"High-purity Originium... That stuff is worth a fortune. Penguin Logistics actually handed it over?"
Rubbing at her temples, Ch'en replied wearily, "They didn't dare keep it. Normally, if they stir up a little trouble with the gangs, the Guard Department can close one eye and let it pass. But this is different. If they were caught holding onto something like that, it would go straight to public prosecution."
After saying that, Ch'en looked at Bai Xiao. Her gaze was utterly sincere, as though she had finally made up her mind about something.
"I'm sorry, Bai Xiao. I apologize. I was so focused on keeping this matter hidden that I ignored how you felt... I'm truly sorry. I've never been good at getting along with people, and I don't know how to think from someone else's perspective... In any case, I'm sorry."
Hoshiguma stared at Ch'en in surprise. It was hard to imagine those words coming out of her mouth.
And yet Ch'en kept going, clumsily but earnestly.
"As for you saying I didn't trust you... it's the opposite. I do trust you, and I'm grateful that you were willing to become my informant. It's my honor. I hope we can continue working together, but whether you want that or not, I sincerely thank you for everything you've done for me. I won't forget any of it."
When she finished, Ch'en looked as though every bit of strength had been drained out of her. She closed her eyes, as if waiting for Bai Xiao to pass judgment.
What could Bai Xiao even say at that point?
He had thought Ch'en simply didn't trust him, but now it seemed that wasn't true at all. If anything, maybe he had misunderstood her too.
At that moment, Hoshiguma leaned over and whispered, "Bai Xiao, honestly speaking, Old Ch'en's been alive for nearly thirty years, and she's never humbled herself like this before. She really does know she was wrong. Just give her another chance... And if that's still not enough, the two of us can beat her up together, alright?"
Ch'en shot Hoshiguma a glare, but said nothing, which was basically tacit approval.
Of course, Bai Xiao couldn't actually beat her up. He could feel the regret and sincerity in Ch'en's words. Besides, after this misunderstanding, the relationship between the two of them had already taken a huge leap forward.
He could only sigh and prop his cheek up on one hand.
"Go on, then. Tell me your leads so I can go back and investigate for you."
Ch'en's eyes widened as she looked at Bai Xiao's helpless expression, and before she knew it, she broke into a grin. He hadn't left, and now he was asking about the case details—obviously that meant he'd forgiven her.
She didn't even realize it herself, but for the first time in all these years, she cared this much about someone.
"Alright. I'll explain it slowly."
Without meaning to, Ch'en softened her tone as much as she could. Beside them, Hoshiguma was already listening attentively and taking notes.
"Half a month ago, a Penguin Logistics member named Texas came to me and told me about the Originium. But because of her special status, I didn't ask too many questions and started investigating immediately."
Now Bai Xiao finally understood why Ch'en had been so stubborn about investigating the docks. Even though the docks plainly appeared clean, and Lin Yuhsia and the Rat King didn't seem to care about her inspection at all, she still hadn't given up.
He had originally assumed Ch'en was simply overly suspicious. He hadn't expected something this serious to be behind it.
Everyone had misjudged Ch'en.
Hoshiguma raised a question. "Then after digging into it for so long, have you found anything?"
Ch'en shook her head.
"Nothing. There are no records at any city checkpoint involving Originium. All incoming cargo appears normal. As for the docks, I hadn't investigated them carefully yet—but honestly, I never really believed the Rat King would smuggle Originium. Last time, I was only trying my luck."
The two of them discussed it a little longer, then Ch'en noticed Bai Xiao hadn't said anything and asked gently, "What's wrong, Bai Xiao? Are you still angry with me?"
"...I'm not that petty." Bai Xiao rolled his eyes, then said seriously, "I was thinking—since you've investigated this for so long and still have no leads, then maybe we should trace it backward."
"Backward? What do you mean?"
Bai Xiao raised one finger.
"Penguin Logistics!"
...
The next day.
"Here. Goldsmith Street."
Wearing sunglasses, Hoshiguma spoke to Bai Xiao in the passenger seat. "This is the place Old Ch'en mentioned. It used to be one of Lungmen's core districts—really prosperous back in the day. But now it's not what it used to be."
This was Bai Xiao's first time here. After getting out of the car, he didn't notice anything particularly strange. If anything, it still looked quite lively. Cars lined the street, pedestrians came and went nonstop, and the only obvious sign of age was that the storefront signs looked a little faded, carrying a distinct sense of time having passed.
Hoshiguma parked by the roadside, and the two of them set off down the street like ordinary pedestrians.
"By the way, what exactly is Penguin Logistics? A delivery company?"
Hoshiguma shook her head. "A delivery company? Hmph. They're not that honest. Sure, they do deliver stuff, but their main business is armed transport. Delivering packages doesn't make money."
Armed transport?
That made sense. A company mixed up in that kind of work was never going to be some ordinary courier service.
"It's afternoon right now, so those people are probably still resting. I'll take you over to meet them in a bit. Think carefully about what you want to ask, because if we miss this chance, there may not be another."
Bai Xiao understood all that, but there was one thing he really couldn't figure out.
"No, wait. You're the inspectors here, so why does this somehow feel like I'm the one investigating the case?"
"Because you said we should focus our attention on Penguin Logistics, so naturally we're handing it to you." Hoshiguma said it as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "Can't help it. My brain doesn't work as well as yours two, Old Ch'en's a stubborn mule, and Missy's good at business but hopeless at solving cases... So only you can help us!"
Bai Xiao had finally realized it: the moment he forgave Ch'en, he had been hauled aboard the pirate ship.
Seeing the speechless look on his face, Hoshiguma suddenly grinned slyly and bumped his shoulder.
"Hey, don't worry. I won't let you do all this for nothing. I'll give you a reward."
"What reward?" Bai Xiao asked casually.
"...Heh-heh. I'll help you chase Old Ch'en. How about that?"
Hearing that out of nowhere, Bai Xiao nearly choked on his own spit. "What the hell? Who said I wanted to chase her?!"
Even though Bai Xiao denied it flatly, Hoshiguma suddenly looked very serious.
"Tell me honestly. Is our Old Ch'en pretty or not?"
"...What does being pretty have to do with anything?!"
To be fair, Ch'en really was beautiful—and not just a little beautiful. Hand on heart, her looks were good enough to go toe-to-toe with his own yandere wife. The only slight drawback was that her chest wasn't especially large... though it was more than enough.
And really, it only seemed small compared to Vina. Compared to an ordinary person, it wasn't small at all.
"Let me tell you something. Our Old Ch'en has never been in love before. You know why—she's too strong-willed. Nobody can keep her in check... except you."
"Me?"
"Yeah, you." Hoshiguma nodded earnestly. "I'm serious. I've never seen Old Ch'en soften like this before. Never! And let me tell you a secret—Governor Wei of Lungmen is one of Old Ch'en's elders.... But you know what's really outrageous? I once happened to see them arguing, and even Governor Wei got pushed down a peg by Old Ch'en!"
Bai Xiao very cooperatively put on a shocked expression, while inwardly confirming one of his suspicions. He had already guessed that Lin Yuhsia and Ch'en probably came from the same upper circles, and suspected Ch'en was the junior of some high-ranking Lungmen official. He just hadn't expected it to be the Governor himself.
Oblivious to Bai Xiao's wandering thoughts, Hoshiguma kept speaking in earnest.
"So I really do think you have a chance of winning Old Ch'en's heart. Don't let the serious face fool you—she's actually all soft and lovely too.... So? Interested?"
Looking at Hoshiguma's eager expression, Bai Xiao shook his head.
"Not particularly."
"What? Old Ch'en's that pretty and you're still not interested? Then what are you interested in?"
Bai Xiao looked at Hoshiguma and blinked.
"If it were chasing you, Hoshi-sir... then I might be interested."
-------
My : pat*eon*com/RuneA
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