Chapter 348 - 348 Two hundred and five

Words : 1337 Updated : Oct 7th, 2025

348: Two hundred and five. Plan to restart. 348: Two hundred and five. Plan to restart. “` One disaster followed another. Lu Li should have had time to buffer, but the disaster threw everything into disarray; Lu Li should have had time to accumulate, but the Terrifying Giant disrupted everything; Lu Li should have had time to establish a shelter, but the rainy season turned everything upside down. Everything was converging towards the worst possible scenario. He couldn’t wait any longer. Lu Li told himself. He finished reading the content on the back of the “Investigator Weekly” and stacked this issue with several others. “What can I do?” Anna asked Lu Li, her clear eyes filled with an emotion known as determination. “A lot.” Lu Li picked up the phone, hesitated for a moment, then flipped through to a relatively unfamiliar number in his memory and dialed it. It didn’t take long for a coherent and rapid voice to come through the speaker. “This is Happy Healthy Every—” “It’s me,” Lu Li interrupted the person on the other end. Marcus paused slightly, his tone became even more enthusiastic, still rapid: “Ah, it’s our esteemed investigator! May I ask why you’re calling today?” “I have an assignment for you.” “Uh... I heard that right... an assignment? We at Happy Healthy Every Day only have the two of us serving uh I mean... what kind of case do you wish to assign?” “Find someone in Belfast familiar with the northern Elm Forest for me.” “Uh... that kind of thing is beyond what Happy Healthy Every Day can handle. You know, we only deal with paranormal issues.” Or more precisely, only the paranormal issues that Lu Li agreed to handle. After all, he was the only one who agreed to collaborate with Marcus. “Never mind then.” “Uh... alright, the big deal you wanted, I’m still in contact for you, please don’t give up waiting!” Click. In the midst of Marcus’s shouting, Lu Li hung up the phone. Such matters indeed required professionals, like a pair of siblings who were about to fade from his view. Oliver and his sister Jojo. A month ago, Oliver took a job smuggling goods from Shadow Swamp or Zenst to Belfast. Normally, a week was enough for him to complete a round trip, but it had been a month without any news from him. The only thing that remained because of him was the love letters Mrs. Slav sent with a frequency of several days to a week. Perhaps he had run into some trouble, or perhaps he had found a more lucrative job, given that he never had a formal employment relationship with Lu Li. Based on his own personal experience, Lu Li suspected the former was more likely. Thinking it over, Lu Li still decided to call the number left by Oliver’s sister Jojo. The call wasn’t answered by Jojo herself, but upon Lu Li’s request to speak with Joanna, the person on the other end relayed the message for him. Ten minutes after hanging up, the phone on the desk rang. “Hello, is this Lu Li? It’s Jojo... are you looking for my brother?” “Has he returned?” “He came back... but then he left again...” Jojo’s cheerful voice carried a hint of guilt through the handset. “The job he took last month paid a lot, so he went again...” “Then it’s fine.” Lu Li moved the handset away, ready to hang up. Suddenly, Jojo’s voice came through the handset sounding hurried, “Wait! Do you... have an assignment for him to do?” “Yeah.” “He’s probably still in Shadow Town waiting for the goods... but I can do it!” “I need it done urgently.” “What a coincidence, I need it urgently too!” As a young girl who had grown up in the slums relying on her brother, she possessed a shrewdness that did not correspond to her age. “` Moreover, Jojo had indeed done a few good jobs for the Detective Agency before. So, Lu Li directly said, “Find someone in Belfast who is familiar with the northern Elm Forest, preferably before noon. You know the address of the Detective Agency—bring him over.” “Now? The rain outside is heavy.” “That’s why I said as soon as possible.” “Hmm... okay, then how much are you planning to pay for this? Let’s make it clear, the money isn’t for me—I’ll only take a cut, just like with your brother.” “Find the most knowledgeable person you possibly can. He can set the price, as long as it’s not excessive.” “Don’t worry, I won’t let him open a crocodile’s mouth,” Jojo quickly replied and cut off the call. Lu Li put the receiver back in place. “It was a girl’s voice.” Anna’s casual inquiry floated over from the side, seemingly more indifferent if she hadn’t stolen glances at Lu Li with the corner of her eye. “Oliver’s sister Jojo, you’ve met her,” Lu Li said. Anna seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, her tone becoming much livelier, “I remember now, it’s that girl who is also named Anna. Did she take this commission?” “Yes.” “Oh~” Perhaps to show her capability, or because she happened to know the right person, half an hour after hanging up, the phone rang again. Jojo told Lu Li that she had found the person he needed, but the man had a limp, so it would take longer for him to walk over— “You two come by carriage.” “Let’s get one thing straight—I’m not using my meager cut to pay for the carriage ride.” “I’ll cover the expenses.” “That works! We’ll be there soon!” The phone was hung up hastily once more. “She’ll be here soon.” After replacing the receiver, Lu Li said to Anna. “I want to go too!” Anna, who was mopping the floor, stood up and stated with hands on her hips. “Of course.” ... Twenty minutes later, a carriage slowed down outside the window and stopped in front of the Long House. “They’re here.” As Lu Li spoke, he grabbed some change and stood under the eaves outside the door along the corridor. An old man with an empty pant leg was helped down from the carriage by Jojo, with the Coachman holding an umbrella beside them to shield them from the rain. Stepping under the eaves, Lu Li inquired about the fare and gave double the amount, “Take this lady to where she needs to go.” Jojo, who was about to help the old man into the corridor, paused, “Don’t you need my help?” “No. How much is the commission you two agreed on?” Speaking for Jojo, the old man said, “If you need me to make a trip it’s 50 shillings, just asking a few questions – 10 shillings is fine, after all, I’m just answering some questions, and you’re still a friend of Jojo and Oliver.” “Mr. Barton, we siblings have known you for a long time,” Jojo added. “What about if questions need a trip?” Lu Li asked. “Still 50 shillings.” Lu Li nodded and handed Jojo 10 shillings as her fee. In reality, only 5 shillings were needed, but the sole 5 shilling note Lu Li had he’d given to the Coachman. “Wow, thank you, boss.” Jojo whistled, fondled the 10 shilling note, and climbed back into the carriage, waving at Lu Li, “Remember to call me for any other commissions, handsome.” A chill ripple of air flared up beside Lu Li. The Coachman drove the carriage away from in front of the Long House, and Lu Li turned around, extending an arm to assist the old man. However, the old man had already started moving his empty pant leg, stepping into the dim corridor.

Chapter 348 - 348 Two hundred and five

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