noveltune Chapter 58: Acquiring a New Golden Finger
Chapter 58: Acquiring a New Golden Finger
Chapter 58: Acquiring a New Golden Finger
Seeing the prompt before him, Qiu Tu, who had been groggy, was instantly wide awake. He sat up straight, looked around to make sure he was alone in the conference room, and then carefully examined the changes in his golden finger.
Since the first day of his transmigration, Qiu Tu had noticed that his golden finger was different from other transmigrators'. While others had just one golden finger, his could be refreshed and fixed. However, he didn't know how to trigger these functions as the conditions hadn't been met back then.
Now, with the prompt, Qiu Tu gained some understanding: it seemed his golden finger evolved with the enhancement of his extraordinary powers. This meant that if he continued to improve his abilities, he could unlock more golden finger slots and refresh chances.
With this realization, Qiu Tu decided to check out the new golden finger panel.
"Golden Finger Slots: 1/2"
"Refresh Count: 1 (Once per month)"
"Golden Finger Name: Crisis Detection (Not Fixed, Refreshable)"
"Golden Finger Type: Trigger"
"Golden Finger Effect: When encountering a significant crisis, Crisis Detection will activate and provide a corresponding crisis warning. If the crisis is successfully navigated, a reward related to the crisis will be granted."
"Golden Finger Slot 2: Empty (Refreshable)"
Seeing the new golden finger panel, Qiu Tu had a better understanding of his golden finger. As a cataclysmic being, he now had two slots for golden fingers and one chance to refresh them each month. If he found a golden finger to be ineffective or temporarily unnecessary, he could refresh it. Conversely, if he found a golden finger potentially useful, he could fix it temporarily.
‘This is indeed powerful,’ Qiu Tu thought, wasting no time as he prepared to refresh his second golden finger. He first fixed the Crisis Detection, then gently clicked the refresh button.
Without any special effects or sounds, the second golden finger panel changed in the next moment.
"Golden Finger Name: Loyalty Game (Not Fixed, Refreshable)"
"Golden Finger Type: Passive & Active"
"Golden Finger Effect (Passive): Your actions and words will show their impact on your subordinates and superiors."
"Golden Finger Effect (Active): You can actively check the ‘loyalty’ of subordinates and initiate the loyalty game once a certain loyalty level is reached."
*Note: Subordinates include your direct subordinates, those under your command by title, or those under your control or submission. Former subordinates are also included.
Seeing his new golden finger, Qiu Tu blinked. A multifunctional golden finger? The Loyalty Game? This seemed quite interesting.
According to the description, he could see how his words and actions affected his superiors and subordinates, actively check subordinates' loyalty, and initiate a "game" once loyalty reached a certain level. Although he wasn’t sure about the game’s effects, this golden finger seemed to perfectly fit his upcoming plans: consolidating his subordinates, expanding his base, and increasing his influence within the three major factions.
Combined with the Crisis Detection for warnings, one for "defense" and one for "expansion," it was perfect!
Feeling eager to test his new golden finger, Qiu Tu stood up, ready to leave the conference room. However, as he rose, he noticed a uniform slipping off his body. Surprised, he looked at the rank insignia on the uniform’s shoulders: two stripes and a star, one more stripe than his own rank, indicating a full department chief.
He recognized the black uniform color: it belonged to the Political Division, and only one department chief wore it. That realization sent chills down his spine. He vaguely recalled someone entering the office in his sleep and draping a coat over him. Since Crisis Detection hadn’t alerted him, Qiu Tu hadn’t been concerned, assuming it was Liu Fuping, Song Qing, or Secretary Bai checking on him.
But now, realizing it was Jia Shu who had covered him, Qiu Tu felt uneasy. What was Jia Shu planning? Or had something changed in his preferences?
Nevertheless, respect for superiors was paramount. Qiu Tu decided to thank Jia Shu first. Suppressing his eagerness to test his new golden finger, he neatly folded the coat and headed for Jia Shu's office.
Jia Shu had two offices: one on the 12th floor and one on the 9th floor. The former was his private office as a senior member of the Investigation Department, and the latter was his regular working office. Qiu Tu headed for the 9th-floor office.
As he reached the office door and was about to knock, the door opened, and Liu Fuping emerged, swaying with a stack of files. She closed the door behind her and, noticing Qiu Tu, gave a lazy salute, “Good day, Chief~~”
Jia Shu nodded with a knowing smile.
Qiu Tu pretended to piece together her identity and the recent events. After a moment, he asked, “And her connection with the RUF?”
Jia Shu, pleased with the question, explained, “That’s the issue.”
“This morning, the Director and I reviewed all events involving Qin Shuman. Many doubts surfaced.”
“But assuming she’s a Security Division plant, most doubts were resolved. Except her link with the RUF.”
Pacing, Jia Shu added, “You once said she and the RUF were working to build your reputation.”
“But the Security Division’s main duty is combating anti-government forces. They should be enemies.”
Qiu Tu nodded, “Indeed, it doesn’t make sense. But that’s the reality. I don’t understand why either.”
Jia Shu smiled, “We don’t doubt you, just noting she holds many secrets.”
Jia Shu finally revealed his purpose, “So, Qiu Tu, would you continue liaising with Qin Shuman, sending her information, and monitoring the Investigation Department and Director Yan?”
Seeing Qiu Tu’s shocked expression, Jia Shu added, “Of course, we’re not asking you to betray the Director or the Department. We’ll guide you on what information to share.”
Qiu Tu was genuinely surprised. Hesitantly, he asked, “A double agent?”
Jia Shu, now serious, confirmed, “Yes. We suspect the military or Security Division is infiltrated by the anti-government organization.”
“The Political Division’s main job includes internal surveillance and counter-espionage. We can’t ignore this.”
“So, I hope you can take on this role as a double agent.”
What could Qiu Tu say? With Jia Shu offering such an opportunity to connect with Qin Shuman, how could he refuse? After pretending to hesitate, Qiu Tu finally nodded.
Seeing Qiu Tu agree, Jia Shu’s smile turned sincere.
Jia Shu then gave Qiu Tu detailed instructions on his upcoming tasks: how to re-establish contact with Qin Shuman, which information could be disclosed and which must be withheld, and what intelligence Qiu Tu needed to gather from Qin Shuman.
They discussed these points thoroughly for an hour. After their conversation, Jia Shu personally saw Qiu Tu out of the office. At the door, he gave Qiu Tu a heavy pat on the shoulder and said earnestly, “Do well. Both the Director and I have high hopes for you.”
Qiu Tu quickly adopted a grateful expression, “Thank you for the confidence, Director and Minister! I will do my best!”
Jia Shu nodded with a smile. He watched Qiu Tu walk away until he turned a corner at the end of the hallway and disappeared from sight. Only then did Jia Shu's smile fade, his expression turning cold and contemplative as he stared down the now-empty corridor, lost in thought.
Meanwhile, as soon as Qiu Tu was out of Jia Shu’s sight, his enthusiastic demeanor dropped. Frowning slightly, he pondered Jia Shu’s sudden move—whether it was a test of his loyalty or a genuine attempt to investigate the Security Division.
‘Could it be that they really trust me now?’ Qiu Tu felt uneasy but also wondered if he was overthinking the situation.
Just then, a prompt appeared before him:
[Jia Shu: Suspicion -0, Satisfaction +0]
Qiu Tu: ???
Author's Note