Chapter 2143: Chapter 2138: Confinement (12)

There is indeed someone here.

In such a desolate place, even for a brief moment, a car engine running is enough to draw attention.

Fu Qian also noticed that while they were talking, someone was already peeking downstairs.

And it seemed like Mr. Huck even knew who the peeper was.

"Not working today, Ed?"

As they got out of the car, almost as soon as they knocked, the door opened from the inside.

A burly red-haired man came out in loungewear, looking a bit puzzled.

In contrast, Huck showed no surprise, greeting him casually.

"I’m off today, Mr. Huck. Is there something you need?"

It was obvious that Huck was quite respected here. Ed’s tone held not just the caution one has when the police come but also a respect for an elder.

"We’re looking for someone. Can we come in and talk?"

Huck maintained his usual style, showing little emotion, his gaze laid-back.

The reason he gave was slightly euphemistic.

"The person we’re looking for" could refer to Rachel or the missing young people.

No doubt, he was someone with rich experience in basic operations.

The car that’s missing would need someone to drive it away. Since it was Ed opening the door, the probability that his absentee wife Rachel was at home wasn’t very high, and exactly what she went to do became subtle.

Some things, if accidentally revealed by outsiders, could have serious consequences.

Even though he was keenly aware of this, Fu Qian also had no intention of saying more.

"Of course, please come in."

Despite his somewhat fierce appearance, Ed was obviously an affable person, instantly inviting them in.

...

Indeed, quite exquisite, it’s not just about appearances.

As they followed the invitation inside, Fu Qian remained thoroughly relaxed as a companion, observing without inquiring.

And I must say, the interior of this building was the most exquisite he had seen so far.

Chairs, tables, counters, clothing racks, hanging lamps, each item clearly had a lot of thought put into it, and the layout was quite meticulous.

Even the wallpaper seemed carefully chosen, perfectly in harmony with the overall style.

If it was all arranged by Rachel, it would be understandable why she wasn’t interested in working as a waitress.

She clearly had a high pursuit of lifestyle quality, and even according to Huck’s description, her appearance was striking enough—indeed remarkable.

Soon, Fu Qian found evidence supporting Huck’s remark, in a wooden photo frame on the cabinet, showing a black-and-white photo of a couple.

The man was evidently Ed, looking much younger.

And the woman, with her slightly curled long hair and expressive eyes, had lips that seemed full and rosy even in the black-and-white photo, indeed quite eye-catching.

"What’s the matter? Has something happened to Rachel?"

It was clear that this charm still worked on her husband. He had been anxious leading the way, and almost as soon as he sat down, Ed couldn’t help but ask.

"Of course not. I’m looking for two missing individuals."

As expected, whether the other person knew it or not, Huck had no intention of revealing Rachel didn’t go to the diner, just naturally turning to business.

"They are quite young, a stranger boy and girl, have you noticed anyone like that in the past couple of days?"

...

Missing persons?

Ed looked a bit confused, something that could be easily seen.

Whether good or bad, when something turns unexpectedly, a bit of bewilderment is indeed normal.

"I haven’t seen any strangers recently... Are you sure nothing happened to Rachel?"

But this didn’t imply he entirely believed Huck’s words, after shaking his head instinctively, Ed persisted to inquire.

From his demeanor, it was hard to say if he had insightfully detected something, more like concern causing chaos, leading him to subconsciously relate everything to his wife.

For example, the so-called missing individuals were just made up casually, and Huck was, for some reason, kindly deceiving him—especially when there was a stranger face right now.

As he said the last part, Ed was clearly staring at Fu Qian, his gaze somewhat complex.

Especially when this stranger might still be the type his wife favored, right?

Such clichéd notions are called clichéd precisely because they require no mental strain to understand.

For Fu Qian, the complexity in Ed’s gaze could be simply summarized.

In the ease of it, his gaze didn’t even move away from Rachel’s face in the photo.

...

The confrontation of momentum is very subtle, with Fu Qian always being considered efficient at stepping on others’ sensitive spots.

Soon enough, the previously harmonious atmosphere grew tense by the milliseconds.

Even since he hadn’t spoken up before, in theory, his actions couldn’t be pinpointed as problematic, successfully cornering Ed.

The end result was Fu Qian clearly hearing the process of breathing gradually quickening.

In his peripheral vision, even that red hair seemed to become more vivid.

"The boy is only fourteen."

Just when something seemed about to break forth from this stalemate, Fu Qian finally spoke.

Coldly, he spat out a number, and he didn’t even bother to look at Ed’s face, emphasizing the fierce vigor of a young enforcer.

"In terms of taking care of oneself, I believe your wife is much more proficient than him, do you want to reconsider?"

...

Different people require different communication styles.

Not nearly as affable as Mr. Huck Sr., but under Fu Qian’s retort, the previously volatile Ed’s momentum somehow reversed again.

A brief daze later, even the red hair on his head seemed to lose spirit, turning Ed swiftly gentle.

Of course, Fu Qian would not attribute this to himself entirely; with Mr. Huck’s and his contrasting stances, looking contradictory yet achieving a complementary effect.

In Ed’s perspective, the probability of them teaming up to trick him significantly decreased, increasing the likelihood the missing individuals were genuine.

As for why to "speaking out of righteousness"?

Although the rule of entering the "Inner World" remains unclear, Ed’s mental state looked obviously dangerous.

Fu Qian had no intention of starting another Inner World journey now, so he never intended to truly drive Ed insane.

Earlier, while provoking, he actually focused more on observing Huck’s reactions.

Facts proved that even sensing Ed’s bad sentiments, Mr. Huck Sr.’s response wasn’t too significant.

He frowned slightly, seemingly pondering how to inform that Rachel wasn’t at the diner without upsetting the counterpart.

"You seem quite worried about Rachel, has she had any issues lately?"

At this moment, Mr. Huck Sr. seemed quite satisfied with the shift in dynamics, adopting a relaxed demeanor.

"...Nothing really, it’s just that she’s been rather absorbed in painting."

After racking his brain under Fu Qian’s prompts, Ed, showing that his wife merely had a burst of artistic fever, shook his head, expressing nothing out of ordinary.

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