"Just pick a floor at random, and you should find the same situation – the entire building is completely uniform."

"Alright, I got it. I'll start my action promptly at 7 o'clock. You'll just need to monitor me through the cameras, and if you spot anything unusual, contact me immediately, got it?"

"Okay, I understand. I will arrange for someone to bring you a walkie-talkie later, so we can keep in touch at all times."

"Fine, no problem. By the way, do you also go upstairs to the restaurant for lunch?"

"Heh, with our status, how could we possibly dine in the upstairs restaurant? That's for people of your level. We have our own restaurant downstairs where all the employees usually eat."

"What? There are different cafeterias?"

"Of course. Inside this building, there are three dining areas in total. Only one is for higher-level employees like you. The other two are for staff like us, usually on the 3rd floor downstairs."

"Oh, I see."

"Yes, that's how it is. Ah, Mr. Ye, do you need me to take you back for lunch?"

"Oh, no need, I'll make my own way over, don't worry about it."

"Alright then, I've got it. Do you have any other issues here?"

"Nothing at the moment. By the way, I never asked, how many security guards are there in total in this building, including those on patrol and on duty?"

"Oh, at present, if you don't count me, there are 57 people."

"57? Are they distributed across all floors?"

"Yes, basically there are two people per floor, though some floors might only have one, because not many people go there. One guard can maintain the status quo."

"Okay, got it. Has it been like this for many years?"

"For the most part, it should have been. Anyway, during the years I've been here, initially, there weren't that many guards, only about twenty or thirty. Later on, it gradually increased until two years ago when it was fixed at 57. There hasn't been much staff turnover since."

"Alright then, I understand. You go ahead with your work. If there's anything I'm unsure about, I'll ask you."

"Heh, Mr. Ye, I dare not accept such praise from you. If there's anything you need, just give the orders."

"Alright, I will. Let's leave it at that."

After finishing the conversation, he simply greeted him, then got up and left.

Once he was gone, Anying immediately stood up and peeked through the crack in the door. She saw him not lingering at all but heading straight for the room opposite.

"The Captain Yang I mentioned to you is that man. What do you think, can you see anything different about him?"

"He's slick and smooth – obviously very shrewd in dealing with people on a daily basis, so he's definitely not trustworthy."

"See? You were able to tell at a glance. I really can't understand why those people had such a favorable opinion of him before."

"Isn't it obvious? He's in charge of those 57 people under him, and if they don't stay out of his sight, he can buy them off quickly. He's their manager after all, so they wouldn't dare to offend him lightly."

"Is there really not a single guard daring enough to stand up and tell the truth?"

"If that were the case, I think we wouldn't be in this situation now. Didn't you hear what he said? Since the year before last, the number has been fixed at 57, with no new staff turnover. This proves that by now, everyone has been bought by him."

"If that's the case, then it does indeed make our next actions a bit more troublesome. Well, for now, we can only take it one step at a time."

"By the way, you mentioned acting tonight. I heard they've tried many methods before, so what do you plan to do tonight?"

"I haven't really thought about doing anything. I just want to see for myself what this so-called red-colored water really is, as well as what exactly are those 'whooshing' wind sounds they talk about. I just want to see for myself; I don't want to think about too much else at the moment."

"Weren't there already people who took that water for testing? They said after examination that it was just ordinary tap water with no additives."

"That's strange, then. If it's just ordinary tap water, then why such a dramatic color reaction?"

"That's why this is truly the first time I've heard such a thing, and I've never seen it either. To be honest, what you're saying now has really piqued my interest. I can't wait to go and see what's really happening."

"Going now, you won't be able to find out anything, so let's first familiarize ourselves with the office environment here. Then at noon, you can come with me for lunch."

"No way, you just told him, only people with your status can go up there for lunch. I'll follow along with the others to the regular staff cafeteria, that way I can help you gather some information about the employees there."

"Hmm, if that's the case, it seems splitting up and taking separate actions might be better."

"Right, so we'll go our separate ways later, and we'll communicate in time if there's any news."

Ding ding ding.

Just then, there was a knock at the door.

Anying hurriedly went to answer it and found several security guards outside.

"Excuse me, which one of you is Miss Anying?"

"Oh, what's this about?"

Anying was still puzzled. She had just arrived and didn't know these guards. Why would they suddenly come looking for her?

"Oh, the higher-ups said to clear out a room. Take a look and keep anything you need; otherwise, we'll move it out immediately."

"Oh, I see. Alright then, I'll come with you."