茶杯狐 -CUPFOX

Xiang Kun got out of the car and idly roamed around nearby.

Old Xia killed the engine and leaned against the car to wait for him.

She was aware that because their sensory and cognitive abilities are different, his way of observing would not be the same as an ordinary person’s, or hers, so there was no point in following him around.

Nonetheless, she was also looking for possible angles by juxtaposing her memories of the “Vampire Patient” dream with the real street scene from her point of view.

For Xiang Kun, if that “mutated parasite” was still around, it would be easy for him to spot it, whether it was hiding somewhere or dwelling inside a human or another animal.

However, the chances of the “mutated parasite” still lurking nearby were almost zero, considering that nearly a year had passed.

Coming here, Xiang Kun hoped for a bit of luck and also to examine the spot, hoping for any trace evidence that might lead him further.

It was already past midnight, but the place was bustling with people. There were two large stand-up eateries nearby, as well as some noodle shops and barbecue stalls that were still open. Occasionally, tipsy group of people passed by, arms slung over each other after a hearty meal.

For a “Vampire Patient” to abduct someone in such a bustling place, he certainly lacked a burglar’s touch.

Standing roughly where the van had been stopped by the police in the “Vampire Patient’s” dream and a few people had been arrested, Xiang Kun noticed a flower shop across the street. The store was well lit with flowers filling both the inside and outside. There were quite a few shop assistants busy entering and exiting.

It made sense for the eateries and barbecue stalls to stay open past midnight, but why would a flower shop be open so late?

Xiang Kang immediately understood when he realized that it was past midnight and today was February 14, Valentine’s Day in the West. It was the day flower shops made the most money each year.

At this time of year, it was normal for flower shops to stay open all night, preparing bouquets and making various arrangements.

Observing the location of the flower shop, Xiang Kun gave it some thought, then beckoned Old Xia who was leaning against the Camry in the distance, her hand propping her chin deep in thought.

A moment later, Xiang Kun entered the flower shop with Old Xia.

“Handsome guy, buying flowers for your girlfriend?” The middle-aged, apparently the owner of the shop, greeted from behind the counter, “These on the right are already reserved, those on the left are in stock, and we have more fresh flowers coming tomorrow morning. You can scan the QR code on the wall to follow our official account, and order directly from there, we’ll deliver at your specified time,,,,

As she was speaking, she spotted the tall, braided beauty following Xiang Kun, who had just been obscured by his broad figure. She paused and complimented, “So, you brought your girlfriend along to buy flowers? Arriving just in time I see, how thoughtful of you!”

Xiang Kun gave a sheepish smile and scratched his head, “My girlfriend likes to choose things herself.”

Although Xiang Kun hadn’t discussed this with her beforehand, Xia Libing understood Xiang Kun’s intention of visiting the flower shop and knew what he meant. So, she eagerly discussed with a shop assistant about the flowers, expressing that she also wanted to buy flowers for both sets of parents and wanted to see other products like “eternal flowers”, giving Xiang Kun ample opportunity to chat.

“You guys are really dedicated, working so late. Looks like you’ll be up all night, huh?” With most of the space inside the shop occupied by flower boxes and bouquets, Xiang Kun stood by the cash register and casually chatted with the shop owner, as Xia Libing and a shop assistant discussed the flowers.

“It’s Valentine’s Day, we have to be a bit more busy. This day is our busiest of the year. Look, I even called over my two nieces who are still in middle school to help,” the shop-owner pointed out towards two little girls sitting by the door, and responded with a smile.

Xiang Kun had quickly gauged, as soon as he entered the shop, that the owner was someone he could converse with. At that moment, the rest of the shop staff were busy managing the shop’s things, providing him ample space for chit-chat.

“It’s quite lively around here at night. When do you usually close up?”

“Usually around nine. Sometimes, we might close at eight, depending on whether there’s any work to do. For instance, if we’re preparing for weddings, grand openings, or anything like that, we might need to work overnight.”

“If you open late, there will be plenty of drunks passing by here. Has anyone ever caused trouble or made a fuss?”

“Actually, that’s quite rare. Instead, many people who have had a few drinks end up coming here to buy flowers to confess their love to a girl, bringing us quite a lot of extra sales.” The owner smiled.

Xiang Kun agreed, nodding: “That’s true, our Citong has been very safe in recent years.”

His conversation with the florist was primarily to inquire about any odd or unusual happenings, or any residents or business owners with unusual behavior in the nearby area.

If that “mutated parasite” was to leave this place, it would probably need a host or an intermediate host. It might infest the locals first.

Of course, chances of obtaining useful information through inquiries were quite slim; this was only a spur-of-the-moment idea to make an attempt.

Just as he was about to divert the conversation and investigate in other ways, a young girl assembling a flower box not far from the counter chimed up, “Ning sister, don’t you remember, someone was abducted in broad daylight on our street last year!”

The florist seemed to recall something, nodding repeatedly, “Oh, right, right, right. That event last year — it’s quite a funny story. Well, not really, it’s a serious matter; we shouldn’t laugh… But it is quite funny.”

“Oh? What happened? A daylight kidnapping?” Xiang Kun asked curiously, his face filled with surprise.

“Yes, just across the street, outside the Agricultural Bank, some guys tried to kidnap a man with a van. The funny part was, three or four people couldn’t get him into the van after trying so hard for perhaps five or six minutes. That man’s cries were so pitiful; everyone on the street heard. Oh, right, I even recorded it. I’m the one who called the police,” said the girl, obviously bored from working so late and finding this diversion interesting.

Xiang Kun happily indulged the girl’s desire to talk, looking amazed as he asked, “Can people still be so audacious? Aren’t they cracking down on crime and eliminating evil currently?”

“It wasn’t any criminal organization; later we heard they were just a bunch of lunatics,” the florist laughed and said to the earlier speaker, “Xiao Ma, why don’t you show the video you took to this handsome guy?”

The girl was naturally happy for this opportunity to openly slack off. She quickly fetched her phone, located the video she had taken, and played it for Xiang Kun to see.

“That day was around this same time. Because the next day was ‘Goddess’ Day’ and we had many orders to prepare overnight, we kept the shop open. Had it been any other day, we probably wouldn’t have witnessed the event.” The girl explained excitedly.

Xiang Kun understood that the girl was referring to Women’s Day as “Goddess Day”. Considering the dates, this event coincided with when Alice found the “vampire patient” being captured. So, this must be the same case.

From the angle of the video, it was clear that it was shot from the front of the florist shop, and it showed the scene in front of the Agricultural Bank diagonally opposite the shop.

A van was seen parked on the side of the road with three young men pulling a man, who looked as if he had had quite a lot to drink, towards the van.

One could vaguely make out a person in the passenger seat of the van, a woman, from her silhouette. This was likely the “vampire patient”.

The three young men looked clearly inexperienced at this, appearing somewhat guilty and flustered, coupled with the drunkard’s intense struggle, they were unable to subdue him.

The drunkard was crying for help loudly in dialect, “Kidnapping! Murder! Help! Call the police!!!!!”

Judging from the volume of the cries, it indeed had the potential to alarm the entire street. Not just in the florist shop, the surrounding residents were likely stirred up as well.

The drunkard was tossed around for several minutes before he was forced into the van. Before the van had even gone far and just arrived opposite the florist’s shop, it was stopped by a police car.

Upon reflection, the girl had already called the police by the time she showed Xiang Kun the video. Obviously, with such a commotion, she definitely wasn’t the only one to call the police. It was not surprising at all that the “vampire patient” and her group were captured for their botched kidnapping attempt on the street.

However, from a certain perspective, perhaps the “vampire patient’s” incompetent “kidnapping” act might have saved her life.