Chapter 5, Spies Do Not Believe in Coincidence

Lu Yezhou extended the plate, on which was a lump of mushy substance, "convenient meal, the label claims it is chicken-flavored, but it tastes somewhat like spicy dirt."

Lu Yezhou walked out, his face showing a hint of excitement and a bit of nervousness, "Of course that's good, but if the con artist comes and doesn't see us..."

Such an important piece of intelligence was surprisingly not believed by anyone, as it was too coincidental. The head of the intelligence agency even did not report it, directly categorizing it as invalid information

After having dinner, the two individuals returned to their residence. They coincidentally stopped in their tracks downstairs and looked towards the barbershop across the street. The shop was empty, and through the window, one could see the chairs and other furnishings, which appeared very tidy, as if they had not been used for a long time.

Both individuals ordered a set meal each. While waiting for the food, Lu Yezhou whispered, "Things are really expensive in the city. If the swindler comes again, it would be best to discuss wages; otherwise, we might starve to death."

Lu Linbei sat down on the sofa, "Do you think we are bait?"

Are you not asleep

"It was you who said that." Lu Yezhou threw the convenient meal back into the kitchen

What does it mean for a con artist to arrange things this way? Lu Yezhou's good mood plummeted.

The small shop was filled with customers, all eating and chatting, completely ignoring those around them

I will take the first half of the night, and you will take the second half. How does that sound

"Yes, that's how it is, everyone knows that." Lu Yezhou nodded and perked up his ears to listen

Convenient meals are primarily based on yeast, incorporating various flavors and textures, and are placed in a chef's box for quick consumption. The chef's box is multifunctional, with rapid heating being the most commonly used feature

I guess it won't be low, at least much higher than that of the farm maintenance workers, who always drive good cars back to the farm. Just look at the swindler; he doesn't even take cars seriously.

Indeed. Lu Linbei returned to sit down in front of the sofa; he was somewhat tired after this day

As he opened the door, Lu Yezhou was about to loudly announce his victory when he saw Mei Qianchong sitting on the sofa, and he hurriedly swallowed his words, saying, "I didn't know you were here; Lao Bei suggested going out for a meal"

Hmm?

The con artist didn't mention the salary issue, do you have any money? With this little money I have, I probably can't even afford to rent a toilet. Do you think the income in our line of work is high?

On many nights at the farm, they spent their time this way, with the upper bunk chattering incessantly and the lower bunk serving as a lullaby, drifting off into a deep sleep

Lu Yezhou suddenly fell silent. After a while, he quietly approached, pushed the door open slightly, and stood still at the doorway

If the con artist truly wanted to monitor the barbershop, they would certainly use surveillance equipment, rather than relying on human eyes to watch continuously.

Hey, it's not like I'm asking you to do a formal analysis, just think about it casually

Is it possible to speak here

Not yet

Well

I cannot sleep

It is probably a matter of composure. Lu Linbei smiled.

Yesterday, which was August 13, we arrived at the old city of Zhajiang and stayed across from the barbershop

According to rumors, it was approximately one month ago, around July 11, that Miss Yuan met the swindler for the first time

The window in the bedroom is smaller, and outside is the corridor of the building, with dim lighting that fails to illuminate the ground. Lu Linbei draws the curtains and pushes the single bed under the window, placing it perfectly in the blind spot of the view outside.

"Why are you no longer monitoring?" Lu Linbei asked

Lu Yezhou ran to the living room window to look out, and suddenly said with resentment: "I truly do not want to be the bait"

"Eat quickly, it will be better." Lu Yezhou demonstrated his eating method, taking small bites and at most chewing three times before swallowing

As long as it is not for no reason to kill, Lu Linbei is always more composed than Lu Yezhou

Several pieces of intelligence confirm that the hostile force B is preparing to initiate war

Lu Yezhou was taken aback, "But that was arranged by the con artist... Are you saying that we are also being monitored?"

What Uncle San emphasized to the students is this: coincidences have a certain probability of being true, but this probability is very low, so low that it is not worth placing trust in, so low that every spy should completely rule it out

Well

Lu Linbei smiled, took a bite of the dish, nodded, and said, "It's not as good as home, but better than fast food. Let's eat quickly"

I want ... ... How about we go out to eat, I still have a little money

He didn't say for us to be on standby at all times, so let's just make him wait for a while

Speak less at home

Indeed. Lu Yezhou's eyes revealed anticipation as he noticed the other party had stopped speaking, and he was extremely surprised, "Is that all?"

"I just want to know, what are your thoughts?" Lu Yezhou immediately asked

Can we have a conversation? It is too boring

Lu Linbei chose the seafood flavor, and upon seeing his choice, Lu Yezhou laughed while eating.

An investigator from Force A—who is specifically not pointing to any particular side—publicly works as a police officer, and his jurisdiction happens to be the location of a certain sensitive department. One day, he and his colleagues apprehended a thief and discovered some stolen goods, one of which was a microcomputer.

It has been proven that the intelligence is accurate and without error, a series of informants have been punished, and the entire organization is undergoing a comprehensive restructuring

I am so full that I want to have another serving. Lu Yezhou threw the plate into the sink

What is being tested? I have already passed it. If it is a test for you, why am I included in it?

The bathroom is very small, and all the rooms here are quite small. The bedroom can only accommodate a single bed. However, Lu Linbei is not picky; at least he now has his own private room

After the meal was cooked, Lu Linbei took just one bite and understood why Lu Yezhou was laughing; this dish was indeed unappetizing. It had a bit of flavor at first, but after chewing two or three times, it left only an indescribable texture.

Unclear

Lu Yezhou slammed the table in anger, "Isn't this the same thing?"

"Alright, let's do it your way." Lu Linbei, disinterested in arguing, got up to find the bathroom

As noon approached, Lu Yezhou prepared to cook. He entered the kitchen, picked up a pack of convenient meals, sighed deeply, and called out to the living room: "What flavor do you want?"

Lu Linbei raised his hands and rubbed his face vigorously, "What is there to eat?"

This is the reason why the organization urgently needs new recruits. Lu Yezhou thought more and more that it made sense, "The heir to the planet has been killed, and the murderer has not been found, so... so the intervention of the organization is necessary"

I have self-discipline. Lu Yezhou took a deep breath, no longer mentioning the barbershop, but kept moving around. He also noticed the car downstairs, "The con artist's car is still parked outside. Do you think he will come today?"

"Old Bei?" Lu Yezhou said softly from outside

After finishing the meal, Lu Linbei said, "At least the nutrition is sufficient"

Perhaps... perhaps the task he needs to assign is to monitor the barbershop. Lu Yezhou tried to think positively, saying, "Our room is indeed in a great location"

After the food was served, Lu Linbei spoke up: "You may begin."

Lu Linbei washed both of their dishes clean, as this is a rule set by his mother; dirty bowls and plates are absolutely not allowed in the house

Lu Linbei said: "May 11th, exactly three months ago, the barber Shao Yunyan was murdered. At that time, the news of him being the heir to the planet had not yet been announced, and it would not spread across the internet until the next day, along with the news of his death"

Hmm. Lu Linbei only felt exhausted

Uncle San will also provide some examples as evidence; these stories, whether true or false, he never confirms.

Uncle San once said, do not believe in coincidences, so we must remain vigilant at all times

The two did not dare to venture far and found a small shop nearby. The food here is also prepared by machines, but the ingredients are real, not flavored with added yeast

After taking a shower, I lay down on the bed for a while and fell asleep

Lu Linbei put on his shoes and went to the kitchen to take a look

Lu Linbei was unsure whether Lu Yezhou was obedient; he only remembered a sound of rushing water, and then he fell into a deep sleep, experiencing countless strange dreams. Among them, he felt that several were very important, reminding himself to remember them, but upon opening his eyes, he completely forgot them.

Lu Linbei remained silent, while Lu Yezhou's hypnotic effect continued to be powerful. He was already feeling drowsy, with his eyelids fighting against each other.

Good

"You choose, I am fine with anything." Lu Yezhou continued to gaze out of the window

Old Bei, have you ever considered pursuing a different profession

Why? Is speaking not allowed?

He opened the old leather suitcase, selected a few commonly used garments, closed the suitcase, and placed it beside the bed. Although there was a cabinet in the corner, he did not plan to use it for the time being

Lu Linbei slowly sat up, still feeling fatigued, "The information is too scarce to analyze"

On July 5th, I heard the two of them mention this date

In the era when the Zhai Wang Star was not yet called Zhai Wang Star, several decades after the establishment of the Star Yuan, the population of the planet experienced its first explosion. The various forces that had originally coexisted peacefully began to vie for power and influence.

Lu Yezhou stood at the door, as if he hadn't left all night, but he had changed into a new set of clothes and was holding a plate while eating. "Old Bei, you are so clever, analyze and explain what organization and old scammer really mean"

Lu Linbei shook his head, indicating that he did not know

He took off his shoes, lay down in his clothes, and although he was clearly very tired, he just couldn't fall asleep

I believe this is merely a test, nothing to be concerned about. Lu Linbei appeared very calm, stating, "The organization is concerned with politics and business, and should not be interested in criminal matters"

Mei Qianchong did not believe that Miss Yuan was a coincidence, and Lu Linbei and Lu Yezhou stood by the window, looking at the barbershop across the street, also not believing that this was a coincidence

"Spies do not believe in coincidence." He teaches a foundational course, and this is one of the many things he repeatedly reminds his students to pay attention to in the future

Then you must return to school to obtain your diploma. Is there really a school that teaches Earth history? If I do not pursue this profession, I hope to work in sales, selling anything...

What to do

Do not ask, even if you do, you will not be able to find out

He was somewhat uncertain; logically speaking, spies are not responsible for solving cases. The entire organization is affiliated with the Meteorological Bureau under the Zhai Wangxing Joint Committee, and has traditionally maintained a non-interference relationship with the police.

Isn't it? Lu Yezhou turned around and said, "Old Bei, you must have thought of something, tell me about it. We need to work together now."

Mei Qianchong did not pay attention, and when Lu Linbei appeared, he said: "The tasks for the two of you have arrived"

The information is too limited to analyze

Lu Yezhou was greatly disappointed, shaking his head with a bitter smile as he walked through the building's entrance, taking a few steps down the stairs and jumping to the third floor

However, the newly appointed supervisor still warned the spies: Do not trust coincidences

That makes sense, then let's sleep

Lu Linbei did not want to chat, after enduring for a while, he replied: "What’s wrong?"

Speak less

The microcomputer was not encrypted, allowing for unrestricted browsing of its contents. A wealth of information was laid out before the investigator, who could hardly believe his eyes. He immediately made a copy and sent it to his superior

Regardless, I estimate that our first task is to monitor the barbershop. In fact, the con artist could have mentioned it earlier, and we could have started right now, couldn't we?" Lu Yezhou was eager to make a point.

The door was pushed open slightly, and a shadow flickered. Lu Yezhou returned to the window in the living room, saying, "If you can sleep, then sleep. You don't need to worry about me."

"Teach, then." Lu Linbei said ambiguously

The teachers who teach the espionage class number around seven or eight, among whom the one who interacts with the students most frequently is Uncle San. His surname is Mei, and his real name is unknown. He is quite tall, nearly two meters, but somewhat hunchbacked, which reduces his height significantly. It is said that this is related to the injuries he sustained during his time as a spy

The kitchen is smaller, only allowing one person to walk back and forth. Lu Yezhou followed over and still stood at the door, indicating the location of the food

I mentioned that the information is too limited, but these three points are very important and worth remembering. Once more information becomes available, perhaps we will be able to discern some clues.