"Then shall we go find the police?"
Without voicing the thoughts in his heart, Fu Qian smoothly followed Yuan Shan's reasoning that the police were more suitable than the Night Watchers.
"...On what grounds? Someone's too lucky, so they need to be arrested? Or some bored old geezer in the church complaining that his intangible assets have been stolen?"
After taking a deep breath, Yuan Shan glared at Fu Qian. She was just as blunt when it came to criticizing her teacher.
"I came here purely on personal business. Are you sure you want me dealing with the authorities through official channels?"
"That's fair. So, do you have any ideas?"
Looking as if he'd been convinced, Fu Qian asked the question with perfect ease.
I'd known this would happen sooner or later. It was bound to land in my lap.
Chief Yuan was naturally well aware of Fu Qian's knack for handling people. But a certain long-held sense of resignation made her sigh and keep from tossing the question back at him.
"I know a place where we can ask around."
"You really do know your way around here. Is your place nearby?"
As he followed Yuan Shan through the streets and buildings, Fu Qian was impressed by how she didn't need to stop and check her bearings once.
His guess about her place made sense, too. They were clearly in a shopping district, which suited Chief Yuan's tastes perfectly.
"No. I've just walked this route a lot."
Yuan Shan shook her head.
"I don't like living too close."
"Too close to the church?"
Fu Qian naturally didn't take that to mean Chief Yuan wanted some distance from the shopping district. Most likely, she wanted to keep her work and personal life separate.
"Too close to the church."
Yuan