Ling Xi spoke frankly to Zhang Nu. She truly believed that beating around the bush would only make Madam Fu more guarded toward them. “If we try to probe indirectly, Madam Fu will just grow increasingly suspicious of us.”
Zhang Nu nodded in agreement after hearing her reasoning. “In that case, Ling Xi, why don’t you go speak to Madam Fu? You’re also a woman—perhaps she won’t be as wary of you.”
Ling Xi hesitated at that. She had never interrogated anyone before, and having this task placed on her shoulders felt like a massive challenge.
“But I don’t even know how to question someone properly. I wouldn’t know what to say.”
Zhang Nu smiled slightly. “That’s exactly why you’re the right person to go. With that kind of attitude, Madam Fu is more likely to be honest with you.”
“You come across as very sincere. When you speak, people can feel that you’re being genuine. She won’t think you’re testing her—she’ll simply think you’re earnestly trying to investigate the truth.”
The others, upon hearing this, agreed with Zhang Nu’s assessment. Ling Xi’s tone truly did carry a natural sincerity. It was unlikely anyone would suspect her of probing them.
Even Lin Xiao was baffled. He still couldn’t understand how someone like Ling Xi existed—how she managed to make every word sound so honest.
“Zhang Nu is right. We can only feel at ease leaving this to you.”
“There’s something about the way you speak that just makes people trust you.”
Ling Xi, hearing their words, realized she had no choice now. She couldn’t back out. “Alright then, I’ll give it a try. But I can’t guarantee I’ll get any useful answers. Madam Fu might not believe me.”
Zhang Nu nodded. As long as she was willing to try, that was enough. He believed Madam Fu wouldn’t give her a hard time—and might even be willing to tell her the truth.
…
Soon after, Ling Xi set off to find Madam Fu, as agreed.
When she did find her, Ling Xi still seemed a little shy and awkward.
Seeing her expression, Madam Fu already had a good guess why she’d come. She had known that once she told Zhang Nu about the YaoGuai, he would eventually pass the information on to his companions.
“So it’s Ling Xi,” Madam Fu greeted her with a gentle smile. “Come, have a seat.”
Ling Xi sat down a little sheepishly, “Madam Fu… how have you been lately?”
Even as she asked, she lowered her head, feeling a little guilty.
Seeing her so innocent and sweet, Madam Fu found herself unable to feel any resentment toward her. She could guess the purpose of this visit, but Ling Xi’s opening words left her unsure how to respond.
“Ling Xi… you’re too adorable. When you talk to me like this, I don’t even know how to begin. I’m guessing you’re here because of what happened to my father, aren’t you?”
Ling Xi nodded. That was indeed why she had come to find Madam Fu—but hearing her bring it up so directly still caught her off guard.
“So you already knew… Yes, I came to ask about that. I just wanted to see if you had any clues about the YaoGuai. We honestly have no idea where to start our investigation.”
Madam Fu gave a small nod. She didn’t have much information, but she did have something.
“I’m just an ordinary person—my ability to investigate is limited. But I’ve still managed to learn a few things.”
Hearing this, Ling Xi immediately brightened and nodded eagerly. Even the simplest clues would be helpful. Anything was better than fumbling around blindly.
“It’s alright, Madam Fu. Just tell us whatever you know, even if it’s brief. Having a starting point is better than searching aimlessly.”
Madam Fu nodded again, and finally began to speak in earnest.
“A few years ago, there was a YaoGuai in our town. That was the one who killed my father.”
“After he died, the YaoGuai completely vanished—as if it had only come into this world for the sole purpose of killing him.”
“I’ve never been able to make sense of that. I even went to a temple to ask for answers, but the monks gave me none.”
“All they said was… ‘This is fate.’ But how could fate ever involve a YaoGuai?”
“My father was just an honest man.”