No, the problem should lie with that pendant! When closely examining it tonight, Qian Guran discovered that the pendant might be a treasure, as if it could calm the spirit.
He Kao was sleeping soundly, and Qian Guran sensed it clearly, otherwise, he wouldn't have rashly entered the room. But He Kao's reaction made Qian Guran discover that the pendant also seemed to have a warning function.
More precisely, it has a "malicious detection" function; when someone approaches with malice, the wearer would sense something. He Kao is just an ordinary person, he probably isn't very aware of its intricacies, right?
This makes it a bit difficult, Qian Guran originally planned to take the pendant for "research" while He Kao was sleeping deeply, but now it's hard to get it.
With Qian Guran's abilities, directly seizing and interrogating He Kao isn't impossible, but he doesn't want to do that.
Sorcerers possess magical powers, but they also have taboos. If he directly takes He Kao's item, not only would he expose himself, but he also wouldn't be a qualified member of the School of Cross and Vertical.
Every school's technique cultivation has its principles, and every stage of advancement is like a ceremony; if one does not abide by these principles, they may not only lose the chance of promotion but also provide an excuse for fellow Magic Sect members to deal with them.
Therefore, Qian Guran doesn't want to do that, at least not personally, it's best to think of another, more ingenious way. If it really doesn't work, he can only drug He Kao.
Drugging is the last resort, whether it violates the School of Cross and Vertical's principles is ambiguous.
He Kao woke up the next day without any discomfort, though still a bit fatigued, given he slept for a short time yesterday. He thought for a moment and opened his phone to request a half-day leave from President E, since he already expressed feeling unwell yesterday.
Gao Xue'e didn't make it difficult for him this time, advising him to rest well and take care of his health. In reality, the project group's attendance isn't strict, and work hours are flexible, as long as tasks are completed according to plan.
Unfortunately, this flexibility mostly leads to overtime work, and today is He Kao's first absence since joining. He took another short nap, watched the time until Qian Guran should have already started working at the office, then went out.
Qian Guran just joined yesterday, and it's unlikely he'd request leave today, giving He Kao a chance to investigate him. He Kao headed to the Sesame Apartment management office and found Xiaohu at the rental and sales section.
His intention was simple, feeling his current apartment was a bit small; he wanted to switch to a larger one, choosing the room across, 0915.
When He Kao came to rent the apartment last month, Xiaohu attended to him, showing rooms on site. There were few vacant rooms at Sesame Apartment, so Xiaohu took him directly to 0912 in building one. He Kao, being straightforward, rented it on the spot as he was satisfied.
However, Xiaohu strongly recommended 0915 across, stating the apartment is not only spacious but also well-oriented with a great view, recently vacated and quite rare. Although the rent is slightly higher, it's worth it.
But He Kao said he wanted to save money, so he stuck to 0912. Xiaohu didn't succeed in selling it, mumbled at the time: "Once you move in, you'll know, a small apartment is inconvenient, aren't you dating someone?"
Today, He Kao brought up that sentence, telling Xiaohu he indeed felt the apartment was small after moving in, and that Xiaohu's initial recommendation of 0915 was better. He asked if he could switch to that larger apartment.
Xiaohu tapped the clipboard and said, "I didn't lie to you! I was just worried you'd misunderstand, but it's a shame that 0915 was rented just a day after you rented 0912! No worries, I'll check other two-bedroom ones for you."
He Kao said, "No, I don't want too much trouble, I just wanted 0915. If it's rented, then forget it."
He had already gotten the needed information and wasn't genuinely seeking a larger apartment. Xiaohu regretfully looked up, saying, "There aren't any two-bedroom layouts available at the moment, maybe wait a while, I'll notify you when something comes up."
He Kao was about to leave, but then Xiaohu mumbled another sentence: "It's really strange, the floor you rented was quite empty a while ago, but soon enough, every unit was taken."
Upon hearing that, He Kao turned his thoughts. "How about a one-bedroom and living room layout, preferably in another building."
Xiaohu checked the computer: "There are indeed some, in building two, three, and five. The floors and orientations differ, pick one for yourself. You're switching from a single apartment to a one-bedroom, so it's not considered a breach; you just have to pay the extra deposit and rent.
But we have a policy – rent must be collected in full months. You've only lived in your current apartment for one and a half months; if you move now, you'll still be charged for the remaining half-month rent."
He Kao said, "What if I move in half a month?"
Xiaohu replied, "Then I can't guarantee the apartment you choose today will still be available then."
He Kao said, "Then it's settled; I'll rent the new apartment today and return the current one in half a month."
Xiaohu smiled, shaking his head, "You really are, calculating everything so precisely!"
Sesame Apartment has always been in high demand, but one and a half months ago on the floor He Kao rented, several units were still empty, indicating that among all five apartment buildings, this area was almost leftovers.
Building one isn't considered good, with the worst lighting and view in Sesame Apartment. The ninth floor is an awkward position, escaping neither the noise and dust from the ground nor the light pollution from across the street entering the windows.
He Kao was inexperienced at the time, and with few vacancies in other buildings, so he rented it on the spot as Xiaohu showed it. Now, he learned that Qian Guran rented the apartment across just the day after him, and then gradually the vacant units on that floor were rented out.
Could there be other new tenants besides Qian Guran who are also suspicious? Regardless of the actual situation, He Kao didn't want to stay in the current apartment anymore, taking this chance to switch, using the excuse of finding 0912 too small.
Even though switching from a single apartment to a one-bedroom means spending an additional 1500 monthly, He Kao gritted his teeth and accepted it. He deliberately chose a floor almost entirely occupied, leaving only that last apartment, coincidentally in the same building as Huang Xiaopang.
After completing the procedures, it was already noon; He Kao wasn't in a hurry to move, his belongings were few, and he could still live in the old apartment for another half month, timing it to catch the company's buffet lunch, so he walked to the company to eat.
Walking along, he was still thinking about the matters of the Hidden Moth when his phone suddenly vibrated; he checked and saw it was his aunt's number. He Kao frowned a bit but answered anyway.
"Hello, Xiao Kao, are you coming back this week?"
"There's a bit of work at the company, so I won't be back."
"Then when are you coming back?"
"I'm afraid it'll be quite busy for a while, I won't be able to return temporarily."
Aunt's voice sounded hesitant, as if she wanted to say something, but ultimately just said, "Alright, busy is good, make sure to give advance notice when you plan to return, I'll have your uncle prepare something nice."
He Kao was stunned for a moment, thinking, then asked, "Aunt, do you have anything to discuss?"
Aunt said, "No, no, just asking, seeing you haven't been home for some time!" She hurriedly hung up afterward.
Holding the phone, He Kao felt a bit disarrayed, subconsciously touching the pendant on his chest through his clothes.
Until yesterday afternoon, he was a typical "man without affairs." But in the blink of an eye, various incidents came one after another, almost leaving him unable to react.
The so-called man without affairs doesn't mean there are no tasks, just like He Kao, appearing busy with work daily, but actually, he doesn't need to worry much, as if running smoothly along a predetermined track.
Yet, he inadvertently heard a recording yesterday, not only learning about the existence of Hidden Moths in the world but also a hidden past of his father and the strange experiences of company supervisor Gao Xue'e.
Afterward, he inexplicably doubted the newly hired colleague, feeling as though someone was watching him from the shadows, making him quite suspicious, prompting him to fabricate an excuse to switch apartments, further solidifying his suspicions.
Then his aunt called with this inexplicable phone call, and He Kao could guess with his heels that his aunt definitely has something going on, and it should concern him, which couldn't be good!
Don't ask why, it's a gut feeling because he knows his aunt too well. Her inquiry about whether he'd return home soon indicated that this matter probably happened at their hometown. His aunt might have secretly done something which would be exposed if he returned home.
So upon hearing he wouldn't go back soon, his aunt seemed relieved, thinking she could cover it up, thus hanging up without saying more.
At this moment, a person suddenly leaped out from the greenery beside him. He Kao was startled, patted his chest and said, "Why are you so stealthy, popping out of the bushes like that?"
**