Chapter 15, Section 2, Investigation of the Third Chamber of Miao Township Wu Zu, Part 1

Being called "dear" by a foreign man, Director Hao clearly seemed uncomfortable. He sighed and replied, "Alright, say whatever you want." Director Hao compromised and waved his hand towards the foreigner, saying, "This foreigner is the head of Section Three's investigations, Director Hugo. Those few over there are investigators from Section Three. Honestly, Hugo, what's your full name?"

"Hao, I'm disappointed in your memory. My full name is Nicolas K. Hugo. You can call me Hugo, but of course, I wouldn't mind if you called me Nicolas," Nicolas K. Hugo responded with a touch of displeasure.

Ignoring his comment, Director Hao continued to introduce us to Hugo, saying, "Director Hugo leads Section Three, responsible for international religious affairs. Don't be deceived by his young age; he's an exchange officer sent by the Vatican."

With a puzzled expression, Chubby Sun had been trying to recall where the Vatican was located. Suddenly, he slapped his thigh and exclaimed, "I remember now! The Vatican is the headquarters of Christianity!"

As soon as those words left Chubby Sun's lips, Hugo's mouth twitched a few times, and his face changed color. Fortunately, he quickly regained his composure and said, "Sun, my friend, if you had said that in the Vatican, it would have been an irreparable nightmare. Luckily, we're in China. However, Sun, you should really refresh your knowledge of mainstream Western religions."

Just as he was about to continue explaining the differences between Catholicism, Protestantism, and Eastern Orthodoxy, the elevator opened again, and a tall Caucasian man stepped out. He nodded at Director Hao in greeting and then walked directly toward Hugo. In a low voice, he said a few words to Hugo.

In the vast underground expanse of the second basement level, even speaking softly might be overheard, but overhearing it wouldn't make a difference. I strained my ears but couldn't make out what they were saying. It wasn't English; it sounded like a language from the Latin family.

After the Caucasian man finished speaking, he stood behind Hugo. Hugo didn't explain anything but simply smiled at us and said, "I'm sorry, but it seems I have to leave. There are some minor matters I need to attend to. Shen, Sun, it's been a pleasure meeting you today."

Hugo opened his arms as if to embrace me and Chubby Sun. Hugo's unexpected gesture startled me; I had never been embraced by a man in all my life. Chubby Sun quickly stepped back a few paces, making room for me. Fortunately, I reacted cleverly, extending my hands in a fist-bump gesture and said, "Director Hugo, you're too kind."

Hugo hesitated for a moment, then chuckled and returned the gesture, saying, "Your Chinese customs are truly fascinating." With that, he bid us farewell and, along with the Caucasian man and their investigators, entered the elevator and departed.

Watching the elevator ascend, Chubby Sun finally asked, "Director, who was the foreigner that came later?"

"That was Hugo's assistant, named Moyes. Don't underestimate him; in terms of real abilities, he's not inferior to Hugo."

Chubby Sun responded somewhat dismissively, "If he's so capable, why is he an assistant?"

"You don't understand," Director Hao glanced at him and continued, "You haven't even figured out domestic matters yet, and you're meddling in foreign affairs?"

After saying that, Director Hao continued to lead us forward, all the way to a room on the inner side of the second basement level. He opened the room's door and said, "Come in, we've arrived."

It was only after I entered the room that I realized it was a massive fifty-meter shooting range. It seemed that our future work would involve firearms. Without thinking too much, Chubby Sun and I placed our boxes on the shooting platform in the range.