The Bureau of Order – Headquarters, Ninth Conference Room
The fluorescent lights sent a cold shiver, barely enough to illuminate the single round table at the center of the room.
In the dimmed light, Lin sat stiffly in a wooden chair more suitable for a tea house than an interrogation. The black-uniformed examiner seated across from him met his stare.
She was tall, with chestnut hair pinned neatly up, a steaming cup of tea in her hand.
Despite her warm tone and gentle expression, the chill in the air deepened with every word she spoke.
"Mr. Lin. Congratulations. You've been granted an early promotion from trainee to full agent. Welcome to the Bureau of Order."
Lin's fingers tightened imperceptibly on his knee, but his expression remained calm, unreadable.
".And why?" he asked softly.
The woman took a sip of tea before answering, at her ease.
"Rationality. Calm. Exceptional ability. But above all—"
She paused, setting down her cup. Her voice was soft, nearly gentle.
"—you have no memory of her."
The words brought a fleeting pause to Lin's heartbeat. He frowned slightly. "Her?"
The examiner's eyes did not leave his face. Her tone was as flat.
"Codename: Qingfeng. Status unknown. Affiliation uncertain. Highly deadly."
She leaned forward slightly. "You must close in—and take her in."
She had not spoken a name. Lin's gaze flicked, briefly, as if in search of a forgotten picture.
The examiner placed her right hand gently on the table. A pale gold glow uncoiled in her palm—
a flicker of psychic current, fine but precise.
She "read" Lin's face like a still ritual: calm, guarded, resisting… and something hidden deeper. A pull. A thread.
She said to herself, softly...
[Just as I'd feared. The memory of her is closed tight. Wind won't rattle such logic—but feeling might.]
---
".Psychic link."
High above, violet eyes opened against the night sky.
The wind whispered past her ears, carrying a far-off call from the past.
She didn't react to the shadow behind her.
Only pulled her coat tighter around her shoulders.
"Treating him like a piece on the board, aren't you?"
---
"So… you're asking me to go undercover?"
The woman said nothing, only handed him a black ID case.
"Welcome to the Bureau, Mr. Lin."
He hesitated. Brow furrowed, mouth parting as if to speak—then closing again. Finally, he said:
"…Understood. All in your command, Commander."
Ouyang Lan smiled sweetly. Her voice was still soft, though, and something inscrutable flickered beneath the surface.
"No need to be so formal, Mr. Lin. We'll… get to know each other in time."
She extended her hand with a smile.
"Let me introduce myself again. I'm Ouyang Lan. Your immediate supervisor."
Her voice shifted from official-sounding to almost casual as she continued,
"In a moment, I'll introduce you to your new partner—also your senior—,"
Knock! Knock! Knock!
Lin turned, with his eyes locked on the door.
The persistent knocking broke in upon Ouyang Lan mid-sentence. She blinked, surprised, but rose to open it.
A panting woman dashed in, a crumpled report clutched in her hand.
"Commander Ouyang! Emergency report—"
She swallowed, holding out the page.
"Qingfeng—she's likely to act again!"
---