Retired for A Hundred Years: Re-Employment for the Apocalypse Bigshot!-Chapter 233: Probing Conversation

As she lived here, Ji Ning no longer judged the current power dynamics by the impressions of the chaotic times.

The family power of her three little brothers was even larger and more complex than she had imagined.

It seems like a time of peace now, but the latent crises are slowly eroding this peace. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Externally, there are hostile forces coveting the Huazhou Safety Zone, internally, the major powers are secretly competing.

In between, there is also a "Ji Family Army" operating under her name.

She felt a faint uneasiness in her heart.

***

Huazhou Security Department.

Secretary Hou, who had contacted Ji Ning, called again, asking her to park her car in front of the building where the Security Department was located.

There weren’t many cars parked here, so Ji Ning parked her car at the entrance of the building, and didn’t see anyone coming out to meet her.

Ji Ning pursed her lips and walked directly into the office building.

There was a security room at the entrance, and the person on duty inside was surprisingly a superpower user, and at a not low level.

Ji Ning was quite surprised when she sensed the energy fluctuations emanating from him.

The man only glanced up at her as she walked in, said nothing, and continued to look down at the newspaper in his hand.

There was also a cup of hot tea beside him, he seemed quite leisurely.

It’s rare to find someone so relaxed working in such a department.

Ji Ning gave him a quick glance and, according to the information from Secretary Hou’s call, walked briskly toward the front stairs.

The place somewhat resembled a school, with the staircase directly opposite the entrance, and small rooms on either side, each with a position label on the door.

Secretary Hou worked in the third floor’s Secretary Office.

He told Ji Ning to find him directly after she arrived.

Ji Ning came as instructed.

The door to the Secretary Office was ajar, and the sound of typing on keyboards could be heard from inside.

Ji Ning knocked on the door and heard a voice inside say "Come in."

She raised an eyebrow and pushed the door open.

The room was quite large, with over a dozen people working inside. The person closest to the door looked up at her with an indifferent expression, carrying a hint of doubt, as if wondering about her identity.

Until a voice came from a corner of the room: "Ji Ning, right?"

Ji Ning looked over, by the window, a tall man in a white shirt with a gray sweater stood up.

He wore glasses on his high nose, and though he was tall, he was quite slender, looking rather scholarly, like a university lecturer.

Ji Ning’s name was quite distinctive; many people were surprised when they first heard it, but here, no one seemed startled, as if the name was quite common.

Ji Ning nodded slightly, and Secretary Hou said, "Wait for me a moment, and I’ll take you to see the leader later."

Secretary Hou was very busy; after speaking with her, he sat back down and continued typing at his computer.

Ji Ning waited by the door for over ten minutes before he finished his work and stood up to turn off his computer.

"Let’s go."

Secretary Hou held a file in his hand, adjusted his glasses, and walked over to Ji Ning.

After the two left, the calm of the office was suddenly broken, as someone nearby looked at a colleague and said, "Did you see that? That’s the one who single-handedly took on the Sun Family’s multi-system superpower user."

"Really? So small and thin, you really can’t tell."

"Yeah, looks so young, didn’t expect the skills to be so formidable. I heard that Mr. San from the Sun Family still has dozens of needles in him."

"No wonder the higher-ups value her so much. Look at Lao Hou’s demeanor, the leaders are going to take action."

...

The eyes of everyone were filled with meaning.

***

Ji Ning originally thought she was being summoned by the Li Family head, Li Wenxin, but unexpectedly, it was someone from the Fu Family.

This man should be Fu Yuanxuan’s third uncle in the Security Department, Fu Lihai.

Fu Yuanxuan looked very much like him, especially in the eyes, both had thick brows and big eyes, exuding a sense of justice.

"Detective Ji, a pleasure to finally meet you."

Fu Lihai was unlike the stern Fu Yuanxuan; he wore a smile and even poured her a cup of tea himself.

Ji Ning didn’t move, her face expressionless, she said calmly, "Hello."

"I heard you saved Xiao Xuan, and I’ve been wanting to meet you to thank you in person, but you weren’t in Beijing. Now that you’re here, you should stay in Beijing for a few more days so I can fulfill my duties as a host."

Fu Lihai was unassuming, speaking to Ji Ning with a sense of kinship.

Those unknowing might even think Ji Ning had some relationship with Fu Yuanxuan.

Ji Ning remained expressionless, politely saying, "Much obliged."

Fu Lihai’s smile broadened, "That’s perfect, let’s have a meal together later."

Ji Ning nodded slightly.

Following that, Fu Lihai and Ji Ning chatted about many things, with Ji Ning responding in kind.

The two talked happily, like old friends long acquainted, rather than meeting for the first time.

"Xiao Ning, I heard you’re recently investigating the Sea City Food Festival case, any trouble at work?"

Ji Ning sipped her tea, frowning slightly, "Not at the moment."

"No worries, we’re all family. If you encounter any difficulties, just tell me directly. I can at least speak up at the Security Bureau, if you need any help, just ask."

Ji Ning hesitated, and after a pause, said, "There is indeed something I would like to trouble you with."

"Go ahead."

"According to the Lin Family’s informant, the Outer Continent forces have been infiltrating Beijing for decades. I need a list of personnel from the major families in Beijing who interacted with the Outer Continent people or studied abroad thirty years ago."

Fu Lihai’s expression turned more serious, and he asked, "Can you ensure the authenticity of this testimony?"

Ji Ning said confidently, "I made a deal with the Lin Family’s mole, she wouldn’t dare deceive me."

Fu Lihai nodded slightly, his thumb unconsciously rubbing the handle of the cup, he fell into thought, and after a while, he said, "Alright, I’ll try to get the information for you, but this matter is too far-reaching, so don’t tell anyone else. I heard that you took the person away separately?"

Ji Ning was momentarily stunned, nodded, and asked in return, "Do you want to know where she is?"

"No need, just ensure her safety and don’t let others learn her address. I’ll send someone to assist you shortly," Fu Lihai said seriously.

"Okay."

After the two talked a bit longer, Ji Ning left to wait for Fu Lihai to finish his lunch break in the Security Department’s lounge.

Not long after Ji Ning left, Fu Lihai made a phone call with his private cell phone.

***

Ji Ning was taken to the lounge by Secretary Hou.

Worried she would get bored, he found her quite a number of books to read.

"The leader has a meeting shortly, it should end around 11:30, then he’ll take you out for lunch," Secretary Hou explained before leaving the lounge.

Ji Ning looked at the books in front of her, a trace of sarcasm on her face.

This Fu Lihai was not as amicable as he seemed, speaking kindly while actually probing her, but what was his true intention?

Ji Ning flipped through the book, pondering deeply, until the lounge door was pushed open again.

She originally thought it was Secretary Hou, but it was a stranger woman.

"Are you Ji Ning? My surname is Zhang. The leader would like to see you."