Chapter 490: A Century of Cultivation for a Shared Boat Ride, Ten Years

【Bronze-level hidden badge "Connection" activated. You have received resource support from within the organization. After fulfilling the provider's conditions, you may claim the resource.】

???

Upon hearing the notification in his ear, Li Ang, who was holding a broom and a shopping bag and waiting at the intersection of the municipal district for a ride to visit Lyne's home, paused slightly.

Damn, no wonder it's a hidden badge—how long has it been since I got it? Already secured me some resource support.

Even though I still need to fulfill some conditions to claim it, since it's from the Cleanup Bureau, it's almost certainly related to anomalous objects—maybe even an actual anomalous object.

According to Senior Emma, the Bureau averages three missions and three to four months of work to acquire just one anomalous object, and even then, it's not guaranteed to be usable.

Compared to that, if the resource turns out to be an anomalous object and the conditions aren't too harsh, this exchange is downright advantageous!

……

"Duuu!!"

Just as Li Ang hesitated whether to go back and ask what this resource support actually was, a sharp whistle pierced the air—and four powerful, towering horses pulled a massive carriage slowly toward the platform.

Forget it—the carriage's here. Besides, I don't even know how long it'll take to meet the conditions, and the investigation into Lyne's home has already dragged on too long. I'll deal with the resource after I get back.

Having made his decision, Li Ang stepped forward. When the carriage door settled firmly at the boarding area, he ducked inside the twenty-seat carriage and took a seat near the back.

Compared to the front rows near the carriage door, the rear seats are closer to the boiler behind—and far noisier, making them a torment in summer.

But now, with winter just days away and Li Ang's coat old and insufficiently warm, it was undoubtedly the most comfortable spot.

Yet just as Li Ang leaned back contentedly, savoring the pleasant warmth against his back, he heard hurried footsteps and a familiar, anxious shout from outside the carriage.

"Wait! We're getting on too!"

No way—could I really be this unlucky?

Recognizing the voice, Li Ang's face darkened. He instinctively shrank back, hesitating whether to get off right now.

But in that single second, the voice's owner had sprinted from the rear of the carriage to the door, leapt forward with powerful legs, and stepped directly inside—it was the female police officer from the Secret Investigation Bureau.

"What the hell are you doing? Want to die?"

The carriage had already begun to pull away from the platform. Though still within a single step's reach, it was still dangerous. The ticket-selling auntie, furious at the woman's reckless move without a uniform, shouted:

"If you don't want to live, go crash into another carriage! Don't endanger mine!"

"Oh! Sorry! So sorry!"

The female officer exhaled in relief, then quickly apologized with an embarrassed expression and explained:

"We're in a hurry—this bus only comes once every hour. I was afraid you'd leave without us, so I ran hard. I promise it won't happen again… uh… could you pull the carriage back a bit? There are others behind us…"

"Hmph. Kids these days—clumsy and reckless… Pull back a bit!"

After muttering a few more complaints, seeing the woman still apologizing, the ticket-selling auntie didn't press her. She called out to the driver to stop again and let the other two people on.

But when the trio—two women and one man—stepped into the carriage, stood up, and turned toward the rear, the ticket-selling auntie blocked them with her hand and snapped:

"Only two seats left. One of you get off!"

What?

Hearing her, all three froze. After a moment's hesitation, the female officer spoke up:

"Let them sit. I'll stand in the aisle…"

"Are you messing with me?"

Cutting her off, the auntie slammed her hand hard against the sign nailed to the carriage wall. "This is a four-horse express! No standing allowed!"

"But—"

"But what? Pretty girl like you, why do you keep talking nonsense?"

The ticket-selling auntie, impatient, continued shooing them:

"Let me say it again—this is an express! There are no handrails for standing passengers!

If we have to brake suddenly on the road, you'll fly from the back row straight to the front and lose your face scraping along the floor!

So get moving! One of you three get off! This trip's already late—if we don't leave now, I'll be late again!"

Seems it's really not possible… What now?

Hearing the auntie's words, the man in the trio immediately glanced at the female officer with a questioning look.

Should we wait for the next one? Or wait for one of the Bureau's official vehicles?

The female officer instantly understood her colleague's meaning and shook her head firmly.

The next bus is over an hour away, and this is the municipal district—private cabs rarely come here. If we miss the agreed visit time, getting another appointment with Lyne's family will be impossible.

"You get off."

Giving her colleague a look, the female officer placed a hand on the third person's shoulder and said seriously:

"Don't worry. It's against regulations to have one less officer, but I'm here."

"Alright then."

Remembering her past "glorious record," the male officer figured she could handle escorting a frail female prisoner alone. After a brief hesitation, he nodded.

He handed her something, then stepped off the carriage. The female officer, with a "friendly" arm around the pale-faced woman's shoulder, half-pushed her toward the rear of the carriage.

……

Just as the ticket-selling auntie said, this four-horse express was full—only two empty seats remained, both in the very back row, near the noisy boiler.

On the five seats of the back row, the right side held a whispering young couple; the left side held a young man wrapped in an old coat, his head covered, snoring against the carriage wall.

Should I… ask someone to switch seats?

Looking at the prisoner she held, the female officer hesitated. She didn't mind the noise of the back row—she worried the restrained prisoner might attack someone. She wanted to move the prisoner to a seat against the wall.

Though the prisoner had been compliant since arrest, now there was only one officer. What if she tried to escape? Even if she could subdue her instantly, injury would be bad.

"Excuse me, sir—"

"Hey, you two women in the back—what are you doing?"

The auntie, unable to wait any longer for departure, shouted:

"Sit down already! Or get off! Don't waste my time with your nonsense!"

The female officer flinched, then quickly dragged the prisoner into a seat before the auntie could throw them off.

"Duuu!!"

Amid the piercing whistle and neighing horses, the steam carriage pulled away from the platform and accelerated. The boiler and water tank behind began screeching. The female officer tapped the man wrapped in the coat and asked politely, softly:

"Sir, excuse me—could you please switch seats with my friend?"

(End of Chapter)