Working Records in a Weird World - 104

 

| WRIAWW | Isn't this a Perfect Opportunity to Prove Ourselves? | 104

"Don't worry, this gathering isn't just for Ankang Community. We've invited neighbors from nearby communities too, including vegetable markets, and the Tianmen Mansion's security team. In fact, I heard that many people will come."

Zong Le scratched his head as he continued: "I never imagined just mentioning our community's outdoor barbecue while walking around would attract so many people. It'll be lively."

With their reputation growing, Ankang Prison now ranked among the top groups in Guiyi City's eastern district, it was an undeniable dark horse in the eyes of others. 

Coincidentally, this neighborhood lacked a dominant force, giving Ankang Community Area a chance to claim leadership. Alhough outsiders didn't yet know Zong Le was the new dean of Taikang Yongle Hospital, they still came to curry favor and explore potential alliances.

Of course, only Ankang's residents understood the full picture. Zong Le, however, believed his prison construction and efforts to build a harmonious Guiyi City had earned public recognition, and was filled with pride.

"Then I'll gladly accept your invitation."

The Chief Justice readily agreed. She too was curious about Zong Le's group, and wondered if such a saintly figure could establish an unshakable utopia in Guiyi City, creating pure sanctuary.

With that, she floated after Zong Le.

Only upon floating outside the Central Court's did she react, and looked up at the dark night outside.

"Since becoming a weird and losing my human body, I haven't left the central court for a long time."

As she said this, her revealed form resembled a glowing orb suspended midair. As they passed under the archway, the majestic Central Courthouse vanished, leaving only an empty space.

"Ah? How did you become an weird?"

"I don't remember. But I suspect it was my obsession with restoring justice to this world."

"Makes sense." Zong Le nodded while driving. "Weirds manifest from intense obsessions, and when you become weird, you will forget many memories and emotions as a human being. Many residents in our community are the same."

He sighed. "It's a pity you can't recall past events either. Recently, a companion mentioned Guiyi City suddenly announced a complete closure three years ago, but he is just an ordinary person and doesn't know the exact details."

For some reason, Zong Le was very concerned about what Old Wang mentioned.

His own memories began upon psychiatric department. Doctors said he'd admitted himself voluntarily, and he guessed that he had no contact with his parents at that time.

Yet the belongings left in Ankang Building 4, Room 302 proved he'd once lived with them for years. Although he doesn't remember, their warmth and guidance lingered.

It was frustrating that his parents are engaged in so-called confidential research. It left no traces to follow. Even after being discharged, Zong Le has not been able to find a single clue about their whereabouts.

While chatting like this, Zong Le drove the ambulance into the gate of Ankang Community.

There was still some time before the dinner officially began, but the open space in the community area was already bustling with activity. The temporary plastic tents fluttered gently in the evening breeze, making rustling sounds.

The neatly arranged folding tables in the tent were covered with red, green and yellow disposable plastic tablecloths. Several stainless steel chairs were placed around the barbecue grill. 

The butcher also moved the large cauldron in his room for stewing meat soup to the center. The brown viscous liquid inside was surging, emitting an enticing aroma.

At the sight of this, the Chief Judge was slightly surprised.

She had initially assumed that the banquet Zong Le mentioned would be a high-end dinner party, the kind where everyone dressed formally, exchanged polite conversation, and clinked glasses. 

Various major organizations in Guiyi City had sent invitations to the Central Court in the past to win her over, and she had attended one or two such events before losing interest.

She hadn’t expected it to be this kind of casual, street-side night market setup, that looked refreshing.

"Boss, hello!"

"Boss, you're back!"

Zong Le closed the car door, and in just the short walk from the parking lot to the center of the complex, he was greeted by countless residents.

"Boss! What do you think of this menu?"

Number Two came running over, waving a menu in his hand.

As everyone knew, the menus for weirds and humans were quite different. To ensure the gathering went smoothly, the Butcher had specially prepared two separate sets of dishes.

The humans would eat normal food, while the weirds would feast on raw seasoned meat, seafood sashimi, raw brain, fresh blood of cows and sheep and other bloody foods.

“Okay, not bad.”

With just this simple praise, Number Two flushed with excitement.

"Then I’ll go prepare the dishes right away, Boss! Please take a seat and relax!"

With that, he eagerly dragged over a plastic chair for Zong Le to sit on and at the same time did not forget to get one for the light ball.

The Chief Judge had witnessed plenty of deceit and backstabbing among weirds in the Central Court. Even when powerful weirds took on subordinates, it was usually through force, keeping them in line rather than earning genuine loyalty.

"Your group seem really close," She looked at the scene full of fireworks around her and sighed from the bottom of her heart. 　

"We are all neighbors. Of course, there are many prisoners serving their time through reform labor."

Zong Le settled into his chair and casually introduced, "The one who just greeted the guests at the door is the butler of our prison. He was an accomplice in the serial killing case of Tianmen Mansion before. The weird corpse over there was previously mutilated in Taikang Yongle Hospital. His crime was relatively minor, so he has the right to move freely. The two men moving bricks are both outsiders. One attempted to murder his colleagues but failed, and the other committed sexual assault. The one pulling the shrimp line is Hong Niang who was imprisoned not long ago. She has been the most well-behaved, so we might consider reducing her sentence soon."

As he spoke, guests began arriving at the entrance in droves.

Clearly, these people had also assumed that the sudden banquet announced by the rising star of Ankang Community would be held in some high-class venue.

Everyone arrived dressed in suits and ties, women in floor-length gowns and looking utterly extravagant.

Some even brought underlings carrying all sorts of gifts: premium liquor, fine cigars, and even high-grade corpse oil, taking bribery to a whole new level.

"Ah, Warden! Finally, we get to meet you!"

One particularly round weird businessman stepped forward enthusiastically, trying to shake Zong Le’s hand. Fortunately, the dark-haired young man dodged just in time, avoiding the unwanted contact.

Seeing this, the butler quietly reminded, "Sir, this is the owner of Parkson Supermarket."

Zong Le finally recalled that Parkson Supermarket was the largest supermarket in their neighborhood.

"Hello, hello! There’s no need for gifts, it’s just a casual open barbeque."

"How could we not? You’re now the leading figure of our neighborhood! We’re just here to show our respect. It’s just a small token of appreciation, please don’t refuse it!"

After finally managing to send the supermarket owner away, the Chief Justice suddenly remarked, "Those two bottles of Maotai are stuffed full of cash."

Zong Le sighed. "Yeah, I could tell by the way the wine bag was bulging. I’ll have the butler return it back later."

Little did he know, the Parkson Supermarket owner was just the beginning.

Next came the manager of Fukang Snack Street, the owner of Qingcao Morning Market, and the head of Lebai Slaughterhouse, each arriving with lavish gifts, as if they had silently coordinated beforehand.

What was supposed to be a simple gathering had turned into a gift-giving spectacle.

Zong Le dealt with one after another, and was already a little exhausted.

Seizing a moment when no new guests had arrived, he discreetly tapped the butler’s shoulder. "I noticed there doesn’t seem to be enough drinks for this gathering. I’ll go buy some, you handle things here. I’ll be back in an hour when it’s time to eat!"

With that, he slipped away like a shadow.

This scene left Xiao Fu, who had just returned from Taikang Yongle Hospital, baffled. "What’s wrong with the boss?"

"He's fed up with those people, obviously." Number Five crossed his arms, scanning the crowd of weirds trying to cozy up with disdain. 

"Look at them... a B-level can be a leader now? What a bunch of nobodies, daring to flaunt themselves in front of the boss. Number Two, you were born at the wrong time. if you have been admitted earlier, you might’ve become a leader too."

"No way!" Number Two, who was rinsing pig intestines while pinching his nose, protested. "Sticking with the boss is way better than being some small leader!"

Once Zong Le left, the atmosphere suddenly became subtle.

Weirds weren’t exactly known for unity or for being friendly, and Zong Le had never forced them to suppress their nature, only forbidding infighting.

Number Five, an S-level weird. Although not combat-type, could still command respect just by standing there.

His gaze then fell on the floating light orb nearby.

He remembered it hovering around the boss earlier, perhaps it's a new colleague? Yet, he couldn’t sense the other party's aura from it...

Just as he pondered this, Old Wang rushed in frantically. "Boss! Boss!"

"Why are you in such a hurry? The boss just left and won't be back until dinner."

"But this is urgent! Alas, what should we do!"

"Just tell us first, why is it urgent? Everyone is here. If we can’t handle something without bothering the boss, wouldn’t that make us look useless?"

Old Wang was at a loss for words. He glanced around at the assembled crowd, Xiao Fu, Liu Rouya, the Butcher, the Matchmaker, Numbers Two and Five, the weird corpse, Bluebeard, Jiang Chou...

Indeed, all the community prisoners were present, forming an all-star lineup. Thanks to the abundant resources from Taikang Yongle Hospital, Liu Rouya and the weird corpse had even leveled up, one to A-level and the other to B-level.

Not to mention the team already had the formidable S-level Matchmaker and the support-type S-level Number Five, making their combat strength exceptionally formidable.

"Alright," Old Wang reluctantly spoke up as all eyes turned to him. "Here's the thing. Remember that factory owner from Ansheng Factory?"

"Of course. That clown who kept inviting the boss over and got rejected every time. He even threatened to tattle to the district boss and report us to the church. What about him?"

"He must have whispered something into the district boss of Upper East District's ear," Old Wang slapped his thigh. "And coincidentally, we just held this big gathering and invited all the neighboring factions. Now the district boss suspects our 'gathering' was just a front to win people over and sees our Ankang Community as a major threat. He's already on his way to attack us!"

"Huh???"

The assembled weirds and humans exchanged bewildered looks, stunned by this sudden news.

"Wait," Number Five was the first to spot a blind spot. "Who is the district boss of Upper East District?"

"It's an S-level weird, 'Blood Scythe' Morris! Although he fights alone, his combat skills are no joke. He's a battle maniac who loves killing."

"Oh... I thought it was something serious. It's just one S-level?"

Hearing this, Number Five sat back down and pointed behind him. "Take a look at how many S-levels we have here."

Old Wang: "..."

"Hold on, guys. I have a great idea."

At this point, Xiao Fu's eyes gleamed. "Usually, it's always the boss leading at the front, which makes us look incompetent. Now that the boss isn't here, isn't this the perfect opportunity for us to prove ourselves?"

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