chen

If I had the time, I would love to continue our conversation, but I'm still on a mission for the L.G.D., so please...

Oh, you can't go just yet.

And why not...?

Hui-chieh, you know my history with Wei Yenwu, so I'll call you Hui-chieh.

Normally, an explosion of that size would not have knocked you out.

Do you know why you fainted?

Because... there was too much going on in my mind. I couldn't react in time.

That's part of it, but there's another reason...

Do you know you're Infected?

I'm sorry I couldn't protect you, Ch'en.

My crystals blocked most of it, but some shrapnel got through. I'm guessing some of it hit you... am I right? Let's take it quick. You might still make it out of this.

That's when it happened.

No wonder I haven't been able to exert much strength lately.

It was both the physiological changes brought on by Oripathy and your burnout. You've long been a ticking time bomb. All the explosion did was trigger that bomb along with it.

I'm an Infected.

I'm an Infected?

I've already sent someone to help the L.G.D. and inform them what happened. You needn't worry.

We don't get the chance often. Come take a walk with an old man, Hui-chieh.

Alright...

Miss Ch'en!

Ah Lam? Oh... School's out already, isn't it?

Yep!

Have you been keeping up in school?

Yep! You told me to study hard, and I listened!

Good girl.

I'm taking my brother to lunch now. Come visit us next time. I'll tell you all about the things I learned.

Sure.

You've been paying for the education of some two dozen children with your own salary.

You even spend time offering them guidance and wisdom after work.

Most are outstanding kids, much thanks to you.

It's what I should do.

Hui-chieh, if it wasn't for everything you've done in the slums the past two years, I wouldn't have come see you, and you would never have met the Rat King.

You can walk with me today because you're pushing the new Infected housing plan. Because you're moving the L.G.D. into the slums, to assimilate them into Lungmen.

Not because you're Wei Yenwu's niece, or because he taught you how to wield Chi Xiao, much less because you graduated from the Victorian Royal Guard Academy.

No matter what Wei Yenwu thinks, I'll tell you this. You've done well.

Thank you.

Superintendent Ch'en, what are you doing here, chumming it up with the Rat King?

She's just taking a walk with an old man.

Oh, I see...

Right, Superintendent Ch'en. The Oripathy suppressant you gave me last time really feels like it's working. I felt much better the last time I had a flare up.

That's good. I...

Don't tell me you'll bring me more. There's no way I can repay you.

I probably won't ever be able to repay you for the ones you've already brought me.

I'll just ration them.

I...

Oh, Superintendent Ch'en, I heard the housing plan didn't pass. Don't let it get to you. I figured it was an uphill battle from the beginning.

A lot of people in the slums think it's all just a crowd-pleasing trick. They think you promoted a cause you knew was never going to happen just to earn yourself some fame. I don't think so, though.

You helped me. I know you're doing this because you truly care for us, and I know it must really weigh on you.

I heard the L.G.D. was moving into the slums today. I wanted to tell you this, and I figured I'd maybe run into you. I didn't actually expect to see you here, though.

Thanks.

Don't thank me. I'm the one who should thank you.

I gotta head to the construction site for work. I'll see you later.

Take care of yourself.

There are plenty of Infected who accepted your kindness.

Their lives are a little better than the other Infected, but there's a limit to how much better things can be.

Which is why I want to change something about all this, on a fundamental level.

Hui-chieh, Lungmen is a great city, don't you think?

Compared to some other places I know, it's a decent place.

But I wouldn't call it a great place.

Because you think it could be even better.

And I feel the same when I look at you.

But there is only one Ch'en Hui-chieh.

You want to convince me.

What is there for me to convince? The road ahead is yours to choose yourself.

That said, your road isn't Lungmen's or the L.G.D.'s. It's not Yenwu's either.

You have those who believe that you, Ch'en Hui-chieh, are a kindhearted person that treats the Infected well. But how are you going to make them believe in the daughter of the Schwire family?

I have had some dealings with Hoshiguma, and I can't even vouch for her, much less the officers who work for you.

You say you want fundamental change, but that is not something you can accomplish on your own.

How will you persuade others to believe what you represent? How will you make them believe that what you represent has the strength you believe it does, Hui-chieh?

This way.

Superintendent Ch'en!

Ah Faat?!

I... I'm sorry, Superintendent Ch'en.

This is all my fault.

No, it's not.

I'm glad you're alright. I wouldn't know how to face Madame Oni.

Same goes for you.

But really, Superintendent Ch'en, everything I said to you, I meant every word.

The L.G.D. shouldn't have come. You're not going to accomplish anything.

It's still too early to shine a light on the slums.

Rat King, what's the meaning of this?

It's very simple.

No matter the case, he helped the Anchors, and it got you hurt.

You don't know it, but he's connected to several gangs here.

Take him with you, and you will actually learn quite a lot from him.

But I cannot allow the L.G.D. to take one of my boys before my very eyes.

Otherwise, how would I ever be able to face my friends?

That's why you must make a decision now, Hui-chieh.

If you take Ah Faat with you, then we never took this walk together today.

You are free to continue your life as an upstanding citizen.

If you don't take Ah Faat, you can leave the L.G.D. and come work for me.

You might remember my daughter, Yüshia. She could use someone her age, someone she can get along with, someone to help her out. I'm sure she'd be happy to see you too.

Lin Yühsia... I'm not so sure about that.

You needn't worry. I'll sort things out with Yenwu.

Are you... recruiting me?

Will Yenwu let an Infected stay in the L.G.D.?

You don't have many options, Hui-chieh.

I'm an Infected.

I understand the Infected predicament well enough.

It's time to give up.