After seeing Winter Xueer off, the room fell into a brief silence.

"I never expected something like this," Xiao Zhan said. "We must stay extra cautious these next few days. Luckily, I developed this device for emergencies."

"What is this?" Glasses Bro asked curiously.

"Just wear it and press this button," Xiao Zhan explained, strapping the device on and activating it. A blast of energetic music blared out. "Now you become a man with his own BGM."

"It's just a portable player?" Glasses Bro scoffed. "What's the point?"

"Glasses, you're still too young," Lin Jie chimed in. "Haven't you heard the old saying? 'In my BGM, I'm invincible.' This gadget lets you trigger BGM anytime. In a way, it's practically a divine artifact."

"Bullshit! You two are clearly brainwashed by anime," Glasses Bro roared.

Just then, the little loli tugged at Glasses Bro's pants. "Hey, where's the promised tasty food?"

"I'll take you soon," Glasses Bro replied, then looked up at the others. "What about this kid?"

"We wanted Miss Winter to watch her," Xiao Zhan said, "but she'll fake leaving H City since she's under suspicion. Guess we'll have to protect her ourselves."

"Speaking of which, Thirteen spent two years investigating this," Lin Jie suddenly remarked.

"I heard he grew up in an illegal bio-mod Orphanage too," Glasses Bro added. "She shares his past, but lacks his luck."

"Same past?" Xiao Zhan mused thoughtfully. "Thirteen must have foreseen this. That scumbag skipped off on vacation, leaving us the mess. No wonder he rushed off yesterday."

"I doubt it," Lin Jie countered. "Thirteen probably hid to avoid dragging his bad luck onto us. I get it. May he bless us from Paradise Island."

"It's Paradise Island, not heaven," Glasses Bro corrected.

"Same difference," Lin Jie shrugged. "Our plan's simple now: feed her, then have my sister pick new clothes for her."

"Are you sure about going out? Leaving Xiao Tower might be dangerous," Glasses Bro warned.

"Don't panic. They won't dare snatch her in public," Lin Jie said. "Besides, she can't live on Spicy Strips. I noticed she zones out every time she eats them."

"Fine."

...

"So, what's so urgent you dragged me from work?" Lin Wan demanded. "If it's not serious, I'll punch you."

"Just look," Lin Jie said, leading her into a fast-food joint. He pointed to a little loli munching a kids' meal, with Xiao Zhan and Glasses Bro beside her.

"Who's this little sister?" Lin Wan asked, sitting down with Lin Jie.

"Well..." Lin Jie paused. "She's my biological daughter."

"What?" Lin Wan gasped. "She looks seven. You were in high school back then!"

"Remember my delinquent days? I met a girl then. She fell for my bad-boy charm, and we fell in love. We split over differences. Only days ago did she bring this child to me—I became a father. She left because of a terminal illness, choosing childbirth over treatment. Now, I'll be a real dad," Lin Jie said sadly.

"Cute story. Now spill the real reason," Lin Wan said flatly.

"Seriously? You don't believe that heartfelt tale? How cold are you?" Lin Jie protested.

Lin Wan tossed a mirror at him. "Look. With that virgin face, only a blind girl would fall for you."

Xiao Zhan and Glasses Bro nodded vigorously.

Lin Jie glanced in the mirror. "Still heroic and majestic. Where's this 'virgin look'?"

"Enough. What's the real issue? And why's she dressed like this?" Lin Wan asked, eyeing the loli in Xiao Zhan's oversized coat.

"This child is threatened by an organization," Glasses Bro adjusted his glasses. "We rescued her from human experimentation. Now another group wants her for the same."

"What? Those bastards!" Lin Wan fumed. "What exactly do you need from me?"

"She's an orphan with nothing—not even decent clothes. We three men suck at shopping," Lin Jie explained.

"Easy," Lin Wan smiled at the loli. "Finish eating, then come with me. I'll make you gorgeous."

"Okay, Sister," the loli beamed sweetly. Lin Wan melted instantly.

"So cute! I'll buy you pretty outfits right after," she cooed, hugging the girl.

...

"Boss, they entered the mall with an unknown woman," a man reported, watching Lin Jie's group from afar.

"Really? We'll talk first. If they cooperate, fine. If not, teach them a lesson," the leader replied.

"Boss, I heard Shenjing Guitiao is on their team too."

"Relax. He's stuck on Paradise Island. Probably in heaven by now," the leader sneered.

Had Lin Jie's group been there, they'd recognize these three—the Golden Horns trio from H City who bullied Glasses Bro at the Hero Association.

...

Lin Wan happily tried outfits with the loli in a clothing store. Outside, Lin Jie's trio waited. Shoppers whispered about Xiao Zhan.

"Isn't that the Stain Fighter?"

"Yeah! He cleans any filth effortlessly."

"A friend said his 'cleaning' made her feel like flying to heaven."

"Really? Should we get 'dusted' too?"

"Ew! I'd wait till my husband's away for a private session."

"Pfft. You won't get the chance."

...

"My hero name is Zhan Chen," Xiao Zhan sighed weakly.

"Wow! Winning over married women already?" Lin Jie gave a thumbs-up. "Maybe rename to 'Mr. Wang Next Door'—specializing in lonely housewives."

"You're weirdly good at creepy stuff," Glasses Bro muttered, then paled. Three unwelcome figures approached.

Following his gaze, Lin Jie and Xiao Zhan spotted them.

"Come with us," the Golden Triangle leader pointed to a deserted alley.

"Damn it! What do you want?" Glasses Bro snapped.

"The Association's warrant," the leader showed a document. "You're coming."

"Fine. Let's go," Lin Jie stepped forward before Glasses Bro could react.

...

Six of them entered the quiet alley.

"Plainly: return to the Hero Association for questioning," the leader stated.

"Why us?" Xiao Zhan asked.

"We're hunting the Frost Demon. You contacted her before she fled H City—we suspect collusion. Also, that child you rescued is a risk. Hand her over," the leader demanded.

"What will you do to her?" Glasses Bro pressed.

"Shut up, loser. It's none of your business," a thug sneered.

"No deal until you explain," Glasses Bro retorted, uncharacteristically firm.

"He's right. She's key to our criminal investigation. We can't surrender her," Xiao Zhan added.

"Exactly!" Glasses Bro stepped up.

"Worry about yourselves first!" The thug's fist glowed gold, slamming toward Glasses Bro's face. "Refuse, and you'll suffer!"

Just before impact, a massive Spike Mace swung sideways. The thug embedded into the wall.

"Want our loli?" Lin Jie planted the mace on the ground. "Try it."

"Confident, huh?" the leader mocked. "Today, I'll show the gap between a top-hundred D-rank and an E-rank loser like you."