Field Visit

Upon hearing the codename "Butler," Chen Miemie froze for a moment.

Earlier, when Water Gaze had mentioned the butler, he hadn’t thought about outsiders. He assumed it referred to the butler of that villa. Now, a flaw suddenly became apparent.

A person with the codename "Butler" had gone to that villa, and others would naturally address him as "butler."

Moreover, if an important butler from that household had been absent at the scene, it would have caught the attention of investigators. Yet, in reality, even a seasoned detective like Mu Ying never mentioned that a body was missing.

But if it really was this "Butler," the logic didn’t quite add up.

The people in that villa had already planned to defect to "Burger Workshop," and President Shepherd of Burger Workshop hadn’t intended to use the curse to relentlessly attack "Shedding Skin Clinic."

So why would a "Butler" from Burger Workshop orchestrate this scheme, eliminating people who wanted to ally with his own side?

Was he trying to prevent Burger Workshop from acquiring this family, or was he aiming to frame Shedding Skin Clinic?

This really wasn’t Chen Miemie’s business.

The Shedding Skin Clinic—a major syndicate—had weathered countless storms. Even if some conspiracy was afoot, they could handle their own affairs without his concern.

The problem was, the moment he took Water Gaze away with him, he had already been dragged into it.

"Forget it, let’s handle the shop’s commission first and not mix different matters together for now."

With that thought, Chen Miemie turned to Yi Zhu.

"Time is precious, so let’s jump right in. I’ve heard that Yi Xian was very lively and active as a child. Why did she later become withdrawn and introverted, even developing autism?"

"It seems Brother Miemie has already done some digging. Yes, Yi Xian was even more energetic than me when she was little. Back then, I was the one chasing after her all day.

Around the time we turned ten, she changed.

I might not remember the exact date, but what stands out to me is that overnight, she suddenly became like a different person. No matter how much I asked, she never told me what happened.

Throughout her school years, she remained extremely introverted, made no friends, and even with me—if I didn’t seek her out, she wouldn’t come to me at all. The clinic diagnosed her with autism."

"But now, when I interact with her, she seems normal. I don’t sense any communication barriers."

Yi Zhu hesitated for two seconds.

"Maybe it’s inappropriate to say this, but I’ve actually thought that letting her remain in this ‘blind’ state might not be such a bad thing.

Before her graduation exam, she was still in that autistic state. But on the day of the exam, when she came back—even though her vision was blocked—she suddenly became much more cheerful. Not outgoing, perhaps, but at least back to a normal level."

Chen Miemie tapped his fingers lightly on the table. "So what you really want isn’t just for Yi Xian to regain her sight, but for her not to relapse into that autistic state afterward?"

"Yes."

"You should understand that’s effectively two requests. The price we agreed on before isn’t enough."

"I’m willing to pay more."

After finishing his conversation with Yi Zhu, it was only 4:30 PM.

There was still time before the shop opened.

Chen Miemie took a sedan chair to Nuan Yu Road.

Number 50, Nuan Yu Road.

It was a three-story building. The base wasn’t large, only about the size of one shop—so calling it a villa was a stretch.

At the entrance stood a small tree that appeared to have been broken at some point. It was much shorter than the other trees around it, looking somewhat out of place among the row lining the street.

Chen Miemie knocked on the door.

No one answered.

An elderly woman passing by was very helpful: "Young man, are you looking for the Yi family?"

"Yes, ma’am. Do you know them?"

"How could I not? I’ve lived here for decades. Everyone on this street knows everyone.

But the Yi family no longer lives here. They moved away. The house is empty now."

"They moved away, huh."

"Yes. Mr. Yi passed away a few years ago, and Lady Yi moved out with her son about a year ago."

"But I heard Mr. Yi had two children—a boy and a girl."

"Not two, three. The boy and girl were from Mr. Yi and his late wife. Lady Yi I mentioned is the new wife. The son is hers."

"Impressive, ma’am. You’re like a walking encyclopedia. What should I call you?"

"Of course. Nothing escapes my notice on this street. My surname is Qiu. Just call me Granny Qiu."

"Granny Qiu, do you know about the daughter in that family?"

"You mean Xiaoqin?"

"Xiaoqin? No, as far as I know, her name is Yi Xian."

"I wouldn’t know about that. They only ever had one daughter, named Xiaoqin. By the way, young man, who are you?"

"Granny Qiu, I’m from the Academy. I’m investigating a strange case recently. I heard that this family’s little girl often goes out during the Never-Sun Period."

"That she does." Chen Miemie’s words sparked the old woman’s enthusiasm for conversation. "Xiaoqin was always doing that. It’s a miracle she didn’t die in the fog. Did she cause trouble again?"

Chen Miemie’s eyes sharpened slightly. "Granny, you said ‘cause trouble again.’ What trouble did she cause before?"

"Ah, speaking of that, it was really the family’s misfortune.

About ten years ago, maybe longer, Xiaoqin was playing outside and lost track of time during dusk. As she ran home, almost at the doorstep, she encountered a sudden fog and met with an anomaly.

A child who hadn’t even started school yet—encountering an anomaly is basically a death sentence.

At the time, the Former Mrs. Yi was at home, already worried about her daughter not returning. She heard Xiaoqin’s cries for help from outside the door.

You have to admit, a mother’s love is a powerful force.

In our memory, she had always been especially timid, but she opened that door."

Chen Miemie looked at the somewhat weathered old woman. "Granny, you’re no ordinary neighbor. Knowing this much goes beyond normal neighborly relations."

Granny Qiu met Chen Miemie’s gaze calmly. "Young man, you’re not from the Academy either, are you?"

"You’re right. I’m not from the Academy, but I come with good intentions."

"I know. That’s why I came over to talk to you."

Chen Miemie looked slightly puzzled. "What do you mean?"

"When I was young, I was a Mystic too. Not very powerful, but my Moral Sense has never steered me wrong.

I really do live on this street. I watched them grow up. What you want to know, I’m willing to tell you. I hope it can help you—and them."

Granny Qiu expected Chen Miemie to ask about Xiaoqin, but he didn’t at all.

"Granny, since you’re familiar with the family, do you know how the Former Mrs. Yi made her braised spare ribs?"

Granny Qiu was only slightly surprised but quickly recovered.

"Young man, you must be mistaken. I’m not senile yet, and I don’t misremember.

The late Former Mrs. Yi? She couldn’t cook at all."