23:45.
She instantly woke up, put away her phone, grabbed her backpack from under the sofa, and strode toward the bedroom, completely forgetting her dream and the mysterious man in it.
Pushing open the bedroom door, Huangfu Jun had changed into a different outfit.
She wore a dark red tight leather suit that perfectly outlined her sexy figure. Black mid-calf boots added a sharp, neat look. Her hair was tied high in a ponytail, and beneath her dark, sword-like brows, bright eyes shone with heroism and grace.
Giving one last look at her grandmother's peaceful sleeping face in the hospital room, she hesitated no more. She shouldered her backpack and tiptoed out of the dorm.
Thinking this was not only her first business trip but also might involve flying, her mood inexplicably surged. Every Chinese child has dreamed of riding the wind. Who'd have thought it could come true?
Once outside the dormitory building, the map she carried lit up, revealing a line of small text: "Route to the meeting point."
The map Guiche Jun gave her was truly smarter than smart.
Following the map's guidance, Huangfu Jun left the Monster Bureau compound and entered the forest. The moment she stepped out the gate, the entire bureau building vanished into thin air, leaving only eerie tree shadows.
Even though Huangfu Jun was bold, being alone in the pitch-black forest was a first. She swallowed nervously, pulled out her phone, and turned on the screen. A sliver of light illuminated her face.
She saw the numbers 23:59 reflected in her eyes.
One more minute. Would Bai Lin come for her?
She looked up, through the mottled shadows of branches, at the deep night sky. A crescent moon, hazy moonlight, and a whispering night breeze. If she could roam freely in it, she couldn't imagine how cheerful she'd be.
She had initially complained about the leather suit being too tight and stuffy, but now she appreciated its benefits: wind resistance! Flying would certainly keep her warmer.
As her mind wandered, the numbers on her phone flickered, and 23:59 finally became 00:00.
Almost simultaneously, a howling wind stirred up behind her!
Huangfu Jun spun around, searching for Bai Lin with barely concealed urgency.
Was it Bai Lin? The wind sounded distant, but shouldn't he be in the bureau?
Yet what appeared before her was entirely different from her imagination.
To be precise, it was a motorcycle—a white motorcycle with elegant, dynamic lines. It was riderless, as if it had driven itself to her like a ghost motorcycle.
Huangfu Jun: ...
What was this? Was she dreaming before even sleeping?
Dazed, she pinched her thigh.
"Ow!" It hurt. Not a dream. Real? What was going on? Some kind of workplace obedience test?
Did she have to ride this motorcycle over a thousand kilometers? The bureau's motorcycle must be no ordinary one—maybe riding it would fly her directly to the site. She didn't know how to fly, so Captain Bai sending her a flying mount was barely plausible.
Huangfu Jun tentatively stepped forward, reached for the ignition, and it actually started. Lifting her leg to mount the motorcycle, a sudden flash of insight made her draw back.
First, she didn't know the way. Second, she couldn't ride a motorcycle at all! She had no license!! Third, this motorcycle appeared out of nowhere—no driver, no tags, no license plate—a complete "three-nothing" product. Whether it even belonged to the bureau was questionable.
If she rode it, she'd be guilty of illegal possession of property, unlicensed driving, nighttime hooliganism disturbing traffic safety, noise nuisance, and violation of public security management laws. If it could fly as she suspected, add illegal vehicle modification!
Fines, detention, imprisonment—she'd be accessorized with orange vest and silver handcuffs!
"!!!!" At this thought, Huangfu Jun gasped. So vicious! Who wanted to harm her? Luckily, she was sharp.
"Tang's Workplace Strategies" said: Act after due consideration; define rights and responsibilities to act appropriately; follow leadership but maintain boundaries. (Meaning: have your own opinions, but leadership's responsibilities must be clear. You can do the work, but you can't assume the leader's duties.)
She quickly withdrew and backed away, calling out in her mind: [Captain Bai? Are you there?]
With previous experience, she could now find the channel linking to Bai Lin in her mind.
But there was only silence.
Unfazed, Huangfu Jun "left a message" mentally while pulling out a slip of paper to write an application to Director Ha:
"Captain Bai Lin arranged for me to go on a business trip with him at midnight. The time has come, and an autonomous motorcycle has appeared before me. I'm not sure if it's the bureau's arranged transport. As a new employee, I'm unfamiliar with the bureau's style and rules. Before departing, I would like to ask Director Ha if there are any other precautions."
After writing the note, Huangfu Jun took out the map Guiche Jun had given her and thought of going to Hamo's office. The vast bureau building materialized before her again.
She mentally rehearsed a few short communication scenarios, then nodded encouragingly to herself and started walking toward the bureau.
A sudden gust of wind came, and someone urgently grabbed her arm, blocking her way.
Huangfu Jun looked up in surprise, her eyes widening.