CHAPTER 614: CHAPTER 614: FOOL’S DAY, HOUSE, NEWS

Luo An ultimately rejected Vireness’s proposal, mainly because the code name "Pangolin" sounded ominously unlucky.

Luo An’s final choice of code name was "Fool’s Day," with no particular significance, simply because his birthday was April 1st, which is Fool’s Day.

Holding the document bag, Luo An returned to his office as leader of the Investigative Team 13, sat down on the chair, and gazed at the documents, lost in thought.

Knock, knock, knock—

Just then, there was a knock on the door of the office. Luo An came to his senses, quickly stashed the documents, and said:

"Come in."

"It’s me."

The person who pushed the door and entered was Mona, holding an envelope in her hand. She shook it and said:

"The front desk just called, saying there’s a letter for you, and after inspection, it’s not hazardous, so I had someone bring it up."

"OK, thanks."

Mona turned and left, and Luo An opened the envelope to find a familiar item inside.

It was the credentials and appointment letter for a [Federal National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA) - Secret Agent].

In the corner of the envelope was a capital H—Luo An instantly understood that this was the surname initial of the reporter, Louise Hernandez.

Luo An, resigned, rubbed his temples. Just moments ago, he had received secret agent credentials from 5 different departments from Vireness, and with this one added, he’d become a secret agent for 6 different Federation Government departments in just a few short days.

Luo An lined up the six sets of credentials: the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), a foreign military intelligence organization within the federal Ministry of Defense, including federal embassies in other countries and military attachés sent abroad.

The National Reconnaissance Bureau (NRO), under the federal Ministry of Defense, responsible for coordinating, collecting, and analyzing intelligence from space shuttles and satellites.

The Federal National Security Intelligence Office (ONSI), under the Department of Justice, tasked with gathering intelligence on drug trafficking organizations.

Coast Guard Intelligence Bureau (CGI), under the Department of Homeland Security, deals with various maritime law enforcement issues.

Federal National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA), under the federal Ministry of Defense, responsible for collecting, analyzing, and disseminating geographic intelligence.

And an old acquaintance, the National Security Bureau (NSA), under the federal Ministry of Defense, specializing in collecting and analyzing foreign and domestic communication material.

Luo An marveled, then suddenly realized that with his current FBI job, added to these credentials, he seemed to have reason and identity to get involved with most of the events occurring within Federation territory.

"Pity, there’s no CIA."

Luo An stored the credentials safely away. Having no CIA wasn’t an issue; whether it was DIA or NSA, both could pose as CIA.

In the future, faced with certain matters, Luo An’s complete identity would be layered upon layers, dazzling others.

After resting for a moment, Luo An stepped out of the office and saw people in the work area chatting around Reesi, so he walked up and asked with a smile:

"What are you talking about?"

Michelle poured Luo An a cup of coffee, chuckling:

"Reesi is planning to buy a house, and she’s getting us to discuss the layout of a few houses."

Luo An was slightly stunned and looked at Reesi with some surprise:

"You’re planning to buy a house?"

"That’s right!"

Reesi chuckled and took a few packets of snacks from her desk and handed them to Luo An, standing proudly with her hands on her hips:

"I’ve finally saved enough to buy a house!"

"And it’s enough for two houses."

Mona patted Reesi’s shoulder, smiling:

"Reesi is incredible!"

"I’m not incredible; the incredible one is Luo An."

Reesi hooked her arm around Mona’s, grinning at Luo An, and giving him a thumbs up, she said:

"If Luo An hadn’t given me advice, suggesting I buy stocks in companies like Apple and Microsoft, as well as always having me by his side during investigative team outings, I couldn’t have achieved my modest life goals this quickly."

Although Luo An often snacked on Reesi’s treats and bullied her when there were no cases, among these members of Investigative Team 13, besides Mona, Reesi trusted Luo An the most.

Michelle, Winslow, and Chenier also placed great trust in Luo An, but none had the same enduring trust developed from spending so much time together as Reesi had.

Winslow, Chenier, and Michelle were also happy for Reesi. They harbored no jealousy; firstly, because Reesi had followed Luo An the longest, and secondly because their own incomes weren’t bad, reaching their personal goals was just a matter of time.

Compared to the excited group, Luo An was very calm. He picked up the blueprints and information about the houses that Reesi was interested in, looked them over, and after a few seconds of silence, said:

"Reesi, I suggest you don’t buy two houses at the same time."

"Huh?"

A few people were momentarily stunned, and Reesi looked puzzled:

"Why?"

"You need to consider more risks."

Luo An didn’t delve into topics like the financial crisis but explained:

"You do have the capability to purchase two houses at the same time, but you’re just one person; you can’t possibly live in two houses at once.

Moreover, after buying two houses, you won’t have much money left, the risk factor is too high. It’s better to just buy one house and keep the remaining money to continue making you money in the stock market."

"That makes sense."

Winslow, Chenier, and Michelle nodded, shifting their gaze toward Reesi. Without much thought, Reesi immediately accepted Luo An’s suggestion:

"OK, then I’ll just buy one house.

Luo An, do you think the house in New York is better, or the one in Washington D.C.?"

"The one in Washington D.C. is somewhat better."

Luo An threw the model pictures and other information back on the table, laughing:

"We work in Washington D.C.; you still need to stay in the 13th Investigation Team to work for me."

"Tch——"

Reesi rolled her eyes dramatically, Luo An laughed heartily, and after a moment of laughter and teasing, Reesi threw the information of the house in New York aside, and the group began discussing the houses in Washington D.C.

At lunch break, Luo An was standing in front of the coffee machine in the break room, grinding coffee for himself, when Mona walked over.

Luo An handed her a cup of coffee, Mona took the cup and looked at Luo An, saying:

"I thought you would suggest that Reesi doesn’t buy a house for the time being."

"Is that so?"

Luo An took a sip of coffee and asked with a smile:

"Why do you think that?"

"Because you said before that you’re not optimistic about the current housing prices set by the Federation."

Mona stared intently at Luo An and said:

"You think there is a problem, and you even advised me not to buy a house for investment."

Luo An’s gaze flickered slightly, and he asked with a smile:

"Do you think I’m harming Reesi?"

Mona didn’t speak, just quietly looked at Luo An.

Luo An chuckled, put down the coffee cup, and said:

"Rest assured, I’m not harming Reesi.

As you said before, you’re planning to buy a house for investment, while Reesi is planning to buy a house for herself to live in, it’s a different situation."

Mona furrowed her brows slightly:

"But the housing prices..."

Luo An shook his head:

"In the short term, there could be problems with the housing prices.

But don’t forget, this is Washington D.C., and those houses that Reesi is considering are all in the wealthy areas."

Washington D.C., the political heart of the Federation, it’s no exaggeration to say that the central areas are incredibly valuable.

After the subprime mortgage crisis, housing prices in Washington D.C. also experienced a cliff-like drop, but it wasn’t long before they were driven up again, and the ones making moves were naturally some major capitals and financial groups.

If Reesi was planning to buy houses for investment, she would definitely lose a fortune following the subprime crisis.

But as Reesi is only planning to buy a house to live in, a drop in housing prices is just a short-term issue for her, in the long run, her house will continue to appreciate in value.

As for why not let Reesi buy property when the prices drop, that’s because Luo An is very worried that Reesi won’t be able to outbid those shark-like major capitals and financial groups.

"Alright then."

After listening to Luo An’s explanation, Mona breathed a sigh of relief. Luo An stepped forward and lightly embraced Mona, asking softly:

"What, are you afraid I’m duping my own team member?"

"No, I just..."

Mona fell silent for a moment, wrapping her arm around Luo An’s waist, resting her head on his chest, about to say something, when suddenly the loud shouts from Reesi got closer and closer:

"Luo An! Come out! You’re in the news!"