chen

I'll repeat again, so listen up. 'My wish is to join the L.G.D., and from there, I'll join the Special Inspection Unit.'

I will protect this city, and I'll clean this place up. There won't be another incident like that.

...But we are ready to make headways in the slums. There's also that housing plan for the Infected, ready to be launched. Wouldn't you say we're in a better shape than before?

We are more than ready to treat all the Infected fairly and equally. We will give everyone in Lungmen a fair treatment regardless of whether they are Infected or not, because they are all people of Lungmen!

Sure, we may be ready, but is Lungmen ready? Are the masses ready? Will the Chamber of Commerce vote for it? What do you think will happen if I tell the L.G.D. that I'm Infected?

Nine, you knew right from the start that I was never going to succeed.

And so, why help me?

Ch'en... Superintendent Ch'en...

Well, what a surprise. I sure didn't expect to find Superintendent Ch'en, our department's proud workaholic, faffing about here.

Swire, you should be standing by on the outskirts of the slums.

I'm just about done there. It's why I'm here to give you a holler.

What happened to using comms? Pretty sure you get a decent signal in the slums.

I wanted to see you cry your heart out with my own eyes.

What do you mean?

Stop trying to hide it, Ch'en Hui-chieh. Nine was your cheerleader. You always counted on her having your back, and the new Infected housing plan was the one thing weighing on your mind all this year.

And now, Nine's resigned, and the bill didn't pass. What do you think I mean?

She's not my cheerleader.

And I suppose neither is Chief Wei, hm?

You were a fresh face with an empty file, barely on the job for two years before breaking the record for fastest promotion to the Special Inspection Unit. And then you became the strongest proponent of the new Infected housing plan.

Looks like you hold a real grudge against me for beating you on the entrance exams. Seems the princess of the Schwire family doesn't have much patience.

Hmph, I admit my skills are no match for yours.

I certainly didn't expect that, outside the L.G.D., the first time I heard someone mention your name would be at a party, though.

Miss Ch'en Hui-chieh, do you know why?

It was that bill.

They said that it was like you thought you had free rein to do whatever you wanted because both Chief Wei and Nine had your back.

Then they clinked their glasses, self-satisfyingly joked about how full of yourself you are, and went off on their merry way.

I'm full of myself...

Right, that's what they thought of all the hard work you poured into this. They didn't even mention you again.

And if you're still planning on faffing about here, let me tell you that the other thing you've been planning for so long—sending the L.G.D. into the slums—won't ever happen.

We have several squads ready, but Nine is gone. You're the leader now, and everyone is waiting on you.

Everyone is waiting on me.

But what if I am wrong?

I don't need you to tell me what to do.

I should certainly hope not.

Missy, how come you didn't tell her about the part where you walked up and threw your wine in their faces?

I'm not here to console her or talk about our common enemy. I'm here to laugh in her face.

And she's the one in charge of today's operation. Am I supposed to lead this thing for her, if she can't get her arse moving?

You don't think she did anything wrong, though, am I right?

Since I was little, I've seen a lot of people try to put on an act for my grandfather, like they're trying to accomplish something big.

Most of them were phony, though. All in it for the money.

He must be very insightful, then.

I have no idea how insightful he is, but it's thanks to him that I can tell when someone's putting on a show.

So what about Ch'en?

Her?

Completely clueless.

Haha, can't deny that.

Let's go. We've got lots to do today.

Superintendent Ch'en, the establishment of L.G.D. offices in the slums marks a big day.

Could you share how you're feeling right now?

No.

Out of the way.

Hey, no pushing!

Oops, no idea where that one came from.

Didn't I say to keep the reporters away?

We tried, Superintendent Ch'en, but the L.G.D. setting up shop in the slums is a big deal. There's no way to keep all the flies out.

They're all waiting for us to embarrass ourselves.

Uh... I'm not saying there's anything wrong with the plan. It's just, Nine quit all of a sudden, and you are one of the proponents of the Infected housing plan. Things are going to get intense.

The Infected housing plan, the L.G.D. moving into the slums. They're the talk of the town.

Like the hottest new toys in the shops.

Let them take their pictures.

Get in formation.

Here!

The slums have always been a sore spot for the L.G.D.

The slums are run by criminals, the slums are home to the Infected, and the slums are outside the law... The slums are a problem for Lungmen.

I know that a lot of you don't understand why we're here.

But I must say this. Those of us who live in the urban districts must take some responsibility for how things turned out.

It's because we've never treated the slums as a part of Lungmen.

From this day forward, we will show the people here, by way of our actions, that they are part of Lungmen, and Lungmen will treat them as equals.

Is that understood?

Understood!

I can hear them gossip amongst themselves.

They are hesitating.

Is it because my conviction is not firm enough?

Everything aside, I don't know whether we see the slum dwellers as equals, but there are certain people out there who definitely treat us as equals.

Wherever we are and whatever it is we're doing, trouble will always find us.

And since today's our grand opening in the slums, you know those friends of ours who don't see eye to eye with us? We'll definitely get a surprise gift from them.

No need to think too much about it, folks. If they come, we'll take care of them.

And I'll take you all out to dinner when we're done.

What are we eating?

Whatever they serve at the dai pai dongs.

Ugh...

If you guys can convince Ch'en to pitch in, we might go a little more upscale. Am I right, Ch'en?

Superintendent Ch'en, what do you say?

Sure.

Haha, that's what I'm talking about.

Who is it?

Superintendent Ch'en. Your boy Ah Faat is here with us. If you don't want anything to happen to him, come alone.

Where?

Such a quick response. I should've expected no less from you, Superintendent Ch'en.

Make your way to the location you just received. If we do not see you there in half an hour, I'm afraid Ah Faat won't make it out of this alive.

Understood.

What's the matter, Ch'en?

Trouble just found us.

Need me to come with you?

No. I can deal with them myself. You have command here.

Alright.

Everyone, it's time to clean up.

Yessir!

I'm here. Alone. No one else's coming.

Superintendent Ch'en...