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Strength

Nie Huaisang was stepping out of his shower when Charlie called him with the ten minute warning before the ops** briefing.

"Perfect timing. I'll be ready." he had told her while standing buck naked and dripping on the mat.

He had left the hospital at four still needing to get clothes and his weapon. Yu Bin had dozed off but he had noticed the man was still pulling at his arm even in his sleep. The swelling was bad and Lan Xichen had frowned over it when he had examined Yu Bin earlier. There had to be some other way to immobilize the arm without tying the board to the bed. Maybe Lan Xichen had some suggestions.

Understandably, he was loathe to ask Yu Qing anything.

He shot a quick text off to Lan Xichen regarding the problem then continued getting ready.

Right on time, he was dressed and ready to go when Charlie called him back. His packed bag sat next to the door and his pistol was in a shoulder holster under his jacket. As soon as the meeting adjourned, he would be on his way. He didn't want to leave Yu Bin alone any longer than necessary and he didn't trust his sister to behave herself after the show she put on this morning.

He focused in on the present as Charlie began to speak.

"Good evening, everyone! As you know, Xin Di and Ouyang Zizhen will be posing as siblings on the street for a month after escaping an abusive home life. Xin Di you are Gao Yuxi and Zizhen you are Gao Muchen. Tell me about yourselves."

Zizhen spoke up first. "I am the oldest at seventeen. Our mother is a weak woman. She drinks too much. Takes drugs and is willing to hook up with any man who will give them to her. Yuxi is only sixteen but some of the men look at her. One finally tried to take what our mother gives away. Mother screamed and hit Yuxi for not giving it to him." He hung his head in despair and humiliation.

"I was afraid mother would try and barter her for what she wants. I couldn't let her do that to my sister so we ran." Gao Yuxi scooted closer and held her brother's hand.

"He tried to protect me and the bastard beat Muchen." it was a growl. "She's not our mother. She just gave birth to us. We have each other. We don't need her." Defensive anger stood sharp in Gao Yuxi's eyes.

"You two are brilliant." Charlie grinned. "Settled in on hobbies, inside jokes and habits?"

Xin Di smiled. "Sure thing, Sergeant. He chews his toenails. So gross but who knew he was that flexible?"

Ouyan Zizhen gaped at her then pouted. "You promised you wouldn't tell! Damn, gurl."

They both started laughing.

"Perfect! Xin Di, I want you to tell everyone what Grandmother Liu said."

Xin Di got serious fast. She told them of her encounter with the elderly street person. "She was afraid for me and she knows I'm a cop. That worries me. I've known her almost two years now and she's never acted that way about anything. There is something bad going on in the Koi Tower Shelters."

"We now have a direct warning so let's make sure we heed it, yes?" Charlie looked around the room. "We've gone over the logistics already. The video and audio feeds are set up with implants in your clothing. Don't shower. It could give someone the opportunity to go through your clothes and discover the taps."

Nods from Xin Di and Zizhen.

"Code words?" Charlie asked.

"BTS" said Xin Di. "I can talk about them all day and never mention the band name." She gave a smug grin.

"Hmmm... You sure?" Charlie asked skeptically.

"Yep, wanna try me out?" Xin Di was in earnest.

"Okay, as long as you're sure. I trust you. Zizhen, what's yours?"