Chapter 50: Chapter 50: She’s So Beautiful!

The sudden voice of the drink shop owner caught Chen Xiao off guard.

Could this be the legendary “search high and low with no results, and obtain it effortlessly”?

Although he had Xiaoji investigate Si Ying’s affairs, he knew this was by no means a one-day task.

Yet, the drink shop owner seemed very familiar with Si Ying.

Chen Xiao nodded continuously, “That’s right, the Si Ying you mentioned, her original home address was 506 Swallow Lane.”

The drink shop owner sat down, full of anticipation, he asked, “Do you know where she is now?”

Hearing this, Chen Xiao became disheartened.

He initially thought the drink shop owner might be an insider, but now it seemed he was also looking for Si Ying?

“We don’t know where she is, we’ve just heard she’s missing. Do you know anything about her going to Southeast Asia?” Chen Xiao wasn’t willing to give up and asked.

The shop owner shook his head, “I only heard from her parents. However, her departure overseas was sudden and without warning. It’s said that a friend introduced her to a lucrative opportunity, so she went. But it’s been almost a year now, and she hasn’t returned or sent any messages.”

“I think something must have happened to her, otherwise, given her character, all of this is too abnormal.”

While listening, Chen Xiao studied the shop owner and then asked, “From what you’re saying, you had a close relationship with Ms. Si, right?”

“Yes, she was my best friend!” the shop owner replied earnestly.

“Before she disappeared, did you meet and contact frequently?”

“There was a period when we lost touch, but after meeting again, we would catch up every three to five days,” the shop owner answered truthfully, but then with a hint of curiosity, he asked:

“You’re inquiring about Si Ying, may I ask who you are…?”

Chen Xiao didn’t hide, “Last night, there was a murder case in Swallow Lane, and Si Ying’s home was one of the involved locations.”

After hearing this, the shop owner’s expression changed dramatically, “A murder case! Was it Si Ying?”

“It wasn’t her, but we need to find her now.”

“Are you police officers?”

The shop owner’s question left Chen Xiao speechless, pretending to be a cop is illegal.

Although he had been imprisoned thrice, it didn’t mean he wanted to go back in.

As Chen Xiao pondered how to answer, the shop owner started to talk on his own:

“Actually, my relationship with Si Ying is quite complicated. Initially, we were childhood friends, growing up together. Without exaggeration, Si Ying was part of my childhood, youth, and young adult years. We played together, studied together, but later she moved away, and then she met a man and got married.”

“After attending her wedding, I deleted all her contact details and didn’t seek her out for many years. But a few years ago, she suddenly returned to Dongzhou and found me at my shop. From that day on, we reconnected.”

After listening, Chen Xiao remained calm, but Lin Yao’s eyes were sparkling.

Girls, by nature, are sensitive to love stories.

“Did you two end up together later?” Lin Yao couldn’t help but ask.

Chen Xiao was speechless, while the shop owner gave a bitter smile and shook his head, “No, we never took that step. I’ve thought about why, but in the end, perhaps it’s because we know each other too well, so much so that even after years apart, a single scent or a voice would instantly make me know it’s her.”

“Don’t you feel any regret?” Lin Yao was completely invested, almost suggesting Chen Xiao buy a melon for her to nibble on.

Chen Xiao cleared his throat and steered the conversation away, “It’s been a year, have you looked for her in Southeast Asia?”

The shop owner looked up and sighed slowly, “I have. If you came here a month earlier, you wouldn’t have found me. I spent the past few months traveling around several countries in Southeast Asia, but you probably know the outcome.”

Chen Xiao looked regretful, “Although it might sound harsh, I want to ask, do you think something happened to Si Ying abroad?”

The shop owner looked sharply at Chen Xiao, then said solemnly, “No, she never left the country, unless she smuggled herself out. But I know Si Ying, she may seem gentle, but inside she’s extremely proud. That deep-rooted pride means she always acts openly and honestly; she would never smuggle herself abroad just for money!”

“Did you get this information from your friends in the police force?”

“That’s right, my friend couldn’t resist my persistent inquiries, so he eventually checked, but found no records of her taking any flights. I confirmed with her parents too, she only made a phone call to inform them and then was never heard from again. I went to Southeast Asia to find her because I genuinely couldn’t find her in the country, so I went to try my luck!”

Listening to the shop owner’s words, Chen Xiao fell silent.

Chen Xiao wasn’t very surprised by this answer; he had subconsciously doubted that Si Ying might never have left the country.

But if Si Ying didn’t leave the country, where did she go?

Was the person causing trouble at her house connected to her disappearance?

While Chen Xiao was pondering, the shop owner looked directly at Chen Xiao, “Mr. Chen, your arrival today was a surprise. In fact, if we hadn’t met today, I might have come to find you.”

These words puzzled Chen Xiao, “Find me?”

“Yes, I was also at the bathhouse a few days ago, so I know who solved the Red Pants Case!”

Chen Xiao was stunned!

No wonder the shop owner asked if he was a cop, yet started talking about his and Si Ying’s past.

It turned out that from the moment he entered this drink shop, the shop owner recognized him.

“Mr. Chen, I believe our meeting is possibly a destined arrangement. Your appearance will definitely help me find Si Ying, right?” The shop owner’s eyes were sincere.

Chen Xiao did not give a definitive answer, “I’ll do my best, but only if Si Ying’s disappearance is really related to the Swallow Lane murder case. Otherwise, I might also lack the energy to find Ms. Si at this moment.”

The shop owner wasn’t disappointed, he smiled and said, “I understand, after all, you’re the first to voluntarily inquire about Si Ying’s matters in such a long time, even though you’re not a cop.”

Chen Xiao smiled and nodded.

Watching the shop owner fall silent too, for some reason Chen Xiao felt there was something he hadn’t asked.

But he couldn’t quite figure out what it was, as if something was blocking him.

While contemplating, the shop owner had already stood up.

He had said everything he could; any more might just be empty words regarding finding Si Ying.

But just then, Chen Xiao suddenly remembered and called out, “Wait, do you have a picture of Ms. Si?”

The shop owner turned back, “Yes.”

“Could I take a look?”

The shop owner hesitated slightly, then said a bit bashfully, “You might have to come upstairs with me.”

“No problem.” Chen Xiao stood up immediately, and Lin Yao quickly followed suit.

They made their way upstairs, and the shop owner took out a key to unlock a room.

The room had drawn curtains, making it hard to see from the doorway.

As the shop owner turned on the lights, Chen Xiao’s vision instantly cleared.

Looking at the scene inside the room, Chen Xiao was once again stunned, and even Lin Yao couldn’t help but exclaim:

“She’s… she’s so beautiful!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep