It wasn’t until Mi Beibei and Liu Jiajia stopped in front of a three-story villa that Mi Beibei finally snapped back to reality.
Liu Jiajia said, “This is Villa No. 17, and the one next to it is No. 18. Both have already been cleaned, and they’re fully furnished. Which one would you like to live in? I live in No. 16, right in front of yours.”
Mi Beibei’s fingers trembled slightly as she held the black card. The cool metallic touch kept reminding her that this wasn’t a dream.
She looked up at the elegant three-story villa before her. The afternoon sun slanted across its cream-colored walls, scattering tiny flecks of light that made even the air seem filled with golden dust.
“I… I’ll take No. 17.”
Her voice trembled uncontrollably, as though she feared that speaking too loudly would cause everything before her to disappear like a bubble.
Liu Jiajia smiled and winked as she took out a ring of keys from her bag and jingled them.
“I knew you’d choose this one. It’s close to mine, so it’ll be easy for us to visit each other.”
With that, she skipped up the steps and unlocked the front door of Villa No. 17.
As soon as the door opened, a warm, fresh atmosphere greeted Mi Beibei.
The spacious, bright living room featured light-colored hardwood floors that reflected a soft sheen. The modern minimalist furniture was arranged perfectly throughout the room.
Huge floor-to-ceiling windows allowed sunlight to pour in without restraint, making the entire house feel bright, airy, and cozy.
“All the furniture and appliances were selected according to the highest standards. Even the kitchen equipment is still unopened in its original packaging. It’ll definitely satisfy all your cooking needs!”
Like an enthusiastic real estate agent, Liu Jiajia led Mi Beibei through the entire house.
“The bedrooms and study are on the second floor. The third floor has an amazing rooftop terrace where you can watch the stars at night!”
Mi Beibei followed behind mechanically.
Her eyes wandered over the soft king-sized bed, the brand-new desk, the elegant chandeliers…
Every detail made her feel as though she were touring someone else’s luxury mansion.
Only after stepping onto the third-floor terrace and seeing the distant garden and the sparkling artificial lake did she finally find her voice.
“Jiajia… isn’t this… a little too luxurious? I…”
She turned around, her eyes filled with uneasiness and confusion.
Liu Jiajia simply waved her hand casually while leaning against the terrace railing.
“Beibei, don’t underestimate yourself!
“You control the passage connecting to the apocalypse world. That’s an incredibly important strategic resource for the country.
“You deserve all of this.
“And besides, even though your work is simple, your responsibilities are enormous.
“You might as well enjoy the benefits early.”
Mi Beibei nodded thoughtfully, but her heart still couldn’t calm down.
She remembered how frightened she had been when she first discovered the dimensional passage.
She remembered the nervous excitement during her very first trade.
Back then, she never could have imagined she’d one day be living a life like this.
“Oh, right! I almost forgot!”
Liu Jiajia suddenly slapped her forehead before pulling out a small electronic device from her pocket.
“This is a specially designed communicator. Only people in our bureau can use it.
“If there’s ever a mission or anything unusual happens on the other side of the passage, we’ll contact each other through this.”
Mi Beibei accepted the communicator and examined it carefully.
The black device was compact, lightweight, and felt smooth in her hand.
Its screen glowed with a faint blue light.
She gently pressed the power button.
Several lines of text immediately appeared.
Special Events Management Bureau Exclusive Device
Encryption Level: S-Class
“It’s really easy to use. If you don’t understand anything, just ask me.”
Liu Jiajia glanced at her watch.
“It’s getting late. Go settle in and familiarize yourself with the house.
“I’ll pick you up tomorrow and show you around the bureau.
“Then we’ll have a big meal together as your welcome party.”
After Liu Jiajia left, Mi Beibei sat alone in a wicker chair on the terrace.
Watching the sun slowly sink below the horizon, she was overwhelmed with mixed emotions.
She had gone from being an ordinary girl to becoming a member of a special government bureau, with wealth and status that many people would envy.
Everything had happened so quickly that she still felt somewhat lost.
Suddenly, she missed home.
She missed her parents.
Picking up her phone, she called her mother.
“Doo…”
“Beibei, are you off work? Have you eaten yet?”
Her mother’s caring voice came through the phone.
“Mom, I just got off work. I missed you and Dad. Have you eaten? Have you been busy lately?”
Mi Beibei smiled brightly as she spoke.
“We’ve already eaten. We just finished. Things haven’t been too busy lately. What about you? Are you getting used to your new job? Is it tiring?”
“It isn’t tiring, Mom. My coworkers and leaders all take good care of me, so don’t worry.”
“That’s good. Make sure you get along well with your coworkers. Be observant, don’t be lazy…”
Her mother continued giving advice one sentence after another.
Pretending to be impatient, Mi Beibei interrupted with a laugh.
“Okay, okay! I know already. My ears are practically growing calluses from hearing it so much.”
“You silly child…”
Her mother laughed as she scolded her affectionately.
After hanging up, Mi Beibei felt much calmer.
A determined expression appeared on her face.
The country would always be worthy of her trust.
…
At noon, Mi Beibei had been so overwhelmed by all the unexpected surprises that she’d spent the entire day packing and moving.
Now her stomach was completely empty.
She had moved in so hurriedly that she hadn’t had time to buy groceries or rice.
Taking out her phone, she was about to order takeout when someone knocked on the door.
Curious, she wondered who it could be.
Opening the door, she found Liu Jiajia standing there with a steaming bowl of tomato and egg noodles in her hands.
The moment Mi Beibei opened the door, Liu Jiajia quickly walked into the dining room and placed the bowl on the table.
“I figured you didn’t bring any food with you. I don’t really know how to cook anything else, so I just made you some noodles. Make do with this for now.”
Mi Beibei felt warmth spread through her heart.
After so many years of studying and working away from home, no one had ever treated her this kindly.
“Thank you, Jiajia.
“You’re so good to me.”
“Don’t get too touched.”
Liu Jiajia grinned mischievously.
“Hurry up and eat. I’m going back home for a nap.”
Without another word, she turned around and left.
After finishing the noodles, Mi Beibei washed the bowl carefully, planning to return it the next day before going upstairs to organize the rest of her luggage.
…
The villa neighborhood was exceptionally quiet at night.
Mi Beibei dreamed about counting stacks of money all night long.
When she woke up the next morning and remembered the dream, she couldn’t help laughing at herself.
After washing up and stepping outside, she discovered that Liu Jiajia was already waiting in the open space in front of her house.
The moment she saw Mi Beibei, she ran over cheerfully.
“Beibei! Let’s go to the bureau!”
Allowing herself to be dragged along, Mi Beibei followed Liu Jiajia to a food stall outside the residential community.
“Two egg-filled pancakes.”
Turning to Mi Beibei, Liu Jiajia asked,
“Do you want to add anything?”
Mi Beibei shook her head.
“I don’t want any extra toppings.”
“Alright. Two pancakes with two eggs each.”
Liu Jiajia turned to the vendor.
“Coming right up! Two egg-filled pancakes with two eggs each. That’s twenty yuan altogether.”
The owner skillfully began frying the pancakes.
“There aren’t any breakfast shops near this neighborhood,” Liu Jiajia explained.
“This is the only place that sells egg-filled pancakes, but they’re absolutely delicious.
“You’ll see once you try one.”
“Okay.”
Mi Beibei smiled.
…
While eating their pancakes, Mi Beibei followed Liu Jiajia to a dull gray building beside the residential complex.
As Liu Jiajia pushed open the door, a small bronze bell rang with a clear ding, startling two sparrows perched beneath the eaves.
At first glance, the building looked no different from the auto repair shop next door.
But the moment Mi Beibei crossed the threshold, she stopped in her tracks.
Directly behind the reception desk hung a black plaque with gold lettering.
Special Events Management Bureau
“What are you standing there staring at?”
Liu Jiajia waved to her from the spiral staircase.
Her ponytail brushed against the badge on her shoulder, though Mi Beibei couldn’t make out the design.
Only then did she notice that delicate cloud patterns were carved into the staircase railing.
The dark reddish wooden handrail had been polished smooth by years of use, giving it the quiet dignity of an old building.
“Only someone is on duty at the reception desk downstairs. Most of the time, the place is empty.
“Besides bureau personnel, nobody from outside can even find this place.
“And see that doorbell?”
She pointed to an inconspicuous bronze button on the doorframe.
“You have to press it three long times and two short times before the door will open.”
…
The second-floor office contained over a dozen computers lined up beneath large floor-to-ceiling windows.
A massive map hung on one wall.
Many locations had been circled in red ink, making the map look as though someone had scattered red beans across it.
Liu Jiajia patted the workstation in the far corner.
“This is your desk. We just replaced your monitor yesterday.”
A sticky note had been attached to the computer tower.
Written in crooked handwriting were the words:
For Beibei Only 🙂
A smiling face had been drawn underneath.
…
As soon as the glass door to the third-floor archives opened, the smell of mothballs and old paper drifted out.
The entire wall was lined with camphor wood cabinets secured with heavy brass locks.
The labels read things such as:
Strange Incidents in Fog City — 1948
Kunlun Snow Disaster Files — 1997
…
“The fourth floor is the equipment storage room.
“We don’t have to go on field missions, so there’s no need for you to see it.
“We start work at nine every morning.
“From now on, you’ll go over there every day at nine o’clock to open the dimensional passage.
“If nothing happens, you can come right back.
“Then you’ll write a report, and that’s basically your whole day’s work.
“Other than the fourth floor, you can spend your time anywhere you like.”
Liu Jiajia smiled.
“So… should I head over there now?”
Mi Beibei asked.
“Mhm.
“Go ahead.
“You just moved yesterday, so afterward you can spend some time buying whatever you still need.”
Leaving the bureau, Mi Beibei hailed a taxi to Xingcheng Residential Community—her former home.
After getting into the taxi, only two or three minutes passed before the driver pulled over.
“We’re here.”