"Li Director, so how should we help her recover now?" Zhang Wan patted Fu Qingdai and quickly asked.

Su Jin looked them straight in the eye. "Helping her recover is actually simple, but before we get to that, we need to talk about the problem. The reason a child her age is in this state isn't just because of school. It's also because of the two of you."

"Your behavior just now was making her problem worse."

"Huh?" Zhang Wan was at a loss for a moment. "Kids these days are just so sensitive. Back in our day..."

"That statement counts, too."

"..."

Su Jin sighed. "Vladimir Xu Kun once said, 'There is but one truly serious philosophical problem, and that is suicide.' Humans are creatures who need a sense of purpose to live."

Fu Hu and his wife listened with rapt attention.

"She already lost her will to live after what happened at school. Then she comes home only to be misunderstood by the two of you, which naturally makes the problem worse. It can even lead to severe suicidal tendencies and hallucinations. Her problem isn't too severe yet since the hallucinations haven't started. You need to help her recover quickly and stop provoking her."

"She's already having them, Li Director! What do we do? When can she go back to school?" Zhang Wan's face drained of color, and Fu Hu's turned pale as well.

"Waaaah!" Fu Qingdai let out a wail like a fire siren.

"Can you stop mentioning school? Do you have any idea how many times you've hurt her without realizing it?" Su Jin shot Zhang Wan a sideways glance. "It's already this serious, why didn't you intervene sooner? It's gotten so bad she's having hallucinations. There are very few psychologists in Longshan City who can help her now, and this field is underdeveloped in our country as a whole."

"Then... do you have anyone you can recommend?" Fu Hu asked, swallowing hard.

"I just got back to Longshan, so I don't know the local situation." Su Jin shook his head. "My mentor would have been perfect, but unfortunately, he passed away last year."

"Then can you treat her?" Zhang Wan asked directly.

"Don't be ridiculous. Director Li isn't a doctor, how would he have time to treat patients!" Fu Hu scolded, then turned back. "Um... Li Director, could you perhaps give us some guidance? Tell us what to do?"

"What to do... It's not something I can explain in just a few words." Su Jin sighed, then changed the subject. "How about this? We live right across the hall from each other, after all. I'll be out during the day, but I'm home in the evenings around the same time you are, and I'm not busy. You can have your daughter come over to my place, or I can come here. We're neighbors, no need to be formal."

"If I counsel her for two hours a day, she should be able to go back to school in a week. She should also get more physical exercise, like singing and dancing. It'll make it much easier for you to help her recover mentally later on."

"Oh, really?!" Zhang Wan shot up in excitement. "Thank you so much, Li Director. I..."

"What 'Li Director'! It's 'Li Bureau Chief'!" Fu Hu also jumped to his feet, glaring at Zhang Wan. He raised his glass. "Li Bureau Chief, I toast to you. I'm a simple man, so I'll let the drink do the talking!"

With that, he downed the drink in one gulp.

Fu Qingdai hung her head, so embarrassed she could have died.

"Please, don't. It's not too late to call me Bureau Chief in half a month." Su Jin smiled faintly and turned to Fu Qingdai. "Besides, shouldn't we respect the wishes of the person involved?"

"Qingdai, would you be willing to spare some time to chat with me in the evenings? Don't worry, there's no pressure. We'll just talk."

Fu Qingdai pressed her lips together and nodded.

"Then it's settled!" Su Jin spread his hands and smiled at the couple. "I'll come over tomorrow. For now, let's continue our conversation."

.....

The script was already written, and the target had fallen into the trap.

Naturally, Su Jin dominated the rest of the conversation. Just by pulling out his awesome Mi 6, he dazzled the local bumpkins until their heads were spinning.

What's more, Fu Qingdai would occasionally throw in pre-planned questions, frantically helping him build his persona.

As for questions he couldn't answer... of course there were some, but his response was always the same.

"A matter of national security. No comment."

An hour later, everyone had eaten and drunk their fill.

Su Jin packed his things, ready to go home with the two hundred thirty-one yuan and five jiao that Fu Qingdai had secretly slipped him.

Fu Hu stood at the door, holding it open.

His dark face was visibly flushed a deep red. He had a smile on his face, clearly having been plied with quite a bit of alcohol during the meal.

"Li Director, it was such a pleasure to meet you. Gosh... if it weren't for you, I would've thought everyone was just being polite to me when I left the army. I never expected my superiors and comrades thought so highly of me!"

"And my daughter... I really don't know how to thank you. If there's anything you need help with, as long as it's within my power, just say the word!"

Su Jin waved his hand. "I will have something for you to help with later, but it's nothing major. Don't feel pressured. You can close the door now, I'm heading back."

"Wait, Li Director!" Fu Hu's voice rose.

"Is there something else?"

"Li Director... I..." Fu Hu hesitated, his tongue feeling a bit thick. "I... that... National Key Risk Intervention Bureau..."

He held it in for a long moment, too embarrassed to say the word "job".

Realization dawned on Su Jin, and he smiled. "Old Fu, no need to be so formal with me. There's nothing to be ashamed of for wanting to move up in the world. You want me to recommend you for a job, right?"

Fu Hu nodded awkwardly.

*The connection has been made! And this man is the real deal, an absolute expert! His identity checks out. Even though I'm already taking advantage of him, that job with a ten-thousand-yuan base salary... I want it too~~*

"Old Fu, I won't lie to you. I have the ability, but I can't give you a 100% guarantee. The main issue is that I'm not sure what openings the Bureau has. How about this: wait for my word, and I'll have an answer for you by tomorrow. Alright?"

"That would be great! Thank you, Li Director! You should get some rest!" Fu Hu thanked him profusely.

Su Jin waved, and the door closed.

He turned and walked back to his own apartment, taking out his key to unlock the door.

From behind the Fu family's door across the hall came the sound of their joyful, animated discussion, muffled yet piercing.

It echoed in the empty hallway.

With a click, the motion-sensor light overhead went out, plunging the corridor into darkness. All that remained was the sound of Su Jin's increasingly heavy breathing.

The hand holding the key suddenly dropped to his side. His body swayed, and he leaned his head weakly against the metal door, letting out a sigh with his eyes closed.

An empty feeling filled his heart.

He missed home... He used to not even want to go home for the New Year.

But this time, he really missed it. Missed it terribly...

Letting out a few ragged breaths, Su Jin wiped the corners of his eyes and opened the door to his home.

....

Dark clouds pressed down on the city as a cold wind howled, carrying a torrential downpour that swept between the buildings.

To read the uncut version, go to pawread dot com.

The streets were desolate... inhabited only by the walking dead.

Rotting, mangled bodies wandered aimlessly through the streets.

Su Jin crouched at a street corner, clad in a raincoat, observing the movement ahead.

Just then, a zombie behind him made a sound and lunged forward!

Su Jin turned to see a bloody maw lunging at his face.

"Fuck!!"

Su Jin's eyes widened in fury as he opened his own mouth to bite back at the zombie's face.

...

"Hahhh!!"

Waking with a start from the dream, Su Jin was drenched in sweat. He clutched his throat, gasping for air like a drowning man.

His throat was as dry as if it had been stuffed with razor blades.

The bed behind him was already imprinted with a human-shaped patch of sweat.

After several deep breaths, Su Jin's heartbeat gradually returned to normal. He rubbed his face hard.

A dream... It seems I'm too stressed...

He reached to his right, and his hand found his notebook. He immediately opened it to check.

The grain store will deliver tonight. I still need to procure some supplies during the day... First, I'll go to the slaughterhouse to practice. I'll handle the rest this afternoon.

As soon as possible. I have to adapt to the pressure as soon as possible. I must desensitize myself ahead of time.

I absolutely cannot break down! If my mind breaks, it's all over!

After giving himself a mental pep talk, Su Jin raised his head.

His bloodshot eyes stared directly at the calendar on the opposite wall, where a row of dates was marked with red X's.

Until the apocalypse... only three days left