An Jian had nowhere to sleep at night, she thought about just laying down somewhere on the grass and going to sleep, but then detective Cheng's face popped into her head, I guess it's best to be at the station when the detective comes in. She had ran away from their last conversation but could feel he wanted to protect her, this somehow provided some comfort. She then shrugged, embarrass for thinking such weak thoughts while searching for her sisters killer. Still she thought, heading back to the station made the most sense as she continued to walk
As she walked into the station the lady from before greeted her with a smile, somehow they had almost become acquaintances in such a short period. She took her spot in the corner again lied down and fell asleep quickly like last time. The lady also thought although normally she wouldn't be happy with people taking advantage of the police station, as some vagrants would sometimes do, she looked at An Jian like a lost kitten and didn't mind her presence. She even brought a sandwich from the lunch room for her which An Jian woke up and ate with gratitude.
Earlier then his official starting time, Detective Cheng entered the building looking over to see An Jian cuddle in the corner again. He looked to the lady at the counter, and she whispered "She is here for you". Detective Cheng leaned closer to the lady whispered and asked "Is she homeless?", the lady with a sympathetic look said "Probably, but I don't know... poor thing".Detective Cheng sighed and looked at An Jian who suddenly awoke jumped up and with her hands in her back, casually strolled over.
"Good morning Detective Cheng, sorry to bother you again but any news of murder involving strong internal kungfu?"
Detective Cheng looked at her sympathetically and slowly answered "No there has been no news since last we met"
Detective Cheng then looked to the corner where she was sleeping and asked "Why are you sleeping here?"
An Jian didn't want to appear homeless, looked at him and confidently said "I just didn't want to miss seeing the detective in the morning, it is crucial I get word first of any cases involving the internal kungfu I had described"
An Jian smiled "Since there is no news, I will see you tomorrow"
An Jian walked out of the station confidently like she was an officer going on patrol.
Detective Cheng turned to the lady "I can't make anything of it" and walked off into his office.
Reading the report on his table an informant had reported Green Dragon's Yip Yoon is dead and a new gang had taken over, someone else came into the room and asked "Did you see?" staring at the report on his desk. Detective Cheng nodded, "There is also another rumour it was the Chum Li Gang that took out Green Dragon" Detective Cheng laughed, "How the hell can Wang Yi take out Yip Yoon, that doesn't make any sense", the other man shrugged his shoulders "I don't know, that's just what I heard"
The other man then bent over and said "It's probably not Wang Yi, I heard they have a new leader something Zhao..Li Zhao, nothing conclusive as this is all just random chatter we are hearing"
Detective Cheng stunned, "Who did you say that was again"
The other man surprised by the response "Li Zhao? Do you know him?"
Detective Cheng looked at the man squarely, "There is chatter he is the new leader of Chi Lum Gang?"
The other man looking away trying to recall"I'm not even sure you could call it chatter, but that name just keeps coming up on the wire taps of Chi Lum without much context, almost like a boogeyman for the new recruits"
Detective Cheng looked at the man with a serious expression "Can you get me all the transcripts with Li Zhao?"
The other man then asked again "Do you know him?"
Detective Cheng's face still kind of stunned "No, but I might know someone who does"
Detective Cheng then ran out to the streets looking around but couldn't find the strange cosplay girl.
He then got into his car and drove around but couldn't find her at all the spots he had saw her yesterday.
An Jian was making her rounds again feeling for Li Zhao internal power, but decided she needed to go further into areas she had not yet explored. As midnight approached and she was again wondering where she would sleep, she could feel the questions from the Detective asking her why she was sleeping at the station was to gauge if she was homeless or not. She decided she wouldn't sleep at the station tonight and only arrive there in the morning to meet the detective.
Around midnight, the detective was back at the station expecting An Jian to stroll right in at any moment. The rain started pouring down from outside, Detective Cheng sat there waiting tapping his finger, by 2am, he didn't understand why she was not here yet, did she not care about the report anymore? The rain seem to get stronger with every passing hour, Detective Cheng decided to get into his vehicle and drive around.
An Jian did head back near the Police station so it would only be a short walk to the station in the morning to meet the detective.
She initially sat under a tree to take a nap, but the rain started to pour and she found a bus stop with a roof that provided better cover.
She sat at the bus stop and closed her eyes, then awoke when she could feel someone staring at her.
When she opened her eyes to look it was detective Cheng holding an umbrella over her.
She was completely soaked as the wind made the shelter almost useless.
Detective Cheng looked at her with concern "Why are you not at the police station"
An Jian not sure what excuse she could provide "Because here is better"
Detective Cheng bent down and calmly said "Lets get out of the cold its going to make you sick, come with me" He grabbed her by her hand and lead her to his car. She hadn't held someone's hand in a long time at it was more intimate than she had been use to causing her to blush.
Detective Cheng looked back at her slightly aware he was more emotionally attached to her than he thought he should be and tried to calm his own feelings
As they drove, Detective Cheng didn't bring up Li Zhao, he found himself more worried about An Jian's condition than about the case.
As they drove An Jian observe Detective Cheng's driving. "I can't detect your internal power moving this chariot"
Detective Cheng laughed, thinking maybe she was joking "No this vehicle moves at gods will"
An Jian thought this was also not true and that she was being mocked, finally understanding, this was some kind of machine that could move on its own not dependent on the users power.
They headed back to his apartment, he found some t shirts and sweat pants for her to use from his closet. Showed her the bathroom and said to use it.
She got in and started drinking from the sink. She had only seen how they used the sinks here.
Detective Cheng then said she should take a warm shower.
An Jian looked at him in confusion, "I'm not sure what that means?"
Detective Cheng stunned, did she think he was being a perverted? "You have been soaking in cold rain all night, take a warm shower first"
An Jian then walked to the sink and turned the nob for warm water and started to splash the warm water on her face.
The Detective shocked walked into the bathroom turned on the warm shower, "here use this". An Jian nodded thinking this world really had many luxuries.
The detective walked out of the bathroom and closed the door behind him. Slightly confused, did An Jian really not know what a shower was? Was she still trying to perform role play at a moment like this?
An Jian took off her armour and clothes, it was her first bath since arriving in this new world.
She didn't use any soap or shampoo as she didn't know what they were but just used her own hands to scrub herself clean
She finally came out of the washroom wearing his oversize t-shirt and sweat pants.
The detective was a little stunned by her beauty but didn't want to dwell on it.
The detective made hot tea for the both of them and when An Jian sat across from him at the table, she asked "Why did you come find me?"
Detective Cheng looked at her and said with hesitation "We got a hit on the name Li Zhao"
An Jian looked at him with mix feelings, maybe deep down she had wish the Detective was truly worried about her, but he had only come to find her to bring her the report.
She put on a smile to hiding her slight disappointment "Great, give me the details"