Tracking Down Clues

Okay.

This must be a prelude to causing trouble for Wala Wala.

The moment Yao Xing spoke, Linsey guessed what he would do next.

As things normally would have unfolded.

It's nothing more than relying on the information they have to force Wala Wala to compete with her on stage; this classic plot is all too common.

Then, Yao Xing spoke.

The actress did not engage in any encouragement or other actions.

Instead, he described the conditions of the three locations with almost no reservations. "The rehearsal room on the second floor was rented out to a small theater troupe for rehearsals yesterday."

The empty theater seats, according to the records, were unused. The traces you found suggest that someone from inside the theater went in. As for the rooftop platform, people go up there from time to time, so I can't say for sure what happened there last night.

Savat listened patiently before asking, "Miss Yao Xing, how do you know so much about these three places?"

Yao Xing explained in a dignified tone, "The Art Festival is in two weeks, and theaters of all sizes in the Blue District are rehearsing and practicing."

"For awakened people like us, even sleeping for one or two hours at night has been reduced in the last two days."

"So I'm fairly clear about the situation inside the theater."

As she said this, Yao Xing took the time to give Linsey a slight smile.

She seemed to be showing off her charm.

But through that look, Linsey already understood what the other person was thinking.

Yao Xing and Wala Wala had spent a long time together and understood each other's personalities.

She knew that simply provoking or coercing her wouldn't make Wala Wala fight her again.

So let's just highlight our role through practical actions.

"..."

Linsey turned to look at her side.

Sure enough, Wala Wala was looking at him.

Those expressive eyes seemed to be asking—why is she smiling at you?

"..."

This is truly an undeserved disaster.

Linsey forced a smile, and suddenly Wala Wala laughed too, "Ha—"

"Really, like a child, talking nonsense."

Then she accepted Yao Xing's challenge head-on and began to analyze the current situation. "We roughly deduce that the young lady from the Kuwait Family came through the Impression Channel."

"Under this premise, we should first rule out the rooftop. Although few people go up there normally, it is easily affected by external interference, and using the Impression Channel would be too dangerous."

"As for theater companies that come from outside to rehearse, that's even more impossible. The Fimbul Theater has a very high status in the city, with even Seventh Stage performers in charge. Any attempt to do something improper would be suicidal."

Savat continued, Wala Wala's words:

"So of these three suspicious locations, only the empty theater audience seats remain."

"Let's go, let's investigate this carefully!"

Savat acted immediately

The man in the Blue Robe led the way, arriving at the theater.

A quiet atmosphere permeated the theater, reflecting the dust floating in the air.

This place remains deserted, like a secret forgotten in a corner.

When Linsey and her team arrived, they expanded their reconnaissance from the scenes in the original picture book to the entire interior of the theater.

"Um..."

"There are quite a lot of footprints here..."

Linsey muttered something to herself.

Countless traces of human activity have been left inside the theater; just identifying and counting them would be a considerable undertaking.

Savat nearby, also frowned and bent over, beginning a thorough search of the theater.

Fortunately, Linsey's gaming skills are intuitive enough.

Based on the varying shades of color in the footprints, he quickly identified two groups of targets.

[Man's Footprint - 54kg, thin adult male, limping on the left.]

[The footprints of a young girl – a healthy adult woman weighing 59kg.]

The two sets of footprints, one in front of the other, perfectly match the footprints in the [Qingfeng Collection Hall]. The answer is right in front of us!

"I've got a clue."

Linsey called over the others, and Savat, who was still trying to identify the shape of the footprints, looked visibly incredulous.

"So fast?!"

"The timing, weight, and shape of these two sets of footprints match the two in the archives last night." Linsey nodded calmly and continued to describe the details, "The one on the left is a woman's footprint, exactly the same as the Kuwait Family lady's; the one on the right is a man's, with a limp in his left leg."

"Call--"

Savat visibly breathed a sigh of relief.

With the intelligence gathered to this extent, the follow-up actions can be considered a sure thing.

The man in the Blue Robe bowed deeply to Linsey.

When we first met that morning, that arrogance towards country folk had completely vanished.

"Mr. Linsey, Masked... Miss Wala Wala, thank you for your help this time."

"The work ahead might be a bit dangerous, so leave it to me."

Savat, with the skill of a painter, kept a close eye on the footprints and followed them out of the theater. Only at the theater entrance did he suddenly turn back:

"Gentlemen, I apologize for disturbing you today."

"The Art Association will remember all the help from our friends, and we ask for your apologies in return."

As soon as he finished speaking, Savat left the theater.

Actress Yao Xing glanced at it and then followed.

Just before leaving, she muttered to herself or perhaps with a hidden agenda, "Someone dares to cause trouble in the theater."

"Unfortunately, I can no longer ignore this."

"..."

Silence returned to the theater.

Linsey looked at Wala Wala beside her. "It seems like we're not needed here anymore?"

The girl gazed in the direction Savat and Yao Xing had gone. "Shall we follow them...? Heh, let's not."

Wala Wala smiled with relief.

Thinking about the randomness of her coming to the Fimbul Theater and Yao Xing's persistent look just now, she finally changed her mind and said, "We were never meant to be together."

"I acted under the influence of emotions. This is clearly proof of my immaturity..."

"Linsey, let me treat you to grilled fish. Judging by the time, the night market in the Red District should be bustling with activity by now."

Linsey nodded slightly:

"Sure."

Just as they were about to leave.

Two figures suddenly appeared at the previously deserted theater entrance.

One of the middle-aged men had short, white hair and a tall, muscular build. He wore a blue and white striped jacket, and his gaze fell on Wala Wala.

"Young people will always make mistakes."

"As long as you can correct your mistakes afterward and remember your shortcomings, the audience will think that you have turned over a new leaf and that it is commendable."

Upon seeing the other person, Wala Wala's reflection immediately froze. "Director, you've come too?"

The middle-aged man who spoke looked like an ordinary person with a lively spirit.

He had no special abilities, nor did he ever display any skills.

But the other party's name is Fimbul, the apparent head of the Fimbul Theater, and also a Seventh Stage performer.

When Wala Wala used to work here.

Fimbul was a very kind, but also strict, boss.

Even though she chose to retire gracefully and leave, the other party simply let her go without any hesitation.

Fimbul smiled and pointed at Linsey: "Selina, aren't you going to introduce this gentleman to me?"

Wala Wala seemed to see her parents.

She took a step back, straightened her back, and raised her head:

"Linsey, this... he's my friend who traveled with me! Director!"

However, Linsey's attention was on the person next to Fimbul.

This is an official wearing Blue Robe, who is not young and clearly holds a high position in the Art Association.

"I see..."

The situation is quite obvious.

While they were conducting their investigation at the theater, the management of the Fimbul Theater did not remain indifferent, but they did not stop them either.

On the contrary, it was people with connections who went to the Red District of the City of a Thousand Sails.

They invited another high-ranking official in Blue Robe from the Goodwill Theatre to come over.

This is their best strategy to protect themselves!

Just then.

The Blue Robe noticed Linsey's gaze and returned a smile.

After finishing his conversation with Wala Wala, Fimbul extended an invitation to the two of them. "Gentlemen, since you have witnessed everything, why don't you come together?"

"We can't let some petty scoundrels tarnish the reputation of our theater."