Firefly Journey

Next to the banquet hall are numerous small rooms used to accommodate overnight guests.

In one of the guest rooms, two people sat facing each other: Lin Yuanran and Sheila Brown.

After Lin Yuanran explained his purpose, Sabrina said that it was her duty to help her classmate, so she called Sheila over and had a one-on-one questioning with Lin Yuanran.

Business tycoons like the Browns are inherently inferior to political families. Sheila, who was already an adult, knew very well that she couldn't afford to offend the other party, even if she was just a young girl.

To her surprise, the person looking for her was the new security guard from earlier that day. This was a bit strange. Since you have connections with the Xu family and the Bloan family, why are you working like a slave for the guild? Are you bored?

“I know you want to ask about the threatening letters, and I will tell you everything I know,” Sheila Brown said, indicating her willingness to cooperate.

Lin Yuanran had no experience in similar situations, so he appeared nonchalant on the surface, but was actually very nervous inside.

"Does Mr. Harry have any enemies? Whether in business or elsewhere?" he asked.

“I’m sorry, my dad rarely talks to me about his business. As far as I know, three years ago, he acquired a small bank that was about to go bankrupt. The bank’s original owner committed suicide by self-immolation at home not long after, which made the front page of the newspapers, so I remember it vividly,” Sheila said.

Lin Yuanran digested the information she provided, trying to find clues. However, it was a perfectly normal business failure. The original owner of the small bank was too fragile. Harry's acquisition in accordance with regulations was not improper, and there was no forced purchase.

Perhaps we should approach it from a different angle.

Lin Yuanran changed the subject: "Is that long-haired older brother your boyfriend?"

Sheila was clearly taken aback by his sudden question, and paused for a moment before blushing slightly with intoxication: "I guess so."

“I confessed my feelings to him and he said yes,” Sheila added.

Lin Yuanran had seen long-haired men before, and even by male standards of beauty, they were incredibly attractive, let alone Sheila.

"When did you meet?"

Sheila was somewhat reluctant to speak, as she felt it involved her privacy. However, given the safety of her family and the intangible influence of the Broan and Xu families, she decided to tell the truth.

"Early spring this year."

"I understand. There's nothing more to ask. You can go and enjoy the banquet, Miss Employer." Lin Yuanran smiled slightly, making it clear that their relationship was still one of employment, and that his earlier aggressiveness was merely a business matter.

Sheila seemed to understand, and without saying much, she lifted her skirt and walked out.

Not long after, two beautiful figures appeared in the room.

After Lin Yuanran told the two girls the results of the "interrogation," Fengling said, "Newspapers from three years ago are hard to find; we can only get them from guys with a collecting obsession."

At present, the banker who set himself on fire is the only starting point, so it is natural to find out the whole story.

“According to you, Sheila only gave a brief summary of what happened, without mentioning the details, such as… whether the banker committed suicide by self-immolation or by taking his entire family with him?” Sabrina asked.

Lin Yuanran nodded: "That's right, but I don't know anyone here, so I don't know where to look for old newspapers."

Sabrina said, "My uncle is a collector; he never throws newspapers away carelessly. I can give it a try."

Lin Yuanran's eyes lit up: "What a coincidence!"

He immediately thought to himself, "It's just like someone bringing you a pillow when you're sleepy."

Sabrina raised an eyebrow and said, "These routine banquets are usually just to spread the family's influence. They're quite boring, so we didn't invite Mirashu and the others. But since you've 'shown up uninvited,' why don't you come along?"

Lin Yuanran naturally wouldn't refuse her classmate's kind offer.

He needs to get to know this city better, since before he goes home, this is likely where he will be studying and living, and building connections is very important.

As the initiator of the banquet, Sabrina was very prestigious. Many noble young men extended invitations to her, and she responded to each one, dancing gracefully with them.

On the contrary, the other girl had no fans at all. Lin Yuanran did not think that it was because he was next to her that no one invited her.

As everyone knows, the eldest grandsons of the Xu family and the Dimos family have been betrothed since childhood, and no one would dare to provoke them.

Of course, this is not the main reason, because in the Duchy of Bema, in the Debasa Empire, and in many surrounding small countries, dancing is a social etiquette. Even if you are engaged or have children, you can still dance as long as you want; there are no restrictions.

What truly deters people is the attitude of the wind chime itself.

It is unclear when, but after being invited to dance and then rejected, rumors began to circulate that she disliked dancing; the real reason remains unknown.

Lin Yuanran guessed that this was due to her personality. If she were in the original world, Fengling, who was a total homebody, would definitely never even leave the house.

Lin Yuanran wasn't invited either. Generally speaking, it's usually the men who invite the women when dancing, but he doesn't know how to dance at all. What's the point of inviting someone? He'd just embarrass himself.

None of the people present recognized him, and his tattered clothes practically screamed "Don't touch me!" Plus, sitting next to Feng Ling only amplified his negative aura.

After a while, the two men finished their drinks, and a waiter came to refill them.

Not long after the banquet ended, Lin Yuanran saw him again on her way back. After changing into casual clothes, his eyes were clear and not stupid, and he looked like an honest man.

Back at Mr. Harry's house, Lin Yuanran subtly probed for more information, and Mr. Harry and his wife's answers were exactly the same as Sheila's, confirming the truth of the matter.

Harry was actually pleased that Sheila had a legitimate reason for coming home late, saying that she had asked her teacher at school about something she didn't understand. She was quite adept at lying.

Lin Yuanran naturally wouldn't expose him, but inwardly felt sorry for this father who was kept in the dark.

Finally, Mr. Harry stated that he would pay a substantial sum if the problem of threatening letters could be fundamentally resolved.

The members of the "Neon" guild weren't very interested, because investigating it would be too difficult and dangerous, and it was beyond their reach.

Only Lin Yuanran was eager to try. He had already found his direction and had the help of his classmates. If he continued to search, he would definitely be able to find some clues.

……

……

Central District, St. Phileun Cathedral.

The believers of light gathered here to praise the great Julius.

As the prayer service ended and the crowd dispersed, a figure walked against the flow, passing through various halls and heading towards the interior of the church.

No one stopped him along the way, because it was the high priest who summoned him.

A church not open to the public, its gleaming halo dazzlingly bright, where the High Priest "Wrathful Flame" Conrad, clad in a golden robe, exudes an imposing aura.

Cassius Bello pushed open the door and entered, his head slightly lowered, whether from being blinded by the halo of light or from being intimidated by the majesty of the High Priest of Judgment.

"Raging Flame" Conrad turned around and said in a deep voice, "What exactly happened to you in Torreg?"

……

……

P.S.: Thanks to Fengxi Tan for his generous contribution.