Weird Rules Rumor: At The Beginning, He Insisted That He Was Not Dead

“So your code name is Pantsyrnik? Are you a double agent? This... this can’t be true!”

After a momentary pause, Bai Lian suddenly recalled fragmented background details from when he entered the quest.

“What about that guy?”

“Boss, he’s already been neutralized. All his secrets are under our control now!”

“This is what happens when you go against the corporation. Let this be a lesson to all of you!”

...

It was clear that this “Mo Ers” had been an undercover agent infiltrating the company. However, when he began getting close to Xiao Qing, his identity was exposed, and he was forced out of the game after being fed “chicken soup.”

Bai Lian couldn’t help but note how unprofessional that guy had been. How could he so easily blow his cover while interacting with Xiao Qing?! If it were Bai Lian, he’d never have been caught—even the board member supported him! Well... though that might have been an illusion too. Regardless, it no longer mattered. They’d all fled, and even if they wanted to retaliate against Bai Lian, there was no opportunity now.

Returning to the matter at hand—the “boss” who had dealt with Mo Ers in the background... Was that Jian Ran standing before him? Until now, Bai Lian hadn’t considered this possibility. The image Jian Ran projected didn’t align with that of a ruthless executive. In his mind, such deeds were the domain of people like Zhu Hongshe—smiling tigers! But now, he had to reconsider.

Bai Lian snapped back, smiling and shaking his head. “Nothing. Just wondering how you, Boss, came up with such ideas. I get that the president wants the shares. He’s been here for years and must have solid connections. But you, Boss...” He trailed off, but the implication was clear.

As a mere group leader, even with a decade at the company, Jian Ran’s influence seemed too limited for such a power play. The odds of her replacing the president and seizing shares were practically zero.

“Do you think I’m a fool? If you can figure this out, do you think I haven’t?” Jian Ran glared at him. “The corporate archives hold evidence of the board and executives’ crimes. If I obtain that evidence and send it to Mingdu, they’ll send someone to clean house! My job is to secure the evidence and force shareholders to sign the stock transfer agreement before Mingdu intervenes!”

Mingdu? Bai Lian noted the unfamiliar term. Likely an external authority that could influence the quest. He shrugged internally—no point overthinking it now.

“Hmm, that’s quite the plan, Boss!” he replied with mild detachment, mind racing. If he wasn’t mistaken, he’d already pieced together the quest’s solution: players needed to gather evidence and send it to Mingdu to restore normalcy. But doing only that might not secure the highest completion rating. What else was required?

Bai Lian rubbed his chin, glancing at Jian Ran. Could it be... helping her claim the shares? Or better yet—why not take them himself? After all, she’d laid out the entire scheme. He could simply follow her lead! Strangely, when had his skill activated? A faint smirk flickered across his face.

Jian Ran, oblivious to his thoughts, pressed, “Do you want to help me?”

“No.” Bai Lian refused flatly, spreading his hands. “Too much risk, too little gain. I’m not that kind of person.”

Jian Ran rolled her eyes. “Fine. Don’t, then.”

“I’ll do it!”

“...?!”

Jian Ran froze, then narrowed her eyes at Bai Lian’s abruptly earnest expression. She sighed—she really should’ve expected this. The man was utterly unpredictable. ṘАΝȮBƐꞩ

“Heh, just kidding.” Bai Lian waved dismissively, face turning serious again. “We head to the archives first, right?”

“Mhm.” Jian Ran nodded, eyeing the elevator and stairwell. “Elevator or stairs?”

“Stairs, obviously.” Bai Lian grinned. “The elevator’s either trapped or rigged—a death trap. But the stairs? Nobody expects anyone to climb twelve floors when there’s an elevator. Perfect for ambushes, right?”@@novelbin@@

His logic was sound, and Jian Ran had to agree. “Let’s go.”

Bai Lian entered the stairwell first, Jian Ran close behind. The space was pitch-black, not a single light working. But Bai Lian’s enhanced physique allowed him to navigate effortlessly. Jian Ran, no ordinary human herself, matched his pace.

They reached the second floor—and were immediately spotted.

Two suited figures with company badges stood on the landing. At this hour, anyone remaining had to be part of the rebellion.

The moment Bai Lian and Jian Ran stepped onto the floor, the men turned, cold smirks spreading. “Well, well. Manager Jian. Fancy meeting you here,” one sneered, though his tone suggested he’d expected this.

Jian Ran didn’t answer, instead glancing at Bai Lian. Her expression seemed to ask, This was your brilliant plan?

Seeing the guards, Bai Lian facepalmed.

【Hahaha! Bai Shen’s plan backfired!】

【Guys, this is historic—Bai Shen’s first failure! Screenshot this!】

【Boss’s face says it all lol.】

【Bai Shen: “Seriously?! These old foxes!”】

【Who knew even Bai Shen could miscalculate?!】

【Actually, his reasoning was right. The traitors prepared thoroughly—they’ve probably trapped both routes. Stairs are still safer than a rigged elevator.】

...

Bai Lian rarely fought without cause, but this called for exceptions.

“You two!” he barked abruptly, startling even Jian Ran. “Is this how you do your jobs?!”