Chapter 475: Chapter 287: Su Wei and the Gu Zhuo Case
He coughed twice, "Round it up and calling me Uncle Black Cocoon isn’t out of the question."
"Let’s get to business, why do you know him?" "So noisy, if you’ve nothing to say, just shut up..."
Gu Zhuo Case and Lin Yilong spoke in unison. This master and disciple pair had little patience, obviously uninterested in Black Cocoon’s jokes. Lin Yilong even contemplated drawing his sword to split the phone in two, but considering it was Ghost Bell’s phone, he held back.
"My acquaintance with Mr. Su Wei is purely coincidental. I read and borrow books from the same bookstore every day, and it happens that the owner knows me. After a while, when chatting casually, the owner suddenly mentioned he had a daughter named Su Ying who passed away early." Black Cocoon said, "That’s when I realized he was your father-in-law. And so, being the closest stranger to your family, I happily acknowledged him as kin."
"Why would he bother with you?"
"Because I have a charismatic personality, loved by all." Black Cocoon stated matter-of-factly, "He even gave me Su Ying’s diary, requesting that I pass it to Mr. Blue Arc. Surely you’re green with envy after hearing this, Mr. Ghost Bell?"
"Did you threaten him?"
"Well... actually, I’m incapable of threatening him. Rather, a widowed old man who’s lost his wife and daughter can’t exactly be threatened—he actually threatened me." Black Cocoon said, full of resentment, "That damn old man, so skilled at hiding everything, deceived me for a whole month."
As he spoke, he sighed, "I can already imagine him sitting there watching me pretend, sipping coffee while secretly laughing inside."
Gu Zhuo Case was silent for a moment, "Did he ever mention our family to you?"
"Of course." Black Cocoon said, "He’s been protecting Su Zimai for some time now, performing more dutifully than you as a father; and through my communication with him, he also knows who Blue Arc is. As for whether Gu Qiye has accepted help from her grandfather over the years, I couldn’t say."
Gu Zhuo Case bowed his head, asking with a complicated expression, "Has he always been around us?"
"Yes, you’ve been so close, yet you’ve never met." Black Cocoon said hauntingly, "But come to think of it, I believe the chance of a random encounter between you is zero. Do you know why? Because foolish bulls that only bungle and rage wouldn’t go to a bookstore. Books are reserved for the wise."
He paused, "Read more books, Mr. Ghost Bell. Not only can they cultivate your character, but also broaden your horizons and improve your irritable and shallow temper. Most importantly, there’s a chance to improve the relationship with your father-in-law."
"Which bookstore is he at?"
"Broly Bookstore, right in Old Jingmai District." Black Cocoon said, "By the way, your father-in-law doesn’t yet know your identity, because you’ve left Li Jing in the past two years, so it’s up to you to tell him personally."
After finishing speaking, Black Cocoon hung up the phone, leaving only the sound of "beep beep beep—" echoing in the cramped basement.
Gu Zhuo Case still wanted to inquire about Gu Qiye’s matters, but no matter how he dialed, it only showed "You’ve been blocked by the other party."
He frowned, took a deep breath, got up slowly, took the jacket hanging on the wall, and draped it over his shoulders.
"Are you going to meet that person?" Lin Yilong pondered, "Su Wei."
"Yes, I need to see him, to verify if what Black Cocoon said is true." Gu Zhuo Case said, as he put his phone into his coat pocket, glanced at his unkempt, unshaven reflection in the mirror, and set aside his image.
"Do you need me to come with you?" Lin Yilong said softly, "You still look quite weak."
"No, I’ll go alone." Gu Zhuo Case shook his head.
He opened the door and left, turning away without looking back.
.....
.....
At the same time, at Broly Bookstore.
The sky was just beginning to lighten at this hour, naturally, no customers had arrived at the bookstore yet. The sky glowed a faint blue, pedestrians on the street were sparse, and red lanterns hung by the entrance of a nearby temple.
Su Wei descended the stairs, lifted the gate at the store entrance, placed coffee beans and hot water into the coffee machine, started the machine, then dusted the bookshelves with a feather duster.
Having just settled down with a cup of hot coffee, a message popped up on his phone with a "ding dong."
Su Wei adjusted his glasses on the bridge of his nose, took a sip of coffee, lifted his gaze from the book, and looked at the message on his phone.
[Black Cocoon: I’ve sent my old man over to see you, as for what good deeds he’s been up to these past two years, well... you can ask him yourself.]
[Su Wei: Can’t you just tell me straight?]
[Black Cocoon: Of course not, otherwise I fear I’d get a good scolding from him. Ever since mom passed away, his mental state has been terrible, raging like a mad bull, schizophrenia’s probably kicked in.]
[Black Cocoon: Finally, finally, do not reveal my identity to my dad, grandpa, or else I’ll show you how I’ll die.]
[Su Wei: Why? Have you been hiding this from him all along? If you’re afraid of getting beaten, I can cover for you.]
[Black Cocoon: No, no, no, it’s not fear of getting beaten, though actually, that’s part of it.]
[Su Wei: Then what is the main reason?]
[Black Cocoon: The reason is simple, without a mask, they treat me like a kid. How can I collaborate with them that way? That makes it difficult to cooperate with them, and I pursue equal human rights, though achieving this ideal with my family status is obviously challenging.]
[Black Cocoon: Hmm, family rank.]
[Su Wei: It’s also good to let you stop at this opportunity; revenge is an adult’s business, kids shouldn’t get involved.]
[Black Cocoon: Uh oh, see, that’s exactly why I don’t expose my identity, fearing this sort of thing would happen, didn’t I nail it?]
[Su Wei: It’s concern for you, you scamp.]
[Black Cocoon: Come on, grandpa, I still need to team up with them to take down Rainbow Wings. My big brother has joined Rainbow Wings, there’s no turning back now. He can’t do without me.]
[Black Cocoon: Anyway, I have my measures, just listen to me, don’t tell my dad who I am, okay?]
[Su Wei: Can hide for a while but not forever.]
[Black Cocoon: Then after this operation ends, I’ll tell them! You testify, I won’t go back on it.]
[Su Wei: Okay then, I’ll keep it from them for now.]
After sending the message, Su Wei chuckled without good humor and closed his phone. Just then, he saw a tall figure approaching outside the bookstore.
From the corner of his eye, he saw the man was wearing a black coat, with a pair of cheap pants. His facial hair was unkempt, a mop of black hair growing past his ears, nearly reaching his shoulders, swaying messily in the morning breeze.
The man furrowed his brows slightly, hands in his pockets, with his head bowed, looking thoughtful. Occasionally, he’d lift his head, casting glances into the bookstore.
This person was a veritable Robinson Crusoe figure, unknown to many would mistake him for a wild man from somewhere or a street thug sent by the underworld to cause trouble.
Anyone with a bit of discernment would likely be hiding in the restroom by now.
But Su Wei recognized this man. He slowly collected his expression, the smile fading from his face, and without looking up, continued reading.
Seeing Gu Zhuo Case still hesitant to step across the bookstore’s threshold, it was Su Wei who eventually broke the silence, speaking first without raising his head:
"Come in."