Check out my new Fanfiction! Space Marine in New Eridu

***

A few minutes later—

A Public Security sedan pulled up to the mouth of a narrow alley off Lumina Square.

Thud-thud-thud!

Zhu Yuan flung open the car door, hopping out and half-jogging toward the signal's location.

Her cheeks were flushed from the rush, a bead of sweat tracing down her perfect jawline before slipping into the neckline of her uniform. Her chest rose and fell with quick, shallow breaths.

The lingering summer heat made her look just a little disheveled from the drive over.

Qingyi, by contrast, was completely unhurried—she even took her time sipping from a thermos of hot tea as she followed.

Only a few steps in, Zhu Yuan froze mid-stride—her eyes widened in shock.

"Consultant Jane… is handcuffed?"

Jane sat slumped against the wall, hands clasped behind her head, wrists bound by an obviously nonstandard pair of cuffs. Her pretty face was filled with resignation—she looked less like a Public Security operative and more like one of their rehabilitated offenders.

The life-sized ice sculpture beside her, radiating cold air, almost seemed less remarkable in comparison.

"Pfft!"

Qingyi nearly choked on her tea, spraying a fine mist as her normally composed face went slack in disbelief.

With her broad experience, a single glance was enough to tell—those cuffs were definitely not standard issue.

So… if she and Zhu Yuan hadn't come when they did, what exactly would have happened here?

Oh dear—she might be over a hundred years old, but this was not a scene a "young girl" like her should be witnessing!

"Hey there," Sol greeted cheerfully, waving a hand. "Zhu Yuan, Qingyi—haven't seen you two in a few days. You're both looking even prettier than before."

One stood tall and spirited, brimming with energy; the other, petite and youthful but steady as stone. Together, they were a sight for sore eyes.

The sudden compliment flustered Zhu Yuan.

Her face turned pink, and she awkwardly replied, momentarily forgetting about poor Jane still handcuffed to the wall. "You're looking good yourself—radiant as ever."

"Not at all, not at all," Qingyi waved dismissively. "I've been so busy with Bureau work lately my logic core's practically overheating."

Seeing Sol up close again, she couldn't help feeling a little envious.

He looked relaxed, at ease, exuding a kind of unhurried confidence.

Only a freelancer like him—free of the Bureau's endless reports and late-night missions—could look that refreshed.

Not like her—born to work, serving the Bureau for over a century, destined for paperwork and night shifts.

The thought made her sigh, temporarily forgetting about the crouched, cuffed Jane in the corner.

The undercover agent seemed fine anyway. Close enough.

"You're both such dedicated officers," Sol said with a smile. "With the two of you around, New Eridu can rest easy."

He added casually, "Qingyi, didn't you say last time you owed me a cup of tea? I'm free today—why not grab a meal with me and Anby after this?"

"That sounds delightful," Qingyi nodded immediately. "I happen to have some fine Da Hong Pao tea in the car. It's been ages since I've taken a proper break."

"..."

Jane watched the three of them chatting merrily, black lines practically forming over her head.

Wait a second—weren't these two supposed to be my rescuers?

Instead, they were chatting away with Sol Mercer like old friends, leaving her—still handcuffed—to one side like forgotten luggage.

She couldn't decide whether to call Zhu Yuan and Qingyi too trusting or Sol's people skills too terrifying.

Still, it did confirm one thing—their relationship was friendly. That was valuable intel, at least.

So, she waited patiently. Eventually, someone would remember she was still wearing cuffs.

Meanwhile—

"How about hotpot?" Sol suggested casually.

"Hotpot?" Anby said seriously, nodding in approval. "An excellent idea."

She might prefer the simplicity of burgers, but the bold, communal flavor of hotpot was undeniable.

"Perfect," Qingyi agreed at once. "A good spicy broth is just what I need to wake up my tired logic core."

Zhu Yuan hesitated, torn between duty and temptation. "Senior Qingyi, is that really okay? The Bureau still has a pile of cases waiting…"

After several grueling days of nonstop work, even she—the undisputed queen of overtime—was starting to crack.

And now Sol was offering a reason to relax? Her heart was wavering.

Sol laughed brightly. "Come on, what's the harm? It's lunchtime. Surely the Bureau allows its officers to eat, right?"

Besides, he had a few things to discuss regarding the recent gang cleanup effort.

"Well… that's true," Zhu Yuan admitted with a frown.

She had to concede—he had a point. But still… wasn't she here for something else?

Against the wall, Jane tilted her head back, staring at the drifting clouds above.

Birds soared freely across the blue sky—so far removed from her current predicament.

The world forsakes me, and I shall endure its scorn… she thought melodramatically.

As the others began discussing how long to blanch tripe slices in the hotpot, Jane finally decided she'd been silent long enough.

"Officer Zhu Yuan," she said dryly, lifting her bound wrists. "Maybe we could address my situation before you all catch up over lunch?"

Her sudden interjection froze everyone mid-sentence.

Zhu Yuan and Qingyi went stiff, faces instantly flushing with embarrassment.

Zhu Yuan realized, with a pang of guilt, that she had completely forgotten why she'd come here in the first place—to clear up Jane's misunderstanding with Sol.

Ah yes. The silence that follows realization—always the worst.

She scrambled to find words, but Sol mercifully broke the tension.

"So, can you confirm she's really with Public Security?"

Zhu Yuan almost sighed in relief at the prompt. "Yes—absolutely. This is our Bureau's criminal psychology consultant."

"In that case," Sol said smoothly, "now that her identity's confirmed, may I remove the cuffs?"

Jane raised her cuffed wrists, a faintly exasperated smile curling her lips. "Please do. They've been on for quite a while now."

Her tone was noticeably lighter now—less cautious than before.

Partly because she'd seen Sol chatting amicably with Zhu Yuan and Qingyi—clearly, he wasn't her enemy.

And partly because being left handcuffed and ignored for so long had left her with a touch of irritation.

"Of course," Sol said with his usual disarming smile. "Would you like me to do the honors?"

Jane's slender tail, which had been idly swaying, stilled. Her sapphire eyes gleamed as she met his gaze, lips curving upward.

"Then I'll trouble you for it, handsome Mr. Mercer."

She could have easily unlocked the cuffs herself—with her tail, no less—but this time, she wanted him to do it.

Not because she was flirting (well… not just that).

It was a subtle test. A little mix of teasing and payback.

After all, he'd gone to the movies with that beautiful white-haired girl—and had been carrying around handcuffs and rope, of all things.

And she was supposed to believe that was completely innocent? Please.

If Sol Mercer wanted to play games, fine—she'd play too.

After all, showing off affection in front of a single, long-suffering undercover agent was practically begging for some payback.