The *York City Economic Daily* once conducted a public survey asking: When running into an acquaintance on the street, what topic do you usually pick as an icebreaker?
The top-voted topic was: the weather.
That was because residents of York City spent one-fifth of the year thanking the gods for gracing them with such fine weather, while the remaining four-fifths was filled with blasphemy against the gods.
Today it was raining again, and pouring heavily.
Leon walked into the office clutching a stack of documents and saw Richard standing by the window, gazing out at the veil of rain, looking rather forlorn from behind.
Leon found this quite strange, for in his past and present impressions, Richard had always been a very cheerful person—perhaps even excessively so.
Setting the documents on the desk, Leon took the initiative to ask, "What is it? Feeling down?"
To Leon's mind, rainy days certainly tended to make one sentimental.
Richard shook his head and replied, "I'm worried about the drainage on Red Leaf Street. Whenever it pours, the streets there always get flooded."
"Red Leaf Street?" Leon searched his memory but had no recollection of the name. "What kind of place is Red Leaf Street?"
"A place where you can wash away your fatigue and purify your soul."
"Sounds pretty mysterious." Leon rubbed his neck. "Speaking of which, how long have the captain and the others been on leave? I haven't even seen the director these past few days."
Richard turned around, walked over to the desk, sorted the documents, and filed them in order of their labels into the office filing cabinet.
"They're probably busy with some other business."
"Busy with other business?"
Leon frowned slightly. As a newcomer, he felt a strong sense of crisis about such things. After all, what newcomers feared most was being sidelined and failing to fit in—even if he was the Chief Bishop's grandson.
In any other department, he would certainly receive special treatment, but in this squad, he hardly ranked. After all, they had the former High Priest's student and the young master of the Benda family. What was more, this squad had just brought down a Bishop—no, brought down an entire Bishop's family.
Hearing Richard say this, Leon asked cautiously, "Then why didn't you go?"
"I'm probably too weak, and besides, I don't belong to that circle," Richard explained.
"Circle? A circle within our squad?"
"Yeah."
"Um, could you elaborate?"
Richard slid the last file into the cabinet, shut the drawer, and clapped the dust off his hands. "How about I tell you over lunch tomorrow? It's time to clock out."
"It's still early. How about I treat you to a cup of coffee?"
"I'm heading to Red Leaf Street."
"Then I'll come along. I'd like to check out that place you mentioned."
At those words, Richard beamed.
His smile was so enthusiastic that Leon felt thoroughly baffled.
Although there hadn't been any major cases lately, there were countless minor cases requiring procedural paperwork, so the department had been swamped. Otherwise, Richard would have long since taken Leon out to experience the true local flavor of York City. Now that Leon had offered to tag along of his own accord, nothing could be better.
"All right, let's go. We'll take my car."
"Okay."
The two went into the locker room, changed out of their clerical robes into casual clothes, and headed to the parking lot.
Sliding into the passenger seat, Leon looked over the seat and interior decorations and asked, "Did you borrow your mother's car?"
"It's a new car I just bought."
"Why does it feel a bit feminine to me?"
"Yeah, that's right. I bought it to teach Philomena how to drive, so it's basically a gift for her. Normally, I take a cab to and from work. But with the foul weather today and having you along, I drove it."
"Oh, I see. I've noticed you and Philomena are quite close."
"Haha, I think so too. She's a bit introverted. Whenever no one's around to smooth things over or draw attention away from her, she feels very uncomfortable. So my job is to make sure she stays comfortable."
"Make sure she stays comfortable?"
"She's the second-strongest combatant in our squad. Karen is the first, and she's the second. So keeping her comfortable is very important."
"I understand. Your role is very important." Leon spoke without the slightest hint of sarcasm or teasing; he was dead serious.
After all, he was a member of the squad as well, and his previous experience was entirely in clerical work. Though his strength and talent were decent, everyone else in this squad had either passed the York City selection or the final selection... While he hadn't even cleared the York City selection, leaving him looking rather inadequate.
Therefore, since he would surely be deploying on missions with the squad frequently in the future, he naturally hoped that their squad's number two powerhouse would stay in high spirits.
Richard sighed. "Sigh. Now that she's away, I actually feel pretty lonely."
"Have you fallen for her?"
"Fallen for her? I doubt it. I just enjoy the feeling of being needed. You know, the greatest pressure in this squad isn't the work, but feeling like you're completely useless."
Leon: "..."
"I don't mean you, don't get me wrong. You're very useful."
"Thank you for the comfort."
"I'm serious. For certain problems, all you need to do is go home, cling to your grandfather's arm, act a little cute, and everything gets resolved effortlessly."
"I know that very well, but could you please not be so blunt about it?"
"Family background is just another part of your capability. What's there to be embarrassed about? Just own it! Karen often uses Vick and Muri's backgrounds to put pressure on outsiders, too."
"All right, all right. You were going to explain that whole 'circle' thing to me."
"Oh, the original circles were actually quite simple. Back when Karen first founded this squad, it was divided into three cliques: the York City locals and the out-of-towners from other districts. Memphis and I got in through the back door, so we belonged to the acquaintances clique. Alfred counts as part of the acquaintances clique too, really.
"That dynamic still applies even now.
"Look at Vick. After he joined, Blanche and Mars naturally gravitated toward him, because they're all out-of-towners.
"And when you joined, didn't you end up closer to us? Because we're locals—or what you might call the acquaintances clique.
"However, later on, I noticed a new faction emerging."
"A new faction?"
"Yes. The previous cliques were formed naturally among the members under Karen. The boundaries weren't particularly clear-cut; it was mostly just people gravitating together out of habit during meals or walks. But this new faction radiates outward with Karen as its center."
"Radiates from Captain Karen himself? He's drawing faction lines within his own squad?"
"Yeah. You can think of it as his inner circle."
"Why would he do that?" Having once served as the head of a small office himself, Leon was utterly bewildered by this conduct, which seemed so detrimental to unity.
"I'm not sure about that, but that's really how it is. Alfred was the earliest member of the inner circle, followed by Ventura and Muri."
"Ventura and Muri? That includes both a local and an out-of-towner."
"Exactly. I could clearly sense that after a certain point, Ventura and Muri's attitudes toward Karen completely shifted.
"This time, I feel like Philomena might have become part of the inner circle too. I mean 'might,' but look at who went on leave with Karen this time: aside from Muri and Ventura, it was Philomena."
"Then how does one get into the inner circle?"
"Hard to say. But it's probably tied to loyalty and competence."
Richard chatted as he drove. Traffic was sluggish in the rain, so even though they had gotten off work early, it was already dusk by the time they arrived at Red Leaf Street. The heavy rain had also ceased.
As they entered this street lined with pastry shops, Leon finally understood what Richard meant by a place that "purified the soul."
It wasn't that he was naive about such things. While he had a strict upbringing, with his status and position he certainly never lacked opportunities for that sort of indulgence. By the same token, however, he would never stoop to patronizing a pastry shop.
Taking a deep breath and letting it out, Leon tried his best to keep his expression from looking too stiff.
"I love coming here at this time of day. Look at the pastry shops along the road—their signs, their lights, the people behind the glass doors. Everything gives off such a cozy, intriguing, hazy ambiance.
"Don't you think?"
"Right, right, sure."
"Walking down this street is like strolling through a scenic resort. The scenery here isn't one bit inferior to any resort. Ah..." Richard drew a deep breath. "The people are the most beautiful scenery of all."
"Let me treat you to tea. There's far better scenery over there."
"Tea? No, I love this place. I'm captivated by its charm."
"Your tastes are truly bizarre."
"Oh! I just remembered, I think today is my dad's birthday."
Leon wished for nothing more than to get away immediately, so upon hearing this, he quickly urged, "Then shouldn't you hurry home to celebrate your father's birthday?"
Richard shook his head. "Friends come first!"
Leon: "I think your father is much more important. Of course, I'm touched you'd say that—after all, we're the acquaintances clique, aren't we?"
"Ever since my dad came to the tribunal for that televised trial, he vanished off to who-knows-where again. He definitely isn't home right now, so going back wouldn't let me celebrate his birthday anyway. I'd rather treat you to some pastries, hehe."
Richard pulled over to the curb and motioned for Leon to get out with him.
Leon frowned and hesitated, but in the end followed Richard out. He didn't mind spending money at entertainment venues with Richard, but he strongly recoiled at frequenting such a low-end joint.
Both sides of Red Leaf Street were lined with pastry shops. There was a drop between the storefronts and the road, requiring steps to descend.
Thus, when walking or driving past outside, one had a commanding view peering down into the interiors.
Inside, there was usually a small pastry display case containing a few pieces of moldy pastries, alongside several long sofas where mature women sat.
The bolder ones wore short skirts and crossed their legs, exposing swathes of snow-white skin with just enough hidden to tease curious eyes;
The more dignified ones dressed relatively formally in cheap bank teller uniforms, wearing eyeglass frames and holding a book;
The gentler, homemaker types wore comfortable domestic clothes without showing skin, knitting sweaters with needle and yarn.
With an entire street of pastry shops, whenever one shop came up with a creative gimmick, the others immediately followed suit, effectively spurring vigorous competition.
Richard pushed open a shop door beneath a signboard that read "Ava Pastry Shop."
Karen had been here before; Ms. Annie, who was involved in the Qihe case that Karen had investigated with Mr. Pavaro, used to work here.
"Well, look who's here—Young Master Aisen! When it was raining earlier, I was just wondering if you'd come help us clear the drains."
"And who is this?"
Two mature women strolled over, greeting Richard warmly.
"He's my friend."
"All right, leave him to me, then."
A plump woman in her forties took Leon's arm of her own accord. She wore a long floral dress and smelled of cheap perfume. Though somewhat overpowering, combined with her natural scent, it created a distinctive atmosphere.
Leon had never experienced anything like this. It was like someone accustomed to fine dining being captivated for the first time by the aroma of barbecue from a night-market stall.
"Come, sir, follow me. You may call me Deanna."
"Go on," Richard nudged Leon.
Though Leon still felt some resistance in his heart, his feet honestly followed Deanna into a small cubicle in the back.
The cubicle could only accommodate a single bed; there wasn't even room for a nightstand on the side, so one had been nailed to the foot of the bed instead.
Deanna gently had Leon sit on the edge of the bed, placed both hands on his shoulders, and asked, "Would you like the same service as Young Master Aisen?"
"Young Master Aisen?"
"The gentleman who brought you in."
"Oh, sure. The same service, then."
"Very well."
Deanna eased Leon back onto the bed, letting him lie down.
Leon let out a long breath. The cramped quarters, the dim lighting, the slightly damp air, and a pillow that wasn't pristinely white or clean...
Normally, he would never set foot in a place like this. He was the Chief Bishop's grandson, the future hope of his family!
Yet right now, he suddenly found that the atmosphere was just right to make his heart race. His lips felt a bit dry, and staring at Deanna, he actually felt a twinge of anticipation for what would happen next.
To Leon's surprise, however, Deanna didn't strip off her clothes. Instead, she gently climbed onto the bed, lay down beside him, and reached out both arms to cradle his head softly.
Leon felt a wave of softness and embracing warmth against his face, but after that, there were no further moves.
*Does she want me to take the initiative?*
At that moment, Deanna spoke: "I can feel how stressed you are. You seem to be carrying quite a heavy burden."
Leon froze for a moment, not answering.
"No need to speak. Just lie here quietly. I'm right here with you. Let's close our eyes and take a little nap, and forget all those burdens and worries."
Leon suddenly grasped what Richard's signature service was. That fellow genuinely came here to decompress and purify his soul!
The woman's hands gently kneaded the back of his head and neck. At this moment, Leon sensed a gentle, maternal aura radiating from her.
Untainted by lust, devoid of filth, it calmed the turmoil in his heart as well.
Leon noticed that this was a spell technique. This woman was a believer, and she was using her power to massage and soothe him.
Yet Leon didn't feel tense in the slightest, because the woman was weak—terribly, terribly weak.
Furthermore, compared to the spell technique she was employing, the soothing presence of the woman herself was what mattered most.
"Let's switch positions," Leon said.
"Of course. What kind of position would you like?"
Leon turned to lie flat on his back and extended his left arm. Catching his drift, the woman immediately rested her head on his arm, lightly caressing his cheek with one hand.
"Ever since I was very little, my grandfather always told me that he placed great hopes in me..."
...
Ronise and Lisa both pressed their ears against the partition, listening intently to the sounds two rooms over. Their posture left Richard, who sat behind them on the bed, with a view of two plump, ripe peaches.
However, Richard didn't even look up to admire them. Instead, he deftly pulled a deck of playing cards from the shelf by the head of the bed and focused on shuffling them.
Ronise stood up and chuckled. "It seems Young Master Aisen's friend shares the exact same habit as you, Young Master Aisen."
Lisa laughed. "I think Deanna was probably hoping for a real, heated clash instead."
"Play cards," Richard urged.
"All right, I'll go slice some fruit."
Lisa stepped out first and instructed the sisters outside, "Today is Young Master Aisen's birthday. Go let everyone know."
"Should we notify the other shops too?"
"Of course! He belongs to the whole street—he's everyone's Young Master Aisen."
"Understood."
After giving her orders, Lisa walked back into the cubicle. Ronise had already climbed onto the bed to deal the cards with Richard.
Lisa said to Ronise, "Ronise, sit cross-legged, or you'll flash everything right in front of Young Master Aisen."
"Yeah, Sister Ronise, you'll distract me from playing cards like that," Richard teased with a grin.
Ronise tucked her legs beneath her.
Richard had initially arrived on this street with the reputation of a 'fat pig' ripe for the picking;
but gradually, everyone realized he was different. They became far more inclined to treat him as a friend. And because the ladies in the pastry shops were generally older, they all ended up treating Richard like a younger brother, or even a son.
Lisa sat down on the bed as well. With three people squeezed onto the small single bed, it was rather cramped.
Richard played a card and said, "A female colleague of mine went on a business trip recently, and I've been feeling a bit down."
Lisa immediately asked, "Young Master Aisen, does that female colleague of yours know you like coming here?"
"I think so. Why?"
Lisa sighed ruefully. "Then you're in trouble."
Ronise piped up at once, "What's the harm if she knows? Our Young Master Aisen only ever comes here to chat with us—he's never done anything else! The whole street can testify for Young Master Aisen."
Lisa slapped her forehead. "Don't, absolutely don't! That would make it even worse!"
...
Mr. Aisen had watched Richard and Leon get into the car and drive away from headquarters.
"Heh, so he remembered today is my birthday after all, and brought a friend home to celebrate with me."
Mr. Aisen let out a long breath, tidied up the blueprint designs for the prison formation in his hands, stood up, and walked out of the office. He, too, was clocking out.
On the drive home, a smile tugged at the corners of his lips from time to time.
In the past, he had hated celebrations centered around him, but this time, he genuinely wanted to spend a nice birthday with his family.
However, when he pulled up in front of his house, Richard's car was nowhere to be seen.
He touched his ring, shifting from Memphis back to his true appearance, and walked inside. He saw his wife in the living room setting up candles:
"Darling, you're back! Happy birthday!"
"Where's Richard?"
"He hasn't come home. Our son is probably working overtime today."
"No, he's not. I called and checked; he got off work early. I'll go look for him."
"I'll go with you," Mrs. Kaixi offered politely, fully expecting to be turned down.
Mr. Aisen hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "All right."
This caught Mrs. Kaixi off guard. She immediately said with a flutter of excitement, "Okay, let me go change into something else."
"No need," Mr. Aisen stopped her rather stiffly, then added, "You look nice."
Mrs. Kaixi smiled and nodded. "Then let's go fetch our son home."
She didn't dare insist on dressing up, afraid her husband might change his mind.
Sitting in her husband's passenger seat and watching him drive, Mrs. Kaixi murmured, "Aisen, how long has it been since you drove me anywhere?"
Mr. Aisen was still not quite accustomed to being alone with his wife, especially in such an enclosed space. Of course, it was no longer repulsion, but rather the bashful awkwardness reminiscent of when they had first met and started dating.
Mrs. Kaixi felt the same way. Their relationship as husband and wife had effectively been on hold for many years.
"In the future... I'll try to do it more."
"All right, darling." Mrs. Kaixi placed a hand on Mr. Aisen's thigh and patted it gently.
Mr. Aisen blushed.
"Hehehe." Mrs. Kaixi couldn't help but cover her mouth and giggle.
"Fold a black crow."
"Okay."
Mrs. Kaixi promptly produced a sheet of black spell paper, folded it into an origami crow, and released it out the car window to lead the way.
Guided by the black crow, Mr. Aisen drove for a while before turning into Red Leaf Street. Once on the street, the crow began to circle above; evidently, Richard was nearby, and it was pinpointing his exact location.
"A place like this?" Mrs. Kaixi frowned. "Outrageous! On his own father's birthday, instead of coming home, he sneaks off to a place like this!"
Clearly, as a mother, she was furious.
"He needs to be disciplined," Mr. Aisen said.
Although he had always been well aware of his son's peculiar hobby, today he was exceptionally incensed.
"Once we drag him back, teach him a good lesson, darling," Mrs. Kaixi added. "Don't hold back, and don't be soft on him. A lost lamb needs a proper thrashing—it's your duty as a father!"
Mr. Aisen nodded and replied out of habit, "You too."
Mrs. Kaixi misunderstood her husband's words. Startled for a fraction of a second, she immediately agreed, "All right, I'll discipline him together with you. He's crossed the line this time."
The car came to a stop.
Just as Mr. and Mrs. Aisen prepared to get out of the car, the women working in the pastry shops on both sides stepped out of their shops, walked up the steps, and lined the street, calling out in unison with boundless enthusiasm:
"Happy birthday to our beloved Young Master Aisen!"
Mrs. Kaixi: "..."
Mr. Aisen: "..."
Chapter 561