Chapter 11: The Enigma of Counterterrorism

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Lin Xu sat up on the bed. At that moment, the number on his wristband displayed a “2.” Two chances left. However, he was not in a hurry to re-enter the wristband world. Instead, he first sat at the computer and updated three new pieces of information in the clue document.

First, there was no office for either himself or Jiang Xingye within the headquarters of Sky Dome Technology.

Second, he had access to the president’s office, which strongly suggested he had once been the president of Sky Dome Technology.

Third, both he and Jiang Xingye possessed extraordinarily high-level permissions, especially Jiang Xingye, whose alert radius extended beyond the entire company to the entire city.

Any two of these pieces of information together could be easily explained. Not finding an office but having been president likely meant he had been transferred and assigned elsewhere. High permissions could be attributed to a high position.

But the problem was, with all three facts combined, things became quite illogical. If he had been transferred, why retain such permissions, even to the point of free access to the president’s office? If he had such high authority, how could he not even have a basic office at headquarters after being transferred?

These pieces of information contradicted each other logically, leaving Lin Xu puzzled.

—In any case, it was impossible to locate Jiang Xingye by way of the office. She was not at the Sky Dome Technology headquarters.

Perhaps he should try to obtain her contact information? Maybe call her?

In the wristband world, before taking any action, to avoid being monitored, he carried no personal communication devices.

But... he didn’t have one, yet surely others did?

With so many people leaving Sky Dome Technology’s campus after work, borrowing a phone would be easy.

All he needed was Jiang Xingye’s contact info.

Where to find it?

The HR office?

Exactly.

Lin Xu perked up. Despite some bumps along the way, he felt he was getting close to the truth.

It was still early, just past one o’clock.

There was time to go in once more, then take a nap, and later go out to eat with this world’s Jiang Xingye.

Perfect!

Lin Xu lightly touched the wristband; the next moment, his consciousness was once again drawn away...

...

“So you…”

“Shut up.”

Lin Xu didn’t give Skull Head a chance to speak. He quickly stripped off his bulletproof vest and helmet, then asked Skull Head:

“Who among you brought a phone?”

“A phone? Such an old-fashioned term...” Skull Head twisted the corner of his mouth and said, “Don’t worry. As per your orders, before the operation started, we destroyed all personal communication devices.”

“There isn’t a single one of those... phones here.”

“We are secure. So, are we starting the mission?”

Well, he really had professional integrity.

I told you not to bring them, and you didn’t. Isn’t that just making things harder for me?

Lin Xu shook his head and replied:

“No need.”

“Situation has changed. Mission on hold.”

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“I’m going in first to take a look. You wait here.”

“I’m coming with you!”

Skull Head spoke decisively, but Lin Xu barely acknowledged him, only tossing out, “If you’re coming, hurry up,” before swiftly heading toward security.

Iris scan, registration, all done in one smooth motion.

Lin Xu and Skull Head entered the lobby one after another and took the elevator straight to the 15th floor.

That was where the Human Resources Department of Sky Dome Technology headquarters was located. Lin Xu remembered there was an office marked “HRD,” the Human Resources Director.

If he could get into that office, with his permissions, opening a computer would most likely grant him access to Sky Dome Technology’s personnel information.

Once he had that info, he could easily borrow someone’s phone outside and call Jiang Xingye.

Plan check √.

Lin Xu’s steps never faltered; he moved as if he was walking a familiar path.

Seeing this, Skull Head couldn’t help but ask:

“You’re not the boss, so are you going home?”

“How do you know so well? What do you mean? Are you a mole?”

“You’ve asked that countless times already. Every time, I have to think about how to answer.”

Lin Xu glanced at Skull Head helplessly, then said:

“Promise me, if I don’t speak, don’t ask any more questions, okay?”

Sure enough, Skull Head stayed silent, making a “received” tactical hand sign, then obediently shut up.

The elevator reached the 15th floor. As soon as the door opened, Lin Xu stepped out immediately.

Relying on his memory from last time, he quickly found the Human Resources Director’s office — but to his surprise, the light inside was on.

Different from last time.

Someone was in the office!

Lin Xu cautiously pushed the door open and froze for a moment when he saw the man inside.

He recognized him.

It was the same man he had encountered in the exhibition hall.

The man looked up at him at the same time.

“Oh? President Lin?”

“Coming back to the company so late?”

“Yeah, just had some things to discuss with you.”

Lin Xu showed no change of expression.

Without a doubt, this man with the nameplate “He Xin” was the current HR Director of Sky Dome Technology.

Truly, just like coming home to a pillow when wanting to sleep, or going to an uncle when longing for family.

Since he was here, Lin Xu didn’t need to struggle to open the computer or figure out permissions.

He could just ask him directly!

Lin Xu stepped into the office. He Xin smiled broadly and said:

“You work too hard... If you need anything, just tell me. I’m always on standby.”

“You work hard too,” Lin Xu courteously replied, then asked:

“Do you have the latest employee roster here? Including names and contact info?”

“Yes, yes. Do you want me to open it for you now, or send it to you later?”

He Xin was enthusiastic, further confirming Lin Xu’s suspicion.

His position in the company was definitely high. It was very likely that stepping down as president was just a normal personnel transfer. Maybe he had been appointed to an even more powerful role.

Since that was the case, Lin Xu decided not to hold back.

Power was meant to be used.

He said:

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“No need to send it to me. I just want to find one person.”

“Jiang Xingye. Do you have her information?”

After he spoke, He Xin was momentarily stunned.

Lin Xu clearly noticed the flicker in the other man’s eyes several times.

But soon, his expression returned to normal.

“Yes, yes.”

He Xin cleared his throat and said:

“However, her information is classified. I can’t retrieve it here.”

“President Lin, why don’t you wait here for a moment? I’ll go get it for you.”

“No problem.”

Lin Xu nodded and walked over to sit on a nearby sofa.

Skull Head stood silently beside him, adopting a protective stance.

He Xin glanced at the two men, then quickly left the office.

Lin Xu had no idea where he was going to find Jiang Xingye’s information or how long it would take.

But instinctively, it made sense that Jiang Xingye’s data would be classified and require a special retrieval process.

So, he waited.

Leaning back on the sofa with his eyes closed to rest, Lin Xu waited a full five minutes, but He Xin still hadn’t returned.

Would it really take that long?

Lin Xu walked over to the window and looked out at the night view.

Just then, he suddenly noticed red and blue flashing lights on the road outside the Sky Dome Technology campus.

Then, faint sirens sounded.

Before he could understand what was happening, Skull Head, who had just sat down, suddenly stood up sharply.

At that moment, he ignored Lin Xu’s order to keep silent.

He quietly listened to the intelligence coming through his concealed earpiece, then cursed angrily:

“Damn!”

“Boss, are you serious?!”

“Your mole identity has been exposed! Someone has called the police!”

“Quick, we have to get out of here!”

“If we don’t leave now, it’ll be too late!”

“What’s going on?!”

Lin Xu was dumbfounded.

Police called?

Why call the police?

I just wanted one piece of information, and they called the police??

“Don’t ask why!”

Skull Head’s face was tense to the extreme.

“We have to leave immediately!”

“Forget the mission. We can’t fight them!”

“They’re not cops! They’re the damn military!”

“Anti-terrorist forces... they’re here for counter-terrorism!”

“They’ll take us out without any reason!”