Chapter 35

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Chapter 35: Want To Come Take A Shower?

“Officer Chen, I thought you wouldn’t call me again until you’d handled that mess from six years ago. I didn’t expect you’d give me another laugh today. Sending that many people to protect a minor underground boss—if your team is that idle, maybe have them learn some real skills instead. Like how to make cameras that can’t be destroyed by physical force? I’ve donated enough money for you to install pinhole cameras on every street corner in the Federation, yet I’ve practically forgotten what cameras are even for.”

In the office of Meiqiantu Academy, the Chairwoman held her phone in one hand while typing out messages to her daughter—who hadn’t replied in ages—with the other.

Unlike her previous messages, which were full of maternal concern like a hardworking mother worrying about her daughter having too much fun and not eating enough while far from home, this time she was scolding. Scolding her daughter for attending such a dangerous charity event.

No matter how much she loved her daughter, a mother’s authority couldn’t be allowed to fade.

But her daughter didn’t seem to take her worries seriously—only replying with a curt “None of your business” before going silent.

This rebellious attitude only deepened the Chairwoman’s irritation at the man on the other end of the line.

“You mean the gas explosion at the charity gala that endangered your daughter, and the man with a pica fetish who choked to death on a bottle? Even the cameras didn’t catch how he ate that thing—probably another space-ability user from the Avengers of Justice,” 

Officer Chen said, feigning sudden realization as he added,

“Oh right—sorry, Mrs. Lasvedo. You’re also upset because your daughter was temporarily detained and questioned. That’s definitely our fault. We never imagined such a distinguished young lady would attend a charity gala where a hitman could show up at any moment. Even my grandma, before removing her dentures, still reminded my son to stay away from idiots who make enemies everywhere in Fanzui City.”

That last jab struck a nerve. The Chairwoman had no idea why her daughter would go to such a place. Yes, she was rebellious—but that was all she was. What reason did she have to rebel this much?

“If only you spent half as much brain power on catching criminals—like those escaped convicts—instead of making smartass remarks.” She pinched the phone between her ear and shoulder and began rolling the beaded bracelet on her wrist like prayer beads—one of those rituals that helped calm her nerves.

At her words, Officer Chen fell silent.

She continued, “If you were truly competent, there wouldn’t be any Aiboge, and no Avengers of Justice. I’ll make one final donation to your department. I only have one daughter. If anything happens to her…”

“I understand.” The moment she mentioned donating money, Officer Chen’s tone shifted.

“Don’t make me lose faith in you. Since six years ago, we’ve been holding back and staying rational, not blaming you.” With that, she hung up without waiting for a reply.

She set the phone down and stared at the chat window on her computer—her daughter still hadn’t responded. Her fingers moved faster and faster along the beads until the string finally snapped from the force.

“If there’s nothing else, I’ll head back.” Lu Mingxue, who had been assisting with the interrogation, excused herself.

Dear god—what had she just done? She had clearly seen who the killer was, and still told the police, “No problem.” Now, not only did the police believe the spatial ability user was some elusive genius, but even the arrested Avengers of Justice members were inspired: With someone that talented in our ranks, the future is bright!

That was aiding and abetting. Lu Mingxue, do you even know what you’ve done? You’re basically an accomplice! What would the victim think if he knew? Granted, he did abandon his wife and kids, withheld workers’ pay, was suspected of sex, drugs, and gambling, tried to cover up a construction fatality, denied employee sick leave, and juggled multiple women at once…

Alright, maybe he deserved it.

But if she had pointed out the killer at the time, would that girl have snapped in embarrassment and punched them all into pulp with the strength she used to fight an LV4?

And those people… what were they even thinking about during the interrogation? Who cares that you planned a threesome when you got home—ugh!

Maybe she should have reported Mi Xiaoliu…

Lu Mingxue looked out the window, remembering the last time she reported someone. She still didn’t know what counted as the “right” thing to do.

She had only secured this iron rice bowl of a job because of her powers—not because of any exceptional moral fiber. Deep down, she knew she wasn’t cut out for this work.

As if in sync with her terrible mood, heavy rain started to pour again. The forecast hadn’t mentioned anything like this, and she hadn’t brought an umbrella. In this season, the endless rain was downright exhausting.

“I’ll drive you home,” offered a colleague several years older than her.

“Okay.”

It wasn’t a police car. If she always rode in one, even an idiot would figure out she worked for Foboler (The federal special force). Although many classmates had probably guessed it from her ability anyway.

She said goodbye outside the building, turned on her phone flashlight, and quickly headed toward the elevator.

The lights on the first floor had been broken for over half a year. The property management had been brushing it off the whole time. Once night fell, she hated going through there. Part of it was fear of ghosts. Part of it was because well, this was Fanzui City.

The dark corridor, the cold damp air, and the wind howling through cracked windows all combined to create an eerie, haunted atmosphere.

With nerves on edge, she kept glancing back, just like in a first-person shooter game, feeling as though something was following her.

Even knowing she had constant protection didn’t quell her primal fear.

Reason, emotion, instinct, impulse—these are what make a person whole. Not some inflexible personality template.

So when she turns the corner and suddenly shines her flashlight on a man in black (figure in black), she nearly loses it—like last time, almost at the cost of a clean pair of pants.

Especially when she realized who it was—the very person she’d been both afraid of and grateful to these past few days. Who wouldn’t panic?

Lu Mingxue’s first thought upon seeing her was: She’s finally here to silence me.

She wasn’t wearing her usual long black coat that covered everything. Gone too was the sweet-girl disguise. Instead, she wore a cheap fabric top and a pair of noisy striped sweatpants—and didn’t even glance at Lu Mingxue.

She was squatting in the corner by the elevator, silently watching the downpour outside the glass doors.

She looked soaked. Miserable.

She’d remembered Heli’s warning not to catch a cold and had taken shelter in the nearest building as soon as the rain started.

After being scolded by Wei Shi for so long, the return of Hayato had at least helped redirect some of that anger. The Hermit Sister had quickly pushed her out and told her to hurry home.

Then the rain started.

Lu Mingxue walked calmly to the elevator and pressed the button—right above Mi Xiaoliu’s head.

No reaction. Seemed like she really was just hiding from the rain.

It wasn’t obvious, but out of the corner of her eye, Lu Mingxue could see the girl trembling from the cold.

The elevator opened. Lu Mingxue stepped in with a sense of relief.

Mi Xiaoliu didn’t follow—but she had finally noticed Lu Mingxue and was staring at her intently, making her deeply uncomfortable.

What? Why look so pitiful while keeping a deadpan face?

After a brief hesitation, Lu Mingxue held the elevator door button, stepped out, and looked at her classmate, who was three years younger.

“…Wanna come to my place and take a shower first?”