Chapter 311 310: Apology

After what Mu Lin said, Zhao Weiyi was probably in for a rough time when he got back.

Wu Henghai wondered if he should repeat those words verbatim. Doing so would essentially be a death sentence for Team Two.

The chief would never give Team Two another chance.

"Ah, so that's how it is," Wu Henghai could only force a laugh.

Mu Lin said, "He just arrived, and you called right after. Captain Wu, you must know something about this, don't you?"

"Well, to be honest with you, I'm partly to blame. Do you remember when I asked if you would treat our injured chief? He was furious when he found out you refused and started looking into things…"

As Mu Lin listened, he understood. 'So that's it,' he thought. 'The chief is a coward, scared of dying. He cooked up this scheme to get on my good side just so I'd treat him.'

'It's such a cheap attempt to win me over. I don't think this chief is very reliable at all.'

'In the entire Military Suppression Bureau, Wu Henghai is probably the only one worth dealing with.'

'Though, if our positions were reversed in the future, Wu Henghai would probably show his true colors, too.'

"So, Zhao Weiyi only came to apologize because the chief forced him to, is that right?"

"You could say that."

"So, can I kill him?"

"Mr. Mu, don't! Please don't! A captain-level operative is a big deal. Killing one is the same as provoking the entire Military Suppression Bureau. You'd become public enemy number one, and even I would have to stand against you. Our chief would personally take action, and you might not be able to withstand his attack. For your own safety, please don't do something so dangerous!"

Mu Lin said, "Sigh... How boring…"

Wu Henghai wiped the sweat from his brow and let out a long sigh of relief. It seemed Mu Lin had dropped the idea.

"Was Captain Zhao disrespectful to you? Is that why you're so angry?"

Mu Lin said, "I was hoping he'd curse me out. Instead, he was perfectly polite. It's annoying. I can't even find a good reason to kill him now."

"What if he can't let it go and decides to get even later? Am I just supposed to wait for him to stab me in the back?"

"As the saying goes, a thief can strike any time, but you can't be on guard forever!"

Before Wu Henghai could respond, Mu Lin added, "What if he attacks me, and I 'accidentally' kill him in self-defense? Whose fault would it be then?"

'How does he come up with this stuff?' Wu Henghai thought. 'He even thought of a loophole like that.'

He thought for a moment before saying, "If that were to happen, I'm afraid it would be difficult for our chief to hold you responsible."

Mu Lin rolled his eyes. The "if" and "I'm afraid" in that sentence showed Wu Henghai's lack of sincerity. If it weren't for the chief's orders, he probably wouldn't be having this conversation at all.

'This is the arrogance of the Military Suppression Bureau. They'll never say a nice word to you unless their life is on the line.'

Wu Henghai was mentally exhausted and helpless. He was caught in the middle, taking heat from both sides with no room to maneuver.

"Mr. Mu, I know you have a deep-seated prejudice against the Military Suppression Bureau, but if our chief recovers, he'll have the strength to deal with these matters."

Mu Lin said, "So you're saying the corruption in your Military Suppression Bureau is sanctioned by the chief?"

"That's not what I meant at all!"

Mu Lin said, "I know that's not what you meant. But as the chief, if he doesn't even know what his own subordinates are doing and just lets them engage in corruption and pervert justice, how can he be a good person?"

Wu Henghai wanted to explain further, but there was no room to.

The more he tried to explain, the more he would expose his own contradictions.

The only way to get Mu Lin's help was to get him on your side.

But right now, any chance of that between Mu Lin and the Military Suppression Bureau was completely gone.

Mu Lin said calmly,

"Alright, I'm busy. Let's talk about this in a few days, okay?"

He was leaving the door open. It could be taken as agreement or disagreement; the interpretation was flexible.

Mu Lin kept the ball firmly in his court.

Wu Henghai said, "Mr. Mu, I'm sure you'll help the Military Suppression Bureau!"

As soon as the words were out, Wu Henghai felt like he was going crazy.

He didn't even believe his own words, but he had to say them, had to play the part.

The situation was still just as difficult.

With that, Wu Henghai hung up the phone, his face a mask of exhaustion.

'So damn tired!' He was mentally and physically drained.

'When have I ever been so humiliated?' Wu Henghai thought. 'Bowing and scraping to Mu Lin like a coward.'

Mu Lin put his phone away. The way Divine Doctor Zhao and Zhao Ling'Er looked at him had changed, their eyes now filled with immense admiration.

Zhao Ling'Er said, "Mu Lin, you're amazing! You're even friends with a captain-level figure."

'Friends?' The word popped into Mu Lin's mind, and he just as quickly dismissed it.

'He might consider others friends, but he would never, ever see these people from the Military Suppression Bureau that way.'

The reason was simple.

Corruption and perverting justice had consequences.

The Military Suppression Bureau was a den of corruption, and it would eventually have to pay a heavy price.

If he didn't deal with them, someone else would. 'And when that happens,' he thought, 'it'll be interesting to watch.'

Divine Doctor Zhao also looked on with a sense of awe. "My boy, you hide your talents well. I couldn't see through you at all."

Mu Lin was at a complete loss for words. 'How am I supposed to explain this to them?'

He could only offer a smile and say no more.

Xue Yang was back in his hospital bed resting, while Xue Xi sat alone by his side.

Mu Lin walked straight into the room and checked on Xue Yang's condition.

Xue Yang started to smile. "No need to check. The nurse has already been by a few times."

The "nurse," of course, was Zhao Ling'Er, who was currently dressed in a light pink nurse's uniform.

Mu Lin tilted his head. "Well, of course!"

If Zhao Ling'Er had checked, then the results were reliable.

Mu Lin turned to Xue Xi. "Miss Xue, how's work going?"

Xue Xi forced a smile, looking a bit nervous and hesitant to speak.

'There's no way I can press her on this,' Mu Lin thought. 'What if I break through her defenses and she starts crying?'

After a moment, Xue Xi stepped out. Xue Yang lowered his voice and said to Mu Lin,

"I think my sister's gotten into some trouble. She's just afraid to bother you, so she isn't saying anything."

Mu Lin said, "If she won't talk, you can! If you guys ever need my help, just let me know."

Xue Yang chuckled. "Of course. I'll keep a close eye on her, and I'll let you know at the first sign of anything. Of course, I'll also try to convince her to tell you herself."

Mu Lin said, "If there's anything you need help with, just ask. We're all colleagues here. No need to be so reserved."

Xue Yang laughed. "Of course, of course."

Mu Lin got up and chatted with Zhao Ling'Er for a bit.

Zhao Ling'Er said, "Brother Mu, why don't you stay and have dinner with us tonight?"

Mu Lin waved her off. "I can't, I have to get back to the office. I didn't clock out when I left, so I'll probably get in trouble."

Zhao Ling'Er thought for a moment. She didn't really understand all the rules of a company, so she just said, "Oh, okay!"

When Mu Lin got back to the office, he ran right into Li Xue, who was on her way out with a weary expression. Upon seeing him, she asked,

"Look at the time! Where were you yesterday? Did you get kidnapped or something? Why weren't you answering your phone?"

Mu Lin grinned. "Your guess was pretty spot on. I was locked up overnight and just got out today."

He said it so bluntly that it made Li Xue suspicious again.

It sounded completely unbelievable.

"Cut the crap and let's go home. Grandpa said you've been a ghost these past few days. He can't even find you for a game of chess!"

Mu Lin smiled. "I can't help it. I'm a busy man, you know? I have matters to attend to everywhere. It's exhausting!"

Li Xue paused. Something about his words sounded off to her.

'Why does he sound like his workload is the same as mine?'

'How interesting.' A mere project team leader was actually comparing workloads with the CEO.

The two of them took a car back to the historic villa.

Elder Li was very happy to see Mu Lin return. He said cheerfully,

"Mu Lin! You're finally back! Come on, come on, play a game with me!"

Mu Lin smiled and walked over, starting a game with Elder Li.

A short while later, they sat down for dinner. Elder Li asked, "Xue'Er, I heard there are some problems with the corporation's funding, is that right?"

Li Xue's heart skipped a beat. 'How does even Grandpa know about this?'

She immediately shot a glare at Mu Lin. 'Did he let it slip?!'

Mu Lin just kept eating, a look of complete indifference on his face, which only infuriated Li Xue more.