Chapter 62: Voluntary Resignation (Part 1)

Tang Yuan glanced around and smiled, "It’s probably not convenient for us to catch up here, given our identities. Let’s go somewhere else."

Immediately, the two left the company and entered a café across the street. After ordering a private room and some casual snacks, they sent the waiter away.

"When did you come to East Sea City?"

"Yesterday."

"On a mission?"

"You’re thinking too much. Like you, I’m retired now."

Ling Chen, puzzled, said, "Weren’t you doing well in there? And it’s not time for you to retire yet. Did the higher-ups really let you go?"

"Forget it. Ever since that mission went wrong, everyone’s been uneasy, especially when you left, we all felt it. Later, the higher-ups said they wanted to reform, bring in fresh blood, and recruited a lot of new members. As you know, we rarely had much to do throughout the year, and now, with more people, there’s even less to do. Staying at the base doing nothing and being ostracized by the newcomers… it’s all so pointless," Tang Yuan complained.

Ling Chen couldn’t help but joke, "Come on, you’re a veteran. Aren’t you afraid of being pushed around by newcomers?"

"Times have changed. Before, the higher-ups valued us, so we were in favor. Now the organization focuses on training newcomers, ignoring us. Actually, without stating it outright, everyone understands this—you’ve experienced it yourself."

Ling Chen nodded slightly. He had spent four years within the organization, and although it wasn’t a long time, he was very clear about the organization’s practices. Absorbing new blood meant the veterans inside the organization were facing the risk of being phased out. When he joined the organization, those veterans had been forced to step down, no longer going out on missions, but focusing instead on training newcomers and sharing their experience.

This was something he could never understand. The veterans inside the organization were not actually old, averaging under thirty years of age, with rich experience and strong combat capabilities, in their prime. Why would the organization hurry to replace these veterans, letting newcomers step up? Rejecting well-sharpened swords for blunt ones… it made no sense to anyone.

Putting his chaotic thoughts aside, he focused again on Tang Yuan. Since he had left the organization, its matters no longer related to him.

"Tang Yuan, how did you know I was here?"

Tang Yuan, lifting his coffee, smiled and said, "If I couldn’t even figure out this little thing, then I would have wasted all those years. Not to make you laugh, but I came here specifically to look for you. As a retired soldier, I can only kill, can’t do anything else, and without a degree, the organization doesn’t arrange jobs for us. I thought, since you’re in East Sea City, I might as well come to you. After all, being an orphan, I have no attachments and it could be nice to have a brother around."

"That’s perfect timing; our company is just short of people. But let me clarify first, you’ll start as security, with a salary of over ten thousand a month, and including bonuses and other benefits, almost 200,000 a year."

Tang Yun’s eyes lit up. "This treat sounds terrific, even better than white-collar jobs."

"You’re risking your life for it, so of course it’s high. Hey, don’t blame me for not reminding you, we’ve recently encountered some tricky issues. Snake King has come to East Sea City."

"What’s he here for?"

"What do you think? Why would an assassin come to a place like this—to vacation? We’re not outsiders here, so I’ll tell you bluntly, Snake King’s target is the board chairwoman, Nanrong Wanqing."

"With you here, can such a small fry like Snake King threaten her?"

"Can’t say that. I’m quite passive right now. Who knows when that guy will make a move. If you’re willing to work, I can also relieve some pressure."

"What are brothers for? No second thoughts, I’m in for the job," Tang Yuan readily agreed.

Ling Chen flashed a grin. "Good, I’ll speak to Captain Zhong in a bit and take you to complete the entry procedures."

Tang Yuan’s decision to join made him very happy. Not only because Tang Yuan’s strong ability could help him, but most importantly, reuniting with a brother was truly a joyous event.

Back at the company, Ling Chen introduced Tang Yun to Zhong Wei. Seeing Ling Chen strongly recommending him and even vouching for Tang Yuan, Zhong Wei naturally had no objections.

"Ling Chen, I have no issues here, but if you want to keep your friend, it must be approved by the chairwoman. Our team’s personnel movements have always been managed directly by the chairwoman herself. You need to report to her and get her permission before hiring anyone."

Ling Chen was speechless. "Is it that complicated?"

"The chairwoman has to prioritize her own safety, of course."

"Alright, then I’ll go talk to her."

Leaving Tang Yuan in Wei Jun’s office, Ling Chen directly took the elevator to the top floor. After greeting Nanrong Wanqing’s secretary and being allowed through, he entered the chairwoman’s office.

Seeing Nanrong Wanqing focused on revising documents at her desk, Ling Chen nonchalantly walked over and sat down.

"What is it?" Nanrong Wanqing said without raising her head.

"Chairwoman, Team One is short-staffed. I’d like to recruit someone, and Captain Zhong mentioned your approval is necessary."

Nanrong Wanqing slowly lifted her head, her elegant neck radiant, her fair and smooth face expressionless and indifferent. "Prepare a copy of that person’s profile for me. I’ll consider it."

"You still need to consider it?" Ling Chen said patiently, "Chairwoman, my friend is very capable, no less than me. With him onboard, your safety is guaranteed."

"I look for trustworthiness first in recruitment, capabilities are secondary. A person who isn’t trustworthy, no matter how capable, is useless."

"I can vouch for him."

"You?" Nanrong Wanqing closed the document in her hands, looking directly at Ling Chen with a piercing gaze. "Ling Chen, I can’t even fully trust you now. Why should I trust your friend?"

"Ha!" Ling Chen found it funny. He had saved her life, and yet she couldn’t trust him. Thinking this, he stood up and said, "Chairwoman, if that’s the case, then there’s nothing left to discuss." With those words, he turned and left the office.

Ling Chen didn’t go far after leaving the office. Instead, he approached the secretary outside to borrow some paper and a pen.

A few minutes later, the door to the chairwoman’s office was pushed open again.

Seeing Ling Chen return, Nanrong Wanqing slightly furrowed her brow. "What else is there?"

Without a word, Ling Chen handed over a piece of paper and a bank card, placing them in front of Nanrong Wanqing. "This is my resignation letter, and this is the hundred thousand from your grandfather. I haven’t touched a single cent of it."