After fiercely berating Xiang Wencun in his mind, Chen Hao activated the Heavenly Eye Art. He discovered someone hiding in the bedroom of apartment 403, curled up on the floor and trembling.
Chen Hao gave up on knocking and shouted into the apartment instead, "Auntie Liu, I'm not a loan shark. My name is Chen Hao. I was Xiang Wencun's classmate in high school."
Once he introduced himself, the elderly woman immediately reacted. She slowly emerged from the bedroom and peeked through the peephole.
Only after confirming that he wasn't a loan shark did the elderly woman open the door.
As the door opened, an elderly woman with half-gray hair stood there, her back stooped as she looked Chen Hao up and down.
Seeing how closely she resembled Xiang Wencun, Chen Hao's eyes filled with pity.
In her face, he saw her stubborn resolve, along with the weariness and hardship of a life that had bent her back.
"Auntie Liu, my name is Chen Hao. I was Xiang Wencun's classmate in high school."
Her face covered in wrinkles, Liu Ailing stood stunned for a long moment before smiling. "Oh, so you're a classmate of our Wencun! Come in and sit down."
"Thank you, Auntie!"
The moment Chen Hao stepped inside, the bleak state of the apartment stunned him.
There wasn't a single decoration on the slightly yellowed walls except for a battered clock. Apart from a square dining table and two chairs, the apartment was filled with piles of salvaged cardboard and empty bottles.
Deeply embarrassed, Liu Ailing said, "I'm sorry. The place is rather messy. Let me tidy it up a little."
The sight made Chen Hao's heart ache. He took Liu Ailing's hand. "Auntie Liu, don't trouble yourself. Sit down first. There's something I need to tell you."