An Nuan's eyes flickered slightly, calmly observing the Old Man's agitated emotions.
The Old Man seemed to realize that it was futile to speak further, so he suddenly stopped, "Nevermind, it's all about those powerful families. We common folk can't do anything about it."
An Nuan pursed her lips.
The words on the tip of her tongue were swallowed back down.
She smiled, "You're right, us common folk should just mind our own business and do what we're supposed to do."
The Old Man nodded in agreement.
An Nuan then asked about his daily life, "I noticed there's only one person living in your house. Don't you have family living with you?"
"No. My son went abroad for studies and got married and had a child there. My wife passed away from an illness last year, so it's just me now," the Old Man said with some regret.
After all, at a certain age, one still hopes for the family to be together.
"My condolences, uncle," An Nuan said with some sadness.
"It's all in the past," the Old Man brushed it off nonchalantly.
An Nuan didn't pry further.
Getting some information was enough.
She exchanged some pleasantries, took the bottle of soy sauce, and left.
Seeing the Old Man close the door again, An Nuan turned and headed towards the elevator.
Back in the car.
An Nuan said bluntly, "We'll continue tomorrow."
"Did you notice anything, Madam?"
"It's hard to confirm now, but we can investigate further."
"Understood."
So the next morning.
An Nuan had someone left behind by Qin Jiang buy the best chicken soup in Jiang City. She poured a large thermos full and went to the residential complex.
After arriving at the complex, she poured the soup from the thermos into a large bowl, maintaining the appearance of being a neighboring visitor.
She knocked on the Old Man's door.
Seeing An Nuan, the Old Man asked, "What can I do for you, miss?"
"Uncle, I borrowed some soy sauce from you yesterday. I brought this soup today to thank you," An Nuan placed the large bowl of chicken soup in front of him.
"It was just a bottle of soy sauce, you didn't have to go through the trouble," the Old Man said bashfully.
"I just happened to have made some extra soup, and there's only me and my husband at home. We can't finish it all, so I thought I'd bring some over for you," An Nuan explained.
The Old Man accepted it reluctantly, "Alright then, let me get a bowl for you."
"The soup is very hot right now, it might burn you if you transfer it. Use my bowl for now, I'll come pick it up later."
"Okay then," the Old Man nodded.
An Nuan left with a smile.
Back in the car, she told Hu Feng, "Next time I come over, unplug the Old Man's internet cable."
Hu Feng frowned, not understanding but willing to follow instructions.
At 5 PM in the afternoon.
An Nuan appeared at the Old Man's door again.
Seeing An Nuan, the Old Man was noticeably warmer than the previous day, "Miss, wait a moment while I go get your bowl."
"Sure," An Nuan nodded.
She stood at the doorway for a little while.
The Old Man brought out the bowl, which was clearly washed and clean.
Just as An Nuan turned to leave, "Miss."
The Old Man suddenly called out to her.
An Nuan smiled faintly.
She had coordinated with Hu Feng beforehand for this.
She turned back, "What is it, uncle?"
"My internet suddenly isn't working," the Old Man said, "I just called the telecom company, but they said they can only come later. I was supposed to video call my granddaughter soon, so I'm worried I'll miss it. Can you please come in and take a look?"
"Of course," An Nuan readily agreed.
She took off her shoes and entered the Old Man's home.
Living alone, the Old Man kept his place very tidy.
He seemed to be a man of culture.
Otherwise, a family that could afford to send their child to study abroad from North Wen Country 10 years ago when Jiang City wasn't very developed would have been quite rare.
As An Nuan looked around, she began fixing the Old Man's internet cable.
"How's it looking? Did you find the issue?" the Old Man asked.
"It seems to be a cable problem. Don't worry, uncle, let me check it again," An Nuan reassured him.
"Thank you," the Old Man expressed his gratitude.
An Nuan smiled, saying it was no problem.
After around 10 minutes.
An Nuan signaled Hu Feng to reconnect the cable.
A few minutes later.
The internet was working again.
The Old Man was overjoyed, "You youngsters are so capable, fixing it in no time. The closed-circuit TV line in my home broke down before, and it was Ye Jinghuai from across the way who came and fixed it for me."
"Alas, knowing someone's face doesn't mean knowing their heart," An Nuan remarked casually.
"I don't believe Ye Jinghuai committed any crime," the Old Man remained adamant. "It's just that he made some achievements in Jiang City, so others became jealous."
"Uncle, you can't say things like that so lightly," An Nuan warned.
"What's it matter what I say?!" The Old Man seemed to get riled up, but then realized An Nuan had helped him, so he treated her like one of his own, without the reservations from their first meeting. "Ye Jinghuai was transferred from Qing City to Jiang City, and he's always been diligent and hardworking. I've run into him several times, and he's always returning home at 9 or 10 PM from overtime work. More importantly, after he came to Jiang City, he's done a lot of charity work. He used his personal funds to support many elementary schools in the cities surrounding Jiang City. He also helped implement support for impoverished households in our area. Oh, and the medical insurance that Jiang City had been delaying for so long? He got that fully implemented within just two or three months of arriving. A caring person like him couldn't possibly have committed any crimes, let alone embezzlement! And from what I've heard, Ye Jinghuai's family is very wealthy, so why would he embezzle such a small amount? How ridiculous!"
The Old Man became more and more agitated as he spoke.
An Nuan just listened.
She hadn't expected Ye Jinghuai to have done so many good deeds in Jiang City.
Education, poverty alleviation, healthcare.
She suddenly felt that if Ye Jinghuai truly came to power, perhaps... he could bring good fortune to the common people.
She tried hard not to dwell on that thought.
Afraid that she might become overwhelmed with sadness.
She simply said, "It seems he's a good person."
"A very good one. It's a pity that outstanding individuals often attract resentment," the Old Man sighed. "Who knows who he offended."
An Nuan also sighed, not saying much more.
After chatting for a while.
An Nuan left.
Just as she stepped out the door.
The Old Man suddenly said, "By the way, miss, can you help me reconnect the surveillance system? Whenever the internet goes out, the surveillance doesn't work either. I can never get it reconnected myself, Ye Jinghuai always had to come help me with that."
"You have surveillance cameras at home?" An Nuan asked in surprise.
She truly hadn't noticed any surveillance cameras.
She always carefully observed every place she went.
Afraid of leaving behind even the slightest clue.
"Yes, at the entrance," the Old Man quickly explained.
An Nuan felt a sudden tightness in her chest.
There were surveillance cameras at the entrance?!
