Unlike the other four floors, there were very few residents on the fifth floor.
Having an officially registered population of less than 2,000, the fifth floor was more like private territory. Travel requests were difficult to apply for, and other than employees, very few people from other floors came to visit.
However, with Qiu Ming around, Zhang Heng and E-Goat’s applications were approved very quickly.
After receiving the tickets, the three of them followed the instructions and entered the corresponding waiting hall. The place was also very quiet. Apart from them, only six or seven people were preparing to go to the fifth floor.
“Don’t look around,” Qiu Ming reminded E-Goat, who was glancing about. “Don’t forget your current identity. Many of those who actually go to the fifth floor are employees of the company. Don’t let them see any flaws.”
“You’re quite kind, but are you really thinking for us?”
E-Goat was skeptical but still retracted his gaze and refused to look at Qiu Ming.
“Of course, I’ve seen countless people, and I’m very clear about my current situation. If I have any inappropriate measures, this friend of yours must have slit my throat or made a hole in the back of my head before they take effect,” Qiu Ming said. “I like my job, and I’m very grateful to the company that gave it to me, but my life is more important in comparison.”
“Quite self-aware, you,” mocked E-Goat.
“Recognizing danger is one of the most important survival instincts of a living creature. Let alone humans, even paramecia know how to avoid harmful stimuli through pressure, and the results tend to be favorable,” Qiu Ming said. “On the other hand, I’ve tried to persuade you many times, but still, you insist on going to dangerous places. It’s really not very wise.”
“Isn’t that because you kidnapped Xu Qian?” E-Goat shot Qiu Ming an accusing gaze.
Qiu Ming realized the situation and tactfully shut his mouth.
Not long after, a shuttle in its ascending state entered the station. The mechanical arm beside the platform also began to move. It completed the assembly as swiftly as it could and loaded the three people waiting in the hall into the shuttle.
“Welcome to the fifth floor. I wish you a pleasant journey.”
An elegant female voice sounded, but it sounded a little creepy in the empty carriage.
…
About six minutes later, the shuttle stopped moving again. The mechanical arm prepared earlier grappled the car once more and placed it in the arrival hall.
Qiu Ming unfastened his seat belt and obediently followed Zhang Heng and E-Goat out of the station.
Unlike what E-Goat had imagined, the station on the fifth floor didn’t give off a luxurious vibe. Although the building was more elegant than the four floors below, there didn’t seem to be any other differences, not to mention how unusually deserted the station was. Passengers and the staff were both pitifully lacking in this area.
“Where’s the taxi?” E-Goat looked up at the sign, but he couldn’t find the taxi stand.
“There are no taxis on the fifth floor,” Qiu Ming said. “All the residents have a car, and those with more mundane jobs have shuttle buses to take them to and from work. They are not allowed to wander around. More than two-thirds of the fifth floor’s area is private territory.”
“It’s all very flashy, I must say. What should we do, then? Are we going far? Can we walk there?” muttered E-Goat.
“Don’t worry. Our company has parked some cars in the station’s parking lot for the employees to use. We can just drive there,” Qiu Ming said.
The three of them then took the elevator down to the parking lot. Qiu Ming turned on his wristband and activated the car mode. Half a minute later, a silver-gray car left its parking space and drove to their front.
Qiu Ming opened the door and made a gesture of invitation. E-Goat got in first, followed by Qiu Ming. Finally, Zhang Heng sat in the front passenger seat.
“It’s a rare trip. Do you want to take a simple tour of the fifth floor?” Qiu Ming asked as he adjusted the front and rear mirrors.
“No, just take us directly to Xu Qian. Don’t play any more tricks,” E-Goat warned.
Qiu Ming looked at the pistol at Zhang Heng’s waist and nodded. “It’s up to you.”
This was also E-Goat’s first time coming to the fifth level. It would be hyperbole to say that he wasn’t curious, but since all his attention was on rescuing Xu Qian, he wasn’t in the mood to enjoy the scenery.
Even so, when Qiu Ming drove through the city, E-Goat couldn’t help but peer out of the window.
The result, however, turned out a little disappointing. Just like the station, the fifth floor was much simpler than he imagined. Nevertheless, he kept feeling that something was missing on the street. At first, E-Goat thought it was the pedestrians, but after looking at it a few more times, he realized he was weirded out because he did not see any billboards.
Whether it was the first floor or the fourth floor, many billboards lined both sides of the street. Coming in different shapes and sizes, the products they featured varied as well. As a technology enthusiast, E-Goat often took advantage of event discounts to purchase related products. It was only that on the fifth floor, the entire place was devoid of advertisements, the city was abnormally clean. The large white walls made E-Goat a little uncomfortable as if he was walking on a wasteland.
As if he knew what he was thinking, Qiu Ming said, “It’s not so lively here usually.”
“Why?”
“Because when we work… We need to focus and avoid making unnecessary associations,” Qiu Ming explained.
“Unnecessary connections? What are unnecessary connections?”
Qiu Ming didn’t answer the question. He drove the car up a beautiful hill and saw a private area in the distance. There was a sign that said no one was allowed in without an invitation.
Qiu Ming ignored the sign and drove on. Soon, he arrived at the first sentry post.
The electronic eye scanned his ID and work card and happily let the car pass. Qiu Ming continued driving. Three minutes later, he arrived at the second sentry post. This time, not only Qiu Ming, but Zhang Heng and E-Goat had to also show their work cards. Only then was he allowed to pass.
“You can see how annoying this system is. In fact, the regular Monday meetings are a nightmare for me,” Qiu Ming complained as he passed the second sentry post.
Then, he drove the car up the hill. There was a villa above them. Qiu Ming didn’t stop, bypassing the villa and continuing forward until the terrain became flat and started to descend. It was then that E-Goat and Zhang Heng finally saw their destination.
In the valley at the back of the hill stood a huge gray building, occupying an area of more than ten airports. It had a strange design, like a giant ship preparing to sail in the wind. In addition, there was a tunnel in the hillside on the other side that connected to the building complex. Under the transparent tunnel, a train of trucks constantly rumbled along, looking extremely busy.
“What is this place? Is it a secret base hidden by the government? Or is it an extraterrestrial research institute?” asked E-Goat.
“Neither. This is the real headquarters of the magnificent Shengtang Morgan’s New Shanghai 0297,” said Qiu Ming leisurely.
