“What are you doing! Once you’ve confirmed that the monster poses no threat, you’re not allowed to use force during an arrest anymore. You’re breaking the rules!”
Faced with Qingluan’s startled exclamation, Xiaoxi just smiled.
“I didn’t use force. It was just an accident when I caught him a moment ago. In a fight, a little mishap is normal.”
As far as people like this go, Xiaoxi thought the Enforcer’s Baton and the Law Enforcement Recorder could only guarantee that one of them would have power at a time.
In fact, the Sharkman had indeed quieted down, now clutching his mouth and not daring to say another word.
“What do you mean, ‘injured in battle’? You were clearly doing it on purpose just now! I’m going to report your violation to the higher-ups! Do you even know how serious your actions are?”
Qingluan was still pressing relentlessly, the earlier irritation finally finding an outlet.
Seeing Qingluan’s triumphant expression, Xiaoxi realized this person wasn’t just a simpleton who didn’t understand her words, but was simply taking advantage of the situation.
“Qiuli is still your colleague, no matter what, right? ‘Vicious’? I don’t think it’s worse than not speaking up for your colleagues and instead siding with a criminal to mock them. Wouldn’t that be more damaging?”
“If you really want to report me, go ahead. At most, I’ll have a chat with your Minister about whose conduct is really worse.”
“You… tch, birds of a feather. Anyone who can hang around with Qiuli can’t be any good either!”
Not gaining the upper hand verbally, Qingluan threw down a parting shot, turned around, and left to return to The Association to have her wounds dressed.
Anyway, there was nothing noteworthy about an unknown magical girl like Xiaoxi—if she made an enemy, so be it.
In any case, this fool still stuck so closely to Qiuli. She probably had no idea about Qiuli’s real identity, right? Hmph, she’ll regret it once she gets ostracized!
Watching Qingluan’s hurried retreat, Qiuli came over. “Thanks, but Qingluan really is the type to report something like this, and she’s actually quite popular in the department. You really didn’t have to offend her for me.”
Qiuli was a bit surprised by Xiaoxi standing up for her. She didn’t feel she was that close to Xiaoxi, and standing up for her wasn’t exactly a good choice.
“Will my pay get docked if she reports me?”
Qiuli was stunned, but when she saw Xiaoxi’s serious expression, she realized she wasn’t joking.
Xiaoxi hadn’t joined The Association through normal training, so she genuinely didn’t know the actual rules.
“It probably won’t come to that, but you might get called in for a talk…”
“Phew, as long as my pay isn’t docked.”
Qiuli really hadn’t met a magical girl as odd as Xiaoxi… just like Song of Parting, strange but somehow not unlikeable.
Neither of them planned to leave. Normally, magical girls had to wait for the Logistics Department to arrive before withdrawing, so it was actually Qingluan who used her injury as an excuse to leave early.
The two sat on a bench along the commercial street, waiting for a while, until Xiaoxi suddenly spoke up.
“So, can I ask why you decided to work for The Association?”
Xiaoxi paused, catching Qiuli’s attention, then pointed to the Sharkman and continued.
“Actually, that guy isn’t wrong. When a monster joins The Association, they’re always stuck between both sides. I’m just curious about your reason for doing it.”
“To repay Song of Parting’s kindness, that’s all. Nothing else special.”
Xiaoxi hadn’t expected Qiuli to answer the question at all, yet she responded immediately.
Song of Parting must mean [Judgment Scales], right? What kind of reason was that, like the Snail Maiden’s debt of gratitude?
But Xiaoxi didn’t think Qiuli was lying. The cold indifference on Qiuli’s face hadn’t changed even when she was being mocked by two people earlier, but when she mentioned Song of Parting, a crack had appeared.
To repay a debt… If Qiuli wasn’t lying, could someone like her really do something as cruel as killing her benefactor?
—
At this moment, in the Rest Room of North Blossom City’s Association.
Qingluan had just finished having her wounds treated in the Medical Division and was chatting with her friends.
After being granted two days’ medical leave, and with the candy she’d gotten from Xiaoxi and Qiuli, she felt a lot less annoyed.
While Qingluan was complaining about Qiuli to her friends, her eyes happened to fall upon Ye Xinglan sitting in the Rest Room.
After confirming several times, she stopped and spoke quietly to the others.
“Look! Isn’t that the little sister Mo Lan’er introduced to everyone? It’s Ye Xinglan, right?”
Just a couple of days ago, Mo Lan’er had publicly announced this to the world, mainly to prevent Ye Xinglan from being bullied outside.
As the President of several Entertainment Conglomerates and a major collaborator with The Association, Mo Lan’er’s reputation was top-notch in both finances and influence.
Previously, because of Ye Xinglan’s identity, Mo Lan’er had to keep her hidden away like a precious treasure.
Now that Ye Xinglan had a position officially recognized by The Association, Mo Lan’er had to publicly declare their relationship—she called Ye Xinglan her little sister, and whether she really was or not, everyone would give her face.
Qingluan, who always kept tabs on the bigshots, naturally knew all about it. Mo Lan’er’s high-profile announcement made her intentions clear.
Whether or not the two were actually sisters, Qingluan didn’t care.
At the very least, Mo Lan’er really seemed to treat this little sister well. Ye Xinglan’s transfer to North Blossom City’s Association for “support” was probably just to pad her resume.
Otherwise, how else could she so openly sit in the Rest Room and play on her phone during work hours?
Qingluan instantly realized this was a great opportunity to get close, so she put on a bright smile, entered the room, and greeted her.
Ye Xinglan was in a bad mood, annoyed that Xiaoxi had gone off to fight without inviting her along, and was just scrolling through her phone to pass the time when someone suddenly spoke to her.
She was about to brush them off with a couple of words, but when she looked up and saw the injury on Qingluan’s leg, she changed her mind.
“Are you a magical girl?”
“Yes! My title is Qingluan!”
Ye Xinglan’s thoughts turned—if she’s a magical girl, then she must know Qiuli, right? Xiaoxi said she wanted to start by gathering intel, and this was the perfect chance.
Hmph, you think I’m useless just because you didn’t take me along? I’ll get the information and show you!
With that in mind, Ye Xinglan put her phone away and started chatting warmly with Qingluan.
Qingluan’s group of friends were also a little excited; after all, this was a great chance to get close to someone important.
“By the way, I heard there’s a monster called Qiuli in our department? I’m a bit curious about her. Do you know her?”
This rich young lady really wasn’t good at socializing—the topic shift was abrupt.
Hearing Qiuli’s name, Qingluan froze for a moment. She didn’t know why Ye Xinglan wanted to ask about that person, but she realized it was a great chance.
Seeing Ye Xinglan’s warm attitude, Qingluan felt they were really hitting it off. What a rare opportunity!
Not only Qiuli, but that other magical girl who had also transferred to North Blossom City’s Association like Ye Xinglan—if she could make these two look bad in the eyes of someone as influential as Ye Xinglan, would they have it any better in The Association after that?