I was a rookie reporter in the 00s

Chapter 134 The Price of Power Awakening

On the streets after the rain, puddles reflected the vibrant colors of neon lights, and the air was thick with the scent of earth and dampness. Zhang Wanqing stood by the window, her gaze through the rain-stained glass, gazing at a city both familiar and unfamiliar. Her fingers gently touched the cold windowsill, yet her heart surged with an unprecedented warmth. Her ability, this sudden surge of strength, brought her not only hope but also deep worry.

Zhang Wanqing closed her eyes, trying to feel the power again. She recalled the moment in the warehouse, the electricity dancing through her fingertips, as if it were an innate instinct. She took a deep breath, focused her mind, and slowly, her fingers began to glow faintly, and a weak current flowed from her fingertips again.

"Wanqing, are you really okay?" Fu Siyuan's voice interrupted her thoughts.

Zhang Wanqing opened her eyes and turned, facing the concerned gazes of her companions. "I don't know, this power...it seems to be a part of me, but it feels so strange to me."

Li Wei frowned, his gaze lingering between Zhang Wanqing and the night outside the window. "This power could change everything, but we also have to be careful, it could make you a target."

Lin Feng nodded, a hint of worry in his eyes. "We can't let this power be exposed, at least not until we find a way to control it."

Zhang Wanqing nodded. She knew they were right. Her ability could be the key to their fight against corrupt officials, but it could also be her greatest weakness.

Just as they were discussing, Zhang Wanqing's phone suddenly rang. She glanced at the caller ID and saw an unfamiliar number. She hesitated for a moment, but finally answered the call.

"Zhang Wanqing, we know your secret." The voice on the other end of the phone was cold and threatening.

Zhang Wanqing's heart skipped a beat. She clutched her phone tightly, trying to remain calm. "Who are you?"

"It doesn't matter who we are. What matters is that we know what you have. Your power, your evidence, are all of interest to us."

The person on the other end of the phone sneered and hung up. Zhang Wanqing's face turned pale. She knew that her ability had been exposed and that she and her companions were in danger.

Fu Siyuan noticed Zhang Wanqing's strange behavior. He walked over and asked with concern, "What's wrong?"

Zhang Wanqing took a deep breath. She knew she couldn't hide it anymore. "They know. They know my ability."

Li Wei and Lin Feng's expressions also became solemn. They knew what this meant. Their abilities might give them an advantage, but they might also push them into the abyss.

Just as they fell silent, the news on TV suddenly interrupted their thoughts. "Breaking news, evidence of corruption involving a high-ranking official has been anonymously leaked to the media, and the identity of the leaker remains a mystery. According to reliable sources, the leaker possesses some special ability, which may be the key to obtaining the evidence."

Zhang Wanqing and her companions looked at each other in bewilderment. They knew that this news would draw more attention to them. Their abilities and their actions might become the focus of public discussion.

"We have to act now," Zhang Wanqing said in a firm and powerful voice. "We can't just sit there and wait for death. We have to find a way to control my abilities while protecting ourselves."

Fu Siyuan nodded, his eyes gleaming with determination. "We need to find evidence, find trustworthy media, and make sure the truth comes to light."

Li Wei and Lin Feng were also ready. They knew it was a tough battle, but they also knew that they could not give up.

They decided to split up: Zhang Wanqing and Fu Siyuan would search for trustworthy media outlets, while Li Wei and Lin Feng would search for possible allies and ways to control Zhang Wanqing's abilities.

Zhang Wanqing and Fu Siyuan walked on the street after the rain, the humidity in the air making their clothes stick to their bodies. They carefully avoided possible surveillance and arrived at the door of a tabloid.

"How is it here?" Fu Siyuan asked in a low voice.

Zhang Wanqing nodded, her eyes scanning the surroundings. "It looks safe."

They walked into the newspaper office and found the editorial office. The editor was a middle-aged man with a look of fatigue in his eyes, but more of a desire for the truth.

"We have evidence, but we can't reveal our identities," Zhang Wanqing said bluntly.

The editor nodded, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "I understand. I'll take care of it. Do you have a USB drive?"

Zhang Wanqing handed him a USB drive containing all the evidence they had collected. The editor took the USB drive and knew that this might be the most important moment in his career.

Just as they were about to leave, the editor suddenly stopped them. "Wait, I have something that might interest you."

He pulled some documents from a drawer and handed them to Zhang Wanqing. "These are anonymous letters we recently received. They mention some secret plans of high-ranking officials."

Zhang Wanqing took the documents and flipped through them quickly. Her heartbeat quickened, knowing these documents could change everything.

"This information is incredibly important," Zhang Wanqing said, her voice tinged with excitement. "We need to study these documents immediately."

Fu Siyuan nodded, his eyes gleaming with determination. "We need to find Li Wei and Lin Feng and analyze these documents together."

They left the newspaper office and returned to their hiding place. Li Wei and Lin Feng were already waiting for them there, their faces showing a hint of fatigue, but more of anticipation.

"We've found some potential allies," Li Wei said. "They're willing to help us."

Lin Feng handed Zhang Wanqing a book. "This book might help you control your abilities."

Zhang Wanqing took the book, knowing that it might be the key to her gaining power.

As the night deepened, the city lights gradually went out, but Zhang Wanqing and her companions did not rest. They sat together, studying the documents and discussing new plans.

Zhang Wanqing opened the book and began to read, trying to find a way to control her power. She felt her fingers warm up again, and a weak electric current flowed from her fingertips.

"I can try." There was a hint of anticipation in Zhang Wanqing's voice.

She concentrated, and slowly, the light from her fingers grew brighter and brighter, the electricity stronger. She felt her power growing, and she began to master it.

"Wanqing, you did it!" There was a hint of surprise in Fu Siyuan's voice.

Zhang Wanqing opened her eyes, knowing she had taken an important step. Her ability, her strength, would become their weapon against corrupt officials.

However, she also knows that this power may come at a great price. She and her companions will face more challenges and dangers, but they have no way out.