Chapter 610: Discussing a Deal
Yuan Yao and Sima Xiao'er, who had just emerged from the illusion, declined Xu Huo's kindness with weak hands and feet. The two tacitly walked out of the room, then one entered the bedroom while the other prepared to return to the Special Defense Department.
The Painting Woman sent the scattered prop knives back to Sima Xiao'er. Sima Xiao'er no longer remembered the process of being beaten just now and sincerely thanked her.
The Painting Woman also smiled shyly, her big watery eyes blinking at him.
Sima Xiao'er opened his mouth, originally wanting to say something else, but when he saw Xu Huo coming out of the room behind him, he immediately swallowed his words and turned around to leave without a second thought.
The Painting Woman was puzzled for a moment, but quickly closed the door and trotted over to Xu Huo, "Can you give me some pocket money?"
Xu Huo looked at her seriously, "Where does all your money go?"
The Painting Woman shyly offered her phone and opened a game app.
Xu Huo took the phone from her hand, and a few seconds later returned it to her, "Play fewer games, it's not healthy."
The Painting Woman found that her game had been deleted, raised her fist to hit him, but Xu Huo pressed her head down, "How about this: if you only play for two hours a day, your pocket money will double."
The Painting Woman nodded without hesitation and happily opened a TV drama.
Xu Huo didn't bother with her anymore. He checked the weather for the past few days, slept well, then drove Yuan Yao's car to the airport, where he bought two tickets to Jing City on the spot—yes, using public transportation.
Four days had passed since he openly "provoked" the Special Defense Department in the video. During these days, players kept flooding into Jing City. Several major blocks near the Special Defense Department headquarters were completely sealed off. As more and more strangers appeared in this area, some nearby residents fled with their families overnight.
In just a few days, the area around the Special Defense Department headquarters became a ghost town, though the number of drones was increasing.
"I wonder how many of these are players?" Team Leader Chang looked at the footage fed back by the drones. In the images, many people had already noticed the drone surveillance, but they didn't care—neither interfering with the drones nor avoiding them, clearly telling the Special Defense Department that they were players and they weren't leaving.
"Most of them are probably here to watch the excitement," Dai Wenqian adjusted his glasses. "They're harmless to the Special Defense Department. They might even help clean up some players."
"On various online platforms, including the Pioneer Forum, many people support Xu Huo. Some players also voice their support, thinking he's eliminating harm for the people. Some crowdfund, some contribute effort, all wanting to come to headquarters to help."
Team Leader Chang chuckled, "If only everyone were so worry-free."
However, based on data fed back from various entry points, the number of players was also considerable.
For those who had survived this long and still maintained their sanity, don't expect their psychology to be completely normal.
"If not handled properly, it could indeed cause problems," Dai Wenqian said. "According to my previous suggestion, it's best to lure the players into random instances in batches."
"Scattering the players across instances makes them easier to handle."
This was one of the partial plans to deal with the "Ten-Day Period." The headquarters had already voted to approve it. The only issue was dispersing the players—whether using decoys to lure them or force to drive them away—both required Xu Huo's cooperation.
Mentioning Xu Huo, Dai Wenqian's expression changed subtly. He didn't show anything in front of others, but instead said, "Xu Huo is a smart person. He won't be so irrational as to directly confront the headquarters. Even if he wanted to, he doesn't have that kind of ability."
After speaking, he glanced to the side and lowered his voice, "Professor Tang is here."
Team Leader Chang turned from the window, his face full of smiles again, "Finished talking with Team Leader Wu? It's really hard on you to make this trip."
Tang Guangbo was as refined as ever, dressed in neat casual clothes, standing in the busy corridor as if he were on a university lectern.
He gave a little attention to Dai Wenqian, who had automatically stepped back behind Team Leader Chang, then smiled and said, "It's nothing. We're all contributing to the country. Besides, I only know a bit of psychology, not much use."
Xu Huo's family, including his stepmother's relatives and the player Yu Qingqing, were all under supervision and couldn't move freely. But Tang Guangbo came and went at headquarters as usual. Although Minister Fan hadn't directly approached him, he had sought public relations measures from him through Team Leader Wu.
The headquarters handled the Twin Serpents incident quite quickly this time. Under normal circumstances, public opinion would have been favorable. The problem was the subsequent "Ten-Day Period," which had everyone on edge. The Special Defense Department also needed to prepare everyone for what was coming.
"Professor Tang is too modest." Team Leader Chang smiled amiably, not saying another word.
Tang Guangbo then looked at Dai Wenqian, "I remember you often follow Team Leader Song. Has he returned to headquarters yet?"
Dai Wenqian's expression turned unpleasant. Team Leader Chang answered for him, "Old Song is currently recuperating at home. Do you need him for something?"
"Last time, he asked me to do a psychological assessment for his players. I didn't have time to give it to him." Tang Guangbo took a document from his briefcase and handed it to him. "Team Leader Chang, please pass it on for me. Team Leader Wu and Team Leader Song don't get along well."
He left after speaking. Team Leader Chang flipped open a corner of the document, then quickly covered it again, saying to Dai Wenqian, "Old Song probably won't make it this time. Not only can he not stay at the main bureau, but he might even go to prison. Tell your players not to cause trouble during this sensitive period."
Dai Wenqian had already seen his name written at the top of the document, but facing the ever-smiling Team Leader Chang, he restrained his emotions and indicated he would follow his instructions.
After parting with Team Leader Chang, he quickly drove away from the Special Defense Department, took out another phone, and called an old friend.
"What's the matter?" Gu Yu's tone was unfriendly.
"We were friends once, after all," Dai Wenqian said with a smile. "You don't have to talk to me like I owe you money."
Gu Yu snorted coldly, "Aren't you thriving at the Special Defense Department? Can you still remember old friends? Bastard!"
The smile on Dai Wenqian's face quickly vanished, and his tone turned cold, "No more nonsense. I want to discuss a deal with you."
(Chapter End)