Chapter 29: Personal Will

"I despise people making fun of my name. It's an insult to me." Katerina's gaze was serious, cold like the calm before a volcanic eruption.

"Compared to that, I'd much rather people call me by my other name—Katerina."

Chang Yu gradually restrained his smile. Seeing Katerina's furious expression, he realized his joke had gone too far.

"I'm truly sorry, Katerina. I was just joking with you." Chang Yu lowered his head awkwardly to apologize.

"You've already seen my work credentials. Surely you believe my identity now?" Katerina took a deep breath, letting go of Chang Yu's earlier mockery.

She took several agreements out of the room's drawer and gently placed them on the table in front of Chang Yu.

"These documents are the confidentiality agreements and employment contract prepared for you. If you're willing to join the Disaster Investigation Bureau, just sign here."

"Of course, the Bureau won't force you to join us. Whether you sign the employment contract is entirely your own decision."

"If you choose not to join, you'll still have to sign the confidentiality agreements. This concerns military secrets—I hope you understand."

"Also, you must not disclose a single word about our conversation today to anyone—relatives, friends, colleagues, or even your partner."

Picking up the agreements from the table, Chang Yu carefully read through them from start to finish.

There were several confidentiality agreements, mostly requiring him to keep the Bureau's work strictly secret.

The final document was the employment contract. Once he signed it, he would belong to the Disaster Investigation Bureau.

The agreements were, on the whole, fair and reasonable, but the sheer number of confidentiality clauses made Chang Yu's scalp tingle.

It was clear that if he signed, his personal freedom and freedom of speech would inevitably be curtailed.

"If I sign these documents, I'll become a member of the Disaster Investigation Bureau?" Chang Yu asked Katerina.

"As soon as you sign, from today onward, we'll be colleagues." Katerina answered calmly.

"I see these agreements have many confidentiality clauses. What happens if I break any of them?" Chang Yu asked, feigning nonchalance.

Katerina's eyes suddenly sharpened, the coldness in them making Chang Yu feel uneasy.

She spoke, each word deliberate: "If you do, you'll be treated as a traitor. Most likely, you'll face execution by firing squad."

"Because of the nature of our work, we often gain access to state military secrets—these must be kept confidential."

"If any of these secrets leak, it could have grave consequences for our country."

"To prevent such events, we must strictly abide by these clauses. It's our responsibility."

Chang Yu wiped the sweat from his brow. The severity in Katerina's gaze and her unwavering words weighed heavily on him.

"So... If I become an investigator for the Bureau, will I be assigned dangerous tasks?" Chang Yu asked, worried.

Katerina didn't conceal anything from him, answering honestly: "Due to our work, we often undertake high-risk missions."

"Many times, sacrifice is inevitable. I've known many colleagues who've given their lives for the country."

"Then I can't do it." Chang Yu began to retreat, his human frailty getting the better of him.

"You said yourself, joining the Bureau is voluntary. Let me be clear—I don't wish to join."

Katerina had said herself that becoming an investigator meant facing danger.

Just like in the movies, those who take on perilous roles rarely fare well.

This job was too risky for Chang Yu; he was not ready to sacrifice himself for the country.

For those who wish to lay down their lives for the nation, he would wholeheartedly support them.

He would never hesitate to praise and honor such heroes, even offer them his highest respect.

But when it came to himself?

If he had to be the one braving bullets and sacrificing for the nation?

Honestly, Chang Yu didn't want that.

After all, you only have one life—when it's gone, it's truly gone.

What a joke!

Why not live a peaceful and prosperous life, instead of risking your neck every day?

Katerina listened calmly to Chang Yu's words, not surprised by his refusal.

She had already anticipated his response.

In fact, many who eventually joined the Bureau were initially unwilling.

Their thoughts were much the same as Chang Yu's.

Katerina understood him; it was only human. Yet understanding didn't mean she would let him go.

She had called him here, reasoned with him at length, never intending to let this cooked duck fly away.

She was absolutely confident she could persuade Chang Yu; before coming here, she had made every preparation and wasn't afraid of his refusal.

To prevent the negotiation from stagnating any further, she decided to give Chang Yu a shock—a dose strong enough to shake him to his core, to change his mind entirely.

"I actually know you were the one who attacked Zhao Dasheng. Though you thought you were discreet, you can't escape our eyes."

Katerina sat upright in her chair, hands folded, fingers interlaced, looking utterly in control.

"When Zhao Dasheng was assaulted, our surveillance cameras recorded everything you did."

"Don't forget—before you hit him, you hadn't covered your face. I saw you put that plastic bag over your head with my own eyes."

"Damn, too careless!" At Katerina's mention, Chang Yu immediately panicked.

He hadn't checked if there were cameras in the alley when he acted—a surveillance camera recording his attack was entirely possible.

Chang Yu had made a mistake—a grave mistake, enough to ruin him.

If he could go back, he would have smashed every camera before acting, avoiding any evidence.

But time can't be reversed...

"Actually, it's not just me who knows you did it. Some in the police do too." Katerina spoke matter-of-factly. "After all, police have the right to access surveillance footage."

"The police know too?" Chang Yu's face turned pale. "But if they have evidence, why haven't they arrested me? It's been days since the incident."

"They originally intended to arrest you. But I used my Bureau authority to suppress the matter, so they don't dare trouble you." Katerina explained.

"Actually, the Disaster Investigation Bureau's authority and priority are far beyond what you imagine. Often, even the police have to follow our orders and direction."

"If you join us, we'll wipe your slate clean. The police will act as if nothing ever happened."

"But if you refuse, I'm afraid I can only apologize. The law won't let a criminal guilty of serious assault go free."

"I'll have the police arrest you. Ten years in prison will be your fate. You can choose to join us, or choose prison—the choice is yours."

Chang Yu scratched his head, feeling uneasy. "Uh... That sounds a lot like a threat, not much like voluntary recruitment!"

"I have a question. Since the police know I'm the one who attacked Zhao Dasheng, why did they make such a big show of searching the whole city?"

"That was just the police putting on a show for Zhao Dasheng," Katerina replied without hesitation. "He's a big shot in H City—after being beaten, the police have to give him an explanation."

"Stop, stop!" After listening for so long, Chang Yu finally understood Katerina's intent.

"So if I join you, you'll settle this for me?" he asked.

"Once you join the Bureau, you'll no longer be an ordinary citizen, but an 'investigator on important duties.'"

"The police have no authority to arrest Bureau investigators. As long as you join, the police won't trouble you."

"I can also assure you—even if Zhao Dasheng knows you were the one who beat him up that night, he won't dare retaliate."

"He can't afford to cross the Bureau. Even if he's powerful in H City, before us he's nothing more than a mantis trying to stop a car."

"Actually, joining the Bureau isn't out of the question," Chang Yu said, now considerably softened after being frightened. "I just dislike being forced into a completely unfamiliar organization."

"I'm not forcing you," Katerina replied calmly. "I'm merely stating the facts."

"It's not like I made you beat up Zhao Dasheng. That has nothing to do with me."

"I didn't mean to do it," Chang Yu muttered, lips trembling.

In his heart, he hadn't intended to hurt Zhao Dasheng; there was simply a misunderstanding about the man.

His intentions were good—he wanted to save an innocent life.

But who could have guessed his good deed would turn out so badly?

He had done a good thing, yet ended up despised and hunted.

Truth be told, he felt aggrieved.

"Regardless of your intentions, you committed a crime, and must face the law." Katerina adopted a strictly professional tone, unmoved. "I'm simply curious to see what you'll choose."

Chang Yu's face was grim. He knew, in reality, he had only one choice.

Who would willingly spend ten long years in a dark prison?

He was still young, with a bright future ahead.

He didn't want to miss out on the best decade of his life behind bars.

"I'll join!" Chang Yu almost gritted his teeth as he uttered the words.