"I think the girl in the attic is not simple."
This was the first sentence Shen Qingqing spoke when she returned to her room.
Fu Jingshu pulled her to his side and asked, "What makes you say that?"
"I just spoke with Feng Yilian for a bit," Shen Qingqing recounted the other woman's reaction in detail. Fu Jingshu also found it suspicious.
"Then let's investigate again."
"Yes, that's what I plan to do."
However, this time Shen Qingqing intended to go alone. She had already figured out the patrol exchange times for the attic guards. Her intention was to have a good chat with the girl, and if possible, find out her identity.
But bringing Fu Jingshu along was clearly not ideal.
Fu Jingshu was a little uneasy. "After what happened last time, the guards at the entrance will definitely be on high alert."
Shen Qingqing smiled slyly. "Don't worry, I have my ways of dealing with them."
Just as they were talking, there was a knock on the door.
It was King. The moment he entered, he saw the two of them sitting intimately by the bed. Though it wasn't the first time, he couldn't help but purse his lips.
He leaned against the doorframe, not entering. "There's new information."
"What news?"
Shen Qingqing's expression turned serious.
King had been gathering information from the younger servants, and while he hadn't gotten much, it wasn't entirely unhelpful. At least one servant who was deeply loyal to him had specifically gone to inquire on his behalf.
And that inquiry had indeed yielded some results.
She had asked an old servant who worked for the Feng family and finally got some information: the young lady living in the attic was 23 years old, the same age as Feng Yilian, and also a member of the Feng family.
But as for who exactly she was, the old servant refused to say another word.
However, for King, this was enough.
Shen Qingqing touched her chin, deep in thought. "I also tried to probe Feng Yilian today, and her reaction tells me she also knows the person in the attic. And... 23 years old? How old is Feng Yilian?"
King said indifferently, "Also 23."
This was too much of a coincidence. Why could she live in the Feng family as a little princess, while that girl had to stay in the attic? And judging by her frail appearance, she didn't look 23 at all.
She looked like an underage girl, far too thin.
King couldn't help but speculate, "Could she be an illegitimate child of Director Feng and someone else? Or a remnant of power struggles?"
There were many possibilities, and it was hard for them to guess.
Shen Qingqing made a decisive statement, "To find out the truth, we should go and investigate ourselves!"
That evening, she disguised herself, changing into all black, wearing a black baseball cap, a black mask, her face completely hidden.
Before she left, King asked, "Do you really not need us to accompany you?"
"No."
Shen Qingqing adjusted her ponytail, which was tucked under her hat, and said calmly, "If there are too many people, that girl certainly won't let her guard down with me. How can I get her to talk then?"
King spread his hands. "Alright, then be careful."
Fu Jingshu said nothing. Only as she was about to leave, he leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead, then stood at the door to watch her go.
The Feng family villa was very quiet at night, and the servants did not move around casually.
In the darkness, she easily slipped out of the living room and, under the cover of night, made her way to the attic in the corner of the estate. The same guards were still there.
However, this time, the guards seemed to be more vigilant, their gazes constantly scanning the surroundings.
Clearly, after the last incident, they had learned their lesson.
Shen Qingqing hid in the shadows and smiled faintly. Although it was more difficult than last time, it was still not impossible for her.
In the darkness, the two patrolling men found their rounds terribly boring. They moved closer to chat with the two guards standing at the entrance and even lit some cigarettes.
They talked amidst a haze of smoke.
"Why do you think this girl is locked up here?"
"Who knows? Why are you asking? Are you bored?"
"Hey, I'm just bored. We're just chatting, I don't mean anything else."
"Don't ask. Everyone knows this girl is a secret the Feng family can't speak of. If Director Feng finds out, you'll be in serious trouble."
"Alright, alright, I won't ask..."
Suddenly, another scent mixed with the smoky haze, and they didn't notice it at all. Only one man with a particularly keen sense of smell sniffed the air.
"Do you smell something?"
"No, just smoke. Is your dog nose acting up again? I don't smell anything."
"I really smell something..."
Before he could finish speaking, the man felt a wave of dizziness, and then, in an instant, he lost his balance and collapsed. The men next to him were greatly alarmed.
But before they could even ask, they too felt dizzy, and with a few thuds, they all fell to the ground, unconscious.
Shen Qingqing emerged from the darkness, looked at the men lying on the ground, pursed her lips, and swaggered into the attic, expertly making her way to the second floor.
Picking the lock was still no challenge for her. As she entered the room, the girl was sitting by the bed, in the same position as last time, with the same expression.
Seeing her, she blinked and turned her head away, lost in thought.
Shen Qingqing followed her gaze. There was only a window, and outside, a bright moon hung high in the sky. The starry night was beautiful, but she had lived here for so long, she must have seen it many times.
Or was she looking at something else?
"What are you looking at?"
The girl whispered, "The North Star."
Shen Qingqing's gaze swept through the sky and quickly found the brightest star. The North Star, said to guide people home.
"Aren't you already home?"
The girl shook her head and fell silent again.
Shen Qingqing thought for a moment, sat down beside her, and her eyes unconsciously scanned the surroundings. It was too simple, so simple it was desolate, making one feel inexplicably lonely.
"How long have you been here?"
The girl thought seriously for a moment, then shook her head. "I don't know. I came when I was six, and this year..."
Her face suddenly showed a hint of confusion.
"I forgot."
Shen Qingqing fell silent for a moment, her voice unconsciously softening. "You don't even know how long you've been here?"
The girl shook her head.
Her expression seemed very blank, and even the confusion vanished in a fleeting moment.
"Do you remember anything before you were six?"
The girl shook her head.
Shen Qingqing took off her backpack, placed it on the bed, and opened it. From inside, she took out a foil-wrapped package. As soon as it was opened, a rich aroma of fried food wafted out.
Inside was fried chicken.
"I think you'll like it."
Girls, don't they all like fried chicken and cola?
Shen Qingqing thought so.
The girl was very cooperative. Although her expression remained unchanged, her eyes lit up. "Is this for me?"
"Mm-hmm."
Shen Qingqing pushed the fried chicken closer to her. "It's okay to have it once in a while. Eat it."
The girl looked at the fragrant fried chicken. Even before taking a bite, she couldn't help but show a smile. It was faint and shallow, but also incredibly beautiful.
Like a flower bud slowly unfurling its unique charm.
Shen Qingqing's heart softened at the sight. This girl was too thin and small, not at all like a 23-year-old. She looked more like a minor.
The fried chicken was delicious.
As the girl took her first bite, some memories she thought she had forgotten slowly resurfaced. It was the first delicious food she had ever tasted, unlike the plain tofu she usually ate.
It was unforgettable.