Wang Zihao's petty tactics of playing hard to get were truly superb.
Looking at Long Yi's eyes, which were almost burning with tangible flames, one could tell that Wang Zihao's move was very effective.
Unfortunately, even if he said so, Duan Chen would not be able to take him along.
Duan Chen shrugged and directly refused.
"I would love to bring you along, as it would save me a lot of trouble. But alas, it's just a wish that cannot come true."
"Why can't it come true? Isn't this something that the instructor can decide if he's willing?"
Wang Zihao couldn't understand, even suspecting that Duan Chen was intentionally pushing him away. His expression turned anxious.
Seeing his demeanor, Duan Chen shook his head with disappointment.
"Don't rush."
Duan Chen's words made Wang Zihao think there was a turning point, and he looked at him with great anticipation.
Duan Chen, with a complete lack of conscience, added,
"It's no use rushing anyway."
Wang Zihao's eyes widened in disbelief. He simply couldn't comprehend how a person, in their right mind, could utter such cold and heartless words.
He trembled, pointing his finger at the man who was once, no, should I say, just a second ago, his most beloved instructor.
"How could you do this?"
Duan Chen's eyebrows slightly arched as he watched his performance.
Wang Zihao's voice was already laced with a sob.
As the saying goes, a man's tears only fall when he is truly heartbroken. His current state was a vivid portrayal of sorrow. If he weren't a man, it would be no exaggeration to say that Duan Chen had wronged him.
Especially the words he said next, which made people feel a deeper meaning.
"After all I've done for you, I do as you say, I obey your every command. But how are you treating me now?
You never think of me for the good things, yet I've taken the brunt of all the messy, bad things for you. All I asked was for you to take me with you, but now you're making excuses. It's not like the days when we were in love!
I never expected a man to change so quickly. I can't even recognize you anymore. You've disappointed me so much.
Perhaps we should never have met, never have begun. That way, we wouldn't be so heartbroken and sad today.
Perhaps it's all my fault. I admit it! It's all my problem."
"Wuwuwu..."
After speaking, Wang Zihao, to Duan Chen's surprise, covered his face and ran off crying.
Duan Chen stood still, his mind not catching up. His mouth agape, he stared blankly at Wang Zihao as he left.
At this moment, Duan Chen suddenly felt that perhaps he had woken up in the wrong way, otherwise, why would he witness such a world-destroying, belief-shattering scene?
He couldn't help but raise his hand, point in the direction Wang Zihao had left, and turn to the still present Long Yi, asking cautiously,
"Is his mind alright?"
"Do you need me to use public funds to enroll him in a psychiatric hospital for therapy?"
Long Yi was also confused, his confusion mixed with anger. But upon seeing this scene, his mouth twitched, and he finally burst into laughter.
"Hahahaha... No, no..."
He laughed so hard that his stomach ached.
Just then, Wang Zihao walked over, holding a coffee cup. His eyes held a hint of confusion as he looked at Long Yi, who was convulsing with laughter, and then at Duan Chen standing in the mission hall. His eyes lit up.
"Instructor, you're finally awake."
What?
Duan Chen cupped his ears, doubting what he had heard.
"You said I'm finally awake?"
He looked Wang Zihao up and down with a strange gaze. "Are you alright?"
"What?" Wang Zihao was stunned.
He looked at Duan Chen standing in front of the mission panel, then at Long Yi, who was rolling on the ground with laughter, and was completely bewildered.
"Can anyone tell me what's going on?"
Duan Chen also felt that something was strange.
Since they were at headquarters, he hadn't used any of his skills, and he instinctively felt that this place was inviolable.
Now, he suddenly realized something was not right.
The Wang Zihao from before seemed a bit strange.
Duan Chen glanced at the Wang Zihao standing before him. He activated his True Sight and confirmed that this was indeed the real Wang Zihao. So, the one from before...
Tian Xi Meng dragged the "Wang Zihao" out. The small figure walked up to Duan Chen.
She said in a very plain tone, but with a clear hint of seeking praise, "Is it very lifelike?"
Indeed.
Duan Chen was startled when he saw this Wang Zihao and then looked at Tian Xi Meng with surprise. "Your talent has advanced."
He said it as a statement of fact.
Tian Xi Meng's lips curved upwards, and she nodded.
Advancing her talent was a good thing, and even she hadn't expected that after her talent advanced, she would be able to create 1:1 lifelike human puppets.
Because she had interacted with her companions more often, Tian Xi Meng instinctively chose Wang Zihao, whom she was most familiar with, as the template.
It seemed the effect was very good.
Duan Chen praised, "Well done."
Wang Zihao also came back to his senses at this moment, probably understanding what had happened. However, he didn't get angry, just shook his head helplessly.
Su Baiyi and Lu Shuishui also walked over.
Since the five of them were present, Duan Chen didn't want to repeat himself. He directly explained the matter of the annual mission assessment.
This was his responsibility, but he had indeed forgotten about it before.
After a night of heavy drinking, he felt that many things in his mind had become clearer. At the very least, he suddenly remembered that he should take on the responsibilities he was supposed to bear.
He informed the agents under his charge about the annual assessment.
As expected, whether it was Wang Zihao or the others, they were all stunned when they heard about it, and then quickly rushed to the mission panel behind Duan Chen.
Long Yi had also recovered by this time, wiping the tears from his eyes.
"Don't look. You can't take these. We low-level agents don't have the right to choose missions; we can only wait to be assigned or tag along on missions."