Standing behind "Cifer" and watching his receding figure, Lin Zhiyuan and Nie Bing wore complex expressions, clearly cringing at his over-the-top behavior.
The live stream audience erupted into a frenzy, buzzing about the security guard's unexpectedly entertaining antics.
[Ha ha ha! "Cifer"? Only one letter off!]
[Could this new security guard be Cifera's long-lost brother? (Dog head emoji)]
["Same name, different destiny! I, Cifer, will fly too!"—Save me! This line is so cringeworthy, my toes are curling into a three-bedroom apartment!]
["From today onward, I'll forge the name 'Cifer' into a golden brand!"—Damn, that's badass! Even more hype than the main event!]
[Lord Lin: I just wanted a name... and ended up with a performance artist? ???]
[Bingbing's expression! I saw it! Pure disgust! As if saying, "Where did this idiot come from? He's nowhere near as good as my Cifera!"]
Big Pecs: You fuckers get it now? I really didn't want to lose my cool just now, but this kid's antics were just too much!
This "Security Guard" is worried about being laughed at? No! You're already the laughingstock of the entire show... no, wait, you're the source of all our entertainment now! Comrade Cifer!
I have a wild theory: could this guy be Cifera in disguise? Who else would pull off such a bold stunt?!
Probably not a disguise. Cifera isn't that stupid. Neither are Lord Lin and Little Bingbing. Deliberately using her own name as a hint? That's practically begging to be exposed!
Exactly! Big Pecs and the other security personnel didn't seem suspicious at all when they saw him. It's clearly just a coincidence.
-
On screen:
In the security monitoring center, a seasoned staff member with considerable seniority noticed "Cifer" in a security uniform escorting Nie Bing and Lin Zhiyuan inside. He immediately rose to greet them.
Behind "Cifer," Lin Zhiyuan and Nie Bing simultaneously scrutinized the staff member's expression with keen eyes.
Although they all believed the name "Cifer" was merely a coincidence, as members of the Expert Team, they naturally considered the same suspicions that the live stream viewers might have.
To be safe, they proceeded with caution.
However, when they saw the Security Guard in the monitoring room react to "Cifer" as if he already knew him, showing no suspicion whatsoever, their wariness instantly eased.
What they didn't realize was that this Security Guard was actually meeting Cifera, disguised as a man, for the first time. The reason for his lack of surprise was simple:
Moments earlier, a familiar security officer from the rooftop venue had called to warn him that a young man, suspected of having connections to Minister Lei, would be arriving shortly with experts from the Pursuit Team to find him.
He was instructed to maintain a composed expression, preferably feigning familiarity, to avoid arousing the experts' suspicion.
The Starry Security Department was vast, with regular personnel turnover and the discreet presence of "favored connections"—a silent understanding among the staff.
Normally, no one would publicly voice such concerns, let alone now, with the visiting experts filming a live variety show. Better safe than sorry—if someone accidentally let something slip, Minister Lei Gang's wrath could cost them their job.
Although the security guard acted naturally enough to fool Lin Zhiyuan and Nie Bing, he couldn't deceive Cifera.
She caught that fleeting moment of unfamiliarity and scrutiny in his eyes when he first saw her.
Cifera had long been confident that her disguise as an unfamiliar security guard wouldn't be exposed. The reason was simple: she had already used her hacking skills to gain "friendly access" to the Security Department's internal communication channels, learning the unspoken "rules of the game" regarding personnel.
Thus, as "Cifer," she would be seen by Minister Lei Gang as a useless favor hire from some high-ranking official.
Meanwhile, other security personnel would assume that assigning a greenhorn like her to such a high-profile event—with so many veterans around—meant Minister Lei Gang was grooming his secretly appointed "new recruit" for personal loyalty.
Because of these unspoken rules, neither side would dare to verify her identity with the other.
Why wouldn't I exploit this vulnerability?
Although "Cifer" had exuded confidence moments before, her face betrayed a hint of nervousness as she greeted the senior staff member:
"Good morning! These two are experts from the Pursuit Team of the Global Manhunt: The Final Heist production team. A contestant from the show just appeared at the press conference upstairs, causing a commotion.
"Minister Lei Gang is currently handling the situation upstairs and is unable to leave. He's entrusted me with full responsibility for coordinating with the experts.
"Your full cooperation is essential. Please provide the experts with a quiet room where they can install their technical equipment and grant them access to Starry's surveillance feeds."
The staff member, already prepared for this, immediately complied:
"Of course, of course! This way, please. This spare analysis room is quiet and has all the necessary connections!"
Within minutes, a separate operational room was secured. Nie Bing began calibrating her equipment while Lin Zhiyuan assisted. The other Pursuers who had helped move the equipment returned upstairs to support Liu Shanhe.
"Minister Lei has instructed that the Pursuit Team's experts require absolute silence to work," Cifera said to the other technicians and staff who had followed them into the monitoring center. "I'll handle all communication from here on out.
"You can all get back to your duties. If the experts need anything, I'll notify you. Under no circumstances are you to enter the room directly and disturb them. Thank you for your cooperation."
Despite Cifera's polite tone, her imperious manner made it clear she was acting as a "ministerial envoy." Though inwardly displeased, the others maintained cheerful smiles, nodded in agreement, and withdrew.
"Thank you, brother," Lin Zhiyuan said sincerely. "You've been a great help."
"Ha, no need to thank me, Lord Lin," Cifera said bashfully. "It's my duty."
However, Lin Zhiyuan's tone suddenly shifted, and he asked with feigned concern:
"You're lying to them, aren't you? Minister Lei didn't actually authorize you to handle our reception entirely, did he?
"Aren't you afraid they'll find out and accuse you of exploiting authority or falsifying military intelligence?"
Upon hearing Lin Zhiyuan's words, "Cifer" shook her head, her eyes gleaming with determination.
"Because I know you must want a quiet, undisturbed environment. As your fan, I naturally want to help you."
"Besides, Minister Lei instructed everyone at the monitoring center to fully cooperate with your work. So, isn't it perfectly fine for me to relay your requests and ensure they comply?"
"But you still need someone to run errands and liaise with the outside world, right? Well, wouldn't I be perfect for that role?"
"This also aligns with Minister Lei's directive to fully support your work."
After hearing "Cifer"'s explanation, Lin Zhiyuan couldn't find any major flaws in her reasoning. He wore an expression of newfound respect and praised him, "You've got a sharp mind, kid. Now that you're relaxed, your thinking's gotten clearer, hasn't it? Just remember to stay calm in the future."
"Mm-hmm!" "Cifer" responded cheerfully. Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, he pulled a photo and a pen from his pocket.
Slightly embarrassed, she approached Lin Zhiyuan, extended the photo and pen with both hands, bowed her head, and said, "Lord Lin, could you please sign this for me?"
Lin Zhiyuan was initially startled, thinking "Cifer" might be about to attack him. Even now, he remained wary of this young man who had assumed the name "Cifer."
But then he saw the photo in the other person's hand—a fan-taken snapshot from his early days on The Brain, when he was still a newcomer, just a "minor character."
Back then, he still looked like a scruffy, unkempt otaku.
He never imagined someone would possess such a rare photo. It was virtually impossible to find online; only the most devoted fans who had supported him from the very beginning could possibly own it.
Without a doubt, "Cifer" was his die-hard fan!
Instantly, Lin Zhiyuan's wariness toward "Cifer" plummeted to nearly zero.
His face now wore a mixture of excitement, pride, and a pang of guilt for ever doubting such a supportive fan. Wordlessly, he took the photo and began signing his name meticulously.
Just as he was completely absorbed in writing, he suddenly felt a light tap on the back of his neck.
Then, a familiar voice, brimming with playful amusement, whispered in his ear—softly yet clearly, at a volume only Lin Zhiyuan could hear:
"Little Lin, you've already 'fainted'~"
The moment he heard "Little Lin," every hair on Lin Zhiyuan's body stood on end!
A horrifying truth slammed into him, leaving him wanting to scream, "Holy shit!!!"
But the person's next words froze the shout in his throat.