"You've come to the right person."
Brother Chen sat down and enthusiastically told them about the basement.
"It seems like a lot of people are working around here lately. A few foreigners moved in some time ago. They didn't look like they were short on money, but they insisted on renting the storage room next to mine. Maybe they're in a similar situation to you."
He got straight to the point, and the bar owner chimed in, "Oh, really? Then it's a perfect match, isn't it?"
"Brother, you should just live there with your wife. Don't worry about superficial things. There are others in similar situations to you! I'm sure the environment won't be too bad." The bar owner casually said to Qin Ningyi.
He was subtly probing Brother Chen for more information about the basement.
Brother Chen laughed heartily when he heard this, "We've been friends for so many years. To be honest with you, the environment there is really not good."
"It's a bit damp, the air isn't very fresh, and most importantly, the signal is bad!" Brother Chen complained with a pained expression when he mentioned the signal. "Every time I have to call home, I have to go outside. It's the most inconvenient."
"Those foreigners who moved in next door go in and out several times a day. One of them even seems to be sick, running in and out and making phone calls and going online while grumbling every day." Brother Chen shook his head when he said this.
"Ah, life isn't easy." Huo Rou's smile was infectious, and her simple words struck a chord with Brother Chen.
Brother Chen nodded in agreement, "Yes, life isn't easy for anyone. If you two are going to move in, I'll help you ask if there are any better vacant rooms for rent. Seeing as your previous conditions seemed good, it's best to suffer less if possible."
"Brother Chen, thank you so much." Huo Rou raised her teacup to thank him, her demeanor like that of someone accustomed to social interactions.
Qin Ningyi couldn't help but look at her again. Her smile was very warm and made her likable, but only he could see a different emotion in her eyes.
"By the way, Brother Chen, can you tell me about those foreigners? To be honest, I'm quite worried. Wasn't there a scandal involving an American in China not too long ago? I'm a bit scared."
After gaining Brother Chen's favor, Huo Rou steered the conversation towards the foreigners.
Brother Chen didn't suspect anything, especially since the recent scandal involving the American had caused quite a stir, damaging the reputation of foreigners in China. Many companies were even hesitant to hire Americans.
"You don't need to worry about that. We who live in that basement don't interfere with each other's business. If I didn't think you were a good person, I wouldn't have told you about them." Brother Chen took a sip of tea, and after he put down his cup, Huo Rou naturally refilled it for him.
This action made Brother Chen feel even more respected. He met Huo Rou's furrowed brow and worried gaze, then shook his head and smiled.
"Never mind, it's not a big deal to tell you. But if you really move in, don't ask anything, alright? I'm afraid it might upset others."
Huo Rou nodded obediently, "I understand. I definitely won't make things difficult for you."
Brother Chen told Huo Rou and the others what he had recently observed.
Giles and his companions were renting the storage room furthest inside the basement, which was the dampest and unsuitable for living. Even storing goods there would require items that were resistant to moisture.
From Brother Chen's account, they also learned about Giles and his companions' daily routines.
There were three of them, all men. These were likely the three voices Huo Rou had overheard through An'an's watch last night.
The three of them basically stayed in the storage room all day and rarely went out.
They ate two meals a day. For the afternoon meal, two of them would go out to buy food. One of them was a drunkard, and he usually accompanied the other out to buy food and have a drink.
Brother Chen had encountered him a few times, drinking by the basement entrance and talking on the phone.
He had thought of him as a new neighbor and had greeted him. To his surprise, the man had been so aloof that he refused to acknowledge him, which was why Brother Chen remembered him so vividly.
"Oh, Brother Chen, you said one of them seemed to be sick? Is it because of the dampness?" Huo Rou asked, and Brother Chen looked at her with some confusion.
Huo Rou quickly added, "I was wondering if we should buy a dehumidifier. We can't afford to get sick right now."
She spoke sincerely, with a hint of embarrassment in her tone.
"You don't need to worry about that." Brother Chen dispelled her concern. "Adults are fine. It's just a little damp, and you won't be living in there all day."
At this point, Brother Chen lowered his voice, "However, it does seem like the three men brought a child with them. Yesterday afternoon, when I forgot something at home and came back to get it, I found a bag of children's snacks outside the door."
"Last night, they rushed out to buy medicine. I heard the commotion and came out to see, but they glared at me."
After meeting with Brother Chen, Huo Rou became anxious.
Ruan Ruan had been given a large dose of sedatives, and it was possible An'an had been treated similarly.
Furthermore, being in a damp and dark basement made it easy for problems to arise.
She couldn't wait any longer.
"Liu Wu, disguise me. I need to go in and find An'an." This was the first thing Huo Rou said when she returned and saw Tang Liu.
Tang Liu saw the uncharacteristic anxiety on her face and didn't object. She took out her bag and began to prepare.
Qiao Yushan called Huo Rou and briefly explained his meeting with Ling Xiao and Ruan Su.
He then shared Ruan Ruan's peculiar characteristics with Huo Rou.
"This little girl's constitution is truly strange. They gave her a large dose of sedatives, an amount that could be life-threatening for a child, yet she was able to resist the drug's effects on her own and essentially heal herself."
Hearing this, Huo Rou became even more certain of her suspicions. After hanging up, she urged Tang Liu again.
But just as Tang Liu was about to smear something on Huo Rou's face, Qin Ningyi stepped forward and stopped her.
"A Rou, wait a moment. I spoke with Director Wang and the others, and they are on their way back. I don't know if the three of them are armed. It would be very dangerous for you to go in rashly like this."
Men are rational.
Huo Rou looked at him deeply. She used to admire such rationality and had even scolded subordinates for acting impulsively.
However, after having An'an, she understood that feeling of acting on impulse; sometimes, rationality was impossible.
Her rational mind told her Qin Ningyi was right, but she couldn't wait any longer. An'an didn't have Ruan Ruan's miraculous constitution. If he had indeed been given a large dose of sedatives, he could die.
Her mind raced, "Qin Ningyi, two of them go out in the afternoon. If only one person is left inside, it might be possible to bring An'an out. It's almost time for dinner, we're running out of time."