Chapter 58

The man was dressed in a neat black suit and wore a pair of sunglasses, making it quite a feat that he could see clearly in the middle of the night.

He looked at Chen Fei and said, "You need an ability suppressant. This is Manager Hanna's order."

Chen Fei was taken aback and asked, puzzled, "What? An ability suppressant?"

The man's attire was somewhat familiar; it was the standard uniform of the Internal Affairs Department of the Enlightenment Defense Group!

The man in the black suit and sunglasses explained, "Your ability has just awakened. To prevent any loss of control, it's best to inject the suppressant and then gradually learn to control it. This way, accidents are less likely to happen. The ability suppressant has no other side effects and is for your own good."

In fact, the side effect of the ability suppressant is the suppression of abilities. Its original purpose was to treat neurasthenia, but it turned out to be a drug that worked by accident.

The Blue Star does not reject magic and battle qi from the Sky Star and is quite accepting of new things like abilities. The rich rely on technology, while the poor rely on innate talents, so there is always a way forward.

Chen Fei cautiously asked, "So, does this cost money?"

He thought that the suppressant for ability users would not be cheap. However, he was very poor, and if it was expensive, he would have to give up regrettably.

Chen Fei's words took the man by surprise. He shook his head and said, "No money! The company will cover the full cost."

The company's policy stipulates that if a formal contract employee awakens an ability, they can receive a fully funded suppressant to help stabilize their ability. Chen Fei, who had signed a formal contract, was eligible for this benefit and could get the ability suppressant for free.

A single dose of the ability suppressant retails for around 5,000 star coins, which most ordinary working-class people can afford.

In many countries, the initial suppressant for ability awakening is often heavily subsidized by the government, so the actual cost to the individual is minimal. This policy helps control and reduce the destruction caused by ability loss of control, stabilizes public sentiment, and retains talent for the country. Many special abilities are actually more suitable for government functions.

"That's great!" Chen Fei let out a long sigh of relief. If it didn't cost money, it was fine. He seemed to remember something and asked, "How many injections does this ability suppressant require?"

"One injection is enough. The effect can last for a month, but it varies from person to person. Some can last for three months. Are you ready?"

The man in the black suit and sunglasses took out a small box, which contained a needle-free injector, and the ability suppressant was already prepared.

When the Z-9 armed helicopter took Chen Fei and the others away from the cave, the one-eyed female executive manager, Hanna Gager, used a satellite phone to notify her subordinates at the 911 air base to prepare the ability suppressant for Chen Fei.

If we only consider the side effects of the drug, the ability to last at least a month can be considered very severe, even to the point of making the drug lose its value.

However, for ordinary people without abilities, the injection only serves to treat neurasthenia, and the side effect of suppressing abilities is useless.

This injection is often used to restrict the abilities of criminal ability users. One injection can keep them subdued for a month, and twelve injections at regular intervals can deprive them of their abilities for a year. Even the most powerful abilities would become no different from ordinary people during the drug's effect.

Research on ability suppressants has not stopped, and there are even rumors of a suppressant with a one-year effect.

However, for newly awakened ability users, a one to three-month suppression period is more beneficial for safely learning and controlling the new ability, preventing them from being overwhelmed and causing unnecessary harm to themselves and others.

"Right here?"

Chen Fei looked around and pointed to the ground.

"Right here, don't worry, it'll be quick!"

The man opened the box and took out the injector.

"Alright!"

Chen Fei shrugged, rolled up his sleeve, and the man's needle-free injector immediately jabbed over.

Biu, one injection done!

It was over before he could feel anything, quite convenient.

The suppression effect could last a month or three months, depending on the individual's constitution.

However, for Chen Fei, it didn't make much difference since he wasn't in a hurry to use his ability.

"Done?"

Chen Fei examined the spot where the injector had jabbed, but there wasn't even a small red dot.

"Try your ability, it should start taking effect. What is your ability?"

The man in the black suit and sunglasses put the injector back in the box. His task was complete. Manager Hanna did not reveal what ability the young man had just awakened, only that the suppressant should be prepared.

The ability suppressant takes effect in ten seconds, almost immediately.

Chen Fei thought for a moment and tentatively said, "Emmmmmm... eating bullets, does that count as an ability?"

The man stumbled, what the hell, eating bullets.

The abilities of Blue Star people are varied, and anything is possible. Maybe... there really is an ability to eat bullets?

---

Ding, ding, ding, ding...

The tablet on the bedside table rang loudly.

Chen Fei勉强睁开了酸涩沉重的眼皮，打了个长长的呵欠，依然困顿不堪。

昨天给沈菲老师铺设WIFI中继通信链路，至少徒步了二十多公里，随即又被冒充土匪的不明武装人员劫持，侥幸找到机会暴起反杀，好不容易死里逃生，整个人早已精疲力尽，疲惫交加，短短三个小时的睡眠哪里够弥补亏空的精气神。

可是赚钱不易，还债更难，实在没有理由继续赖床躺着，咬牙强迫自己起了床，在卫生间里草草洗漱，镜子里的眼睛依然布满血丝。

从基地食堂的主厨阿贝尔先生那里领回了自己的魔兽小鸟，确定了品种的净光雀小啾，小家伙看到陈非格外兴奋，第一时间扑扇着小翅膀飞过来，落在他的肩膀上蹦来蹦去，啾啾叫个不停，还不时啄啄他的耳垂，似乎有些不太满意昨天为什么没有及时回来接自己。

阿贝尔作为第一知情人，对陈非能够毫发无伤地回到基地感到高兴，但看到这个年轻人一直呵欠连天的样子，就知道昨天一定累坏了，刚回来就要上工，这也太勉强了。

他皱着眉头说：“你这样还要上班吗？为什么不多休息一天？”

“要恰饭的嘛！今天晚上调整一下就能恢复过来，没事的，阿贝尔先生！”

陈非摆了摆手，自己还年轻，恢复得快，咬咬牙就能扛过去。

如果无缘无故旷工，可以预见萧老大的脸色一定很难看。

连契科夫那个大狗熊都难免被锤得嗷嗷叫，外冷内热的机修长大人能不得罪，还是不要得罪的好。

“来，等一下！”

阿贝尔主厨给陈非灌了满满一大壶的浓黑咖啡，还加了不少可可和蜂蜜。

味道嘛……有点儿怪！

提神效果倒是挺不错。

陈非并没有拒绝，他确实需要。

离开食堂后，带着小啾在堆叠如山的标准货柜迷宫里绕了几个弯，看到一座钢结构棚屋，敲了敲门。

“是小陈吗？”

屋子里传来苍老的声音，正是尼安德特老头儿巴鲁特的声音。

然后门开了。

昨晚没人来交接班，电话还打不通，老人家估计又守了一晚上。

陈非带着歉意说：“非常抱歉，巴鲁特爷爷，昨天出了点儿意外。”

要不是那伙来历不明的武装人员，他也不会错过阿贝尔主厨的帮工和巴鲁特这里的值夜。

巴鲁特慈祥地笑着说：“没关系，一定是让你非常为难的意外吧？”

这个年轻人还能记得主动过来道歉，让他多少有些意外，更不会因此生气。

“这个……非常抱歉！”

陈非叹了一口气，又摇了摇头。

这倒霉催的破事儿说来话长，一言难尽。

“上班时间快到了，你快去吧！”

巴鲁特收下了陈非的歉意和诚意（一份丰盛的早点和一支干白）。

小伙子人不错！

---

Ding, ding, ding, ding...

The tablet on the bedside table rang loudly.

Chen Fei勉强睁开了酸涩沉重的眼皮，打了个长长的呵欠，依然困顿不堪。

昨天给沈菲老师铺设WIFI中继通信链路，至少徒步了二十多公里，随即又被冒充土匪的不明武装人员劫持，侥幸找到机会暴起反杀，好不容易死里逃生，整个人早已精疲力尽，疲惫交加，短短三个小时的睡眠哪里够弥补亏空的精气神。

However, earning money is hard, and paying off debts is even harder. There was no reason to continue lying in bed, so he gritted his teeth and forced himself to get up. He washed up quickly in the bathroom, but his eyes were still bloodshot from the mirror.

He picked up his magical bird, a Clean Light Sparrow named Chirp, from the base canteen's head chef, Abel. Chirp was especially excited to see Chen Fei and immediately flapped its little wings, landing on his shoulder, chirping nonstop and pecking his earlobe, seemingly dissatisfied with why he didn't come back to pick him up yesterday.

As the first to know, Abel was glad that Chen Fei had returned unharmed to the base, but seeing the young man yawning continuously, he knew he must have been exhausted. Returning and immediately going to work was too much to ask.

He frowned and said, "Are you still going to work? Why don't you rest for another day?"

"I need to earn a living! I'll be fine after adjusting tonight, Mr. Abel!"

Chen Fei waved his hand. He was still young and recovered quickly. He could tough it out.

If he skipped work without a reason, he could imagine how displeased Boss Xiao would be.

Even Chekhov, the big bear, couldn't avoid being hammered and yelping. The cold exterior but warm-hearted head of the maintenance department was better not to offend.

"Wait, come here!"

Chef Abel gave Chen Fei a full large pot of strong black coffee, adding plenty of cocoa and honey.

The taste... a bit strange!

But the effect of keeping him awake was quite good.

Chen Fei didn't refuse; he really needed it.

After leaving the canteen, he took Chirp and navigated through the maze of stacked standard cargo containers, eventually reaching a steel-framed shed and knocked on the door.

"Is it Xiao Chen?"

An elderly voice came from inside, belonging to the Neanderthal old man, Barut.

Then the door opened.

No one had come to take over the shift last night, and the phone was out of service, so the old man must have stayed up all night.

Chen Fei said apologetically, "I'm very sorry, Grandpa Barut. Something unexpected happened yesterday."

If it weren't for the unknown armed group, he wouldn't have missed helping Chef Abel and his night shift with Barut.

Barut smiled kindly and said, "It's fine. It must have been something that really troubled you."

The fact that the young man remembered to come and apologize surprised him a bit, and he wouldn't be angry over it.

"Very... very sorry!"

Chen Fei sighed and shook his head.

This unfortunate incident was a long story, hard to explain in a few words.

"It's almost time for work. Go on!"

Barut accepted Chen Fei's apology and sincerity (a hearty breakfast and a bottle of dry white wine).

The young man was decent!

---

Ding, ding, ding, ding...

The tablet on the bedside table rang loudly.

Chen Fei勉强睁开了酸涩沉重的眼皮，打了个长长的呵欠，依然困顿不堪。

昨天给沈菲老师铺设WIFI中继通信链路，至少徒步了二十多公里，随即又被冒充土匪的不明武装人员劫持，侥幸找到机会暴起反杀，好不容易死里逃生，整个人早已精疲力尽，疲惫交加，短短三个小时的睡眠哪里够弥补亏空的精气神。

However, earning money is hard, and paying off debts is even harder. There was no reason to continue lying in bed, so he gritted his teeth and forced himself to get up. He washed up quickly in the bathroom, but his eyes were still bloodshot from the mirror.

He picked up his magical bird, a Clean Light Sparrow named Chirp, from the base canteen's head chef, Abel. Chirp was especially excited to see Chen Fei and immediately flapped its little wings, landing on his shoulder, chirping nonstop and pecking his earlobe, seemingly dissatisfied with why he didn't come back to pick him up yesterday.

As the first to know, Abel was glad that Chen Fei had returned unharmed to the base, but seeing the young man yawning continuously, he knew he must have been exhausted. Returning and immediately going to work was too much to ask.

He frowned and said, "Are you still going to work? Why don't you rest for another day?"

"I need to earn a living! I'll be fine after adjusting tonight, Mr. Abel!"

Chen Fei waved his hand. He was still young and recovered quickly. He could tough it out.

If he skipped work without a reason, he could imagine how displeased Boss Xiao would be.

Even Chekhov, the big bear, couldn't avoid being hammered and yelping. The cold exterior but warm-hearted head of the maintenance department was better not to offend.

"Wait, come here!"

Chef Abel gave Chen Fei a full large pot of strong black coffee, adding plenty of cocoa and honey.

The taste... a bit strange!

But the effect of keeping him awake was quite good.

Chen Fei didn't refuse; he really needed it.

After leaving the canteen, he took Chirp and navigated through the maze of stacked standard cargo containers, eventually reaching a steel-framed shed and knocked on the door.

"Is it Xiao Chen?"

An elderly voice came from inside, belonging to the Neanderthal old man, Barut.

Then the door opened.

No one had come to take over the shift last night, and the phone was out of service, so the old man must have stayed up all night.

Chen Fei said apologetically, "I'm very sorry, Grandpa Barut. Something unexpected happened yesterday."

If it weren't for the unknown armed group, he wouldn't have missed helping Chef Abel and his night shift with Barut.

Barut smiled kindly and said, "It's fine. It must have been something that really troubled you."

The fact that the young man remembered to come and apologize surprised him a bit, and he wouldn't be angry over it.

"Very... very sorry!"

Chen Fei sighed and shook his head.

This unfortunate incident was a long story, hard to explain in a few words.

"It's almost time for work. Go on!"

Barut accepted Chen Fei's apology and sincerity (a hearty breakfast and a bottle of dry white wine).

The young man was decent!