The tallic lock on the door blocked Lu Li’s path.
There was no ti to think. Heavy, deliberate footsteps echoed from upstairs, slowly approaching.
“Mr. Lu Li, where are you? Don’t hide; co out now.”
Scanning the living room quickly, Lu Li quietly moved behind the desk and crouched down to hide.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
The heavy, dragging steps resembled the tolling of a death knell, each step resolutely drawing closer to the living room.
Dust fell from the edges of the staircase as the tremors shook loose particles, and thick legs clad in a floral nightgown appeared between the railings.
Mada Slav had entered the living room.
The woman, as wild and imposing as a beast, walked to the center of the room. Her thunderous voice rumbled, “Oh, so Mr. Lu Li enjoys this kind of ga? You really are an interesting man.”
Thud. Thud. Thud.
Her slippers dragged against the wooden floor as Mada Slav moved again, heading toward the desk, each step bringing her closer.
Lu Li could now hear her labored, excited breathing.
Clack—
As Mada Slav was about to reach the desk, a faint sound ca from the stairs above—a pebble rolling, or perhaps a foot accidentally stepping on a creaking floorboard.
The footsteps halted, and from behind the desk ca Mada Slav’s booming laughter. “Mr. Lu Li, I’ve found you!”
Boom, boom, boom—
Mada Slav’s thunderous running sounded like a battering ram, shaking the entire hall.
Lu Li stood up from his hiding spot, his calm, inscrutable gaze turning toward the corner of the staircase on the second floor.
…
Weak, helpless, and pitiful, Oliver curled up at the side of his bed. His heart mirrored his outward appearance—filled with guilt and worry for Lu Li.
He didn’t even want to imagine the image of Mada Slav pinning Lu Li beneath her.
Should I help my boss? But Mada Slav could snap my neck with one hand…
Caught in an internal struggle, Oliver suddenly noticed the door creak open. A figure that shouldn’t have been there appeared in the doorway.
“Explain what’s going on.”
Under Oliver’s shocked gaze, Lu Li spoke in his usual calm tone, closing the door behind him with slow, deliberate movents.
Voices echoed faintly from outside; so tenants had realized the apartnt’s front door was locked and were questioning Mada Slav.
Already consud by indecision, Oliver didn’t hide anything. He confessed the entire series of events to Lu Li.
“So, because I complinted Mada Slav once, she thought I liked her and used you to lure
here?”
“Sort… sort of,” Oliver stamred, unable to think of another explanation. Besides, Mada Slav had indeed shown signs of infatuation with Lu Li.
Lu Li fell silent, and Oliver trembled nervously.
“The front door is locked. Do you have a way to get us out?”
Lu Li’s voice broke the silence, showing no intention of dwelling further on Oliver’s betrayal.
Oliver’s head shot up, his eyes lighting with hope. Just as he opened his mouth to respond, the sound of Mada Slav’s footsteps echoed once more in the hallway.
Oliver’s face went pale. He spoke quickly, “Boss, you need to hide! Mada Slav is coming!”
Lu Li gave Oliver a long, steady look before moving to hide behind the bed.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
The approaching footsteps stopped outside the door. The doorknob began to turn slowly.
Creak—
The door opened with a grating noise that set teeth on edge, and Mada Slav’s massive form filled the doorway.
Oliver quickly plastered on a surprised expression and stepped forward. “Mada Slav, why are you here? Did you already et my boss?”
“Did Mr. Lu Li co by?” Her piercing, lighthouse-like gaze fixed on Oliver.
Unable to et her eyes, Oliver lowered his head. Then, as if making a sudden decision, he raised it and stamred, “Y-yes, he was here…”
“He said he was heading to the third floor to hide. He just left!”
“You’ve done well, little Oliver.” Mada Slav seed pleased with his response. “If Mr. Lu Li becos your boss, you might not have to pay rent anymore.”
“I wish you success, Mrs. Lu Li,” Oliver said with a respectful bow.
Only after Mada Slav left did Oliver straighten up and close the door.
Leaning back against it, he let out a deep sigh of relief. Then, as if rembering sothing, he turned to Lu Li, who was rising from behind the bed. “Boss, you can escape through the window!”
Oliver rushed to the window and flung it open. A breeze blew in, rustling the edge of the curtains.
“What about the commission papers?”
Lu Li’s calm voice froze Oliver mid-movent. Oliver suddenly rembered and darted to the table, hastily gathering a stack of papers near an unwashed plate before handing them to Lu Li with excitent.
He thought this was the end of his job, but Lu Li’s words suggested he still intended to employ him.
“Boss, I had no choice! If I die, please take care of my sister, Joanna!” Strength surged from Oliver’s frail body as he gave Lu Li a determined look. “Now, go quickly.”
Oliver flung the door open and shouted with all his might, “Mada Slav! My boss is here!”
Without looking back at Lu Li, he slamd his forehead against the doorfra.
Thud!
With a dull sound, Oliver’s eyes rolled back, and he collapsed to the floor unconscious.
Lu Li, who had been silently watching the entire scene, shifted his gaze away. Glancing at the hallway where approaching footsteps grew louder, he turned and headed for the window.
Outside on Black Gold Street, pedestrians moved along their way.
A figure descending from above drew gasps from the crowd. Onlookers’ eyes darted between the falling figure and the second-floor window, filled with astonishnt.
Lu Li, as if entirely removed from the situation, brushed the dust from his coat, adjusted his hat, and walked off down the street.
…
“Why would Mr. Lu Li run away?”
Mada Slav’s voice carried a hint of sadness. If one didn’t look at her, it might even sound like the lant of a woman scorned by love.
“Hiss… M-maybe you scared him, Mada Slav…” Oliver winced as he touched the lump on his forehead.
The terrifying gaze fell on him, and Oliver quickly added, “My boss is a very reserved person. You might’ve been too… enthusiastic.”
“Little Oliver, do you have any suggestions?”
“Maybe… write him a love letter…?”
…
Bang—
The door slamd shut with the force of the wind.
Lu Li’s hat hung on the rack as he returned to his quiet detective agency. He moved behind the desk and sat down, unfolding that day’s newspaper.
There was no ntion of the events at the harbor involving the Rodder.
It seed safe to conclude that the ship had encountered sothing from the depths of the sea.
Finishing the paper, including the advertisents, Lu Li opened a drawer and pulled out a book, removing a sheet of paper tucked within.
[Important: Resolve the ghost haunting
(Completed)]
He added a note in parentheses, then set the pen down and began considering his next steps.
Lu Li hadn’t yet decided whether he wanted to beco an exorcist.
This world was already riddled with dangers, and exorcists, who faced ghosts head-on, bore the worst of it. That didn’t align with Lu Li’s goal of quietly learning about this world.
For now, it seed best to focus on earning the 1,000 shillings through commissions.
Reviews
All reviews (0)