Chapter 23: Captain Zhou, Did You Get Overtime Pay Last Night?

Zhou Yichen stepped out of the storage room first. Tang Xiaoman followed close behind.

Fubao immediately rushed over, pressing against her and sniffing her all over. Only after confirming she wasn’t hurt did the dog finally relax.

Tang Xiaoman’s sharp eyes caught a figure darting out of sight. She called out, “Who’s there? Come out!”

01 emerged from the corner of the staircase.

She fixed him with a stare. “What are you doing here?”

01 glanced between the two of them, thoughtful. “I wanted to discuss tomorrow’s training plan with Captain Zhou.”

“He still has things to finish,” Tang Xiaoman cut in smoothly, speaking on Zhou Yichen’s behalf. “Go get some rest. Whatever it is can wait until tomorrow.”

As she spoke, she gave Zhou Yichen a signal.

Expressionless, he followed her to the newly built makeshift storage room. He obediently opened the door and stepped inside.

01 stood there, stunned. “…”

Were they… switching locations for another round?

The two ignored his constipated expression, walking in one after the other before shutting the door right in front of him.

Fubao, left outside as well: “…”

*Whine… why didn’t my owner take me with her again?!*

—

The makeshift storage room Zhou Yichen had ordered built was packed with diesel drums, gasoline barrels, and gas canisters, along with various strategic supplies he’d been instructed to stockpile.

Tang Xiaoman’s attention was caught by a camouflaged helmet. She bent down, picked one up, tore open the packaging, and clicked her tongue in amazement.

“Wow—this helmet actually comes with quad-lens night vision! How did you get your hands on this?”

“And it’s got a built-in Bluetooth headset and radio? That’s seriously advanced.”

She had stocked up on night-vision devices herself, but hadn’t been able to find this latest quad-lens model. The shop owner had told her civilian military supply stores didn’t carry gear this new yet.

Having the headset and radio integrated directly into the helmet was far more convenient than carrying a handheld unit.

Faced with her astonishment, Zhou Yichen remained calm. “Pulled some strings through a former comrade.”

A satisfied smile appeared on Tang Xiaoman’s face. “You never drop the ball when it matters. Impressive. From now on, you’ll handle procurement for the team’s strategic gear and supplies. As long as the quality checks out, cost isn’t an issue.”

His only flaw was being too dutiful—so dutiful he’d accidentally uncovered her secret.

Thinking about her exposed spatial ability, the smile on her face faded slightly.

Zhou Yichen didn’t press the matter. Instead, he demonstrated the soundproofing on the diesel generator.

Once the noise-reduction equipment was installed, the roaring engine quieted dramatically.

There was still some sound, but it was within a tolerable range.

As long as it wasn’t placed inside the dorms, it wouldn’t interfere with anyone’s rest.

After completing everything, Zhou Yichen checked the time on his wrist. It was time to turn in.

“Any other instructions, Miss Tang?”

Tang Xiaoman eyed him, still uneasy. “You don’t have anything you want to ask me?”

“No.” Zhou Yichen was as sparing with words as ever.

After a moment’s thought, she nodded. That was just like him.

He’d never been much of a talker.

Reliable, efficient, no nonsense, no curiosity—practically the perfect tool.

Until she found a better replacement, he was still very convenient to use.

—

The next morning, the bodyguards washed up and gathered in the dining hall.

Breakfast had been delivered from a nearby shop—steaming hot and lavish. Plates were filled with dishes, bowls with three different kinds of porridge. Everyone had a standard four dishes and a soup, the aroma filling the air.

Fubao’s bowl even had an extra marrow bone, which the dog gnawed on happily.

The bodyguards ate in high spirits, chatting and gossiping as they did.

“Anyone know what time Captain Zhou got back last night?”

“01 probably knows. I saw him pacing downstairs for ages,” one of the night guards revealed, dropping a bombshell.

All eyes instantly turned to 01—some sympathetic, some amused, some loaded with meaning.

01 nearly choked, forcing out a stiff reply after a long pause. “No idea.”

The others exchanged knowing looks but didn’t push further.

Only 07, fearless as ever, charged straight into danger, grinning as he asked Zhou Yichen, “Captain Zhou, you got overtime pay last night, right…?”

Their boss was generous—just helping move supplies earned them hefty tips.

For someone at Zhou Yichen’s level of “overtime,” the payout had to be massive.

Especially since the boss was so beautiful. Honestly, even without overtime pay, they’d all be willing to work extra.

Too bad she only had eyes for Captain Zhou.

Before 07 could finish, Zhou Yichen set down his porridge bowl with a sharp clink, his voice icy.

“07, come to the office. The other eight—line up immediately. Anyone not waiting outside during questioning will be paid off and dismissed on the spot.”

“Woof!” Fubao abandoned the bone, baring its teeth in support of the captain.

A chorus of groans erupted.

Everyone cursed 07 under their breath—he just had to run his mouth.

Now look—Captain Zhou was furious, and no one even got to finish breakfast.

—

Tang Xiaoman had returned to her dorm around eleven the previous night.

She’d planned to download videos and resources, but she’d been too exhausted.

Yawning nonstop, she gave up and went straight to bed.

After waking, she still had supplies to stockpile and needed to figure out how to expand her spatial storage—there was no shortage of things to do.

She decided to delegate the task of downloading videos and data.

But who should she assign it to?

Zhou Yichen was busy, and the other bodyguards might be eliminated soon. Only 01 seemed reliable.

Among the nine called in for questioning, 01 wasn’t on the list. His ability spoke for itself—his chances of being eliminated were slim.

After washing up, Tang Xiaoman pulled a breakfast out of her spatial storage.

She ate it while it was still hot, feeling refreshed and energized as she started her day.

After getting dressed, she headed downstairs. Passing by the second-floor dining hall, she noticed only six people eating—and Fubao was nowhere in sight.

“Huh? Where is everyone?” she asked 01, who was sitting there.

He looked up at her briefly. “They’re all lined up outside the office, waiting to be questioned by Captain Zhou.”

“Ah,” Tang Xiaoman almost forgot about that—but Zhou Yichen never would.

He was meticulous and methodical, the kind of model employee every boss trusted.

She handed 01 a laptop bag along with a bundle of high-capacity hard drives and USB sticks.

“Help me download all kinds of videos, encyclopedic resources, and e-books. Anything you can find online—I want it all.”

01 set down his chopsticks, his gaze turning slightly intense. “What kind, specifically?”

“All kinds. You’ll also organize everything into a catalog—TV series, films from around the world, variety shows, performances, Spring Festival galas, plus encyclopedic knowledge and all sorts of e-books. Check national digital libraries if you can. Label everything clearly so it’s easy to find later.”

After giving her instructions, Tang Xiaoman turned and called, “Fubao!”

Fubao immediately burst out of the captain’s office and ran straight toward her.

She waved the dog over and took it with her as she headed out to handle business.

The remaining bodyguards lost their appetite entirely.

They gathered around, eyeing the brand-new laptop bag curiously—it was from a high-end brand.

The five of them nudged 01 with knowing looks.

“01, open it up—let’s see what’s inside.”

“The boss gave you a designer laptop? Damn, she’s generous.”

“She told you to download videos? Bet it’s the spicy kind, huh?”

“Looks like aside from Captain Zhou, you’re her new favorite.”

“Heh, 01’s safe now—no need to worry about failing the evaluation in three days.”

“Captain Zhou and 01 have both latched onto a golden thigh. Meanwhile, poor guys like us are still on edge—one wrong move and we’re out. Sigh… life’s hard for honest men…”

The first “sigh” was pure theatrics.

The second turned into a yelp.

01 had punched the complainer.

“I earn my place with real skill,” he snapped. “If you’ve got the guts, beat me first before running your mouth! I’m not the kind of man who sells himself for wealth!”

The one who got hit shut up instantly. The others, untouched, kept poking.

“Oh? The kind who sells himself for wealth—you mean Captain Zhou?”

01 let out a cool snort. “I’m not the kind of man who talks behind someone’s back.”

There was no way he’d go as far as Zhou Yichen—crossing every line just to please the boss.

Still, he would carry out any task she assigned with full dedication.

01 slung the laptop bag over his shoulder, grabbed the heavy bundle of drives, and muttered to himself:

*What exactly is she planning?*

*Could this be another excuse to get close to me…?*