RYEY -Chapter 499 The Corpse in Hand

“Yes. The child’s biological mother was my good friend. She was tragically killed while on a mission, so I adopted this child directly. When I learned your son was studying in Minqin, I sent her over there.”

“Does this child have any special abilities? And her father?”

“I don’t know who her father is, but the child hasn’t shown any powers yet. There’s also a boy, who is under Uncle Lata’s care.”

“Uncle Lata takes care of children?”

Cheng Qiao found it hard to imagine how Hu Lata, who couldn’t even keep himself clean, could raise children.

“Uncle Lata’s welfare benefits are the best in our department, but he’s always short on money. To protect this child, he took in fifteen orphans in one go. They are all staying in the orphanage now.”

Cheng Qiao: “…”

She silently saluted Uncle Lata. Next time she met him, she would ask which orphanage it was so they could also contribute in a small way.

“Sister Hantong, what if the child doesn’t have any powers?”

“It’s even better if they don’t. They can live a normal life and grow up carefree.”

“I understand. I’ll keep an eye on it.”

“Honey, we need to plan early for our own children.”

Li Huan’s face hardened slightly. Their parents had sacrificed themselves, yet the children would be raised in an orphanage. The best outcome would be colleagues helping them out of kindness.

“Yes, indeed.”

Cheng Qiao also felt they needed to plan ahead. Fortunately, she had already laid the foundation for the children. As long as they worked hard, future wealth and success would be within reach.

Hantong covered her mouth. That wasn’t what she meant. For special department personnel who die, the state takes proper care of their direct family members.

Those two children were under observation because they hadn’t yet shown powers. If they did, they would become national treasures and receive special training.

“Sister Hantong, you don’t need to explain; I already know. It’s all clearly stated in the department manual.”

“You scared me, but don’t worry. Besides me and Uncle Lata, only Generals Yao and Wu know you’re from the special department. Everyone else just assumes you’re stationed in Hexi.”

Cheng Qiao nodded. No one wanted this information public. She alone couldn’t handle thousands of troops, and hiding her identity was also a form of protection.

“Today, we’ll go pick a place to dig a cellar. Once it’s ready, you can go collect the corpse.”

Cheng Qiao nodded and followed Hantong to the Siheyuan left by Zhao Min. The place was indeed desolate; she wondered why the Zhao family had bought this land to build a courtyard.

But fate had its plans. Now Cheng Qiao could use it: Li Huan, having absorbed the cold poison, could meditate in this courtyard—perfect.

After reviewing the courtyard’s blueprints, Cheng Qiao discovered that it originally had a basement. The entrance was in the front yard kitchen, so she went straight there.

She moved a cabinet in the corner, revealing a hidden door. Pushing it open released a pungent smell, and Cheng Qiao quickly stepped back. After a long while, she finally got her flashlight and went down.

The basement wasn’t large—about twenty square meters—but it was dug deep, roughly six to seven meters from the ground, and completely empty.

Cheng Qiao led Hantong down. Hantong nodded; once some heavy iron plates were installed to seal it, the poison from the corpse wouldn’t spread.

“I’ll handle the steel plates. You set up the basement.”

Hantong spun and disappeared, her speed astonishing. Cheng Qiao didn’t even have time to speak and simply shook her head before taking out cleaning tools.

In just one day, a truck arrived. Hantong got out with a man completely masked, then transported the steel plates into the basement.

“Qiao, my colleague is disfigured. Don’t be afraid.”

Cheng Qiao nodded and stayed silent. Soon, the basement looked completely different; all four sides were sealed with thick steel plates. Even Hu Lata probably couldn’t escape.

“Let’s go get the corpse.”

Since they had a truck, they would use it to the fullest. Cheng Qiao understood Hantong’s intention and smiled faintly.

“Here’s the permit. General Wu said the corpse can be collected with this and your ID.”

Hantong nodded but inwardly cursed the researchers. “You can’t even handle these viruses, so why keep them? Preparing for New Year?”

“Wait outside. I’ll go get it.”

Cheng Qiao’s hidden identity meant only Hantong could do this.

Hantong presented the permit at the office. A staff member carefully verified it, even calling to confirm, before using an internal line to notify further.

Bored, Hantong wanted to walk around but was denied. This research institute was extremely secure; casual movement was forbidden.

Not only soldiers and scientists were stationed there, but also hidden power-users. Hantong sensed it immediately upon entering.

Half an hour later, an iron coffin was pushed out. The handlers were fully armored, not a single hair visible. Once at the door, they quickly left.

Hantong froze. Did no one deliver it to the vehicle?

“You push the coffin yourself; there’s a truck outside anyway.”

“Alright.”

“Go.”

The staff member’s hair stood on end. The agent inside had died a horrific death—not just frozen, but tortured by combined poison and cold.

They had intended to incinerate the corpse, but superiors forbade it, wanting experiments. Yet who dared approach such poison?

Hantong took a porcelain bottle from her pocket, popping a few crystal pills into her mouth, as instructed by Cheng Qiao for safely collecting the corpse.

The staff member sniffed, realizing they were legendary antidote pills, and instinctively stepped forward. Before he could speak, Hantong waved the bottle away.

Being by Cheng Qiao’s side had its perks: health and antidote pills at will. She felt her powers rising again, surely thanks to these pills.

“You haven’t signed yet?”

The staff member suddenly remembered and chased after her with a notebook. Hantong once again took out her golden notebook, copied the serial number, and signed her name.

“Comrade Hantong, do you also have… this…”

The staff member couldn’t resist gesturing. Hantong rolled her eyes. If you want antidote pills, just say so. Hesitation won’t help.

“What is this?”

The staff member: “…”