Jason isn’t a coffee drinker.
On this point, Hui Lijing is quite clear.
Therefore, it could only mean that there were guests.
And what kind of guests would visit an office with ’Mask X Machete X Meat’?
All related to the ’Mystical Side’, entangled with the ’Inside World’ in countless ways!
So, Hui Lijing immediately sheathed her short sword, tucked it into her long boots, and then responded with a hint of excitement.
"Got it, I’ll be right there!"
A female detective who has encountered the ’Mystical Side’ and ’Inside World’ and started to delve into ’Mystical Knowledge’ was at the peak of her ’interest’ at this moment.
It was like an adolescent boy who had mastered some technique, eager to show it off to his beloved girl every day.
This isn’t bootlicking.
More precisely, it’s like a peacock spreading its feathers.
Under the stimulation of hormones, things we like, people, and objects, are all seen through a filter, making everything seem so beautiful.
And when the hormones fade away?
There are both responsibilities and habits.
They stand firm, making you feel life in a way you never have before.
At this moment, Hui Lijing is experiencing just the initial beauty, the most enchanting part.
And what comes after?
Right now, she isn’t thinking that far ahead.
After all, you can’t expect a detective who once dreamed of becoming a barista, who has been through military life and wandered the battlefield several times, to think too much, right?
Hui Lijing carried the coffee, water, along with some biscuits and dried fruits, and quickly appeared in the second-floor office.
Upon seeing Uesugi, Hui Lijing’s eyes lit up.
There are indeed guests!
What kind of mysterious case could it be?
With a heart full of guesses, the female detective handed the coffee to Uesugi and passed the water to Jason.
Uesugi thanked the female detective very politely, while stealthily sizing her up.
Are all Exorcists this tall?
Uesugi, looking at Hui Lijing standing shoulder to shoulder with Jason, couldn’t help but think.
"This is my Assistant."
Jason introduced Hui Lijing’s identity.
This was the identity they had reaffirmed after establishing their second step of cooperation.
With Jason’s ’reputation’, the original setting was no longer suitable.
Hui Lijing had no objections to this.
She’s just a rookie, a newbie.
Being Jason’s assistant was perfectly fitting.
"Nice to meet you, Miss Hui Lijing."
No need for Jason to introduce her name anymore; Uesugi had already learned the female detective’s name from the brief exchange earlier.
And when the female detective took the business card and saw the text on it, she almost subconsciously said,
"Are you the Uesugi that boss Rock mentioned?"
"If no one else has been that unlucky recently... then it’s probably me," Uesugi said with a wry smile.
Then, the middle-aged man began to narrate his issue.
The Uesugi Family’s brewery is a family business that traces back to the Warring States period, and it was even a feudal lord then.
When saying this, Uesugi was quite proud.
But, immediately after, the owner let out a sigh.
"However, as time passed, the Uesugi Family has long since declined, especially in my generation—I am a man without talent, unable to achieve anything beyond preserving the little remaining family property, completely lacking in ambition."
"Fortunately, my parents, wife, and daughter have never despised me for this."
"Rather, they have been accommodating, so I live happily."
"It’s just that about two months ago, during a renovation of the ancestral house, strange things began to happen."
"A girl’s figure keeps appearing in my dreams."
"At first, I thought it was because I wasn’t resting properly."
"But after a continuous week, I kept dreaming of this girl."
"Then, my wife and daughter also began to have the same dreams."
As he spoke, Uesugi’s face showed a touch of worry.
Without question, this middle-aged man cared deeply about his family, his wife, and his children.
"How about your parents?"
"That’s the fortunate part, my parents went on a trip outside the island; otherwise, given their age, they likely couldn’t withstand such torment."
"I should’ve insisted that my wife and daughter join them."
"But my wife was worried no one would take care of me, and my daughter had her studies."
Uesugi sighed once more.
"What does the girl look like?"
Hui Lijing continued to inquire.
As a detective, Hui Lijing clearly understood what an assistant should do.
One asks questions, the other observes; this is not a privilege reserved for Ryosuke, Urashima alone.
In the world of detectives, this is almost a common practice.
And Hui Lijing believed that Jason could perceive something.
Though Jason kept flaring his nostrils, which puzzled her.
It’s not like he’s smelling food, so why the flaring nostrils?
"That girl is not very clear to see, but she must be quite beautiful, right?"
"Seems like a princess!"
"Although I can’t see her, my intuition tells me that’s the case, and also, she probably means no harm."
Uesugi answered honestly.
Hui Lijing’s sentence was not finished, but her meaning was quite clear.
If there’s no malice, then why are you here seeking out Jason?
Uesugi immediately replied.
"She’s pleading for my help!"
This was an answer she had not anticipated.
In her understanding, in matters involving ’Mystical Side’ and ’Inside World,’ ordinary people are mostly victims.
So how has it flipped this time?
The existence of the ’Mystical Side’ and ’Inside World’ is instead pleading for help from ordinary people?
"Yes, pleading for help."
"She keeps saying ’please save me’."
"But when I pressed for answers, she disappeared."
"It always happens ."
"My wife and daughter have the same experience when they inquire."
Faced with Hui Lijing’s doubts, Uesugi nodded and said very affirmatively, then the middle-aged man stood up abruptly and threw himself to the ground in front of Jason: "Mr. Jason, please save her, and also save my family."
Hui Lijing blinked her eyes.
This time, the female detective did not speak again.
She left the decision entirely up to Jason.
It was the self-awareness of a novice, a greenhorn.
It was also a valuable lesson Hui Lijing learned from the battlefield.
Not trusting such experience?
Most are doomed to forever remain novices, greenhorns, and then... get pierced by bullets, or blown to pieces by artillery shells.
Simply put, it’s an experience bought with life.
Naturally, Hui Lijing would adhere to it.
Jason nodded his head.
Uesugi’s face lit up with joy.
"I really can’t thank you enough."
The middle-aged man repeated, then spoke bluntly: "That little girl has not harmed us, but there is some kind of strength harming her, if she comes to harm, we who are connected to her will naturally find it hard to escape disaster — so please don’t think that I am acting out of any noble heart, I am simply trying to protect myself."
"Therefore, whatever reward you require, please let me know honestly."
Uesugi said, bowing again.
Seeing Uesugi behaving , Hui Lijing’s impression of him climbed another step.
Truly a polite, honest person.
She had seen far too many deceitful characters, quibbling over even the smallest sums of money.
People like Uesugi were all too rare.
Subconsciously, Hui Lijing wanted to speak up for Uesugi.
However, the female detective wisely restrained herself.
"Take me to your ancestral home."
"I’ll talk about the reward after I have seen it."
With these words, Jason concluded the conversation.
After the three of them left the office, Jason made a special trip to ’Rock Electronics,’ and only after the Rock boss confirmed that there was nothing wrong with Uesugi in front of him did Jason get into the car.
It was still Hui Lijing who drove.
Following behind Uesugi’s car.
"Jason, you’re really too cautious."
"Worthy of my learning."
"Are you suspecting him?"
The female detective naturally understood the meaning behind Jason’s actions just now.
"Without undergoing life and death, everything is worthy of suspicion at any time."
Jason shared his philosophy.
To this, the female detective had no objections.
She also agreed with such words.
And just when the female detective wanted to say something more, she suddenly noticed that Jason’s gaze had shifted towards the back.
Subconsciously, the female detective glanced in the rear-view mirror.
Immediately, she made a discovery.