After nightfall.
The house gradually quieted down.
Old Yuefu and Old Yuemu had long since gone to sleep, and only from Lin Xi and Lin Yao's room did occasional whispers, kept low, echo softly.
Chen Xiao was not asleep either.
He gazed at Zhao Hai's card, falling into deep thought.
The five hundred thousand yuan in the card was originally handed over to Lin Xi for safekeeping, which also represented his attitude toward Lin Xi after his rebirth.
However, to his surprise, before Lin Xi returned to her room, she handed the card back to him.
Lin Xi had said, "Hubby, although I clearly feel like you've become a different person, I also truly feel that your heart is full of me. Hold onto this money. You're the man, the backbone of this family. I believe that you must have a long-term plan in mind, so just go for it. If you succeed, I will wholeheartedly be your loving wife. If you fail, I will be your strongest support!"
Chen Xiao couldn't think of many men in the world who could resist such sincere words from their wife.
The more he thought about it, the more awake Chen Xiao became.
Finally, he got up and took out a notebook to start calculations.
In his previous life, he was an unambitious drifter, neither having held a proper job nor experienced the thrill of overnight wealth.
But he knew that certain things were destined to be profitable in the future.
As long as you have capital!
For instance, with this five hundred thousand, if he bought shares in a certain liquor company, by 2023 he could reap returns of several million.
Alternatively, investing in real estate, buying low and selling high, in a cycle could also yield substantial income.
Foreknowledge could indeed make Chen Xiao wealthy, but it certainly wasn't an overnight endeavor.
And for the once painfully ordinary Chen Xiao, he wasn't in the mood for it now.
Even if he were to suddenly remember a specific set of lottery numbers, though he'd have the courage to invest all the fifty thousand, he had no confidence they'd yield the same numbers as before!
The water there was too deep!
After putting away the bank card, Chen Xiao still made a decision.
His greatest reliance now was that calendar, promising the arrival of each new day!
That was his quickest path to elevate his status and amass wealth!
He aimed to use it as leverage for Lin Xi's elevation, and he himself couldn't slack off while pushing her up.
"If so, let the name of the great detective ring out!" Chen Xiao silently mused.
Just then, a sound did indeed arise beside Chen Xiao.
His phone rang late at night, showing an unfamiliar number.
Slightly surprised, Chen Xiao answered: "Hello, this is Chen Xiao, who's this?"
"Chen Xiao, this is Luo Sifu, Dali's father. Is Dali with you?"
Hearing this, Chen Xiao shot up from bed.
"Uncle Luo, why isn't Dali home at this hour?" Chen Xiao asked hurriedly.
Luo Sifu replied, "He was home initially, but during dinner earlier, that rascal drank too much and then left the house. Now it's past eleven, his phone's off, and I have no idea where he is."
Chen Xiao became alert.
His heart started to panic a little.
He thought, could the drunken Luo Dali have gone to Swallow Lane?
But quickly, Chen Xiao suppressed the thought, feeling it unlikely.
His rebirth had altered many things' trajectories, but no matter the changes, events of the next year would not occur this year!
This thought brought Chen Xiao back to calm, and he responded over the call: "Uncle Luo, don't worry, I'll head out to look for him now."
Setting aside Swallow Lane, finding Luo Dali late at night wasn't too difficult.
That guy loved drinking, but he loved attending other activities more.
Like spas and massages, karaoke hook-ups, and bar posturing.
All those were Luo Dali's favorites.
"Thank you, Chen Xiao. If you find that rascal, please give me a call."
"No problem, Uncle Luo."
Chen Xiao said as he ended the call and then knocked on Lin Xi's room door.
Lin Xi opened it, asking confusedly, "Why aren't you asleep so late?"
"Just now, Dali's dad called saying they can't find him. I'm heading out to look."
Chen Xiao's expression was heavy, his eyes holding deep-seated worry.
Although Lin Xi didn't believe Luo Dali would be in danger, in her heart she didn't want Chen Xiao going out at this time. But just seeing Chen Xiao's look, she didn't hesitate to nod: "Alright, go early and come back early. Find him and come straight home, stay safe."
Chen Xiao agreed and left.
Watching his figure, Lin Yao worriedly said, "Sis, aren't you afraid he's lying to you? It's already past eleven…"
"You don't understand. If he went to find anyone else, I wouldn't let him. But Dali is different; he's the only truly good friend your brother-in-law has. Though your brother-in-law seems really worried, Dali won't get into trouble, right?"
Lin Xi also felt a bit uneasy, and Lin Yao shifted the topic to alleviate her sister's concern.
......
After leaving home, Chen Xiao immediately called Xiaoji Knife Man and Xiaoji.
He knew that recently Luo Dali had been hanging around with the two, who were like his little brothers, and there was a strong chance the three were together.
Only, upon calling, Xiaoji Knife Man and Xiaoji were drinking, but indeed weren't with Luo Dali.
Having no other option, Chen Xiao asked them to check other places while he went to one of Luo Dali's regular bathhouses.
Upon arrival, the receptionist informed him Luo Dali hadn't been there for two days!
This left Chen Xiao walking out with a much graver expression.
Then, finally, Xiaoji Knife Man and Xiaoji called back.
"Brother Chen, we went to the places you mentioned, but everyone said Brother Dali didn't go tonight!"
Their words sent Chen Xiao's mood plummeting.
Luo Dali hadn't gone to the bathhouse, karaoke, or bar.
So where did he go?
Even when drunk and wandering outside, it indicated he was in high spirits.
At such times, he was most likely to go to places that allowed for both physical and mental release.
Now not only hadn't he gone, but his whereabouts seemed to be a complete mystery.
Could it be, Luo Dali indeed went to Swallow Lane?
Chen Xiao dared not think further, instructing Xiaoji Knife Man and Xiaoji to continue searching other venues, and headed for Swallow Lane himself.
Riding his motorcycle, the night wind felt chilly.
Yet compared to Chen Xiao's heart, even if heavy rain poured down, it wouldn't stop him from investigating Swallow Lane.
Over ten minutes later, Chen Xiao parked his motorcycle at the entrance to one of Swallow Lane's pathways.
The entire alley was pitch black as if one couldn't see their hand before their face; not a single light was on as the resident buildings on either side had long been slated for demolition, although paused due to certain reasons.
So now Swallow Lane was an unregulated, nearly deserted spot at night.
Those venturing there merely aimed for a shortcut home!
Chen Xiao parked his bike, proceeding alone into the alley with a flashlight.
As he walked, he stayed alert to his surroundings.
Before long, unable to help himself, he called out: "Dali, Da…li?"
The hauntingly empty Swallow Lane only echoed Chen Xiao's voice; soon, he found himself inexplicably at the bottom of an old building.
On the building was a large red-painted "demolish" sign, with a doorplate hanging conspicuously above it.
[Swallow Lane No. 314!]
Seeing that familiar scarlet "demolish" and the familiar number on the doorplate, Chen Xiao's breath quickened.
He quickened his pace, ultimately sprinting inside the building.
Once inside, Chen Xiao's pupils widened, his body uncontrollably trembling.
The scent of blood!
He could smell blood!
"Dali!"
Chen Xiao cried out, racing up the stairs.
Standing at the staircase on the second floor, a figure with its back to him entered his view.
The person was hung high up, all their body reduced to bones, save for the head.
Seeing this, Chen Xiao immediately leaned against the wall, bending over, gut churning.
"Ugh!!!"