Chapter 139
"I know, but so what? Just because capital is an obstacle, does that mean I shouldn't do it?"
Beatrix was speechless and sighed.
"You really don't understand anything."
Chen stared
He looked at her, his expression unusually serious:
"I really don't understand what you're trying to say?"
Beatrix, who had been looking towards the Lungmen Guard Department branch, quickly looked away and said seriously:
"Chen, are you pretending to be ignorant? Fine, then I'll be blunt. You got to where you are today entirely because of the power behind you. Even if you didn't, everyone would think so."
A newcomer who's been with the Lungmen Guard Department for less than two years has managed to break the record for the fastest entry into the Special Inspectorate. Look at those Dragon Horn on your head—do you really think you earned your way up all the way through your own abilities?
You have connections to the governor, yet you're willing to speak up for the vulnerable infected. I admire that. But can't you figure out what resources you have and use them wisely? Bringing a bunch of the Lungmen Guard Department to the Slums —is that any different from robbers coming to your door?
Chen noticed that Shi Lei, Texas, and a little girl arrived at the Lungmen Guard Department branch:
"Why did you call him here?"
Beatrix was speechless. She almost wanted to tear the answer to shreds and feed it to her to avoid indigestion.
"You don't know how to, or don't want to, utilize the existing resources, fine. But can you even see the current situation clearly? How many of those Lungmen Guard Department officers are true heroes like you? Aren't they all just here to cause trouble for that salary?"
Shi Lei's prestige in the Slums far surpasses yours. He can solve problems the Lungmen Guard Department can't. I've already entrusted him to assist you in handling the branch's current predicament. Anyway, the person has been delivered; now it's up to you. Chen, I admit I sometimes envy you. But don't make me look down on you!
After saying that, Swire turned and left.
Chen has always been an independent person, and she felt a warmth in her heart when faced with the sudden care from her colleagues.
203 We should go together (4K)
Watching Swire's departing figure, Chen stood up and walked towards Shi Lei and the others.
She was very reluctant to accept this favor, but since they had paid someone to do it, she couldn't return the goods now.
"Officer Chen, it's been a long time."
Shi Lei's trip to Syracuse took more than a month to complete. The last time the two met was during the hostage situation in the Commercial Street.
"Buzz buzz buzz".
As he approached, Chen noticed the Chixiao Sword at her waist vibrating rapidly. She could only steady herself by bracing her hand against the hilt.
This wasn't excitement, it was fear.
What's going on?
She had never seen the Chixiao Sword react so strongly before. Even when it encountered Wei Yenwu, it hadn't trembled this violently.
Chen looked puzzled, secretly sizing up the man before her. She noticed a pair of piercing golden eyes hidden behind Shi Lei's sunglasses!
It's only been a month or two since I last saw him, but it feels like... he's gotten so much stronger?
Chen didn't know what words to use to describe her feelings at this moment. In any case, with her current level of understanding, she couldn't see through the other party at all.
His strength is definitely above mine!
"Officer Chen?"
Chen suddenly came to her senses, nodded politely, and replied:
"Yes, it has been a long time."
Shi Lei surveyed the situation at the Lungmen Guard Department's Slums branch, then quickly looked away and asked:
"I'm here to assist Miss Beatrix on her behalf. Have you encountered any problems lately that you can't solve?"
Chen opened her mouth slightly, but didn't utter a single word. Her hesitant expression suggested she was carrying a heavy psychological burden.
Chen is usually very independent and hardworking, and she does almost everything herself. If she can do it herself, she will never ask someone else to do it for her.
Like the crackdown on illegal organizations a few months ago, it was simply because she couldn't handle it all by herself that she invited Penguin Logistics' Messenger to help.
Officer Hoshiguma, standing nearby, was fully aware of the problem Old Chen was facing. Seeing her silence, she explained to Shi Lei on her behalf:
"Mister Zhongli, today is the auspicious opening day of our Lungmen Guard Department's Lower City branch. But so far, hardly anyone has come. We can clearly feel their resistance."
Shi Lei looked around and spotted several fully armed officers from the Lungmen Guard Department. They all seemed drained of energy, sitting listlessly on the threshold of the branch office.
Lisa, who had been tugging at his sleeve, suddenly spoke with remarkable insight:
"Brother Shi, are they good people?"
"Yes, these police officers are all good people."
At this point, Shi Lei remembered that Syracuse did not have police, so he added, "Police are simply a position for maintaining order in a city."
Although Lisa grew up in Syracuse, she also lived in the Higashi for a period of time. She roughly knows what the police are like.
"They look so tired, are they exhausted? Big brothers, keep going!"
The Lungmen Guard Department sitting on the doorstep were slightly taken aback by what they heard. But seeing such a cute little girl cheering them on, they quickly cheered up.
"Thank you, little girl."
Out of professional habit, Chen noticed that the little girl had Nine Tails. A normal Vulpo only has two or three tails.
"Who is this person? From out of town?"
Shi Lei knew that her interrogative, serious tone was a professional trait, so he did not get angry.
"Her name is Lisa, and she's the child I rescued in Syracuse a while ago. Her mother commissioned us to help."
"I'm busy looking after them. I estimate that by the end of next month, some parents will come to Lungmen to pick them up."
He's here today on Miss Beatrix's behalf. Seeing the conversation had veered off course, he quickly corrected it, asking again:
"Officer Chen, besides the opening of the branch office, is there anything else? Feel free to say it so we can discuss it together."
Seeing that Chen still looked like she wanted to say something but hesitated, Hoshiguma explained on her behalf:
"That's about it. Nobody's come here since the branch office opened. Neither the Upper City nor the Lower City seems very optimistic about it. And the local people are very resistant to the Lungmen Guard Department. Do you think you can find a way to resolve this?"
Shi Lei nodded, indicating his understanding:
"Things like those in the Lower City are best handled by the people in the Lower City. Wait a moment, I'll make a call and get a few people over."
After saying that, he walked to the side, took out his phone, and called Lin Yuxia, asking her to notify Mudrock to bring over some more infected people.
Mudrock now earns a high salary, but for some reason he has never bought a mobile phone.
While Chen was making the call, a Feline reporter wearing a newsboy cap approached her. Holding the microphone, he asked, "..."
"Today is a great day to mark the establishment of the Lungmen Guard Department's office in the Slums. Officer Chen, could you tell us how you feel right now?"
Chen glanced at him coldly, unwilling to answer.
No comment.
Upon seeing this, officers from the Lungmen Guard Department quickly came over and used batons to drive them away.
"Get out of the way, don't take pictures here!"
"I'm telling you, but please don't lay a hand on me. You don't want me to yell that the Lungmen Guard Department is beating people up, do you?"
Seeing that the reporter was being unreasonable, Chen asked the police officer with a cold face:
"Didn't I say reporters and photographers weren't allowed near the branch office? What's going on?"
The police officer looked bitter and helpless.
"Officer Chen, we've been there many times. But with such a big event Lungmen Guard Department moving into the Slums, there are just too many media outlets coming to join the fun. They usually like to report on mundane family dramas and ethical issues. Now that they've finally caught up with a big story, they're going to try and exploit it, aren't they?"
Even if we try to shoo them away, they'll swarm back like flies in no time. Frankly, I think they're not there to report the news, but more like to see a joke.
Seeing Chen's face fall, the Lungmen Guard Department immediately changed their tune:
"Um, Officer Chen, I didn't say your decisions were wrong. It's just that you're clearly not infected, yet you've been pushing for legislation that would benefit infected people's living conditions. Now a lot of people in the department are talking about this privately, saying you're just putting on a show."
It's one thing for outsiders to think this way, but I never expected that the Lungmen Guard Department would view me this way. Chen frowned, feeling a chill run down her spine.
"Forget it, it's better to guide than to block. I know you've all worked hard these past few days. If you all line up, those reporters will be too scared to take pictures."
For the Lungmen Guard Department, the Slums of the Lower City have always been a tough nut to crack. It's a lawless place, a den of iniquity, teeming with gangs, and an unbearable environment. I know many of you don't understand my decision.
The reason Lungmen is divided into Upper City and Lower City today is partly the responsibility of those of us living in the city. It's because we didn't consider the Slums as part of Lungmen. It's because we set up so many checkpoints to restrict infected people from entering the city, like guarding against thieves.
My efforts to facilitate the construction of the Slums branch were to show the people here through concrete actions that they are also part of Lungmen, and I treat them all equally. Do you understand?
Seeing the bewildered looks in the eyes of the Lungmen Guard Department, Chen felt terrible.
They are clearly trying to do something meaningful, but they cannot be understood by most people.
She began to doubt herself, wondering if she had really done something wrong.
Hoshiguma was adept at reading people and quickly noticed her superior's unusual behavior. She clapped her hands, drawing the attention of the Lungmen Guard Department officers:
"Today is the grand opening of the Slums branch, so don't look so glum, smile a little. With Officer Chen and Mister Zhongli here, I don't believe anyone would dare to cause trouble. How about I treat you all to some street food after work?"
"Another street food stall..."
"If you can convince Officer Chen to treat you to something even better, then you'll be truly capable."
Chen knew she was trying to cover for herself, so she gave her a grateful look and said sternly:
"Alright, stop fooling around, line up!"
Media professionals loitering nearby quickly raised their cameras upon seeing this. After snapping dozens of photos, they discreetly left.
At this moment, Shi Lei had finished his phone call and walked back to Chen's side:
"Officer Chen, I just called a few people from the Lower City. Their answers will be more helpful in understanding the problems you're facing."
Just as she was about to reply, her phone suddenly rang.
Chen glanced at the caller ID; it was a completely unfamiliar number. Out of professional habit, she still pressed the answer button and held the microphone to her ear:
"Hello?"
"Superintendent Chan, Ah Fa is in our hands. If you don't want him to die, you'll have to make the trip alone. Remember, come alone. If we find you've brought anyone else with you, you'll face the consequences."
Chen immediately realized that her informant, whom she had previously planted in the Slums, was in danger. Faced with this shameless and despicable act, she clenched her other fist. Suppressing her anger, she asked:
"Where is it located?"
"As expected of Superintendent Chen, you're so efficient! I've already sent you the location via text message. If you don't get here within half an hour, Ah Fa's life will be in danger."
After saying that, the other party hung up the phone.
Shi Lei noticed Chen clenching her fists and asked:
"Officer Chen, what's wrong?"
The thought of the person on the other end of the phone saying they wouldn't kill Ah Fa just because she wasn't alone made Chen realize she could handle this herself and didn't need the other party's involvement. She composed herself and said:
"It's nothing, just some personal matters I need to take care of. Hoshiguma, I'll temporarily hand over command here. I have to go out for a while, I'll be back soon."
After giving a few brief instructions, Chen left the scene with one hand on the Chixiao Sword.
As the distance from him increased, the frequency of the sword's vibrations decreased significantly.
Officer Chen's abrupt words and actions bothered Shi Lei. Seeing that she was unwilling to cooperate and insisted on leaving, he instantly put a shield around her.
He picked up his phone and walked to the side, deliberately keeping his distance from Hoshiguma and the others. He called the company's intelligence chief, Isu, and waited to establish a connection.
"Two minutes ago, Superintendent Chen of the Lungmen Guard Department received a phone call. The content of the call is very important to me. Could you help me verify it?"
"No problem, just wait a minute."
Isu was incredibly efficient, typing away furiously on the keyboard. He hacked into the communications bureau to retrieve the data he wanted, as if it were child's play.
Forty seconds later, Shi Lei heard a recording of Chen's conversation with other people:
"Superintendent Chan, Ah Fa is in our hands. If you don't want him to die, you'll have to make the trip alone..."
The call between the two was short, so it ended quickly. Not only did Is find the recording, but Isu also forwarded the address of their meeting Lower City to Shi Lei via text message.