The third brother led me behind the factory, where I found a large expanse of wasteland. It was vast, and for several kilometers around, not a single building was in sight. He told me the first test would be sent to my phone. I had initially thought I'd use my own, but he promptly threw my phone away and handed me a very old Nokia.
Internally, I grumbled, "What era is this, using such a phone?" As I gripped it, the third brother said, "You can use this for now. Once you're officially in the association, you'll get an iPhone. Alright, you must not disappoint me. Honestly, your brother really likes you!"
"Uh, okay! Third brother, what exactly is the test?" I replied, lying through my teeth and enduring his constant attempts to take advantage of me, before finally asking.
Da Hong stood beside us like a Buddha statue, as if guarding us. The third brother said to me, "The specific details will be sent to your phone. I don't know what it is either, as the missions in our Black Night Forest are all random. However, beginner missions are usually quite simple."
I hummed in acknowledgment. A beeping phone delivered a message. The third brother and the others didn't look, but Da Hong seemed prepared. He turned and brought over a motorcycle. I saw the message stated: "Fuhai Villa, install a listening device."
Da Hong told me to get on. Internally, I grumbled, "Couldn't we use a car?"
"Wouldn't a motorcycle make us more conspicuous doing this kind of thing?"
But Da Hong ignored me and twisted the throttle, speeding off. Behind us, the third brother cheerfully jumped up, yelling, "Remember to miss me!"
Uh...
Da Hong, up ahead, said at that moment, "I am Da Hong!"
I think I understood his meaning; he probably wanted me to disregard him.
I responded with, "Da Hong, how long have you been doing this?"
"I am Da Hong!"
I felt a bit speechless, truly forgetting that this guy only says that one sentence. And yet, I still asked him.
I shut my mouth, but after a while, he shouted again, "I am Da Hong!"
It made me incredibly awkward. Only when we arrived at a villa surrounded by orchids did he stop and say to me again, "I am Da Hong!"
I knew he meant we had arrived. I quickly dismounted and, grabbing the listening device, headed into the villa. Although this kind of task wasn't exactly honorable, I had already spoken with Director Zhang. He assured me he wouldn't blame me for anything not too serious, but cautioned me to be careful. This time, I decided to go all out, my goal being to gain the association's trust.
Because I had a bracelet from He Xin that could interfere with the surveillance and some anti-theft devices, I found a low wall, carefully scaled it, and entered the villa.
As per the requirements, I had to install the listening device here, but if I was going to install it, it couldn't be discovered by the villa's occupants, otherwise, it would be pointless.
The message didn't specify this, but anyone who understood the principle of a listening device would grasp this.
I looked for a very hidden corner, walked down a corridor, and saw a small room. In the courtyard outside the villa, this kind of place would likely be a utility room. This was it!
Once I'd located the spot, I carefully pushed the door open and surveyed my surroundings. I noticed that in front of some sofas were several heavy cabinets. I figured the villa's residents wouldn't usually move these things, so placing the listening device behind them would be the most discreet.
With that in mind, I installed the device on the wall behind the sofa. After I finished and tested it, confirming it worked, I carefully slipped out of the utility room.
The mission was complete. However, as soon as I exited the parking lot behind the villa, I heard the wail of police sirens in the distance!
Damn it! What's going on?
I needed to leave quickly. Even though I hadn't done anything inside the villa, being in the vicinity under these circumstances could easily lead to misunderstandings. While Director Zhang would mediate, getting apprehended would be troublesome.
I wanted to find Da Hong, but the guy had already vanished. He had likely left once I entered the villa. This meant I'd have to find another mode of transport to escape.
I didn't want to steal anyone's car, but there was no other option. I spotted a bicycle leaning against a railing outside the parking lot. It wasn't locked. This wasn't stealing, I thought; this bike was probably discarded and left here. At my speed, I should be able to get away. I quickly mounted it and pedaled with all my might.
Fortunately, the police cars were approaching from the front of the villa, so no one saw me as I left. I rode frantically, my legs pumping the pedals as if my life depended on it. I prayed the chain wouldn't snap, or I'd be finished.
After riding for a while, I felt like I heard police cars behind me. The bicycle seemed to be struggling; sparks flew from the chain, indicating it was about to break. Just before a loud snap, I abandoned the bike and threw myself into a patch of grass, hiding. Several police cars drove by nearby, but the officers inside didn't spot me.
Actually, I shouldn't have been that scared. They hadn't found me entering the villa, and I was just riding a bicycle on the street late at night.
Of course, it was best if they didn't discover me, as explaining would be a hassle.
After they passed, I took out my phone and sent a message to the third brother explaining the situation. He immediately sent back an "ok" gesture and informed me that the police had been alerted anonymously by them.
Ah, no wonder.
I had wondered why the police suddenly showed up here. So, this was also part of the challenge.
Once the danger had passed, I hailed a taxi and returned to the vicinity of the power plant. Seeing me return unharmed, the third brother enthusiastically clasped my arm and said, "I already guaranteed Old Man Tang Jiu that you would pass smoothly!"
"Is that it? Can I join the association now?"
"Almost. We'll take you to another place later. There, you can accept all sorts of criminal missions. Once you're a big shot, we can make you like Yi Chengwen, able to command other association members yourself."
"Oh? So, what's your position in the association?" I asked.
"Me? I'm the Association's Management Director. As for Tang Lao Jiu, I don't need to say more. Da Hong is our bodyguard, and he has quite a few men under him."
Hearing the third brother say this, I gained a general understanding of the internal structure of the association. I wondered if this was somehow related to that Polaris organization, or if they were entirely separate.