Xia Na glanced at Chen Che coldly and said, "Misunderstanding? If you see it with your own eyes, where's the misunderstanding? Also, stop calling me Nana, we're not close."
Ignoring the latter part, Chen Che chuckled, "The Investigation Department is not like the Special Operations Department, let alone the Security Brigade. Here, there's only a few pistols assigned, just a few personnel.
A Chief Investigator has at most two deputies. One Deputy Chief Investigator oversees seven or eight Chief Investigators. When you break it down, a Deputy Chief Investigator manages fewer people than a single squad in the Security Brigade.
On a mission, to catch a robber, we have to suck up to the people in the Security Brigade to ask for help.
You're not unfamiliar with the situation in the Ninth Special Zone.
For Chief Investigator Lei to give out such a thick stack for addressing issues, he's already doing quite well.
After all, these complainants are ordinary people without power.
Helping them won't earn you anything."
"Ha, it's hard for a Chief Investigator to solve a case? There's so many of them, they'd rather sit here playing cards than work. If that's not useless, what is?"
"In a way, Chief Investigator Lei and those other Chief Investigators are probably forced to get together and play cards."
"Why?" Xia Na was puzzled.
"Investigating powerless ordinary people might get some complaints at most.
But if someone powerful like you, Nana, reports a case and the investigation group can't find people to work on it, tsk... Helping brings no benefits, and not helping leads to complaints, resulting in more trouble.
So they have no choice but to set aside some resources specifically for the use of the powerful."
Chen Che stretched lazily, understanding the situation perfectly: "Besides, the higher-ups aren't very concerned, are they?
Crises are handled and prevented by the Special Operations Department.
Large-scale riots, ensuring the stability of Upper City District, is the Security Brigade's job.
The Investigation Department, frankly, is a necessary existence, but serves no real purpose.
It's merely a channel for civilians to reach official contacts, occasionally solving minor cases to show civilians that the Investigation Department isn't entirely useless.
Otherwise, if the higher-ups were truly dissatisfied, really wanted to tackle the issue, they'd simply assign more staff to the Investigation Department, wouldn't they?
Clearly, the higher-ups aren't bothered, meaning the lower levels are naturally relaxed.
Even if you work diligently, what then? The higher-ups don't care at all. Better to live indulgently and enjoy than toil tired and alive."
Xia Na stared at Chen Che sitting behind the desk with her deep purple eyes, pondering deeply.
Something's not right; he's different from before. He used to be arrogant, defiant, and unlikeable.
Only when facing his sister did he reveal a gentle disposition. If it were the old him, facing someone like Lei Bao, he would solely express rebelliousness.
Clearly relying on his sister's influence.
But now he understands these things.
His sister once said he had died once, perhaps it's because of that?
As Xia Na was deep in thought, Lei Bao's subordinates brought the file on Pandora's Kiss.
"Thanks," Chen Che thanked the Chief Investigator who brought the file, took it, and began reviewing it.
The Investigation Department had recorded three disturbances related to Pandora's Kiss.
Chen Che reviewed each one.
The first was a mercenary, high on drugs, going on a shooting spree, who was shot dead on the spot by Security Brigade officers.
An unknown drug was detected on the mercenary's body. After chemical analysis, it was classified as a forbidden substance, leading to an investigation and the name Pandora's Kiss emerged.
The second incident involved a young noble with connections to the Finance Bureau, who, high on drugs, crashed a car and killed a family of three. He was bailed out, and the matter was left unresolved.
The third incident occurred in a bar, initiated by a Hunter, referring to individuals who leave the safe zone to scavenge for resources in the dangerous wilderness.
In a trance from Pandora's Kiss, he pulled the pin on a grenade attached to him, causing massive casualties in the bar.
Afterwards, Pandora's Kiss was classified as a prohibited substance.
The higher-ups instructed the Investigation Department to investigate, but from the looks of it, the department hasn't prioritized it.
Chen Che carefully flipped through the file, extracting considerable information from a small amount of intelligence.
After setting the document aside, he rubbed his forehead, forming vague thoughts in his mind.
Yet he couldn't comprehend.
Why did An Nishang appoint him to investigate Pandora's Kiss?
This matter should be unrelated to the Special Operations Department, right?
If it were genuinely related to the Special Operations Department, An Nishang's methods would make her investigation much easier.
Why did she appoint him to investigate?
There must be something he hasn't considered behind this.
Xia Na watched him frowning, contemplating deeply, a slight smile of disdain playing on her lips.
Recalling everything she thought about Chen Che.
This man, aside from catering to his sister's needs.
Was only adept at gambling, drinking, and racing.
Sending him to investigate a case, afraid he couldn't even comprehend the files.
Leaned against the wall, Xia Na toyed with a knife between her pale fingers, the sharp blade spinning continuously.
"So, Chief Investigator, have you figured anything out?"
"Ant Street, Demon."
Upon hearing Chen Che mention two places, Xia Na instantly raised her head, her purple eyes narrowed at Chen Che: "How do you know?"
Chen Che yawned, pressing the document with his fingers: "Compiling information, analyzing, deducing conclusions."
"The file mentions three individuals, mercenary, noble, Hunter.
Combining the timing and location of these three events, you can roughly pinpoint a central area - Ant Street.
This place doesn't need much explanation, does it?"
"It's a midpoint between Upper City and Lower City District, hosting illegal industries strictly forbidden in Upper City, yet not as chaotic as Lower City District.
The rich kids from Upper City who crave thrill but don't dare venture to Lower City; for them, Ant Street as an intermediary zone is the best choice.
Mercenaries and Hunters, who have brushed with deaths, upon returning from missions, most seek to relax their nerves; forbidden substances are an ideal choice.
It's widely known that behind Demon Bar lies a certain figure, and as long as you pay him, no one cares what kind of transactions you conduct inside.
They very likely conducted their transactions in Demon Bar, obtaining Pandora's Kiss."
Xia Na couldn't help asking: "How do you know it's Demon Bar? Not some other bar?"
"I'm guessing. Originally, the affair should have been simple. That young noble took drugs, he was the only survivor among the three events. Just ask him where he acquired Pandora's Kiss and the case could be easily unfolded.
But whether he refused to say or the Investigation Department didn't want trouble, or maybe both, there's no record of his statement.
Hence, one can only speculate based on existing information."
"The file mentioned that when the noble was arrested, he reeked heavily of alcohol. Drinking combined with drug use is a dangerous act, likely to attract attention.
Despite the Upper City's rich kids playing recklessly, they're acutely aware of their safety, enjoying thrills while preserving their lives.
Drinking and taking drugs in other bars in Ant Street, even with bodyguard protection, there's a chance they'd be kidnapped by those from Lower City District, or if conflict arises, beaten badly.
Only in Demon Bar can they avoid such situations.
After all, no one dares mess around inside; while it's wild in nature, it remains safe on the surface."
"No matter who you are, you have to abide by rules in there. It's only in places like this that these rich kids dare to drink themselves senseless and drug themselves foolish.
There's a good chance that's where they took the drugs."
After hearing his analysis.
Xia Na's face was complex.