for the swearing-in ceremony.

The lobby buzzed with activity today. The two directors, along with staff from General Affairs and Personnel, handled formalities for the new Special Action Department chief. Amid the comings and goings, no one noticed Wen Du slip in.

Welcoming the newcomer had nothing to do with her. She didn’t need to arrive early—just clock in on time. But as she entered the building, the welcome wrapped up, and Personnel was leading the new director toward the Oath Pavilion. Before turning the corner to go upstairs, Wen Du glanced back, catching the final glimpse of that figure.

She had never met the new director, but she recognized her at once—that woman in the full uniform, dressed impeccably, was surely the new executioner.

She looked fine enough on the outside, but those hands were just as dirty as ever.

Wen Du withdrew her gaze and headed upstairs.

…

After the oath, Ji Tingxi officially became part of the institute. Young and accomplished as she was, she knew better than to play the aloof genius on day one. She feigned enthusiasm, schmoozing with colleagues to build rapport—after all, her position connected every department, and she’d need their cooperation down the line.

From the dean’s office and General Affairs on the first floor, to Personnel and Logistics on the second, and Blue Training on the third, Ji Tingxi made the rounds, greeting everyone with polished charm. She committed names and positions to memory during small talk, mentally reviewing them as she went.

Spreading goodwill evenly, she headed to the fourth floor. The Intelligence Collection Division and Intelligence Division handled data gathering and analysis, subdivided into numerous specialized offices that filled the entire level. Even the dean would need a division chief as a guide.

Under Intelligence Division Chief Kemi’s lead, Ji Tingxi greeted each section chief in turn. The marathon tour was nearly over, but they paused outside the Information Room—the voices inside indicated an ongoing conversation they didn’t want to interrupt.

They waited a moment, but it dragged on. Ji Tingxi showed no impatience, but Kemi thoughtfully suggested she wait in Intelligence Group 1 next door. Once Information Room Director Wen was free, they could make proper introductions.

Passing the doorway, Ji Tingxi glanced inside, her gaze lingering on the figure within.

Behind a rosewood desk, a woman looked up at her visitor. Her trench coat hung on the chair back, leaving her in a crisp white shirt. Her hair was twisted into soft waves and pinned into a rose shape with a gray clip. Her outfit screamed leadership, yet as she tilted her head slightly with a gentle smile, listening attentively, sunlight filtered through the Eugen Curtain, casting a hazy, serene glow along her nose bridge and jawline.

In that fleeting moment, as Ji Tingxi turned her head to look, she committed the woman’s face to memory.

Inside the Information Room at that very moment, Yan Yuan gestured animatedly, pouring on the enthusiasm to recruit her target.

“Director Wen, Dean He has the kitchen preparing a feast tonight—even pulling out the foie gras from the bottom of the barrel. You have to be there on time. It’s the welcome banquet for Director Ji!”

At those three words, Wen Du’s lips nearly twitched downward. It took effort to suppress the flash of hostility and maintain her facade of warm collegiality.

With the Special Action Department chief taking office, she—as Information Room head—should attend, welcome Ji Tingxi aboard, and go further: under the crystal chandelier’s glow, lavish praise on her beauty and poise to kick off their working relationship on the right foot.

But Wen Du recoiled instinctively. This woman had arrested two of her comrades on her very first day and now held the interrogation reins, poised to dig deeper.

Since joining the Wei Investigation Institute, Wen Du had played it steady, everything to plan with few slip-ups. But this new director caught her off guard, turning the tide sharply. She needed to move fast to salvage it.

She couldn’t attend tonight’s banquet. She had salvaging to do.

“Dean He is too kind. The banquet sounds lavish, but I caught a chill yesterday. I need to pick up medicine tonight, and I’ve been coughing. I wouldn’t want to spread it to everyone—that would be a grave sin.”

Yan Yuan’s gestures were lively, her expressions just as vivid. Hearing of Director Wen’s cold, her face shifted from bubbly enthusiasm to sympathetic concern, fine lines creasing her brow.

“Then take care to stay warm, Director Wen. Eat light these days and recover soon. We’ll catch up at the back restaurant later!”

…

After work, Wen Du raced against time. She hit the pharmacy first, got her medicine, then headed home along Lilac Street. Passing a flower shop, she caught the heady scent wafting out and slowed involuntarily.

Bailunting was a nation of flower lovers. Though North County City lay in the cooler north, it still basked in March’s bloom. Flower shops dotted every street, beloved by young and old alike.

Unable to resist the allure, Wen Du’s slowed steps halted. She turned and stepped into the floral sea of Summer Lotus Flower Shop. Sea holly, carnations, magnolias, and tulips cascaded from the polished wooden door, carpeting half the steps—as if the shop inside was already a mountain of blossoms with no room left, forcing the tulips to spill out in glorious display.

Seeing Wen Du enter, the shop owner dusted off her leather apron and called out, “Miss Wen, what flowers are you after today?”

Wen Du’s eyes roamed the selection. “These are all pre-arranged. I’d like to mix my own bouquet. Can you help, shopkeeper?”

“Of course.” Xia Lie turned and instructed, “Lu Binbin, mind the shop. Don’t just tally money—greet customers too.”

The flower-selling boy Lu Binbin clutched his calculator, shifting from the counter to the door to keep crunching numbers.

Inside the shop, racks partitioned off a workspace lined with neat rows of fresh-cut flowers. Opposite sat stacks of wrapping paper and ribbons. Customers could sit briefly, enjoy a pudding or herbal tea, and leave with a custom bouquet ready to go.

Wen Du perched on a high stool. Before she could speak, Xia Lie got to work, improvising a arrangement without prompting Miss Wen. Outside it was fine, but in the back, Xia Lie kept her head down the whole time, avoiding eye contact. She knew she’d messed up—not getting stabbed with shears would be Miss Wen’s mercy.

“Have all personnel tied to this incident pulled back?”

Xia Lie selected two yellow roses. “Mostly, but the Xili Town relay point is exposed to the Wei Investigation Institute now. Moving them would raise suspicions, so we’ve held off for the moment.”

Wen Du drew a deep breath. “Xia Lie, this isn’t the first time. I told you—consult me first. No acting without my approval!”

…

The Wei Investigation Institute’s cafeteria matched the office area’s refined style: ornate cornices on the walls, cherry wood accents everywhere, from the chair rails and door frames to the clock faces and the crystal chandelier overhead. It gave the operatives the feel of a five-star hotel.

On ordinary days, the menu was simple fare—braised eggplant, stewed potatoes, shredded chicken wraps. But tonight’s spread did Ji Tingxi proud: appetizers, mains, desserts, plus fruits and yogurt. The operatives dug in heartily, seizing the chance for some team bonding.

They knew this feast was thanks to Ji Tingxi winning over the dean, unleashing the kitchen’s full arsenal with meat dishes aplenty. Grateful, colleagues clustered in twos and threes, fruit juice in hand as a booze stand-in, chatting up Director Ji to get acquainted.

The juice had no kick, but after a few glasses, Ji Tingxi’s cheeks and neck flushed pink. Laughing freely in front of everyone with a tipsy glow, she snapped alert the moment the dining room’s dedicated phone rang, her eyes clearing instantly.

“Hello? What’s the situation?”

“Everything smooth. After Tai Mo and his helper entered the city, we searched the inn, including the goose pens—no anomalies. Tai Mo delivered the goose meat to the stall at Nante Market without any suspicious moves.”

“Good. Keep surveilling. Watch everyone coming and going from the inn.”

Everyone else savored their meals, oblivious to Ji Tingxi squeezing in overtime. Only Ruo Xing from Special Action had eyes only for his director. He’d volunteered as driver earlier; now seeing her alone in the corner, he hurried over.

“Director, everything okay?”

Ji Tingxi hung up the receiver, her face still rosy, her gaze half-genuine, half-playful as it swept the tableside crowd: some eating quietly, others murmuring conversations, pouring drinks, or serving dishes. Each face matched the names and roles she’d memorized, reinforcing the impressions.

“Little Ruo, do you know who didn’t show tonight?”

It was a tricky question—even if the dean called roll with the roster, it might not clarify. But Ruo Xing had just networked through General Affairs, scooping up gossip. Hearing it, he grinned ear to ear.

This one he knew!

“Director Ji, Section Chief Bai had something come up—his wife is ill.”

“I knew that.” Ji Tingxi’s eyes drifted to Special Action’s table. Bai Zhuo was her subordinate; she tracked her team’s every move best.

“And Information Room Director Wen. She caught a cold, didn’t want to risk spreading it, so she went for medicine.”

Ji Tingxi recalled the figure glimpsed that morning outside the Information Room door—a crisp white shirt, neatly styled hair ends, gentle brows and eyes, the whole silhouette hazy through the Eugen Curtain.

She glanced at the wall clock, her thoughts deepening.