The engine of the small sedan slowly died with a faint final hum at the entrance of a narrow alley.
“Um, Miss Meng Wange, is it really okay to drop you off here?”
Liu Xiaohua, sitting in the driver’s seat, turned around somewhat uneasily to look at the brown-haired girl in the back seat who had already shouldered her backpack.
“Yes, this is the place. Thank you, Miss Liu.”
Meng Wange pushed open the car door, stood outside, and gave Liu Xiaohua a slight bow.
“I’ll look around on my own from here. Thank you for taking care of me on the way. Goodbye.”
Her calm eyes held a composure and politeness that didn’t match her age, making it hard to refuse.
“Ah, goodbye! I hope you have fun in our Yunsheng County… If you need anything else later, remember to call me anytime—”
Liu Xiaohua waved her hand reflexively.
…Wait!? What are you saying ‘ah’ for!? Did you just get swept along by her aura that easily?
After all, Meng Wange is just an underage girl. I’m a teacher, how can I just leave her alone in an unfamiliar small town!
Thinking this, Liu Xiaohua slapped her own forehead.
“Wait a second—”
She hurriedly rolled down the window and called out.
“Hey, Meng—”
Before she could finish, that slender figure had already turned the corner deep into the alley and disappeared from sight.
“…Ah, she’s gone.”
Liu Xiaohua rubbed her temples, sighed helplessly, and finally stepped on the gas, turning the car around to leave.
Oh well, she is a child favored by Mr. Su. Even if she’s acting alone, probably… nothing will happen, right?
At the same time, at the first corner of the alley—
“So, this is Yunsheng County…”
Meng Wange walked alone on a small path paved with bluestone slabs, carrying a canvas backpack that had been washed nearly white.
Unlike the cold steel jungle of Nan City’s urban area, everything here seemed leisurely and quaint. The afternoon sun filtered through the crisscrossing power lines overhead, cutting irregular patterns of light and shadow on the ground. Most of the shops on either side were old brick and stone houses, with window frames carved with delicate patterns, exuding a warm, nostalgic atmosphere.
However, upon closer inspection, most of the shops in the alley were already closed. A thin layer of dust had settled on both the windows and the door panels. Even though it was the weekend, the street remained quiet, with only a few scattered children and elderly people moving slowly in the corners.
Meng Wange took out a small notebook she carried with her and recorded these observations one by one, then took a few photos with her phone.
Although there were few tourists, the scenery here was indeed as beautiful and peaceful as the driver had said. Even though the sea wasn’t yet visible, the air faintly carried the salty, damp scent of the sea breeze.
Thinking this, the corner of her mouth lifted slightly without her realizing it.
Su Wanli… would definitely like it here.
That always contradictory Eldest Miss of the Su Family, upon seeing these quaint, lively street scenes, would probably first frown and disdainfully say, “Country places really are run-down,” but then, turning away, she’d be unable to resist secretly photographing every interesting corner.
When caught by Meng Wange, she’d then pretend to be reserved, cross her arms, and snort, “What are you laughing at? It’s just that the decor of these houses barely meets my aesthetic standards.”
The scenery from the alley entrance all the way to the shimmering coastline in the distance would become something she could share with Su Wanli later.
…But, before that.
Meng Wange took a deep breath, putting away all these irrelevant imaginings, her eyes regaining their usual coolness and detachment.
—First, complete her task.
She didn’t overlook any details. In the corner of the alley entrance, an inconspicuous metal plaque was quietly nailed there, bearing the emblem of the Su Group.
It seemed the news about this old street being acquired and renovated by the Su Family wasn’t unfounded. It was just that, for some reason, the project had been temporarily shelved.
As for the reason…
Meng Wange’s gaze passed over the closed shops and landed on the far end of the alley—the one place that was still lit up and from which the sounds of commotion emanated.
“Yunsheng Ocean Hotel.”
This was the location mentioned in the Bai Family’s intelligence, the place Bai Qingyan had told her to bring Su Wanli to.
Meng Wange didn’t hesitate, walking straight towards it.
Before she even stepped inside, a slightly irritated female voice came from behind the half-open door—
“I already said to wait a bit more! Seriously, do we have to talk about this now?”
“The festival is tomorrow, I just want to get through this holiday! If you keep bothering me, I swear I’ll— Ah, a guest is here, I don’t have time to argue with you, we’ll talk later!”
Click. A woman who looked to be in her late twenties, with a half-smoked cigarette in her mouth, poked her head out from behind the counter.
Her demeanor carried a hint of laziness and casualness.
“Oh? A new face?”
She gave Meng Wange a once-over, forcing a business-like smile onto her face.
“Hello there, miss. Is this your first time in Yunsheng County?”
“If you’re here for the fireworks, you’re a day early. Our fireworks show doesn’t start until tomorrow night.”
“Yes, I know.”
Meng Wange nodded with a smile, entered the shop, and placed her backpack on a wooden bench to the side.
“My friend won’t arrive until tomorrow. I just heard this is the best spot to watch the fireworks from, so I wanted to come check out the environment in advance and decide whether to stay here with her.”
“Oh? Wanting to prepare a surprise for your little friend? I get it, I get it.”
The female shopkeeper nodded, stubbed out her cigarette in an ashtray, fanned the air with a hand, then leaned on the counter and gestured towards the window with her chin.
“Trust me, within a ten-mile radius, there’s no place with a better view than mine. It’s just a couple of steps to the bathing beach, very convenient.”
“Yes, from here, you can indeed see a very beautiful sea view.”
Meng Wange nodded, then took out her small notebook and a ballpoint pen from her backpack.
“However, before making a final decision, I’d still like to look around a bit more and take some photos.”
“So, if you’re not busy right now, could you show me around? And let me ask you a few questions as well.”
“Oh? Questions?”
The shopkeeper raised an eyebrow, looking at her with interest.
“Is it a social practice assignment from school? Or are you writing some kind of travel report? Looking at your uniform, are you one of those legendary academic geniuses?”
“…Well, let’s assume that’s the case.”
Meng Wange didn’t deny it, gently opened the notebook, tapped the pen cap against her lips, and then smiled politely.
“My name is Meng Wange. How should I address you?”
“I’m Li Yunsheng. You can call me Shopkeeper Li, Old Li, or Sister Yunsheng.”
“Understood, Miss Li.”
Meng Wange nodded, continuing in a natural tone.
“Then, before we begin, I’d like to ask—have you encountered any particularly strange guests recently?”
“Strange guests?”
Li Yunsheng thought for a moment, then nodded seriously.
“Yes.”
“A high school girl who, instead of going to places young people love during vacation, wears her school uniform and comes to this remote small county, asking all sorts of questions with a little notebook.”
“Alright, thank you for your cooperation.”
Meng Wange noted this information in her notebook without changing her expression, then turned to a new page.
“Also, I would be happier if your answer included a second person besides me.”
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