Chapter 45

45 Don’t Lower Your Head, Your Integrity Will Fall

“That’s right!”

After shoving a thick stack of task files marked “Completed” back into the drawer, the red-haired director smiled warmly and explained to Leon, who looked utterly exasperated:

“I’m not deliberately pushing you! Our bureau has always operated on the consensus that tasks go to those whose abilities match them.

For example, Emma has immortality—so her assignments often involve physical destruction but rarely touch spiritual entities or ghosts. Take that monstrous beast reported from the Adolf Estate—it’s one she’ll be handling.

You, however, can obtain information about anomalous objects through touch, still have that dead sheep in your possession, and can see the state of others’ souls, directly judging whether they’re lying. With these two abilities, you’re practically born for investigation work! If not you, then who?”

“...”

That’s true...

After considering his current abilities, Leon nodded in reluctant agreement.

Compared to that blood rain from the sky or a five-meter beast, investigation tasks were definitely the most suitable for him—and even if the family reunion failed, he could still retreat safely...

Right?

Recalling how the Black Goat had reacted when it discovered the heart’s location, Leon hesitated, then spoke with concern:

“Director, I’m not refusing the investigation task—but if that [Heart] is like the [Opposite Corner], able to sense other components, and has already taken control of the Ryan family, I fear I’ll be ambushed and might not escape.”

“Don’t worry, I’ve considered that too.”

After sizing up Leon’s frame, the red-haired director hesitated, pursed her lips, then reached back, grabbed the end of her hair, and pulled out several bright red strands, offering them to him.

“This, combined with the Witch’s Broom, should be enough to protect you in most situations. But... don’t touch it yet!”

With a slight flick of her slender wrist, she dodged Leon’s outstretched hand and warned him seriously:

“It protects you automatically, requires no stamina or energy from you—but before I give it to you, you must swear to me: absolutely! Absolutely! Absolutely! Do not touch it with your hands!”

“...”

Don’t touch it with hands... meaning she doesn’t want me to learn its information?

“Never mind, forget I said that...”

Seeing Leon’s confused expression, the red-haired director seemed to regret it, quickly snatched

"Emma's task is almost done; just wait a few days in the bureau until she returns. Then I’ll have her take you on this investigation. Her bandages and these few strands of my hair work the same—they’ll protect you just as well."

"…"

Hearing he’d still need Senior Emma to protect him, Li Ang’s expression twitched slightly. A flicker of male pride surged in his chest, and he immediately extended his right hand.

"Then just give it to me—I promise I won’t touch it with my hands… uh…"

Embarrassed by the Red-haired Bureau Chief’s look of disbelief, Li Ang quickly pulled up his sleeve with his left hand, revealing his wrist.

"You’ve misunderstood. When I reached out, I didn’t mean for you to place the hair in my palm—I’d prefer it tied directly around my wrist."

"The wrist isn’t safe enough. You might accidentally brush against it."

After shaking her head and rejecting his proposal, the Red-haired Bureau Chief stepped closer, then hooked her fingers around the back of Li Ang’s neck and pulled him slightly toward her.

"Lower your head a bit. I’ll tie the hair directly around your neck."

"Uh… okay…"

Seeing a pair of full curves now dangerously close to his nose, Li Ang felt his ears warm slightly.

He quickly shut his eyes, bent his back slightly, and stiffened his neck, waiting for the Red-haired Bureau Chief to tie the hair—yet…

"Lower your head more. I can’t reach."

Hearing the soft, sultry voice beside his ear, Li Ang felt his heartbeat surge. Blood rushed uncontrollably to his ears; he could almost hear the rush of heat flooding through them.

Lower… if I go any lower, I’ll be burying myself in it!

True, he’d sneak-glanced just before entering the building—but that was a tiny accident, an almost instinctive flicker of his gaze, immediately followed by polite withdrawal.

But if I now obey her request and bury my face right in there, I’ll be confirmed as a lecher—no river in the world could wash that clean.

Unconsciously clenching his fist, Li Ang awkwardly reminded her:

"This… I’m afraid lowering my head isn’t very convenient. Could you maybe stand on your toes?"

"What do you mean, stand on my toes?!"

Impatient, the Red-haired Bureau Chief urged sharply:

"It’s simple—you just bend down! Why should I stand on my toes? Move already!"

"…"

Though he’d never intended to take advantage, he’d already warned her this far… Fine, I’ll warn her once more!

To make her understand that lowering his head was no longer appropriate, Li Ang, eyes still closed, took a deep breath and forcefully exhaled through his nose.

"Ah!"

Accompanied by a light, indignant sigh, Li Ang didn’t hear her step back—instead, he heard the Red-haired Bureau Chief complain again:

"Why are you blowing on my chest? Stop fooling around—lower your head! I’ve got plenty to do!"

"…"

Oh no…

"Yes, that’s right—lower your head!"

Watching Li Ang, eyes shut and expression resigned, bow his head, the Red-haired Bureau Chief smiled warmly and nodded—then immediately urged again:

"Did you lower your head even a millimeter? Move a little more!"

"…"

"Hmm, lower a bit more—still not enough!"

"…"

"Lower more! Lower!"

"…"

Lower still? I’m already bowing at ninety degrees! Even a Pekingese standing on its hind legs would reach by now!

There’s no point in lowering further—he’s clearly just teasing me…

Utterly speechless, Li Ang finally opened his eyes. Sure enough, what met his gaze wasn’t that or that—but the slightly worn wooden floor of the Bureau Chief’s office.

As for the Red-haired Bureau Chief who had just been before him, she had already returned to her desk, sipping hot water slowly, still smiling and calling out, "Lower more! Lower!"

"…"

"Aww, don’t be upset~"

Seeing Li Ang’s darkening expression, the Red-haired Bureau Chief set down her cup, leaned back in her chair, and smiled sweetly:

"You hid the sheep heart from me, then sneak-glanced when I was exposed—and I didn’t get angry. Now I’ve just teased you a little. Don’t you dare be upset."

"…"

Extending her index finger, she traced a circle in the air, using her hair to tie a neat, delicate bow around Li Ang’s neck, then smiled and warned:

"You kept your eyes closed this long, never peeked once—even when you had an excuse, you resisted taking advantage of me. Now I believe you’ll keep your promise."

Remember this! The hair tied around your neck is equivalent to my chest. If you accidentally glance twice, I won’t be angry—but if you dare touch it with your hand… don’t blame me for losing my temper!"