Chapter 117

If Chen remembered correctly, A-Xing should have been working in other parts of the Slums before, and he shouldn't be here at this time.

"Oh dear, I changed jobs and am now helping out by taking care of people here! By the way, is Chen here to investigate something?"

Although A-Xing always has a carefree and somewhat silly demeanor, he is actually quite intelligent.

After all, the unintelligent ones would have all died long ago.

The fact that Chen is here at this time means he definitely has a case he wants to investigate.

Based on his own intelligence, Chen was definitely investigating the case of missing infected individuals.

Once you understand these points, you'll know that Chen considered this place a suspicious location in the case of the missing infected individuals.

As far as he was concerned, this place was indeed quite suspicious.

Where in the world is there a person who does things without expecting anything in return?

Shirou is an exception; he's already pathological.

"You? This side? Hoshiguma knows about this?"

Upon hearing that A-Xing works here, Chen immediately thought of Hoshiguma.

As Hoshiguma's subordinate, A-Xing would definitely tell Hoshiguma about what's going on here... or perhaps Hoshiguma already knew about this place and entrusted A-Xing to help here.

Regardless of the possibility, it means that Hoshiguma knows about what's happening here.

"Sister Xiong knows."

A-Xing was moved to tears after chatting with a smart person for the first time in a long time.

If you don't explain things clearly when chatting with Shirou, he simply won't understand! Unlike talking to Chen or Sister Xiong, where a few words are enough for him to understand the cause and effect and even deduce other things.

Shirou really needs to learn the art of language!

No, forget it. A-Xing always felt that if Shirou learned the art of language, he could definitely talk him into becoming withdrawn.

"Sigh, she knows that, so why did I waste my time coming here to investigate?"

Chen's first reaction was that he felt he had wasted his time. After all, if there were any problems, Hoshiguma would definitely be the first person to come over with the Hannya and tear this place down.

After figuring it out, Chen also learned where those bento boxes came from... Hmph, out of the three of them, she's the only one who doesn't get a bento box and has to resort to freeloading, huh?

I need to give her a good talking to when I get back.

"I would like to trouble you again, Chen, to keep this matter confidential. After all, it would be difficult to resolve if the Knights of the Round Table is involved."

Of all the people, A-Xing was probably the only one who was genuinely helping to conceal his identity.

After all, only he knew how many people's interests had been trampled upon in what Shirou had done.

To put it bluntly, most people in the Slums don't welcome the Knights of the Round Table. If people found out that there were Knights of the Round Table people behind this place, life probably wouldn't be so peaceful afterward.

Of course, it's not the kind of tactic of smashing up a store or causing a ruckus; it's about finding a way to squeeze them out, such as opening a similar store nearby.

"... I'll try my best. Is there anything else you'd like to say?"

Having understood the meaning behind A-Xing's words, Chen could only try his best to make a promise.

"There shouldn't be any more. Please say hello to Sister Xiong for me... Wait a moment."

A-Xing thought for a moment and figured there was nothing he needed to say. Sister Xiong would handle it better, so he didn't need to worry about it.

Originally, he wanted Chen to help him greet Sister Xiong, but seeing Ansuo biting into a sandwich and looking over at him from the other side of the gate, A-Xing felt he should bring some gifts to Sister Xiong.

The price is that I have to make do with skipping breakfast for one day.

A-Xing went into the store, packed up his extra portion, and then came out and handed it to Chen.

"Please trouble you again Chen, to give this to Sister Xiong for me."

A-Xing said with his usual cheeky grin.

"Okay, I'll be going now."

Seeing A-Xing holding a sandwich, Chen finally understood where Hoshiguma's bento came from.

She... she wasn't envious at all!

There are two portions in the bag. If I remember correctly, Hoshiguma has already eaten breakfast. I'll reluctantly help Hoshiguma finish one portion!

Chen was overjoyed that the investigation had yielded results.

Not only did we reap a harvest, but we also had delicious food to enjoy.

The only problem is probably Shirou Emiya.

What role did he play in all of this?

Where does that sense of familiarity come from?

Chen was unaware of these matters; she could only investigate further upon returning.

Speaking of the investigation... the investigation was making some progress that night, but the person they caught suddenly died, which brought the investigation back to square one.

Working during the day and conducting investigations in Slums at night left her somewhat exhausted.

But she didn't show it; she couldn't show her vulnerable side to others.

Even Hoshiguma won't do.

Forcing himself to stay alert, Chen walked down the street with his things in his hands.

She saw Shirou walking towards her from the opposite side.

After all, they had just met, and the other person had almost no racial features, so they could be recognized at a glance.

And then there's the lightning bolt at the end of the eyebrow...

"Um?"

As Chen watched Shirou, carrying a large bag, brush past him, something suddenly occurred to him.

She knew where that strange sense of familiarity came from.

It's that guy in the red coat!

She also felt that the other person's eyes looked very familiar!

If it's the same person, then it makes sense!

Chen, who was about to turn around and chase after him, stopped when she saw Shirou helping an old woman carry a large bag of things.

"... Never mind, it's just a guess."

Thinking that Shirou might be the one who took in those infected children, Chen decided to go back and ask Hoshiguma for clarification before deciding how to handle the matter.

She seemed like a good person, but she hadn't forgotten how she choked that night!

Was Shirou (126) a high-ranking monk who came from seeking enlightenment?

On the other side, Shirou, who had just bought rice and was about to head back, saw an old woman on the way who couldn't pick up her heavy things because they had fallen on the ground. He went over and helped her carry them.

He then felt a strong sense of malice coming toward him, and his whole body went cold.

Looking around, Shirou didn't see anyone suspicious.

However, I did see Chen's departing figure.

"It couldn't possibly be Chen talking about me behind my back, could it?"

Having ruled out that possibility, Shirou hoisted the old woman's belongings onto his shoulder and helped her carry them back to where she was going.

I happened to run into them, so I offered to help them out.

The items weren't heavy, and the distance wasn't far, so Shirou returned to the shop immediately after taking care of them.

"You're back?"

The first person to greet Shirou was A-Xing, who was supervising Ansuo's homework by the cashier.

"Shirou, please save me..."

Ansuo, standing to the side, looked up, appearing as if he was about to cry.

A-Xing, that guy, pulled out a test paper from somewhere and gave it to her to do, and even sat next to her to supervise her.

That's outrageous!

How could you bring out something as evil as an exam paper!

"Never mind her. She was playing on her phone, that's why I took the exam paper. I'll keep an eye on her here. You can go back to your work."

A-Xing waved his hand and told Shirou to go and attend to his own business.

After glancing at Ansuo, whose face clearly said "I don't want to write this stuff," and A-Xing, who seemed to be enjoying it, Shirou decided to pretend he hadn't seen anything and carried the rice into the kitchen.

A-Xing and Ansuo outside breathed a sigh of relief after seeing Shirou go inside. Then A-Xing spoke up:

"As usual, don't mention this to him."

"Sigh... We've done so much for Shirou."

As he was talking, A-Xing suddenly sighed.

They've done so much for Shirou and for this shop. He, Ansuo, Zi, Hoshiguma, and some other people whose names we don't know are also protecting this place.

Does Shirou possess some kind of "benefactor magnet"? Why are so many people willing to help him?

Or were they all lured in by the delicious food?

Of course, that's just talk.

Perhaps it's more because of Shirou's way of dealing with people; at least as far as he knows, Hoshiguma was willing to help because she felt that Shirou was a reliable person.

As for those whose names are unknown?

Sister Xiong they had no problems, so he didn't bother to think about it anymore.

In any case, he, Ansuo, and Jie were definitely lured in by the delicious food.

"Yeah yeah."

Ansuo rarely agreed with what A-Xing said.

Could you please not give her anything to write on? I might lose her friendship if I do.

What are you talking about?

After putting the things away, Shirou left the kitchen.

Unless there are special circumstances, he generally doesn't stay in the kitchen for long these days.

Otherwise, people will always come in and ask if we sell food.

"No, I'm teaching her how to solve the problem."

A-Xing tapped on the exam paper in front of Ansuo and said.

Seeing Anso doing his homework with a sullen Ansuo, Shirou didn't ask any further questions.

All he wants to do right now is get some rest.

Rest is essential for going further; a good rest at night gives you more energy to search for clues.

I wonder how Isv are going with Is.

"Hmm? Shirou, are you going to rest again?"

Seeing that Shirou was about to rest his head on a small table nearby, he asked Ansuo.

Shirou seems very tired these past few days, and she felt a little sorry for him.

I have no idea what they're busy with.

She also knew that Shirou had another job, and she had heard of Penguin Logistics.

There's a saying in Lungmen: if you hear gunshots, explosions, or speeding cars on the road, it's normal if you see a Penguin Logistics vehicle. But if you don't see Penguin Logistics vehicle, remember to report it to the Knights of the Round Table.

This reveals the extent of the damage Penguin Logistics has caused to Lungmen, to the point that even the public is too lazy to report it to the Knights of the Round Table.

"Yeah, I've been pretty busy lately."

Shirou rubbed his shoulders and neck to relax them, in case the muscles around his neck were sore when he woke up from his nap.

"Working at Penguin Logistics? Need any help?"