Chapter 15: Even Off Duty, Justice Remains
After relaying the German Shepherd’s request to the police, Chief Zhou agreed immediately.
“That’s nothing. We can supply food regularly. The police cafeteria often has leftovers—perfect for feeding the dogs. If it’s not enough, I’ll pay out of pocket.”
But Shang Fuyan had another idea.
“Ask the Shepherd if it’s willing to assist the police. In the future, the Wen’an District cafeteria can provide one meal a day for the other stray dogs.”
The Shepherd had strong leadership skills and exceptionally high intelligence. If needed, stray dogs could act as the police’s eyes and ears.
However, to make that work, they would need Lin Jiangye as a translator.
Which meant one thing—
For this plan to succeed, Lin Jiangye would have to officially become part of the police system.
Lin Jiangye glanced at Shang Fuyan. He said nothing—but his silence was agreement enough.
Li Wei’s expression twisted slightly. He had wanted to recruit Lin Jiangye to Qingze District himself, but Shang Fuyan had beaten him to it.
No matter. Lin Jiangye hadn’t agreed yet. There was still room to compete.
With Chief Zhou’s assurance, Lin Jiangye returned to the German Shepherd.
“They’ve agreed.”
The Shepherd remained composed. Just as it was about to lead the humans away, Lin Jiangye’s voice drifted over.
“You used to be a police dog, didn’t you?”
The Shepherd turned back to look at him.
This human not only understood animals, he carried a faint scent that made others instinctively lower their guard. The Shepherd was certain that scent was why it had relaxed around him.
It had even wagged its tail unconsciously.
Afterwards, it had startled itself.
Was this human mutated or something?
The Shepherd didn’t answer. Lin Jiangye didn’t press.
For a retired police dog to become a stray—something unpleasant must have happened.
“Once your pack gets adopted, where will you go?” Lin Jiangye asked casually, sitting on the ground while the officers prepared.
Shang Fuyan’s earlier words lingered in his mind.
A former police dog. Highly intelligent. Likely it had pursued traffickers out of instinct for justice before realizing it could secure a future for its pack.
If Lin Jiangye hadn’t been here, the police would never have known the Shepherd wanted adoption for its subordinates. At most, they would have given them food.
Even off duty, it still carried justice in its heart.
That quality, in a dog of all beings, stirred something in him.
The Shepherd wagged its tail again, understanding the subtext.
He was offering it a home.
But—
Lin Jiangye saw the hesitation and pain in its eyes.
So he continued, voicing Shang Fuyan’s suggestion.
“I’m not sure the station has room for all your pack. But my villa has plenty of space. They can stay in my yard first. Once adopters are found, the police can bring them there.”
The Shepherd could live there too.
Waiting for adopters.
Serving as an external special consultant for the police.
“If you help, you’ll get a share of the rewards. Spend it however you like.”
Lin Jiangye believed in fair distribution. From the eight-thousand-yuan bravery award earlier, half would go to Opal and Diamond. Without them, the police would never have located the traffickers so quickly.
“As for other strays who assist, the local stations can provide meals. If they don’t, I will.”
Food. Shelter. Adoption assistance. Continued justice.
Money. A human translator.
The Shepherd truly couldn’t find a reason to refuse.
It froze there, suddenly looking less like an enlightened strategist and more like an ordinary dog.
Lin Jiangye smiled softly.
But inwardly, he sighed.
Something had clearly wounded it before.
Police dogs were loyal and obedient. What kind of owner would drive such a dog to the streets?
“No rush. Just think about it. You can decide later.”
He ruffled its head and stood up.
Behind him, the officers were ready to move.
“Let’s go settle accounts with those beasts.”
—
All the stray dogs were loaded into police vehicles. Lin Jiangye and the Shepherd rode with Shang Fuyan to lead the way.
[They’re in an urban village area. I don’t know the exact address—I can’t read human writing. But there’s a busy commercial street nearby. Beside the market, there’s a big human.]
“…A big human?”
Lin Jiangye reacted first.
“A statue? One that doesn’t move?”
The Shepherd thought, then nodded vigorously.
[Yes. Doesn’t move. Strange color.]
“A commercial street with a statue… Wen’an doesn’t have one.”
“Qingze doesn’t.”
“Peifeng doesn’t.”
“In Guan’an District,” Chief Zhou said firmly.
She knew Yue City’s layout by heart.
“Guan’an District, Weijin Road Commercial Street. There’s a Lin Shuying statue there.”
The choice made sense.
Weijin Road was an old district. Low rent. Residents from all over the country. Mixed identities.
Perfect cover.
And next to it ran a rural access road. With highways sealed, that would be their escape route.
“Alert the local station—seal every exit!”
[We can have nearby strays watch.]
[Crows too! We’ll have others monitor!]
Zang’ao lowered its head thoughtfully. If only it knew other cats nearby, it could recruit them too.
Lin Jiangye chuckled and rubbed its head.
“You can all help. Anyone who stops them from fleeing gets paid.”
He was generous and kept his promises.
Opal puffed out its chest proudly. Zang’ao straightened with fierce determination.
The Shepherd glanced at him again.
Good. This human was wealthy. He wouldn’t abandon dogs if bankrupt.
—
They arrived near Weijin Road and released the strays.
Lin Jiangye and Shang Fuyan followed the Shepherd. The others stayed on standby.
In an old district, an extra dozen strays drew no suspicion.
The Shepherd led them to a six-story residential building.
[They’re all inside. There’s access control—I can’t get in. I don’t know which floors.]
A grim thought lingered—
Cornered traffickers might take children—or residents—as hostages.
That fear wasn’t unfounded.
Now it was Zang’ao, Opal, and Diamond’s turn.
Crows could fly in. Cats could slip through gaps.
Police displayed the suspects’ faces from the recovered files so the trio could recognize them.
“Now we wait,” Lin Jiangye said, sitting in a milk tea shop across the street with Shang Fuyan.
Meanwhile, officers and strays sealed every exit—even dog holes.
Soon, a familiar meow sounded overhead.
They looked up.
Zang’ao stood proudly on the second-floor platform, grinning.
[Me found human cubs! On the third floor! Seven of them!]
Then Opal’s excited caw followed.
[Master! Sixteen adults! On the third and fourth floors!]
Chief Zhou studied the building layout.
Two households on the second floor.
Seven registered on the third and fourth floors.
According to the animals, the traffickers had effectively occupied both floors.
Sixteen suspects. Seven children.
“Priority: rescue the children.”
She calculated quickly.
Low floor heights. Wide second-floor platform. Suspects could jump down.
Or—
Flee upward.
Buildings in urban villages stood close together. Similar heights.
They could leap from rooftop to rooftop and escape.
Chief Zhou felt a headache coming on—
Until she looked up.
Because the sky above had darkened.
A vast flock of crows was gathering.
