Chapter 171

Chapter 39: They’re Back

　　In a shop that barely qualifies as large, searching for customer information from several years ago is undoubtedly like looking for a needle in a haystack.

　　However, fortunately, this matter is rather special because the time frame is clear—it was during the promotional event right after the store opened. The old employees might still have some recollection of that particular time.

　　Upon Yuan Xiaoling’s instructions, the boss immediately sprang into action, calling later hires to dig through the records while bringing over the veteran staff to inquire about the photos.

　　”I remember, it should be more than three years ago, almost four.”

　　”Hmm, that’s correct, around that time.”

　　”Let me see, this lady is very beautiful, and the gentleman is… quite robust.”

　　Soft laughter rippled through the crowd before quickly subsiding.

　　At this point, a younger female employee said, “Beauty and the Beast—I seem to recall something.”

　　All eyes turned toward her.

　　Thankfully, the contrast of this pair was so distinct that even the older employees remembered them.

　　”You saying this reminds me too; they came on the third day of the event, right?”

　　”Maybe the fourth day.”

　　”Whether it’s the third or fourth day doesn’t matter, anyway, it was around those days.”

　　”Big Sister Lin handled their reception, do you remember?”

　　”Eh, let me think…”

　　The one called Big Sister Lin was the woman in her thirties from earlier. She had been there since the start of the business and had participated in various matters over the years.

　　”I think I vaguely remember, they just came out from next door, holding flyers from the neighboring place. Oh, at that time, the neighbor was a sales office for real estate, which closed down last year…”

　　As Big Sister Lin recounted, the hands of time rewound, stirring up more memories among those present about that era.

　　More than three years ago, Tianhai City was brimming with vitality, and the Chamber of Commerce hadn’t yet officially formed. Riding the wave of the times, the entire city flourished, much like a helicopter taking off.

　　But it wasn’t all perfect—everything wasn’t entirely rosy, such as—

　　”More than three years ago, I remember it was when housing prices in Tianhai were at their highest.” Bai Ling said lightly.

　　The girl told a small fib; she certainly didn’t remember this. It was mainly because Fang Hui had mentioned to her yesterday that due to the ever-rising housing prices, they could no longer afford it, which was why they couldn’t get married.

　　Speaking of which, Bai Ling was initially surprised by Teacher Fang Hui’s true identity, but upon further reflection, it made sense in hindsight.

　　She actively approached after seeing the “Four Squares Academy message” posted in the game. And as someone completely unfamiliar, she casually pulled out an authenticated ID card, which could only mean it was specially created by Four Squares Academy through municipal connections years ago.

　　Initially, she concealed her identity out of caution, and though she never revealed it for unknown reasons, she did give hints eventually.

　　In any case, going back to that period more than three years ago, it should have been…

　　”Yes.” Big Sister Lin nodded, carefully thinking for a moment before adding: “But at that time, the two of them were in good spirits, chatting happily.”

　　This she remembered clearly. After all, if someone walked out of the sales office looking worried, she wouldn’t have gone up to sell wedding photography services.

　　Bai Ling mulled this over.

　　The year when housing prices were at their peak in Tianhai City, one of the most prosperous downtown areas, and yet the two could still be in good spirits walking out from the sales office. There was only one possibility: At that time, Fang Hui’s fiancé had already contacted Four Squares Academy and received an invitation.

　　He also tasted the big pie painted by Li Yuehong.

　　”Found it! I found the record!”

　　The employee sent to check the data ran back, holding a tablet: “At the bottom of the work database, after flipping through, I found the record from back then.”

　　On the screen was a preview image, with the most prominent line being—Wishing Mr. Yang and Miss Fang happiness in their new marriage.

　　Bai Ling inwardly nodded. In the records, the man’s name was Yang Youpeng. The woman she recognized, named Fang Hui.

　　Both names matched.

　　”Did you leave any video recordings back then?” Bai Ling asked, “Or more photos?”

　　Big Sister Lin shook her head, smiling apologetically: “No, we don’t record videos during the process, it involves customer privacy. We only kept this one photo for display and promotion.”

　　Bai Ling felt a little disappointed.

　　Alright, conditions are limited, so we’ll just have to make do with what we’ve got.

　　Taking the tablet from the employee, she flipped through page by page. On it were some design diagrams made by the shop, showing only bits and pieces of information.

　　For example, they chose a classic Western theme that was simple yet elegant. Although they used the shop’s costumes, they were brand new because the store had just opened. The scene setup was creative despite not being overly elaborate.

　　Bai Ling closed her eyes, trying to reconstruct the scene from three years ago using around 100M of data stored on the company cloud server.

　　After enduring for years, watching their house and engagement slip further away, suddenly one day things took a turn for the better. A bigwig from the municipal government personally reached out, offering a promising job, with the only requirement being a temporary separation.

　　Yang Youpeng naturally wouldn’t refuse. Before leaving, he brought his beloved to the central district’s real estate sales office, gazing through the construction site of the future property, imagining a bright future ahead.

　　Surprises and good news followed one after another. On their way out, they encountered a newly opened photography studio running a promotional event. It seemed fate, after years of persistence and waiting, finally offered a complete turnaround.

　　The weather of that day has long been forgotten, perhaps the sun was blazing, or maybe it was drizzling, but none of that mattered anymore. In this small shop, the theme venue set up by the employees became their entire world at that moment.

　　But they didn’t know then, just like the unfinished properties sold by the sales office would never be completed, Yang Youpeng would never return.

　　”What’s wrong with you?”

　　A cute little face appeared before her: “Why did you suddenly look outside?”

　　Yuan Xiaoling noticed she had been deep in thought with her eyes closed for a long time, and when she opened them, she was staring at some direction, which sparked her curiosity.

　　”It’s nothing, just looking at the unfinished buildings,” Bai Ling replied casually.

　　In such a bustling area of the central district, how could they possibly build only a few-story structure? They were all incomplete constructions cut short, hastily wrapped up by the developers who took over later.

　　She pondered for a moment and said to Yuan Xiaoling, “Let’s go, we’re done here, it’s time to head back.”

　　Regardless, the wedding photoshoot happened, Fang Hui’s true identity was uncovered, and her Wu Bian (male) anchor point vision was obtained.

　　Everything seemed perfect, even exceeding expectations, but Bai Ling felt a heaviness in her heart, slightly uncomfortable.

　　”Yeah, we should go,” Yuan Xiaoling stretched lazily.

　　She tidied up her stuff, packed the big box Bai Ling brought along, and then saw the wedding dress Bai Ling had changed out of.

　　”Boss, we’ll take this set, how much does it cost?”

　　This piece was highly significant and must be taken back for Bai Ling, so she could wear it occasionally.

　　The photography studio owner smiled broadly: “Oh, what are you talking about, money or no money? Our store is having a promotion today. Customers experiencing our new themes will receive a free set of clothing. You’re our first lucky customer!”

　　Yuan Xiaoling chuckled, “Alright, since you’ve come up with such a reason, I’ll accept it.”

　　”Oh, please keep it well.”

　　A few young ladies from the store stepped forward, helping to neatly fold the dress and put it into the big box.

　　Bai Ling stood by the wall of photos, lost in thought for a long time, pointing at one of the photos and saying, “Can I take this one with me?”

　　”Of course, no problem!”

　　So smooth, she was originally planning to explain the special reasons.

　　After bidding farewell to the people in the store and telling them not to bother seeing them off, and putting the big box back in the car, today’s trip could be considered a complete success.

　　Yuan Xiaoling fastened her seatbelt but noticed the car wasn’t starting. Turning around quietly, she saw Bai Ling lost in thought.

　　”What are you thinking about?” The Blonde-haired Maiden tilted her head, “About Teacher Fang Hui?”

　　Bai Ling snapped out of her thoughts, shaking her head, “Sort of, I’m just a bit moved.”

　　The person who had been tirelessly helping her find clues was also a victim’s family member of Four Squares Academy. Yet, knowing the outcome from the start, she still chose to help, occasionally even giving advice on her and the Blonde-haired Maiden’s love life, and finally indicated her Wu Bian (male) anchor point before leaving.

　　Yuan Xiaoling was about to offer some comfort, like how the moon waxes and wanes, and people experience joys and sorrows, when she suddenly felt her phone vibrate in her pocket. Pulling it out, she saw her roommate calling.

　　”Hey? Qiao Lili, Bai Ling and I just finished. You guys go eat without waiting for us, and don’t bring anything back for me.”

　　”No, Xiaoling, you should come back as soon as possible, quickly,” Qiao Lili’s voice sounded unusual, “It’s urgent.”

　　Yuan Xiaoling paused slightly, sitting up a little straighter, “What happened?”

　　”Do you remember those girls from the dorm next door? We borrowed their dorm a couple of days ago. Today, they… they, are back.”