Chapter 154: 148, I want to challenge, I want to be the group leader (please subscribe to the monthly pass).
The next day, Lu Lin woke up from his 1.8-meter large bed, put on his clothes, and as soon as he walked out of the room door, he heard a series of chirping sounds from outside.
Oh, it’s Xiao Ru’s little pets, he thought.
Zhou Ziqiang had already gotten used to living with a pampered young miss and many little darlings. He would wake up in the morning and, without washing his face or brushing his teeth, open a bag of Premium Pet Food to feed the various little animals.
Whether it was a turtle, a little rabbit, a small fox, or a big white dog, they all devoured the Premium Pet Food with gusto.
"Ziqiang, you’re up early."
"Hmm, good morning, Mr. Lu. I’ve gotten accustomed to this lifestyle."
"However, were you woken up by the noise these little guys made?" Zhou Ziqiang asked, looking embarrassed.
"I was looking at houses nearby yesterday. There’s a small two-bedroom place that’s affordably priced, and I’m planning on buying it."
"Buy what? There’s no need. You and Xiao Ru can just continue to live here," Lu Lin said.
"Look at the size of this place; it’s rather uncomfortable for me to live here alone."
"It’s just that Zuo Yiming and the others aren’t studying here in Chongnuo City; otherwise, I’d invite them to move in. It would be so lively if we all lived together."
"Alright, enough about that. I need to head out for a while. I’ll treat you guys to a feast at noon," Lu Lin said after he finished washing up.
He had turned in a Kongming White Ape to the Star Investigation Office yesterday, which should have netted him at least one billion Federation Coins. Considering Long Qianli’s personality and the Star Investigation Office’s efficiency, he reckoned the money would be in his account within a day or two.
At that point, he could afford to treat Zhou Ziqiang to grand meals every day without any issue.
"There’s no need, Mr. Lu. That would be too much of an expense for you," Zhou Ziqiang said.
"I cooked some porridge this morning and fried a few dough sticks. Would you like to try some?"
Lu Lin looked at Zhou Ziqiang with curiosity, not having expected him to know how to cook.
"Really? Let me try."
Zhou Ziqiang had lost his mother at a young age, so he lived with his father and his little sister.
His father was the deputy team leader of the Detective Department’s Martial Artists Team and was rarely home.
If Zhou Ziqiang didn’t cook, they wouldn’t have anything to eat.
Gradually, after cooking for so many years, while Zhou Ziqiang wouldn’t claim to be an excellent chef, his dishes were at least quite palatable.
Lu Lin ate two bowls of porridge and polished off a few dough sticks, then gave Zhou Ziqiang a thumbs-up.
"Since you can cook, I’ll leave the cooking to you from now on. I’ll buy all the ingredients and vegetables; you can decide what to make with them."
"Eating at home is much healthier anyway."
"Alright, Mr. Lu, leave it to me!" Zhou Ziqiang readily agreed.
In fact, deep down, he cherished a dream: one day, he would become a figure like the Food God Liu Han, whose name alone would make Alien Races and exotic beasts tremble in fear.
For now, I’ll focus on honing my cooking skills, he thought. As for my actual ability, that can develop slowly.
Lu Lin drove straight to Hua Qing Water Yard. Chen Shanshan was already at work, holding a bowl of tofu pudding and sipping it.
Lu Lin glanced at her. Heh, heresy! Adding sugar to tofu pudding! Unfathomable.
Lu Lin snorted and walked down the stairs, leaving Chen Shanshan looking at him with a puzzled expression.
He only found out later that there were stairs next to this "moving elevator." Young people should take the stairs more often and use the elevator less; it’s good for their health, he mused.
Arriving at Director Long’s office, Lu Lin was about to knock when Director Long’s voice came from inside.
"Come in."
Lu Lin pushed the door open and entered, only to see a woman he had hoped never to meet again.
That cool, silent woman.
"Little Lu, you’re here."
"Have you had breakfast?"
"Yes, I have."
"Director Long, is there something you called me here for?" Lu Lin asked, keeping his distance from Chen Xiran and not moving to sit down.
The reason I didn’t say anything to Chen Xiran yesterday was because it was a workday, and she was being haughty. I couldn’t neglect my work to bicker with her. But today is different. I don’t have any work tasks, so why should I be pleasant to her? So what if she’s beautiful? She’s not my wife; I’m not going to coddle her!
Director Long didn’t say anything, letting Lu Lin remain standing.
"I want to inform you that you’ve passed the assessment for Elite Investigators. Your ability is rated at Level Three Stars."
"Your benefits and remuneration will also increase. You can review the specifics yourself later."
"Level Three Stars?" Chen Xiran, who was beside Lu Lin, suddenly exclaimed in surprise.
"Director Long, isn’t that wrong? Didn’t you say this guy was only at Level 2 Peak?"
"And he just joined, yet he’s already an Elite Investigator?"
"I’m currently at Level 3 Peak, and my ability assessment is only Level Three, Two Stars. My rank is just Senior Investigator. On what grounds does *he* qualify for that?"
This woman is really starting to annoy me, Lu Lin thought. No matter how strong you are, your current duty is to work under Director Long. You still have to follow basic workplace etiquette. Blatantly challenging a supervisor’s authority like this... she won’t even know what hit her when she faces repercussions later.
"Xi Ran, Lu Lin subdued three Level 3 Peak criminals yesterday, all of whom had blood on their hands. Do you think you could have done that?" Director Long stated.
"The rule here at the Star Investigation Office is that we determine combat ability ranking based on achievements, not Cultivation level."
"Hmph, what’s the big deal? Just three Level 3 Peak criminals. I could subdue them single-handedly," Chen Xiran muttered discontentedly, though she did close her mouth.
Internally, however, she was already plotting. As soon as Director Long finished with the arrangements, she would challenge Lu Lin directly and show him that not just anyone is qualified for a Level Three Stars rating.
"Alright then. Lu Lin, receive your orders," Director Long said.
"Sir!" Lu Lin snapped his legs together and replied with a solemn expression.
"Lu Lin is hereby appointed as the group leader of the Nineteenth Group, Chongnuo City branch of the Star Investigation Office. Group members: Lu Lin, Chen Xiran, and Fang Gang."
"We hope you will live up to the profound trust of the Federal Citizens and the Star Investigation Office, and advance bravely on the path of combating crime."
"Sir! Lu Lin accepts the order!" Lu Lin declared loudly.
He subconsciously glanced at Chen Xiran beside him. My group member... surely it can’t be this annoying woman, can it?
"Director Long, you called me here just for this?" Chen Xiran instantly jumped to her feet. "I refuse! I will not be a member of Lu Lin’s group!"
With her level of ’wisdom,’ it’s hardly surprising she wouldn’t think to discuss issues privately with the leadership, Lu Lin thought, a faint smile playing on his lips. He didn’t want this scatterbrained woman in his group either. Still, it’s better if she’s the one to raise the objection, not me.
"Please rest assured, Director Long," Lu Lin declared. "I will surely lead my group members Chen Xiran and Fang Gang to become a sharp blade for the Star Investigation Office, serving the Federation and its citizens wholeheartedly."
"You, Lu!" Chen Xiran began, then turned back to the director. "Director Long, I don’t want to join Lu Lin’s group! I want to be in my Master’s group!"
"Besides, Lu Lin is just a newcomer. I refuse to accept him as group leader!"
Just as expected, Chen Xiran became flustered and exasperated, utterly lacking in tact, Lu Lin sneered inwardly. I wonder who even recruited someone like her. She must have some powerful connections to have lasted this long behaving like this.
"You don’t accept him?" Long Qianli chuckled. "In what specific aspect do you not accept him?"
"As for changing groups, don’t even mention it. This is a decision from the higher-ups; neither you nor I can alter it."
Chen Xiran gritted her teeth, pondering.
Of course, she knew that once an order was issued, it was highly unlikely to be changed.
However, I’m not a complete idiot. I wouldn’t be foolish enough to openly defy a direct order, she thought. Her intention was simply to state, "Director Long, I don’t accept him in any capacity—be it combat ability, investigative skills, or intelligence gathering. He’s a newcomer; how can he possibly be a group leader?"
"Director Long, I want to issue a challenge! If I win, then I will be the group leader!"
Long Qianli merely smiled.
"Please come in."
The door was pushed open again, and a man with damp, medium-length hair walked in.
"My apologies, Director Long. I overslept this morning. So sorry," the man said, brushing his hair away from his face to reveal a pair of blue eyes.
"No problem, we’ve only just begun," Director Long replied.
"Fang Gang, let me introduce you. This is Chen Xiran, and this is Lu Lin. From now on, the three of you will form the Nineteenth Group. I hope you can all work together effectively to complete every mission."
"Rest assured, Director Long. I’ll definitely be no problem," Fang Gang said, standing straight as he gave his assurance.
"Director Long, what about my issue?" Chen Xiran pressed.
Seeing another seemingly unreliable person like Fang Gang arrive, she felt even more displeased.
She was a top graduate from the prestigious Hua Xia Police College! The criminals she’d subdued, the operations she’d participated in, her Cultivation level—she had been outstanding in all aspects at school.
Yet, after three years at the Star Investigation Office, just as her internship was about to end, she was assigned to such a garbage Team Nineteen.
The group leader was Lu Lin, a greenhorn who had joined only a few days ago, and another group member was this sloppy man who overslept and could even be late for matters assigned by Director Long.
She couldn’t stand it anymore! She had to be the group leader! In the future, Lu Lin and Fang Gang would both have to obediently follow her orders.
"What about it?" Long Qianli asked, his smile still unreadable. "What is it you’d like to say?"
"I want to challenge Lu Lin!"
"I want to be the group leader!"