# Chapter 404: The Weak and the Strong
(Wait a moment) "What's going on?" Ran Ying asked.
A White Epaulet recounted the incident, emphasizing how Xu Huo had been unreasonable and refused to hand over the key.
After listening, Ran Ying waved her hand dismissively. "Xu Huo has only been in District 011 for a few days. The base people were probably afraid he'd run off with the instrument, so they didn't give him the key. Captain Bran just needs to communicate with the base about this. It's not a big deal, and the final payment hasn't been made anyway."
The blond man, Bran, said, "Captain Ran, do you have the authority to decide this?"
Ran Ying's temper flared as she stared back at him. "The instrument should have been handled by the Logistics Department anyway. What business is it of you White Epaulets? Sticking garlic up your noses to look like elephants—who gave you the right to detain people and confiscate things? If you have no shame, don't blame others for not saving you face!"
The White Epaulet who had been singled out flinched.
Ran Ying wasn't finished. "You're a useless captain too. Is it because someone killed a wanted fugitive right under your nose yesterday that you're throwing a tantrum? Now you're bullying two errand-running players? The entire Enforcement Department, all those White Epaulets, surrounding two low-level players—how impressive."
"And the Black Epaulets? Are they all eating shit in the toilets?"
With her sharp shout, players in black uniforms poured out of the Enforcement Department building, their numbers instantly surpassing the White Epaulets present.
More White Epaulets were still inside the building, but before they could come out, Bran raised his hand to stop them. His earlier anger had vanished, replaced by a calm expression as he looked at Ran Ying. "You won't be arrogant for much longer."
After dropping this ambiguous threat, Bran led his people away. Ran Ying snorted, then turned back to Xu Huo with a smile. "Don't be afraid. He wouldn't dare do anything to you. This is your first time working for the base, right? I won't make things difficult for you. Go back and rest easy—the Logistics Department will contact Director Sanyang themselves."
"Thank you," Xu Huo said gratefully to the woman. "Let's have a meal together when you're free."
Ran Ying was genuinely busy. After exchanging a few brief words with Xu Huo, she took Cheng Bing, Guo Yingguang, and the others into the Enforcement Department.
Xu Huo and Wan Tingfang left the Enforcement Department headquarters without any trouble. Only after they were outside did Wan Tingfang pat her chest and exhale. "I thought a fight was about to break out back there. That Captain Bran clearly wasn't planning to let us off easy."
"And you've got some nerve! I clearly saw Uncle Sanyang hand the key to you, yet you dared to hold out and refuse to give it up."
Xu Huo glanced at her. "Can't blame me. The Enforcement Department keeps causing trouble for the base. If we don't show them some teeth, they'll push us around whenever they want."
"You're right. We really showed them today." Wan Tingfang paused, then added, "But you've only been in District 011 for a few days, and you've already caught Captain Ran's eye. Impressive."
"It's not what you think between us," Xu Huo explained.
"Don't be shy. I won't look down on you." Wan Tingfang's expression turned somewhat serious. "The weak attaching themselves to the strong has nothing to do with gender. Besides, Captain Ran is a beauty. There's nothing wrong with having a proper relationship."
"I once went to an instance where the weak—whether men or women—were enslaved and abused. A normal person probably couldn't bear to see that kind of scene a second time. Sometimes I hate that I became a player, and other times I'm grateful for it."
"Not every game district is as peaceful as District 011."
"If the game had never appeared, that kind of situation might never have occurred," Xu Huo said.
Wan Tingfang said dejectedly, "But the game has already appeared. We can only think about the future. I don't have grand ambitions—just surviving is enough."
She rubbed her face and asked nervously, "We won't get fired when we go back, will we?"
Xu Huo was loyal. "Just say I did everything."
Wan Tingfang was equally loyal. In front of Sanyang, she shared the responsibility equally with him.
Shi Youzhi was also there. They didn't seem too concerned about the incident. Instead, they said, "The base often clashes with the Enforcement Department. Nothing unusual. Just remember that you're base people. We'll handle the big stuff."
Their tone showed appreciation for what they'd done, especially Shi Youzhi, who had been frowning for days but now even smiled.
"Did the Director send us to deliver the goods on purpose?" Xu Huo asked Shi Youzhi after they left the office. "Otherwise, why pick a time when the Enforcement Department was in chaos?"
Going there at that moment seemed very much like gloating.
"See but don't say." Shi Youzhi patted his shoulder and even slipped him some vouchers for upscale restaurants. "Take these, treat yourself to a good meal to celebrate."
There was really no need to be so obvious.
Xu Huo split the vouchers with Wan Tingfang, then drove away from the base. He parked somewhere, changed into his clown costume, and headed to the lower city area.
He carried some small toys and snacks, selling them along the street. This attracted quite a few children, including some from the lower city who chased him for two or three blocks.
In half a day, he had given away everything he could sell and all the flyers. Seeing a few leftover candies, he handed them out to the lower city kids who had been following him.
"Uncle, what are you up to?" The little boy who had followed him the whole way was quite wary, keeping the other children at a distance.
The clown's face was frozen in a perpetual smile, making Xu Huo's voice sound very friendly.
"These last few candies have ugly patterns on them. They're hard to sell, and they'll be inedible by tomorrow."
The children were practically drooling. The little boy finally reached out to take the candies, then quickly distributed them to his companions. The first thing they did was tear open the wrappers and shove them into their mouths, licking them twice before slowly eating.
"They're so dumb. The pattern is ugly, but candy is still candy. It won't taste bad just because the pattern is ugly," the little boy said.
Xu Huo sat down by the roadside and asked why they weren't in school.
District 011 had public education institutions. Besides necessary academic subjects, there was also physical training—laying the foundation for children who might one day become players. Education was free.
"Our family has no money. Can't afford the potions," the little boy said nonchalantly. "Without potions, learning is useless anyway."
"Think about it this way," Xu Huo said. "Even though you don't have potions, going to school doesn't cost anything. Getting free knowledge—isn't that a bargain? Isn't it stupid to pass up a bargain? Like the candy you took—aren't the people who refused to buy it because they didn't like the pattern stupid?"
The little boy was stunned. "My mom says going to school has no future. Better to help at home."
"But you're playing right now," Xu Huo said. "That means they don't need your help."
"No, there are guests at home. That's why Dad let us come out to play." The little boy looked at him warily. "Are you from the government?"
"I'm not." Xu Huo kept his smile. "I'm just someone who thought school was useless when he was little, and now can only help sell candy for a living but can never afford to eat it himself."
The little boy pouted, looking unconvinced, but the other children asked innocently, "If we don't go to school, will we really not be able to eat candy when we grow up?"