Bounty Money, Baby Voice, Lollipop

In the afternoon, outside the Patrol Bureau's main entrance.

Xiao Wang was no longer unfamiliar with this place. During his previous inquiries into Hu Guangzhong, he had thoroughly familiarized himself with the surrounding area.

After watching from across the street for a few moments, he headed toward the entrance.

As before, six armed guards stood watch at the door. The moment they saw Xiao Wang, they immediately raised their guns and aimed them at his forehead.

"What are you here for?"

"I'm looking for Deputy Captain Wen Lujia."

"What do you want with her?"

"She told me to come. You can call and ask her—just say I'm here to collect the bounty."

One of the guards looked Xiao Wang over, then promptly called to confirm.

"Go on in."

"Thank you."

After thanking him, Xiao Wang walked inside.

The Patrol Bureau covered an enormous area. The moment he entered, he could barely tell where to go, so Xiao Wang had no choice but to ask for directions as he walked.

"Excuse me, how do I find Deputy Captain Wen Lujia?"

"Third floor. Turn right, Team Four's office."

"Thank you."

Xiao Wang asked for directions as he went, and before long, he found Team Four's office area on the third floor.

Once he arrived, Xiao Wang did not see any of the officers he had met the previous night.

However, an officer spotted him at that moment.

"What are you here for?"

"I'm looking for Deputy Captain Wen Lujia."

"You're looking for our captain? What for?"

"She told me to come."

The officer looked him over. "Wait here."

He then headed toward the innermost part of the office area. Before long, he came back out with Wen Lujia.

"Captain, it's him."

"Alright, get back to work."

When Wen Lujia saw Xiao Wang, she walked up to him with a smile. "Here to collect the bounty?"

"Yes."

"Come on, I'll take you there."

"Thank you."

Wen Lujia still had that highly recognizable baby voice.

Xiao Wang followed behind Wen Lujia as they walked onward.

Wen Lujia was still dressed in a crisp, capable outfit today. Unlike the other officers, she did not wear a Patrol Bureau uniform. Her somewhat form-fitting clothes showed off her figure to the fullest. At five foot seven, with her high ponytail, she looked sharp and valiant.

As Xiao Wang watched her from behind, he noticed that the Tang saber he had seen last night was no longer on her back.

"No classes? You should be a student, right? Last night, you said you were going to apply to Yuanwu."

"I had martial arts class in the afternoon, and the schedule was fairly flexible, so I came by to collect the bounty."

Wen Lujia led Xiao Wang down the stairs to the first floor, through a corridor, and finally to the service window marked "Finance Department."

Wen Lujia lowered her head and leaned over the counter, speaking to the officer behind the window. "Team Four is here to collect a bounty. It's for capturing the fugitive last night. There should be a record."

Xiao Wang waited behind Wen Lujia. She was bent over with her backside facing him, and he took a glance, finding the sight pleasing to the eye.

From this angle, her waist-to-hip ratio was simply unbeatable. Her slender waist and perfectly rounded hips were irresistibly alluring.

Just as Xiao Wang was looking, Wen Lujia turned her head and glanced at him. "Come over and sign."

"Alright."

Xiao Wang stepped forward and bent down beside Wen Lujia. They were very close, and a faint scent of perfume reached him.

Xiao Wang picked up a pen and signed his name on a file. After the officer inside confirmed it, he immediately handed him the 5,000 Federal Coins bounty.

Xiao Wang put away the bounty money and followed Wen Lujia out of the Finance Department, heading toward the main entrance.

"Thank you, Captain Wen."

"It was nothing. We should be the ones thanking you for helping us catch a wanted criminal."

"I just happened to run into him."

"By the way, did you hear the broadcast this morning?"

"The broadcast?"

"Mm."

"I heard it."

"Do you like the name they gave you?"

Xiao Wang: ???

Xiao Wang looked at Wen Lujia. "So Captain Wen was the one who told them to call me 'handsome young man'?"

"Haha, I didn't know your name at the time, so I could only call you handsome young man. Your name is Xiao Wang, right?"

When Xiao Wang signed earlier, she had made a point of looking at it.

"Yes."

"Just take the broadcast as a joke. Don't mind it."

"It's fine."

As they talked, they had already reached the building entrance.

Wen Lujia stopped and turned to look at Xiao Wang. "I'll see you off here. Take care."

"Sorry for troubling you, Captain Wen."

Xiao Wang nodded at Wen Lujia and was about to turn and leave when he suddenly thought of something. He took a lollipop from his pocket and held it out to her.

"Here. Consider it thanks for showing me the way."

Wen Lujia looked at the lollipop and gave a derisive laugh.

"Heh, you junior really are interesting. I'm the dignified deputy captain of the Patrol Bureau, and after I personally showed you the way, you're thanking me with a lollipop?"

"Do you want it or not? If not, forget it."

Xiao Wang made as if to take it back.

"Give it to me."

Wen Lujia spoke decisively and held out her hand.

Xiao Wang placed the lollipop in Wen Lujia's palm.

"If you think the gift is too modest, I can also treat you to a meal, Captain Wen, if you'd honor me with your presence."

Xiao Wang was not joking. He genuinely wanted to invite her.

Nor was it because Wen Lujia was beautiful and he wanted to pursue her.

He wanted to establish a connection with her. Perhaps later, he could learn some information about Hu Guangzhong through her.

Wen Lujia accepted the lollipop and closed her hand around it as she looked at Xiao Wang.

"Don't tell me you're trying to pursue me, kid. Let me tell you, I don't like younger men."

"You misunderstand, Captain Wen. I truly just wanted to treat you to a meal as thanks. After all, if you hadn't agreed right away last night, it was uncertain whether I could have collected this bounty at all."

Xiao Wang was telling the truth. When he had brought up the bounty the previous night, those officers had clearly wanted to brush the matter aside. If Wen Lujia had not immediately agreed, those officers would likely have pocketed the bounty in private.

As deputy captain, Wen Lujia naturally knew Xiao Wang was telling the truth.

"I'll take the lollipop, but forget about the meal. Consider that your thanks received."

"Don't worry, Captain Wen. I absolutely, absolutely do not want to treat you to dinner to pursue you. I truly just want to express my gratitude."

"What do you mean by that? You absolutely, absolutely wouldn't pursue me? Do I have no appeal at all in your eyes?"

"You misunderstand again, Captain Wen. Captain Wen is beautiful, has a great figure, a good personality, and strong combat ability. You're also the deputy captain of the Patrol Bureau, with high status. Anyone would be attracted to you. But I'm a well-known law-abiding citizen of Yuanshan Outer City, a gentleman. I would never use such a lousy excuse to pursue you."

Wen Lujia listened, staring into Xiao Wang's eyes. "Beautiful, great figure, good personality, strong combat ability... You've observed quite carefully in such a short time."

"Hehe, don't misunderstand, Captain Wen. Those are simply obvious facts."

Xiao Wang's praise made Wen Lujia smile knowingly.

"Alright, enough teasing. Hurry up and go."

"You really won't have dinner with me?"

"No."

"Alright then. Thank you again, Captain Wen."

After giving Wen Lujia a slight bow, Xiao Wang turned and left through the main entrance.

Wen Lujia stood where she was, watching Xiao Wang's retreating back. Then she looked at the lollipop in her hand, the corners of her mouth curving upward.

"This kid is kind of interesting."