After coming back from the town, Duanmu Huai spent a period of leisure and idleness. The TV news certainly covered this unexpected earthquake event, and Duanmu Huai saw on the TV screen the traces left on the mountain during his fight with the Burrowing Demon Worm, which, as expected, experts interpreted as a result of the earthquake's influence.

As for why this earthquake occurred, the experts ended their discussion with "there are still many unsolved mysteries in the world, and we don't know our home well enough" as the reason.

How to put it... well, it's understandable?

After all, what they said is true.

Just as Duanmu Huai was sipping cola and watching the experts babble on TV, Shajuye walked out of her room and came to Duanmu Huai's side.

"Brother."

"Hmm? What's up?"

"Do you have time these days?"

"As you can see, I'm free every day, what's up?"

"Actually, a week later, it's my friend Meijia's birthday. She just called and invited us to attend her birthday party together..."

"The two of us?"

"Yes, brother, don't you remember? Meijia has met you a few times before."

"Is that so? Let's just say it happened." Duanmu Huai didn't need to think to know it was the system's background setting at work, so he didn't think much about it, just waved his hand.

"Is that all?"

"Hmm... also, she seems to need you to help with something."

"Needs my help... okay." Hearing this, Duanmu Huai shrugged his shoulders.

"I have to go then."

In fact, Duanmu Huai didn't need to guess to know that this was definitely the start of the next mission. But what was unexpected was that this time the person seeking him out appeared as a friend's sister, which was indeed unexpected. Who knows what trouble it will be this time... and what kind of enemy he will encounter.

Duanmu Huai was already eager to see.

There's nothing much to do next. After getting ready, Duanmu Huai drove with Shajuye to the home of the girl named Meijia.

Or rather, a villa.

Maybe it's because in the background setting, Duanmu's family is considered a noble family, so they know quite a few members of various noble families. Even the girls' school Shajuye attends is a noble ladies' school, so naturally, without even reasoning, it can be deduced that Meijia is also a young lady.

The evidence is that ordinary people hold their birthday parties at home, while Meijia chose to hold it in the secluded villa of their family.

Tsk, rich people are indeed different.

Although strictly speaking, Duanmu Huai is also considered a rich person.

However...

"To be honest, I still can't understand why rich people have to build villas in such desolate places."

Driving along the highway by Tokyo Bay, Duanmu Huai complained.

"It's understandable to want to be away from human habitation, but not too far away, right? If I had to choose, I'd rather choose a place near a town. That way it's at least convenient for things like seeing a doctor, and in case of a fire, rescue is easier. I really don't know what these people are thinking, building villas in the deep forests. No wonder mystery novels always write about crimes in such places. With such a good environment, who else would you kill? Or is it that they have done something unspeakable and can only build their houses in the deep forests?"

"Brother? Don't say this in front of Meijia."

"Don't worry, I won't say it in front of her."

Glancing at the map, Duanmu Huai left the highway, drove over a mountain, and then emerged from the other side of the bay, arriving at an estate located on a nearby hill.

It was clearly a private estate, densely surrounded by trees, making it impossible for ordinary people to see what was inside. Moreover, the outermost part had high brick walls and iron fences. Duanmu Huai arrived at the main gate, and soon the gate slowly opened automatically.

Look, if ten people died here, no one would even notice.

Driving inside, Duanmu Huai silently complained in his heart.

Similarly, if they were trafficking ten young girls to do something like imprisonment orientation, no one would find out either.

No wonder the rich like to build villas in such ghostly places, just to conveniently do unspeakable deeds.

Moments later, Duanmu Huai's car passed through dense woods and narrow winding paths, arriving at a Western-style house.

The pure white Western house appeared quite elegant and grand amidst the green hills and blue waters. However, from the densely climbing vines and the walls, it could be seen that this Western house had quite a history.

"Shajuye!"

The moment Duanmu Huai's car came to a stop at the gate, he saw a girl in a white long dress come running over. Shajuye also opened the car door, got out, and went to greet her.

"Meijia! Long time no see!"

"Long time no see, it's been almost half a month, right? I watched the news, that town was the place you said you were going to, right? At the time, I called you, but couldn't get through at all, which worried me to death!"

At this point, Duanmu Huai also got out of the car, observing the girl chatting with Shajuye. Upon seeing his appearance, she momentarily froze but quickly calmed down, greeting Duanmu Huai with a smile.

"Long time no see, Mr. Duanmu, I'm Bai Fan Meijia. Do you remember me?"

"Honestly? I don't remember."

"Ahahaha..."

Faced with Duanmu Huai's blunt response, Bai Fan Meijia showed a helpless smile.

"Well, this is indeed Mr. Duanmu's usual style. Although I was mentally prepared, hearing you say it still hits me a bit."

"Sorry, Meijia, that's just how my brother is..."

"I know, after all, it's been a long time since I last saw Mr. Duanmu. Please follow me, I've prepared rooms for you."

As she spoke, Meijia led them towards the direction of the Western-style House. Duanmu Huai walked beside her, observing the young girl before him.

Much like Shajuye, Meijia is an adorable young girl. She has naturally curly brown hair, a round face, and downward-slanting eyes that give her a gentle and emotional look. If Shajuye is the serious and earnest type, then Meijia is clearly the gentle and quiet kind. Shajuye mentioned that Meijia is well-liked in class, which Duanmu Huai can understand. Though Shajuye is also beautiful, she has a kind of intimidating seriousness that likely deters most boys.

On the contrary, Meijia appears to be a cultured and well-mannered young lady who is approachable and friendly.

"But speaking of it, this place feels quite empty."

As they entered the hall, Shajuye couldn't help but comment, and hearing her remark, Meijia also smiled wryly.

"After all, there aren't usually many people here. Typically, there are only two maids for upkeep and a gardener to maintain the garden. Besides you, only my siblings attend the party, and since they're not here yet, it does feel quite lonely."

"By the way, why celebrate here? I remember you used to have your birthday at home."

"That's true to some extent..."

Saying this, Meijia showed a troubled expression.

"Actually, it's part of our Bai Fan family's tradition."

"Tradition?"

"Yes, I've heard that it was established by my great-grandfather, who started from scratch. He said that anyone from the Bai Fan family, whether from the main or branch families, must come here to celebrate their 16th birthday. So often, this place isn't as deserted."

"Everyone has to come here for their 16th birthday? Why?"

"I don't know about that..."

Meijia shook her head and was about to say something else when suddenly, a voice echoed from nearby.

"Miss..."

"Ah!"

The voice was gloomy, as if it came from the depths of the earth, startling both Meijia and Shajuye, even making Duanmu Huai raise an eyebrow and look towards the source. In the corridor not far ahead of the hall, an elderly maid, hunched over, was pushing a small cart, turning to stare at them. Perhaps due to the backlight, her face wasn't clear, but Duanmu Huai could make out its withered, aged state.

The maid stared blankly at them, while Meijia, the young lady here, seemed somewhat tense.

"Ah, hello, Sankawa Granny. These are the guests I mentioned earlier: my good friend Kaishin Shajuye and her brother Duanmu Huai."

"Oh..."

The old maid elongated her voice and nodded.

"Their rooms are ready, and they can rest anytime. Also, miss, don't forget the orders from the master."

"Understood..."

With those words, the old maid turned the cart and left, while Shajuye curiously watched her and then looked at Meijia.

"You seem afraid of her?"

"Sankawa Granny has been here longer than anyone else."

Meijia lowered her voice, responding.

"There's a rumor that Sankawa Granny was already working here during my great-grandfather's time."

"Even until now?"

"Yes, my father used to think she's too old and worried about her having an accident here alone, intending to give her a generous pension for retirement. But Sankawa Granny refused and even said if my father dismissed her, she'd die here, so he had no choice but to let her continue working."

"Isn't it a problem? Why not hire a few people to help her?"

"My father tried that too, but the maids who came here all resigned within a few months without giving any reason..."

At this point, Meijia seemed a bit uneasy.

"So I'm quite afraid of her. Not just me, even my father is somewhat afraid of her."

Goodness, she's like the master here?

Hearing Meijia's words, Duanmu Huai scoffed, glancing at the direction where the old woman disappeared before looking away.

It seems there's quite a show to watch now.

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