area51novel Page 60
Page 60
Chapter 45: An Unexpected Book Title
As he left the director's office, the heavy door closed behind him, cutting off Elons' and the deputy mayor's view.
The light in the corridor appeared somewhat pale.
None of the five people spoke; their footsteps echoed in the empty corridor with a dull rhythm.
Gil Valentine walked in front, Chris beside her, Barry protected Rebecca, and Brad followed at the back, his neck hunched even tighter.
No words were needed; a single glance was enough for them to understand the gravity and wariness in each other's eyes.
[Arons, Verus... the waters of Raccoon City are muddier than I imagined.]
[Their statement was full of holes, but instead of investigating the origins of the zombies, Elons and Verus stubbornly insisted on the self-destruct program.]
What they cared about wasn't the truth, but the fact that the mansion was destroyed, or rather, the destruction of the things inside the mansion.
Umbrella...
Jill quickly calculated in her mind.
Every word we say and every action we take is likely being monitored. There are definitely many informants within the police department.
[The house... has probably already been visited. Eavesdropping devices? Hidden cameras? Umbrella's technology is top-notch.]
We must find a safe place as soon as possible, reassess the situation, and... contact Zhou Ye.
Although he claimed to be a teacher, his behavior at the mansion proved that he was no ordinary person and seemed to know a lot of inside information.
I came to a fork in the road that led to STARS's office.
Jill stopped and looked at Chris and Barry.
"Chris, Barry, let's go back to our desks and write the report."
Her voice wasn't loud; it sounded like a normal arrangement.
But as she spoke, her right hand fingers tapped subtly along the seam of her trousers with her knuckles.
Tap. Tap tap tap. Tap—ta—ta. Tap tap.
Morse code.
【careful.】
【monitor.】
【Home.】
Unsafe.
Chris's eyes flickered slightly, and he nodded almost imperceptibly.
Barry Bolton paused for a moment with his heavy breathing, then resumed, and nodded.
"Okay, finish writing as soon as possible. I need to go home and see my family."
Barry's voice was tired, but his eyes were sharp.
Rebecca watched the interaction between the seniors. Although she didn't fully understand, she felt the invisible pressure. She pursed her lips and remained silent.
Brad wished he could disappear immediately.
The group walked toward the STARS office.
Other officers walked down the corridor and reacted with varying expressions when they saw them. Some cast sympathetic glances, while others quickly avoided them, as if afraid of getting involved in some trouble.
As expected, Elons had already spread rumors.
Jill became even more certain that this was not a place to stay for long.
On the other side, Fujimi Academy.
Zhou Ye and Nami left the oppressive meeting room.
Yuriko Takagi and Bradley Wopp stayed behind to handle the aftermath, calm the distraught parents, and begin what they called an "investigation."
Saeko Busujima, citing the need for rest, left first and returned to her student dormitory.
Zhou Ye took Nami back to their temporary "teacher's office".
This is an ordinary office, with several desks pushed together, piled with teaching materials and student assignments.
Outside the window is a seemingly peaceful campus.
"Boss, that Yuriko Takagi and that policeman don't seem to believe us."
Nami sat on a chair, crossed her legs, and played with a strand of orange hair with her fingers. There were no "master" or "captain" here; that would be too shocking.
Whether you believe it or not is not important.
Zhou Ye walked to the window and looked down at the playground.
"They just need a reasonable explanation, an explanation that can be reported to their superiors and that can appease the public."
"As for what the truth is, they may not care, or even be afraid to know."
Unless, of course, the truth touches upon their core interests. For example, Umbrella.
[Yuriko Takashiro…this woman is no ordinary person. Fujimi Academy, the Takashiro Zaibatsu…they are likely a powerful force in this city. Her reaction to Umbrella's illegal experiments is quite subtle.]
Zhou Ye began to wander around the office seemingly casually, his gaze sweeping over the documents on the desk and the notice board on the wall.
We need to find some useful information. For example, a list of faculty and staff, their addresses...
While it's possible to construct it directly using the laws of reasoning, that would be too disruptive and easily detected by certain entities. A more primitive method is safer.
Nami watched Zhou Ye's actions, a slight smile curving her lips.
Zhou Ye walked to the desk with his name on it, where a teacher's handbook was placed.
He flipped it open as if by accident.
Found. Faculty and staff contact list.
Just then, the sound of high heels clicking on the floor came from the office doorway.
Da da da.
The sound grew louder as it approached, stopping at the doorway.
A female teacher, dressed in a business suit and with impeccable makeup, but with a somewhat arrogant expression, stood at the door, pushing up her glasses.
"Teacher Zhou, Teacher Tohsaka."
She spoke, her voice carrying a formulaic politeness.
Zhou Ye closed the manual and turned around. Nami also sat up straight.
[Fujiwara-sensei...Assistant Dean of Students?]
Zhou Ye recalled the identity information he had seen.
"Fujiwara-sensei, is there something you need?"
Zhou Ye asked.
The female teacher's gaze swept over Zhou Ye and Nami with a scrutinizing look.
"Principal Gao Cheng would like you to go to the principal's office."
Her tone was calm, but carried an undeniable air of authority.
[Yuriko Takashiro? So fast?]
[Do you want to speak privately? Or have you discovered something suspicious?]
Zhou Ye and Nami exchanged a glance.
"Ok."
Zhou Ye nodded, a gentle, harmless teacher's smile on his face. "We'll go over now."
The female teacher nodded, said nothing more, turned and left in her high heels.
Da da da.
The sound faded away.
"Boss, is this a trap?"
Nami raised an eyebrow.
"Just go and take a look and you'll find out."
Zhou Ye picked up the address book on the table and stuffed it into his pocket.
"Let's go."
The two left the office and headed towards the principal's office.
Chapter 46 A Couple with Hidden agendas
Two tall men in black suits stood in front of the principal's office.
They stood expressionless, like two iron towers, blocking the way.
Zhou Ye didn't even glance at them. He walked straight up, raised his hand, and knocked on the thick wooden door.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
"Principal Takashiro, I am Zhou Ye, and next to me is Nami Tohsaka."
His voice was calm, without a trace of tension.
A woman's voice came from inside the door, equally calm, with a certain condescending composure.
"Okay, please come in."
As soon as he finished speaking, the man in the black suit on the left reached out, turned the doorknob, pushed the door open, and stepped aside to make way for him.
The other man remained on guard.
Yuriko Takagi gave the two bodyguards at the door instructions:
"You guard the gate and prevent any outsiders from entering. Report any incidents immediately."