Too Many Reincarnators? I Bring the National Team to the Field - Chapter 27

Sheng An’s expression remained unchanged, her voice calm and even:

“It’s nothing much. He just broke all the machines used for testing during the examination and almost injured a researcher.”

Song Linwei drew in a sharp breath.

Li Xin squatted on the ground, looking aggrieved:

“How is this my fault? That guy in the white coat told me to put my hand in and manipulate the metal element. They kept giving me different instructions, and I lost control for a moment. The elements went wild, and those machines broke…”

He sounded innocent, but under Sheng An’s gaze, his voice grew smaller and more guilty.

Sheng An watched him calmly.

He instinctively looked away.

Seeing this, Song Linwei could guess what had happened.

He knew Li Xin well.

It was obvious that Li Xin hadn’t rested since yesterday, and after being poked and prodded for tests, he was already impatient.

Seeing that Sheng An wasn’t around, he deliberately caused trouble and refused to cooperate.

Ever since awakening his ability, this kid had always called himself the “Chosen Son” and “hero,” arrogant to the extreme.

He destroyed the machines and almost hurt someone!

At this thought, Song Linwei shot Li Xin a fierce glare.

It had to be said, Song Linwei guessed right.

Li Xin hadn’t slept all night, and now, left in the interrogation room, leaning against the wall, he was even more irritable.

On top of that, a vague sense of guilt made him simply give up and act defiant, stiffening his neck and retorting, “I already apologized to them, what more do you want? So I broke a few machines-fine, I’ll pay you back.”

His tone was stubborn.

Hearing this, Song Linwei’s heart skipped a beat.

But Sheng An actually laughed.

A smile appeared on her face, her eyes curved as she spoke slowly: “You want to pay? Alright, let’s settle the bill.”

Hao Jingye quickly scrolled on his tablet. Soon, he pushed up his glasses-

“Li Xin, the machines you broke are the lab’s latest specialized instruments. They’re not sold outside. We’ll calculate at cost price-ninety-seven million in total. How would you like to pay?”

Li Xin nearly jumped up.

He raised his voice in disbelief: “What the heck? Those things are worth a hundred million?!”

“What did you think?” Sheng An looked at him. “You need to consider the consequences of your actions. If you deliberately destroy something, you have to compensate. Of course, since you’re a minor, I’ll have to contact your guardians.”

This time, Li Xin really jumped up.

His parents were businesspeople and fairly well-off, but nowhere near a hundred million.

Besides, he’d broken things in a moment of impulse-how could he bear to let his family go bankrupt to pay for it?

Li Xin refused, stamping his foot: “Why should I pay? I was cooperating with your research. Any losses aren’t my fault!”

Sheng An: “If the losses were caused by your cooperation, of course we wouldn’t blame you. But you broke these machines on purpose and almost hurt someone. That’s a serious offense.”

“How was I supposed to know they’d break so easily? I just extracted the metal from inside!”

“Oh, so you admit it was intentional? Then the ninety-seven million can be claimed from the Song family.”

“Sheng An! You-you-you-just say it’s ninety-seven million and that’s it? Who knows if you’re inflating the price? What gives you the right-”

“Don’t worry, we’ll provide an itemized invoice when you pay.”

Li Xin ground his teeth in anger: “The apocalypse is about to come, the world’s ending, and you still want compensation?!”

“Well, it hasn’t happened yet, has it?” Sheng An replied calmly.

Li Xin: “…”

His fists clenched tight, his teeth grinding audibly, wishing he could lunge forward and bite someone.

But no matter what he said, Sheng An always had a comeback.

And since he really had broken the machines on purpose, he was both furious and increasingly uneasy.

Sheng An repeated herself: “Li Xin, you need to consider the consequences of your actions.”

Li Xin’s shoulders suddenly slumped.

He shrank back against the wall, head down, his voice muffled: “Don’t go after my parents. I’ll pay it back myself.”

“Oh? And how do you plan to do that?” Sheng An asked, half-smiling.

How could he pay?

He was a sixteen-year-old minor, and if he checked his pockets, he was basically broke. The most money he ever had was during New Year, but even then, it was gone soon enough.

Ninety-seven million?

He’d have trouble coming up with ninety-seven thousand!

After thinking for a long time, he suddenly said, “I’ll write an IOU?”

The apocalypse was about to come anyway.

Even if he wrote an IOU, who would collect after the end of the world?

By then, money wouldn’t mean anything!

Li Xin’s eyes lit up, thinking this was a brilliant idea.

Sheng An smiled faintly: “Li Xin, do you think I’m stupid?”

Li Xin: “…”
The light in his eyes went out, and his whole demeanor wilted.

But Sheng An suddenly spoke: “Three months.”

“What?” Li Xin was bewildered.

Sheng An stepped forward, walked slowly to stand before him, then crouched down so their eyes were level. Her voice was calm:

“Work for the country for three months. After three months, the ninety-seven million debt is wiped clean. How about it?”

Her voice was steady, but her gaze was full of temptation.

Work for three months?

Li Xin was still a bit dazed, stunned and not yet recovered.

Sheng An’s voice was soft: “That’s thirty million a month, with food, lodging, and clothing all covered. Even Iron Man couldn’t get a deal like this. You still think it’s not good enough?”

Li Xin snapped out of it, his eyes suspicious: “Really just three months? You won’t force me to join you?”

Sheng An smiled gently and nodded affirmatively.

Behind them, Hao Jingye instinctively took a step back, feeling that Sister Sheng was digging a huge pit up front…

Li Xin’s eyes darted, and he said, “Then I still want-”

Sheng An stood up, her expression cold: “Song Linwei, let’s go discuss the compensation.”

“Wait!” Li Xin grabbed her sleeve, pouting, “Come on, don’t be so cold and heartless. I agree, I agree, okay!”

This woman was impossible to negotiate with!

It’s just three months, right?

Li Xin thought it through clearly. He’d already been caught by the country, his parents were in Sheng An’s hands, and he couldn’t run.

Just three months of work-no matter how he looked at it, it wasn’t too bad.

He’d thought Sheng An would definitely make him join the Apocalypse Special Affairs Department…

But just three months? Not so bad.

Li Xin emphasized: “You give your word?”

Sheng An nodded: “I keep my word. I’m worried you won’t, so let’s sign a contract.”

Li Xin nodded quickly.

Sheng An looked at him.

Li Xin: “What? Is there something else?”

Sheng An glanced coldly at the hand clutching her sleeve and smiled slightly: “So shouldn’t you let go?”

Li Xin awkwardly withdrew his hand.

Song Linwei watched the whole process, rubbing his head helplessly.

This foolish kid…

Does he really think it’s just a simple three months?

There are eighteen days left until the Apocalypse. The eighteen days before the end, and the two months after it arrives, are the most dangerous and critical times.

Sheng An had timed this perfectly.

And this foolish kid was still smug, happy that he only had to work for three months?

Besides-

Song Linwei sneaked a glance at Sheng An.

She didn’t seem like the type to let someone go after three months.

Song Linwei saw it clearly.

But he said nothing.

After a full day of consideration yesterday, their family had decided-to hand Li Xin over to the country.

Better that than not being able to control him, not knowing what he might do.

With the Apocalypse coming, it’s better to let the country take charge.

Since he’s special, the country wouldn’t let him die.

Moreover, Sheng An even made sure his uncle witnessed the whole “persuasion” process, showing real sincerity.

-Song Linwei saw it all clearly.

*

Hao Jingye drafted the contract, Sheng An sat beside him, and Li Xin sat across.

Hao Jingye: “Li Xin damaged laboratory equipment worth ninety-seven million. He will work to pay off the debt for three months. After three months, the debt is wiped clean. If he fails to do so, then-”

He looked at the two of them.

Clearly, he didn’t know how to finish that sentence.

Li Xin lifted his chin and snorted: “It’s just three months, right? If I can’t do it, I’ll pay the money!”

Sheng An’s phoenix eyes glanced at him, lips curling up, “Three months from now, who knows what the world will be like? You think it’ll be easy to get money then? If you can’t do it, you don’t need to pay.”

She’d dug such a pit-how could she give him a chance to go back on his word when the Apocalypse arrived?

This kid was underage, very naive, and his thoughts changed quickly.

“Then what?” Li Xin asked, puzzled.

He really couldn’t imagine how a contract could restrain him.

When the Apocalypse came, the world would be in chaos, and he would be a “superhero” with terrifying powers. If he just took his family and left, what could they do?

Thinking of this, Li Xin snickered to himself.

When the time came, he’d definitely teach this woman a lesson and make her beg for mercy!

Sheng An’s phoenix eyes glinted with amusement as she spoke slowly-

“Just write: If Li Xin fails, he is unworthy of being a hero, a promise-breaking coward, a piece of trash who can’t keep his word, a monster beaten up by Ultraman, an enemy of Iron Man, and… a defeated underling of the Apocalypse Special Affairs Department.”