chen

Ah Ah Faat, is it just you here?

Deoi m zyu, Ch'en.

You sold me out, huh?

The dai lo of the Anchors told me to hide here and blow you up. If I don't, they'll kill my mother.

They know you're the one who cares the most about this L.G.D. in the slums thing, and that it'll all fall apart once they take you out.

You'll lose your hand before you can press the button.

Don't do anything stupid.

I don't have the remote, and even if you kill me, the guys outside will set the bombs off. You're the one who shouldn't do anything stupid, Ch'en.

Why you...

Don't blame me.

I've known you were good ever since Madame Oni introduced us. Some of the other guys in the slums know it too, but most don't.

You knew the triad bosses here wouldn't just sit by and let the L.G.D. waltz into their territory.

What you don't know, though, is that even the normal folks who live here don't believe the L.G.D. is moving into the slums for any good reason.

They think they're here to take our last bit of freedom away.

Am I moving too fast?

I didn't mean...

I know that isn't what you had in mind.

But they don't.

Please, I'm begging you, Superintendent Ch'en.

You're a good person. I don't want anything to happen to you.

Send a message out, and tell the ah sirs outside to pack up and never come back.

Bringing the L.G.D. into the slums isn't going to do any of us any good.

Even if you make it through today, you won't make it through tomorrow.

You know how ruthless the dai los are. The methods they'll use to chase out the L.G.D. will turn your stomach!

Did you think... I'd just say 'okay'?

Will I say 'okay'?

Should I?

Do I... want to?

I followed Madame Oni for so long. I just want to turn over a new leaf myself, Superintendent!

Don't force my hand.

Am I forcing him?

Or is he forcing me?

An explosion? I didn't...

Get down!

Gah, is it the Anchors?!

Watch out, Ch'en. It's the...

Ch'en? Ch'ennn!

Nine, is everything I'm doing here actually meaningless?

Am I just a joke to you?

She's still breathing. She's just unconscious.

She probably got hurt shielding me. What should I do? What am I supposed to tell Madame Oni if something happens to Superintendent Ch'en...?

What's to tell? You're both dying here.

You... You're with the Anchors... Didn't we agree I'd do this myself?!

The dai lo doesn't trust you. That's why we're here.

Didn't we agree to blow her up the moment she steps inside? What are you doing here, having a nice little chat with her, hm?

Ch'en isn't that gullible. I was trying to lure her somewhere I knew she'd get caught in the explosion.

Is that so? Then how come she's lying on the ground, right after I pressed the button without a second thought?

Go, see if she's dead yet.

Alright.

Not so fast, Lee Bo-faat. Don't forget, we've got your mother.

I...

She just passed out.

She's not dead? Whatever, take her back and let the dai lo deal with her.

Okay...

Who is it?! Who dares step up against the Anchors?!

Well, I have to hand it to you people. You've got some nerve, trying to rub out an L.G.D. Special Inspection Unit officer in broad daylight.

I wonder if people might talk about the Rat King keeping his own men in check, if word about this got out.

Miss Lin! Th-This isn't what it looks like. Our boss's just inviting Superintendent Ch'en over for tea.

Then let Brother Sam know that the Rat King is inviting Superintendent Ch'en to tea as well. If Brother Sam wants her company, he needs to go through the Rat King first.

Well...

I don't mind wiping the floor with the lot of you and telling him myself, either.

Okay, okay, we get it! She's all yours!

Let's go!

Miss Lin...

Your mother is fine. Don't worry.

Thank you!

But Superintendent Ch'en...

You don't need to worry about her. I'm actually bringing her to see the Rat King. That said...

What a pathetic sight, Ch'en Hui-chieh.

So you're going back to become a cop?

A cop?

Wow. I always thought you had the look of a girl who could give a good beating to a hooligan. I've got a gift!

You're getting ahead of yourself. But the police...

That's not a bad idea.

It'd probably be a great place to pick up clues about what happened back then, and what's happening now... I wouldn't have to rely on my old schemer of an uncle.

Back in Victoria, I studied a lot. I got the highest marks in every single subject. I barely had any fun at all.

I didn't want to rely on him.

But am I relying on him, after all?

How did she...?

*Sigh*... This, too, is fate. I've informed Wei Yenwu already.

Dad, this is nothing but trouble. Are you sure you want to bring her under your protection?

Even if she wasn't Yenwu's niece, I would've done the same. Consider what she's been doing for the slums the past couple years.

She doesn't know what she's doing. She thinks this will make things better.

She's certainly not going to turn them worse. In fact, things could actually improve.

I would've been much smarter about it.

But could you honestly do any better?

Now go. You've stuck your hands in this. Might as well lend one to the L.G.D.

And go knock some sense into Ah Sam.

I will.

Err...

Where am I...?

Uncle Lin?!

Don't be so surprised. I sent you help, after all.

Where's Ah Faat?!

He's fine, and so is his mother.

Thank you.

The L.G.D.'s moving into the slums. I suppose you won't blame me for not interfering?

I understand your position. I'm actually very thankful that you've stepped back.

Hohoh. Lungmenites all say Ch'en Hui-chieh is a stubborn one. The way I see it, you just don't want to bend to them.

Thank you for the compliment.