I hadn't seen Reporter Yuan at Workers and Peasants Sixth Village, so I hadn't expected to run into her here.
Reporter Yuan nodded to us first, so we greeted her in return.
Director Ma walked her a few steps before she took her leave.
Director Ma turned to us and casually asked, "Back from Workers and Peasants Sixth Village?"
"Yes." I felt a little awkward.
Director Ma had no idea I'd seen his student notebook. So right now, I was the only one feeling awkward.
If I'd seen some photos, that would've been one thing. Even class notes alone would've been fine. But seeing those doodles and complaints felt completely at odds with Director Ma.
I must have been looking at Director Ma a little strangely, because he glanced at me again.
"It's almost time to clock out. Go on, get back to work." Director Ma looked away and turned to the girl. "Linlin, here are the keys. I'll be a while before I head back." As he spoke, he pulled the keys from his pocket.
Now, just looking at keys made me feel uneasy. It was probably a lingering effect from having just looked through that file.
Director Ma's keys were simple, though: just a key ring, with no little trinkets dangling from it.
The girl took the keys and fell quiet. She muttered a subdued goodbye without looking up at Director Ma, but she politely greeted all of us before leaving.
The five of us went back to the office.
Chen Xiaoqiu suddenly said, "That girl seemed a little strange."
"Teenage rebellion?" the Thin Man asked.
"No, not that kind of thing. It's... something paranormal." Chen Xiaoqiu fell into thought.
"Huh?" The Thin Man's voice rose.
"Could that be it? I didn't see anything," the Fatty said, looking