"Suspicious."
Several days later, after returning home from patrol in the evening, Lin Xiaolu sat alone on the sofa, her expression grave as she sighed in a deep voice. "This is way too suspicious."
Since no Aberrant Beasts had appeared in Fangting City lately, and the girls had become relatively familiar with the areas under their jurisdiction, their patrols had inevitably become somewhat less rigorous. What had once taken nearly two hours after school had now been shortened to one.
After finishing their routine duties, the girls, having nothing else to do and no desire to study, naturally gathered in the living room as usual and claimed their favorite spots on the sofa.
Beside her, Xia Liang had been watching TV intently. Upon hearing Lin Xiaolu mutter to herself, she turned to glance at her, then expressionlessly returned her attention to the screen.
"Too suspicious."
Lin Xiaolu repeated herself, raising her voice for some reason. "I think something is happening in secret, and I'm being kept in the dark."
Xia Liang continued watching TV calmly, as though she had heard nothing.
Lin Xiaolu glanced at Xia Liang. Seeing that she had no intention of responding, she narrowed her eyes slightly. Rising from her seat, she walked behind Xia Liang, bent her knees, crouched by her ear, and enunciated each word. "Too. Suspicious."
"...What are you trying to say?"
Reluctantly taking her eyes off the TV, Xia Liang gave a somewhat perfunctory smile. "Suspicious? Did you find some suspicious person recently?"
"A suspicious person? Um... I guess that counts?" Lin Xiaolu straightened up, looking thoughtful.
"Who?"
"That woman."
"Who is 'that woman'? How am I supposed to understand that?"
Xia Liang forced out an awkward dry laugh. "Can't you use a more recognizable name?"
Lin Xiaolu's breath caught. She pursed her