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“Mr. Lu Li, where are you? Don’t hide; come out now.”

Scanning the living room quickly, Lu Li quietly moved behind the desk and crouched down to hide.

Thud. Thud. Thud.

The heavy, dragging steps resembled the tolling of a death knell, each step resolutely drawing closer to the living room.

Dust fell from the edges of the staircase as the tremors shook loose particles, and thick legs clad in a floral nightgown appeared between the railings.

Madame Slav had entered the living room.

The woman, as wild and imposing as a beast, walked to the center of the room. Her thunderous voice rumbled, “Oh, so Mr. Lu Li enjoys this kind of game? You really are an interesting man.”

Thud. Thud. Thud.

Her slippers dragged against the wooden floor as Madame Slav moved again, heading toward the desk, each step bringing her closer.

Lu Li could now hear her labored, excited breathing.

Clack—

As Madame Slav was about to reach the desk, a faint sound came from the stairs above—a pebble rolling, or perhaps a foot accidentally stepping on a creaking floorboard.

The footsteps halted, and from behind the desk came Madame Slav’s booming laughter. “Mr. Lu Li, I’ve found you!”

Boom, boom, boom—

Madame Slav’s thunderous running sounded like a battering ram, shaking the entire hall.

Lu Li stood up from his hiding spot, his calm, inscrutable gaze turning toward the corner of the staircase on the second floor.

…

Weak, helpless, and pitiful, Oliver curled up at the side of his bed. His heart mirrored his outward appearance—filled with guilt and worry for Lu Li.

He didn’t even want to imagine the image of Madame Slav pinning Lu Li beneath her.

Should I help my boss? But Madame Slav could snap my neck with one hand…

Caught in an internal struggle, Oliver suddenly noticed the door creak open. A figure that shouldn’t have been there appeared in the doorway.

“Explain what’s going on.”

Under Oliver’s shocked gaze, Lu Li spoke in his usual calm tone, closing the door behind him with slow, deliberate movements.

Voices echoed faintly from outside; some tenants had realized the apartment’s front door was locked and were questioning Madame Slav.

Already consumed by indecision, Oliver didn’t hide anything. He confessed the entire series of events to Lu Li.

“So, because I complimented Madame Slav once, she thought I liked her and used you to lure me here?”

“Sort… sort of,” Oliver stammered, unable to think of another explanation. Besides, Madame Slav had indeed shown signs of infatuation with Lu Li.

Lu Li fell silent, and Oliver trembled nervously.

“The front door is locked. Do you have a way to get us out?”

Lu Li’s voice broke the silence, showing no intention of dwelling further on Oliver’s betrayal.

Oliver’s head shot up, his eyes lighting with hope. Just as he opened his mouth to respond, the sound of Madame Slav’s footsteps echoed once more in the hallway.

Oliver’s face went pale. He spoke quickly, “Boss, you need to hide! Madame Slav is coming!”

Lu Li gave Oliver a long, steady look before moving to hide behind the bed.

Thud. Thud. Thud.

The approaching footsteps stopped outside the door. The doorknob began to turn slowly.

Creak—

The door opened with a grating noise that set teeth on edge, and Madame Slav’s massive form filled the doorway.

Oliver quickly plastered on a surprised expression and stepped forward. “Madame Slav, why are you here? Did you already meet my boss?”

“Did Mr. Lu Li come by?” Her piercing, lighthouse-like gaze fixed on Oliver.

Unable to meet her eyes, Oliver lowered his head. Then, as if making a sudden decision, he raised it and stammered, “Y-yes, he was here…”

“He said he was heading to the third floor to hide. He just left!”

“You’ve done well, little Oliver.” Madame Slav seemed pleased with his response. “If Mr. Lu Li becomes your boss, you might not have to pay rent anymore.”

“I wish you success, Mrs. Lu Li,” Oliver said with a respectful bow.

Only after Madame Slav left did Oliver straighten up and close the door.

Leaning back against it, he let out a deep sigh of relief. Then, as if remembering something, he turned to Lu Li, who was rising from behind the bed. “Boss, you can escape through the window!”

Oliver rushed to the window and flung it open. A breeze blew in, rustling the edge of the curtains.

“What about the commission papers?”

Lu Li’s calm voice froze Oliver mid-movement. Oliver suddenly remembered and darted to the table, hastily gathering a stack of papers near an unwashed plate before handing them to Lu Li with excitement.

He thought this was the end of his job, but Lu Li’s words suggested he still intended to employ him.

“Boss, I had no choice! If I die, please take care of my sister, Joanna!” Strength surged from Oliver’s frail body as he gave Lu Li a determined look. “Now, go quickly.”

Oliver flung the door open and shouted with all his might, “Madame Slav! My boss is here!”

Without looking back at Lu Li, he slammed his forehead against the doorframe.

Thud!

With a dull sound, Oliver’s eyes rolled back, and he collapsed to the floor unconscious.

Lu Li, who had been silently watching the entire scene, shifted his gaze away. Glancing at the hallway where approaching footsteps grew louder, he turned and headed for the window.

Outside on Black Gold Street, pedestrians moved along their way.

A figure descending from above drew gasps from the crowd. Onlookers’ eyes darted between the falling figure and the second-floor window, filled with astonishment.

Lu Li, as if entirely removed from the situation, brushed the dust from his coat, adjusted his hat, and walked off down the street.

…

“Why would Mr. Lu Li run away?”

Madame Slav’s voice carried a hint of sadness. If one didn’t look at her, it might even sound like the lament of a woman scorned by love.

“Hiss… M-maybe you scared him, Madame Slav…” Oliver winced as he touched the lump on his forehead.

The terrifying gaze fell on him, and Oliver quickly added, “My boss is a very reserved person. You might’ve been too… enthusiastic.”

“Little Oliver, do you have any suggestions?”

“Maybe… write him a love letter…?”

…

Bang—

The door slammed shut with the force of the wind.

Lu Li’s hat hung on the rack as he returned to his quiet detective agency. He moved behind the desk and sat down, unfolding that day’s newspaper.

There was no mention of the events at the harbor involving the Rodder.

It seemed safe to conclude that the ship had encountered something from the depths of the sea.

Finishing the paper, including the advertisements, Lu Li opened a drawer and pulled out a book, removing a sheet of paper tucked within.

[Important: Resolve the ghost haunting me (Completed)]

He added a note in parentheses, then set the pen down and began considering his next steps.

Lu Li hadn’t yet decided whether he wanted to become an exorcist.

This world was already riddled with dangers, and exorcists, who faced ghosts head-on, bore the worst of it. That didn’t align with Lu Li’s goal of quietly learning about this world.

For now, it seemed best to focus on earning the 1,000 shillings through commissions.