Yin Kong had originally considered trying to uncover the stalker's true identity himself.
If he did not follow the system's prompts step by step, could he still receive the commission reward?
But now, he naturally had no interest in that anymore.
Following the quest prompt, Yin Kong quickly discovered a new key clue.
After taking photos according to procedure, he called Ono Yoko and her manager over.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I think you should come take a look at this."
"Ladies' cigarettes?"
Yin Kong nodded lightly.
"That's right, and very high-end ladies' cigarettes at that."
This was the rooftop of a department store. Aside from the cleaners responsible for upkeep, hardly anyone came up here under normal circumstances.
But clearly, ordinary cleaners were almost certainly not the type to smoke such expensive ladies' cigarettes.
"Miss Yoko, do these cigarettes look familiar to you?"
Ono Yoko nodded repeatedly.
"I know them. They're Star Dream. They're very expensive. I heard they use specially processed tobacco and new technology, so they cause very little harm to the lungs and throat. They were developed specifically for female entertainers like us..."
However, judging from the idol's unconvinced tone, she clearly did not put much faith in that claim.
Yamagishi Ei, meanwhile, looked utterly incredulous.
"How could that be? The stalker was another idol?"
Yin Kong glanced at the manager. His reaction seemed a little unusual, but Yin Kong had no intention of creating extra complications.
"That's probably the case. It would explain why she only took those harmless photos.
First, she didn't have the ability to get anything more serious. Second, she was probably afraid Miss Yoko would really call the police."
After all, electronic devices were still far less advanced than they would be in later years. Even secretly taking photos still required a certain level of technical skill.
Besides, even judging from Conan's story, the city's police competence was rather worrying. Still, she probably did not dare gamble on whether the police could trace it back to her if a report was filed.
"So the stalker merely wanted revenge against Miss Yoko, not to drag her down with her." Yamagishi Ei suddenly understood, his tone growing excited. "I see. The range narrows considerably if we look for female entertainers who smoke these cigarettes."
At this point, even using the most basic process of elimination, it was only a matter of time before they identified the stalker.
Yin Kong pushed up his glasses and offered another hint.
"And I'd guess she isn't doing very well, perhaps she's even fallen on hard times. Otherwise, she wouldn't need to do this personally.
But she still smokes these flashy, impractical cigarettes, so she's probably rather vain as well... It seems Miss Yoko already has someone in mind?"
At Yin Kong's words, Ono Yoko's expression turned somewhat awkward and hesitant.
She seemed to feel that what she was doing now was rather like speaking ill of someone behind her back.
But as her manager, Yamagishi Ei had no such reservations.
He waved one arm and shouted excitedly.
"I know! It has to be Ikezawa Yuko! She's always been jealous that you're far more popular than she is, Yoko. And not long ago, a role that was originally hers was given to you instead, so she held a grudge and did something like this.
That's right! It must be her!"
Yin Kong nodded slightly. He had long forgotten the stalker's full name, but it should indeed have been something Yuko.
It seemed this Ikezawa Yuko was the right person.
Unfortunately, his memories could only serve as a reference. To complete the commission, he still needed more direct evidence.
Yin Kong glanced at the quest guide and suggested, "Mr. Yamagishi, could I trouble you to take a photo of Miss Ikezawa Yuko to the apartment security office and ask around?"
Yamagishi Ei naturally understood what Yin Kong meant and agreed without hesitation.
"Of course. I'll go right away."
Only after the manager hurried off did Yin Kong look at Ono Yoko, whose expression was conflicted.
"It seems Miss Yoko has something she wants to say."
Ono Yoko froze. Although Yin Kong's words were phrased as a question, his tone was declarative.
However, she quickly accepted it.
"As expected of you."
Yin Kong's abilities had truly far exceeded her expectations.
As a popular idol, Ono Yoko had naturally heard of incidents involving stalkers and obsessive fans.
Honestly, finding the culprit after spending several weeks, or even several months, would already have been the best possible outcome she had imagined.
It was not that Ono Yoko was pessimistic. Rather, among the cases she knew of, those that reached any conclusion at all were already considered fortunate.
The vast majority simply ended without resolution.
They did not even dare make such incidents public, or the idol's image would inevitably suffer.
Yet she had never imagined that Yin Kong would spend less than half a day, never even enter her home, and already basically identify the stalker.
Such ability made it hard not to regard him with awe.
No wonder he dared promise that he would not take a cent if the commission failed.
The idol gathered her thoughts and spoke slowly.
"Mr. Yin Kong, if the stalker's identity is confirmed, Mr. Yamagishi will definitely suggest handling this matter publicly, because it would make excellent publicity."
If this had involved an obsessive fan or a murder case, Yamagishi Ei might have tried his best to cover it up out of concern for Ono Yoko's image.
But since the culprit was also an idol, there was no need for such concern.
And even if Ikezawa Yuko was now a washed-up third-rate idol, it would still attract far more attention than an ordinary obsessive-fan incident.
With a little maneuvering, Ono Yoko could not only become a trending topic for quite some time.
As the perfect victim, she could also reap a huge wave of sympathy.
Simply put, she would win on every front.
Yin Kong raised an eyebrow.
"But it seems Miss Yoko does not want to do that?"
Quality Ore Source
"Yes. I actually... want to talk to Miss Yuko first."
Yin Kong could tell that Ono Yoko herself was conflicted, so her tone was far from firm and instead full of hesitation.
"Miss Yuko and I debuted in the same period, and we used to have a very good relationship. She isn't really a bad person. She often encouraged me in private too, but unfortunately, because of all kinds of things, we gradually became like this..."
So this was the so-called fear not that your brother lived poorly, but that he drove a Range Rover?
"Even so, I don't want to ruin her acting career just like that."
But clearly, such a reason could not convince her manager.
Even Yin Kong, as an observer, could not help feeling that Ono Yoko's thoughts were somewhat too naive, completely unlike someone who had fought her way out of the entertainment industry.
"So, Mr. Yin Kong, could I ask you to help me persuade Mr. Yamagishi?" Ono Yoko looked at Yin Kong pleadingly. "Of course, I'll compensate you additionally as well."
Yet faced with the request of this popular idol, Yin Kong shook his head.
"I'm sorry, but Cunning Rabbit House probably cannot accept this commission. You should seek someone else."
"Huh?" Ono Yoko froze, looking discouraged. "Why? Do you also think my idea is wrong?"
Seeing Ono Yoko become dejected all at once, Yin Kong was somewhat surprised.
Because in his distant memories, this popular idol should not have been someone so easily lacking in confidence.
Could this be another discrepancy between the story and reality?
Thinking this, Yin Kong said, "Not at all. No matter how you handle it, it is simply your choice. And choices often have no right or wrong... The real key lies with you, Miss Yoko."
"With me?"
"For something like this, I don't think anyone can, or should, make the decision for you.
As long as you have thought it through rather than acting on impulse, and are mentally prepared to accept the result gladly, then I don't think it can be considered wrong no matter what you choose."
Daily Quest [Stalker] completed:
[Primogem ×10, Adventure EXP ×225, Mora ×3125, Affection EXP ×35, Fine Enhancement Ore ×1, Mystic Enhancement Ore ×2].
Yin Kong was initially stunned by the system notification, but he quickly understood.
Yamagishi Ei must have found decisive evidence and completely confirmed Ikezawa Yuko as the suspect.
His quest was complete.
Just as Yin Kong felt it was time to take his leave, he discovered that Ono Yoko had somehow fallen silent, one hand pressed to her chest and a complicated expression on her face.
Judging by her expression, the few words he had just spoken seemed to have moved her deeply, leaving her lost in thought.
Only several minutes later did the strange feeling that had suddenly welled up in the idol's heart gradually fade.
However, what she had realized did not change. She therefore bowed deeply to Yin Kong.
"I understand. Thank you very much for your guidance, Mr. Yin Kong. I really was too impulsive just now."
When the popular idol raised her head again, her gaze was incomparably resolute.
"But I've thought it over as well. Even if it means losing this chance to greatly boost my reputation, I still want to have a proper talk with Miss Yuko. So please help me."
Daily Quest: [A Popular Idol's Troubles].
Looking at the familiar exclamation mark that had appeared above Ono Yoko's head, Yin Kong was momentarily speechless.
When had his gift for talking people around become so powerful?
Or was Miss Yoko already in a confused period, and his advice had merely come at the right moment?
Or was there some factor he did not know about?
No matter what, though, the idol before him was clearly an exceptionally high-quality ore source.
And Yin Kong could not possibly turn a blind eye to Primogems delivered right to his doorstep.
"Since Miss Yoko has put it that way, I'll accept this commission."
"Thank you so much!"
Ono Yoko's tone immediately relaxed, as though so long as Yin Kong agreed, he would definitely be able to persuade her manager.
"Oh, right. Are you interested in Tropical Land Amusement Park? If you don't mind, I can be your guide. After all, I'm a lifetime VIP there, so I can experience every attraction for free. The haunted house in particular is incredibly realistic, definitely worth the price..."
Listening to Ono Yoko's enthusiastic recommendation, Yin Kong's expression became subtle.
"No, no, no. Let's skip the haunted house."
Ono Yoko froze and asked curiously, "Mr. Yin Kong, you don't like haunted houses?"
"As you can see, I'm a very timid person. I'm especially afraid of ghosts, demons, and things like that, so I've always kept my distance from any rituals or games related to ghosts, monsters, or the supernatural."
That was naturally a lie, but he truly had no intention of setting foot inside a haunted house.
After all, in an environment like that, if he carelessly confused actual demons and ghosts with amusement park props, things would become very interesting.
"Really?"
Ono Yoko looked utterly surprised.
Because she had not seen anything about Yin Kong that made him seem as timid and afraid of ghosts as he claimed.
Besides, this popular idol had seen far too many people who pretended to be brave in front of her for one reason or another.
Even if they truly feared ghosts, they would go to every length to hide it.
Before you continue