Twisting wisps of cooking smoke rose from the kitchen in the back yard.
After Xu Shuo returned, he saw the Trench Coat Detective looking utterly perplexed in front of the dancing flames of the clay stove, his face a picture of helplessness.
"Ah, I just saw the fire flare up suddenly..." the Trench Coat Detective said awkwardly upon seeing him.
"You just need to block this half way," Xu Shuo stepped forward, picked up the lid carelessly left on the ground, and partially covered the stove's air vent with it.
Immediately after, Xu Shuo added, "You guys go sit outside for a bit, I've got this covered."
The Trench Coat Detective, feeling embarrassed, turned around to leave. When he stepped outside, he saw the female journalist he'd met on the way here, and a well-behaved little girl in a blue jacket, looking cute and adorable.
The little girl sat obediently on the stool, nibbling on the snacks laid out on the table, while the journalist snapped photos of her from the side.
Maybe because she didn't understand what a camera was, the little girl showed no resistance and would even obediently look towards the lens. However, when the journalist tried to pinch her cheek, the girl would dodge back.
"Why are you here?" the Trench Coat Detective asked, his expression darkening slightly as he raised an eyebrow at the sight of the woman.
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He was certain that this female journalist wasn't from any respectable media outlet. She had been babbling non-stop on the road, asking questions that were difficult to answer!
She always had a way of steering the conversation towards more contentious points, and would inspect those points with her cynical perspectives, quickly branding people with condemnable labels!
Just like those unscrupulous paparazzi who followed the tide of gossip.
The female journalist, completely oblivious, laughed and said, "I just happened to meet the village chief and thought I'd swing by his place for a meal, saving some money on lunch!
The Trench Coat Detective snorted noncommittally upon hearing this and didn't respond further, rather, he just sat to the side and pulled out his smartphone.
But after only a short while, he felt someone approach, promptly turned off his phone's screen, and looked at the female journalist with suspicion.
"Hey, don't be so stiff, we can exchange information~," the journalist said with a beaming smile.
"What do you want?" the Trench Coat Detective furrowed his brow at her.
Looking in the direction of the courtyard and then at the little girl sitting beside her eating snacks, the journalist lowered her voice and asked, "Are you here to investigate the disappearance of the Old Village Chief?"
"What's it to you," the Trench Coat Detective remained guarded and then retorted sarcastically, "I have professional ethics. I can't disclose information about my commission."
"We could cooperate, it might be a win-win situation."
The journalist pursed her lips, sat down close to the Trench Coat Detective, took a small notebook out of her pocket, opened it, and generously handed it over.
The Trench Coat Detective gave her a quizzical look but still took the notebook, quickly scanning through the journalist's findings from the afternoon's investigation.
"What if those things were actually true?"
"..."
Before the Trench Coat Detective could respond, there was a sudden noise from outside. Somebody was coming, carefully peeking inside through the living room door that wasn't fully closed.
It was the girl wearing a floral dress.
Seeing the two strangers in the house, the girl paused, then spoke, "This..."
"Big sister, you're back!" Before she could finish, the little girl chewing on the twisted dough sticks tilted her head and asked, "Is the painting done?"
"Ah, not yet," the girl walked in, smiling awkwardly, "I lacked inspiration today."
While speaking, she placed the paint bucket she was carrying in a corner of the living room and then sat down on a chair somewhat reservedly, staring between the two outsiders.
A moment of awkward silence filled the room.
After a pause, it was the female journalist who first broke the silence, "So you live here?"
"Yes, I've been staying at the Village Chief's House for a while," the girl replied, adjusting her hair and lowering her gaze.
"Is it because of that painting?"
"Yes."
"Were you invited by the Acting Village Chief or the Old Village Chief to paint?"
"Yes."
"..."
The female journalist seemed to have a knack for social interaction, engaging anyone in nonstop chatter, whereas the girl was even more reserved than the Trench Coat Detective, sitting in the corner with an air of tranquil detachment, as though no amount of disturbance could disrupt her peace.
The little girl munched on her twisted dough sticks with loud crunches, watching the trio with curiosity.
...
Meanwhile, in the backyard.
Xu Shuo was the epitome of tranquility as he prepared food, chopping vegetables. He faintly heard the noise from the living room and glanced over, a smile spreading across his face.
All the people were gathered together, seeming to have a lively conversation; he hoped they would find what they were looking for.
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