As a thief, she immediately recognized that this was not a knockoff but a genuine article. She didn't even dare to open it, as whatever was contained within such an expensive item couldn't possibly be cheap.
Officer Chen, who was chasing her, would probably be criticized once the theft was discovered. The thought that Officer Chen, despite often scolding her, always brought her delicious pork chop rice made Rope feel guilty.
Just as she was agonizing over what to do, the voice of a young girl came from above her head: "Found you, you're right here... Big Sister, could you give me that wallet in your hand?"
When she looked up, she saw a circle of police officers surrounding her. She recognized several of them as members of the Special Inspection Team from the Police Department. They were all looking at her as if to say, "You've gotten into serious trouble..." Section 203, Chapter 195: "Abducting Personnel."
"Officer Chen, is it too late for me to surrender now..."
Rope said with a mournful expression.
"What do you think?" Chen looked helplessly at the girl below. If it were an ordinary person, she could use her authority to smooth things over, since most people on Lungmen's turf still had to give face to her Uncle, Wei Yenwu.
But the person she happened to steal from was one of the few who usually dared to completely disregard Wei Yenwu's authority... Wen Yue, Wei Yenwu's wife. Therefore, if Wen Yue insisted on coming, Chen had absolutely no recourse.
"Cuff yourself. You've caused a huge mess this time. The captain will decide the specific sentence when we get back," Chen said, throwing a pair of handcuffs in front of Rope, speaking in a tone that implied, "Why are you so disappointing?"
"I, I didn't know! That street is usually only for commoners to stroll around. How could a big shot suddenly appear without any attendants? I just... Chen Sir, you know me. I saw that bag looked suspicious, I didn't even dare to open it..."
Looking at Fumizuki / Wen Yue, who was standing not far away, Rope finally recognized her identity and felt her legs go weak. After being supported by two police officers, one on each side, she extended her finger and pleaded like "Zhao Dehan."
"She's an Infected, right? How do your Lungmen police treat her after catching her?" Kanna turned to Fumizuki / Wen Yue and asked, looking at the oripathy crystals exposed on Rope's leg.
"I don't know about other places, but Lungmen is considered very friendly towards the Infected. Petty thieves like her are usually just locked up for a day or two and then released back into the slums. What's wrong? Interested in that little girl?"
Fumizuki / Wen Yue stroked her chin and said.
"I heard Doctor Kal'tsit and Doctor say that this trip to Lungmen is not only to resolve the Reunion Movement and Chernobog's conspiracy but also to strengthen ties and exchange resources with Lungmen.
Given Rhodes Island's previous style, we should be exchanging talent with Lungmen, trading permanent medical Operators for talent from various industries in Lungmen. I think Rope has pretty good skills and is also an Infected, making her very suitable to come to Rhodes Island for study and treatment."
Since little Rope was right in front of her, Kanna naturally wouldn't miss this opportunity. Coupled with the young man Jiejie, whom she recognized while buying fish balls earlier, she had already found two Operators she could bring into Rhodes Island from Lungmen. As for Shaw, since she was a civil servant, she would likely go through a different process to join Rhodes Island, which wasn't Kanna's concern.
Fumizuki / Wen Yue naturally knew about Rhodes Island and Lungmen's agreement and plan. What Kanna said was spot on. Rhodes Island would send and assist Lungmen in training a batch of qualified Doctors specializing in the Infected, in exchange for Lungmen's support. This support included Lungmen recommending personnel from various industries to join Rhodes Island to bolster Rhodes Island's overall strength.
Fumizuki / Wen Yue glanced at Rope. Although the other party was young, being able to pick her purse without her noticing proved her excellent skills. Combined with her identity as an Infected and a thief, she was indeed a very suitable "talent" to be sent over.
"Since little Kanna has spoken, then I, your elder sister, will definitely agree. Little Chen, send this..."
"Rope."
"Little Rope to the Rhodes Island station. Just say she's a talent I recommended after passing little Kanna's test," Fumizuki / Wen Yue said, taking her purse back from Chen.
"Does little Kanna have any other requests?"
"How about the guy selling fish balls today? His fish balls are so delicious, I think I could eat them for a long, long time..." Hearing Fumizuki / Wen Yue's words, Kanna immediately seized the opportunity. Mainly, the fish balls Jiejie made were indeed very tasty. Just thinking of the taste of those hand-pounded fish balls made her involuntarily drool... Fumizuki / Wen Yue stroked Kanna's head, "That young man selling fish balls, huh? I can send someone to ask him later to see if he's interested. If he's willing, he can naturally go to Rhodes Island as an official dispatch. But little Kanna, don't you want to stay in Lungmen? There are so, so many delicious things here..."
Fumizuki / Wen Yue had learned some information about Kanna through intelligence. Although Kal'tsit kept Kanna's information very tightly guarded, she still had some indirect understanding from others. Combined with her incredibly large weapon and appetite, Fumizuki / Wen Yue was certain she was no ordinary person, and her genuinely childlike appearance made her feel very fond of her, hence the thought of keeping her.
"Lungmen is a good place, with so many, many delicious things, but Rhodes Island is Kanna's home. Kanna's good friends and grandma are all on Rhodes Island, Kanna won't leave them..."
Kanna could guess one or two things about Fumizuki / Wen Yue's intentions, so she had already prepared her excuses.
"Home, huh..." Hearing Kanna's answer, Fumizuki / Wen Yue thought of the Higashi and couldn't help but feel a little emotional. Ever since she came to Lungmen with Wei Yenwu / Wei Yanwu, she had never been able to return to her hometown. If Shirayuki didn't send her a flower arrangement from the Higashi every year, she would have almost forgotten what her hometown looked like.
"Indeed, although fledglings will eventually leave the nest, when they are young, the warmth and safety that home provides are unparalleled anywhere else." Fumizuki / Wen Yue stroked Kanna's head, growing fonder of her, but she wouldn't try to keep her any longer.
After being put into the police car, Rope observed the direction the vehicle was heading. As a thief, she prided herself on knowing every street in the slums like the back of her hand, so she immediately realized the car wasn't going to the police station.
"Hey, hey, hey! I'm just a thief, you wouldn't execute me just for stealing, would you? Isn't Lungmen a law-abiding city...?" The car was heading north, which led Rope to believe they were taking her to some execution ground to deal with her directly, causing her to panic.
"Quiet down! You little girl, you've hit the jackpot this time..." A tall woman in the passenger seat leaned over.
"Sister Hoshiguma..." Seeing the green hair, the long horn on her forehead, and her exaggerated height, which made her look somewhat fierce, Rope actually relaxed.
Hoshiguma used to be involved in the underworld. If the Rat King was the sky in the eyes of ordinary Infected like them in the slums, then Hoshiguma was an angel. Many Infected children who committed crimes, including her, would receive her care after being caught and taken to the police station. Even her familiarity with Chen was a result of Hoshiguma acting as an intermediary.
"Sister Hoshiguma, can you tell us where we're going...?" Knowing she wouldn't die, Rope poked her head out and asked curiously.
"Do you know Rhodes Island?" Hoshiguma asked.
"I don't know..." Rope looked bewildered. What was Rhodes Island? An island? Was her punishment to be exiled to an island?
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