"Crash..."
The rain grew heavier.
After Li Andy informed Fat Chief about Susan's "mishap," he left the Security Bureau, appearing as if it had nothing to do with him and they should worry themselves.
He did this mainly because Susan had already obtained the coin, and he needed to avoid direct contact with her as much as possible.
He could still sense that faint, almost imperceptible gaze falling upon the lucky coin.
As for Susan's safety, he was completely at ease.
Aside from the blessing of luck, her identity was also a deterrent; if Black Snake didn't want to show its true colors, it wouldn't do anything to her.
Moreover, he had left a few wisps of spiritual energy as a final safeguard.
Leisurely, Li Andy returned home, and it was already dusk.
The two girls had long since returned and were currently busy in the kitchen preparing dinner.
Li Andy stood at the doorway, his eyes lighting up.
Youxi and Sophia were wearing short-sleeved shirts and shorts, with light-colored aprons wrapped around them.
Their simple attire was subtly captivating, giving off a warm, comforting feeling of coming home.
"Brother, you're back?"
Youxi smiled as she looked back, her playful high ponytail swaying, her snow-white neck gleaming like porcelain, seemingly more delicious than soft, sticky rice.
"You're back so late..."
Sophia pouted in complaint, also with her hair tied in a ponytail, but because she was close to the hot stove, there were tiny beads of sweat on her temples and behind her ears, making her look particularly dewy.
Li Andy felt incredibly relaxed, his mind clear, as if his body had warmed up, and he instinctively responded softly:
"Yes, I'm back..."
Dinner time.
The three of them sat around a small round table, eating and sharing what they had seen and heard.
Li Andy vividly recounted what he had witnessed in Black Alley, a story full of twists and turns that tugged at the heartstrings, making listeners involuntarily immerse themselves in it.
When she heard about the street girl being severely injured and falling to the ground, Sophia couldn't help but burst into tears, grabbing Li Andy's waist and asking him why he didn't help them.
Li Andy sighed helplessly, patted her tender leg, and explained:
"If I help them now, I'd be harming them. They have to overcome their own tribulations."
Sophia sniffled, withdrew her small hand, and though unwilling, she still understood the gravity of the situation.
Under the table, Youxi's delicate white foot gently stepped on his instep, "Brother, I found the book you mentioned. But it seems very shy; do I have to forcibly grab it?"
"That fast?"
Li Andy was a little surprised, and the hand that was caressing Sophia's thigh involuntarily paused.
The book Youxi referred to was actually a small mimicry monster in the Library.
It had flesh and blood, could disguise itself as any book, and was a prerequisite for obtaining the Translator's Earring, as well as a "key" to entering a small "Domain."
Originally, Li Andy thought he would have to wait a while longer.
However, he hadn't expected that after cultivating, Youxi's spiritual perception in all aspects would be several times stronger than the original.
"No rush, don't disturb it yet."
Li Andy put a piece of meat on his sister's plate as a reward.
"After my current matters are concluded, we'll go together."
"Also, you two need to prepare; I have a feeling that the mastermind will reveal themselves soon."
The two girls were slightly taken aback, then nodded earnestly in unison.
After discussing serious matters, the three returned to their usual casual conversation.
But under the table, there were still occasional small movements, which were like... a wonderful seasoning that enhanced their appetite.
After dinner, while Li Andy was showering, two small figures, hugging pillows, slipped into his room in advance.
........
Compared to the tranquility of the Mi Ling Detective Agency, the night in Black Alley was far from peaceful.
In the North District, rat shadows flickered, and in the South District, snake shadows were dense.
Black Alley, South District, Steel Snake Nest.
Director Lamb, in his trench coat, stroking his belly, arrived alone with the Black Snake Gang members at a large table.
"Heh, the people on top are truly arrogant, sending only a small Branch Chief like you?" The leader of Black Snake sneered, steam puffing from his mechanical arm with his breathing.
"Bah! Is a Branch Chief not a Chief?!"
Director Lamb plopped down on the stool, slammed the table, and fearlessly stared at the other party.
"Black Snake, where are my people!"
The Black Snake leader raised his chin, and a subordinate beside him pulled a lever; chains clanked, and a cage was pulled up from underground.
Susan was crouched inside, deeply asleep; outwardly, she looked a bit disheveled and mentally fatigued, but otherwise, she had no other problems.
Director Lamb secretly breathed a sigh of relief and asked in a deep voice:
"Speak, how much to release her?"
The Black Snake leader did not answer, looked at Susan, and asked:
"This girl, she's Hawkes' child, isn't she?"
Lamb frowned, a hint of killing intent in his eyes:
"What exactly do you want?"
The Black Snake leader smiled, his voice like rolling stones:
"Lamb, you know very well what we rely on for a living. Because of the recent lockdown, the brothers haven't been doing very well. I want the people above to lift this damned ban."
Director Lamb sneered:
"You smuggling mud snakes, you're actually afraid of a lockdown? Do you think the people above care whether things in the garbage heap are doing well or not?"
Black Snake's tone gradually turned cold:
"As long as the Imperial tariffs exist for one day, as long as the major districts continue to voice their own opinions, we will always exist, even if... you are arrogant and don't care."
"The Security Bureau is a recognized independent faction. Director Lamb, you wouldn't want your own garbage heap to side with the Imperial faction if a fight breaks out, would you?"
Director Lamb frowned deeply, no longer spewing insults, and remained silent.
Black Snake pressed on:
"If this girl hadn't come to cause trouble, we would probably already be preparing to kidnap the executive's child. Even a cornered rat will bite, let alone a venomous snake?"
Director Lamb frowned:
"I alone can't decide this matter. If you can unify the entire Black Alley, perhaps... you'll be qualified to be a dog."
Black Snake laughed, his face full of black markings, looking very ferocious:
"Then Director Lamb, please go back. This girl will have to stay here for now. Until you can decide on your own, or until we... are qualified to be dogs!"
Director Lamb struggled for a long time, then gritted his teeth and said:
"I warn you, don't mess with her before that!"
With that, he swung his trench coat, stood up, and left in a huff.
The Black Snake leader watched his retreating figure disappear, then looked at a subordinate beside him: "Go call Manba. I want to personally ask him if he still wants to continue being a coward."