Before long, the pursuers approached. Wen Yue took one look and realized, wasn't that Chen?
She was currently running this way with several police officers, investigating something. Except for her, the other officers looked completely out of breath.
"Little Chen!" Wen Yue waved toward Chen... Seeing Wen Yue, Chen hesitated for a moment but still walked over.
As soon as she got close, Wen Yue's hand reached out and patted her head.
"I'm telling you, Little Chen, you haven't come to see me in ages... I heard from that old man Wei Yenwu that you haven't stopped since becoming Senior Superintendent. Let me see, your skin is looking a bit dry. You need to take care of yourself..."
Chen, held up by Wen Yue, suppressed the urge to roll her eyes. After all, if there was anyone in Lungmen she dared not offend, it was the woman standing right in front of her.
The police officers behind her watched their Chief Chen, usually so formidable and imperious, being patted on the head in public like a dutiful girl.
"Madam, it's my fault for not visiting you, but I'm currently working on a case. I promise I will come to see you once the case is finished, okay?"
If Wen Yue continued patting her head, all her authority in front of her subordinates would probably vanish. Chen had no choice but to bite the bullet and negotiate with Wen Yue.
"You won't lie to me?"
"I won't."
"Promise to keep your word?"
"Absolutely!"
Only after Chen promised did Wen Yue release the hand holding her.
"Speaking of which, are you arresting a criminal?" Wen Yue asked contentedly, having finished rubbing Chen's head.
"Not exactly a criminal, just a common thief, but she runs very fast and is a bit troublesome..."
Chen felt a little helpless. That little girl Rope was a regular at the police station, but because Chen pitied her circumstances and knew she was forced into it, they usually just held her for a few days, gave her food, and then released her.
However, the situation in the Lungmen slums had been somewhat volatile recently. Chen's reason for catching Rope was twofold: first, hoping she could stay safe at the police station for a couple of days, and second, seeing if she could extract any clues from her.
Otherwise, the task of arresting a petty thief wouldn't require a Senior Superintendent to handle personally.
"If you mean the purple-haired Big Sister who just ran away, I suggest we go together!"
Seeing Chen preparing to leave, Kanna spoke up at the right moment.
Seeing the gazes of everyone turn towards her, Kanna pointed to Wen Yue's waist.
"I just saw her casually swipe Big Sister Wen Yue's money pouch when she passed by..."
Hearing Kanna's words, Wen Yue touched her waist. Sure enough, the money pouch hanging there had disappeared at some point.
Chen looked down at Kanna, deciding not to dwell on the strange way she referred to Wen Yue for the moment, and asked.
"Are you sure she stole Madam's wallet?"
"I saw it with my own eyes, of course I'm sure!" Kanna said proudly, putting her hands on her hips.
"Then why didn't you say anything..." Shirayuki was agitated. She couldn't believe someone had stolen Madam's belongings right under her nose without her noticing. If they weren't currently in the marketplace, she would have considered committing seppuku.
"You didn't ask... Besides, that Big Sister didn't seem malicious," Kanna said innocently, scratching her head... "Little Chen, did you hear that? Let's go catch that thief together!" When talking about catching the thief, Wen Yue looked eager to participate.
Chen held her forehead. Based on the direction Kanna pointed, Chen judged that the thief had likely fled back to the slums.
The thought of the consequences of taking Wen Yue into the slums sent a chill down her spine, so she could only gently advise her.
"Madam, why don't you go back first? Once I catch the thief, I promise to bring your money pouch and everything inside back to you completely intact."
"That's no fun. It's just a small thief; she won't pose a threat to me. Besides, I have a bodyguard," Wen Yue said, pushing Shirayuki forward.
"That's right! I'll protect Big Sister too!" Kanna said, raising her small hand from the side.
"Exactly, and I have little Kanna protecting me, MWAH~"
Looking at Kanna, who was held in Wen Yue's arms, Chen felt she looked familiar.
"Big Sister Chen, we met this morning..."
Hearing Kanna's words, Chen recalled after a brief moment that this was the Rhodes Island group that Wei Yenwu had specifically arranged to enter Lungmen. At the time, her attention had been entirely focused on the woman named Kal'tsit and the mysterious hooded man beside her, so she hadn't paid much attention to a child like Kanna.
She hadn't expected that by the afternoon, this little girl would have such a close relationship with Madam Wen Yue.
Chen's strongest impression of Kanna was the greatsword she was carrying when entering the city —it was larger than she was, like a door panel. However, upon entering the city, she was required not to bring such a terrifying item into the Central District, so it was left with another Rhodes Island Operator.
Chen also remembered her registration upon entering Lungmen: she was listed as the bodyguard for the hooded man called the Doctor. Therefore, the girl in front of her was not as harmless as she appeared.
Since she couldn't send Wen Yue away, she had no choice but to arrange for her subordinates to mobilize more police officers. After all, if anything went wrong in the slums, Wen Yue's safety had to be guaranteed.
Regarding Chen's actions, Kanna just wanted to say that Chen was completely underestimating her "Aunt-in-law"... Setting aside Shirayuki's strength, Kanna could sense that Wen Yue herself was quite capable. Plus, with at least three Black Raincoat guards arranged by Wei Yenwu nearby, and herself present, even if Talulah of the Reunion Movement came to ambush them, she was confident she could get Wen Yue out safely.
On the other side, after temporarily shaking off Chen's pursuit, Rope happily pulled out today's spoils, ready to check her haul.
When she found Wen Yue's money pouch, a cold sweat broke out on her forehead.
This money pouch was clearly not something an ordinary person could afford. She had seen it on TV; it was the latest luxury item from Victoria. The string of zeros on the price tag alone made her dizzy.
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