Cass gave up trying to flee and sat on a rock, waiting for the patrol car from the Public Security Bureau to arrive.
Soon, the vehicle pulled up not far in front of Sam Li and Cass.
Before the officers could even step out, Cass walked over to the patrol car on his own.
At the same time, both doors opened.
Two officers—one tall, one short—stepped out. It was Zhu Yuan and Qingyi.
As soon as they got out, they spotted Cass walking toward them.
Before Zhu Yuan could say anything, Cass voluntarily held out both hands and took a deep breath.
"You came just in time. I had already fled into the Hollow, but Mr. Sam Li caught me and brought me back..."
After saying that, he glanced back at Sam Li and gave him a small nod.
Since he was being arrested alongside Sam Li, Cass knew he had to clarify things. Otherwise, the officers might assume Sam Li was his accomplice, and that would be a real problem.
Just like he'd said before—he didn't want to drag Sam Li into this. He was prepared to take all the blame himself.
Hearing this, Zhu Yuan and Qingyi exchanged glances—and both smiled.
So her hunch had been right. Sam Li had really left New Eridu to help them track Cass—and had actually caught him.
Zhu Yuan took out a pair of handcuffs and fastened them onto Cass's wrists.
Then she looked to Sam Li.
"Thank you, Sam Li. We only asked you to keep an eye out, but you went above and beyond and helped us apprehend the suspect. I really appreciate it. Once we're back in the Janus District, I'll submit a commendation request to Officer Brin for you."
Qingyi also chuckled and added, "As the old saying goes—he runs, you chase, and even wings won't let him escape."
Cass let out a silent sigh of relief.
He had prepared all sorts of excuses to make his story believable. He hadn't expected the officers to accept it so easily.
Still...
He was starting to realize that these two officers seemed to know Sam Li pretty well.
...
After formally arresting Cass, Zhu Yuan's expression turned serious.
"The suspect's in custody. Senior, Sam Li—let's head back."
Qingyi nodded. "If we don't go now, we're going to run out of battery."
Naturally, Sam Li had no objections.
However...
After Zhu Yuan, Sam Li, and Cass got into the patrol car, Qingyi didn't join them right away. Instead, she strolled toward the edge of the Old Capital Metro Hollow, curiously inspecting the area.
She even pulled a portable Ether observation device from his coat and started scanning the Hollow.
Zhu Yuan couldn't help but shout, "Senior, the Hollow Investigation Association already confirmed the return of the Notoriety Ethereal – Train Head. The official data's on their site. There's no need to check again."
But Qingyi wasn't deterred. She simply let out a curious "hmm," as if something had caught his eye.
"Hold on—I need to take a closer look."
Zhu Yuan frowned. "Senior, did you find something new?"
Qingyi stared at the readout on the Ether device and clicked his tongue in surprise. "Interesting. The Ether activity and concentration are less than half the values released by the official report. And they're still dropping. At this rate, this Hollow's going to be downgraded from a Grade B to a Grade C disaster..."
She paused for a moment, as though a realization had just hit him.
Then she turned toward the patrol car and looked at Sam Li and Cass.
"The Hollow's clearly weakening... Don't tell me the Notoriety Ethereal – Train Head was really defeated?"
Being questioned by a Public Security officer, Cass instinctively wanted to respond—but stopped himself.
He didn't know what kind of relationship Sam Li had with these two officers. If he said the wrong thing and exposed Sam Li's secret, it could cause serious trouble.
He glanced at Sam Li.
When Sam Li said nothing, Cass stayed quiet too.
Seeing the two of them silent, Zhu Yuan frowned slightly. "Senior, what's going on?"
Qingyi just smiled, as though he had figured it out. "Nothing. Maybe the Ether scanner's broken. I'll have logistics replace it when we get back."
She packed up the Ether observation device and got into the front passenger seat.
The next second, Zhu Yuan started the patrol car and drove in a wide arc around a towering cactus tree, heading back toward the New Eridu metropolitan zone.
...
About half an hour later...
By the time they returned to the Janus District substation, the sun had already set.
Zhu Yuan parked the patrol car in the courtyard and personally escorted Cass inside.
After she left, Qingyi slid into the driver's seat, ready to take Sam Li back to Hare's House.
They drove slowly.
Along the way, Qingyi chatted casually about the events of the day.
"Thank you, Sam Li. If it weren't for you, the suspect would've gotten away."
Sam Li replied calmly, "It was nothing. Don't mention it."
Qingyi gave a small smile. "Taking down a Notoriety Ethereal was nothing, too?"
Sam Li didn't respond.
But his silence only made Qingyi more certain—it must've been Sam Li who had defeated the Train Head, which explained why the Hollow was now in decline.
"Everyone's got their secrets. Don't worry—I won't expose yours. Just... thanks again. Next time something like this happens, don't take such risks. Battling a Notoriety Ethereal just to help catch a suspect—it's not worth it."
"Thank you for the advice..."
...
Soon enough, after passing a few more streets, the patrol car slowly pulled up in front of Hare's House.
At the same time...
Inside the agency.
Billy was the first to notice the patrol car approaching. He rushed to warn Nicole.
"Boss Nicole, there's a Public Security patrol car pulling up!"
Nicole was slumped on the couch in low spirits. She couldn't care less about patrol cars right now.
"There's a patrol car on this street every day. Don't make such a fuss."
"But boss, this one's stopping right in front of our door! You think it's because of that interview the other day? Are they here to take back the commendation?"
"I already spent the reward money. If they want it back, too bad."
Nicole got off the couch and walked to the door to take a look.
Sure enough, a patrol car had parked right outside.
Running a agent firm meant one thing above all—you didn't want the Public Security Bureau sniffing around.
The very next second, Nicole slammed the door shut and locked it tight—no gaps, no questions.
...
Inside the patrol car, Qingyi chuckled.
"Sam Li, looks like Hare's House isn't thrilled to see you. Why not come back to the Bureau with me? Start with a year as an inspector—then move up to squad leader after that..."
Sam Li declined politely. "I'm sorry, but I have no intention of breaking my contract with Hare's House."
...