Otherworldly Affairs Office-Chapter 94: It Is Me and It Is Not Me

Gu Shenghui leaned back in his chair, hands clasped and resting on his chest, eyes slightly closed, awaiting the final outcome of the discussion.

Zuo Huaxian’s dissenting voice was the first to ring in the office: "I disagree! This is too risky! I believe that we still have plenty of time and can proceed step by step."

"I also disagree. Given Pei Yan’s current physical and strength condition, I think it’s better to keep him in the unit!" Elder Lin’s words sent a chill down Gu Shenghui’s spine, his brows furrowing tightly.

Xiaoyao raised his hand and stated, "I agree with Director Gu’s idea. We have been too stagnant; things were the same ten years ago as they are now. Meanwhile, outside police forces have progressed with the times. I believe if we remain so conservative, we won’t be able to handle the ever-changing situation."

"I agree with Director Gu’s view as well!" Secretary Yu pondered for a long time before patting Gu Shenghui on the shoulder.

"Xiaoyu!"

As Zuo Huaxian’s surprised voice was heard, Secretary Yu waved his hand: "Elder Zuo, some things we must bear ourselves. Since Director Gu has a plan and has explained the reasons clearly, we should support him, as it is the only way to demonstrate the value of our agency. If we keep shirking responsibility, our influence among the departments will only diminish."

As Secretary Yu’s words ended, all eyes focused on the last person who had not expressed his opinion since entering the office. Seeing him keep his head down with no response, Elder Lin knocked on the table: "It’s two to two now. Since Old Ni still needs to think, let’s first ask for opinions from other advisors in the agency. As usual, keep the lights on to agree, turn them off to disagree."

After Elder Lin finished speaking, he stood up and went to the bookshelf behind him. Opening the cabinet door, three antique-style lamps resembling ancient child servants offering lamps appeared before everyone. Gu Shenghui opened his eyes and, along with everyone in the room, looked at the three lamps.

After a long wait, only the lamp in the middle lit up. Zuo Huaxian clicked his tongue and said, "Four to three, huh? Old Ni, you’ll have to cast the deciding vote!"

Before the words were out, the lamp on the left suddenly began to rotate on its own. Amidst the creaking sounds, it turned to face inside the cabinet, its back to everyone in the office.

"Old Yun, what’s the meaning of this?" Zuo Huaxian raised an eyebrow and asked loudly.

Elder Lin approached, placed his hand on the bronze lamp, held his breath for a moment, and sighed: "He abstained."

"That old trickster! Pulling this move at a critical moment! Three to three, Old Ni, are you going to give a signal or not? Are you also planning to abstain like Old Yun?" Zuo Huaxian pursued the silent middle-aged man in Zhongshan suit sitting on the sofa with his questions.

The man called Old Ni slowly stood up, walked to the desk, patted Gu Shenghui on the shoulder, gestured in sign language to Elder Lin and Gu Shenghui, and then, without hesitation, turned and left the office.

"Did he agree or not? Why not communicate using telepathy? Back to using sign language again!" Zuo Huaxian asked in astonishment.

"He agreed!" Elder Lin resumed his seat with a sigh and murmured.

Gu Shenghui watched Old Ni leave the office with a complex expression. A mysterious figure within the agency, as captain since Gu Shenghui joined almost two decades ago, still holding the same position. No one dared to underestimate this silent man who couldn’t speak. Unexpectedly, at a crucial moment, he sided with him.

But now was not the time for reflection. With his plan passed, Gu Shenghui rose from his chair, looked around, and said in a deep voice, "Since that’s the case, at the report meeting in half a month....."

Elder Lin, with his hand on his head and a weary voice, said, "The agency will fully support you."

Gu Shenghui looked over at Zuo Huaxian.

"Since the agency has made a decision, I have nothing more to say and will fully support it. But if there are any issues, you, Gu Shenghui, will be responsible!" Zuo Huaxian sighed as he said this and then left with a wave of his sleeve.

After Elder Zuo left, Secretary Yu patted Gu Shenghui’s shoulder, looked at Elder Lin, and said, "Now that a decision has been made, I’ll be heading out. There are both an internal traitor investigation and the selection work for those over forty people to host."

"Thank you for your efforts, Secretary Yu!" Gu Shenghui nodded as he turned his head slightly.

"No need for thanks, it’s all part of my job. I’m heading out now!" Secretary Yu said as he raised his leg to walk out, glancing at Xiaoyao on the sofa and shouting, "What are you still sitting there for? Let’s go together!"

Xiaoyao gave Secretary Yu an annoyed look and glanced at Gu Shenghui. He patted the sofa, stood up without a word, and walked out of the office.

When only Elder Lin and Gu Shenghui remained in the office, Elder Lin stood up and slowly closed the bookshelf door. With a wave of his hand, a milky-white light enveloped the entire room. He sat back in his chair and said leisurely, "At a critical moment, did you feel heartbroken because I didn’t support you?"

"No, since Director Ren’s death, I couldn’t have come this far without your support. I trust that you had your reasons for doing things this way." Gu Shenghui replied as he also sat back in his chair, pulling out a cigarette and preparing to light it.

"Don’t smoke here and tempt my cravings!"

Surprised by Elder Lin’s words, Gu Shenghui chuckled and put the cigarette away, taking out a betel nut instead, but still didn’t put it in his mouth, just kneaded it in his hand.

"Everyone had doubts just now, but none of them voiced them, you know that, right?"

"I know!"

"And yet you and he still went ahead with it!"

"Didn’t you already see it early on?"

Elder Lin painfully closed his eyes, remaining silent for a while.

"Yes, I should have seen it long ago. This whole time, I was just deceiving myself, unwilling to break through the barrier. But are you still you now?"

"I am and I am not!" Gu Shenghui said, as he opened his mouth wide, threw the betel nut in, and began to chew vigorously. The bright red juice, like blood, was squeezed out constantly within his mouth.

"That’s precisely why I didn’t cast a vote for you. Others, I don’t know, but do you think Xiaoyu voted for you out of support? He made it very clear beforehand and kept himself clean. You’re now being pushed out into the firing line with no way back."

"I understand!"

"If you understand! Why would you make such a risky choice? Gu Shenghui, was this plan made out of public or personal vendetta?"

"Both public and private interests are considered!"

"Don’t give me such ambiguous answers. Give me a definite one!" freёwebnoѵel.com

"Would you believe me if I said it wasn’t for a personal vendetta?" Gu Shenghui watched Elder Lin’s trembling mouth, knowing he had truly angered the old man. He pulled some tissues from the table, spat out the pulp in his mouth, and sincerely stated, "Saying it wasn’t for a personal vendetta would be a lie, but my initial intent in making this decision was for the agency, to stop the actions of the divine desires. Elder Lin, we really can’t delay any longer."

Elder Lin gazed into Gu Shenghui’s eyes, which were both familiar and strange. Eye filled with a pleading look, he closed his eyes once more for a long time: "Alright, I’ll trust you one more time. Write a detailed report on your integration process, and the experiences afterwards. Submit it secretly to me; I can cover for you in the agency, but I still need to explain to those two departments."

"Understood!"

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