Ark, Just Tell Me Whether the Mission Was Completed

"I'm not angry. I'm just inexplicably irritated. Hoshiguma, how much do you know about Luo Chen?"

At the mention of Luo Chen, the first thing Hoshiguma thought of was the case Luo Chen had told her about:

"Oh, right. There's another case I need to tell you about. Luo Chen filmed a group of thugs committing murder today. I watched it, and the crime was especially vicious."

"I've reported the case to the Criminal Investigation Section and told them to investigate."

"Don't tell me Luo Chen did it?" At the mention of a murder case, Chen Huijie's first thought was whether Luo Chen had done it.

Hoshiguma's mouth fell slightly open, revealing a narrow gap of astonishment.

"Old Chen, what are you talking about? If Luo Chen had done it, would he have handed over the video?"

"Besides, why are you suddenly suspecting Luo Chen? Do you have some conflict with him?"

"It's nothing. I haven't slept for a day and a night, so my head's a little muddled." Chen Huijie shook her head guiltily. "Do you know much about Luo Chen? What kind of person is he?"

When it came to Luo Chen, Hoshiguma sounded as though she were talking about her own child:

"Luo Chen! I watched that kid grow up."

"He'd wanted to become a Lungmen Guard Department officer since he was little, and he suffered quite a bit for it. But because of his lack of talent, not only was his physical fitness poor, he couldn't even grasp police-related coursework."

"You saw the results of this assessment too. He came in dead last, so there was no way he could get into the Lungmen Guard Department."

"I was still worrying this morning about how he'd make a living in the future."

"But I don't need to worry now. Little Chen found a job that suited him today. He made over ten thousand Lungmen Dollars in a single day teaching business planning classes to shop owners. That's almost as much as my monthly salary."

"He wasn't in the dorm today!" Chen's heart skipped half a beat when she heard that.

Hoshiguma would never suspect where Luo Chen's money had come from.

But when Chen thought of Luo Chen's expression yesterday, she felt certain that the money had come from somewhere shady.

Who knew what sins Luo Chen had committed during that day out.

She felt she could no longer hesitate.

Rather than leave Luo Chen out in society to endanger it, she might as well pull him into the Lungmen Guard Department.

At least the Lungmen Guard Department's rules and regulations would restrain him somewhat.

Otherwise, if Luo Chen ran loose in society, who knew what harm he might cause.

The Most Wronged Man in All of Lungmen.

Six days later.

The Lungmen Guard Department headquarters announced the newest list of successful recruits.

The moment the list was published, it caused a huge uproar throughout the Lungmen Guard Department.

Because Luo Chen, who ranked last, had been admitted without producing any results whatsoever.

Everyone in the Lungmen Guard Department had been able to see Luo Chen's performance in the final assessment.

Over the course of that one week, Luo Chen had spent at least six days lying around in his dorm.

And someone who had done nothing but slack off indoors had actually made it onto the recruitment list?

What was this?

A shady deal. A blatant shady deal!

The kind of shady deal that practically took a dump right in everyone's face.

Although no one in the Lungmen Guard Department knew whose connections Luo Chen had used, that did not stop them from spinning stories as though they knew everything.

And Hoshiguma, who had always been close to Luo Chen, naturally became the main subject of everyone's gossip.

"Did you hear? Officer Hoshiguma used her connections to bring in a dead-last loser who can't do anything."

"Officer Hoshiguma? No way. Would someone as upright as Officer Hoshiguma really use connections? I heard from the Public Security Team that it was Superintendent Chen who pulled strings."

"That's obviously fake news. Superintendent Swire has a grudge against Superintendent Chen, so she pins everything on Officer Chen. You can't believe that."

"Besides, even if Superintendent Chen wanted to break the rules, the only person I can think of who could plead with her would be Officer Hoshiguma."

"After all, Officer Hoshiguma is Superintendent Chen's trusted subordinate. If she begged Officer Chen, Officer Chen might just soften up."

"I'm more curious about Officer Hoshiguma's relationship with that dead-last loser."

"For Officer Hoshiguma to break her bottom line for him, their relationship definitely isn't ordinary."

"How extraordinary is it?"

"Those who get it, get it. I'll just give you one word: steel wool."

Listening to her colleagues gossip around her, Hoshiguma felt humiliated like never before.

Her relationship with Little Chen was a pure older-sister-and-younger-brother relationship.

How had steel wool even entered the conversation?

And even if she did have an improper relationship with Luo Chen, she would never have the heart to use steel wool on him.

No, wait.

They did not have an improper relationship at all!

Hoshiguma stood straight and sat upright. As one of the people involved, she knew perfectly well that she was innocent.

But Luo Chen's exceptional admission still left her unable to defend herself.

Because she was the officer closest to Luo Chen in the entire Lungmen Guard Department.

Looking at it logically, even she felt like the mastermind behind it.

But even if she had the power to pull strings, she would not have done so for Luo Chen's sake.

Because the Lungmen Guard Department was not a place for people to coast into retirement. Officers without ability could very well die during even the simplest arrest operation.

Letting someone like Luo Chen, whose physical fitness was comparable to an elementary school student's, become an officer was no different from pushing him into a pit of fire.

And with such a blatant method of pulling strings in everyone's face, Luo Chen would not escape gossip even after joining.

Not to mention, the department he had been assigned to was under Swire's command. Swire valued people based on ability, and a graduate like Luo Chen who could do nothing might even be isolated.

Worried about Luo Chen's future circumstances, Hoshiguma went to find Chen Huijie the moment she finished reading the announcement.

"Old Chen, why is Luo Chen's name on this list? Didn't he rank last in the test? How did he pass?"

Chen Huijie rubbed her brow with a headache.

Swire had just called and chewed her out.

Swire refused to accept Luo Chen, someone who had gotten in through connections. But every department under Chen Huijie consisted of extremely dangerous Action Teams.

If someone with Luo Chen's pathetic physical fitness entered an Action Team, he would surely die on his very first operation.

Swire's public security and criminal investigation departments were comparatively safer, and they had more desk jobs as well.

So Chen Huijie had just endured a completely unreasonable torrent of abuse from Swire, and her head was still buzzing.

Before she could have a moment's peace, Hoshiguma came looking for her too.

She clearly wanted Luo Chen in the Lungmen Guard Department less than anyone else, so why did she have to suffer this?

"Hoshiguma, listen to me. Luo Chen actually completed the practical assessment task, which is why he passed. His assessment report involves classified information and has already been sent to Governor Wei for review."

"Once Governor Wei finishes reviewing it, you should be able to see Luo Chen's work."

Chen patiently explained herself to her partner, but Hoshiguma clearly did not believe the truth she was telling:

"Luo Chen passed the assessment? Old Chen, what nonsense are you talking about? Luo Chen spent six of the past seven days lying in his dorm. The one day he went out, he was renting a place. And you're telling me he completed the task you assigned?"

"Luo Chen spent one day outside and managed to uncover all of Old Master Rat King's network? Old Chen, do you not even draft your stories before making them up? That so-called assessment report wasn't written by you for Luo Chen, was it?"

"I'm telling the truth."

"If that's the case, then tell me how Luo Chen uncovered Old Master Rat King's background. I know Luo Chen's abilities inside and out. I'd really like to see how he managed it."

"This..." Chen was immediately left speechless.

The secret between herself and Luo Chen simply could not be spoken aloud.

Even to her good partner Hoshiguma, she could not bring herself to say it.

And she felt that even if she did say it, Hoshiguma would never believe that Luo Chen was a newborn.

Seeing Chen Huijie like this, Hoshiguma instantly concluded that Old Chen was acting guilty, and that she definitely shared some unspeakable secret with Luo Chen:

"Old Chen, what exactly happened between you and Luo Chen?"

"I remember you secretly went to Luo Chen's dorm a few days ago. Don't tell me you..."

An absurd guess exploded in Hoshiguma's mind.

Chen Huijie had taken advantage of Luo Chen that day!

She did not believe Chen Huijie could do something so beastly, but now it seemed like the only explanation.

From Hoshiguma's increasingly murderous expression, Chen Huijie could tell that she was definitely imagining Chen taking advantage of Luo Chen.

She slammed a hand on the desk, shot to her feet, and shouted, "I didn't!"

"Then why did you let Luo Chen pass?"

"This..." Chen's voice instantly wilted. She collapsed into her chair as though all her strength had been drained away. "I can't tell you yet. But when the time is right, I'll tell you."

"Old Chen, I don't care what your reason is. But I watched Luo Chen grow up. If you have any bad intentions toward him, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

Hoshiguma grabbed Chen by the collar and yanked her up.

But after meeting Chen Huijie's lifeless gaze, Hoshiguma ultimately did not strike.

One was her partner and friend. The other was a younger brother even closer to her than a real brother.

She could not bring herself to hurt either of them.

"I'll wait for the day you tell me the truth."

Hoshiguma released Chen's collar, turned, and left Chen's office, heading toward Luo Chen's dormitory.

Little Chen, You're Getting Worked Up Again.

Inside the temporary dormitory.

Sunlight streamed through the half-open window, casting mottled patches of light and shadow across the room.

The air was filled with the faint, fresh scent of laundry detergent, mingling with Luo Chen's expectant mood.

Luo Chen's luggage was neatly arranged on the bed.

A dark backpack lay quietly there, its zipper half open to reveal several neatly folded pieces of clothing. Beside it sat a small hard drive with two labels attached to it, reading Fallen Female Boss and Gangster Heiress VCR.

Luo Chen stood before the mirror, carefully adjusting the police uniform he had just been issued.

He wore a simple white shirt beneath a dark Guard Department jacket, looking both energetic and capable.

He carefully smoothed his collar and straightened his trouser legs, overlooking no detail.

In the mirror, the corners of his lips unconsciously lifted into an expectant smile.

His eyes held both curiosity about his new life and a thirst for challenges.

He could almost see himself punishing evil and promoting good, serving the people, then steadily climbing the ranks until he stood at the pinnacle of the Lungmen Guard Department.

Suddenly realizing he was getting carried away, Luo Chen slapped himself.

As a people's police officer, he had to possess a strong sense of responsibility and mission. He had to remain vigilant at all times, ready to deal with every kind of emergency.

He absolutely could not let a brief achievement muddle his mind and make him forget the heavy responsibilities on his shoulders.

In his upcoming work, he had to crack down hard on crime, protect the people, and use his wisdom and courage to safeguard every corner of the city, allowing the public to live and work in a safe environment.

Just then, rapid footsteps sounded outside, followed by the door being gently pushed open.

Hoshiguma walked in, a trace of hesitation and worry on her face.

She looked Luo Chen over in his new uniform, then said softly:

"Little Chen, tell your big sister the truth. How exactly did you pass the Lungmen Guard Department assessment?"