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墨書 Inktalez
In the office of Zhang, the Chief Editor, sat Yuan Ye. "How have you been all these years?" Yuan Ye broke the oppressive silence, his tone laced with concern. After a moment's hesitation, she hurriedly walked out of the News Agency, her mind heavy with unspoken thoughts.
Yuan Ye turned and sank into the swivel chair, leaning back against the chair's support as he drifted into a light doze. Memories of his complicated relationship with Zi Anqing surfaced in his mind... His old friend Zhang had gone to handle the incident involving Luo Daoming's car accident and had yet to return.
Yuan Ye felt confused, weary, and fearful of his lifelong intermittent dissociative identity disorder. Many unwanted and haunting visions stubbornly invaded his mind. If he spoke of them, no one would believe him; they would label him a madman. It was thanks to Zi Anqing that he had been rescued from many such predicaments. The torment of sleepless nights and the terrifying visage of the Demon Leader would unconsciously flash through his mind, causing him immense pain. Eventually, after seeking help from a wise monk at the Temple to seal away those thoughts, such phenomena had not reappeared. Life had been peaceful for several years until his old friend warned him that there were unclean things at the News Agency; by then, he had already lost that ability and reluctantly sought out a Feng Shui Master for guidance.
"Hey, Teacher Ran, what do you need my help with?" Ziya casually sat on a bench and waved for Qin Nannan to come over, but he ignored her, seemingly preferring to hide away.
Lao Ran pulled out some cash and what appeared to be a savings book from his pocket, a complex expression flickering in his eyes. "Please pass these on to my wife and daughter for me. And remember to send my regards to my mother..." As he spoke, his breath became heavy, and his back trembled slightly.
"This... isn't it inappropriate? Why don't you give it to them yourself?" Ziya replied hesitantly. Upon reflection, this was money! What if something went wrong? Wouldn't that lead people to accuse him of betrayal?
"I... I've been divorced from my wife for a long time; she won't see me... I can't go home right now... Please help me..." Lao Ran's emotions suddenly surged; his lips trembled as he struggled to express himself.
Ziya reached out to take the money, but Qin Nannan gestured for her not to accept it. The sight of Lao Ran's trembling hand and the despair in his eyes made it hard for her to refuse. Accepting Lao Ran's money and savings book felt like taking on a heavy burden, stirring an uneasy feeling within her.
Ziya placed the money and savings book in her bag, naturally wanting to deliver them immediately. Ignoring Qin Nannan's objections, she walked out of the News Agency. With no other choice, Qin Nannan accompanied her to Lao Ran's home.
"Excuse me, could you tell me about their family situation?" Ziya asked with wide eyes and a gentle smile. Meanwhile, Qin Nannan stood by idly, staring at something on his phone.
"Oh dear, poor Lao Ran used to be quite good-natured. I don't know when it started, but they began quarreling over trivial matters. And now look where it has led them—divorce. Lao Ran even came back to apologize to his wife and even knelt down before her, but she has completely given up on him," said an elderly woman who loved to talk. Once she started sharing her story, she couldn't stop, her words flowing like a stream as spittle flew from her lips.
"Does his wife have a job?"
"Of course she has a job! She used to be a Cleaner at the News Agency, and then she met Lao Ran and married him. Even now, her household registration is still in the countryside. This woman is quite tough; Lao Ran is... cough cough." The aunt suddenly fell silent, making an excuse to walk into the house.
Ziya was listening intently, surprised to learn that Lao Ran's wife was also a Cleaner at the News Agency! Just then, as the aunt stopped talking, Ziya noticed a woman approaching from not far away. The woman's complexion was sallow and she looked emaciated. However, her gait suggested she was still quite spirited. Could she be Lao Ran's wife...
The woman reached the door and gave a cold glance at the aunt sitting on the bench, who was busy chopping vegetables, then shot a frosty look at Ziya. She walked straight toward the entrance of the building, her simple and worn clothes wrapped around her thin frame, making Ziya wonder if the tough description given by the aunt earlier was accurate.
"Auntie, wait!" Ziya called out, casting a reproachful glance at the dazed Qin Nannan as she hurried after the woman.
"Did you call me?" The woman paused for a moment before slowly turning around, scrutinizing Ziya from head to toe, making her feel somewhat awkward.
"Auntie, I'm an intern at the News Agency. I came to deliver something for you today," Ziya said with a sweet and innocent smile, which prompted the woman to force a faint smile in return.
"Oh! You came to deliver something? What is it?"
Ziya wanted to tell her that it was something sent by Lao Ran but feared she might refuse. She also wanted to take a look inside her home, so she casually took the woman's arm and said, "Auntie, I'm thirsty. Could you take me to your house for some water?"
"Sure, sure! Let's go!" The woman's tone became more enthusiastic as she held a plastic bag containing some slightly wilted vegetables she had just picked up from market vendors.
Seeing Ziya about to enter the building with the woman made Qin Nannan very anxious; her brows furrowed with worry as they stepped into the dark stairwell that was hard to adjust to. As they went in, Ziya felt a suffocating odor fill her nostrils. The woman seemed to sense something was off; she pulled away from Ziya and hurried up the stairs to her home.
"Ziya, listen to me! You need to leave right now, quickly..." Qin Nannan urged urgently.
"Why hasn't this money been given to anyone yet? Are you crazy?" Ziya ignored Qin Nannan's advice and hurried after the woman...
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