During this period, everyone at work simply drank tea and browsed the internet. Growing impatient, the researchers began to gossip, with Deputy Director Zhao Junzhi being the primary target.
"Where did this kid spring from?" a seasoned professor wondered suspiciously.
"Who does he think he is, leading us?" an impassioned, undefeated frontline strategist bluntly challenged.
Compared to these individuals, Zhao Zhenhuai was indeed a nobody. As time passed, rumors and whispers naturally reached Zhao Junzhi’s ears. He was deeply resentful and silently vowed, Just you wait! I’ve been promoted by an influential patron, undoubtedly due to my exceptional military talents! I’ll make all of you see me in a new light very soon!
He inquired with his superiors, already impatient to begin working. However, his superiors merely gave him a stern command, "Await instructions!"
Finally, the day arrived. A high-ranking military vehicle stopped at the entrance of the research institute. Bai Xianya, clad in a military uniform and as coolly elegant as an alpine rose, stepped out accompanied by two junior strategists.
"Research Institute 745 carries the fervent hopes of the entire military command!"
"All of you are among the Confederation’s most brilliant tactical minds. We need you, under the leadership of a true master tactician, to develop the most suitable tactics to counter the Alien Insect Race!"
"Your director is someone you are all very familiar with."
As Bai Xianya spoke, she gestured to a screen. A battle video began to play, showing the player [Idol Actor] defeating [Officer’s Wings] in the game "Inferno" during the event known as [Pillar of Heaven’s Fall].
Zhao Zhenhuai stared, dumbfounded. What in the world is happening?
Bai Xianya scanned the room. "Due to personal reasons, [Idol Actor] himself will not be present at the research institute. However, you can all maintain contact with him at any time."
The two junior strategists distributed the experimental combat data for the [Pillar of Heaven’s Fall] tactic. Everyone reviewed it and nodded in agreement; the tactic was indeed feasible.
"Research Institute 745’s short-term goal is to develop a tactical manual for the [Pillar of Heaven’s Fall] against the Alien Insect Race, covering three thousand different combat scenarios."
"The long-term goal is a comprehensive all-environment tactical manual."
"Looking even further ahead, the objective is to devise corresponding counter-tactics for other intelligent species we might encounter."
Still in a daze, Zhao Zhenhuai suddenly heard his name and instinctively stood at attention. "Present, sir!"
"You, as Deputy Director, were personally requested by [Idol Actor]. You are the crucial link between him and the entire research institute. You will report the situation to him at all times and relay his instructions. Your role is extremely important. You must provide excellent service and ensure the Director is satisfied!"
Zhao Zhenhuai’s blood boiled, and he almost cursed aloud. So that’s how it is! I was wondering why I, a perfectly capable city police chief, was suddenly made a deputy director in this dead-end research institute! My millions of Starshields! How much funding can I possibly embezzle in this wretched place? It’ll take forever to earn that back! And what’s even more infuriating is that not only did that damned [Idol Actor] humiliate me in front of millions, but now I have to be his subordinate, under his thumb for life! What grudge does he have against me, what have I ever done to him!
"Have you understood?" Bai Xianya asked, but Zhao Zhenhuai, his mind in turmoil, hadn’t heard a word.
"Have you understood?" Bai Xianya repeated sharply, her voice louder.
Zhao Zhenhuai clenched his molars and bit out, "Understood!"
Following his reply, Zhao Zhenhuai immediately felt a barrage of mocking gazes from... every single researcher present.
They looked at him with a look of sudden understanding. So that’s how you became Deputy Director! Ah, yes, if that’s the case... we can only express our admiration! We would never dare compete with you for this position, Your Excellency. The price is simply too high—to be humiliated in front of millions, then to be constantly reminded of it, to have your disgrace paraded and picked apart at almost every tactical studies conference across the Star Sea, like having your corpse publicly flogged. You’ve made such an immense sacrifice; this Deputy Directorship is truly what you deserve!
Zhao Zhenhuai wished a hole would open up and swallow him. He had never felt so embarrassed in his entire life.
Bai Xianya suddenly added, "Oh, right. Because His Excellency [Idol Actor]’s identity is confidential, in addition to being the liaison Deputy Director, you are also his sole personal assistant. You are required to satisfy all of his demands! This is a military order, understand?"
All demands? Zhao Zhenhuai felt his world crumbling. But Bai Xianya had stressed it was a military order, her almond eyes glaring at him menacingly. Armed military police stood guard outside the door. Steeling himself, Zhao Zhenhuai forced out two words through clenched teeth, "Understood."
"Good. Now, let us begin your first interaction with the Director," Bai Xianya said, nodding in satisfaction.
These strategists and professors didn’t particularly doubt [Idol Actor]’s abilities, but the man was so secretive, not even showing his face and only providing remote guidance via the internet. How reliable could that be? Could anything useful actually be developed this way? Everyone felt that the Central Operations Room’s arrangement was somewhat farcical.
And [Idol Actor]’s first interaction with them was even more dubious. He simply left a single message: "Begin your research based on the existing data. I will contact you all in three days. We can discuss any questions then."
Then, [Idol Actor] logged out of "Inferno" on the spot.
Bai Xianya could feel the strange stares around her. In her mind, she was already cursing that damned old fool. You had better not embarrass the Central Operations Room, or I swear I’ll do more than just embarrass you!
Without another word, Bai Xianya left the research institute. She returned to the Central Operations Room and found her uncle. "Uncle... I feel we’ve been too hasty this time!"
"That man is insufferable!"
Bai Yunpeng ignored his niece’s complaints, merely asking, "What is the progress on screening the individuals around Zhao Zhenhuai?"
"It’s complete, but we haven’t found anyone who could be [Idol Actor]."
"Check again," Bai Yunpeng ordered. "If you still find nothing... then perhaps our investigation was misdirected from the start. Actually, I’ve suspected from the beginning that [Idol Actor] bringing Zhao Zhenhuai into this was merely a tactical misdirection."
Understanding dawned on Bai Xianya. Her lovely almond eyes widened until they were round, and after a long moment, she burst out with a curse, "That despicable old fool, he’s playing us!"
Bai Yunpeng, however, offered a word of praise, "Truly worthy of being the top tactical master in this Star Sea!"
After Bai Xianya departed, Zhao Zhenhuai commenced his "daily work," feeling like a zombie.
His so-called daily work now consisted of monitoring the game "Inferno," lest he miss any "instructions" from the esteemed Director.
Zhao Zhenhuai’s eyes were vacant, as if he had lost half his soul and spirit.
It took him a while to rally his spirits. It might not be so bad. After all, I am the Deputy Director now. I don’t have any real feud with that [Idol Actor]. He used me to climb higher, true, but he’s already made me miserable enough. What more could he want? Hmm... perhaps he specifically named me for this Deputy Director position because he feels a bit guilty and wants to compensate me.
Just as Deputy Director Zhao was optimistically trying to console himself, his "Inferno" account suddenly chimed. A small speaker icon flashed insistently, and a message cheerfully popped up.
He clicked on it. Indeed, it was from [Idol Actor].
"Perform frog hops with your hands clasped behind your head all the way to the Yingtai Flower Market in District D of the city. Buy a pot of Dream Fantasy Orchids. Then, holding it in front of you with both hands, run back with high knees. I want to see that pot of flowers in my office before six o’clock this afternoon."