Reborn in 1993, Dark Sea

"Okay, I'll listen to you and stay quiet for a while."

"Judging from your expression, you're definitely not going to stay quiet..." 073 said with a wry smile.

"May I ask you a personal question?"

"Go ask them."

"Are you married?"

"……No."

"Do you have someone you like?"

Do you think I have time to date in my current situation?

Are all the people in the security department single?

"...Why are you suddenly asking this?"

"I was just curious and asked casually."

I heard from Sister Xiaoyu that the senior members of Team 027 lived their entire lives alone, dedicating everything to their careers. She also said she didn't want that; she wanted to start her own family and have her own children.

"Actually, what she said isn't entirely true..." 073 lowered his head: "Actually, there's no strict requirement in the organization that you can't get married; it's just that everyone has chosen to be single by unspoken agreement."

As you know, our work is very special. Many tasks are calculated in years, and some can even last for more than ten or even several decades. Under such circumstances, it is difficult to take care of one's family.

If that's the case, why hurt others? It's better to be alone; it saves a lot of worries.

"Are there any rules that prohibit romantic relationships between people in the same department, or between superiors and subordinates?"

"There are similar regulations, but they are different from what you described. It's not that dating is forbidden, but if a relationship is established, the two parties cannot work in the same department, and one of them must leave frontline work."

That's perfectly reasonable, nothing more to say.

"Oh...I understand!"

"What do you understand?"

"hey-hey!"

"Hey kid, what are you laughing at?"

"I wasn't laughing at anything. There's another question: can your injuries be healed?"

"I heard it's possible to try treatment, but the technology isn't available in China yet. If I go abroad for treatment, it will cost a lot of money. The organization asked for my opinion, and I refused."

Why?

"Because it's too expensive, several hundred thousand US dollars. With that money, we'd be better off upgrading everyone's equipment, which would save more lives and allow us to complete more missions."

"How about I pay for it for you? You know I'm quite well-off now."

"Forget it, how could I spend your money? Besides, it's been so many years, I'm used to it. Physical pain is sometimes a good thing, at least it keeps me awake."

"You're kidding me!" An Xiaohai rolled his eyes at 073: "But now I think I know why some people are so greedy for money!"

Okay, I'll pretend I don't know and won't ruin her plans. You can just suffer a little longer until she comes to rescue you from this misery!

"What are you saying? Explain yourself!"

"I've made myself perfectly clear! Alright, I'm tired, I'm going back to Haixi."

"Are you still planning to go back to Haixi? Actually, you don't need to go. You can stay here. Even if you stay here, Kang Lianhai will still contact you."

"I didn't go there for him; there are other people waiting for me there. By the way, how's the investigation with Xu Chonghua and Xu Zhijie going?"

"It's ongoing. Xu Zhijie should be fine, and we can't see any problems with Xu Chonghua for now. But the Xu family's butler and the CFO of Haixi International are two very problematic individuals, and we've already started closely monitoring them."

"That's good. Ding Ping is no longer of any use to me, so I'll return her to you."

"Okay, I'll send someone to take it over right away. Do we need to put on another show?"

"I don't think it's necessary. This woman is very shrewd. She has already figured everything out. Just make sure she doesn't get away, and don't let her pass on any information."

"Don't worry, that's impossible. Is there anything else you need me to do?"

"Can I make any request?"

"You can bring it up and try."

"Then let Sister Xiaoyu continue to stay with me, I really need her."

"Okay, I'll have her continue to protect you closely. Anything else?"

"No, Xiaoyu is enough."

"Alright, then let's part ways here. I hope that when we meet again, it will be the day An Cheol-ho is caught."

"That's what I think too, he can't escape!"

-----

In a manor or castle somewhere in Europe

Abraham, wearing a golden mask, put down the phone.

"Respected Ares, Mr. Abraham, has Nemesis agreed to come and explain to everyone?" asked William, the ruddy-faced old man.

"He agreed, and he agreed very readily!" Abraham paused for a moment after saying this. "But gentlemen, Nemesis will not come, and I think we will lose Nemesis forever."

"Oh! This is truly unfortunate news!" said Albert, who had a short beard, pursing his lips.

"Mr. Abraham, I think it's necessary for us to temporarily withdraw our key personnel from China to avoid trouble," Aldrich said, frowning.

"I don't think so!" Abraham waved his hand and said, "Although Nemesis has some disagreements with us, he is a partner who can be absolutely trusted. He will not betray the Abyss."

If it weren't for his overly extreme views, which might endanger the Abyss, I wouldn't have agreed to everyone's actions towards him.

"Great Nemesis, he did not deserve to be treated this way!"

"Excuse me, esteemed Mr. Abraham, did you just use the word 'great'?"

"Yes, I think Nemesis, our Mr. Ann, deserves that word! It's just that we don't need his greatness."

I propose that, as long as Mr. Ann doesn't betray us, Nemesis's divinity will be preserved forever, belonging solely to Mr. Ann. What's everyone's opinion?

I second that.

"I agree."

"Very well, let us raise a toast to the great Nemesis, may the god of the abyss be with him!"

"Cheers!"

Everyone raised their glasses, but no one actually drank the wine in their glass.

"Alright, let's move on to the next topic: Now that Nemesis has withdrawn from the Divine Court, someone needs to manage our forces in southern China. Let's make some suggestions."

"I don't think there's a better candidate than Mr. Aldridge," Anderson, who had been silent until now, said.

"The western part of China has always been under the personal control of Mr. Abraham, the eastern part has always been under the control of Xiaoshan Hezi, and in the south, apart from Nemesis, only Mr. Aldrich has the power to control it."

Moreover, Mr. Aldrich's men have been operating in Haixi Province in southern China for over a decade, and I believe there is no more suitable candidate than him.

"I agree."

I agree.

"Does anyone have any objections?" Abraham scanned the room, but no one raised any objections. "Very well, then Mr. Aldrich, our Hermes, will take over the organization in southern China."

"Thank you all for your trust!" Aldrich raised his glass and downed the wine in one gulp. "I also have a suggestion: Mr. Anderson should take on the role of the Abyss God of Southeast Asia."

Anderson Jr. was very popular in that area, and Fernandez of the Caos T country branch also got along very well with him.

Moreover, they have brought us huge profits during this financial crisis, which is evident to everyone here.

"I agree!"

I agree.

-----

Los Angeles Beach Hotel

An Zhehao stood on the balcony, gazing absently at the seagulls flying over the sea in the distance. Xu Zhenzhen sat on the wicker chair next to him and gently leaned her head against him.

Xu Zhenzhen especially liked leaning against An Zhehao, as it felt both warm and reassuring.

"Uncle, are you going back to the Divine Court?"

"No, I'm not going!"

After a long while, An Zhehao let out a long sigh and said softly, "Perhaps I won't go again in the future."

Zhenzhen, from now on, it's just the two of us. You can never come home again. Are you scared?

"I'm not afraid!" Xu Zhenzhen shook her head and hugged An Zhehao. "Uncle, I told you, I will always stand with you."

As long as you're by my side, I'm not afraid of anything!

"Alright, everything will be fine. We'll only be safer without them. Have you sorted out the accounts in Honggang?"

"It's all sorted out. I've been keeping it organized, Uncle, don't worry!"

"Very good, get ready! Solo and his gang should be arriving in Red Harbor soon, and we must get a piece of this feast. That way, we'll be able to operate independently."

"Okay, I'll do whatever you say, Uncle!" Xu Zhenzhen closed her eyes and tightened her grip on An Zhehao.

-----

On the way back to Nancheng

"Mr. Chen, tell me, how much longer do I have to be your secretary?" Mai Xiaoyu asked, leaning closer to An Xiaohai.

"I think it might take quite a while!" An Xiaohai said after thinking about it seriously. "What? Don't you like this job?"

"It's alright, just a little worried!"

"What are you worried about?"

"I'm worried that if I get used to the good life and luxurious lifestyle here, I'll never be able to go back!"

"Then let's not go back."

What do you mean?

"What I mean is, you can continue doing this and run our listed company well, which will also pave a way out for all the security personnel who are leaving front-line work."

I think this job is a better fit for you, and this is my final gift to you all.

"Tch! I think you're even more arrogant than Ahn Cheol-ho, talking like you own the stock market!"