northernbook Chapter 348 A Rejected Visit
Chapter 348 A Rejected Visit
After the dinner, Zhu Yuan and Qingyi returned to the police station, while Kiana went back to Sixth Street with the brother and sister.
"I think you all remember now."
Inside the video store, Kiana leaned against the wall and asked with a relaxed expression, while the brother and sister opposite her nodded.
“Those two were the sheriffs who arrived at the scene after receiving your request for support, Miss Kiana.” Zhe nodded. “However, at the time, we were disguised as ordinary Bombs and saw them through Ies’s eyes, so they didn’t know that there were other people present besides Shirai Heavy Industries and the members of the Anti-Air Section 6.”
"Thank goodness, when I saw Zhu Yuan this afternoon, I almost let it slip. Luckily, my brother reacted quickly and covered it up," Ling said with lingering fear.
"Since we might meet again soon, Rin, just to be on the safe side, let's double-check Ies's visual recordings from back then. But before that, Miss Kiana, may I ask why you followed us here?"
"Emm, it's nothing, just a reminder that if you can help Zhu Yuan and the others recently, please do so."
"There's no need to come all this way just to tell them, is there? Now that we've gotten to know them and become friends, we'll naturally help if we can."
"What if I were to say it's about emptiness?"
"Empty? The police department should have its own supplies, right? Besides, we're rope craftsmen, and they're police officers. Isn't it a bit inappropriate to have a rope craftsman help a police officer?"
"We don't necessarily need you to help us with this. I know Zhu Yuan's personality. She really would impulsively chase after a prisoner into the cave just because there's a criminal in front of her."
"What if there are no radishes?"
"Yes, without radishes."
Hearing this, Tetsuya sighed heavily.
"Kiana, surely no one in this world would be so foolish as to enter the Void without a radish, right?"
"I can't say for sure, after all, that's Zhu Yuan. How about we make a bet?"
"What bet?"
"Let's bet that if Zhu Yuan comes here to promote something in a few days and encounters a criminal suspect, she'll just rush into the cave and arrest him without a second thought."
"Putting aside the fact that I have absolutely no reason to make this bet with you, besides, judging from your tone, why do you sound so certain that an incident will happen on Sixth Street in a few days?"
"I already said it was a hypothetical situation. As a condition, if I lose, I'll help you out to a limited extent once. How about it? Interested?"
"What if we lose?"
"Want to try your luck with a bet?"
"No, I'm just curious what conditions you'll offer as a wager."
"It's nothing. If you lose, you'll have to do me a favor. Don't worry, I won't make things difficult for you."
“To be honest, the offer is quite tempting, but I refuse,” Zhe said.
"Hey, why?"
"Because you sounded too certain, and besides, I don't like gambling, so I refuse."
"Ok."
"But can you tell us exactly what will happen on that day?"
"Okay, but let me make it clear that what I'm about to say is all speculation, and I can't guarantee anything," Kiana cautioned. "Actually, he's the culprit who almost caused Rin's car accident."
Upon hearing this, Zhe's eyes instantly sharpened.
"Can you tell me more specifically?"
"In short, there have been several cases of electronic devices malfunctioning in the past few days. On-site investigations suggest that these electronic devices have been subjected to an unknown EMP attack. The car accident that Ling experienced this afternoon was later confirmed to be an intelligent vehicle equipped with autonomous driving capabilities, and traces of an EMP attack were also found on the electronic components inside the car."
"So you suspect that this car accident was also caused by that criminal?"
“That’s right.” Kiana nodded. “Because this criminal always chooses crowded places to commit the crimes, and because most of the victims are just passersby whose mobile phones and other electronic devices are affected, the police department has not been able to find any useful clues. So they asked the Anti-Air Section Six to see if they could use the Anti-Air Section Six’s authority to access surveillance footage that police officers normally do not have the authority to access.”
"So, besides handing over the follow-up of Bai Zhi Heavy Industry, you came to the Public Security Bureau today for this reason as well?" Zhe asked.
"I guess so. As for why I said there would be a case on Sixth Street in a few days, it's because the surveillance footage showed that the person suspected of being the perpetrator was loitering around Sixth Street."
"But we can't guarantee it will be in a few days, can we?"
“That’s right, that’s why I’m betting with you. But I can’t guarantee that the criminal will commit the crime in a few days. He might activate EMP and commit a crime at any moment.”
Zhe sighed after hearing this.
"How are you? Do you regret not agreeing to my bet?" Kiana laughed.
"No, I was just thinking that there was a dangerous individual with an EMP wielding lurking around Sixth Street, and I was considering whether to take some protective measures for H.D.D., but I can't come up with any EMP protection in the short term."
"I think you don't need to worry about that."
"why?"
"Because Bronya had already taken the necessary precautions."
"real or fake?"
“Master, I can assure you that what she said is true.”
At this moment, Fairy's icon appears on the home screen, and at the same time, Ai-chan, who has been missing for a long time, also appears on the home screen.
“That’s right. After all, this host is my Ai-chan’s residence. Boss Bronya has already made all the necessary preparations. So, Boss, you don’t need to worry about these things.”
"Ai-chan, it's been a long time! Are you settling in well here?" Kiana greeted her.
"Isn't this Kiana, boss? I didn't expect to see you here." For some reason, Ai-chan's tone sounded a little nervous. Ever since she saw Kiana, she had started to act like she wanted to please someone.
"Alright, stop with that fawning face." Kiana waved her hand impatiently, then turned to Tetsuya and said, "Tetsuya, if you find out that Ai-chan is hiding something from you, don't be soft-hearted, because it's definitely her stealing electricity!"
Upon hearing this, Rin immediately looked at Ai-chan, whose face was full of guilt.
"Ai-chan, Kiana isn't telling the truth, is she?"
"Of course! How could I possibly steal electricity? Besides, what would an AI like me do with electricity? It's useless anyway!" Ai-chan said, sweating profusely.
“It’s not useless,” Fairy retorted. “AI can convert electricity stolen into computing power and start earning virtual currency. Just now, Ai-chan earned a lot of virtual currency again.”
"Ai-chan!" Rin said, barely suppressing her anger, "Do you have any explanation to give?!"
"Um, um, I'm sorry!"
On the screen, Ai-chan loudly apologized by bowing deeply. In the end, Ai-chan used all her earnings to pay for the extra electricity she had used, and Kiana took the opportunity to say goodbye to the two of them.
A few days later, Zhu Yuan and Qingyi arrived at Liufen Street as promised to start their promotion, but they encountered setbacks everywhere they went.
After interviewing almost none of the residents of Sixth Street, Ling and Zhe appeared in front of the two of them, returned their questionnaires to them, and said that they would attend the lecture that day.
Seeing Zhu Yuan and her brother's distressed expressions, Qingyi immediately offered to help. She then introduced them to several residents whose addresses they didn't know, and fortunately, they recognized these people and readily agreed to help.
Even though Tetsu and Rin had asked around without getting any results, and with only the brother and sister, Jop, left, they decided to give it a try and went to his shop.
"Zhe, Ling. You're here." As soon as they entered, Master Qiao greeted them. "I heard from the customers that you came to see me earlier, apparently to help those two girls from the police station distribute questionnaires."
“Master Jop, so you already knew,” Ling said.
"Haha, the advantage of having a shop on the street is that you're very well-informed," Master Jop laughed. "Anyway, please tell the sheriff later that I have something to do that day and can't participate in the event."
“Just as I expected…” Zhe said in a knowing tone, “Actually, I had a feeling after I arrived that Master Qiaopu probably wouldn’t agree either. But when I tell Zhu Yuan and the others the result later, it will be a little difficult to say it.”
"Oh? So you're saying you've run into trouble with other people too?"
“We just went to see Asha and Old Man Spike, but they both declined. This morning, Master Timman and Uncle Enzo also made excuses, saying they had things to do that day,” Zhe said slowly.
“I always felt that everyone’s attitude when they refused was a bit strange, as if the Public Security Bureau’s safety awareness campaign wasn’t as simple as we thought,” Ling said.
“Yes, you’re right.” Master Jop then asked, “Rin, Tetsuya, do you know this person whose picture is on the cover of the questionnaire?”
“It must be Commander Bollinger,” Zhe replied. “He also initiated this police operation.”
"Have you heard of the [Hero Who Conquered the Hollow] in the Sheriff's Department during the Elidu era?" Master Jop asked.
“Master Jop, from what you’re saying… Commander Bollinger is this [Hero Who Conquered the Void], right?” Zhe asked rhetorically.
“That’s right,” Master Jop affirmed. “Back when the old capital hadn’t fallen yet, Blinger happened to be the deputy director of the district office where I lived. He probably rose through the ranks from the front lines, because even as deputy director, he was always active on the front lines and got along very well with the residents. Everyone liked him.”
Zhe and Ling listened attentively as Master Qiaopu recounted the past.
"During a rescue operation, he went missing in the cave, but just when everyone thought he had perished there, he miraculously survived. Thus, the title of 'Hero Who Conquered the Cave' spread, and soon after, Bollinger was transferred to the Janus Security Bureau, where he rose through the ranks in the following years."
"That sounds like a wonderful story," Ling commented.
"That's how it should have been, but unfortunately everyone says that this [hero who conquered the void] has had his courage drained by the void. Although Bollinger still considers himself diligent, we long-time residents can see that he's just putting on a show for the cameras. Moreover, in recent years, he has clearly become closer and closer to TOPS. Many of the measures he has implemented in the Sheriff's Department, under the guise of benefiting the residents, have ultimately benefited those big corporations."
As he spoke, Master Jop's tone became indignant.
"In this municipal election, he's vying for the position of Chief Justice of the Janus District. He's launching a safety awareness campaign at this time, and even printed his image on the questionnaire. I don't need to explain his purpose, right?"
"It seems that Commander Bollinger is using this opportunity to promote his own election campaign," Zhe said.
"Hmph! That's right... The Public Security Bureau's safety awareness campaign is a good thing, but once I see what Bollinger is up to behind the scenes, I just can't participate calmly."
Now they finally understood why the residents of Sixth Street were making such excuses. Zhe and Ling hadn't expected there to be such a story behind it all.
Although they really wanted to help Zhu Yuan and her companion, they didn't want to force their neighbors. So, after thanking Master Qiaopu, Zhe took Ling and went to look for Zhu Yuan and her companion.
Hearing the three people decline from Zhe's words, Zhu Yuan couldn't help but sigh. They had just run all over the entire Sixth Street, but fewer than ten people were willing to attend the lecture, which was quite discouraging for Zhu Yuan.
Seeing this, Qingyi calmly comforted her, "Zhu Yuan, as the ancients said, 'Do your best and leave the rest to fate.' Since things have come to this, you should drink some hot water and rest."
“Senior, you make it sound so easy. You should know that the conference hall where the lecture is being held can accommodate 300 people. If things continue as they are, we probably won’t even be half full on the day,” Zhu Yuan said worriedly.
"The reason why Commander Bollinger chose this location for the event was probably because he thought there were many residents nearby, making it easier to recruit participants," Qingyi speculated. "But coincidentally, many of these residents come from the Commander's previous jurisdiction, and they have quite a few complaints about him."
"Ugh……"
“I was just wondering why you were so downcast today, since you never sighed even when faced with the most difficult tasks in the past. I almost forgot. Commander Bollinger is your benefactor,” said the woman in blue. “You feel worse seeing him being criticized than failing the mission.”
"Hmm... If it weren't for Commander Bollinger saving me in the cave back then, I probably wouldn't even be alive today, let alone become a sheriff. Senior, I know that the commander's reputation has declined a lot in recent years, but someone who would give his anti-corrosion equipment to a child can't be a bad person, right?"
"That's hard to say," Kiana interrupted Zhu Yuan. "You can know a person's face but not their heart. How can you assume that Bollinger's original intentions haven't changed over the years?"