I'm on the Ark, and I start out as Gretchen.

"Oh? I see you quite like that little girl. What could make you let go?"

“Hmm…” This time, Lin Yuxia did not answer immediately. Instead, she remained silent for a moment before turning to her father and saying, “Do you remember Talulah? It’s about the things related to her.”

"Um!?"

Lin Yuxia's short sentence made Lin Gerui's narrowed eyes widen instantly, and a hint of surprise and vigilance flashed in them.

"What's wrong?" Noticing her father's expression, Lin Yuxia frowned slightly and asked.

Upon hearing this, Lin Gerui waved to his daughter and said, "Tell me what happened over there."

Meeting Lin Gerui's stern gaze, Lin Yuxia began to recount what had happened.

Chapter 82 Old Chen and Xiao Shi's First Meeting

"..."

After listening to Lin Yuxia's entire account, a thoughtful look flashed in Lin Gerui's eyes.

While his daughter and her younger generation might not know, he knew very well why Talulah had "mysteriously" left Lungmen back then...

Hearing news of the child again after so many years, and even having someone come to Longmen in her name, made Lin Gerui wary.

Is Black Serpent plotting something again? Or is it something else entirely?

Although Wei Yanwu had learned of Duke Kosiché's death through special channels and informed him, neither of them believed that the black snake could die so easily...

Therefore, Lin Gerui still felt it necessary to be vigilant and cautious about this sudden situation. Even though he hadn't noticed anything unusual about the child during his brief interaction with Gretchen earlier…

Of course, while Lin Gerui had these thoughts, he only intended to mention them briefly; he had no intention of getting involved. After all, it concerned "Talulah," and it was better to let his uncle, Wei Yanwu, deal with it rather than having an outsider interfere.

Having made up his mind, Lin Gerui looked up and met his daughter's questioning gaze, his voice softening as he said, "It's nothing, I was just thinking about something."

"Neither of us needs to get involved in this matter; just leave it to that little girl, Chen Huijie."

"Ah."

Upon hearing this, Lin Yuxia felt that things were not as simple as her father had described, but she still nodded slightly to him.

Miss Lin knew this man all too well. If he wanted to hide something, no matter how she asked, she wouldn't get an answer. Instead of wasting time asking, she'd better figure it out herself…

Of course, this matter was left at that. Although Lin Yuxia was somewhat curious and concerned, she was not at all willing to disobey her father's instructions.

————————————————————————

the other side--

After helping Gretchen out of the taxi, Chen immediately let go of her hand and created distance between them.

As for why a certain police officer's "attitude" changed so drastically in such a short time, we have to go back to when they were still in the car.

At that time, the two of them were having a good conversation, and Greta was doing her best to answer some of Chen's questions.

However, that's where the problem lies. Because they got too close, and because the color was most intense inside the taxi, Gretchen successfully picked up the color and started spouting nonsense that often embarrassed the color's owners.

In that instant, Chen felt a subtle emotion similar to that he had felt with Lin Yuxia and Swire before...

So, after enduring half a day in the car and making up his mind to correct some of his bad habits, Chen quickly distanced himself after the car arrived at its destination.

After this little incident, Officer Chen began to feel grateful that his sister had described Gretchen's situation in such detail in the first letter... so that she wouldn't be completely clueless.

The brain is unsure how to deal with sudden or unusual situations.

"Ahem..." Chen gazed at Gretchen in the distance, waited a moment, then cleared his throat twice and asked, "Gretchen, how are you feeling now? Have you recovered?"

"???)Um……"

Greta, who had just finished fading the color, nodded her head with a slightly confused look in her eyes after hearing Chen's words.

"..."

After watching the little girl nod from a distance, Chen breathed a sigh of relief and walked over.

It's no wonder she reacted so strongly to the little girl's dyeing; it's just that some things are fine when done by oneself, and one wouldn't feel awkward about them. However, when someone else "imitates" it with a serious little expression, it just feels different...

"Sorry, I overreacted just now."

After Chen walked over, he met Gretsch's confused little eyes, reached out and gently rubbed her head, and said apologetically.

"Hmm, it's okay..."

Upon hearing this, Gretchen shook her head dismissively and said softly.

"That hotel up ahead should be the one where you're staying, Gretchen. Do you remember which room it is?" After hearing Gretchen's words, a hint of helplessness flashed in Chen's eyes, and then he looked up at the hotel not far away and asked.

“Yes, I remember… but there’s no need.” Gretchen said, gently shaking her head.

"Ok?"

“Hmm… This morning when I left, my sister and the others also left. They probably haven’t come back yet.” Gretchen explained calmly in response to Chen’s questioning gaze.

"Tsk..."

Gretchen's explanation only made things worse; once she did, Chen couldn't help but feel a little annoyed again.

When she first learned about this situation from Lin Yuxia, she felt that the little girl's "guardian" was rather unqualified. Now that she saw it, it wasn't just somewhat unqualified; it was clearly extremely unqualified!

Although Talulah's letter stated that Gretchen's strength was "not bad," ability is ability, but in Chen's view, that is not a reason to let a child run around alone!

“Alright, let’s go upstairs and check. If she’s really not there, we won’t stay here. I’ll take you to eat.” After calming herself down a bit, Chen said gently to Gretchen.

"???)good……"

Greta knew perfectly well that the hotel room was empty, but since Chen had already said so much, she couldn't say anything more and could only obediently nod and agree.

However, despite agreeing, the little girl didn't think she'd have a chance to go back to the hotel, because...

"Oh dear, Gretchen, why are you back so early? And who is this woman?"

Just as Chen was pulling the people upstairs, a crisp, somewhat irritating voice suddenly came from behind them, causing them to stop and turn around.

Then, the figure of a girl wearing loose black casual clothes and with two white highlights in her gray hair came into her view.

"...Gresh, is this your...sister?"

Chen didn't directly question the guy in front of him who didn't look like a "good person." Instead, after a brief silence, he turned to look at Greta.

"Um...this is Sister Xiaoshi."

"..."

After receiving a definite answer from Gretchen, Chen's expression towards Xiao Shi suddenly became somewhat complicated.

"Hey! What kind of look is that?! And who are you? Why are you holding my Greta's hand the whole time?!"

Chapter 83: On the matter of both sides feeling that the other is unreasonable.

"Hey! What kind of look is that?! And who are you? Why are you holding my Greta's hand the whole time?!"

Xiao Shi, who was in a fairly good mood, exploded after seeing Chen's indescribable expression and said irritably.

"..."

Upon hearing this, Chen frowned slightly, but didn't rush to refute anything. Instead, she stepped forward and shielded Gretchen, whom she had been holding hands with, behind her before calmly saying:

"Don't be so fierce, what if you scare the child?"

"...?"

Upon hearing Chen's words, Xiao Shi was first taken aback, then gave him a look that said, "What nonsense are you talking about?! You actually said I'm fierce?! Compared to me, you're the one who'd scare a child!"

“No, compared to an emotionally unstable guardian like you, I’m much more reliable. Besides, I’m a police superintendent in Lungmen.” Facing the already agitated Xiao Shi, Chen raised an eyebrow and then retorted with reason and evidence.

"Who's emotionally unstable! I don't see anything reliable about you! Besides, I don't care what kind of police superintendent you are, anyone who kidnaps someone else's child is no good!"

As they were talking, Xiao Shi, displeased, was about to step forward and snatch the person from Chen's hands.

Xiao Shi's words immediately darkened Chen's face. However, she was prepared for his actions. She pulled the bewildered Gretsch back a little before coldly snorting, "Hmph, since you brought this up, I'll have to teach you a lesson."

"Gresh, please go stand aside for a while so I can have a proper chat with you, my older sister." After speaking to the little one behind her with her face slightly turned to the side, Chen gently released the little hand she had been holding.

To be honest, if Gretsch hadn't been there the whole time...

Because of that, Chen wouldn't be as calm as he is now; he would have already started cursing right up to Chen's face.

"???)that……"

Upon hearing this, Gretchen did not obediently leave. Instead, she looked at the two people in front of her, whose expressions were not good, and wanted to say something to persuade them.

However, before she could finish speaking, Xiao Shi's voice rang out, interrupting her.

"Gresh, stand back. Let me deal with this woman!"

"Hmm...???) Okay then."

After Xiaoshi's words, Gretchen thought for a moment, then obediently stood aside. After all, both parties involved had said so, what could a poor, weak, but adorable child like her say?

Of course, this was only on the surface. The little girl standing to one side was actually already considering who to ask for help to end this "conflict." She knew both sides fairly well, and it wouldn't be good if things really escalated into a fight…

Just as Gretchen was struggling with her dilemma, a light, cheerful voice suddenly rang in her mind, attracting her attention.

"Oh dear, Gretchen, things seem quite lively over there. Perfect timing! I happen to have some things to attend to; I'll come over right now and help you resolve this conflict!"

Pado, who was originally troubled by a small detail about purchasing goods tonight, suddenly became interested after noticing the lively scene around the little girl.

'Oh... then I'll trouble you, Sister Pado.'

Upon hearing Pado's words, Gretchen exclaimed in surprise, then blinked her beautiful eyes gently, putting her worries aside and choosing to quietly watch the show from the sidelines.

At this moment, the advantages of being an individual become apparent; any issues can be discussed and resolved through mutual assistance. However, it would be even better if "one" were not a participant in the event.

……

“Now that Gretchen is a bit further away, I’m going to have a serious talk with you. As a guardian, you’ve been utterly incompetent. How could you let such a young child go out alone! You didn’t even put shoes on her!”

After seeing Gretchen stand at a distance, Chen Cai turned back to look directly at Xiao Shi and began to criticize her coldly.

"Huh? Disqualified? What nonsense are you spouting! Gretchen is perfectly capable of going out on her own! And she only doesn't wear shoes because she's not used to them!?" Faced with Chen's criticism, Xiao Shi retorted loudly and irritably.

"And what's wrong with you?! I don't even know you, and you're lecturing me like this?!"

"*Dragon Gate Thick..."

When Chen heard Xiao Shi say that something was wrong, his face darkened and he subconsciously opened his mouth, but as if he suddenly remembered something, he swallowed the words he was about to say.

She then glanced discreetly in Gretchen's direction and breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that Gretchen still looked innocent and didn't seem to have heard anything unpleasant.

"You should be glad Gretsch was here this time."