Chapter 18
At noon, the real estate agent Xiao Liu came by with the key and a contract to sign.
Xiao Liu, who had neat and short hair, did not come empty-handed. She was carrying a bag of fruit and smiled as soon as the door was opened: “Mr. Lian, Mr. Su, long time no see. I picked out some fresh apples and watermelons downstairs. Try some!”
Lian Xi didn’t pretend to be polite and took the fruit. Su Jiao ran to the kitchen and got the girl a bottle of ice water.
Lian Xi: “Sorry to trouble you to come over.”
Xiao Liu: “I should thank you for this. It’s more business for me. I made ten business deals this month, two of which are thanks to you! The landlord is out of town now, so I keep the keys on me. I can sign on behalf of the landlord with you. Who’s the one who wants to rent a room and which room?” As she spoke, Xiao Liu looked around curiously.
By coincidence, Lie Chen walked out of the room.
Lian Xi smiled: “It’s him.”
Looking at the handsome and cold man in black , Xiao Liu’s eyes widened sharply, and the tips of her ears began to silently turn red. She hesitated, nodded and hurriedly took out a rental contract from her bag.
Upon seeing this, Su Jiao poked Lian Xi’s arm silently, and whispered, “She actually likes this type?”
“…” Lian Xi had nothing to say.
The short housemate snorted, extremely unconvinced: “Am I not handsome? Besides, even if I’m not her type, aren’t you also handsome? But she actually likes him?” She didn’t blush when she signed the rental contract with either of us!
After thinking for a while, Lian Xi quietly looked at the man by his side. The next moment, Lie Chen also turned his gaze, and looked back at Lian Xi.
Lian Xi was taken aback, raised the corners of his lips, smiled and nodded.
President Lie: …Huh?
Of course Lian Xi didn’t know what the young girl’s type was.
Girls these days liked all kinds of styles. Lian Xi has received countless love letters since he was a child, but since he is not RMB {money}, there was no guarantee every girl would like him. However, it seems that Xiao Liu does indeed like the Black Reaper’s type.
But then again, what type is this exactly?
Cool brother? Handsome guy?
Iceberg cold noodle type?
The type of DiDi which will give you a free greeting of “Today you should go to reincarnate” – that type?
……..
As Lian Xi was diverting himself with these brain holes, Xiao Liu was already handing over the rental contract to Lie Chen while blushing madly. “Um, er,… let me know if there’s any problems.”
The man raised an eyebrow and said faintly, “En?” What is this?
Xiao Liu misunderstood and thought he was dissatisfied with the rental contract. She hurriedly explained: “Our company’s rental contract is very standard. The template set by the head office is common across the country. There won’t be any problem with it. Of course, if there’s any details you’re not sure about, I’ll be happy to talk it over with you.”
Lian Xi took the rental contract over: “I’ll look at it.”
Xiao Liu: “OK, sure.”
This was exactly the same as the rental contract that was signed by Lian Xi before. Lian Xi looked and said, “No problem, just sign the contract. He will live in the room next to me.”
Xiao Liu handed over the pen: “Then sign.”
Lian Xi took it. He was just about to sign when Xiao Liu asked, stunned: “Why don’t you let him sign it?”
Lian Xi’s tone was calm: “I can sign it. Is there a problem?”
Xiao Liu: “That’s not it…”
Lian Xi quickly signed his name on the rental contract. President Lie stood beside him on the couch and lowered his eyes to look at the character script that looked like dancing dragons and phoenixes.
[“Lian Xi”. ]
Lian Xi.
Xiao Liu accepted the contract: “Okay, even if the contract is signed. I still need to take a look at his ID card.”
President Lie: “ID card?”
Lian Xi: “…” I forgot about that!
Xiao Liu: “Yes, ID card. Although this a murder house and so I suppose it doesn’t who signs, the landlord still has the hope that he cant rent it out more. So seeing the ID card is the company’s procedure. Otherwise, it’s hard to say who’s living there and it’s not easy to explain if something happens.”
Lian Xi signaled Su Jiao with his eyes: Think of a way.
Short housemate: Huh? What can I do?
Lian Xi looked at Xiao Liu and his expression was placid: “He lost his ID two days ago and is re-applying for it. Is it okay if I take a photo and send it to you later?”
Xiao Liu didn’t think too much: “Okay, that’s fine too. In that case I’ll open the door of the new bedroom for you first. Come and take a look.” The short-haired girl took the key and walked in front. Lian Xi, Lie Chen and Su Jiao followed behind.
There was a large bunch of keys in Xiao Liu’s hand. She stood in front of the room and looked for it for a long time, but still couldn’t find the correct key.
In front of the locked door, Lian Xi waited patiently, and suddenly felt his arm poked. He subconsciously thought it was Su Jiao, and threw off the hand, too lazy to pay attention to him. He was thinking about how to solve the problem of the ID card!
The person whose hand was thrown off was a little dumbfounded: “…?”
His cold and profound face had a faint and expressionless look. Lord Black Reaper calmly stretched out his hand again and touched Lian Xi lightly again.
“What are you doing… Oh, Lord Black Reaper?” The voice changed abruptly. His delicate eyebrows slowly spread in a smile, “Is there something the matter?”
Su Jiao on the side: “Huh!”
Do you think I don’t know what you’re thinking!
You hypocrite and ass kisser with your double standards!
Lie Chen raised his eyebrows. Yes, this was the correct reaction. He calmly asked: “What is an ID card?”
After thinking for some time, Lian Xi gave an explanation: “Something that proves your identity.”
Lie Chen: “Oh, is that it? I understand.”
Lian Xi felt weird: “??”
What do you understand?
But he didn’t think too much.
At this time, Xiao Liu said happily: “Found it!”
With a click, the key was inserted into the lock key and the door was successfully opened. As soon as the door opened, a musty smell drifted over.
Xiao Liu: “The furniture inside is all complete and I cleaned it not long before locking the door but if you want me to clean it again, I can do it.”
Lian Xi: “It’s okay, we can do it ourselves.”
Xiao Liu smiled apologetically. “Okay in that case, I’ll make my leave today.”
Lian Xi transferred the intermediary fee to Xiao Liu. After receiving the intermediary fee, Xiao Liu’s eyes lit up, and she was more excited than even when she saw President Lie. She thanked him again and again: “Thank you Mr. Lian. If you need anything, feel free to find me on WeChat.”
Lian Xi smiled and said, “It’s okay, it should be all right.”
In just half an hour, everything was done. Both parties were happy and Xiao Liu got ready to head out.
Standing at the door, Xiao Liu was taking off her shoe covers when Lian Xi casually asked: “By the way, do the tenants opposite us also rent from your agency?”
Xiao Liu was taken aback and the movement of taking off the shoe covers stopped: “Is the place opposite you rented out?”
Lian Xi’s eyes narrowed but his tone was calm: “Yes, you didn’t know?”
Xiao Liu: “I believe the place opposite you was purchased through our agency a few years ago, but I haven’t heard about it since. I wasn’t working when it was sold, so I’m not clear about it. Maybe the owner gave the rental business to someone else? If you want to know, I’ll go back to the office in the afternoon and I can check it out for you.”
Lian Xi smiled and nodded: “That would be very appreciated.”
Xiao Liu waved her hand: “It’s okay, it’s no big deal. If there is nothing else, I will go first…” Then, Xiao Liu stretched out her hand and opened the door. However at this moment, a low and pleasant male voice sounded from behind Lian Xi.
“Wait a minute.”
Huh?
The three of them all turned back and looked at the speaker.
In the bright and tidy living room, a handsome and tall man had one hand in his pocket and a thin book in the other. He handed it to Xiao Liu indifferently. Lie Chen’s eyelids were slightly curved, and his voice was indifferent but at the same time extremely confident: “Identity card.”
Lian Xi and Su Jiao: “???”
****?!
Xiao Liu opened her mouth and slowly lowered her head to look at the little black notebook handed to her. After seeing the words written on the book clearly…
Xiao Liu: “…”
“Ka-cha -“
All the girl’s beautiful dreams collapsed at this moment.
Xiao Liu said with a dry smile: “This… sir, this joke is really not funny.”
President Lie raised his eyebrows: “Isn’t this the ID card you want?”
Xiao Liu: “…”
How come you look so handsome and have such a good temperament but are also a fool!
Seeing that President Lie still wanted to talk, Lian Xi hurriedly took his hand and quickly said to Xiao Liu: “He’s just joking around.”
Xiao Liu shook her head: “Hehe…well, it’s okay.” It’s just that when she left, she did so decisively and didn’t aim any more lingering glances at Lie Chen.
When the door closed with a click, Lian Xi let go of that man’s hand.
President Lie frowned and pointed at Lian Xi: “Identity card, proof of identity.” He pointed to himself again, “Reaper Record, Black Reaper.”
Lian Xi: “…”
You’re really a genius at reading comprehension aren’t you!
Su Jiao held back his smile and turned back and forth.
Lian Xi: “Don’t worry about this, I’ll solve it!”
Lie Chen glanced at him thoughtfully, and suddenly said: “You like to help people?”
Lian Xi was stunned, then nodded gently: “Yes!”
Lie Chen smiled then turned his head and walked into his bedroom. Two seconds after he walked in, he leaned out of the door again: “So will you help me clean my bedroom?”
Lian Xi: “…”
You adapt so quickly!
***
The new bedroom has been unoccupied for a long time and a layer of dust had accumulated, but there wasn’t much to tidy up. After working for half an hour, it was very clean. Lian Xi cautiously stared at the golden light surrounding a certain man, however none of the golden lights ran over to him!
Got it, I worked for nothing.
Lian Xi began to scheme how to get more golden light.
They had been busy for most of the day, so at one o’clock in the afternoon, everyone finally had time to order take out.
After half an hour, the takeaway arrived at the house.
Lian Xi: “This is the moment to witness a miracle!”
Su Jiao: “Hahahaha, let’s see what bugs you get this time!”
Lian Xi: “He he.” {Sarcastic laugh}
Su Jiao: “Flies! Flies! Flies!”
Lian Xi: “… …”
Why can’t you accumulate some more virtue!
Glancing at his short housemate, Lian Xi appeared light and nonchalant on the surface but his slightly trembling fingers exposed his uneasy mood. He took a deep breath, he slowly opened his shredded pork rice bowl. With a click, the lunch box opened and a strong aroma of vegetables and rice penetrated into the nasal cavity and moved the appetite.
However, no one moved their chopsticks.
Su Jiao eagerly formed a fist, his face gloating.
Lian Xi prepared for the worst, his lips pressed tightly. He didn’t eat immediately but after grabbing the bowl, he calmly began to pick through the rice. He moved the food from the fast food box to the bowl layer by layer, carefully checking whether any bugs or hair had fallen out of it.
The short three minutes was as long as a year!
Three minutes later.
Su Jiao: “Fuck? Where’s the fly?”
Lian Xi looked at the two golden lights slowly dissipating between his fingers and suddenly his nose felt sour.
This is the takeaway that humans should eat!
After helping Wanderer retrieve his body, for three consecutive days, Lian Xi has been eating insect takeaways!
In the beginning, the short housemate helped him complain with righteous indignation. Later, quizzing about what bugs Lian Xi would eat today had become Su Jiao’s daily routine.
The short housemate slumped on the chair: “My springtime is gone!” Lian Xi stopped eating bugs, my springtime has gone!
Lian Xi sneered: “Be serious!”
In the dining room, two young people complained to each other.
Without the must-see bug drama, Su Jiao suddenly felt that the bowl of rice in front of him didn’t seem so delicious and began to eat listlessly. Lian Xi did not eat immediately.
He took a bowl of lunch, got up and walked to the bedroom.
Su Jiao raised his head and glanced at him, narrowed his mouth, and muttered in a low voice: “Ass kisser.”
Ass kisser walked to the bedroom of Lord Black Reaper and knocked on the door.
Standing by the window and looking down was a man with a Reaper Record in his hand. He turned his head and looked at the other person silently for a moment. The man asked indifferently: “What’s the matter?”
Lian Xi went over: “I do not know what you like to eat so I just ordered randomly.” After leaving the lunch on the table, Lian Xi suddenly remembered something: “Uh… You do eat food right?”
Lie Chen fixedly looked at him and after a moment, he smiled: “Leave it ba.”
Three golden lights jumped over Lian Xi with joy.
Lian Xi: “!”
He was in a good mood. The young man smiled and said, “Eat while it’s hot.”
Lie Chen hummed but instead of eating immediately, he continued to turn his head and looked out the window.
Whilst leaving the room, Lian Xi stood in front of the doorway and stopped for some reason.
He looked at the man’s back.
The bright and shining sunlight passed through the glass, shining on this person but there was a strangeness about him. The icy black color contrasted extremely well with the man’s short hair. He just stood there silently, filled with endless silence and desolation.
After watching for a few seconds in silence, Lian Xi went back to the dining room.
It had nothing to do with him.
What Lian Xi didn’t know was that after he left, Lie Chen turned his head and glanced at him lightly. Then, his eyes turned to the box lunch on the table.
…Likes to help people?
Hm.
***
In the early morning of the next day, Su Jiao went to class and Lian Xi and President Lie stood in front of the door.
President Lie stood aside with his hands in his pockets.
Lian Xi quietly looked through the peephole, observing the movement of the opposite residence.
After watching for a few minutes, Lian Xi suddenly said: “He’s coming out!” The next moment, he heard the clear sound of a door closing. Through the peephole, Lian Xi saw the young guy that lived opposite come out wearing a t-shirt and shorts. He was humming a little ditty, walking briskly and went downstairs.
After he got into the elevator, Lian Xi immediately opened the door: “Let’s follow him!”
Without further ado, the two followed suit and got into the other elevator. When Lian Xi arrived on the first floor, the opposite guy had just left the gate of the community.
Let’s catch up!
The two quickly followed.
Yes, the three had discussed for a long time last night and finally Lian Xi made a plan: “Let’s follow him and see what this neighbour does every day!”
Because the short housemate had class, he couldn’t participate in the plan. But Lian Xi and the ghost official had a lot of time.
Lian Xi thought: “The person opposite us seems to go out every day to help his roommates buy breakfast.”
So right now Lian Xi and Lie Chen are following the young guy.
In fact, long before President Lie came, Lian Xi and Su Jiao had already been curious about why this guy went out every day to buy breakfast for his roommates.
It’s no problem to buy breakfast, and it’s also no problem to buy breakfast for your roommates. But the problem is: he did it every single day!
In the days after food delivery apps became so developed, very few people would go out to buy food every day. And it’s also in the hot summer of August!
But Lian Xi and Su Jiao couldn’t really draw any conclusions from this and could only say: “Maybe some people like to go out in the morning to get fresh air.”
But perhaps it was not so simple.
After exiting the gate of the community, he turned left and walked across a busy central street in the neighborhood.
At 8 o’clock in the morning, the office workers were out hurrying. They carried their bags and walked quickly to the bus stop. The refreshing morning breeze in late summer and the delicate and tender roses on both sides of the road did nothing to affect them or change their routine destiny of blindly rushing to work.
In such a large flow of people, the guy who lived opposite them seemed to be bucking the trend.
He walked against the rushing crowd, humming happily and made his way to an old commercial street next to the neighborhood center.
Before entering the old street, Lian Xi and Lie Chen could already smell the scent of steamed buns and fried dough sticks from a long way off.
Lian Xi was slightly stunned.
This is also his first time here.
Contemporary young people rely on takeaways to live their lives. Although it had been more than a month since they moved into a new home, Lian Xi has never been here. He has only been to the neighborhood center once and never found this old street next to it.
The neighborhood center was built last year but this old street seems to have some history. Maybe it was built along with the community.
Walking into the old street, Lian Xi found that most of them seemed to be restaurants.
Each old storefront had yellowed out shop signs.
There weren’t any chain stores and each of them looked like a small, mom and pop type shop. The kind that made simple and homely food for the neighborhood. In the morning there were steamed buns and fried dough sticks. At night they would take tables and chairs outside and using a super-powered fan, provide a cool place for people to have a late night snack.
The young guy walked up to a bun shop and said with a smile, “Twenty fried dough sticks, eight cups of soy milk, and three meat buns!”
“All right!”
There are also many other people who come to buy breakfast.
This kind of street shop never pays attention to queuing and even the customers who buy buns are acquaintances. They chatted happily while waiting for the boss to steam buns for them.
Lian Xi gradually stopped his footsteps.
Lie Chen looked at him strangely: “Hn?”
Lian Xi remained silent, continuing to watch this extraordinary scene.
Lie Chen raised his eyebrows: “What’s the matter?”
Lian Xi shook his head: “Have you seen the lives of ordinary people much?”
“I am a Black Reaper and I just came out of the underworld to take up my post.”
“Oh yes, sorry.” Lian Xi pointed at the people who were smiling and chatting and waiting for the buns. “Many years ago, I was among them. With my dad and my grandfather.”
Lie Chen: “Then where are they now?”
Lian Xi smiled: “They left.”
Lie Chen: “They don’t want you anymore?”
Lian Xi: “???”
How do you Black Reapers talk??
Lian Xi: “They’re dead.”
Lie Chen: “Oh.” He took out the Reaper Record and turned to the last page to show Lian Xi: “Since the ancient days, who in this world does not die?”
Lian Xi said: “… …”
Believe it or not, I will kill you!
The young man’s anger was beyond words and he seemed liable to rush to punch him the next second. But this lively and vivid appearance was completely different from the false perfunctory attitude from before, and he finally became a bit real and meaningful. President Lie smiled slightly and his lips curled up with an imperceptible curve.
Soon, Lian Xi whispered: “He bought it.”
In front of the steamed bun shop, the young guy took a bag of fried dough sticks and a bag of soy milk and turned happily back to walk towards the gate of the community.
The two gazed at his retreating back. When he walked a little farther away and the two could follow him, they had only taken a step before stopping at the same time.
Lian Xi turned his gaze back to the entryway of the steamed bun shop and looked at the middle-aged man who had just taken the dough stick and soy milk at the same time as the guy they were following but was walking off in the other direction.
Just now, the guy who lived opposite them took his breakfast and turned to the west.
The middle-aged man in a suit and leather shoes turned and walked east.
But at the moment they took their breakfast, it seemed as though there was something overlapping them. And then when they turned in opposite directions, it separated.
The middle-aged man was already walking away.
Lian Xi hesitated for a moment and was about to say, “Should we follow?” but the man beside him had already taken a step.
After walking a few steps, Lie Chen turned his head and raised his eyebrows: “Are you coming?”
Lian Xi was taken aback and quickly followed.
The middle-aged man was carrying soy milk in his left hand and a big bag of fried dough sticks in his right hand. He walked quickly through the crowd. In fact, there are many middle-aged people who go out to buy breakfast like him but he is the strangest one. Not for other reasons but just because he wore a high-level customized suit.
Fine and flat cuffs with trimmed hemlines. Under the shining sun, the high-end clothes glowed with a shining dim light. This dress and those high-end crocodile leather shoes only pointed to one thing: they were expensive!
However, he was holding soy milk and dough sticks in both hands!
Don’t you think such a successful middle-aged person should sit in the cafeteria of a high-end hotel, sipping coffee and morning tea leisurely? Or sit in the brightly-lit top-level office where the secretary will serve him a plate of breakfast.
This effect was simply outstanding.
Lian Xi followed behind the middle-aged man, and watched him carrying his plastic bag of dough sticks and soy milk… to get into a Mercedes Benz!
Lian Xi: “…”
Lie Chen turned his head to look at him: What kind of expression is this?
Lian Xi felt tired.
You, a soil bun who just climbed up from the underworld, obviously have no idea what a Mercedes Benz is! Or what an AMG means!
Although Lian Xi didn’t understand why a successful man who drove a million-dollar luxury car would come to a roadside shop just to buy breakfast, this does not prevent him from realizing that this middle-aged man has a problem!
They flagged down a taxi quickly.
Lian Xi: “Please follow the Mercedes Benz in front.”
The taxi driver glanced at them both up and down: “Huh, are you guys paparazzi? Where are your cameras? This doesn’t seem right.”
Lian Xi: “Actually the guy in the car in front is our dad, we suspect that he’s going to a hotel to meet his “little three” {slang for mistress}.”
Taxi driver suddenly gave an understanding smile: “Got it, I’ll definitely catch up to him for you guys!”
President Lie’s eyes asked: What is a “little three”?
Lian Xi’s eyes responded: Oh, are you hungry? Wait until we get there and I’ll buy you some food.
President Lie interpreted this as: So you mortals call ghosts “little three”.
Lian Xi: Let’s eat meat buns!
The two people’s eyes glanced and talked to each other, and then smiled at each in supposed tacit understanding.
Of course, the performance of the Mercedes Benz should have left this car in the dust, but even clever women couldn’t cook without rice. In this morning rush hour traffic jam, even the million-dollar Mercedes Benz is useless and the taxi easily caught up to it. After that it followed not too far and not too closely.
After chasing for half an hour, the car stopped in front of a high-end office building.
Taxi driver: “Hey, this doesn’t seem to be a hotel.”
Lian Xi: “…”
The next moment, the young man showed righteous indignation: “He dared to openly find a mistress at the company!”
The taxi driver showed sympathetic eyes. He stretched out his hand: “Fifty-two yuan. You want to use WeChat or Alipay?”
Lian Xi said, “…Alipay.”
After paying the money, the taxi drove away, and the driver’s disdainful laughter came from the wind: “Little lamb, you still want to make up a story to make me sympathize with you hoping I’d charge you less?”
Lian Xi: “…”
Ain’t you a sly one!
Although they had caught up with the middle-aged man, Lian Xi and President Lie couldn’t enter the building.
This type of high-end office building needs a swipe card to enter. The two could only sit in the lobby on the first floor to see if they could find a chance to mix their way inside. However, they didn’t have to wait too long and the middle-aged man actually came downstairs within twenty minutes. Next to him was a scholarly looking man with glasses, which should be his secretary, and the two of them got back into the Mercedes Benz while chatting.
Lian Xi quickly stopped a taxi, his face expressionless and said. “Keep up with the Mercedes Benz in front. We are together but couldn’t fit into one car.”
This taxi driver wasn’t as sly as the previous one. He merely gave Lian Xi a look of, “I’m just a taxi driver, why are you telling me so much nonsense for?”, and merely stepped on the accelerator and followed them.
All day long, Lian Xi and President Lie chased the middle-aged man seemingly around the entirety of Su City.
It was unknown what this middle-aged man was doing. He went to three office buildings in one day, and kept going up and down. Every time he went in and out there would be some specifically waiting to bring him up and down.
When the middle-aged man came out of the third office building, Lian Xi quickly bent over to hide. He caught a glimpse of President Lie standing upright, glancing at the middle-aged man coldly. He frowned and hurriedly pushed him down.
President Lie: “…huh?”
Lian Xi: “Be careful not to be found.”
Not far away, the male secretary looked around and turned around and said, “President Gao, the car hasn’t come yet. I’ll check the situation. Wait a minute.”
The middle-aged man called President Gao lifted his watch and checked the time: “It’s okay, it’s five o’clock. You can get off work Xiao Wang.”
“President Gao?”
The middle-aged man smiled and said, “I’m going to stop by at the coffee shop nearby. You can finish up for the day. Tell the car to go directly back to the company and I will go home by myself.”
“All right President Gao.”
The middle-aged man strode towards a Starbucks on the other side of the road.
After a minute, Lian Xi and Lie Chen also walked in.
The middle-aged man ordered a cup of coffee and sat by the window. Lian Xi ordered a cup of coffee for himself and one for Lie Chen. He pretended to pass by the middle-aged man’s table casually and came to the table next to him to sit down.
There was clear and gentle music playing in the coffee shop and Lian Xi quietly looked at the middle-aged man near him but President Lie was not very interested in the middle-aged man. He looked down at the black liquid in front of him, pondered for a long time and then finally took a sip…
President Lie: “…”
Meng Po’s soup is sweeter than this! {T/N: This is the soup that Meng Po, an old lady at the beginning of the River of Forgetfulness gives you so that you’ll forget the memories of your previous life.}
As time passed, Lian Xi’s fingers gently rubbed the sides of the coffee cup.
Just when the patience of President Lie was about to be exhausted and he was about to take out the golden album, the middle-aged man laughed softly. His steady and gentle voice spoke: “You have been with me for a day. Now I have time and I can listen to your project.”
President Lie slowly raised his head and his dark eyes swept toward the middle-aged man’s side.
Lian Xi was stunned, then he understood. His brain worked quickly: “You discovered us a long time ago?”
The middle-aged man smiled: “I’ve seen many young people like you, and invested in a lot of them too. Looking at you, you’re pretty young. You just graduated from college, right? It’s normal for young people to be aggressive when wanting to start a business. However, in my opinion people shouldn’t waste their natural talents.”
Lian Xi: “Natural talents?”
The middle-aged man’s gaze swept across the faces of Lian Xi and President Lie. He smiled: “You are more suitable for entering the entertainment industry.”
Lian Xi: “…”
President Lie: “Entertainment industry?”
Middle-aged man: “Yes, I think it would be the fastest way for you to make money. Don’t look at me like that young man, making money is never wrong. Who doesn’t love money in this world?”
Looking at the middle-aged man’s seemingly mature, weather-beaten and self-confident smile, after a moment, Lian Xi replied, “Do you love money? I always think that a person who will go to a street shop to buy breakfast wouldn’t be so cheap.”
The hand holding the coffee paused quickly, and the middle-aged man turned his head to look at Lian Xi. After a few seconds, he smiled helplessly: “So you have been following me since then.”
…
Pulling the chair over, the three of them sat on a table together.
The middle-aged man smiled and said, “My surname is Gao. You should have known it already. Just call me President Gao. Come on, what is the purpose of following me since this morning? Is there any project you want to discuss? Tell me, if it’s good I can consider investing. I have given a lot of entrepreneurships angel investments as well as seeded investments.”
Lian Xi: “We don’t have a project.”
President Gao was a little surprised: “Huh?”
Lian Xi: “The thing is, me and my friend live in a neighborhood near that bun shop, and we saw you go to buy breakfast. After all, you are wearing this suit and then appearing in such a place, it’s a bit… weird. So we were very curious and wanted to know who you are.”
President Gao: “You just followed me all day because of curiosity?”
Lian Xi: “Young people should be full of curiosity.”
President Gao smiled, “You guys are interesting. If you have a project I’d definitely consider it. To be honest, I’m not the kind of person that talks to anyone. However, the two of you make me feel familiar for some reason. I feel like I’ve seen you somewhere before.” After a pause, he said, “Wait a moment, I’ll buy another cup of coffee.” As he said, he raised his hand and said loudly: “Waiter.”
The waiter quickly ran over: “Is there anything wrong, sir.”
President Gao: “I’ll have another cup of black coffee.”
“Sir, You have to go to the counter to pay for this.”
The middle-aged man has no pretensions at all. Lian Xi thought he would tip the waiter directly and tell him to buy it for himself. Unexpectedly, he stood up and nodded to the waiter with a smile: “Okay, sorry, I rarely come here so I didn’t know.” Then, turning around, he said to Lian Xi, “I’m going to buy a cup of coffee, wait a moment.”
After the middle-aged man left, Lian Xi saw the coffee in front of Lie Chen had only one sip taken out of it. He thought about it and took a few bags of white sugar from the table. He tore open the paper bag, poured out the fine sugar into the coffee and stirred it evenly.
Lian Xi: “Try again?”
Lie Chen glanced at him.
Lian Xi: “Try it.”
Lie Chen reached out and picked up the coffee cup, and took a sip…
Huh? It’s not bad?
Lian Xi smiled.
The phone in his pocket buzzed twice. Lian Xi took out the phone and opened WeChat.
[Real estate agent Xiao Liu: Mr. Lian, I’m sorry I couldn’t find the information for the house opposite you yesterday but I found it today. That place was bought eight years ago and the buyer’s last name is Gao. I don’t know if it’s rented out or not. There were indeed a few things that happened there, but rest assured it’s not also a murder house. I have sent you the specific information, please check it. ]
[Real estate agent Xiao Liu: [Data]]
Lian Xi opened the file that Xiao Liu had sent him, glanced at it and paused.
Five minutes later, the middle-aged man named Gao walked back with a coffee. He saw that Lie Chen, who had not drunk coffee, was drinking coffee at this moment, and then looked at the coffee in his cup that was obviously added with sugar. He smiled and said, “Young people should drink more bitter coffee. If you don’t endure bitterness, you won’t be able to endure bitterness even more when you become old?”
The handsome and cold man didn’t realize that the other person was talking to him, so he ignored him and continued to drink sweet coffee.
President Gao shook his head.
“President Gao, did you live in the HuaTing Community before?”
PresidentGao suddenly paused with the coffee’s hand and he raised his head to look at Lian Xi.
Lian Xi: “I just guessed it casually. We live in the HuTting Community, and many people in our community will go there to buy breakfast. Successful people like you shouldn’t go there to buy breakfast, so I was just thinking, perhaps you may have lived in a neighborhood near us before?”
President Gao slowly put down the coffee cup. The bottom of the cup touched the tabletop and a crisp sound was made.
An indescribable warm smile appeared on the tired and vicissitudes of the middle-aged man’s face. He seemed to be reminiscing about a distant past. It must be a very good memory so his expression is softer and his tone is more kind.
“Yes, I lived at the HuaTing Community before. That was nineteen years ago… Hehe, you should have been a child at that time. Young friend, if you look at the facade of the Huating Community, you probably can’t tell it’s an old community built twenty years ago? This community has been rebuilt and has been well preserved. It looks quite new, and is still lively as before.”
Lian Xi: “Really? Which building do you live in?”
The middle-aged man said: “Building 13, Unit 903.”
……..
At the LianJia Real Estate Company’s Office.
A young girl with short hair was sorting out information. An old senior in the office got up and poured a glass of water, and suddenly remembered: “By the way Xiao Liu, why did you ask me for the information in Building 903, Building 13, Huating Community today? Did something happen?”
Xiap Liu:”Their opposite neighbour, Unit 904, were a bit curious and asked me.”
The senior nodded, sipping water: “903 ah …… Well, then that’s really quite tragic, that gas explosion that happened. Those young lads that lived there were really good people, they helped get so many people out but didn’t make it out themselves. You have to make it clear to the tenants of 904 that 903 is not a murder house. They were good citizens and even got a medal for bravery! “
Xiao Liu: “I know, you can rest assured that the tenants of 904 are very good people. They wouldn’t do something like claim the house next to them is a murder house and try to lower their rent or anything l ike that.”
…..
In the cafe, melodious music played.
The middle-aged man touched the warm cup and his eyes gradually softened. There was no bitterness in his voice, only gentleness and nostalgia: “I just came to Su City back then and I was a working man. A group of us live in the HuaTing Community. We group rented a place together since we had no money. I still remember the uncle on the first floor 104, he seems to have left the year before. He liked to sit downstairs in the afternoon, fanning his pu-leaf fan and enjoying the cool air. There was also a little girl at 1103 on the eleventh floor, everyday when she finishes her homework in the evening she would practice the violin and it sounded so bad.”
“But the house we rented was very cheap. There was no TV, and no computers or mobile phones. Every night I had nothing to do so I moved the stool to the balcony and listened to the little girl playing every night.”
“There was also a newly married couple on the fourth floor. At that time, there was a pair of sisters living 904 and there wasn’t any murder yet.”
Lian Xi: “There is also the eighth floor.”
The middle-aged man was taken aback and turned his head to look towards Lian. Xi. His gaze stayed on Lian Xi for a long time. After a while, he nodded, “Yes, there is still the eighth floor too. The couple on the eighth floor quarreled every day. Sometimes we would sit on the balcony and listen to their quarrels when we were free, to help relieve boredom. We treated their quarrels like they were telling us a story and we couldn’t have imagined what would happen afterwards.”
The middle-aged man’s voice stopped and his throat choked.
Even if many years have passed and some things feel like they have been put aside, once they are mentioned again, it is still difficult to speak about.
“I’m sorry.” The man hid his face and was silent. After a long time, he took a tissue and wiped his wet eye sockets, and smiled: “You are here prepared and know so much. I don’t understand. If you don’t have a project that you want me to invest in, why do you investigate so much and know so much about my past?”
Before Lian Xi and Lie Chen could speak, the middle-aged man opened his lips and closed it again. Finally, he asked the question that until now had never received an answer.
He looked at Lian Xi and Lie Chen. He asked bitterly, “Husband and wife quarrelling is no big deal, but why did they have to mess around with the gas tank?”
***
Chapter 18
At noon, the real estate agent Xiao Liu came by with the key and a contract to sign.
Xiao Liu, who had neat and short hair, did not come empty-handed. She was carrying a bag of fruit and smiled as soon as the door was opened: “Mr. Lian, Mr. Su, long time no see. I picked out some fresh apples and watermelons downstairs. Try some!”
Lian Xi didn’t pretend to be polite and took the fruit. Su Jiao ran to the kitchen and got the girl a bottle of ice water.
Lian Xi: “Sorry to trouble you to come over.”
Xiao Liu: “I should thank you for this. It’s more business for me. I made ten business deals this month, two of which are thanks to you! The landlord is out of town now, so I keep the keys on me. I can sign on behalf of the landlord with you. Who’s the one who wants to rent a room and which room?” As she spoke, Xiao Liu looked around curiously.
By coincidence, Lie Chen walked out of the room.
Lian Xi smiled: “It’s him.”
Looking at the handsome and cold man in black , Xiao Liu’s eyes widened sharply, and the tips of her ears began to silently turn red. She hesitated, nodded and hurriedly took out a rental contract from her bag.
Upon seeing this, Su Jiao poked Lian Xi’s arm silently, and whispered, “She actually likes this type?”
“…” Lian Xi had nothing to say.
The short housemate snorted, extremely unconvinced: “Am I not handsome? Besides, even if I’m not her type, aren’t you also handsome? But she actually likes him?” She didn’t blush when she signed the rental contract with either of us!
After thinking for a while, Lian Xi quietly looked at the man by his side. The next moment, Lie Chen also turned his gaze, and looked back at Lian Xi.
Lian Xi was taken aback, raised the corners of his lips, smiled and nodded.
President Lie: …Huh?
Of course Lian Xi didn’t know what the young girl’s type was.
Girls these days liked all kinds of styles. Lian Xi has received countless love letters since he was a child, but since he is not RMB {money}, there was no guarantee every girl would like him. However, it seems that Xiao Liu does indeed like the Black Reaper’s type.
But then again, what type is this exactly?
Cool brother? Handsome guy?
Iceberg cold noodle type?
The type of DiDi which will give you a free greeting of “Today you should go to reincarnate” – that type?
……..
As Lian Xi was diverting himself with these brain holes, Xiao Liu was already handing over the rental contract to Lie Chen while blushing madly. “Um, er,… let me know if there’s any problems.”
The man raised an eyebrow and said faintly, “En?” What is this?
Xiao Liu misunderstood and thought he was dissatisfied with the rental contract. She hurriedly explained: “Our company’s rental contract is very standard. The template set by the head office is common across the country. There won’t be any problem with it. Of course, if there’s any details you’re not sure about, I’ll be happy to talk it over with you.”
Lian Xi took the rental contract over: “I’ll look at it.”
Xiao Liu: “OK, sure.”
This was exactly the same as the rental contract that was signed by Lian Xi before. Lian Xi looked and said, “No problem, just sign the contract. He will live in the room next to me.”
Xiao Liu handed over the pen: “Then sign.”
Lian Xi took it. He was just about to sign when Xiao Liu asked, stunned: “Why don’t you let him sign it?”
Lian Xi’s tone was calm: “I can sign it. Is there a problem?”
Xiao Liu: “That’s not it…”
Lian Xi quickly signed his name on the rental contract. President Lie stood beside him on the couch and lowered his eyes to look at the character script that looked like dancing dragons and phoenixes.
[“Lian Xi”. ]
Lian Xi.
Xiao Liu accepted the contract: “Okay, even if the contract is signed. I still need to take a look at his ID card.”
President Lie: “ID card?”
Lian Xi: “…” I forgot about that!
Xiao Liu: “Yes, ID card. Although this a murder house and so I suppose it doesn’t who signs, the landlord still has the hope that he cant rent it out more. So seeing the ID card is the company’s procedure. Otherwise, it’s hard to say who’s living there and it’s not easy to explain if something happens.”
Lian Xi signaled Su Jiao with his eyes: Think of a way.
Short housemate: Huh? What can I do?
Lian Xi looked at Xiao Liu and his expression was placid: “He lost his ID two days ago and is re-applying for it. Is it okay if I take a photo and send it to you later?”
Xiao Liu didn’t think too much: “Okay, that’s fine too. In that case I’ll open the door of the new bedroom for you first. Come and take a look.” The short-haired girl took the key and walked in front. Lian Xi, Lie Chen and Su Jiao followed behind.
There was a large bunch of keys in Xiao Liu’s hand. She stood in front of the room and looked for it for a long time, but still couldn’t find the correct key.
In front of the locked door, Lian Xi waited patiently, and suddenly felt his arm poked. He subconsciously thought it was Su Jiao, and threw off the hand, too lazy to pay attention to him. He was thinking about how to solve the problem of the ID card!
The person whose hand was thrown off was a little dumbfounded: “…?”
His cold and profound face had a faint and expressionless look. Lord Black Reaper calmly stretched out his hand again and touched Lian Xi lightly again.
“What are you doing… Oh, Lord Black Reaper?” The voice changed abruptly. His delicate eyebrows slowly spread in a smile, “Is there something the matter?”
Su Jiao on the side: “Huh!”
Do you think I don’t know what you’re thinking!
You hypocrite and ass kisser with your double standards!
Lie Chen raised his eyebrows. Yes, this was the correct reaction. He calmly asked: “What is an ID card?”
After thinking for some time, Lian Xi gave an explanation: “Something that proves your identity.”
Lie Chen: “Oh, is that it? I understand.”
Lian Xi felt weird: “??”
What do you understand?
But he didn’t think too much.
At this time, Xiao Liu said happily: “Found it!”
With a click, the key was inserted into the lock key and the door was successfully opened. As soon as the door opened, a musty smell drifted over.
Xiao Liu: “The furniture inside is all complete and I cleaned it not long before locking the door but if you want me to clean it again, I can do it.”
Lian Xi: “It’s okay, we can do it ourselves.”
Xiao Liu smiled apologetically. “Okay in that case, I’ll make my leave today.”
Lian Xi transferred the intermediary fee to Xiao Liu. After receiving the intermediary fee, Xiao Liu’s eyes lit up, and she was more excited than even when she saw President Lie. She thanked him again and again: “Thank you Mr. Lian. If you need anything, feel free to find me on WeChat.”
Lian Xi smiled and said, “It’s okay, it should be all right.”
In just half an hour, everything was done. Both parties were happy and Xiao Liu got ready to head out.
Standing at the door, Xiao Liu was taking off her shoe covers when Lian Xi casually asked: “By the way, do the tenants opposite us also rent from your agency?”
Xiao Liu was taken aback and the movement of taking off the shoe covers stopped: “Is the place opposite you rented out?”
Lian Xi’s eyes narrowed but his tone was calm: “Yes, you didn’t know?”
Xiao Liu: “I believe the place opposite you was purchased through our agency a few years ago, but I haven’t heard about it since. I wasn’t working when it was sold, so I’m not clear about it. Maybe the owner gave the rental business to someone else? If you want to know, I’ll go back to the office in the afternoon and I can check it out for you.”
Lian Xi smiled and nodded: “That would be very appreciated.”
Xiao Liu waved her hand: “It’s okay, it’s no big deal. If there is nothing else, I will go first…” Then, Xiao Liu stretched out her hand and opened the door. However at this moment, a low and pleasant male voice sounded from behind Lian Xi.
“Wait a minute.”
Huh?
The three of them all turned back and looked at the speaker.
In the bright and tidy living room, a handsome and tall man had one hand in his pocket and a thin book in the other. He handed it to Xiao Liu indifferently. Lie Chen’s eyelids were slightly curved, and his voice was indifferent but at the same time extremely confident: “Identity card.”
Lian Xi and Su Jiao: “???”
****?!
Xiao Liu opened her mouth and slowly lowered her head to look at the little black notebook handed to her. After seeing the words written on the book clearly…
Xiao Liu: “…”
“Ka-cha -“
All the girl’s beautiful dreams collapsed at this moment.
Xiao Liu said with a dry smile: “This… sir, this joke is really not funny.”
President Lie raised his eyebrows: “Isn’t this the ID card you want?”
Xiao Liu: “…”
How come you look so handsome and have such a good temperament but are also a fool!
Seeing that President Lie still wanted to talk, Lian Xi hurriedly took his hand and quickly said to Xiao Liu: “He’s just joking around.”
Xiao Liu shook her head: “Hehe…well, it’s okay.” It’s just that when she left, she did so decisively and didn’t aim any more lingering glances at Lie Chen.
When the door closed with a click, Lian Xi let go of that man’s hand.
President Lie frowned and pointed at Lian Xi: “Identity card, proof of identity.” He pointed to himself again, “Reaper Record, Black Reaper.”
Lian Xi: “…”
You’re really a genius at reading comprehension aren’t you!
Su Jiao held back his smile and turned back and forth.
Lian Xi: “Don’t worry about this, I’ll solve it!”
Lie Chen glanced at him thoughtfully, and suddenly said: “You like to help people?”
Lian Xi was stunned, then nodded gently: “Yes!”
Lie Chen smiled then turned his head and walked into his bedroom. Two seconds after he walked in, he leaned out of the door again: “So will you help me clean my bedroom?”
Lian Xi: “…”
You adapt so quickly!
***
The new bedroom has been unoccupied for a long time and a layer of dust had accumulated, but there wasn’t much to tidy up. After working for half an hour, it was very clean. Lian Xi cautiously stared at the golden light surrounding a certain man, however none of the golden lights ran over to him!
Got it, I worked for nothing.
Lian Xi began to scheme how to get more golden light.
They had been busy for most of the day, so at one o’clock in the afternoon, everyone finally had time to order take out.
After half an hour, the takeaway arrived at the house.
Lian Xi: “This is the moment to witness a miracle!”
Su Jiao: “Hahahaha, let’s see what bugs you get this time!”
Lian Xi: “He he.” {Sarcastic laugh}
Su Jiao: “Flies! Flies! Flies!”
Lian Xi: “… …”
Why can’t you accumulate some more virtue!
Glancing at his short housemate, Lian Xi appeared light and nonchalant on the surface but his slightly trembling fingers exposed his uneasy mood. He took a deep breath, he slowly opened his shredded pork rice bowl. With a click, the lunch box opened and a strong aroma of vegetables and rice penetrated into the nasal cavity and moved the appetite.
However, no one moved their chopsticks.
Su Jiao eagerly formed a fist, his face gloating.
Lian Xi prepared for the worst, his lips pressed tightly. He didn’t eat immediately but after grabbing the bowl, he calmly began to pick through the rice. He moved the food from the fast food box to the bowl layer by layer, carefully checking whether any bugs or hair had fallen out of it.
The short three minutes was as long as a year!
Three minutes later.
Su Jiao: “Fuck? Where’s the fly?”
Lian Xi looked at the two golden lights slowly dissipating between his fingers and suddenly his nose felt sour.
This is the takeaway that humans should eat!
After helping Wanderer retrieve his body, for three consecutive days, Lian Xi has been eating insect takeaways!
In the beginning, the short housemate helped him complain with righteous indignation. Later, quizzing about what bugs Lian Xi would eat today had become Su Jiao’s daily routine.
The short housemate slumped on the chair: “My springtime is gone!” Lian Xi stopped eating bugs, my springtime has gone!
Lian Xi sneered: “Be serious!”
In the dining room, two young people complained to each other.
Without the must-see bug drama, Su Jiao suddenly felt that the bowl of rice in front of him didn’t seem so delicious and began to eat listlessly. Lian Xi did not eat immediately.
He took a bowl of lunch, got up and walked to the bedroom.
Su Jiao raised his head and glanced at him, narrowed his mouth, and muttered in a low voice: “Ass kisser.”
Ass kisser walked to the bedroom of Lord Black Reaper and knocked on the door.
Standing by the window and looking down was a man with a Reaper Record in his hand. He turned his head and looked at the other person silently for a moment. The man asked indifferently: “What’s the matter?”
Lian Xi went over: “I do not know what you like to eat so I just ordered randomly.” After leaving the lunch on the table, Lian Xi suddenly remembered something: “Uh… You do eat food right?”
Lie Chen fixedly looked at him and after a moment, he smiled: “Leave it ba.”
Three golden lights jumped over Lian Xi with joy.
Lian Xi: “!”
He was in a good mood. The young man smiled and said, “Eat while it’s hot.”
Lie Chen hummed but instead of eating immediately, he continued to turn his head and looked out the window.
Whilst leaving the room, Lian Xi stood in front of the doorway and stopped for some reason.
He looked at the man’s back.
The bright and shining sunlight passed through the glass, shining on this person but there was a strangeness about him. The icy black color contrasted extremely well with the man’s short hair. He just stood there silently, filled with endless silence and desolation.
After watching for a few seconds in silence, Lian Xi went back to the dining room.
It had nothing to do with him.
What Lian Xi didn’t know was that after he left, Lie Chen turned his head and glanced at him lightly. Then, his eyes turned to the box lunch on the table.
…Likes to help people?
Hm.
***
In the early morning of the next day, Su Jiao went to class and Lian Xi and President Lie stood in front of the door.
President Lie stood aside with his hands in his pockets.
Lian Xi quietly looked through the peephole, observing the movement of the opposite residence.
After watching for a few minutes, Lian Xi suddenly said: “He’s coming out!” The next moment, he heard the clear sound of a door closing. Through the peephole, Lian Xi saw the young guy that lived opposite come out wearing a t-shirt and shorts. He was humming a little ditty, walking briskly and went downstairs.
After he got into the elevator, Lian Xi immediately opened the door: “Let’s follow him!”
Without further ado, the two followed suit and got into the other elevator. When Lian Xi arrived on the first floor, the opposite guy had just left the gate of the community.
Let’s catch up!
The two quickly followed.
Yes, the three had discussed for a long time last night and finally Lian Xi made a plan: “Let’s follow him and see what this neighbour does every day!”
Because the short housemate had class, he couldn’t participate in the plan. But Lian Xi and the ghost official had a lot of time.
Lian Xi thought: “The person opposite us seems to go out every day to help his roommates buy breakfast.”
So right now Lian Xi and Lie Chen are following the young guy.
In fact, long before President Lie came, Lian Xi and Su Jiao had already been curious about why this guy went out every day to buy breakfast for his roommates.
It’s no problem to buy breakfast, and it’s also no problem to buy breakfast for your roommates. But the problem is: he did it every single day!
In the days after food delivery apps became so developed, very few people would go out to buy food every day. And it’s also in the hot summer of August!
But Lian Xi and Su Jiao couldn’t really draw any conclusions from this and could only say: “Maybe some people like to go out in the morning to get fresh air.”
But perhaps it was not so simple.
After exiting the gate of the community, he turned left and walked across a busy central street in the neighborhood.
At 8 o’clock in the morning, the office workers were out hurrying. They carried their bags and walked quickly to the bus stop. The refreshing morning breeze in late summer and the delicate and tender roses on both sides of the road did nothing to affect them or change their routine destiny of blindly rushing to work.
In such a large flow of people, the guy who lived opposite them seemed to be bucking the trend.
He walked against the rushing crowd, humming happily and made his way to an old commercial street next to the neighborhood center.
Before entering the old street, Lian Xi and Lie Chen could already smell the scent of steamed buns and fried dough sticks from a long way off.
Lian Xi was slightly stunned.
This is also his first time here.
Contemporary young people rely on takeaways to live their lives. Although it had been more than a month since they moved into a new home, Lian Xi has never been here. He has only been to the neighborhood center once and never found this old street next to it.
The neighborhood center was built last year but this old street seems to have some history. Maybe it was built along with the community.
Walking into the old street, Lian Xi found that most of them seemed to be restaurants.
Each old storefront had yellowed out shop signs.
There weren’t any chain stores and each of them looked like a small, mom and pop type shop. The kind that made simple and homely food for the neighborhood. In the morning there were steamed buns and fried dough sticks. At night they would take tables and chairs outside and using a super-powered fan, provide a cool place for people to have a late night snack.
The young guy walked up to a bun shop and said with a smile, “Twenty fried dough sticks, eight cups of soy milk, and three meat buns!”
“All right!”
There are also many other people who come to buy breakfast.
This kind of street shop never pays attention to queuing and even the customers who buy buns are acquaintances. They chatted happily while waiting for the boss to steam buns for them.
Lian Xi gradually stopped his footsteps.
Lie Chen looked at him strangely: “Hn?”
Lian Xi remained silent, continuing to watch this extraordinary scene.
Lie Chen raised his eyebrows: “What’s the matter?”
Lian Xi shook his head: “Have you seen the lives of ordinary people much?”
“I am a Black Reaper and I just came out of the underworld to take up my post.”
“Oh yes, sorry.” Lian Xi pointed at the people who were smiling and chatting and waiting for the buns. “Many years ago, I was among them. With my dad and my grandfather.”
Lie Chen: “Then where are they now?”
Lian Xi smiled: “They left.”
Lie Chen: “They don’t want you anymore?”
Lian Xi: “???”
How do you Black Reapers talk??
Lian Xi: “They’re dead.”
Lie Chen: “Oh.” He took out the Reaper Record and turned to the last page to show Lian Xi: “Since the ancient days, who in this world does not die?”
Lian Xi said: “… …”
Believe it or not, I will kill you!
The young man’s anger was beyond words and he seemed liable to rush to punch him the next second. But this lively and vivid appearance was completely different from the false perfunctory attitude from before, and he finally became a bit real and meaningful. President Lie smiled slightly and his lips curled up with an imperceptible curve.
Soon, Lian Xi whispered: “He bought it.”
In front of the steamed bun shop, the young guy took a bag of fried dough sticks and a bag of soy milk and turned happily back to walk towards the gate of the community.
The two gazed at his retreating back. When he walked a little farther away and the two could follow him, they had only taken a step before stopping at the same time.
Lian Xi turned his gaze back to the entryway of the steamed bun shop and looked at the middle-aged man who had just taken the dough stick and soy milk at the same time as the guy they were following but was walking off in the other direction.
Just now, the guy who lived opposite them took his breakfast and turned to the west.
The middle-aged man in a suit and leather shoes turned and walked east.
But at the moment they took their breakfast, it seemed as though there was something overlapping them. And then when they turned in opposite directions, it separated.
The middle-aged man was already walking away.
Lian Xi hesitated for a moment and was about to say, “Should we follow?” but the man beside him had already taken a step.
After walking a few steps, Lie Chen turned his head and raised his eyebrows: “Are you coming?”
Lian Xi was taken aback and quickly followed.
The middle-aged man was carrying soy milk in his left hand and a big bag of fried dough sticks in his right hand. He walked quickly through the crowd. In fact, there are many middle-aged people who go out to buy breakfast like him but he is the strangest one. Not for other reasons but just because he wore a high-level customized suit.
Fine and flat cuffs with trimmed hemlines. Under the shining sun, the high-end clothes glowed with a shining dim light. This dress and those high-end crocodile leather shoes only pointed to one thing: they were expensive!
However, he was holding soy milk and dough sticks in both hands!
Don’t you think such a successful middle-aged person should sit in the cafeteria of a high-end hotel, sipping coffee and morning tea leisurely? Or sit in the brightly-lit top-level office where the secretary will serve him a plate of breakfast.
This effect was simply outstanding.
Lian Xi followed behind the middle-aged man, and watched him carrying his plastic bag of dough sticks and soy milk… to get into a Mercedes Benz!
Lian Xi: “…”
Lie Chen turned his head to look at him: What kind of expression is this?
Lian Xi felt tired.
You, a soil bun who just climbed up from the underworld, obviously have no idea what a Mercedes Benz is! Or what an AMG means!
Although Lian Xi didn’t understand why a successful man who drove a million-dollar luxury car would come to a roadside shop just to buy breakfast, this does not prevent him from realizing that this middle-aged man has a problem!
They flagged down a taxi quickly.
Lian Xi: “Please follow the Mercedes Benz in front.”
The taxi driver glanced at them both up and down: “Huh, are you guys paparazzi? Where are your cameras? This doesn’t seem right.”
Lian Xi: “Actually the guy in the car in front is our dad, we suspect that he’s going to a hotel to meet his “little three” {slang for mistress}.”
Taxi driver suddenly gave an understanding smile: “Got it, I’ll definitely catch up to him for you guys!”
President Lie’s eyes asked: What is a “little three”?
Lian Xi’s eyes responded: Oh, are you hungry? Wait until we get there and I’ll buy you some food.
President Lie interpreted this as: So you mortals call ghosts “little three”.
Lian Xi: Let’s eat meat buns!
The two people’s eyes glanced and talked to each other, and then smiled at each in supposed tacit understanding.
Of course, the performance of the Mercedes Benz should have left this car in the dust, but even clever women couldn’t cook without rice. In this morning rush hour traffic jam, even the million-dollar Mercedes Benz is useless and the taxi easily caught up to it. After that it followed not too far and not too closely.
After chasing for half an hour, the car stopped in front of a high-end office building.
Taxi driver: “Hey, this doesn’t seem to be a hotel.”
Lian Xi: “…”
The next moment, the young man showed righteous indignation: “He dared to openly find a mistress at the company!”
The taxi driver showed sympathetic eyes. He stretched out his hand: “Fifty-two yuan. You want to use WeChat or Alipay?”
Lian Xi said, “…Alipay.”
After paying the money, the taxi drove away, and the driver’s disdainful laughter came from the wind: “Little lamb, you still want to make up a story to make me sympathize with you hoping I’d charge you less?”
Lian Xi: “…”
Ain’t you a sly one!
Although they had caught up with the middle-aged man, Lian Xi and President Lie couldn’t enter the building.
This type of high-end office building needs a swipe card to enter. The two could only sit in the lobby on the first floor to see if they could find a chance to mix their way inside. However, they didn’t have to wait too long and the middle-aged man actually came downstairs within twenty minutes. Next to him was a scholarly looking man with glasses, which should be his secretary, and the two of them got back into the Mercedes Benz while chatting.
Lian Xi quickly stopped a taxi, his face expressionless and said. “Keep up with the Mercedes Benz in front. We are together but couldn’t fit into one car.”
This taxi driver wasn’t as sly as the previous one. He merely gave Lian Xi a look of, “I’m just a taxi driver, why are you telling me so much nonsense for?”, and merely stepped on the accelerator and followed them.
All day long, Lian Xi and President Lie chased the middle-aged man seemingly around the entirety of Su City.
It was unknown what this middle-aged man was doing. He went to three office buildings in one day, and kept going up and down. Every time he went in and out there would be some specifically waiting to bring him up and down.
When the middle-aged man came out of the third office building, Lian Xi quickly bent over to hide. He caught a glimpse of President Lie standing upright, glancing at the middle-aged man coldly. He frowned and hurriedly pushed him down.
President Lie: “…huh?”
Lian Xi: “Be careful not to be found.”
Not far away, the male secretary looked around and turned around and said, “President Gao, the car hasn’t come yet. I’ll check the situation. Wait a minute.”
The middle-aged man called President Gao lifted his watch and checked the time: “It’s okay, it’s five o’clock. You can get off work Xiao Wang.”
“President Gao?”
The middle-aged man smiled and said, “I’m going to stop by at the coffee shop nearby. You can finish up for the day. Tell the car to go directly back to the company and I will go home by myself.”
“All right President Gao.”
The middle-aged man strode towards a Starbucks on the other side of the road.
After a minute, Lian Xi and Lie Chen also walked in.
The middle-aged man ordered a cup of coffee and sat by the window. Lian Xi ordered a cup of coffee for himself and one for Lie Chen. He pretended to pass by the middle-aged man’s table casually and came to the table next to him to sit down.
There was clear and gentle music playing in the coffee shop and Lian Xi quietly looked at the middle-aged man near him but President Lie was not very interested in the middle-aged man. He looked down at the black liquid in front of him, pondered for a long time and then finally took a sip…
President Lie: “…”
Meng Po’s soup is sweeter than this! {T/N: This is the soup that Meng Po, an old lady at the beginning of the River of Forgetfulness gives you so that you’ll forget the memories of your previous life.}
As time passed, Lian Xi’s fingers gently rubbed the sides of the coffee cup.
Just when the patience of President Lie was about to be exhausted and he was about to take out the golden album, the middle-aged man laughed softly. His steady and gentle voice spoke: “You have been with me for a day. Now I have time and I can listen to your project.”
President Lie slowly raised his head and his dark eyes swept toward the middle-aged man’s side.
Lian Xi was stunned, then he understood. His brain worked quickly: “You discovered us a long time ago?”
The middle-aged man smiled: “I’ve seen many young people like you, and invested in a lot of them too. Looking at you, you’re pretty young. You just graduated from college, right? It’s normal for young people to be aggressive when wanting to start a business. However, in my opinion people shouldn’t waste their natural talents.”
Lian Xi: “Natural talents?”
The middle-aged man’s gaze swept across the faces of Lian Xi and President Lie. He smiled: “You are more suitable for entering the entertainment industry.”
Lian Xi: “…”
President Lie: “Entertainment industry?”
Middle-aged man: “Yes, I think it would be the fastest way for you to make money. Don’t look at me like that young man, making money is never wrong. Who doesn’t love money in this world?”
Looking at the middle-aged man’s seemingly mature, weather-beaten and self-confident smile, after a moment, Lian Xi replied, “Do you love money? I always think that a person who will go to a street shop to buy breakfast wouldn’t be so cheap.”
The hand holding the coffee paused quickly, and the middle-aged man turned his head to look at Lian Xi. After a few seconds, he smiled helplessly: “So you have been following me since then.”
…
Pulling the chair over, the three of them sat on a table together.
The middle-aged man smiled and said, “My surname is Gao. You should have known it already. Just call me President Gao. Come on, what is the purpose of following me since this morning? Is there any project you want to discuss? Tell me, if it’s good I can consider investing. I have given a lot of entrepreneurships angel investments as well as seeded investments.”
Lian Xi: “We don’t have a project.”
President Gao was a little surprised: “Huh?”
Lian Xi: “The thing is, me and my friend live in a neighborhood near that bun shop, and we saw you go to buy breakfast. After all, you are wearing this suit and then appearing in such a place, it’s a bit… weird. So we were very curious and wanted to know who you are.”
President Gao: “You just followed me all day because of curiosity?”
Lian Xi: “Young people should be full of curiosity.”
President Gao smiled, “You guys are interesting. If you have a project I’d definitely consider it. To be honest, I’m not the kind of person that talks to anyone. However, the two of you make me feel familiar for some reason. I feel like I’ve seen you somewhere before.” After a pause, he said, “Wait a moment, I’ll buy another cup of coffee.” As he said, he raised his hand and said loudly: “Waiter.”
The waiter quickly ran over: “Is there anything wrong, sir.”
President Gao: “I’ll have another cup of black coffee.”
“Sir, You have to go to the counter to pay for this.”
The middle-aged man has no pretensions at all. Lian Xi thought he would tip the waiter directly and tell him to buy it for himself. Unexpectedly, he stood up and nodded to the waiter with a smile: “Okay, sorry, I rarely come here so I didn’t know.” Then, turning around, he said to Lian Xi, “I’m going to buy a cup of coffee, wait a moment.”
After the middle-aged man left, Lian Xi saw the coffee in front of Lie Chen had only one sip taken out of it. He thought about it and took a few bags of white sugar from the table. He tore open the paper bag, poured out the fine sugar into the coffee and stirred it evenly.
Lian Xi: “Try again?”
Lie Chen glanced at him.
Lian Xi: “Try it.”
Lie Chen reached out and picked up the coffee cup, and took a sip…
Huh? It’s not bad?
Lian Xi smiled.
The phone in his pocket buzzed twice. Lian Xi took out the phone and opened WeChat.
[Real estate agent Xiao Liu: Mr. Lian, I’m sorry I couldn’t find the information for the house opposite you yesterday but I found it today. That place was bought eight years ago and the buyer’s last name is Gao. I don’t know if it’s rented out or not. There were indeed a few things that happened there, but rest assured it’s not also a murder house. I have sent you the specific information, please check it. ]
[Real estate agent Xiao Liu: [Data]]
Lian Xi opened the file that Xiao Liu had sent him, glanced at it and paused.
Five minutes later, the middle-aged man named Gao walked back with a coffee. He saw that Lie Chen, who had not drunk coffee, was drinking coffee at this moment, and then looked at the coffee in his cup that was obviously added with sugar. He smiled and said, “Young people should drink more bitter coffee. If you don’t endure bitterness, you won’t be able to endure bitterness even more when you become old?”
The handsome and cold man didn’t realize that the other person was talking to him, so he ignored him and continued to drink sweet coffee.
President Gao shook his head.
“President Gao, did you live in the HuaTing Community before?”
PresidentGao suddenly paused with the coffee’s hand and he raised his head to look at Lian Xi.
Lian Xi: “I just guessed it casually. We live in the HuTting Community, and many people in our community will go there to buy breakfast. Successful people like you shouldn’t go there to buy breakfast, so I was just thinking, perhaps you may have lived in a neighborhood near us before?”
President Gao slowly put down the coffee cup. The bottom of the cup touched the tabletop and a crisp sound was made.
An indescribable warm smile appeared on the tired and vicissitudes of the middle-aged man’s face. He seemed to be reminiscing about a distant past. It must be a very good memory so his expression is softer and his tone is more kind.
“Yes, I lived at the HuaTing Community before. That was nineteen years ago… Hehe, you should have been a child at that time. Young friend, if you look at the facade of the Huating Community, you probably can’t tell it’s an old community built twenty years ago? This community has been rebuilt and has been well preserved. It looks quite new, and is still lively as before.”
Lian Xi: “Really? Which building do you live in?”
The middle-aged man said: “Building 13, Unit 903.”
……..
At the LianJia Real Estate Company’s Office.
A young girl with short hair was sorting out information. An old senior in the office got up and poured a glass of water, and suddenly remembered: “By the way Xiao Liu, why did you ask me for the information in Building 903, Building 13, Huating Community today? Did something happen?”
Xiap Liu:”Their opposite neighbour, Unit 904, were a bit curious and asked me.”
The senior nodded, sipping water: “903 ah …… Well, then that’s really quite tragic, that gas explosion that happened. Those young lads that lived there were really good people, they helped get so many people out but didn’t make it out themselves. You have to make it clear to the tenants of 904 that 903 is not a murder house. They were good citizens and even got a medal for bravery! “
Xiao Liu: “I know, you can rest assured that the tenants of 904 are very good people. They wouldn’t do something like claim the house next to them is a murder house and try to lower their rent or anything l ike that.”
…..
In the cafe, melodious music played.
The middle-aged man touched the warm cup and his eyes gradually softened. There was no bitterness in his voice, only gentleness and nostalgia: “I just came to Su City back then and I was a working man. A group of us live in the HuaTing Community. We group rented a place together since we had no money. I still remember the uncle on the first floor 104, he seems to have left the year before. He liked to sit downstairs in the afternoon, fanning his pu-leaf fan and enjoying the cool air. There was also a little girl at 1103 on the eleventh floor, everyday when she finishes her homework in the evening she would practice the violin and it sounded so bad.”
“But the house we rented was very cheap. There was no TV, and no computers or mobile phones. Every night I had nothing to do so I moved the stool to the balcony and listened to the little girl playing every night.”
“There was also a newly married couple on the fourth floor. At that time, there was a pair of sisters living 904 and there wasn’t any murder yet.”
Lian Xi: “There is also the eighth floor.”
The middle-aged man was taken aback and turned his head to look towards Lian. Xi. His gaze stayed on Lian Xi for a long time. After a while, he nodded, “Yes, there is still the eighth floor too. The couple on the eighth floor quarreled every day. Sometimes we would sit on the balcony and listen to their quarrels when we were free, to help relieve boredom. We treated their quarrels like they were telling us a story and we couldn’t have imagined what would happen afterwards.”
The middle-aged man’s voice stopped and his throat choked.
Even if many years have passed and some things feel like they have been put aside, once they are mentioned again, it is still difficult to speak about.
“I’m sorry.” The man hid his face and was silent. After a long time, he took a tissue and wiped his wet eye sockets, and smiled: “You are here prepared and know so much. I don’t understand. If you don’t have a project that you want me to invest in, why do you investigate so much and know so much about my past?”
Before Lian Xi and Lie Chen could speak, the middle-aged man opened his lips and closed it again. Finally, he asked the question that until now had never received an answer.
He looked at Lian Xi and Lie Chen. He asked bitterly, “Husband and wife quarrelling is no big deal, but why did they have to mess around with the gas tank?”
***
