Chapter 63: Bad Timing?

Lin Xiao gently closed the files and said with a serious expression, "My shop is probably surrounded by Golden Treasure's spies right now. You must be extremely careful when you leave."

He paused for a moment and added, "Don't forget, last night their original plan was to kidnap you as well."

Hearing this, Huang Lingzhao smiled and said, "Have you forgotten my superpower? I know there are spies outside your door—three in total. But how could they possibly catch me?"

Only then did Lin Xiao realize: in this labyrinthine city, unless one wanted to commit a crime in broad daylight, trying to catch a young girl who possessed the "Information Overlord" superpower was nothing short of a pipe dream.

Once she activated her superpower, the movements of everyone within a hundred-meter radius would be presented clearly in her mind like a chessboard, and no tracker could escape her "God's-eye view."

Guided by the "optimal decision," she could shake off her tails completely after turning just a few street corners.

Nevertheless, Lin Xiao insisted, "Just to be safe, I'll help draw away some of their attention."

With that, he stood up, pushed open the door of the parlor, and strode out toward the street.

Huang Lingzhao watched his departing back in confusion. Just as she was wondering what was going on, the parlor door pushed open once again, and another Lin Xiao walked in.

Only this time, the Lin Xiao was dressed in an exquisitely tailored caramel-colored trench coat, which made his figure appear even taller and more slender.

"This is...?" Huang Lingzhao blinked.

The trench-coat-wearing Lin Xiao smiled faintly. "The one who just went out was my phantom; this is my real body."

He pointed to his wrist, where he wore a bracelet identical to Huang Lingzhao's.

Only then did Huang Lingzhao understand. No wonder the previous Lin Xiao hadn't worn a bracelet, and had only poured a single cup of water.

This realization caused her to puff out her cheeks involuntarily. "So you chatted with me for so long using a phantom?"

Lin Xiao helplessly rubbed his temples, where faint dark circles still lingered under his eyes. "I haven't closed my eyes for two consecutive nights, and I simply couldn't manage to wake up early. I had no choice but to use a phantom clone to receive you and let my real body sleep a little longer."

Seeing his exhausted expression, Huang Lingzhao's heart softened, and her petty annoyance vanished instantly.

The thought that Lin Xiao had actually shared the secret of his "phantom" clone with her made her feel a subtle sense of happiness bubbling up inside.

"It's safe to leave now." Lin Xiao looked out the window. "Two of the spies have been lured away by the phantom."

Huang Lingzhao nodded, said goodbye to him, and pushed the door open to step outside.

The moment she stepped onto the street, she immediately activated her superpower.

Sure enough, the single remaining spy was pretending to read a magazine at a newsstand. Seeing Huang Lingzhao emerge, he immediately put down the newspaper and began to tail her stealthily.

The corners of Huang Lingzhao's lips curled up slightly as she turned and melted into the crowd.

After a few deft turns, that unfortunate spy completely lost his target and could only stand dazedly on the spot, looking around in all directions.

Meanwhile, Lin Xiao seized this gap to quickly leave the shop.

He pulled down the brim of his hat and slipped into a taxi parked by the roadside waiting for passengers.

"To the Tax Building," Lin Xiao told the driver.

As the vehicle started moving, he looked through the rear window and saw his phantom swaggering toward the bus stop in the opposite direction, with two men in black trailing him with furtive movements.

Lin Xiao looked forward to the look of stunned astonishment on their faces once the phantom vanished around the corner.

The vehicle drove smoothly along the streets bathed in morning light. Lin Xiao gazed at the scenery flashing past outside the window, replaying the conversation he had just had in his mind.

After he dialed the number on the business card, a female secretary who introduced herself as Li Ting answered.

Upon confirming that Chen Xin had time to see him today, Lin Xiao hurried over immediately.

In less than twenty minutes, the taxi stopped in front of the solemn tax bureau building.

Lin Xiao looked up at the tall pillars of the tax building's main hall, straightened the collar of his trench coat, and walked toward the security booth at the entrance.

"Hello, sir. Do you have an appointment?" The duty guard was a stern-looking middle-aged man.

"Yes, with Bureau Chief Chen Xin." Lin Xiao handed over his citizen ID card. "My surname is Lin."

After verifying Lin Xiao's identity, the guard picked up the internal telephone and confirmed in a low voice.

Before long, the crisp sound of high heels echoed from the elevator lobby.

"Are you Mr. Lin?" A young woman wearing a dark blue uniform skirt walked over briskly, her shoulder-length black hair swaying gently with her steps.

Upon seeing Lin Xiao, her eyes lit up noticeably.

She extended her hand and said, "Mr. Lin, very nice to meet you. I am Bureau Chief Chen's assistant, Li Ting."

Lin Xiao was slightly stunned. Was this the ubiquitous treatment reserved for handsome men?

He certainly didn't believe that Secretary Li would be this enthusiastic no matter who came.

As the two of them shook hands lightly, Lin Xiao was also sizing up Li Ting.

He didn't know much about Chen Xin; through her secretary, Lin Xiao could glean more information about her.

The assistant before him not only possessed an outstanding appearance, but her every gesture also exuded an elite temperament.

This came as a slight surprise to him, considering that within the official system, female leaders usually chose not to have subordinates who were too dazzling.

"Sorry to trouble you, Director Li."

Lin Xiao withdrew his hand and nodded politely in greeting.

Lin Xiao noticed that her employment badge was printed with the words "Deputy Director of the Office," clearly indicating she was more than just an ordinary secretary.

Li Ting made a "this way" gesture, led him across the spacious and bright lobby, and then stepped into the elevator alcove.

"Bureau Chief Chen is in a very bad mood today," Li Ting whispered a warning as the elevator stopped on the eighth floor. "Be careful in a bit."

Lin Xiao immediately nodded to express his gratitude. "Thank you for the warning, Director Li!"

Although he was grateful, his heart still skipped a beat: As Chen Xin's secretary, isn't it a bit inappropriate to secretly leak the answer to me like this?

If anyone else received this piece of information, it could be said to be immensely helpful, and they would choose a much more tactful way to converse with Chen Xin.

Yet, it was practically useless to Lin Xiao.

Regardless of whether Chen Xin was in a good mood or not, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and barge right in!

Lin Xiao already began to worry whether he had picked the wrong time to come today.

Li Ting pushed open the solid wood door at the end of the eastern corridor, and Lin Xiao walked in alone.

The rising morning sun streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, flooding the entire office with light. Chen Xin sat composedly behind a large desk, her silhouette outlined with a golden rim against the backlight as her fountain pen drew smooth lines across the documents.

Hearing the commotion, she looked up, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Lin Xiao, you are a sensible person. I thought you wouldn't come."

Lin Xiao: "..."

Is the opening move really this difficult?

This was clearly a welcome that spelled out her unwelcomeness!

Lin Xiao answered honestly, "I had no other choice, so I can only come and trouble you."

Chen Xin shook her head. Instead of asking what business Lin Xiao had, she spoke on her own accord, "There are far too many people around me flattering and currying favor on ordinary days, making it difficult to hear any truth. You are a straightforward person; there is a matter about which I would like to hear your opinion."

Lin Xiao sat up straight.

As long as she was willing to communicate and didn't chase him away directly, there was still a chance.

He instantly gathered his focus, waiting for Chen Xin to speak.