I! Cleaner!

"Subscribe to the newspaper!"

After waiting in line at the subscription window of the post office for half a day, Leon finally squeezed to the front of the counter. He handed over the pre-written list of newspapers and magazines to the clerk and spoke rapidly,

"Renew all of these, top off for two weeks. I want double issues of all newspapers, both entertainment and political-business quality editions. The magazines should be platinum versions with special editions and supplements."

"Alright, I'll handle that for you right away."

Taking the newspaper subscription form filled out by Leon, and glancing at the long list of newspaper and magazine names, the previously exhausted clerk, who had been somewhat indifferent in his service, suddenly beamed like a freshly bloomed trumpet flower.

After clicking the counter's dials for a while according to the newspaper names on the subscription form, the clerk smiled broadly and said,

"Sir, the total cost for renewing these newspapers and magazines is 7 Silver Wheels and 9 Copper Wheels. Do you happen to have our post office's stamp card? If you're a long-standing customer with us, based on the volume of your subscription, you won't need to queue up at the gift area for stamping. I can directly stamp the new card for you here."

"Thank you for your help."

Hearing the clerk's words, Leon couldn't help but let out a long sigh of relief. He then took out a stack of stamp cards he found in the director's drawer and handed them over to the clerk through the side slot of the window.

The so-called stamp cards were essentially covert rebates offered by various post offices and newspaper agencies to retain loyal customers. Upon subscribing to a type of newspaper for the first time at the post office, you could receive a corresponding thin iron card. After that, each time you renewed your subscription for a type of newspaper at the post office, you could use a machine to stamp the card.

When the subscription time was long enough and enough stamps were accumulated, the post office and newspaper agency would give out corresponding gifts and renewal discount vouchers, or invite participation in annual viewing, like-minded reading clubs, and other special events, considered as exclusive benefits for major customers.

Under the dissatisfied gazes of the people lined up, the clerk behind the counter, "licking big customers furiously," even neglected his basic duties. He pulled out a stamp machine from under the desk and placed each of Leon's stamp cards on it, stamping them one by one with a hum.

Shortly after, having finished stamping all the cards, the clerk, without even wiping his sweat, returned the stamp cards with a smile and thoughtfully reminded,

"Sir, the stamps for your subscriptions to 'Wine Traveler,' 'The Sun News Public Edition, Quality Edition,' and 'Charming Focus' are already complete. You can head directly to the gift area to collect your gifts. I just checked for you. The gift for 'Wine Traveler' is a small bottle of selected Chardonnay dry white wine. The gift for 'Charming Focus' is a Charm Card from Meikou Lingerie, which allows you to try new lingerie in advance and offers a 30% discount on purchases. As for 'The Sun News Double Editions,' the gift is a Temporary Access Pass, which you can use to visit reporters and editors of interest at the newspaper office opposite to ask about secret news not printed due to space or policy issues."

"Thank you."

Taking the stamp cards back from the clerk, Leon, having finally completed the "task," couldn't help but relax slightly. Following the clerk's guidance, he went to the gift area and collected the three stamped gifts.

Naturally, the small bottle of wine and the lingerie discount card were to be brought back to the director. If his guess was correct, she must have been eyeing these for a long time. Otherwise, she wouldn't have specially asked him to subscribe to the newspaper for her despite being busy at the headquarters meeting. However, this access pass...

Looking at the access pass in his hand, adorned with a golden gear-shaped sun emblem, Leon hesitated momentarily at the street side before deciding not to board a public carriage. Instead, he walked towards the Sun News newspaper office across the street.

As for newspapers, Leon had never had the money to subscribe to them nor much interest in them in the past. Even if he occasionally needed some news, he would read others' old newspapers, so naturally, he didn't have any particular journalist he wanted to visit.

However, after rifling through the director's newspapers yesterday and discovering her clipping embarrassing photos of him, Leon found a name in those articles about him that piqued his interest in visiting.

Nicole Collins.

If he remembered correctly, the name of the person who was the only Anomalous Object holder not present at the Rebels meeting was Nicole, and the old Owen couple, who treated little Baskin as their own child, had the last name Collins. So...

Could it be possible that the journalist who wrote several incriminating articles about him was the twelfth member of the Rebels?

Although he seriously doubted the roots of that Sun journalist, Leon's usual habit was to play it safe and wait until the director or Senior Emma returned before taking action.

However, since he had received a pass from the stamp card, giving him a legitimate investigation excuse, along with the dual protection of Yang Xin and the director's hair, scouting in advance shouldn't be an issue, right?

...

*"Phew... your undercover work these past few days almost suffocated us!"*

After Leon took the Black Goat out of the small mirror and placed it into the shopping bag he carried, the Black Goat, who had not made a sound for a while, couldn't help but complain,

*"Isn't the undercover mission over? Why do you still stuff us into that broken mirror? Can't you just carry us around like before? Let me tell you, that broken mirror is really suffocating. Other than a second-rate heart no one cares about, there's just a senseless puppy. There's not even a living creature to chat with us! It's so boring in there!"*

"Alright, I'll try to carry you more."

Although the Black Goat wasn't exactly a good buddy, as a past comrade who fought alongside Leon and helped him through the most dangerous "rookie period," it held a certain position in Leon's heart. This small request certainly wasn't a reason to refuse.

And receiving Leon's promise, knowing it wouldn't have to be stuffed back into the boring Mirror World, the Black Goat immediately perked up. After chuckling a couple of times, it unexpectedly took the initiative to ask,

*"Kid, let's get straight to the point. Whose soul do you want me to check this time?"*

*Hmm? In the past, although the Black Goat cooperated, it always demanded things in return. It never talked this easily. Looks like it's been really suffocating these past days.*

Thoughtfully looking at the Black Goat, whose attitude had dramatically changed, Leon, while presenting his stamp card and access pass to the Sun News's gatekeeper, replied,

"It's a journalist named Nicole. I suspect she's the Anomalous Object holder of the Rebels and plan to check her out... Follow the usual procedure. Once we find her, if she lies, just give me a heads-up."

*"Got it, leave it to us!"*

Afraid that Leon might find it troublesome and stuff it back into the desolate Mirror World, the Black Goat decided to demonstrate its "value" and actively began to scan the souls within a kilometer radius.

*"Hmm?"*

After scanning the area and seemingly discovering something amiss, the Black Goat's expression changed dramatically, and it hurriedly urged,

*"Quick! Put us back!"*