Nie Bing ignored Liu Ruyan and went straight to Lei Gang:
"Minister Lei, I'm Nie Bing, the computer expert from the Pursuit Team. Your venue's surveillance system should have night vision capabilities, right? Could you please access the footage from when the lights went out and see if we can find any clues to Cifera's escape?"
Lei Gang glanced at the Pursuit Team's ice-cold, beautiful police officer and scoffed, his face contorted with impatience as he explained:
"I don't need you to remind me, Officer Nie. I already thought of that. That damned fugitive must have used some trick to cut off the surveillance signal during the blackout. We can't find any clues from the venue's footage.
"But I immediately sealed off all exits to the lower floors. She must still be on this level. A thorough search of the entire venue will definitely flush her out!"
Hearing Lei Gang's words, Nie Bing nodded noncommittally. Then, in a tone that sounded like a request but was clearly an order, she said:
"Minister Lei, please have someone escort me to your security surveillance management center. I need to personally access the Starry Building's surveillance footage from today."
"... ..."
Nie Bing's attitude only fueled Lei Gang's frustration.
I'm speaking as your senior, and you, as a junior, show no acknowledgment whatsoever?
Where's your manners? Do you even know how to respect others?
So you're saying I'm talking nonsense? You're convinced I won't find anyone here, aren't you?
Damn it! This is my territory! These meddling Pursuers should be the ones cooperating with me!
That fool Li Zhanting made the worst possible decision!
Though every fiber of his being resisted, Li Zhanting was still present. Lei Gang had just promised to cooperate with the Pursuit Team, so he couldn't refuse Nie Bing's request now.
As if on cue, a young security guard walked by. Lei Gang grabbed him roughly.
"Hey, you! Take Officer Nie to the surveillance room. Make sure everyone there fully cooperates with her investigation, got it?"
The security guard, barely in his twenties, looked like a fresh college graduate, his face still carrying a hint of youthful awkwardness.
Suddenly summoned by Lei Gang and given a task, he stammered nervously, "Y-yes... Minister Lei."
"Jesus Christ! Is this your first day? Speak up! I can't hear you!"
Lei Gang was already in a foul mood. Seeing his subordinate cowering in front of these outsiders only made him lose face.
His anger flared instantly.
"I..." the security guard stammered, clearly terrified. But when he saw Lei Gang's ferocious, man-eating glare, he quickly took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and blurted out at the top of his lungs:
"I know! Minister Lei!"
The sheer volume of his shout made Lei Gang's ears ring, and every gaze in the room instantly snapped toward them.
"...You... I..."
Lei Gang was dumbfounded. Which idiot's favor did this dimwit get in on? How could he be so utterly incompetent?!
Completely unqualified! What's someone with such poor mental fortitude doing in security? He couldn't even deliver takeout properly! He'd be better off going home to leech off his parents!
Despite his internal rant, Lei Gang knew he couldn't say more without further humiliating himself.
Suppressing his rage, Lei Gang waved dismissively, his face dark as he snapped:
"Enough! Take Officer Nie to the surveillance room immediately!"
The security guard flinched violently, his spine snapping ramrod straight out of reflex.
"Yes, Minister Lei!!!"
His voice was even louder than before, and coupled with his flushed face and near-tears expression, he looked both cowardly and brave at the same time.
"Why are you shouting so loud?!"
Lei Gang's temples throbbed, his fingers clenched until his knuckles turned white. He practically spat out the second half of his sentence through gritted teeth:
"Afraid people won't notice your loud voice, huh?!"
"I... I'm sorry... Minister Lei..."
The security guard cowered, his Adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed nervously. Cold sweat trickled from his temples to his trembling lips.
"..."
Seeing the fool shrink back into his quail-like state, Lei Gang couldn't even bring himself to rage anymore.
He'd made up his mind: after today, no matter whose connections got this guy into the company, he'd be fired without hesitation!
Even Nie Bing couldn't help but wear a faint, almost amused smile at this sudden, comical security guard drama.
The reporters and staff present were barely holding back their laughter. If they weren't afraid of Lei Gang's explosive temper, they'd be howling with mirth!
The live stream viewers had no such reservations, unleashing a torrent of mocking comments about "Big Pecs" Lei:
[Hahahahahahahahahahaha! I'm laughing so hard the neighbors are calling the police! ! !]
[Security Guard: Directive received! Activating maximum volume output mode! ROAR! ! !]
[Lei Gang: I asked you to lead the way, not warm up your vocal cords!?!]
["Understood!!! Minister Lei!!!" — Sonic attack! Super effective! Minister Lei's HP -999!]
["About My Subordinate Being a Socially Awkward Person with a Built-In Megaphone" — Lei Gang's Daily Office Chronicles.]
[Hahaha! Poor Big Pecs! First Cifera tricks him, then the CEO scolds him, and now his own subordinate has broken his composure. So utterly tragic!]
[Quick, look at Little Bingbing! She's actually smiling!]
[If it were me, I'd be laughing too! No shame!]
["Global Manhunt" Bonus Episode: "Minister Lei's Blood Pressure Defense War" Premieres Today!]
Lei Gang couldn't help but notice the smirks on everyone's faces. His face darkening, he abruptly abandoned Nie Bing and the security guard, storming off.
Nie Bing composed herself, her smile fading as she addressed the nervous security guard before her.
"Stay calm on the job. No matter what problems arise, the most important thing is to remain calm. Let's go."
With that, she turned and strode toward the entrance without another glance.
"Thank you, Officer Nie... I... I'll lead the way!"
The security guard bowed his thanks, then, seeing Nie Bing already rushing ahead, scrambled to catch up and take the lead.
"Nie Bing, I'll come with you too," Lin Zhiyuan called out, catching up to the pair.
He shared Nie Bing's skepticism about the effectiveness of on-site searching. They both believed reviewing security footage would yield a breakthrough. Moreover, Nie Bing had mentioned accessing the security center's surveillance system, which would inevitably require setting up her own Technical Booth using her equipment. This would necessitate communication with the security staff.
Nie Bing lacked the diplomatic finesse for such interactions. Letting her handle the security personnel alone would be a waste of effort. He knew his assistance would be invaluable.
Thus, the Expert Team split into two groups:
Nie Bing and Lin Zhiyuan went to the security center to retrieve surveillance footage, while Liu Shanhe led the remaining experts and part of the Pursuit Team to investigate the press conference venue.
The rest of the Pursuit Team guarded all exits of the building, ready to immediately report any sighting of Cifera.
Inside the Starry Headquarters Building, everyone had lost track of Cifera. Viewers, with their "God's-eye view," naturally wanted to know where she was hiding.
However, to their dismay, neither Cifera's personal live stream nor the official broadcast showed any footage of her after her disappearance.
Frustrated by the Production Team's attempts at building suspense and deliberately teasing viewers, many viewers lodged complaints, some even calling to demand immediate footage of Cifera!
But was the Production Team really deliberately playing up the suspense?
If the audience could hear Chief Director Guo Tao's nearly roof-shattering roar from the backstage control center, they would certainly think otherwise.