Section 1: Financial Strain

Sunlight streamed through the gap in the curtains, casting a faint glow across the room, with a slight dampness hanging in the air. Lin Yuxuan sat on a worn wooden chair, flipping through a thick stack of bills. Since returning from military service, his life had plunged into hardship. Due to injuries sustained during his previous missions, he was forced to leave the intelligence agency and had begun the arduous journey of job hunting with only a few thousand yuan to his name.

The bustling traffic outside sharply contrasted with the dullness inside. Lin Yuxuan’s rental apartment was on the city’s outskirts; though the rent was cheap, the space was exceptionally small and shabby. He looked down at the bills in his hand, the furrows on his brow deepening. Almost all his money had gone toward medical expenses and living costs, and now his biggest problem was finding a stable job.

Rising from the chair, he walked to the small kitchen to prepare a simple breakfast. Without the support of the intelligence agency, the past glory and security had become mere memories. Now, Lin Yuxuan was left with only confusion about the future and helplessness about the present. During his time with the agency, he had used his intelligence and keen insight to solve countless complex cases, but now he struggled to even find a stable job.

As he was about to start cooking, the ringtone of his phone broke the silence. Lin Yuxuan returned to the table, picked up the phone, and saw a new message: “Mr. Lin, we are interested in your resume. Could we meet to discuss a job opportunity?” It was a message from an unfamiliar recruitment company. A flicker of hope crossed Lin Yuxuan’s mind, but it was quickly overshadowed by the reality of the situation. Although the recruitment company showed interest, whether they could offer a suitable position remained unknown.

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After having breakfast, Lin Yuxuan changed into clean clothes and decided to head to the recruitment company for the interview. He tidied up his resume, and as he pushed open the door, his gaze was resolute, as if searching for a new opportunity for himself.

On his way to the recruitment company, Lin Yuxuan’s mind was filled with memories of his past. Those dark years had become his only reliance. Although he no longer had access to that familiar field, he believed that with his skills, he would find his own place in the world.

As he walked into the recruitment company, he realized he was embarking on another challenging path. During the interview, he did his best to showcase his talents and experience, but the anxiety and unease within him were hard to conceal. The interviewer’s serious and composed expression made him feel that the outcome of this opportunity was still uncertain.

After the interview, Lin Yuxuan walked out of the company, his mind filled with anxiety and anticipation. Suddenly, his attention was caught by a scene ahead. A young girl was surrounded by a group of strangers, looking very distressed and troubled. Lin Yuxuan’s intuition told him this might be a moment where help was needed.