Lord of the Mysteries Chapter 1423 - In Modern Day 21

I focus on the youth with his striking crimson eyes, and a realization hits me in an instant. The immediate thought crossing my mind is:

What a pity to waste such a handsome face!

A couple of seconds pass, and a sliver of concern creeps into my mind.

Is this guy suffering from a mental block, or is he genuinely daft?

Could he be the type who loses track of his surroundings so easily that they would be handing out missing-person flyers by tomorrow morning?

No, that can't be it; he responded to me quite clearly just a moment ago. Outwardly, he appears perfectly normal... Maybe his sense of direction is just abysmal? Goodness! How is someone like him allowed to wander the streets alone? I hesitate briefly before asking, “Do you have the contact information for your family? Should you give them a call?”

The man’s facial expression shifts into something incredibly awkward, as if he deeply wishes to bury his face into the pavement.

“That won't be necessary!” he replies with firm resolve. “It was merely a blunder. A mistake. I was distracted by other matters.”

“There is no need to justify yourself,” I quickly chime in.

The more you try to explain, the more you seem to be covering up... I add to myself.

Thereafter, I rise to my feet, pivot around, and gesture toward the end of the thoroughfare.

“Follow this route until you reach the crossroad, then take a right. Do you understand? A right turn.”

I extend my right arm, orienting myself in the same direction he needs to go.

The man grumbles, “I am not a child.”

“I will pay closer attention this time. There certainly won't be any complications!”

Ignoring his protest, I offer a final reminder: “If you run into more trouble, just seek out a police officer.”

I had intended to cheekily add “Mr. Policeman,” but given his insistence that he isn't a child, I decide to let it slide.

Still, does this fellow think he is in a theater production? His choice of vocabulary feels so incredibly formal!

A child? Using the term “elementary student” would have been far more down-to-earth!

The man pauses for a heartbeat before inhaling deeply.

“Thank you.”

“Not a problem.” I contain my urge to deliver a smart remark.

Once I see him strolling far down the path, I settle back into my seat to resume my barbecue feast.

I must insist that meat kebabs require fat to be truly flavorful; otherwise, they need a robust marinade. Without those, they turn out dry, fibrous, and completely bland.

In this regard, crisp chicken skin is an absolute champion. In my personal opinion, it outclasses pork belly any day.

However, the quality of chicken skin can be tricky. Some stalls use leftovers that have been frozen for heaven knows how long. As for my batch, I am quite certain of their freshness.

I take a bite of the spiced, grease-coated chicken skin. Paired with a wedge of pineapple and the biting cold of my beer, this summer night feels absolutely blissful.

This pineapple-infused beer is quite decent. It is invigorating and hits the spot perfectly... I become so captivated by the meal that I completely ignore my phone.

Meat, chives, eggplant, and a frosty beverage. As I consume this selection of delicacies, my plate gradually empties.

Phew, that was satisfying... I rub my stomach with genuine content.

The very next second, however, regret begins to set in.

No, I must exercise some self-control! What if I start to gain weight!?

In the coming weeks, I should restrict these indulgences to once a month—no, perhaps once a week.

Caught in this mental debate, I glance upward and spot a familiar silhouette.

He is dressed in a three-piece suit that seems entirely out of place for a casual night out. And then there are those bright crimson eyes.

Simultaneously, the figure seems to detect my stare. He rotates his head and fixes his gaze directly on me.

Me: “...”

Him: “...”

Why on earth are you back?

Don't tell me you are lost again?

The man stands by the curb, neither walking forward nor turning back. He appears to be engaged in some fierce inner conflict.

Uh... I scan the area, but there are no police officers on patrol to be seen.

I waiver for a moment before standing up and heading toward him.

I had already settled the bill for the meal, so the proprietress doesn't stop me from departing.

“Why don't I lead the way?” I refrain from explicitly stating that he is lost.

One must know the appropriate time to tease and when to show some restraint.

The man's expression flickers. After a short pause, he murmurs, “Very well.”

“Let's be off.” I turn to lead the path.

“Thank you...” His whisper is almost stolen by the wind.

As we navigate toward the crossroad, I make small talk.

“What part of the world are you from? You speak quite fluent Mandarin.”

“I am from an ethnic minority,” he replies after some hesitation.

“Oh, that makes sense. Which group? And how should I refer to you?” I ask, feeling enlightened.

The man walks beside me, remaining quiet for a moment before speaking.

“My surname is Bai. My given name is Ailin.”

“That is a lovely name, though perhaps a bit delicate,” I tease.

In honesty, such a lighthearted remark doesn't fully capture the mockery in my head. I have already assigned him a girlish nickname: Lin Lin, or maybe Lyn Lyn.

Bai Ailin overlooks my jest and continues forward before veering left.

“Hold on. Wrong way. That’s incorrect. This way.” I quickly correct his course.

You really are just like an elementary school student!

Bai Ailin immediately pivots and follows my lead to make the right turn.

I avoid looking at his face and keep silent, allowing him enough space to compose himself lest he takes offense.

Honestly, what gave him the confidence to wander out in the dead of night to find a hospital with such a pathetic sense of direction?

Couldn't he have hailed a taxi?

Or had his parents accompany him!

After we make the turn, the hospital comes into view within sixty meters.

“This facility is rather compact. This is the inpatient section. If you continue straight, you'll find the Emergency Department and the outpatient wing. Do you need me to escort you further?”

“No need, I only need the inpatient building.” Bai Ailin looks visibly relieved. “I appreciate the help.”

As he speaks, he pulls a primitive-looking brass key from his pocket.

Strange... Do people actually carry keys like that in this day and age? Or is it perhaps a clever facade for some high-tech smart key? I decide against prying and offer a wave.

“Take care.”

After taking a few steps away, I glance back out of curiosity, only to find that Bai Ailin has vanished.

He is completely gone from the road. It is as if he evaporated into thin air!

The side entrance of the hospital hadn't even opened!

Did he stumble into a storm drain? I peek over, but the manhole cover is perfectly intact.

Perhaps he used that key to slip inside... Heh, the elderly guard by the door must be soundly asleep, right? I shake my head and dismiss the thought.

I make my way home. Feeling thirsty from the barbecue, I grab a glass from my room and head to the fridge, pouring out the chilled water I had prepared earlier that day.

This is one of my summer rituals. Before leaving in the morning, I boil a kettle, fill a large container, and stick it in the fridge so I have cold water after my shift.

Gulp! Gulp! Gulp... After two full glasses, I finally feel refreshed.

Filling yet another, I drift back to my room and sit at my computer desk.

As my eyes scan the desk, something looks off.

Eh...

The black notebook I purchased earlier today is lying open.

I recall clearly that I had closed it before leaving for dinner. Besides, I hadn't opened the windows for fear of letting in mosquitoes!