Chapter 160

Page Seventeen Elementary School Students Social Practice Group

[November 20th, Wednesday, 12:24]

Since we could ride with Grandpa Tuohai, after finishing our curry beef rice, we lingered a bit longer at Aunt Lin’s café.

However, due to the relaxed atmosphere of the noon break, we almost missed the 12:30 meeting time.

From the underground garage to the pedestrian street, Sister Shan and Sister Leiluo were already waiting at the entrance. Both were wearing similar outfits: scarves, down jackets, knitted umbrella skirts, and thick pantyhose, making them look like sisters.

Of course, Sister Shan was the older sister.

I approached from behind and, before they could react, I put my arms around both of them. Sister Leiluo let out a cute surprised sound.

“HIA——!”

“They are my classmates! We were in the same group for the social practice class… This is Grandpa Tuohai, whom I met at the café this morning. He drove me and Sister A to the commercial area.”

While introducing everyone, although they didn’t understand what I was saying, Sister Shan still cooperated. She bowed slightly and greeted the kind-looking old gentleman: “Hello, Grandpa Tuohai.”

“Hmm? Who are you?”

Sister Leiluo was stunned.

Grandpa Tuohai had done something for Sister Miāomiāo, so as her father, he couldn’t possibly not know her. For a moment, he didn’t know how to react.

I pressed her head down and explained: “Because Sister Leiluo is also a fan of Thunder Meow-Meow, she knows you too. So, she’s very excited to meet you in person!”

“Haha, again because that girl. As an old relic from the last era, I’m really benefiting from the new stars.”

Perhaps because she felt happy about being known, or proud of Sister Miāomiāo’s success, the old man squinted his eyes, and his beard trembled with each breath.

Sister Shan spoke seriously: “No, you paved the way for Sister Miāomiāo. Without your appreciation back then, there wouldn’t be the Sister Miāomiāo we have now… Everyone in the Sister Miāomiāo Support Team is grateful to you.”

“…Support Team?”

The old man looked puzzled. I had to explain: “Well, she’s the leader of the Sister Miāomiāo fans.”

This wasn’t a lie; Sister Shan indeed had this identity, along with many support shirts featuring Sister Miāomiāo’s photo.

“You little fans are quite numerous. However, don’t let chasing stars affect your studies.”

Grandpa Tuohai said, then he raised his hand to check his watch.

“Oh dear, it’s 12:30. Are you going for the elementary school students’ social practice? I should get back… Unfortunately, my bar doesn’t allow minors, so I can’t entertain you lovely young ladies for a few more years.”

“Goodbye, Grandpa Tuohai~”

“Haha, goodbye.”

Although he was an elderly gentleman, his strides were still agile, clearly indicating he was a long-lived person.

“So, why are you hanging out with that old man?”

After Grandpa Tuohai left, Sister Leiluo pushed my arm away and questioned me. I breathed a sigh of relief since I didn’t have to play the child anymore.

“I happened to meet him at Senior Shàojié’s aunt’s store. Not only did I see Mr. Lin Yuhuang in person, but I also overheard his conversation with Aunt Lin. From a detective’s perspective, today was quite fruitful.”

“What do you mean by elementary school students’ social practice? Isn’t there another reason? Being mistaken for a middle school student is bad enough, but to be called an elementary school student…” Sister Shan muttered quietly, then asked, “So, did you get any clues this morning?”

I tilted my head, thinking it over, but found it hard to summarize.

“Well, the information between them is basically symmetrical, so they often omit a lot when talking. I listened in a bit, but here are the main points… The house Senior Shàojié rents is actually owned by Mr. Lin Yuhuang. He and Aunt Lin both know it’s rented by Senior Shàojié.”

Sister Shan nodded after hearing this.

“It makes sense, considering it’s left to her by her wife. Given Mr. Lin Yuhuang’s wealth, he has no need to sell the house. It seems he transferred the property to the landlord’s name to rent it to Senior Shàojié.”

If that’s true, Senior Shàojié will never be able to escape from Mr. Lin Yuhuang’s control.

Sister Leiluo angrily chattered: “Not only does he avoid his responsibilities, but he even charges rent to children! Is this even human behavior?”

She was furious about Mr. Lin Yuhuang’s actions.

“He said he’ll return the house and the rent to Senior Shàojié someday…”

Although it’s true, saying too much could seem like I’m defending him. So, I changed the subject: “Also, Aunt Lin said Senior Shàojié is Mr. Lin Yuhuang’s child, but he denies it outright. I don’t think this is just irresponsibility; there might be some hidden truth.”

“What could be hidden if she still has her birth certificate?” Sister Leiluo asked.

“I didn’t say Senior Shàojié isn’t his child, just that the situation is more complex than we thought.”

“You’re not explaining anything!”

Sister Leiluo pouted, and Sister Shan analyzed: “If Mr. Lin Yuhuang isn’t lying, he wouldn’t be so fixated on the birth certificate. If Senior Shàojié ever accuses him, a paternity test at the hospital would clear things up… But he hasn’t done that.”

“Yeah, Aunt Lin said the results of the paternity test would be unfavorable to him.”

Sister Shan twirled a strand of hair, which was her habit when thinking. She also wanted to hide her fierce gaze.

“She doesn’t acknowledge him as her father, but she shows considerable tolerance towards him.”

“Maybe he’s been caught in a trap?”

Sister Shan shook her head, but that just meant she was uncertain.

“As the chairman of the Tianping Group, Mr. Lin Yuhuang must be quite difficult to approach. To uncover the truth, we need to start with Aunt Lin.”

“I’ve also asked Sister A, but Aunt Lin doesn’t plan to talk.”

AJ shrugged helplessly and said: “She’s a cautious woman who keeps her mouth shut. It’s extremely difficult to get anything out of her unless… your senior goes to confront her personally.”

“This is also a solution, but acting rashly could lead to negative consequences. Let’s conduct further investigation first, then decide whether to inform the parties involved… That’s my suggestion.”

“You make sense. The facts Aunt Lin told your senior were mixed with lies, to prevent her from being overwhelmed by reality. But once she knows the truth, she might hate her.”

Revenge against her father became the meaning of Senior Shàojié’s life, anchoring the boat adrift without a harbor.

But it also shaped Senior Shàojié’s determination to seek the truth at all costs.

Sister Shan asked: “What lies specifically?”

I replied: “That so-called accident is a lie. Her mother might not be dead… but she’s not alive either.”

“Huh? What does that mean? Comatose?”

Sister Shan didn’t understand, and neither did I.

“I don’t know, I’m just repeating their conversation. The mystery is beyond me.”

Sister Shan scratched her bangs, taking a while to speak.

“I investigated online and found that Chairman Lin of the Tianping Group has a second wife, but they have no children. However, her relationship with Lin Ziyè isn’t bad. So, I speculate that she is the biological mother of Lin Ziyè.”

“Could Mr. Lin Yuhuang have arranged that accident to target Senior Shàojié’s mother for her sake?”

If that’s true, it would be a horrific crime.

Sister Shan seemed hesitant.

“At first, I thought so, but after hearing all this, I’m not sure… We still need new clues.”

AJ said: “Then you’ll go upstairs to the café? I’ll head back to the apartment to cook lunch for Sister Yijī.”

As soon as she arrived in the commercial area, she prepared to leave the team.

“Thank you for accompanying me this morning, it was a huge help in every way.”

For my rare expression of gratitude, she cheekily replied: “Oh, you’re welcome, next time treat me to a meal! I’m off~”

AJ headed toward the low-rent apartment.

Only two of us remained, both roughly the same height. Sister Shan was slightly taller, looking like a junior high school girl. Yet, despite being seventeen, Sister Leiluo looked like a primary school student.

She had completely lost any trace of Uncle Lei Luo… Will there be any negative effects when she transforms back?

Sister Shan suggested: “The wind is strong on the pedestrian street, let’s go inside and figure out our next move.”

Before entering the building, I looked up at the complex overhead walkways.

The sky bridges connecting the steel jungle, weaving through the pedestrian street, formed a unique sight in the Tianping Commercial District, especially impressive.

Lin Ziyè’s “Peach Cat Maid Café” occupied one of these sky bridges, standing out prominently. Beyond the enclosed corridor, it opened up an outdoor terrace, furnished with British-style benches and street lamps, giving it a refined feel.

But no guests chose to dine outdoors in winter, so it appeared empty…

Following my gaze, Sister Leiluo asked: “Hey, is our destination over there?”

“Yep.”

She continued: “So, you’ll cover our expenses, right?”

Hearing this, I felt a chill.

Clearly, as a poor high school student, I didn’t have much money.

I grimaced and asked: “…Can we just order water?”

“Come on, I was joking! Are you really that broke?”

I took out my wallet, opened it in front of them, and turned it upside down, revealing two coins.

One of them rolled into the roadside drain.

I sighed, picked up the remaining coin, and said: “Now, I only have half of my savings left.”

Sister Leiluo narrowed her eyes, her gaze mixed with disbelief and sympathy. After a while, she finally took out her phone.

“Hold on, I’ll ask Yüanyuè for some activity funds!”

Oh, Sister Leiluo’s phone case was a cute pink rabbit…

Wait, aren’t you an adult with your own savings?

I sighed, scratching my head: “I was joking too. Actually, I still have some money in my piggy bank, which my dad just sent me. So, I can afford it, since I invited you to help me. It wouldn’t be right to make you spend your own money.”

Though it wasn’t much, it was my pocket money for this period.

“Don’t joke around, I’m an adult. How can I let you spend your money?”

While dialing, Sister Leiluo rarely assumed a grown-up demeanor.

“Yüanyuè! I’m out of money outside! Give me some! Give me some!”

But the call immediately produced an embarrassing sound.