Chapter 14 Suspicion

This was Li Yelai's first time wearing a Western suit. His handsome face, paired with the impeccably black suit, made him look refined and quite charming.

At home, even the always critical Li Yunyan gave him a rare positive comment, "As expected of my brother, your good looks are second only to mine."

But such a handsome guy holding a huge black umbrella looked a bit odd no matter how one saw it.

It made those who wanted to chat him up back off.

The sight of this strange outfit set off waves of shock in the old butler's heart.

However, his professional demeanor was high, and he almost immediately returned his expression to normal.

And he gently said, "Detective Zhou, your companion's attire is quite peculiar."

The detective noticed the fleeting look on the employer's butler's face. While taking mental note, he also guessed Li Yelai's intention.

This guy was planning to bring his Spiritual Ability Equipment into the party!

So, the detective decisively bluffed, "He's a bit finicky and can't stand the sunlight. You've encountered Spiritual Ability Users, so you should know they all have different conditions."

Hearing this, Li Yelai could only nod his head, "Indeed, I'm finicky!"

The old butler smiled and nodded, as if he accepted their explanation. After all, Spiritual Ability Users often came with curses.

Then, he invited Li Yelai and the detective to follow him into the car, and went forward to personally take the umbrella as Li Yelai got in.

Soon after, the pitch-black car sped off, quickly passing through the Old City District and the Ring City District. As the evening darkened, they arrived at the New District.

Border City was divided into four districts from east to west.

From the outside in, they were the Old City District, the Ring City District, the New District, and the Upper City District.

Li Yelai lived in the Old City District closest to the high wall because that was the only rent he could afford.

After becoming a Spiritual Ability User and joining the officials, his goal was to buy a house in the Ring City District. He had saved up 1/20th of the cost.

The New District, far from the high wall, was full of mountains and water, yet not desolate.

Unlike the towering skyscrapers in the Upper City District, this place had beautiful scenery and was favored by the wealthy. Hence, most buildings here were either manors or villas. Some were even remnants from before the Calamity.

The cost of housing here was something Li Yelai didn't even dare to contemplate. At the very least, they were seven-figure Giant City Coins.

In fact, living in Giant City wasn't difficult. The hard part was upgrading one's quality of life.

Like the former Li Yelai, although it was tough, he could still rely on his parents' inheritance and his own efforts to support his sister's education, sustain the rent, and cover daily expenditures.

But to save some money, let alone buy a house or a car, was a challenge.

Soon, the vehicle entered a large manor and smoothly stopped in front of a three-story Gothic mansion. Many vehicles had already parked around, mostly sedans with some sports cars mixed in. Clearly, there were a lot of guests, and they were all wealthy.

Li Yelai couldn't help but comment inwardly, such vehicles could only be flaunted within Giant City; they would be wrecked if taken outside the city!

This place was the site for the "private job."

Reportedly a building from before the Calamity, its annual maintenance and repair costs were in the six figures.

No wonder they could afford to hire Spiritual Ability Users at such high prices.

As Li Yelai thought, he held his Big Black Umbrella and made sure the Jet Axe under his suit was hidden away before getting out of the car along with the detective.

"The banquet has already started, gentlemen, please help yourselves to some food. Today is the Family Head's birthday, there are many guests, and he might only be able to meet you later," the old butler said with a smile: "This is also an opportunity for you both."

"Okay, thank you. We can manage on our own, you go ahead with your tasks," the detective replied with a smile.

Then, he led Li Yelai into the reception hall on the first floor and propped Li Yelai's umbrella against a wall.

"What does he mean by opportunity?" Li Yelai didn't refuse, as the lively banquet was currently in full swing in the hall, with guests mingling and toasting. Standing with a black umbrella indeed made him stand out.

"Oh, he means that the people who can come here are all not low in status. If we plan to take on more private jobs, these are all our potential clients," the detective explained.

"Understood," Li Yelai nodded. He then picked up a plate like the detective did and began taking food from the long table while listening to the detective explain their current assignment.

"This Family Head is called Wang De, once a well-known figure within Giant City. He was originally born a Scavenger..."

"A Scavenger? He managed to come this far?" Li Yelai was somewhat surprised.

Scavengers, as the name implies, are a group that leaves Giant City to search for valuables in abandoned cities amidst the wilderness.

Because the Calamity descended suddenly, many people within the cities were engulfed by the Disaster Fog, turning the entire city into a no-man's zone. The wealth therein became the target of Scavengers.

Many Scavengers relentlessly pursued precious treasures to make a fortune.

But the wilderness was unsafe; stepping outside Giant City was akin to leaving civilized society.

Dangerous beasts, fierce robbers, and even scheming Scavenger teammates could all pose threats!

With bad luck, they could also be devoured by the occasionally moving Disaster Fog.

Now, knowing the true nature of the Calamity, Li Yelai was even more aware of the dangers Scavengers faced, potentially encountering Sufferers or creatures from the Void Realm.

Therefore, the risks for Scavengers were significant.

Among them, very few truly earned high profits and managed to turn their lives around.

It seemed the employer was one of the few.

One had to admit he was quite fortuitous.

If it were Li Yelai who became a Scavenger... He chuckled to himself; if the Disaster Fog suddenly surged in his face, it wouldn't be the least bit surprising.