Early morning.
The drowsiness had faded.
"You want my help?"
Zane scooped a spoonful of sweet porridge into his mouth, puzzled and curious about Qingyi's request.
"What could the Criminal Investigation Special Response Team possibly need my help with? Fighting? That doesn't sound right. If it's something they can handle, they don't need me. If it's something they can't handle, then it's not Zhu Yuan and the others' responsibility, is it?"
The Special Response Team was strong. Anything beyond their ability was usually handled by other departments.
"Zane, I'm not with the Special Response Team anymore. It's only natural that Zhu Yuan and the others might run into trouble."
"It's just a small favor. Are you really going to turn it down?"
Qingyi gave him a dissatisfied look.
Hearing that, Zane swallowed the words he was about to say and glanced helplessly at the porridge in front of him.
He hadn't said no to helping—he was just asking what was going on...
He had wanted to ask more—what kind of favor, why Qingyi wasn't back at work—but decided against it. It might seem unlikely, but if Qingyi really got upset, it would be a pain to deal with.
Besides, he owed her now...
That aside, Qingyi's cooking really was pretty good.
Yeah, he genuinely thought so.
"So I should head straight to the Public Security Bureau and look for Zhu Yuan?"
Hearing the question, Qingyi replied,
"Mhm. Zhu Yuan already got you registered as a temporary auxiliary. Just follow along when the operation starts."
She nodded and smiled slightly. Then, looking at Zane's expression, she asked softly,
"Curious about what I'm up to?"
"Hmph, I've got more important things to take care of... So I'll leave the Special Response Team to you!"
Qingyi waved her hand, then subconsciously licked the sweet porridge from the corner of her mouth. Seeing Zane silently watching her, her cheeks flushed slightly, but she forced herself to act calm.
"Finish eating and get going. They're probably waiting anxiously…"
As she spoke, something seemed to click. Without waiting for Zane's reply, Qingyi came over, began tidying up the dishes, and gently nudged him out the door.
Before long, Zane stood at the doorway, confused.
Wait, he hadn't even finished eating. Didn't Qingyi say to leave after he was done?
And now she was rushing him out? This was a completely different attitude from yesterday!
Zane turned, just about to speak—but with a loud bang, a gust of wind hit him, and the door slammed shut in front of his face.
"Uh…"
Shaking his head helplessly, Zane turned and left. He had no idea what Qingyi was up to, but figured he might as well just go with the flow.
Just like Qingyi had said.
Even if he didn't understand Qingyi's behavior, Zane still chose to listen.
Maybe it wouldn't be long before his questions were answered.
...
After Zane left, Qingyi sat alone in the courtyard house, in the same room where Zane had woken up. In her hands was a small, old notebook.
She opened it, her eyes shining as she looked at the latest page. As the black markings gradually surfaced, she felt a bit more at ease.
"Finally, something new... Wonder how much I can learn this time... But solving the issue won't be that easy."
Just as she was about to take a closer look, a faint glow appeared and quickly vanished. Qingyi noticed and turned her head.
The white flower on the windowsill was gently swaying, petals fluttering with no wind.
Looking at the flower, Qingyi paused for a moment, then said softly,
"Are you worried about me?"
"It's alright. No matter what happens, there are things I have to do. I won't back down—and I can't."
She smiled slightly.
"Don't worry."
Then she turned her attention back to the notebook and began reading carefully.
After a while, she closed it, her eyes reflecting quiet thought.
"Let's go find Hare's House first. If things go smoothly on Zhu Yuan's end, they'll be the next key players..."
"Mhm, and Zane's little Bangboo too."
"He's pretty attached to it..."
After a brief pause, Qingyi left the courtyard, heading in the opposite direction. The peaceful courtyard once again became still.
The white flower by the window swayed without a breeze.
...
Somewhere inside a Hollow in the Janus District.
Zane had already changed into a temporary sheriff's uniform, which made him look a bit more official.
He glanced at the serious-looking Zhu Yuan, weighed the pistol in his hand, and spoke quietly.
"Zhu Yuan, I don't think I'll need this…"
"It'll still be useful. You can't just use Ether energy openly in front of everyone…"
Zhu Yuan gave him a quick glance, then looked away, her gaze avoiding Zane's. Still, she explained.
"Eh? Chief? Using Ether energy's not that big a deal, right? It's just some regulated Ether weapons. With Zane's current status, it should be fine..."
Nearby, Seth was holding his shield and spoke up, puzzled.
"Besides, we're inside a Hollow. Who's going to see?"
Zhu Yuan frowned slightly but remembered that, in Seth's mind, Zane was still a powerful "Hollow Raider" and didn't know the truth. She sighed.
"Seth, just focus on your job. Don't ask so many questions."
"It's for your own good."
She said it seriously, shutting Seth down. Zane's Ether energy was nothing like those ordinary Ether weapons.
He was basically a walking high-explosive.
And when she said "in public," she meant people like Seth—those involved in the operation who didn't know the full picture!
Before, Zane had nothing to worry about since no one could trace him through any clues. But this time, he was coming in as a registered citizen.
A simple background check would expose him.
And Zhu Yuan wasn't joking. With Seth's personality, if he ever learned Zane was the Fire Picker, it wouldn't take long for the secret to slip.
Not on purpose—Seth just had a habit of leaking things unintentionally. Zhu Yuan had easily extracted information from him before.
From what she'd uncovered, countless people were keeping an eye on the Fire Pickers. The moment they caught wind, they'd swarm in like vultures.
And Seth would be like a spotlight in the night sky, drawing them in.
At that point, he'd be...
For my own good?
Seth was still confused, but his instincts told him the chief was right, so he nodded.