Chapter 17
The Difference Between a Bratty Kid and a Good Kid
"Hmph, how would I know if you're telling the truth or not? Besides, the person in the photo has hair, while you don't. It's obviously been edited with special effects! Don't think I'm a kid who's easily fooled!"
Despite Sheriff Blake's statements and evidence, Jade's vigilance and defensiveness remained unwavering.
He only glanced briefly at the photo of the smiling young man with a full head of hair standing next to the young Jackie Chan, then looked at Chief Black's bald head and his cold, unsmiling expression as if someone owed him a lot of money.
Xiaoyu suddenly exerted her strength, breaking free from the restraints of the two agents. At the same time, she crossed her arms and retorted confidently.
"Break into someone's house, knock him unconscious, and forcibly take him to a secret underground base that no one knows about... After doing all that, you're telling me you're Uncle Long's friend? Come on, I don't believe you!"
"..."
Xiaoyu's words were like daggers to Sheriff Black's heart. Ironically, having suffered a massive emotional blow, Sheriff Black couldn't immediately find a suitable reason to refute Xiaoyu's point of view.
He could only take the photo back. While looking at the beautiful hair in the photo, he subconsciously raised his hand and stroked his own head, which was already bald from working so hard to run District Thirteen. He couldn't help but show a bit of nostalgia in his eyes.
"Ahem, Jade, actually I've wanted to tell you this for a while now. Sheriff Black wasn't lying to you; he really is Uncle Long's friend. We brought him here only because this place is very important and requires top-secrecy. That's why I said from the beginning that we're just here to take Uncle Long back, not to 'rescue' him."
Just as Jade was completely unmoved by Chief Black's explanation, causing the atmosphere to plummet to freezing point...
Riley, who had already removed his suit, fell from the ceiling at the opportune moment.
Then, amidst the astonished and uncertain gazes of the crowd, he reached out and flicked Xiaoyu's head with his finger.
"Also, do you remember what I told you before the operation?"
"Uh... haha, is that so? You know, I just got here, and my English isn't very good yet, so I can't understand what you're saying at all. That's understandable, hahaha... Okay, okay, don't look at me like that! I know!"
After listening to Riley's words, Jade thought about it carefully and realized that on the way there, Riley did indeed have many opportunities, as he said, to take down the lone Sheriff Black and rescue Uncle Dragon before entering District 13.
Even earlier, when Sheriff Black tried to kidnap Uncle Dragon, Riley was perfectly capable of leaving them all at Daddy's Antique Shop!
But throughout, Riley chose to remain inactive.
Looking back now, it seems that Riley, who probably already knew about Sheriff Black's background, simply planned to wait until the two finished their conversation before taking Uncle Dragon back—was it really that simple?
As Xiaoyu grew increasingly guilty, she couldn't help but steal a glance at Chief Black, whose heart had suffered a devastating blow. Although he didn't say anything, his eyes were noticeably dim, making him appear particularly aggrieved and helpless compared to his previous composed demeanor.
Then, cold sweat broke out on his forehead. He realized that he had really been too hasty and caused a blunder, making Xiaoyu, under Riley's watchful eye, finally succumb to the pangs of conscience. He obediently walked up to Sheriff Black, suppressed his temper, and began to apologize properly and respectfully.
"I'm so sorry, Sheriff Black, I shouldn't have doubted you, and I shouldn't have said those things... I'm really sorry—!"
It is obvious that Xiaoyu, who acts impulsively and does not listen to advice at all, is indeed a complete "brat".
Unlike other naughty children, Xiaoyu is the type to admit her mistakes and correct them when she knows she has caused trouble. She never argues or tries to shirk responsibility.
This also makes Xiaoyu stand out among the group of "mischievous kids". Instead of attracting the disgust of others, it makes Xiaoyu seem more adorable and more likely to win the love and care of those around her.
For example, Sheriff Blake, who was just feeling sad and lamenting the ruthlessness of time.
"...Ahem, it's alright. We were also at fault to begin with. Our methods are indeed prone to being misunderstood, so it's not your fault..."
At this moment, looking at Xiaoyu, who had changed her previous loud and boisterous personality and was now obediently bowing her head to admit her mistake, he was deeply moved.
Because he's always been busy with work, Sheriff Blake, who is still single and childless, maintains a stoic demeanor on the surface. But in private, his tough-guy heart has long been melted by tenderness.
Then, in his heart, he secretly made up his mind that when he got married, he would definitely have a daughter as lovely as Xiaoyu. At the same time, with other subordinates watching, and needing to maintain his superior's dignity, he suppressed the urge to reach out and pat Xiaoyu's head, and replied calmly.
"However, I'm more curious about how you got in. Two children entered District 13 without triggering any alarms... It seems our security system needs to be reviewed and upgraded."
Well, in a sense...
This is probably one of the key reasons why Jade was able to stand out from the other agents and successfully take over District 13 after growing up.
From that moment on, Sheriff Black truly began to cherish Jade as his own daughter.
Therefore, according to the old Chinese saying, sons inherit their fathers' businesses...
It makes perfect sense for the obedient "daughter" Jade to inherit the mantle of her "father," Sheriff Black, doesn't it?
"Ahem, Sheriff Black, I actually overheard part of your conversation with Uncle Long. So, although it might be presumptuous of me, I'd like to offer a reminder..."
Meanwhile, facing Sheriff Blake's question, Riley, who had already prepared his answer, stepped forward and called out to attract everyone's attention, attempting to divert everyone's focus and skip over this somewhat awkward topic.
"Since the Mafia's target is that shield, shouldn't we be more concerned with ensuring Dad's safety than upgrading the security system in District 13? After all, as far as I know, the shield that both you and the Mafia want is currently stored in Dad's antique shop. So, Dad, alone in the shop right now, is an easier target for the Mafia to take him hostage?"
"...You're right, it's our fault for not noticing this in time."
Fortunately, despite both being bald, Commissioner Black is clearly more obedient and easier to get along with than that shrew from S.H.I.E.L.D.
In addition, Riley and Jade appear to be just underage children, and they know their friend Jackie Chan.
This led Sheriff Black to instinctively believe that leaving the two children alone wouldn't cause much trouble. He temporarily put the question of how the two had entered Section 13 out of his mind.
He then nodded slightly, took out his walkie-talkie, and prepared to arrange for an agent to go and check on his father's current situation.