Detective Agency of the Bizarre
Chapter 145 - 145 3

145: 3.

Lu Li Doesn’t Believe in Tears 145: 3.

Lu Li Doesn’t Believe in Tears The facts had been essentially ascertained.

The truth seemed to corroborate Lu Li’s originally absurd and bizarre conjectures, or rather, guesses: the diary—the door—the letters, there was an inevitable connection between them.

What was despairing was that Lu Li appeared to be walking the same path as the diary’s owner, James Campbell.

Lu Li did not, like a normal person, run away in panic or fall into depression.

He re-read a stack of comic books and afterward, quietly sunk into contemplation.

He was contemplating the origin, process, and what was about to happen regarding the whole matter.

In the beginning, by reading James Campbell’s diary, Lu Li was either noticed by the door in the diary or attracted its attention.

At that time, there may have still been hope for Lu Li, because it had not been confirmed that the diary possessed any special powers.

His doom was sealed when he accepted the commission to rescue the adventuring children in the sewer—and actually witnessed that bizarre door.

That seemed to be the prelude, like a parasite infiltrating a living body, a certain aura had infested Lu Li and caused him to repeat the fate of James Campbell.

[I can’t hold on any longer…

I must stay close to it to keep my senses…

This is the last entry, I’m going to enter.

If anyone sees this diary, please remember—stay away from it.

Once you hear it, they can see you.

Once you see it, they can touch you.

Never touch them…

never…

The door has opened.]

[It has come for me]

Lu Li took down the diary from the bookshelf and flipped to the last page with writing on it.

The reminder behind told Lu Li that he was now just like James Campbell.

But there was still a discordant note in this content: Lu Li’s contact with the door in the sewer was too coincidental—

Lu Li’s dark eyes narrowed slightly.

Or rather…

perhaps it wasn’t a coincidence at all.

Picking up the phone, Lu Li called Marcus.

Perhaps due to the short time interval, or the lack of recent reports, the call connected.

“Hello, hello.

This is ‘Healthy Happiness Every Day’ customer service.” Marcus’s voice transmitted from the phone.

“It’s me.

Do you remember my first commission?” Lu Li asked straightforwardly.

“Who was the client?”

“What are you sayin—uh…

Right, I think I remember.

The client requested anonymity, so I can’t—”

“Tell me.”

Even through the distortion of the phone, Lu Li’s cold tone could not be concealed.

Marcus weighed the options: the client was a one-time deal, likely not to return; Lu Li could be used multiple times, the business needed his help—fine, to hell with after-sale service, why should I keep secrets for clients who won’t come back!?

“This non-disclosing client is called Richard.” Marcus declared decisively, then realized the other end of the phone had fallen into a long silence.

By the time he thought of something to say, the call had been disconnected.

The sewer commission could now be confirmed as a conspiracy targeting him.

Lu Li hung up the phone.

Though they could use “same name” to explain away the client Richard, it wouldn’t stand up to scrutiny.

Lu Li still remembered Marcus saying the client needed an exorcist who was dutiful, sincere in attitude, quiet in character, preferably a newcomer.

It was as if he was directly naming Lu Li.

Lu Li massaged his brow.

It seemed like everything was delayed by a step.

Lu Li had obtained the diary and knew that some kind of danger was lurking around; the diary had already cautioned with the line “the door has opened,” but Lu Li had failed to connect this opened door with the one in the sewer, missing this clue.

Then there was the sewer commission, Lu Li had initially sensed some issues, but being in a money-saving mode, he still took the commission, inevitably ending in dangerous contact.

But as everyone knows, there are no what-ifs in this world.

Perhaps the diary was not a problem, but just to be safe…

After memorizing all the contents, Lu Li closed the diary, lifted the wind guard of the oil lamp, and held the diary above the flame to ignite it.

He had just done this last night, although previously to ignite the house, now it was just to ignite this diary.

“What are you doing?”

The burnt scent of paper drew Anna’s attention, who floated from the bedroom to the living room.

“Nothing.” Lu Li replied.

The entire book burst into flames, the rising tongues of fire licking at Lu Li’s face.

His expression remained as calm as ever, as if the bad news had failed to stir any emotion in him.

Lu Li did not believe in tears.

A few seconds later, the charred diary fell to the ground, turning into a pile of ashes and sparks.

Ding-ling-ling-ling-ling—

The telephone rang at just that moment.

Lu Li quickly wiped his hands dry and picked up the phone.

“May I speak to Mr.

Lu Li?” A mature, magnetic voice came through the receiver.

“Speaking.”

“This is the Watch Town Police Station, I am Deputy Chief Valentine.

We need some assistance from you regarding the Asylum case, when might you be available to stop by?”

“How about now?”

He had some things he wanted to understand as well, about Richard.

“Alright.”

Deputy Chief Valentine answered, hung up the phone, and turned to the figure standing beside him.

“He will be here shortly.”

…

After hanging up the phone, Lu Li faced Anna who looked curious and perplexed.

He hadn’t told Anna the truth he had discovered today, not just to avoid involving her, but also because it was really too complicated to explain.

However, thinking back to his conversation with Hades the previous night, Lu Li hesitated before asking, “Do you desire power?”

Anna blinked in confusion, “Is that some kind of code?”

Lu Li was forced to rephrase more bluntly, “Do you want to become stronger?”

“I guess, if it can help you…” Anna nodded, not fully grasping the concept.

“What do I need to do?”

“Just do like I do, solve the ghost problems with your own hands, and you will become stronger,” Lu Li answered.

“Hmm…

I can try.” Anna noticed that Lu Li was putting on a black overcoat.

“But you’re going out?”

“The Asylum matter.

Watch Town Police Station has asked me to assist with the investigation.

You stay here.”

“Oh.”

Anna obediently agreed, even though it was a bit boring at the Detective Agency.

…

An hour and a half later.

Watch Town Police Station.

Lu Li disembarked from the carriage and approached the Police Station through the oppressive weather.

After communicating with the desk officer, the latter led Lu Li towards the office area.

The office area of the Police Station was somewhat lax in the afternoon, and Lu Li followed through.

“Everyone knows that Baron Joseph never wears underwear.”

A languid voice as soft as a cat’s, light with a hint of hoarseness, sounded nearby.

It involuntarily conjured an image: the owner of the voice with legs crossed, languidly leaning back in a chair, revealing seductive curves.

As Lu Li reached the door of the Deputy Chief’s office, he turned his head slightly, looking towards the owner of the voice, just as that person also looked his way.

Their gazes intersected, each colliding with the other’s eyes.

One indifferent, the other alluring, like black opals against rubies.

Thud—

The closed office door cut off their sightlines.