"Even though we asked Clara for help, as long as that Thief isn’t a complete idiot, he’s definitely holed up somewhere."
"Of course, I’m not saying it’s impossible to catch him."
"It’s just that we have a lot to do, and we can’t waste too much time on this."
"Let’s just get on with our business and wait for news before we do anything else."
On the way from the general store to the tavern, Lu Wei kept trying to manage Furen’s expectations about getting the money pouch back.
Of course, he hoped they could catch the Thief, too.
But it was a truly difficult task.
Furen, however, looked so confident he was already planning how he’d punish the Thief once he was caught.
So, Lu Wei felt it was necessary to throw some cold water on his friend’s enthusiasm.
"In short, you have to keep a level head and first accept the fact that the money pouch is gone."
Stopping outside the tavern, Lu Wei offered one last piece of advice before reaching out to knock on the door.
"Clara, are you in there?"
"...Coming! I’m coming!"
The sound of light footsteps came from behind the door, and Clara’s voice sounded excited.
"Hmm?"
Furen froze, then immediately asked, "Did she find something out?"
"Impossible."
Lu Wei scoffed, dismissing the idea. "It’s only been one night. There’s no way she has news."
"A customer probably gave her a big tip last night. That happens all the time in a tavern."
"But a whole night has passed..."
Furen scratched his head in confusion. "If it was just a tip, she probably wouldn’t still be this happy."
"Then maybe she found a money pouch a customer left behind while sweeping this morning."
Lu Wei shot Furen a sideways glance, saying with displeasure, "Didn’t I already tell you? Don’t get your hopes up."
"Oh, right. Okay."
Tugging on his backpack strap, Furen nodded. Although he didn’t say anything more, he seemed a bit unconvinced.
’Perhaps this is just how optimists are, always thinking things will turn out for the best.’
’But in reality, that almost never happens.’
’Usually, you’re lucky if things don’t go in the worst possible direction.’
’So young.’
’He’ll understand after a few more things go wrong.’
Shaking his head, Lu Wei looked away, putting on the weary air of a "mature man" who had seen it all.
And just then, the large wooden door in front of them opened a crack.
Then, a beaming Clara swung the door open, shouting excitedly:
"You’re finally here!"
"Get in here! I caught the Thief!"
"..."
Lu Wei: ???
...
...
It just goes to show, you really shouldn’t be too confident.
A minute later, Lu Wei stared at the skinny youth trussed up in a chair before him, falling into a long silence.
’What the hell? This isn’t right...’
’Something’s wrong here...’
"That’s right! It’s my money pouch!"
"Only two silver coins and some copper coins are missing!"
"This is great! Thank you, Clara!"
"This is your reward!"
Furen’s joyous voice rang out, making Lu Wei cringe with embarrassment; he felt as if his nose was turning red and round.
To save his dignity, he quickly turned to ask Clara:
"So how did you find him? It must have taken a lot of effort, right?"
"Nope~"
Clara took the five silver coins from Furen’s hand without even looking up and replied happily, "He delivered himself right to my doorstep~"
"Huh? Delivered himself to your doorstep?"
"Yep. This morning after I finished my chores, I was planning to go to the Central Plaza to post a notice to find him, but I saw him in the back alley as soon as I stepped out."
"You mean... he came back?"
"Mhm, that’s right. He tried to run when he saw me, but I caught up and knocked him out with a wooden club."
Looking at the still-unconscious youth, Clara shrugged.
"What can I say? He went down way too easily."
"..."
’Wait, is that even possible?’
Staring dumbfounded at Clara, Lu Wei was completely baffled.
’What kind of criminal just serves himself up on a silver platter?’
’According to criminal psychology from my past life, some criminals do return to the scene of the crime to admire their "masterpiece," but would a simple Thief really do that?’
’It’s not like he’s some perverted serial killer!’
"Um..."
After being stunned for a long while, he finally came to his senses and was about to ask for more details.
But just then, the bound youth beside them suddenly let out a pained groan.
Then, as the three of them watched, he slowly opened his eyes.
"Ngh..."
Realizing he was tied up, a flash of panic crossed the youth’s eyes.
But the moment he saw Furen, his expression immediately changed to one of shame and guilt.
After a moment, he silently lowered his head and murmured in a very quiet voice:
"Sir, I’m sorry..."
...
...
"Hmph! Don’t you pretend to be pitiful!"
"I’m not going to fall for it!"
"Because a truly good person would never do something illegal!"
"Just you wait! I’m definitely taking you to the constabulary!"
"You must accept the punishment you deserve!"
A few minutes later, the RUMBLE of a carriage echoed from outside as the street began to liven up.
Furen stood with his hands on his hips, glaring at the bound youth, repeatedly emphasizing that he was not an idiot who could be easily fooled.
The youth, however, remained silent, waiting until Furen was finished yelling before he raised his head and softly explained:
"Sir, I’m truly sorry. The reason I stole your money was to buy some food for my companions. They’re about to starve to death..."
Furen paused. "Then why did you come back?"
"I came back to return your money pouch, but this young lady found me, and then..."
Shaking his head, the youth didn’t continue, but instead promised earnestly, "In any case, I will take responsibility for my actions."
"You..."
His mouth slightly agape, Furen never expected the other party to be so sincere. He was caught off guard, and the grand lecture he had prepared about "character and morals" got stuck in his throat.
After all, he couldn’t very well demand that a starving person abide by the law.
And just as he was hesitating over how to deal with such a pitiful child, Clara remembered what she’d discovered earlier and quietly reminded him:
"Oh, right. He’s probably a slave. He has a brand on his chest. I saw it when I knocked him out."
"A slave?"
Furen froze again for a second, then turned to confirm, "Are you really a slave?"
"I... Yes, sir."
The youth hesitated for a moment, then, as if resigning himself to his fate, silently admitted, "My companions and I are all slaves. We ran away because we couldn’t bear our master’s torture."
"We haven’t eaten in three days. I had no other choice, so I stole your money pouch."
"But this has nothing to do with my companions. I did it all by myself. They don’t even know..."
Perhaps afraid of implicating his companions, as he spoke, his tone took on a pleading quality, and he kept promising he would not evade any punishment.
As for Furen, the more he listened, the more conflicted he became, and his gaze softened without him realizing it.
A slave, underage, nearly starved to death, doing it for his companions... When all these labels appeared at once, he found it impossible not to forgive such a pitiful child.
Even the act of Theft itself now seemed like an act of bravery.
"I forgive you."
"We’ll let this matter go. You don’t have to be afraid. I won’t hold you responsible for anything."
After a moment of silence, Furen suddenly nodded with a serious expression, then reached out to untie the ropes binding the youth.
This scene left Lu Wei completely dumbfounded.
’Wait a minute. A second ago he was going on about how he wouldn’t be fooled, and now he’s just "letting it go"??’
"Wait."
Seeing how incredibly naive Furen was, Lu Wei had no choice but to intervene. "Hold on. You can’t just take his word for everything."
"Huh? But I don’t think he’s lying."
Furen turned his head blankly, his face full of the crystal-clear stupidity of a college student.
’I give up.’
Lu Wei rolled his eyes, not bothering to deal with him, and walked straight up to the youth, asking coldly:
"What’s your name?"
"Zovir, sir..."
Perhaps frightened by Lu Wei’s tone, the youth’s voice was timid.
"Alright, Zovir. Take us to your companions right now."
Lu Wei glanced at him and said coolly:
"If things are really as you say, my friend here might let you go."
"But if you’re lying to us, then according to the law, you’ll have one of your hands cut off."