Chapter 31

He climbed up the shaky stairs. The place looked worse with daylight, although it would be evening soon. He reached to door and tried to find a doorbell. How uncivilized would a room for rent had to be, that it didn't even have a doorbell?

He decided to give a small, polite knock instead. He waited for one full minute, and knocked again, somewhat louder this time. Passing seconds and his knocks got louder and louder, when he finally heard shuffling inside. The door made a sound before opening and Yao Fang was met with dark wide blue eyes.

"...Young master? Why are you here?" Chen Dulan's stoic face still displayed confusion.

"You didn't contact. You didn't say anything, I- I got curious about what you might be up to. Yeah, that's all. Nothing else." He said and there wasn't much to say for either of them. Chen Dulan was wearing a tshirt and dark lounge pants. He looked too much at home, to be running around solving cases by himself.

"Young Master, come inside. Let's speak more discreetly." Chen Dulan opened the door wider to let Yao Fang in and he complied easily. "There are many things to be noted with this incident. First, the killer doesn't live in S Town, I'm sure of it. I contacted Sir, and he confirmed my suspicions. I'm not sure if..." He trailed off looking to the side.

"You don't have to say it. I won't ask you to break the trust my Father has in you, so if it's confidential, then you don't have to say it."

"That's... thoughtful of Young master. I have told you things before that weren't supposed to be revealed, but it's strict this time. No one knows where you are, so it's better if lesser people know. And..." Chen Dulan pursed his lips and furrowed his brows, contemplating his next words. "I would hate to put Young Master in any harm." He looked sincere and yet displeased. Yao Fang couldn't point out what exactly.

"It's fine. I'm used to having things hidden from me."

"You shouldn't be." Chen Dulan almost looked hurt. "The information was exchanged in code, because we couldn't afford to cause a scene. I don't like hiding things from you."

"Knowing things is big responsibility and you're handling it alone. At least you're not lying to me, and you give me reasons. Mostly I'm just asked to abide with no explanation. I didn't want my family to part ways, but we had to, and no one told me why." He sighed trying to divert the topic. "Let's talk about something else. That tshirt, do you like that band? I thought only girls were into that stuff."

"Ah... I didn't buy it. The landlord's daughter said she lost weight when she started drinking, so she gave me many things. It's still big on me though." Yao Fang made a disgusted face at that. "She gave me her old textbooks too, she's nice."

"Just how pathetic are your finances that you wear second-hand from a girl?"

"It's washed, wearable and would go to waste otherwise. Also, I'd have wasted money buying one for myself, maybe would have bought something of cheaper quality and uncomfortable material. I wouldn't even have bought another piece, now I have more options. I understand that Young Master is born with a silver spoon, so you wouldn't know." He looked offended while speaking and the tone amused Yao Fang.

"Fine, fine. Wear what you like." Yao Fang couldn't help but smile every time he saw how defensive Chen Dulan got with his money.

Yao Fang thought quietly stared at the boy before him.

"We're just five months apart, aren't we? Then you'll turn seventeen soon."

"Oh?" Chen Dulan hummed. "Yeah, I think so. Why are you asking?"