CHAPTER 126: CHAPTER 126: BOLDNESS

This time, Xia Liang was telling the truth.

Though Yun Bing had short hair, her facial features were exquisite. Dressed in her Protectors uniform, she exuded a heroic and dashing charm.

Outside the door, Yun Bing, who had been about to knock, stopped in her tracks. When she heard Xia Liang admit that she was beautiful, her heartbeat unexpectedly began to race.

Inside, Yun Long saw Xia Liang finally give a normal response and became extremely excited, his eyes glued to Xia Liang without blinking.

"As long as you agree to become a consultant for the Protectors’ Division special task force, I’ll approve of you two dating."

????

Xia Liang’s jaw dropped.

Oh my god! Is this guy the Director of the Protectors’ Division or a pimp? He’s actually trying to sell his daughter to make me some damn "special task force consultant"!

Seeing Xia Liang’s astonished expression, Yun Long felt quite smug.

Little guy, let’s see you stay composed now! he thought triumphantly. In his mind, Xia Liang should be putting on an act right about now, saying something like dating is secondary; the main thing is joining the big family of the special task force. Or, if he were more shameless, he’d just say, "Father-in-law, please accept this bow from your son-in-law!" As for refusal? That was out of the question. After all, no one could resist his daughter’s charm. Just look at the young lads her age. Which one of them wouldn’t fight tooth and nail for a chance to go on missions with her?

While Yun Long was still pondering how to give Xia Liang a hard time, Yun Bing, outside, nearly lost control of the primordial power welling up inside her and burst through the door. Luckily, she also wanted to see what Xia Liang would choose, so she forcefully suppressed the urge.

Before long, Xia Liang regained his composure.

"Director Yun, let me be blunt," he said with a hint of helplessness. "I’m used to my freedom and can’t handle the highly disciplined work environment of the Protectors’ Division."

Hmm? He actually refused!

Yun Long was once again taken aback by Xia Liang’s response. Just as he was about to say something more, Yun Bing could no longer hold back and pushed the door open. She shot Yun Long a frosty glare, and he actually cowered. That’s right, he cowered. After all, he knew he was in the wrong.

Only then did Yun Bing turn her gaze back to Xia Liang, feeling deeply conflicted about the choice he had just made.

On one hand, she hoped he would agree, as it would prove he was interested in her. On the other, she hoped he would refuse, because accepting the offer just to be with her would make him seem like one of the good-for-nothing sycophants she was used to.

Taking a deep breath, Yun Bing looked at Xia Liang and said, "Actually, the role of consultant to the unsolved case group isn’t an official position. The Protectors’ Division doesn’t even have this post; we just added it ourselves after getting approval from our superiors. This means that Mister Xia doesn’t have to abide by the standard regulations for Protectors."

"That’s right, that’s right!" Yun Long quickly interjected, trying to salvage some dignity. "It would be like a normal job. You wouldn’t even have to come in and clock in every day. You’ll get a salary of 5,000 a month, plus bonuses. We’d only need you to come over for a consultation when we run into a particularly tough case."

After speaking, they both looked at Xia Liang expectantly.

"Alright then." Since they had put it that way, Xia Liang had no reason to refuse any longer.

After all, it’s just questioning suspects. Even if I had to come in every day, it wouldn’t be much of a hindrance. Not to mention, I’d only be needed for the really difficult cases.

Seeing Xia Liang agree, they both breathed a sigh of relief. For a unique individual like Xia Liang, it would have been a huge loss if he hadn’t joined. More importantly, they had no other way to compel him; they couldn’t just force him to work for them.

Yun Long could finally say what he’d been waiting to say. "In that case, Xia Liang, how about a little demonstration for us? I don’t mean anything by it. It’s not that I don’t believe you, I’m just curious to see it for myself."

"No problem."

Xia Liang had no objections. He quietly used the Contradictory Card on Yun Long.

"From now on, you are under my hypnotism," he said. "After you hear a snap of my fingers, you will want to lie, but you will only be able to speak the truth."

With that, Xia Liang snapped his fingers.

SNAP!

That’s it? Yun Long was utterly confused, not noticing any change in his body.

This was actually a psychological suggestion. The Contradictory Card didn’t force people to speak the truth on its own; a bit of reverse psychology was needed. Sure enough, under the influence of Xia Liang’s suggestion, regardless of whether he truly believed in Xia Liang’s ability, Yun Long was already subconsciously preparing to lie.

"What did you have for breakfast today?" Xia Liang asked.

The first thing that came to Yun Long’s mind was the soy milk and fried dough sticks he’d had that morning, but he knew he was supposed to lie. So, he opened his mouth to say "bread." However, the words that actually came out were, "Soy milk and fried dough sticks."

Huh?

This left Yun Long completely stunned.

Seeing the astonished look on her father’s face, Yun Bing was bursting with pride. That’s the person I recommended! That’s the man I, Yun Bing, have my eye on!

As Xia Liang asked a couple more questions and Yun Long continued to answer, Yun Long became fully convinced of Xia Liang’s miraculous hypnotism.

Then, Xia Liang’s gaze grew piercingly sharp as he looked at Yun Long and asked his final question.

"Have you been corrupted?"

As he asked this, Xia Liang had already deactivated the Contradictory Card. If he hadn’t, and if Yun Long was indeed not corrupt, he would naturally try to say "No." But due to the card’s effect, the word "Yes" would have come out instead, causing a massive misunderstanding.

He believed the previous tests had thoroughly convinced Yun Long. If he really was corrupt, the pressure on him right now would be immense, especially with his daughter in the room. If he stayed silent, it would mean there was a problem. Even hesitating before saying "no" would be suspicious.

"What?" Yun Bing cried out in surprise. Clearly, she hadn’t expected Xia Liang to dare ask such a question. She looked at her father nervously, fearing he would respond with an affirmation.

Yun Long was also taken aback, but he showed no sign of worry. He looked at Xia Liang with a sagacious expression.

"You really have the guts to ask, kid," Yun Long said with a light chuckle, shaking his head. "No."

Phew. Hearing this, Yun Bing visibly breathed a sigh of relief. She had genuinely been afraid of hearing something she shouldn’t.

"Hehe," Xia Liang chuckled. "I was just satisfying my curiosity. Please forgive me, Director Yun."

Hearing this, Yun Long was a bit exasperated. "You’re a clever one who never likes to be on the losing end, aren’t you? Never mind." He waved his hand. "Bing, take him down to complete the employment paperwork."

"Yes!" Yun Bing agreed immediately, even though it wasn’t an official position.