Forgotten Photo Studio

Chapter 133 The Mysterious Old Woman

Xu Yan and Chen Zhiwei walked side by side, the cool temperature of the jade cicada emanating from the wooden box.

This step not only secured the key item but also planted a seed of awe and reliance in Zhou Wenbin's heart.

This temporary bond, though it began with coercion, may be far stronger than a simple transaction.

Leaving Zhou Wenbin's dark alley and rejoining the relatively bright main road, Chen Zhiwei visibly breathed a sigh of relief, her tone becoming lighter: "Senior brother, we got the jade cicada! Aren't we more confident about taking the fast track exam tomorrow?"

Xu Yan felt the cool touch of the wooden box in his arms, nodded, but his eyes still scanned the surroundings warily: "Yes, with this 'Concealing Breath Cicada,' we can at least take a great deal of initiative when facing E-level or even E+ level ghosts, and our chances of passing the test are much greater."

He didn't mention that he had already memorized the "Eighteen Gates Secret Records." There was some pressure, and the less Chen Zhiwei knew, the better.

"That's great!" Chen Zhiwei smiled and tugged at Xu Yan's arm. "Senior brother, let's go back quickly, shall we? Get a good rest tonight and be fully refreshed so we can go to the center tomorrow and get through that fast track!"

However, Xu Yan did not take the shortest route back to the photo studio. Instead, he led her on seemingly aimless detours through several familiar streets around the photo studio.

His gaze was as sharp as a searchlight, sweeping over every dimly lit corner, every alleyway where someone might be hiding, and even inconspicuous newsstands and snack stalls that were still open late at night.

"Senior brother," Chen Zhiwei finally couldn't help but speak again after following him around for almost twenty minutes, her tone filled with confusion, "What... are you looking for? It seems like we've been going in circles around here the whole time."

Xu Yan paused slightly at a crossroads, staring at the empty zebra crossing. His voice was low but carried an undeniable certainty: "I'm looking for my father."

"Looking for your father?" Chen Zhiwei was stunned, almost thinking she had misheard. "Uncle Xu? I... I heard Grandpa mention him. Didn't he leave home many years ago? How... how can you find him on this main street at night?"

In her view, this was like looking for a needle in a haystack.

“I don’t know.” Xu Yan shook his head, his gaze still searching, as if it could pierce through the deep night. “But I have a feeling that he’s coming back soon. A very strong feeling. And if he comes back, he will definitely come to this area first.”

This premonition was not unfounded; it was related to his past memories and the fluctuations of the "Abyss" within his body, but he could not explain it to Chen Zhiwei.

The two continued walking along the deserted street, their footsteps carrying far in the night.

After a moment of silence, Chen Zhiwei spoke softly, trying to dispel the heavy atmosphere brought about by the search: "To be honest, my memories of my parents are a bit vague. They are engaged in scientific research abroad all year round and can only come back a few times a year. I have been living with my grandfather since high school. Sometimes I feel that the photo studio is my home."

Upon hearing this, Xu Yan turned his head to look at her, his gaze softening slightly. "At least you know where they are." His voice was devoid of emotion. "My father, Xu Haoyu, is someone who appears and disappears like a ghost in my memory. Sometimes he stays at home for months at a time, sometimes he disappears for years. My mother... passed away when I was in college. Before he left home, he only left behind... a vague and ambiguous piece of advice."

"What instructions?"

He said, "Yanzi, if one day you feel that everything around you is starting to feel strange, like something is watching you, don't be afraid, go to the photo studio, it's the safest place."

Xu Yan repeated this long-forgotten sentence, and now it seemed that every word contained profound meaning.

Chen Zhiwei pondered: "So... your coming to the photo studio after graduating from university wasn't entirely a coincidence?"

"Perhaps," Xu Yan said noncommittally.

He looked up at the night sky, where a few sparse stars struggled to twinkle amidst the city's light pollution. "I used to resent him, thinking he was irresponsible. But now... I think I understand a little better what he might be facing." He was naturally referring to everything related to "Abyss."

Chen Zhiwei quietly moved closer to him and gently touched his arm with her own, a silent comfort. "You'll find him, senior brother. Since you have a premonition, maybe Uncle Xu really will be back soon."

Xu Yan felt the warmth she conveyed, and the slight anxiety in his heart seemed to be soothed.

He stopped his futile search and took a deep breath of the cold air.

"Let's go back," he finally said. "There's another tough battle to fight tomorrow. Finding him... is only a matter of time."

He took Chen Zhiwei's hand, and this time, they headed towards the "Forgotten Photo Studio" with a clear goal.

As night deepened, the number of pedestrians on the street dwindled.

Just as they turned into the last old street leading to the photo studio, a familiar figure appeared in the dim glow of the streetlights.

She is Granny Xue, who runs an incense and candle shop at the entrance of the alley.

She was hunched over, slowly burning paper money next to a tin bucket on the street corner. The flickering flames reflected off her wrinkled face, which was usually always smiling, but now appeared somewhat blurry.

Ashes swirled and rose with the night wind, carrying a unique, smoky scent.

"Is that Xiao Xu and Xiao Chen?" Grandma Xue looked up, and upon seeing them, her face immediately broke into her usual warm yet somewhat mercenary smile. "Still out out so late?"

“Grandma Xue.” Xu Yan stopped, a gentle smile of a junior habitually appearing on her face. “We just got back from running errands. What brings you here…”

"Sigh, it's the old town, there are always some things I can't let go of." Granny Xue poked at the burning paper money in the bucket with a stick, the flames crackling. She sighed, her tone as casual as if she were chatting with someone, "I'm burning some things for a few old neighbors, so they can have some peace of mind down there."

As she spoke, she gently tapped a pile of nearly burnt-out paper ash next to her with a stick. There seemed to be unburnt edges of paper money in the ashes, and handwritten words could be vaguely seen.

She mentioned it casually, her tone tinged with a hint of reminiscence: "Look, this pile is for Old Chen... your grandfather, Zhiwei."

He was always concerned with saving face when he was alive, and although he wasn't exactly well-off, he always liked to help others. Now that he's gone, we can't let him be strapped for cash again.

Upon hearing this, Chen Zhiwei was immediately moved.

She remembered that her grandfather had always been like that, preferring to be frugal himself in order to help the neighbors. She never expected that Grandma Xue would remember even these things and still be doing her part silently after her grandfather's passing.

Her eyes were slightly red, and she said sincerely, "Grandma Xue...you are so kind. I...thank you on behalf of Grandpa!"

"No need to thank me," Granny Xue raised her head and gave Chen Zhiwei a genuinely gentle smile. The dim firelight softened the wrinkles on her face. "We've known each other for decades, this little token is nothing. Your grandfather was a good man, and we all remember his kindness."

(End of this chapter)