Swire led the three girls through the mall, her sharp eyes scanning the stores as if she were on patrol. She maintained a lighthearted demeanor, aiming to ease the lingering fear on their faces. They visited a bookstore first, where Nia and Mira were instantly drawn to the colorful covers and illustrations.
"Do you like books?" Swire asked, noticing Nia flipping through a thick novel.
Nia nodded shyly. "Sometimes... I like stories about adventures."
"Good choice," Swire said, smiling. "I used to read those when I was younger."
Mira hesitated near a rack of picture books, glancing at the price tag. Elisa, standing behind her, noticed but didn't say anything. Swire, however, stepped in. "See something you like?"
Mira hesitated before shaking her head. "It's okay... I don't really need it."
Swire crouched down, meeting Mira's gaze. "Listen, you don't have to worry about the cost. Today's about making you feel better, alright? If you like it, it's yours."
Mira blinked, her big green eyes wide. After a moment of silence, she nodded and clutched the book close to her chest.
After the bookstore, Swire guided them to a clothing store, where racks of winter apparel lined the walls. The girls explored hesitantly, feeling out of place among the neatly folded sweaters and jackets.
"You'll need something warm," Swire said, pulling a fluffy coat from a rack and holding it up for Elisa to see. "What do you think?"
Elisa crossed her arms. "It's nice, but... we don't really need anything fancy."
Swire raised an eyebrow. "Fancy? This is practical. It gets cold during winter, and you'll need something reliable."
Elisa hesitated, her pride keeping her from accepting the gesture outright. Sensing this, Swire placed the coat in the basket and said, "Think of it as a gift. No strings attached, okay?"
Elisa reluctantly nodded, though her expression softened.
As they continued shopping, Swire struck up a conversation to keep the mood light. "So, you three seem like a tight group. How long have you been together?"
The girls exchanged glances before Elisa answered carefully. "A while. We stick together because it's safer that way."
Swire caught the careful wording but didn't press. "Smart. You have to look out for each other."
Mira looked up at her curiously. "Miss Swire, how do you know so much about... well, everything?"
Swire chuckled. "Well, I work for the LGD, Lungmen's finest. It's my job to keep people safe and make sure troublemakers stay in line."
"Like that man from earlier?" Nia asked softly.
Swire's expression darkened briefly. "Exactly. People like that don't deserve to go unpunished."
The girls nodded, comforted by her confidence. Mira, still curious, asked, "Were you always with the LGD?"
Swire smiled wistfully. "Not always. But I grew up here in Lungmen, so it felt natural to join. My family's been here for generations, and we're... well, let's just say we're a little famous around here."
"Famous?" Elisa asked, tilting her head.
"Yeah, but not the flashy kind," Swire clarified. "We're known for our work ethic and contributions to Lungmen. My uncle's a big deal too, though he's more into finance than law enforcement."
The girls seemed impressed, and the conversation continued with more questions about Swire's life.
As they wandered through another store, Nia suddenly said, "I wonder if Xian is done eating."
Swire paused mid-step, her sharp instincts immediately catching onto the name. "Xian? Who's that?"
"Our boss," Mira said cheerfully. "He's the one who looks after us."
"Boss, huh?" Swire asked casually, though her mind raced. "What's he like?"
The girls exchanged looks, unsure how to describe him. Elisa finally said, "He's... different. He's smart and cares about us, but he doesn't talk about himself much."
Swire nodded, but her curiosity deepened. Xian? That name sounds familiar. But where have I heard it before?
She let the conversation flow naturally, asking no further questions about Xian. Instead, she focused on the girls' well-being, though her mind was already forming suspicions. These kids are hiding something, and that guy earlier wasn't just a random encounter. There's more to this than they're saying.
As they browsed the aisles, Swire's thoughts wandered. What kind of person is this Xian? If he's looking after these kids, why weren't they with him earlier? And that man—why did he single them out?
Her instincts as an officer kicked in. Their backgrounds don't add up. They're too cautious, too hesitant to talk about themselves. I need to dig deeper—not to expose them, but to make sure they're safe.
Swire made a mental note to investigate further once she was back at the LGD. If Xian is responsible for them, I need to know what kind of person he is. And if they're in danger from someone, I'll make sure they're protected.
Despite her swirling thoughts, Swire kept the atmosphere light. She picked out a few items for herself—a stylish scarf, a pair of gloves, and a new notebook—but focused on the girls.
Mira found a stuffed animal she couldn't resist, while Nia chose a simple scarf that matched her soft amber eyes. Elisa remained hesitant, but with Swire's encouragement, she eventually picked out a sturdy pair of boots.
By the time they were done, their bags were filled with both necessities and small comforts. The girls were visibly more relaxed, chatting and laughing as they followed Swire through the mall.
"Miss Swire, you bought more for yourself than us," Mira teased.
Swire smirked. "Well, I can't walk around looking shabby, can I?"
The group laughed, and for a moment, the weight of their earlier encounter seemed to fade. Swire, however, remained vigilant. They're smiling now, but I won't let my guard down. These kids deserve to feel safe—and I'll make sure they do.
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Xian leaned against a vendor stand, arms crossed as the boys chatted and finished their snacks. He checked his watch, his brow furrowing slightly. Twenty minutes had passed since the girls left for the comfort room, and there was still no sign of them.
Rico, always the first to speak his mind, noticed Xian's concerned expression. "Boss, you think something happened to them?"
Xian straightened up, his tone calm but firm. "It's not like them to take this long. They might've gotten distracted, but we can't take chances. Let's go look for them."
The boys exchanged uncertain glances before nodding. They knew Xian rarely got this serious unless something was genuinely wrong.
Tobi tried to lighten the mood, scratching the back of his head nervously. "Maybe they just saw something shiny in a shop and forgot to come back."
Xian gave him a faint smile. "Maybe. But we'll check anyway, just to be sure. Stay close, and don't wander off."
The group began their search, weaving through the bustling mall. Xian took the lead, scanning the crowd while keeping the boys within his sight.
As they moved, Xian slowed his pace, letting the boys walk a little ahead. He closed his eyes briefly, focusing inward. Alright, let's see if this works again...
Ever since the incident with Ch'en and the agents, Xian had discovered a strange ability—he could sense Originium signatures, but not like how others might. To him, each signature felt unique, almost like touching different textures. Elisa's signature, for instance, felt like smooth glass, while Mira's was soft like velvet.
He extended his perception subtly, making sure not to draw attention. The ambient Originium energy of the crowded mall was like static, but he focused on filtering it out. Slowly, distinct "textures" emerged, faint but recognizable.
The sensation brought him back to that moment in Ch'en's car after the battle with the five agents. The adrenaline from the chase had barely worn off when Ch'en, uncharacteristically silent, drove him back to her house to regroup.
He remembered sitting in the passenger seat, his head resting against the window as the streetlights passed by in blurs. His body ached from the fight, but his mind buzzed with something new.
"Damn... why do I keep getting dragged into this mess?" Xian muttered under his breath, wincing as he adjusted his seatbelt.
Ch'en glanced at him briefly. "You survived, didn't you? Stop complaining."
"Easy for you to say," Xian shot back, though his tone was more exasperated than angry. "You're used to this kind of thing. Me? I'm just a guy trying to fix things without getting blown up every other day."
Ch'en smirked faintly but didn't reply.
Xian turned his gaze to the window, his thoughts drifting. It was during that quiet moment that he first noticed it—a faint sensation, like running his fingers over coarse sandpaper.
He sat up slightly, frowning. What the...?
It wasn't until Ch'en made a sharp turn that the sensation grew stronger, like a pulse radiating from her. It was then he realized—he wasn't feeling the car or the movement. He was sensing her Originium signature.
Back in the present, Xian's lips twitched into a faint smirk. That was when I realized it wasn't just the system giving me new tricks. This... isn't listed anywhere. A hidden feature, maybe? Or something else entirely?
He shook his head slightly, focusing back on the task at hand. The memory of that chaotic day could wait.
Finally, Xian felt it—three familiar textures, faint but distinct. He opened his eyes, his gaze locking onto a direction. Got them.
Without slowing his pace, he waved to the boys to follow him.
"Boss? Did you see them?" Rico asked, jogging to keep up.
Xian didn't want to reveal too much, so he answered vaguely. "Call it a hunch. I think I know where they might be."
Finn raised an eyebrow but didn't push further. "Lead the way, then."
Tobi, still trying to keep things light, joked, "I told you they probably got distracted."
Xian didn't respond, his focus sharpening as they approached a corridor near the comfort rooms. The distinct feeling of another presence near the girls unsettled him. Whoever it was didn't match any signature he'd encountered before.
"Stay close," Xian said, his voice quiet but firm. "Something doesn't feel right."
The boys nodded, their playful demeanor shifting to one of quiet alertness as they followed Xian.
Swire and the three girls settled at a cozy bench near a small café inside the mall, their shopping bags placed neatly by their feet. Swire sipped on a cup of freshly brewed coffee while the kids enjoyed their warm drinks—Elisa had opted for hot chocolate, Mira was nursing a fruity tea, and Nia held a small cup of milk with a delicate smile.
"So," Swire began, leaning back against the bench with an air of casualness, "what's the verdict? Did we shop too much, or not enough?"
Elisa, always the composed one, gave a small smile. "We think it's just right. Thank you for everything, Miss Swire."
Swire waved her hand dismissively. "Bah, don't mention it. You're just kids; someone's gotta spoil you once in a while. You'll learn soon enough that life doesn't hand you many freebies, so enjoy it while it lasts."
The girls giggled softly at her teasing tone, and for a moment, the tension they had carried earlier seemed to melt away.
As they continued chatting, Swire noticed a shift in the atmosphere. Elisa, usually confident and articulate, began fidgeting with the hem of her sweater. Mira, shy as always, stared into her drink, her silver hair slightly obscuring her face. Nia, the most soft-spoken of the three, seemed lost in thought, her amber eyes clouded with unease.
"What's with the long faces?" Swire asked lightly, though her keen instincts told her this wasn't a trivial matter.
Elisa hesitated before speaking, her voice quieter than usual. "Miss Swire… do you think people can change? Even if they've done bad things in the past?"
Swire's brow furrowed slightly, though she kept her tone even. "That's a big question for someone your age. But yes, I think people can change. It's not easy, though. It takes guts, effort, and sometimes a little help from others."
The girls exchanged glances, as if silently debating whether to say more. Finally, Elisa continued, her voice steady but tinged with uncertainty.
"We… haven't always lived like this. Before we met Xian, we had to do things we're not proud of—things we didn't want to do but had no choice."
Mira sniffled softly, her green eyes glistening with unshed tears. "We were… just trying to survive."
Swire's heart tightened at the sight of their vulnerability. She remained quiet, letting them speak at their own pace.
Nia added, her voice barely above a whisper, "We don't want to go back to that. Xian gave us a chance to start over… but sometimes, it feels like the past won't leave us alone."
Swire leaned forward, her usual playful demeanor replaced by a rare gentleness. "Hey, listen to me. You're not the only ones with a messy past. Trust me, I've met plenty of people who've been through the wringer, and they've come out stronger for it."
She placed a hand on Elisa's shoulder, her green eyes meeting the girl's light blue ones with unwavering sincerity. "You don't have to tell me everything, and I won't ask. But if Xian believes in you, then I do too. Whatever happened before doesn't define who you are now."
Mira wiped her eyes with her sleeve, a small, grateful smile breaking through her timid expression. "Thank you, Miss Swire."
"Call me Swire," she replied with a wink, leaning back and crossing her legs. "Miss makes me sound old."
The girls laughed softly, the tension easing slightly.
As the girls finished their drinks and chatted more freely, Swire couldn't help but reflect on their words. They're hiding something big, but I can't blame them for that. Whatever they went through, it's clear they're trying to leave it behind. And that guy, Xian… what kind of person takes in kids with that kind of baggage?
Her mind drifted back to the incident with the aggressive client. The way the girls had reacted, their fear—it wasn't just about the man. It was a reaction born from something deeper, something that lingered even now.
Xian… I've heard that name before, she thought, her fingers tapping lightly against her cup. He's not just a random shopkeeper, is he?
Swire's lips tightened into a thin line. I'll keep an eye on them. If there's trouble brewing, I'll make sure they're safe, no matter what.
She glanced at the girls, who were now discussing which shop to visit next. Despite the heaviness of the conversation earlier, they seemed lighter, their smiles more genuine.
"Alright, ladies," Swire said, standing up and stretching. "Let's hit a few more stores before we call it a day. And remember—if you see something you like, don't be shy. Swire's got you covered."
The girls exchanged grateful smiles and followed her lead, their spirits lifted.
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Xian and the boys finally spotted the girls near the bookstore. They were standing with Swire, their shopping bags piled around them like a fortress. As they approached, Xian slowed his pace, immediately sensing something off about the situation.
The boys were less cautious. "Hey! There they are!" Rico shouted, waving enthusiastically.
Swire turned to look at them, her sharp green eyes narrowing as she assessed the newcomers. Her gaze then shifted to Xian, and something clicked in her mind.
Swire crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow as Xian stopped a few feet away. "You're Xian, aren't you?"
Xian froze, caught off guard by her sudden acknowledgment. "…Uh, yeah. And you are?"
Swire smirked, her stance shifting to something smugly triumphant. "You're exactly as Ch'en described. New intel network's already paying off."
Xian's steady expression didn't betray much, but internally, he was in chaos. Ch'en?! What's with this sudden interrogation? And why does she have that smug look?
Before Xian could respond, one of the boys, Finn, piped up. "Who's Ch'en? Is she your girlfriend?"
Xian shot him a glare. "No, she's not my girlfriend! Stop saying nonsense."
The boys snickered behind him while Swire's smirk grew wider. "So, you know Ch'en, huh? Interesting."
Xian let out a long sigh, trying to keep his composure. "Look, I don't know what you're talking about. Can we skip this conversation and focus on the kids?"
"Oh, we'll get to that," Swire said casually, but there was a glint of mischief in her eyes. "But first…" She turned to the girls and smiled. "You okay, kiddos? Did he leave you alone too long?"
Elisa shook her head. "No, Miss Swire. He was looking for us because we were gone too long."
Swire chuckled. "Sounds about right. Don't let him fool you, though. He looks calm, but he's probably screaming inside."
The girls giggled, while Xian resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "Can we please focus on what's important here?"
"Important, huh?" Swire tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Well, I'd say it's important to talk about how you're going to compensate me for wasting my afternoon babysitting."
"Excuse me?!" Xian's calm facade cracked. "You volunteered! I didn't even ask for your help!"
"Details, details," Swire waved dismissively. "The fact remains—you owe me. And I know just how you can pay me back."
Xian braced himself. "Let me guess. You want money, right? Fine, I'll—"
Swire cut him off with a sly grin. "Wrong. You're going to work with me."
Xian blinked. "What?"
"Work. With. Me," Swire repeated slowly, as if explaining to a child. "I'm with the LGD, remember? And someone with your, let's say, unique talents could be very useful."
Xian was dumbfounded. "You can't be serious."
"Oh, I'm dead serious," Swire said, her tone taking on a no-nonsense edge. "I've got the authority, the reasoning, and frankly, I don't think you're in a position to refuse."
Xian opened his mouth to argue but quickly shut it again. Great. Just great. First, I get dragged into this world, then into trouble, and now into working with the LGD. What's next, a parade?
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Swire leaned closer, her smirk returning. "What's the matter? Cat got your tongue? Or are you realizing this is a pretty good deal for you?"
"Good deal?!" Xian finally snapped, throwing his hands up in exasperation. "This is extortion! Abuse of power! And—"
"Blah, blah, blah," Swire interrupted, clearly enjoying his outburst. "Save the dramatics, Xian. Just say yes, and I'll make sure you don't regret it."
Xian pinched the bridge of his nose thinking about what he can get and he sighed. "Fine. Whatever. I'll help you. But don't expect me to be happy about it."
"Fair enough," Swire said, looking thoroughly pleased with herself. She turned her attention to the kids, her expression softening. "Alright, kiddos, you've got your babysitter back. Play nice, okay?"
The girls nodded, and Swire gave them a quick wave before walking toward the exit.
As Swire disappeared into the crowd, Xian looked at the kids and sighed again. "Why does this kind of stuff keep happening to me?"
"You okay, Xian?" Finn asked, grinning.
"Yeah, yeah," Xian muttered. "Let's just get out of here before something else happens."
The kids chuckled as they followed him toward the mall's main entrance, their spirits lifted despite the unexpected encounter.
Outside, Swire leaned against her car, her thoughts swirling. Xian… What's your deal? You're more than just some shopkeeper, that's for sure.
She recalled the girls' earlier words, their hesitations, their connection to him and the man before. You're hiding something, and I'm going to find out what. But for now…
Swire slid into the driver's seat, her resolve solidifying. After dealing with that guy. She puts the seatbelt. I'll keep my eye on you. For their sake.
With that, she started the car and drove off into the bustling streets of the city, her mind already planning her next steps.