Mystery Detective of the Steam World

Chapter 261 Do it yourself
In terms of results, the campaign to crack down on organized crime was a complete success.

Although the proposal was put forward by Li Wei, except at the very beginning, he was basically like all important figures, just talking and having his subordinates run themselves ragged.

Yes, that's the comfort of being a superior.

However, Li Wei did not intend to let the police in Wudu work for nothing. He could not interfere in administrative matters such as raising police salaries, so he simply donated hundreds of police cars and prison vans to all police stations in Wudu in the name of a shareholder.

Li Wei's experience comes from modern times. If you were to give money to the police as a token of gratitude, it would easily be suspected of interfering in administrative affairs, and the police would also find it difficult to accept such money. However, donating equipment and vehicles avoids these problems. On the one hand, it expresses support for police work, and on the other hand, it avoids any issues of political interference.

For departments like the police, funds are always tight. After all, police stations operate entirely on administrative appropriations and cannot generate their own revenue. Therefore, they are very careful with their spending. Naturally, they cannot afford to spend too much money on purchasing vehicles, even though vehicles are necessities. Li Wei's donation has relieved the Chongqing police station's immediate financial crisis.

Unlike modern cars, steam-powered vehicles at this time did not require gasoline, so they didn't cost much in terms of fuel. Coal itself was also inexpensive, so having a vehicle was pure profit.

Li Wei's donation naturally delighted the Chongqing Police Department. Although they didn't have a car for every officer, at least they wouldn't have to rush around so much when patrolling or on duty. Plus, the police department could save the money they originally planned to spend on cars and use it for other things—who wouldn't like that?

The grievances caused by this special operation have vanished.

As it turns out, people always act swiftly when faced with self-interest. Perhaps receiving a hint from the royal family, the courts acted very quickly, arresting, interrogating, and executing a batch after another. They even set up a public trial platform in the square of the lower city, dragging prisoners into the courtroom, where the judge would try them on the spot and hang them on the spot.

A one-stop service is available.

Of course, at this time of year, residents of the lower city would come to watch the spectacle. They would be thrilled to see the gang members who usually committed crimes being hanged, and they would cheer loudly.

Li Wei also went to see it once.

It wasn't because it was cruel or anything. He had seen similar things in his own world. The public trials during the crackdown were just like that. They would drag the criminals onto the stage, announce their crimes, sentence them to death, and then take them to the execution ground to be shot at, while everyone else watched.

On the contrary, Li Wei couldn't understand why anyone would say that the death penalty was cruel. So, the prisoners were pitiful, but the people they killed weren't pitiful?

Li Wei hates seeing scenes in movies, TV shows, and animations where the villain wants revenge for their dead family members, and the protagonist says things like, "Think about the deceased XXX, did she really want you to do this?"

So you're just spouting nonsense because the victim is dead and can't speak up for themselves? How do you know they weren't shouting "Good riddance, kill more!" from the sidelines?
Following this logic, the villain could also say to the protagonist, "Why are you stopping me? The deceased XX would never want you to do such a thing." Would the protagonist listen or not?
Fortunately, there are no brain-dead human rights activists in this era.

After that, Li Wei stayed at home and rarely even went to the club.

The crackdown on organized crime was very successful, but there was no guarantee that no one had escaped and might try to retaliate. Therefore, Li Wei decided to lay low for a while and reminded his butler to be careful of outsiders.

Therefore, Li Wei stayed at home for the rest of the time.

Alice was naturally the happiest about this. Lately, Li Wei had been leaving early and returning late, which had disappointed her. Now that Li Wei had some free time, Alice was naturally delighted. Every day, except when she was studying, she would practically stay by Li Wei's side, either asking him to tell her stories or listening to him play the piano.

Of course, Katie would also come to play with Alice.

However, the way she plays it...

"Look, it's so high!"

Standing in the rooftop garden, Katie grabbed Alice and tossed her into the air. The next moment, Alice soared high into the sky. Katie then leaped up as well, landing safely with Alice in her arms.

"Wow ah ah ah ah!"

"How was it? Was it fun?"

"So fun! So interesting!"

By the way, the so-called rooftop garden is the very top of the Livy Clock Tower. After the renovation, it was also transformed into a rooftop sky garden. Previously, it was mostly closed because of winter. Now that it's spring, you can come here to enjoy the scenery.

Incidentally, there are railings all around, so there's no fear that Alice will fall.

But this way of playing... it doesn't really matter whether there are railings or not.

"Um, Sir Levi... is this really alright?"

Adele, sitting beside him, watched this scene and spoke timidly to Levi. At first, she felt quite relieved when she saw Katie pick up Alice, but the next moment, when she saw Alice being thrown into the air... she almost fainted from shock.

"No problem, right? Katie knows what she's doing. Look, Alice seems pretty happy too."

Li Wei sat at the table next to him, enjoying the spring sunshine while sipping afternoon tea and watching Katie and Alice playing around, while Eileen poured tea for them.

Everyone ignored what was happening before their eyes.

Am I the one with the problem? Because I'm from the countryside? Actually, this kind of thing is quite common in the city? Do all city people go to such lengths?

Adele's mind was in complete chaos; she looked at the scene before her and didn't know what to do. Her heart was pounding along with Alice's every move, until the two of them got tired of playing and sat down at the table, finally putting her mind at ease.

"call………"

"How was it? Was it fun?"

"Fun!"

Alice nodded with a smile when Li Wei asked her question.

"It feels so much like being a bird in the sky! If only Alice had wings and could fly..."

"Yes, I also wish I had wings."

Katie stretched and said the same thing as Alice.

"But after all, we're not like birds. If only we could fly in the sky forever... What do you think, Dad?"

"Haha, wanting to fly in the sky is indeed a dream for many people."

Li Wei had similar thoughts, especially during his teenage years. Those cool characters in comics who stood atop streetlights, arrogantly looking down at those below, were the figures he wanted to emulate. And those handsome men and beautiful women who could fly—angels, fallen angels, demons—were also quite popular.

However, that comic was quite trendy. It started as a love story between a brother and sister, but later it was revealed that they were both reincarnations of angels. The sister was captured by the heavens, while the brother was rescued by demons and then led an army of demons to counterattack the heavens. Later, it was discovered that the gods were actually a supercomputer...

Well, I have to say, that comic had a really wild imagination, and the concept was quite trendy. I think it was called "Angel Sanctuary," and the art style, with its slightly gothic and decadent feel, was truly exquisite…

Recalling the comics he had read back then, Li Wei was filled with emotion, and then a sudden inspiration struck him.

Um?and many more.

My current art and drawing skills are around 60.

Unlike physical attributes, skill attributes also have different numerical values.

Those ranked 1-5 are beginners, complete novices.

6-19 are for beginners.

A score of 20-49 indicates an amateur level of talent, which can be considered as having a certain foundation and is a hobby.

Levels 50-74 are considered professional levels, representing those who can earn a living using their skills, equivalent to a bachelor's degree in a specific field.

Those with scores between 75 and 89 are considered experts, equivalent to a master's or doctoral degree.

Those scoring 90+ are considered masters, ranking among the world's top.

李维目前拥有的技能里，【斗殴（20）】【语言学（30）】【博物学（10）】是业余等级的新手，【射击（95）】【魅惑（90）】是世界顶尖，【侦查（80）】【心理学（80）】则是专家，【图书馆（70）】【神秘学（60）】【乔装（65）】【美术（60）】【诊断（50）】都属于职业级。

Now that I have professional-level skills, can I draw it?
When Li Wei was in school, he also thought about becoming a cartoonist, but unfortunately, his dream was nipped in the bud by his parents because it was considered a frivolous pursuit. But in this world, Li Wei doesn't have to worry about that.

The world now only has landscape paintings, oil paintings, and portrait paintings, either realistic or abstract.

But in Li Wei's opinion, the most visually appealing thing is still the anime/manga style!
If I can draw anime characters myself, wouldn't that be better than anything else?
"Miss Adele."

Thinking of this, Li Wei looked at Adele.

"Could I borrow your drawing paper and brushes?"

"Oh? Sure... Sir Levi, you want to have a painting?"

"Hmm, I'm bored, so I'll give it a try drawing."

Li Wei picked up the drawing paper and brushes, then closed his eyes and recalled the comics he had been reading.

Wow, the skill of "photographic memory" is really useful; it can directly capture images from the library of your brain.

Now, let's draw it.

With that in mind, Li Wei picked up his paintbrush and began to draw on the paper.

"Hey? Daddy, do you want to draw?"

"Mr. Li Wei wants to paint?"

Alice and Katie also curiously came over, looking at the drawing paper in front of Levi, wanting to see what he was drawing.

It must be said that the art skill (60) is indeed very useful.

Li Wei had never practiced painting before, but based on his memory, he actually managed to copy it onto the paper. Gradually, under everyone's gaze, a beautiful woman appeared on the white paper. She wore a black coat, had a pair of white wings behind her, and her hair was curly and smooth. The contrast of shadows and folds made her shimmering wings even more eye-catching.

"Well, that's pretty much it."

Li Wei blew the dust off the paper, looked at the drawing in his hand, and nodded. After all, there was no screen toning paper in this era; everyone had to rely on their own hands to apply the black, which was indeed a time-consuming and laborious task…

"This is... an angel?"

Katie stared wide-eyed at the angel on the paper.

"It's so beautiful, it's different from what I've seen before..."

Normally, the image of angels given by the missionaries of the Holy Lord Church is also humanoid with wings, but that style belongs to realistic oil painting, while Li Wei's is a pure two-dimensional style, so they are naturally two completely different things.

"How is it? Not bad, right?"

Hearing Katie's praise, Levi chuckled.

"Yes, it's beautiful, Dad!"

"Then it's yours."

Li Wei handed the drawing paper to Alice, who happily accepted it, her eyes crinkling with laughter.

"Thank you dad!"

"That's great! I want one too!"

"Then I'll paint you another one when I have some free time later."

Seeing Katie looking like a child begging for candy, Levi could only comfort her. After all, there was no screen toning paper in this era, and the style of the painting was just too "delicate." A lot of wrinkles and shadows had to be drawn, and only by combining them with that beautiful dress could this beautiful yet decadent feeling be shown.

To put it bluntly, even if you just copy what you think of, drawing a picture would be exhausting.

"Alright then, it's settled then!"

"Okay, okay, it's settled."

Seeing Katie's pinky promise, Levi had no choice but to agree.

(End of this chapter)