Extra Scene: Imperial Investigator Bureau

[Character Index
Li Que: A senior Imperial Investigator, worked with Kayla before.
Chen Jian: A young Imperial Investigator who worked with Kayla before, the older brother of Chen Caichun, Kayla's subordinate.
An Haoyang: A young Imperial Investigator who's connected with Qu Boyong.

Note: This is a scene from the daily life of Imperial Investigators, members of an elite institution that answers directly to the Emperor and is widely feared and respected. ]

Li Que glanced between the young investigators squabbling before him, shaking his head in exasperation. Investigator An Haoyang was a stoic, somewhat surly young man who tended to keep to himself, but Investigator Chen Jian seemed to have an uncanny ability to set off Haoyang’s temper.

“What are you two arguing about this time?” Li Que demanded, not bothering to keep the annoyance out of his voice.

“He took the tree I reserved beforehand!” An Haoyang pointed a finger accusingly at Chen Jian.

“When the hell did you reserve it? You didn’t even add your name to the tree chart!”

“I told you right before the mission began!”

“I was busy! I didn’t hear you!”

“Enough, both of you,” Li Que snapped. “You’re acting like children! An Haoyang, if you wanted to reserve the tree, you should’ve added your name to the tree chart before the mission. Chen Jian, you should’ve paid more attention to your colleagues.”

“But sir! He’s the one who always acts so rude even though he’s younger than me!” Chen Jian protested.

“I’m not younger than you!” An Haoyang shot back.

Chen Jian whirled on him. “We were born in the same year but you won’t say which month you were born in, even though I already told you my birthday. Why else would you keep silent unless you’re younger?”

“It’s none of your business! Besides, I never asked your birthday, did I?”

“I’m literally born in February, how can you possibly be older than me? Were you born in January?” Chen Jian demanded.

“I would’ve considered telling you before, but now that you’ve taken my tree, I’m not telling you anymore,” An Haoyang snapped.

Li Que glanced between the two of them in exasperation, too worn out to interfere.

“I’m definitely older,” Chen Jian said confidently. “I’m taller than you.”

“That doesn’t mean shit,” An Haoyang snarled.

“Yes it does, it means I’ve had more time to grow.”

An Haoyang made a noise of disbelief and moved to stand next to Li Que, who was two inches shorter.

“Hey now,” Li Que said in annoyance. An Haoyang gestured to the Li Que.

“Yeah? Then let me ask you, who’s older? Me or Investigator Li?”

Chen Jian obstinately grit his jaw. “...You.”

“Are you kidding me? You’re unbelievable! Investigator Li, he’s being unreasonable!”

“I’ve had enough of both of you! You’re both brats, who the hell cares if there’s a few months difference? You both look like boys who smell of breast milk to me!” Li Que shouted angrily. “For god’s sake! Am I running a nursery here? Stop arguing over every little thing and focus on your work!”

The two both stared at him in silence for a moment.

“I mean, it’s after hours already,” Chen Jian said.

“Yeah, I’ve also clocked off for the night,” An Haoyang added.

Li Que took in a deep breath before speaking through gritted teeth. “Then shut up and get out of my office already, you insufferable brats!”

[Cultural Note: 乳臭未干/Still stink of breast milk: A Chinese proverb meaning that someone is very young/still a brat.]