First-Year Internship—And You Went to Site 749 to Contain Monsters?!
Chapter 75: Don’t Shoot—It’s Me, Investigator Lu, Here to Bring You a Gift

......

After Lu Ding left, Ji Yanshuang searched for him but couldn’t find his figure anywhere. She felt a slight pang of regret—not because she wanted anything to happen between them, but simply because she felt she owed him her gratitude.

To Lu Ding, what he did might have been nothing more than a casual gesture. But to Ji Yanshuang, it was a life-saving favor.

In the eyes of ordinary people, she might be a rich heiress, a second-generation socialite.

But ever since she stepped into the world of Cultivators of Qi, she understood—she was just another face in the crowd, someone with talent but not enough of it, and completely unskilled in combat.

Lu Ding… someone like him was like the stars in the sky, the moon reflected in the water—visible but unattainable, making her feel unworthy.

They say that meeting someone too extraordinary at a young age can haunt you for life.

At this moment, Ji Yanshuang finally understood what that meant.

"You must always stand in the light."

The wind made her white dress sway, brushing against her cheek, swirling gently around the dimples on her face.

.....

On the way to Bao Fan District.

Lu Ding glanced at Bai Hemen beside him. "You got something to do in the city?"

"Before my last mission, I had some clothes made at a shop. Spent too long in confinement, gotta go pick them up."

"Where is it? We’ll drop you off. No rush today, anyway. Might as well."

Lu Ding found Bai Hemen to be a decent guy.

Besides, he had helped block that peacemaker just now.

A quick detour didn’t cost them anything.

After Bai Hemen gave the address, he hesitated briefly before asking, "Lu Ding, that poem from last time… is there a full version?"

He felt a bit presumptuous asking.

But the poem had his name in it, and he couldn’t find it anywhere online. Without hearing the full version, it felt like something was missing inside him.

"Yeah."

Lu Ding recited it on the spot:

"Cloud-piercing peaks reach toward the sky, carefreeness unbound by time.

Brushing aside clouds to seek an ancient path, leaning on stone to hear the flowing spring.

In warm blossoms, a green ox lies at rest; high among pines, a white crane sleeps.

As dusk paints the river in twilight’s glow, I descend alone into the cold mist."

"Yo, Lu bro! Since when did you start writing poetry? This is amazing! If I close my eyes, I feel like I’m in some serene immortal paradise—white cranes spreading their wings, a green ox resting in the fields… feels like the life of a recluse!"

Lu Ding turned his head, his voice exasperated.

"Feifan, could you open your eyes? We’re on the highway."

"Oh, oh! Hahaha, my bad, Lu bro. Got too into it. Seriously though, this poem is f***ing incredible."

"I swear… you need to cut back on those short videos."

Their conversation didn’t break Bai Hemen’s thoughts.

As he listened to Lu Ding’s poem, he felt like he had returned to the small mountain village where he was born and raised.

The gentle breeze carried the scent of flowers.

He led his family’s water buffalo across a bridge over a flowing stream…

He returned to the house on the mountainside, the one he shared with his grandmother.

Birdsong filled the morning air.

From the kitchen came the clinking of pots and bowls—his grandmother, making breakfast.

"Xiao Bai, you’re going to be late. Hurry up and eat."

His eyes grew wet.

Bai Hemen knew—he could never go back.

Everything was gone.

He rolled down the window, letting the wind dry the tears at the corners of his eyes.

"This is a beautiful poem. Can I copy it?"

"Go ahead. It’s not like I wrote it."

At Lu Ding’s words, Bai Hemen could only manage a forced smile.

When they arrived in the city, they stopped at Bai Hemen’s destination.

Before getting out, Bai Hemen turned back and said, "Lu Ding, you gave me a poem—let me give you a set of clothes."

Lu Ding glanced down at his own black T-shirt, which faintly outlined the muscles underneath.

He really didn’t have many clothes left.

And after everything that had happened recently, he had lost quite a few.

Since Bai Hemen was offering, Lu Ding wasn’t about to be polite—after all, how much could clothes cost?

It was the thought that counted.

Next time, he’d return the favor.

"Sure, thanks. But, uh… could you throw in a few extra? I don’t have much left to change into."

Bai Hemen looked at him.

"Alright."

Then, without another word, he turned and walked away.

Yan Feifan sat in silence for a long time, lost in thought.

The light turned green.

Then red again.

Lu Ding didn’t rush him.

He wanted to see if Yan Feifan would feel awkward when he snapped out of it.

Finally, Yan Feifan blinked back to reality and blurted out, "Lu bro, how about I give you a gift too?"

Lu Ding: ???

"...You didn’t peek at my ID, did you?"

"What? No! Why would I do that?" Yan Feifan looked genuinely confused.

"Figures. That explains why you don’t know my birthday. You’re already thinking about gifts? It’s still way off—no rush. Just get me something nice when the time comes."

This time, Yan Feifan caught on—Lu bro’s humor was kicking in again.

He didn’t say another word.

Just floored the gas.

He wasn’t going to act all formal about it.

More than anything, Yan Feifan felt that since he had been following Lu Ding, he had gained a lot.

Take the Vampire Case, for example.

Lu Ding was the lead investigator—he earned 180 contribution points.

Yan Feifan?

He just tagged along, did some minor tasks, and still got 100.

That was a number he could’ve never imagined before.

If he tried to transfer those points to Lu Ding, Lu Ding definitely wouldn’t accept them.

But now that Bai Hemen had brought up the idea of a gift, Yan Feifan was inspired.

He could just… get Lu Ding a present.

Now, he just had to figure out what.

Back at the Public Security Bureau.

Lu Ding got out of the car and walked ahead, thinking only about getting a good night’s sleep.

"I swear to god, Lu bro—you’re this good-looking?!"

Yan Feifan’s sudden shout nearly made Lu Ding think something serious had happened.

"What now?"

Yan Feifan hurried over and handed him his phone.

On the screen—

The photo Ji Yanshuang had taken earlier today.

The caption:

【Victory Achieved】

Below it, a flood of comments:

【Strong and handsome—my absolute favorite!】

【No words needed. Take my money! This photo is incredible. If I ever become famous, I want this kind of shot!】

【A pro photographer and an absolute beast—what a legendary duo. This is officially the best promotional image of the year!】

【Ji Yanshuang? When did the Bureau’s Information Integration Department get a photographer named Ji Yanshuang? This shot is insane! Can she take some private photos for me? I want this as my wallpaper.】

【I admit… from this angle, even I feel inferior to Lu Ding. Fine, I’ll let you win this time.】

【Hahahahaha, damn! You’re this good-looking? Then do you dare to drop your name?】

The Information Integration Department was one of the many logistical branches of the 749 Bureau. They were the ones managing the Bureau’s forums, organizing events, and handling administrative work—mostly made up of Cultivators of Qi who weren’t skilled in combat.

After all, the 749 Bureau was an institution. It couldn’t be made up entirely of fighters.

Lu Ding glanced at the comments.

"Am I really that handsome?"

"Handsome! Ruggedly handsome—no exaggeration needed. From inside to out, whether it’s personal charisma or physical features, you’ve got it all. If our Bureau had a ranking for ‘top charm,’ the bronze laurels would be yours, no question."

Yan Feifan spoke with absolute sincerity, even giving a big thumbs-up.

Lu Ding had been in a decent mood already—now, he felt even better.

"Since she made me look this damn good, I have to reward her. A heavy reward!"

Rarely one for extravagance, Lu Ding took out his phone and, feeling generous for once, sent a 10 Contribution Point tip.

Outside the Public Security Bureau

Lu Ding stood in the courtyard when—

"Investigator Lu! I’ve brought you a treasure!"

A voice rang out.

From a distance, Cao Ying hurriedly got out of a car and shouted across the courtyard.

Immediately, the guards at the entrance raised their guns.

Ever since the Yin Domain Incident—where a frantic informant had rammed her car past security—these sentries had been on high alert.

Not that the informant had done anything wrong exactly, but the way she had barged in was insanely dangerous.

Sure, Lu Ding and the other Cultivators of Qi could handle it, but most people in the Bureau were just regular humans. If someone got run over, it’d be a huge problem.

And besides—

Cao Ying’s outfit?

Definitely not the look of an upstanding citizen.

Who the hell goes shirtless under a suit jacket, with a thick chain around their neck?!

"Don’t shoot! It’s me! I’m Cao Ying! Investigator Lu, I’m here to bring you a treasure!"

Cao Ying?

Lu Ding waved to the guards, signaling them to let him through.

Cao Ying strode over and pulled something from his chest—

A Zhima Beast, wrapped in pure spiritual energy.

"A rare treasure to enhance cultivation, break through bottlenecks, and extend lifespan!"

"Investigator Lu, how about taking a look?"

Lu Ding had just been fretting over not having enough Contribution Points to exchange for natural treasures to expand his Linghai Realm.

And now?

Someone just handed one to him for free!