The old man turned around.
He could vaguely see the short-haired girl who had opened the door for him earlier taking the package from the courier.
The courier quickly turned and left.
He strode past the old man.
It seemed that in the blink of an eye, the courier had vanished from sight.
The old man held onto the handrail.
He made his way downstairs one step at a time.
He felt somewhat tired from his disappointment at coming up empty-handed.
He had been so full of anticipation before.
Now he was just as disappointed.
The old man returned home.
He changed into his slippers.
As soon as he looked up, he saw the displeased expression on his wife's face.
He was a little confused.
Huh?
A hint of irritation showed on the old woman's face.
"You do know how to come home, then?"
"Why did it take you so long?"
"Were you having a heart-to-heart with someone?"
"No..."
The old man stammered.
What could he possibly have to talk about with them?
Wouldn't he just be wasting their time?
The old woman had a few suspicions.
Her expression softened a little.
"What is it?"
"Why the long face?"
"Still haven't found the person playing the pipa?"
"...Mm."
The old man nodded.
He wasn't surprised by his wife's perceptiveness anymore.
Besides, his expression was easy enough to read.
He was a little tired.
He had no energy left to put on an act.
The old woman's mouth fell slightly open.
Huh?
He really hadn't found anyone...
"You asked everyone upstairs and downstairs, including the other two households on our floor?"
The old woman asked to confirm.
"Mm."
The old man nodded.
He had asked everyone on three floors, including the one they