Chapter 368

“Wait! Your wallet? Was the person who lost their wallet yesterday you?”

“…”

Crap… I was so preoccupied thinking about the Aquarius Director’s intentions that I forgot about this…

“This… I can explain.”

Looking at Leon, whose gaze went from surprise to suspicion, then showed a look of recollection, and finally had an epiphany, the Red-haired Bureau Director awkwardly cleared her throat and tried to make up for it: “Actually…”

“Actually, you really did get drunk and lost your wallet, then felt embarrassed to tell me directly, so you tricked me into helping you find it, but in reality, nothing was found, and all of this was just a coincidence?”

“…”

Not… How did you figure it out so quickly? Did someone tell you something?

“It wasn’t entirely a coincidence.”

Looking at Leon with an unfriendly expression, the Red-haired Bureau Director’s cheeks turned red for once, feeling a bit guilty as she gestured:

“I did vaguely sense something was off… um… not much, but there was definitely a little bit.”

“…”

So it really is like Black Goat guessed!!

Looking at the Red-haired Bureau Director’s “a little bit” gesture, Leon couldn’t help but frown, but considering how good she’s been to him in the past, he managed to hold back from blowing up and instead said sternly with a dark face:

“Director, shouldn’t you drink less in the future?”

“I… I’ll try…”

You’re trying my patience! Seeing the Red-haired Bureau Director’s somewhat evasive eyes, realizing her promise probably won’t last more than a week, Leon couldn’t help but sigh but didn’t say anything more.

After all, the Red-haired Bureau Director’s situation is rather special. She needs to occasionally numb herself with alcohol to temporarily escape the guilt brought by [Slaughter Blood Hair]. If we force her to quit drinking completely, it would be a form of torture for her.

“Never mind, if you want to drink, drink.”

Shaking his head helplessly, Leon didn’t continue pursuing the matter of her deceiving him to find the wallet, instead gently advised:

“But don’t end up like last time, where you got so drunk you didn’t even notice your wallet being taken. You should always keep some caution. Otherwise, if someone takes advantage of the opportunity, it could be dangerous.”

“???”

Looking at Leon, who was clearly upset but didn’t dwell on it and let it slide, the Red-haired Bureau Director’s heart suddenly clenched, unable to help but hiss:

“Hiss… Leon… Are you okay?”

????

What are you talking about? What’s wrong with me?

“What I mean is, aren’t you mad?”

The Red-haired Bureau Director blinked and said:

“If Emma were here, knowing I caused trouble due to drinking and deceived her into running errands for me, she’d likely be angry for a long time and force me to pay her back or something… Aren’t you mad?”

“Of course I’m mad, but not that mad.”

Looking at her beautiful red hair, Leon slightly shook his head and said:

“Emma Senior and I are different. She might know about [Slaughter Blood Hair], but she probably doesn’t understand how much pain using it causes. I’ve touched your hair; I know what using this anomalous item entails.

No one is born with the obligation to bear these things, so if you want to drink, drink. But when there’s potential danger, remember to be mindful and don’t give others a chance to hurt you. After all, the entire Virgo Subdivision still relies on you. You must stay safe.”

“…”

After hearing Leon’s response, the Red-haired Bureau Director fell silent for a moment, then sniffed hard, holding her hands to her heart, full of gratitude: “Oh, you’re truly… You’ve moved me to tears!

It’s the first time someone has been so considerate of me, always thinking for me. Not only do you not blame me for deceiving you, but you actually try to find reasons within yourself… Sob sob sob, I almost wanted to offer myself to you because I was so moved.

By the way, Little Leon, since you support me, I carefully reconsidered and realized five Golden Wheels aren’t quite enough. So… Can you take out that wallet and lend me five more Golden Wheels?”

“…”

“NO!”

When Leon heard the first part, he was a bit embarrassed, but after hearing the latter half, he couldn’t help but turn black-faced and said: “I’ve changed my mind. If you keep drinking like this, sooner or later you’ll get into trouble! Also, if you don’t object, I’m taking the [Loan Interest Bag] with me. Keeping it here is purely wasteful… I’m off work!”

“Go ahead, go ahead! Stingy man!”

Smiling as she watched Leon leave, the Red-haired Bureau Director sat alone at her desk for a while, then got up and opened the office window, leaning against the windowsill, looking outside.

And at the point where her gaze landed, a miserly young man who refused to lend money had just left the Public Security Bureau’s area and waved to a carriage waiting by the roadside.

Watching Leon negotiate with the carriage driver, agree on a price, board the carriage, and leave towards the direction of the gangplank street, the bright-eyed Red-haired Bureau Director shrugged her nose and then turned around, picked up the bottle of wine on the table, and took a big gulp.

“You little brat, still trying to act cool in front of me? Hmph!”

…

“Alright! Let me off here!”

Calculating the mileage from the Public Security Bureau to home, stopping just before the meter clicks, Leon tapped on the carriage window and loudly said amidst the boiler’s rumbling sound: “Stop here! I’ll walk the remaining half street myself! If you drive any further, the extra distance is on you, I won’t pay extra!”

Tsk… People working in the municipal district shouldn’t haggle, right? How come there are ones like you? Hearing Leon’s words, the carriage driver tsked and then glumly controlled the steam carriage to pull over by the side of the road.

“Here you go, exact change.”

Handing over the money he had calculated beforehand, Leon successfully saved a copper wheel and happily got off the carriage, walking toward Happiness Apartment under the moonlight.

“Old sir, still haven’t rested?”

Greeting the burly old man in the garden who was wielding a large pair of scissors and staring at him with wide eyes, waiting until the curly-haired old lady arrived and bound him with yarn, Leon, in a good mood, chatted with the Administrator Matron for a bit, then cheerfully went upstairs.

Home is still the best place.

Handling task reports in the morning, gathering rebels to destroy evidence of the attack on the boarding tower in the afternoon, and overtime finding the wallet in the evening, Leon stretched his tired body after a busy day, relaxed, and walked toward the house named “home.”

And the moment he stepped onto the sixth floor, the door, as usual, promptly opened, revealing the familiar warm light and a pretty face smiling at him.

“Anna, I’m ho—why is it you?”

“Look what you’re saying, why can’t it be me?”

Pulling the collar of her silk robe up a bit to cover the overly stunning scenery in front, Princess Veronica smiled sweetly and said:

“Dear~ you’re home from work. Do you want to take a bath first? Or eat dinner first? Or maybe…”

(End of Chapter)