Wanderer of the Zerg

Chapter 48: Go to the police station

In summer, the days are long, and the town’s residents start their activities as the sun nears setting.

Though the sky is still bright and the daytime heat hasn’t dissipated, the air is filled with restlessness, and every breath is warm.

After stepping out three times, Xi Tian finally mustered the courage to leave the house completely.

Ellis followed closely behind. Though he wasn’t usually afraid of the heat, the air-conditioned room had made him quite delicate this summer. Ellis clung tightly to Xi Tian, who didn’t want him to be so close.

Xi Tian’s body temperature remained lower than average, making him like a portable air conditioner, especially appreciated in such scorching weather (though he didn’t really want this temperature-based admiration).

Xi Tian was quite annoyed by Ellis’s proximity, shaking him off twice. Despite this, Ellis persisted, and Xi Tian reluctantly allowed it.

In summer, the town’s people are lethargic. The traffic drivers who were everywhere in spring have long since finished work and gone home to cool off.

The gathering this time was at the east side of town. Xi Tian’s home is located in the town’s center, so walking there would take quite a bit of time.

As the sun neared the horizon, Xi Tian carefully moved forward, staying close to the shadows.

The east side of town is home to the wealthy. The area is spacious and sparsely populated, with large, well-manicured gardens and elegant buildings.

Town gatherings are frequent, and over time, people have skipped elaborate decorations, opting instead for simple banners or even just hard paper cards with the event theme.

However, at this residence—an expansive, beautifully decorated mansion—the yard was adorned with colorful streamers, decorative lights, and even a hot air balloon. Banners were flying high above.

Servants stood at the entrance, welcoming guests. With the small population of the town, familiar faces were everywhere. Even notable figures such as the balding town mayor and newly assigned state police, along with many parents and children, were present.

Inside, the decorations were vibrant and elaborate—golden balloons, multicolored streamers, and people coming and going with cone-shaped birthday hats on their heads.

Attendants in neat uniforms carried trays of refreshing beverages and moved through the crowd. There was also a long table on the side with a buffet of self-serve food. Xi Tian had seen such setups before, but their appearance in this small town was a significant contrast. It was clear that this gathering was likely not just for celebrating children, but was probably intended for something more.

Ellis handed the basket of cookies and pastries to the hostess of the house. They smiled and expressed their thanks, then gave them both cone-shaped party hats.

Xi Tian could never be the one to present these personally, as it would make Ellis seem impolite, requiring the male to do it himself. Xi Tian regretted not being able to take credit for these treats, which had to be attributed to Ellis instead. After all, Xi Tian working in the kitchen was big news in this conservative small town.

In the distance, Rutherford was holding his nephew, Louis.

He tried to amuse the little boy, but Louis clearly wasn’t interested. Rutherford’s two brothers-in-law always let him handle the child at gatherings, and Louis was evidently no longer pleased with Rutherford’s efforts to entertain him. Though he was frustrated, he held back from showing it, his little face puffed up in displeasure.

From afar, Louis spotted Xi Tian and called out loudly to them. Only then did Rutherford notice his tenant and waved them over.

Seeing Xi Tian, Louis struggled to free himself from Rutherford’s arms and jumped down, startling Rutherford. Ignoring the commotion, Louis ran straight towards Xi Tian. He had enjoyed the treats Xi Tian made and was quite fond of this uncle.

Xi Tian, surprised to see Louis nimbly weaving through the crowd and running towards him, quickly crouched down with open arms to greet the little one.

“Uncle Xi Tian!” Louis shouted.

Xi Tian had tried to correct this form of address before, but Louis stubbornly continued to call him “uncle,” even though Xi Tian insisted he was still just an older brother.

Xi Tian was no longer able to easily hold a child of this age. He let Louis take his hand and led him over to where his parents were sitting.

Louis pulled on him, asking him to continue the story he hadn’t finished last time.

The child’s soft, persistent pleas caused quite a commotion at the table, and Ellis gave Xi Tian a wry smile. Last time, to keep Louis from bothering him while he was making pastries, he had made up a story on the spot, and to his surprise, the child couldn’t stop thinking about it.

Korawa had relayed through Ellis that Louis even mentioned the story in his sleep.

Instead of enjoying the lively party and catching up with old friends, Xi Tian found himself stuck here telling stories to a child, which made him sigh at his misfortune.

Seeing Xi Tian with his nephew, Rutherford happily took a glass of champagne from the server and headed off to chat with old friends.

Just then, Bill showed up and invited him to the club.

Noticing Xi Tian being occupied by the child, Bill couldn’t help but laugh: “I can tell you’re going to be a great father in the future. The little one really likes you.”

Xi Tian smiled helplessly, his patience and tenderness always heightened when dealing with children.

He gave Ellis a few instructions and let him go to find his friends.

Rutherford was deep in conversation with old friends when he saw his favorite security guard enter through the door. He nervously adjusted his appearance and was about to approach but hesitated.

Turning back, he walked over to Louis and said, “Stay here and wait for your father. I need to go home and get something.” Then he added to Xi Tian, “Could you watch him for me?”

Xi Tian nodded in agreement.

Before long, music started playing, and Louis dragged Xi Tian to the dance floor, wanting him to dance.

Unable to refuse the child’s request, Xi Tian took him for a spin on the dance floor and then went to the buffet to get some sweets. Looking around the dance floor, he saw mostly young people, while outside the dance area, the host was conversing with the town mayor and police chief.

Xi Tian recalled the state newspaper from five days ago, mentioning that the new governor was pushing for the development of tourism cities. The town mayor had always been an advocate for tourism. He also noticed the presence of well-dressed inspectors around lately.

It seemed that Boulder would see an increase in tourists this year.

Xi Tian saw Louis dancing with his classmates on the dance floor.

Wanting to chat with Ellis, Xi Tian, respecting his promise to Rutherford, waited on the side for a while. Growing impatient, he spoke to Louis, entrusting him to his classmates’ parents.

Ellis had been getting along well with people at the club, discussing various matters. Someone asked Ellis for his opinion when Bill said, “Ellis, your master is here. He’s probably looking for you~”

Ellis apologized and went over to greet Xi Tian.

Today’s party was grand and colorful, with lively music, but it left Xi Tian feeling a bit overwhelmed. He pulled Ellis aside to find a quiet spot to relax.

At times like this, Xi Tian didn’t say much, but he needed someone quietly by his side.

“Let’s head back early. The party is too lively, and I’m feeling a bit tired.”

“Do you want to go back now?”

“Wait a bit. Rutherford asked me to look after Louis. When he comes back, we’ll head home.”

“Okay.”

However, they waited until the party was nearly over, and when Korawa came to pick up Louis, Rutherford was still nowhere to be seen.

They were halfway home when they received a frantic call from Korawa.

On the phone, Korawa incoherently urged them to hurry home because something had happened to Rutherford.

Hearing this, they exchanged worried glances.

When they got back home, the house was surrounded by a crowd. They pushed their way inside and saw yellow police tape cordoning off the area, with an ambulance and a police car parked nearby.

Inside, there were three or four uniformed police officers and two doctors in white coats. A stretcher was being carried out of the ambulance, and the doctors went into the house, only to come out again with the stretcher covered by a white sheet.

The police lights flashed red and blue, casting eerie reflections on the faces of those nearby.

In the yard, a small dog with its tail between its legs was curled up in its doghouse, whimpering softly.

Korawa was crying silently in the yard, struggling to lift the sheet from the stretcher, but was stopped by a nearby officer.

Xi Tian stepped past the police tape and asked the officers what had happened.

A young male police officer explained that they had received a report of a body. After identification by the locals, it turned out to be Rutherford, their neighbour.

The police chief approached and asked them to come to the station to give a statement.

(T/N: This novel just keeps on introducing new sub-plots i could never think of.)