The “bribe”… ah, no—the “favor-seeking” gift was confiscated on the spot. I froze for a moment, utterly stunned.

“Please, sir! I just wanted to ask a tiny question,” I stammered, flustered. My mind went blank. I fumbled in my pocket and shoved something forward. “Cut me some slack? I’m begging you~"

The officers glanced at what I held—and burst into laughter.

“What a fun little girl.”

“Adorable.”

“Sigh… once this case wraps up, I’m definitely asking my wife for a kid.”

I pouted. If you don’t want it, fine—but why laugh? Lollipops cost money too!

Just as I reached to take it back, the first female officer gently took it. Smiling, she said, “This suits your age much better, cute little one.”

“Ayu, you accepted the kid’s ‘bribe’—you’ve gotta follow through!”

“Yeah, candy doesn’t come free.”

The station hadn’t felt this lighthearted in ages. The officers teased her warmly.

“Of course I was going to tell you,” said the policewoman named Ayu, crouching to my level. “Listen carefully. Remember this.”

She wouldn’t share case details—but like a kindergarten teacher warning children, she’d highlight dangers: where not to go, what not to touch. This wasn’t bribery. It was duty.

“You playful kids—stay close to home lately. Lianyun District’s a commercial zone. Plazas and malls host events often. If you see any, keep your distance. Don’t go near the crowds.”

A chill ran down my spine. Something clicked.

“What else?”

“Also—stay far from inflatable costumes. You know, cartoon suits people wear, or giant balloon figures.”

Ayu paused, tone shifting. “But you likely won’t see any. Weeks ago, we banned and destroyed all such items district-wide.”

My heart lurched.

Just then, the inner door opened. An Li and the others stepped out, faces grim. The officer who’d taken my cigarettes handed them to her.

“Officer An, your kid stole your smokes and tried bribing us for case details. Clever beyond her years!”

An Li took the pack, glanced at the price tag, and shot me a speechless glare.

“Forget the cigarettes!” I darted to her side, turning to the police chief. “Did you ban all inflatable costumes and plastic promo items?” Worried he’d misunderstand, I gestured wildly. “You know—the kind people wear, inflated and waddling slowly? Or those giant inflatable arches fixed in place, blown up by fans!”

The chief blinked. “Yes… but how does a kid know such technical terms? Who told her?” He glanced at the officers who’d been “playing” with me.

Ayu shook her head, bewildered. “I didn’t teach her any of that…”

An Li pulled me close. “What’s wrong?”

My heart hammered. I gasped, “I saw it… I saw it! Right on our way here!”

*So many people still there!*

Chaos erupted in the station.

“What? Impossible!”

“We searched and destroyed every single one…”

“How?”

An Li paused three seconds. Grabbed my hand. Snatched the hazardous bag. Strided out.

“Officer An, you—”

“I’m handling it. No backup. Don’t interfere.”

The officers stood frozen. *Well… orders were clear. But why take that cute little girl?!*

An Li moved like lightning. Pulled me along—my feet barely touched the ground. Before I knew it, I was in the car.

She turned to me before starting the engine. “Tell me where. I’ll drive. But you stay inside. No getting out. Promise?”

I hesitated three seconds. Nodded. “I can.”

My heart burned—but I knew my limits. Stepping out would only be a burden.

“Good.”

She slammed the accelerator. The black sedan shot forward like an arrow.

“Right—follow our route. About three blocks… let me think…”

“Seven traffic lights! Three sharp turns, four slight ones, and a ninety-degree interchange!”

My memory had sharpened strangely. Every detail vivid. The plaza crowd flashed in my mind, again and again.

“An Li—faster! There are still so many ordinary people there!”