Bloodshot from staying up, her eyes flitted across numbers and symbols.
"Li Hui, born in 2026, background unknown, currently owns a large portfolio of real estate." After work, Mo Xixi quickly dug up information on Li Hui. She’d initially thought to find his bank account through the records and give him a hefty hack.
But when she did find his bank account, unexpected issues surfaced.
"On the 5th, 15th, and 25th of each month, large sums of money are transferred into Li Hui’s bank account. On paper, it looks like rental inco from tenants. But in reality, the real estate under Li Hui’s na is located in the outskirts of Qinyang, where the inconvenient transportation ans there’s hardly a demand for tenants." Mo Xixi analyzed, her eyes sparkling with the combined inspiration of alcohol and discovery.
Her pink laptop screen flickered.
"Morning," Xia You erged.
"You’re up at 5 AM?" Mo Xixi wondered, pushing aside her laptop as she sprang to Xia You’s side, marvelling at the latter’s complexion.
"With such rosy cheeks and sparkling eyes, you don’t look like soone who only slept for two hours," Xia You and she had gotten ho close to two, and after washing up, they had gone to sleep. It was unlikely for her to be this spirited now. Moreover, her complexion didn’t resemble soone who had pulled an all-nighter.
"It’s so unfair," Mo Xixi yawned uncontrollably. Even several cups of coffee couldn’t fend off her sleepiness.
"I’m off for a run," Xia You loved this aspect of Mo Xixi’s old apartnt the most—that it was located near a two or three-kiloter shaded path ideal for running.
"You still have energy to run? Truly an unbearable injustice," Mo Xixi kept complaining as Xia You changed into running shoes and headed out.
"Hey, rember to bring back breakfast, I want savory bean curd and ’Dog Ignore’ stead buns," Mo Xixi yelled down the stairwell as Xia You agreed.
"Wait! There’s sothing else. That Li Hui is fishy," Mo Xixi called out again, but in that short ti, there was no response from the staircase.
"Anyway, let’s hack into his bank account first," Mo Xixi chuckled slyly, returning to her room.
At five o’clock in early autumn, sunshine sifted through the foliage, sprinkling specks of light on the ground.
Xia You ran lightly, recalling everything that had happened last night on "Military Road", and before she knew it, she had completed two kiloters.
At the end of the shaded path stood an ancient banyan tree with luxuriant branches, under which elders practicing their morning Tai Chi routines surrounded it.
"Younger every day, aren’t you?" a spirited old man with white hair had just finished his last move.
These days, young people like Xia You who exercised so early were scarce. She had stayed at Mo Xixi’s place for three to four days, and consistently arrived around five via the shaded path.
Xia You didn’t have the habit of wearing a watch. She didn’t ti her run, but the elder counted for her—she was two minutes earlier each day.
It was a quarter faster than Xia You’s first marathon, which is significant progress for soone who hadn’t undergone systematic training. As Xia You did have certain training, the extra minutes she shaved off each day signified real improvent.
Xia You chatted with the elder for a bit and then began so cool-down exercises, stretching her limbs. As she stretched, she noticed that her body’s flexibility and muscle tension had improved significantly.
"What’s the reason for such improvent? Is it the effect of the military training, or is it a side benefit of my military rank’s increase in ’Military Road’?" After completing the newbie stage and tasks in Babylon City, Xia You felt more and more the psychological and physiological benefits that "Military Road" offered her. This also fueled her desire to continue playing this ga.
Returning to the old apartnt with hot soy milk and freshly fried dough sticks, it was already past six. When she opened the door, Mo Xixi was nowhere to be seen, probably couldn’t stay awake and went to sleep.
"This person, always such a ss," Xia You muttered as she found Mo Xixi’s computer left on the living room coffee table, surrounded by scattered packets of instant coffee.
After taking a shower, Xia You checked her cell phone to see a strange phone number. Without overthinking it, she called back imdiately.
The call ca from Li Zhen, who took seriously her jest the day before about inviting Xia You to worship together. It looked like she was truly a devout follower. While Xia You had little interest in the David Sect, considering that Li Hui was a follower and it could be relevant to the case, she decided to accept Li Zhen’s invitation.
The apartnt was quiet and with nothing else to do, Xia You tidied up and headed for the location arranged with Li Zhen over the phone.
**
Before her lay a white palace marked with the wear of history, surrounded by a fence teeming with old vines and withered trees, hiding the building’s original form and making it difficult to recognize the architectural style of any specific era.
Inside the fence, the space looked long untouched, leaves accumulating thickly on the ground, with the main structure and surrounding courtyard crumbling chaotically.
Yijie looked around, observing the castle within the fence that appeared uninhabited.
He examined the map he got from the "military station." According to the map, this place should be covered by a forest, "That thief who stole the column was definitely headed this way, so why did he disappear in the blink of an eye?"
(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian) to vote for recomndation tickets and monthly passes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
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