A Lunatic Says He Loves Me: Extra 2

Extra 2

Grassroots civil servants often have a lot of work but low pay, and the regulations explicitly forbid side jobs. Young single men with talent and no family wealth generally avoid such positions. Therefore, everyone at the Environmental Protection Bureau assumed that Han Rong’s family must be hiding a gold mine. Coupled with his non-materialistic nature, amiability, and harmonious relationships with colleagues, this perception grew stronger.

The Public Complaints Bureau on the next street over is infamous for its lack of prestige. Its conditions are even worse than those in sanitation (environmental protection), with few staff members constantly embroiled in internal strife, creating a toxic environment. Other departments often use them as a source of gossip and amusement.

The saying “the poorer, the more chaotic; the more chaotic, the more fighting; the more fighting, the poorer” holds some truth. Some people are inherently twisted, manipulative, and enjoy meddling in others’ affairs to elevate their own status, while simultaneously reporting on colleagues to their superiors.

Originally, the Environmental Protection Bureau and the Complaints Bureau kept to their own affairs. However, a major city project required cooperation between the two departments. Han Rong is a straightforward person: if he does something, he does it well, and he doesn’t hide his skills. It didn’t take long for him to attract envy from schemers.

Colleagues subtly suggested several times that Han Rong should avoid overshadowing other departments and be cautious of potential sabotage. Han Rong sincerely thanked them but didn’t take it to heart. When the project ended, a summary report was needed. The Complaints Bureau had a renowned writer who was responsible for the draft, while the Environmental Protection Bureau provided the data and materials. A few days later, Han Rong was notified that some data might be incorrect and needed to be rechecked.

The scope of the work was as extensive as starting from scratch, requiring the entire department to work overtime through the night. Han Rong, however, remained adamant, resubmitting the archived data and firmly asserting its accuracy.

The other department insisted on further review. The division head of Han Rong’s department was a retiring female leader known for protecting her subordinates. She retorted, “If you don’t have the skills, don’t take on the job! Can’t we write the materials ourselves?”

Thus, the entire report summary was handled by the Environmental Protection Bureau. Though it lacked fluff, it was full of substantive content. The city leaders, practical and hands-on, found it exactly to their liking.

The Environmental Protection Bureau received its year-end bonuses, enraging some individuals on the other side who began spreading rumors about Han Rong. Han Rong soon learned of this and confronted them at a meeting, directly saying, “With such long arms, aren’t you afraid they’ll be chopped off?”

This left their hypocritical smiles bruised.

Colleagues attending the meeting were quite worried, “He’s quite scheming, so be careful.”

Han Rong dismissively replied, “Monsters are always struck down with a single blow.”

Soon after, Han Rong was anonymously reported for accepting bribes through the project. During the investigation, they initially looked into real estate. Though there was no issue originally, Ji Yan, who bought the property, had the title deed registered in Han Rong’s name. What was their relationship? This led the investigation to extend to Ji Yan.

And then nothing further happened. Han Rong didn’t follow up on it but heard during lunch in the cafeteria that the person who made the reports had angered colleagues by constantly reporting this and that, leading them to retaliate with a report of their own. Now, the person was “untraceable,” a classic case of self-sabotage.

Ling Feng also came to see Han Rong. In the two years since their last meeting, Han Rong had quickly risen through the ranks, which for the city, likely made him quite a significant figure. The badge on his uniform and his monk-like bald head made him stand out, and he became the center of attention as soon as he entered the Environmental Protection Bureau.

Ling Feng hadn’t informed Han Rong in advance, so when Han Rong received the news, he was inspecting a small project in the countryside. After finishing, he rushed back in a hurry, with mud still on his pants.

The disheveled appearance was too much for even his colleagues to bear looking at.

Ling Feng threw his arms around Han Rong, sobbing and wailing as if he were about to kneel.

“Brother, come with me! Your talent is being wasted in this place. My heart aches for you—”

“……”

After Ling Feng left, Han Rong’s colleagues began addressing him more warmly, referring to him as the mysterious “Teacher Han” instead of just “Xiao Han.”

When the old leader retired, he treated the department’s subordinates to a meal. The job might be tiring and difficult, but as long as there was harmony among colleagues and the leader could distinguish right from wrong, it was bearable. However, in a society driven by profit, having a protective leader was rare. Thus, when the meal ended, even the colleagues who were already parents were crying uncontrollably.

The retiring leader took each subordinate’s hand and offered parting advice: “You’re too impatient; you need to slow down.”

“You’re too careless; if you want to advance, you need to think more.”

When it was Han Rong’s turn, the leader patted his head and said, “You’ve been here for such a short time, and we all agree that Lion City can’t keep you. It’s actually not a bad thing for young people to go out and see more.”

“It’s not a city that keeps me; it’s the people in this city.”

He thought he must be lucky. In his younger years, he had been reckless, but he had been protected by some people, always managing to overcome crises.

“If you don’t go out and see, how can you meet more people worth staying for?”

He smiled gratefully but did not respond.

For Han Rong, it didn’t matter where he went, because the person he most wanted to stay with would never leave.

After a few rounds of drinks, his colleagues started to introduce him to potential partners, being the only unmarried young man present.

“To be like chopsticks, you need to be in pairs to be complete.”

Han Rong smiled and politely declined each suggestion. On the way home, he passed a pet store that was about to close. Since they were not planning to continue business, the pets in the store were being sold at half price. When Han Rong entered, only one Ragdoll cat was left. It looked about two years old, and perhaps due to good nutrition, it was rather plump. Many people choose Ragdolls for their elegance and grace, and a too-plump one was less desirable.

Han Rong approached the cage, and the cat gave him a disdainful glance, its haughty demeanor reminiscent of a musician clutching their instrument.

****

Ji Yan climbed the ladder to rescue the trapped Demolition. This little cat, despite its cleverness, often displayed behavior that was anything but smart. It managed to get stuck in corners while leaping around, truly a cat’s nature.

With Han Rong away, Ji Yan did not indulge Demolition. After climbing down the ladder, he went into the kitchen and tied the cat to the cutting board at the sink. He pulled out a clay pot from the cupboard, his face expressionless as he said, “To make cat stew, you first bind the disobedient cat and give it a beating.”

Demolition covered its eyes and trembled with fear.

After preparing the old hen and putting it in the pot, Ji Yan finally released Demolition.

At that moment, the door lock turned, and Han Rong came back. He called out loudly from the hallway, “Demolition, I bought you a wife!”

Hearing Han Rong’s voice, Demolition rushed over excitedly, ready to complain. However, when it saw the Ragdoll cat in Han Rong’s arms, it was immediately stunned.

“Her name is Bright, and she’ll be your wife from now on!”

When it comes to keeping cats, having them in pairs is perfect.

Later.

Demolition, who used to be restless, would lie down beside Bright while she was sleeping, squinting its eyes to watch her.

Bright, who usually disliked moving, would also step around and participate in Demolition’s demolition plans.

Han Rong, who was originally very laid-back, finally couldn’t hold back and sharpened his knife to hand to Ji Yan after returning home each day to face the aftermath of the destruction in the bedroom and living room, saying, “Tonight, we’re having cat stew.”

As Bright followed Demolition around and with the help of high-level nutritionist Dr. Ji Yan adjusting her diet, her figure changed dramatically. Her elegant and delicate appearance captivated many Blue Star people.

Whenever Han Rong and Ji Yan took Demolition and Bright out, they always became the center of attention.

“When I was young, my grandfather taught me a classical poem. I always got it wrong and recited it as ‘The parting person is silent, the moon is silent, the bright moon is without light, and people are without affection.’ When I saw Bright that day, I suddenly remembered the correct line.”

“The bright moon has light, and people have affection.”

They would never be separated.

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