Warning: Self-destruct program has been activated. Countdown: 5 seconds, 5, 4, 3...
Shen Yao: !!!
A thought literally moved through her mind, and it was the only one: There was no doubt - this office over there was going to explode!!
When the countdown reached 1, Shen instinctively closed her eyes and her body also slightly leaned backward to avoid danger. But the expected explosion sound didn't occur. All she heard was a faint "click" sound of the door closing.
Shen Yao slowly opened her eyes. The office door had been closed from the outside. Someone had just pushed the door open from the outside again.
Slender fingertips with distinct bones, a tall and slender figure. Although the mask obscured the face, the first impression from the eyes and eyebrows was quite profound, catching one's attention.
"Shen Yao?" The man's voice was unusually calm and gentle.
"Yes." Shen Yao was still a bit confused.
The man removed the mask, revealing a face that was even more delicate and well-defined than before the mask was taken off. Then he asked briefly: "Did you registered yesterday?"
He knew about her employment details. He must be a senior colleague of the bureau.
"Right." Shen Yao also came to her senses.
Noticing that the man's gaze was fixed on her workstation, she glanced over and added, "I haven't been assigned to any department yet. Mr. Zhang said that I should first follow him to study in the field of personnel for a while, and handle some projects. So I sit here first."
The man gave her another glance and said gently, "He is busy today. You can come with me to check on the case."
Huh?
Shen Yao was surprised.
But since the man could say that, it must have been agreed upon with Zhang. Shen Yao promptly changed her tone and smiled, "OK."
The man looked at her again.
"Could you please tell me your name...?" Shen Yao didn't know his name yet.
On each transfer file of the Special Immigration Bureau, there was a watermark stating "Top Secret". The man could clearly call out her name and had even read her file. At least he was at the same rank as Zhang. But she still didn't know his name and department.
"Chen Nian." The man said succinctly.
The name means long-ago events.
Shen Yao blinked her eyes.
"Let's go." Chen Nian turned around.
Shen Yao quickly grabbed her bag and followed. As she passed by the stamping room opposite, everything was normal. It was as if all the previous events were just an illusion caused by a misunderstanding...
Shen Yao was stunned.
*
"Last year, you went to the News Department, right?" Chen's voice was deep with a mildness in it.
"Yes, I worked in the News Department for a year." Shen Yao replied, feeling that this was the voice she had ever heard that is most similar to a bronze-textured swan feather.
In an elective class in the university, the professor asked them to close their eyes and imagine what the most touching sound in their minds should sound like, and then describe it. She blurted out: "The sound of the bronze vessels, like the feathers of a swan..."
The professor seems very interested: "Could you please explain it? "
She explained generously that it was like the feathers of a swan, gentle and delicate, yet also like the texture of bronze, heavy, deep, and magnetic.
The professor was very interested: "If you hear this kind of sound, please remember to tell me..."
The car changed lanes, and Shen Yao immediately focused her mind.
Unexpectedly, she heard the voice here.
Chen's gaze fell on the left rearview mirror, and he said gently: "I've read your file. Welcome to the Special Immigration Bureau."
Shen Yao gave a polite smile.
Having gone through her file, that means there's no need for her to introduce herself any further.
The simple words "Welcome to the Special Immigration Bureau" are of a completely different style from Zhang's words.
Shen Yao was thinking in her mind when Chen Nian looked at her. "It's a twenty-minute drive from here. There are some materials in the armrest box that you can browse it first."
After Chen Nian finished speaking, Shen Yao immediately gave a response and then did as she was told.
Zhang is very worldly-wise and tactful. Chen, on the other hand, gives the impression of being more of a doer.
Concentrating her thoughts, Shen Yao's attention began to focus on the stack of documents in her hand.
No wonder it's said that "a twenty-minute drive""browse first". This thick stack of documents really can only be browsed for now. For a long time after that, Shen Yao's gaze was fixed on the materials, completely absorbed.
SIB [Ret. 19950068]
SIB [Reg. 20250111005193]
SIB [Urg: 202501102]
...
Chen Nian looked at her through the rearview mirror, Shen Yao didn't notice it. She continued to flip through the pages of the documents at a steady pace.
Chen Nian withdrew his gaze.
*
The SIB is located in the southern part of the city. During the morning rush hour, there is no congestion when traveling from the southern part to the western part of the city. Chen Nian drove the car very steadily. Shen Yao was reading the documents the whole time and time passed very quickly.
The parking spaces on the roadside can be parked directly without reversing. The car stops smoothly. when Chen Nian said "It's done", Shen Yao was late to catch on.
Here is Nanshanyuan community. SIBI [Ret. 19950068], the file Shen just read, was about the place. Shen Yao was so absorbed in her work that she didn't notice the time.
"Should we bring the documents along?" Shen Yao asked before getting out of the car.
"No need."
Nanshanyuan is a residential community located in the west of the Nancheng. It has been in operation for about twenty or thirty years since its establishment. At that time, the concept of residential communities was still relatively rare, and Nanshanyuan was at the forefront of the times. The facilities were now old and the supporting was not perfect. There were many peeling paint areas on the exterior walls, and the sinks and greenery also urgently needed maintenance. Most of the residents in this community are elderly people. At this moment, they were carrying their grocery bags and walking with a wobbly gait.
The community has no underground parking lot. There aren't many parking spaces on the ground, but most of them are empty. Just like the age of the community, it seems rather desolate. At the time of its establishment, there was few elevator in the residential areas. The elevators that were later built were mostly for old-style residences over six floors. Places like Nanshanyuan, which had only four floors, rarely had elevators built later.
Shen Yao remembered the house number. Room 301, Building 3. The iron door of the building was covered with advertisements for lock-picking, renting and broadband. The password lock on the door could be easily pushed open with a little effort. The cold wind rushed into the corridor with a loud whistling sound.
Shen Yao closed the door, and the heavy sound of the closing door "clicked" prolonged. The stairs in the old-style residential area are not very high, so it's not tiring to climb them. However, to go to the next floor, one has to walk from one end of the corridor to the other.
Outside the door of 301, Shen Yao rang the doorbell.
The file of the case [19950068] was about a lady named Wu Guifang. The file contains photos she took in 1995. At that time, she was 40 years old. The appearance in the photos does not look much different from her actual age. Thirty years have passed. She should now be in her seventies.
There was a short sound of footsteps. Someone opened the door. What caught Shen's eyes was a kind face. Although the years had left their marks on the face, it was still recognizable as the same person as in the official photo.
With Chen Nian present, Shen Yao did not clamor for attention, but prepared a brief self-introduction in advance in her mind.
The old lady immediately recognized Chen Nian. Her eyes first showed surprise, then a gentle and intelligent smile appeared. "Chen."
Do they know each other?
Shen Yao felt unexpected. The 1995 file dates back 30 years. Chen Nian also looked like 30 years old at most.
"Long time no see. How are you doing?" Wu Guifang greeted.
"Fine." Chen Nian nodded, still speaking in concisely.
"Come in and sit down." Wu Guifang gestured to the empty seat after her, and then glanced at Shen Yao again.
Shen Yao politely greeted, "Hello, Grandma Wu."
Although Wu Guifang's eyes showed a fleeting expression of surprise, she still gave a gentle smile, as if enveloped in a warm breeze.
The winter in Nancheng is very cold, but there is heating in the house, and warmth pervades everywhere.
Shen Yao was deeply impressed by Wu Guifang. She wore a plain-colored cheongsam, with no hair ornaments or light makeup on her face. But whether she was standing at the door just now or sitting in the rattan chair in the room now, she exuded a sense of sophistication and elegance.
"May I ask who you are?" Wu Guifang asked.
Shen Yao was very generous. "I'm Shen Yao. I just registered in the Special Immigration Bureau."
Shen Yao could sense that Wu seemed to understand a lot after hearing the words "just registered".
"You've all worked hard. It's not easy to do things in this department." said Wu Guifang in a gentle and ordinary tone.
Chen Nian spoke up, "How's everything at home?"
When the topic was brought up, Wu Guifang's eyes once again sparkled with a spring-like smile. She said kindly, "All is well. Wenchu got married two years ago. Her husband is an associate professor of physics at the same university of her. They are a perfect match. Last year, they had a daughter named Miantao. She's very cute."
Shen Yao could tell that when she mentioned her family, her tone was full of affection. It's a very harmonious family.
"You don't live with them?" Chen Nian's tone was as peaceful as Wu.
Wu Guifang shook her head with a smile, "No. Young people have their own lives. They will come to visit me here when they have time. I've been living here for decades and not willing to move away."
No wonder...
Shen Yao thought that Wu Guifang's dress and appearance didn't seem like other elderlies who still lived here. She knew that all matters related to the Special Immigration Bureau must be about immigration for special reasons. The mark "ret" should represent the meaning of "return visit", so they were here for a return visit this time. However, Wu Guifang doesn't look much like an overseas immigrant...
Shen Yao was puzzled in her heart.
"Chen, thank you." Wu Guifang suddenly spoke up, her eyes filled with gratitude, contentment and contradiction, all mixed up together.
Chen Ying asked softly, "Have you thought it through?"
Wu Guifang nodded. "My wish has been fulfilled. I have no more attachments. I'm no longer mired in the dust of the world."
Shen Yao didn't understand. But Chen Nian should have understood. Shen Yao looked at him curiously. Chen Nian said: "The bureau will mail the documents over these days. Once you sign them, contact us. Then I'll have Shen Yao come and pick them up."
Shen Yao was completely confused.
Wu Guifang smiled at her again: "Thanks for your hardworking, Shen."
Shen Yao quickly gave a smile. Wu's smile was kind and gentle, and it gave her a strange sense of reassurance.
"Then we'll be off." Chen Nian stood up. Wu Guifang also got up. At the door, Chen Nian stopped and said, "You don't need to see me off."
Wu Guifang readily accepted the advice: "Well, then, goodbye." Chen Nian nodded: "Wish you safe and sound."
"Safe and sound." Wu Guifang pursed her lips. "Chen, thank you so much at that time."
"It's my job. It's what I should do." Chen Nian said.
"Goodbye, Shen." Wu Guifang greeted her. Shen Yao also quickly responded, "Goodbye, Grandma Wu."
Wu Guifang watched them all the way to the corner, down the stairs, and to the next corner.
Shen Yao finally heard the sound of the door closing.
...
After getting into the car, Shen Yao fastened her seat belt, her mind full of questions, wondering if she should take the initiative to ask Chen Nian.
Chen Nian spoke first: "The case of Wu Guifang will be handed over to you after."
"Okay." Shen Yao quickly jotted it down. Although she still had no idea how to proceed, she felt a little nervous and excited at the same time for taking on a case for the first time.
The car started, still smoothly, just like Chen Nian's personality.
Nanshanyuan is very remote, with countless turns and small paths along the way. But Shen Yao found that Chen Nian didn't have the habit of using a navigation system when driving. It seems that all these routes are engraved in his mind.
She had never asked Chen Nian which department he was in, but now she thought it must be the one that goes on the most field trips.
Zhang said that the bureau is too busy to have a dedicated onboarding training. She'll get the hang of it after he took her around a few times for the cases. In fact, she doesn't even know how many departments there are in the Special Immigration Bureau. It was only today that she seemed to have a vague idea of the fieldwork of the Special Immigration Bureau. The "SIB [ret] 19950068" refers to the return visit mission of the special immigration program designated as No. 0068 in 1995.
"Are we going straight back to the bureau?" Shen Yao asked.
"We've got another return visit." Chen Nian said. Shen Yao flipped through the file folder. There was indeed another return visit, and it was also a document started by "SIB [ret]".
Chen Nian looked at her through the rearview mirror again. She should have found it by now.
"SIB [Ret] 20212743. Is this the special immigration file of 2021?" Shen Yao asked.
"Uh-huh."
"Then Wu Guifang was a special immigrant in 1995?" Shen Yao looked at him.
"Uh-huh."
"What kind of immigration?" Shen Yao asked in a tone that suggested she wasn't sure whether she should ask or not, but she did anyway.
Just then the traffic light ahead turned red and the car came to a stop. Chen Nian turned his head to look at her. Shen Yao held her breath, for she had a vague suspicion and some inkling, but she wasn't sure and still dared not believe it.
Before Shen Yao felt that Chen Nian's gaze had seen through her, Chen Nian's phone rang. Chen Nian turned his head. The Bluetooth earphone was on. Shen Yao couldn't hear clearly what was said, only to hear Chen Nian's calm reply: "I am... Alright, I'm going now. It'll take about ten minutes."
Just as the green light came on, Chen Nian changed lanes from the straight lane to the left-turn lane and asked: "have you brought your work license?"
Shen Yao thought for a moment: "I have a temporary work license..."
"Take it."
Shen Yao hurriedly did as told. She had always thought that the temporary lisence was only for entering and leaving the bureau. When she came out of the Special Immigration Bureau, she took it out of her bag and put it around her neck in a hurry after hearing Chen Nian mention it.
The previous topic was interrupted by this phone call.
*
The car pulled over and Shen Yao got out after Chen Nian.
"Xiaqing Amusement Park."
Shen Yao suddenly recalled her impression of this place.
It's a very popular water park when she was a child. There used to be crowded with people in summer. In recent years, it has gradually faded from view due to the rise of other large amusement parks, and Shen Yao hasn't been here for a long time.
They were at the side gate of Xiaqing Amusement Park. There were police officers on duty here.
"Special Immigration Bureau, Chen Nian." Chen Nian took out his work lisence. Shen Yao glanced at it but didn't see the department. However, someone from the police seemed to recognize Chen Nian and walked up to him: "Commissioner Chen."
Commissioner Chen?
Shen Yao: "..."