https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-22-Overconfidence-and-the-Dangers-of-Drinking/12969519/
Chapter 21: The Director's Weakness
Chapter 21: The Director's Weakness
"You mean that the older nurse is likely a natural carrier of an 'anomaly' as well?"
After listening to Leon's report, the red-haired woman's eyebrows lifted slightly, and she said thoughtfully:
"No wonder... I remember Emma's report also mentioned a nurse who could resist the director's control.
I originally thought that she was relatively kind and upright, able to uphold her own position and not be swayed by power, which is why she avoided the influence of authority-type anomalies.
But now it seems that she herself carried an 'anomaly', which is why she could avoid being manipulated... Leon, you did well!"
After giving Leon an appreciative glance, the red-haired director smiled and said:
"Clearly having just finished a tiring cleanup task, you still insisted on proactively applying for overtime, diligently revisiting and rechecking the victims' situations, and keenly uncovering clues about new anomalies. You really worked hard!"
Ah? That's not right, is it?
Hearing the red-haired woman's summary, Leon couldn't help but be slightly startled and then reminded her:
"Thank you, Director, but this afternoon I actually took a leave to visit my sister. This information wasn't obtained through visits..."
"Taking a half-day leave deducts half a day's salary, but proactively going on overtime once allows you to apply for two Golden Wheel allowances."
"..."
"Rather, while on overtime, I actively communicated with the gas company's compensation officer and successfully analyzed the situation using the methods taught by you and Senior Emma."
"Mm, you live up to my expectations. You're indeed suited for the Cleanup Bureau."
After looking at Leon with satisfaction, the red-haired director smiled and said:
"Go back and fill out the overtime report according to what you said, but you don't need to include the parts I and Emma did.
Fudging funds is fudging funds, but the credit is yours. No matter how other bureaus operate, we don't do that in our fledgling bureau.
And you obtained valuable information during your rest time. A special overtime allowance was always going to be yours."
"Then... thank you, Director... I'll go back and fill out the report right away!"
"Mm, go, go!"
...
Regarding this director of mine, who openly talks about fudging funds but has a strangely "upright" demeanor, Leon really doesn't know how to evaluate her.
Although her methods are a bit questionable, a leader who fights for the benefits of their subordinates and doesn't take credit for their work should be well-liked in the bureau. No wonder Senior Emma always speaks of her with great respect... Ah!
It seemed he suddenly remembered something and stopped, hesitating slightly:
"Uh... Director, can I go on another overtime mission tomorrow?"
"..."
The red-haired woman was slightly startled and then instinctively narrowed her fox-like eyes, smiling ambiguously:
"Why? Running out of money? Want to try fudging funds again?"
"No, no, this time it's real overtime. Or you can count it as a leave."
After hastily shaking his head, Leon explained sincerely:
"Yesterday, I looked at Senior Emma's archived materials on the Red Brick Road Hospital incident, and I felt that the appearance of the patients seemed too coincidental, as if they were deliberately 'created' to strengthen out-of-control infectees.
After all, Red Brick Road Hospital usually has only about a hundred beds. If not for simultaneous issues at the Water Utility Company and the Road Authority, there wouldn't have been so many patients for the director to absorb at once.
So I was thinking, could the bureau investigate these two places to see if there's a mastermind behind it, or if there's a problem with the companies themselves..."
"And by taking advantage of my position, I could gather evidence of negligence to help the patients still in the hospital... Am I right?"
The red-haired woman opened her pretty fox-like eyes, gently staring at Leon, who was startled, and smiled.
"Haha, it seems the Sheep was right. You're indeed the type with strong moral principles, always feeling compelled to intervene when you see something you don't like."
"Mm... don't be nervous. Although your suggestion does contain a bit of 'selfishness', I don't actually mind. After all, a naive and kind little guy is always endearing~"
After giving Leon an unclear but strange evaluation, the red-haired woman lazily stretched, showing off her beautiful curves, and then leaned back comfortably against the soft chair, smiling.
"Go if you want to, and this time it counts as overtime, but it won't happen again."
"Thank you, Director!"
"You're welcome, but..."
Raising her hand to support her cheek, the red-haired woman looked at Leon with interest and smiled.
"You only plan to thank me verbally? No physical action?"
"Uh..."
Caught off guard by her sudden "demand for a bribe", Leon looked at the mountain of empty bottles behind the red-haired woman's desk and tentatively said, "Then... after work today, I'll buy you a few drinks?"
Hm? Drinks? Hearing Leon's words, the red-haired woman's eyes lit up slightly, and she instinctively sat up straight.
Oh dear... when I mentioned a 'physical action', I actually meant that the bureau is short-staffed lately, and I want you to take the initiative to investigate the Water Utility Company and the Road Authority. After that, go to the home of that middle-aged nurse named Hannah and see what her situation is.
But if you insist on buying me drinks... hmm... it's rare to have a new employee, so as a leader, I should probably get closer to him and build a good relationship?
Quietly reaching her hand to her waist and feeling her empty purse, the red-haired director sat up straight in her chair, cleared her throat, and said with a warm expression, "In principle, I shouldn't accept your invitation, but since you just joined, let's have a welcome party for you and celebrate your becoming a member of the Sanitation Bureau."
"Ah, okay!"
Leon nodded and then suggested, "Then I'll call Senior Emma and the one who just returned..."
"Cough... there's no need to call them."
After quietly calculating Leon's salary, the red-haired woman stopped him, saying sternly, "Emma has to hurry home to take care of her child, and as for the two who just returned, I'll assign them new tasks right away... I mean, they'll be departing before sunset today, so I'll just drink by myself tonight!"
"..."
You'll just drink by yourself... no, are you not even going to pretend anymore? Even if you said you'd organize the welcome party yourself, that'd be fine, right?
Looking at the red-haired woman, who seemed to have suddenly lost her wits, speaking incoherently, and her original rationality and meticulousness vanishing without a trace, Leon couldn't help but open his mouth in surprise, remembering the Black Sheep's warning.
"Let me tell you, that stinky woman may be calm and cunning, and her strength is terrifying, but once she starts drinking, she becomes a pure drunkard, the kind that spews alcohol from her brain.
If we don't mention alcohol, everything is fine. She can hold her own against any opponent, but if she encounters alcohol, she becomes utterly unreliable, her character becomes lowly, so be careful, and don't let her get too close to you!"
"..."
I seem to have dug myself into a big hole!
(End of Chapter)
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