CHAPTER 759: CHAPTER 764: OLD FRIENDS REUNITE

"Fatty, how has the aftermath of those people been handled?"

In the research base, Ling Chen sat in the office inquiring about Hu Fei’s situation.

"Everything’s arranged, no problems there. However, we are facing quite a few issues now. The last card you gave me had enough funds, so money is not a worry, but we are short on staff. Jiang Yunkai had finally trained a group of elite, but after two incidents, some died, some got injured, and there aren’t many left who can be used. Although we can hire people from outside, loyalty is a big issue."

Hearing Hu Fei’s words, Ling Chen helplessly scratched his head, recognizing these were indeed major issues. If he couldn’t find a solution, the security of the research base couldn’t be ensured, putting everyone at risk.

Human resources... Ling Chen sighed bitterly, realizing his foundation was still too shallow, unlike the Secret Society and Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion that had rich heritage, never lacking in funding or manpower.

Thinking it over, Ling Chen said, "Fatty, can you tally up how many people in the base we can actually utilize?"

"Sure."

After Hu Fei had left, a pleasant ringtone sounded from Ling Chen’s pocket.

Pulling out his cellphone and seeing the caller ID, Ling Chen quickly answered the call, smiling, "Zhou Jun, what brought you to call me today?"

"I’m in East Sea City now, this is your territory, of course I have to call you. Eh! Have you returned? If you’re free, shouldn’t you play the good host?"

"Of course, no problem." Ling Chen replied with a smile, "Where are you? I’ll come pick you up."

After arranging the time and place with Zhou Jun, Ling Chen immediately drove towards the destination.

Soon, Ling Chen arrived at a teahouse in East Sea City. Entering the private room, he saw both Zhou Jun and Zhou Qi leisurely sipping tea while sitting on solid wood chairs.

"Elder Zhou." Ling Chen greeted.

"Here you are." Zhou Qi gestured to the chair beside him, "Sit down."

Ling Chen nodded and sat next to Zhou Jun.

"You’re injured?" Zhou Qi examined Ling Chen, noticing his pallor, and couldn’t help asking further.

"I got a minor injury at the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, it’s nothing serious." After finishing, Ling Chen changed the subject, "Elder Zhou, what brings you to East Sea City?"

"Ai, don’t ask." Before Zhou Qi could respond, Zhou Jun took over, saying, "After leaving the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, we wandered around with nowhere to settle, so we came to East Sea City to see if there were any opportunities for work."

Hearing this, an idea struck Ling Chen, he suggested, "Elder Zhou, if you don’t mind, I actually have a job offer for you."

"You have a job for us?" Zhou Jun asked with interest, "Ling Chen, not bad, thinking of being our boss. Tell me, what’s the job?"

"It’s still your old expertise."

Zhou Qi used to be an overall manager at the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, handling all kinds of tasks, not only capable but also very experienced. If he could help manage the research base, it would definitely lighten the load.

Moreover, the most important point is that Zhou Qi is also an Earthly List expert.

Having an Earthly List master stationed at the research base would provide resistance even if enemies attacked.

Hearing Ling Chen’s proposal, Zhou Jun looked at Zhou Qi and said, "Old man, what do you think? Now that we can’t go back to the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, we grandsons have to find a place that provides food and shelter. Ling Chen is an old friend, it’s all work wherever you go, why not help him?"

Zhou Qi responded calmly, "I trust Mr. Ling’s character, you decide."

"Really?" Ling Chen’s expression lit up with joy.

Great!

Winning over Zhou Qi was undoubtedly a strong addition to his side.

"By the way!"

At that moment, Ling Chen seemed to remember something and said, "Elder Zhou, Zhou Jun, I need to tell you something. Before I returned from the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, there was a big incident there, both Tong Nan and Song Yi are dead."

"Dead?" Zhou Qi and Zhou Jun were taken aback, quickly asking, "They both belonged to Yangxin Pavilion, how could they die, who killed them?"

"I’m not sure," Ling Chen shook his head, "Miss Su and the others are still investigating, with no progress yet."

"Forget it!" Zhou Qi sighed lightly, "We are no longer people of the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, let them handle their own affairs. Mr. Ling, since we have decided to work for you, please arrange a place for us to live."

"No problem, there’s plenty of room in the base. I’ll take you there now."

Back at the base, Ling Chen asked Hu Fei to gather everyone and formally introduced Zhou Qi and Zhou Jun to them.

"Fatty, you’ve met Elder Zhou, moving forward let Elder Zhou handle the base’s affairs, that way you can relax a bit and focus on intelligence work."

"Sure, no problem." Hu Fei grinned, easily agreeing.

"I have been so busy recently, Elder Zhou, I’m relying on you now." After finishing, Hu Fei changed the subject, "By the way! Ling Chen, when you left earlier, your elder brother and the others arrived, they are now resting in the reception room."

"Is that so? Elder Zhou, come, I’ll take you to meet my elder brothers."

"You guys go ahead, I have other things to do." Hu Fei said, "Xia Mutong, Jiang Yunkai, and Bai Huanjun are still unaccounted for. If we let them stay outside, who knows what trouble they might cause."

"Okay, go on, inform me immediately if you get any news about them."

"Don’t worry about my work."

...

Due to various matters at the base, Ling Chen had been staying in the base, helping with the work.

Now, with Zhou Qi joining, and others like Qiu Yong coming to help, the security of the research base was temporarily not a problem.

Early in the morning, Ling Chen yawned as he walked out of his room, appearing unawake.

Perhaps because his body had not yet recovered, Ling Chen had been very sleepy recently, feeling like he could never wake up and wanted to linger in bed longer.

"Ling Chen."

At that moment, Hu Fei quickly ran over from not too far away.

"What is it?"

"I found Miss Zhu."

"Really?" Ling Chen’s eyes lit up.

The other day, Hu Fei had already told Ling Chen about Zhu Xiaozhu’s disappearance, and these past few days, Ling Chen was constantly worried about Zhu Xiaozhu’s safety. Now hearing there was news about her, how could he not be thrilled?

"Hurry, where is she?"

"Beijing."

"Beijing?" Ling Chen paused, puzzled, "How did she end up in Beijing?"

"I’m not sure, but what I can confirm is that Zhu Xiaozhu has returned to her home in Beijing."