Lungmen Guard Department Headquarters.
Inside an office somewhere.
"Old Chen, why do you look like you've been in such a good mood lately?"
The tall Oni woman leaned in curiously, studying Ch'en Hui-chieh's face—still cold as ever, yet with the faintest upward curve at the corner of her lips.
"And where did you even go yesterday? You chased a suspect and didn't come back. Then afterward you actually called me and told me to help find someone to furnish a whole apartment."
Thinking of what the installers had said about the décor style, the Oni woman's expression immediately turned strange.
When Ch'en Hui-chieh still didn't answer, she added in a drawn-out voice:
"I heard from the others that the suspect was a really beautiful silver-haired stunner?"
"Instead of letting your imagination run wild, do your job properly, Hoshiguma."
Ch'en Hui-chieh instantly went back to her usual deadpan look. She lowered her head to organize documents and pointed at the office door with one finger.
"Go get me a cup of coffee. Thanks."
"…Still ordering people around like always."
Hoshiguma scratched her head, sighed, and left to buy coffee for the little dragon woman who—somehow—was in an unusually good mood.
But as she walked down the corridor, the more she thought about it, the more she felt something was off.
Something's not right. Really not right.
That always-stone-faced Ch'en Hui-chieh was definitely hiding something.
Don't tell me she's playing "hide a lover in a golden house" and doesn't want anyone to find out?
Hoshiguma almost laughed at her own thought.
No way. She'd sooner believe the suspect would march into the Guard Department on their own than believe that frigid Ch'en Hui-chieh would play things that boldly.
"Hey, did you see the pretty guy downstairs?"
"I did! No idea who a beauty like that came to see."
Her train of thought snapped. Hearing two colleagues chattering excitedly as they passed, Hoshiguma's interest was immediately piqued.
This place was basically a pileup of women. Because the work was dangerous, hardly anyone managed to find a partner. Who had the ability to snag a real stunner?
And Hoshiguma had good relationships with most people here. She hadn't heard of anyone suddenly having a romance lately.
Now curious, she sped up and headed downstairs.
The first floor of the Guard Department was the reception lobby. Normally no one lingered there—just one male receptionist at the front desk.
But today was different.
Seeing a knot of coworkers huddled together whispering, Hoshiguma walked over and patted them on the shoulder.
"What are you all doing?"
"Oh! Officer Hoshiguma!"
One of the policewomen immediately waggled her brows and pointed toward a row of reception chairs.
"Look over there—tell me he isn't insanely gorgeous."
Hoshiguma followed her finger—and when she saw the tall figure lounging on the chair, idly playing with his tail, she couldn't help nodding.
"He really is."
That delicate face was already eye-catching. Add the unusually striking horns and tail, and the charm was downright lethal.
And the silver-black longsword at his waist… if she remembered right, that was the flagship treasure of Raythean Industries' Lungmen branch.
A rich beauty, too. No wonder her coworkers were clustering here to gawk.
"Alright, break it up. Get back to work before Officer Chen comes down and makes trouble for you."
Staring from the shadows was rude, no matter who the man was. Hoshiguma raised her voice to disperse the disappointed officers, then went to the coffee machine and poured herself a cup.
The fragrant steam rose into her face, but she felt oddly distracted—uneasy all over.
Why is he staring at me?
She stole a glance at the silver-haired man who was watching her without even trying to hide it, and unease crept into her chest.
She didn't think she knew him. Don't tell me he resented her for sending everyone away and bruising his vanity?
Thinking of those Lungmen romance dramas with spoiled, pretty men who threw tantrums, Hoshiguma started to panic a little.
Please don't be here for me. I can't deal with that kind of guy.
"Hello?"
A little coffee sloshed over the rim. Hoshiguma forced herself to smile warmly and turned around, greeting the man who had walked right up and was now looking up at her.
"Good morning. Are you looking for me?"
The silver-haired man didn't answer. Instead, he stroked his chin and examined her with obvious interest.
Hoshiguma's smile stiffened. Her fingers rubbed awkwardly against the hot paper cup.
This was weird. Most men got intimidated by her height and wouldn't come close. But this one wasn't afraid at all—he looked completely at ease, and somehow that was what made Hoshiguma nervous.
As if realizing that silently staring at someone was rude, the man finally stepped back, and only then did she breathe easier.
"Don't mind me. You just look familiar."
"My name is Chen Mo. I'm here to see Ch'en Hui-chieh."
Chen Mo looked at Hoshiguma's towering frame and couldn't help feeling a bit of envy. If he didn't count his horns, he was only a few centimeters taller than Ch'en Hui-chieh—so he deeply envied this in-game acquaintance.
If he were as tall as Hoshiguma, fewer people would dare come flirt with him.
But the moment Hoshiguma heard his purpose, she froze.
"You're here to see Old Chen?"
Silver hair. A beautiful face. And that bold, unflinching presence in front of her.
No way. He actually came right to the Guard Department?
And Old Chen—that frigid block of ice—actually… bloomed?
The shock was so strong it took Hoshiguma a while to recover. She swallowed and introduced herself, her voice a little hoarse.
"Just call me Hoshiguma."
Unlike the storm of thoughts in Hoshiguma's head, Chen Mo glanced at his panel—his experience had gone up by one—and his face lit with delight.
"Nice to meet you, Hoshiguma. Good timing—if you hadn't shown up, I don't know how long I'd have been stuck waiting."
He lifted his chin toward the front desk, and his tone carried a faint tease.
"I don't know if Chen didn't explain clearly or what, but that guy over there keeps insisting I'm a dangerous person. He says I have to wait until Chen finishes work before I'm allowed upstairs."
…To be fair, that employee wasn't wrong.
Ever since learning he was the suspect, Hoshiguma had been tense. Now that she was closer, she could feel a faint scorch-like heat in the air—her gaze hadn't left the blade at Chen Mo's waist for a second.
This man was no decorative vase. He was terrifyingly strong.
"Don't be so nervous. I'm really not a bad person."
Well… I used to be. Now I've reformed.
Chen Mo quickly took out his phone and waved the screen, showing Ch'en Hui-chieh's contact info.
"Look—now you believe me, right?"
The tension evaporated. Seeing Ch'en Hui-chieh's utterly boring avatar, Hoshiguma's nerves finally relaxed.
If Ch'en Hui-chieh had given him her contact info, then this beauty couldn't be some kind of villain.
But then, as she loosened up, Hoshiguma seemed to realize something. She smacked her lips and stared at Chen Mo from head to toe, murmuring in disbelief:
"…Unbelievable. Old Chen is really playing for keeps."
"Huh?"
-------
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