Bai Xiaoya sent a message to Gu Yun and He Lili, and a few minutes later, both partners returned.
“I think I found the entrance,” she pointed to the spot where people had come out earlier, “A few people came out from inside, and there was a very pretty, pure-looking girl. I saw her, but unfortunately, she’s already gone far.”
From their angle, it was pitch black over there, as if nothing was there.
And the pure little beauty Bai Xiaoya had noticed walked to the roadside, got into a black sedan, and quickly disappeared.
He Lili nodded blankly, “I get it, but Xiaoxiao, why do you always spot pretty and pure girls at first glance…”
Bai Xiaoya was stunned.
Is that really the case?
Huh, maybe it’s possible, but…
“That’s not important,” Gu Yun said, “The important thing is that we need to go over and take a look.”
Patiently waiting for the red light on the road, the girls walked across the crosswalk and followed under the overpass to the spot Bai Xiaoya had pointed out.
“Look, that’s it!”
Seeing the “door” up close, the three girls couldn’t help but click their tongues in wonder.
It turned out there was a small entrance under the bridge.
Because of the special surrounding structure and deliberately dug light-blocking panels, light couldn’t shine in directly.
Even standing there, the inside of the entrance was dim, making it impossible to see what’s on the other side.
He Lili swallowed.
“Xiaoxiao, this place looks so weird. Let’s be careful.”
Gu Yun agreed.
Bai Xiaoya, on the other hand, thought of the beautiful girl who had just left, and the person who had sent her off.
Even a girl who looked so delicate wasn’t troubled—so it should still be safe, right?
“Here’s what we’ll do: I’ll go in alone, and you two wait outside,” she came up with an idea, “If I don’t come out after a while and can’t be contacted, call the police.”
It was a good plan, so Gu Hui and He Lili stood guard at the entrance, watching Bai Xiaoya walk inside.
“Xiaoyun, did you notice,” He Lili whispered, “Xiaoxiao has changed compared to before.”
Gu Yun was startled.
“I noticed, but didn’t we already talk about this on the subway?”
“We did, but it was inconvenient to discuss at the time. It’s just… Have you noticed, Xiaoxiao is really confident now,” He Lili said, “No matter the situation or environment, she seems sure she can come out on top.”
Last night in the dorm, before going to bed, He Lili pulled Bai Xiaoya to play a co-op dungeon.
Only one character was left alive, no ultimates left, the boss still had half a health bar, but the big-breasted beauty with cherry lips said calmly, “Don’t panic, we can still fight.”
Although they still lost in the end, the momentum was oddly strong.
Gu Yun shrugged helplessly.
“Maybe she experienced something during May Day, something that really boosted her confidence.”
Not far away, Bai Xia saw the three of them acting and was a little surprised.
They actually found this place.
She didn’t dare linger outside and hurried in through another door.
Farther away, a black sedan had just gotten off the highway.
The pure-looking girl Bai Xiaoya had seen rolled down the car window, letting the wind blow her hair.
“Miss,” the driver in the front seat said, “All the procedures have been completed. You can enroll tomorrow.”
“Got it,” the girl replied lazily, “Well done.”
The direction the sedan was heading in was exactly Baiyuan University.
The driver hesitated for a moment.
“Miss, I don’t quite understand—why do you need to go to school…”
The girl rolled up the window, her delicate face showing a hint of anger.
“At my age, what else should I be doing if not attending school?”
“Sorry, this subordinate spoke out of turn.”
***
Bai Xiaoya passed through the tunnel-like entrance, and her vision suddenly opened up, just like the people entering the Peach Blossom Spring in a middle school textbook.
Gu Yun had guessed right—there was indeed a residential area here, mainly two or three-story buildings.
There were people cooling off on the small street, their clothing and behavior no different from outside.
Bai Xiaoya walked forward cautiously, feeling constant secret glances around her.
She didn’t know if it was because she looked unfamiliar, or because of her large chest.
Maybe both.
“Old Guai, when are you going to pay back the money you owe me? I’ve already given you the last extension!”
“One day! Just one more day! I’ll pay it back tomorrow, I swear!”
Bai Xiaoya heard arguing and turned to see a small convenience store, where the owner was grabbing a man with wobbly steps and dark circles in front of the stall, looking like he wanted to eat him alive.
“No more days! Half a day left! Bring the money to me by tonight, or I’ll hang you here for sale!”
With that, he shoved him hard.
The unsteady man stumbled back several steps, almost falling to the ground.
Emmmmm, this convenience store doesn’t seem very friendly. Better stay away.
As Bai Xiaoya walked, an idea struck her.
She caught up with the wobbly man who’d been pushed earlier.
“Hey, big brother, you need money urgently?”
The man’s eyes lit up, scanning her up and down.
“Wow, it’s the first time a big~beautiful girl like you has come here.”
Seriously, how can someone down on his luck still have the energy to flirt?
Bai Xiaoya complained inwardly but resisted the urge to leave, speaking calmly.
“I’m a nearby university student. Lately, I’m working on some past case studies and want to interview you. If you can provide useful information, I’ll pay you an interview fee.”
The man didn’t seem to listen carefully and continued scanning her.
“What do you want to know? Go ahead and ask.”
Bai Xiaoya took a deep breath.
“Here’s the thing. A few years ago, there was a local entrepreneur in Baiyuan City—the boss of Baibai Trading…”
She explained about Baibai Trading and asked if they’d ever done business here.
After she finished, the man didn’t speak, just stared at her.
As Bai Xiaoya was about to lose her temper, he suddenly chuckled.
“Big beauty, if you’re here to buy intel, just get to the point. No need to go through all the trouble making up reasons.”
Bai Xiaoya’s face stiffened.
So she was exposed from the start.
But the other party didn’t seem to care about her real intentions and pointed to a small room nearby.
“I happen to know a bit about them. Let’s talk inside. Every piece of information here costs money, so don’t let others get it for free.”
Bai Xiaoya became a bit more cautious.
“Is it a long story? How much time will it take? I have a few companions waiting outside—if they can’t find me, they’ll worry.”
As she spoke, she watched the man’s expression. He remained unchanged.
“Come on. It won’t take long.”
After thinking it over, and since she had left a backup plan, Bai Xiaoya quietly pressed her phone to the emergency call screen and followed him.
The small, shabby room was piled with junk in the corners, but at least people could sit.
Bai Xiaoya didn’t sit, just stood there. The man didn’t bother with tea or anything and spoke directly.
“Baibai-whatever company—never mind, it’s not important. There are several bosses like them. Since over five years ago, they’ve all been searching for one thing here.”
“What is it?”
Bai Xiaoya asked urgently.
The man looked at her and spoke slowly.
“Edwins’s Pocket Watch.”
“Edwins? Who?”
Is it valuable?
Bai Xiaoya held back her last question, thinking it would make her look clueless.
“Edwins was the previous owner of the Pocket Watch. These things only have one living owner, so the name represents the heirloom.”
The man paused, greed glinting in his eyes.
“As for its use, it’s said to control people’s thoughts…total domination!”
Bai Xiaoya froze, probing.
“High-tech?”
Forgive her, but the first thing she thought of was the mind control device from Red Alert.
The man chuckled again but didn’t answer, instead saying,
“I’ve given you the intel. Time to pay up.”
Bai Xiaoya was a bit disappointed, but still pulled out her phone.
“Fine, how much do you want?”
She felt the information wasn’t that useful—a Pocket Watch or whatever, spoken of so mysteriously.
Oh right, Bai Xia seemed to have a Pocket Watch too. She said it was a family heirloom and even showed it to her a few days ago…
Bai Xiaoya spaced out a little. After a long while without hearing the man’s voice, she looked up to find him gazing at her playfully.
“Sorry, big beauty, here, the seller sets the price…”