Otherworldly Merchant

Chapter 400: The Gossipers Go Down

I was awakened by my hunger. 

By the time I got up, it was already past noon. I lazily strolled to my kitchen. Except for potatoes, I had nothing else to eat, so I decided to set up the rice cooker and stir-fried some potato strips. 

I didnt know how to cook, and it was Yin Xinyue who had taught me how to make stir-fry potato strips. 

Li Mazi had the snout of a dog. He stepped in and sniffed around. What a coincidence! Im back right at mealtime. Little Brother Zhang, tell me honestly, you pitied me so much that you cooked for me. Isnt that right?

At this moment, I hated that I couldnt just slash Li Mazi to death with my knife. 

While I was stir-frying the potatoes, Li Mazi moved a small stool to sit near me. I found something about the goldfish bracelet you asked me to investigate. Recently, a female university student bought a black goldfish bracelet from a flea market. The one who sold it to her is called Old Yao, and hes a grave robber. 

His bodys not good, and hes relying on ginseng to lengthen his life. Thats why people in the business call him Old Yao! [1] Hes not bad in his business as he often gets strange and rare items. However, they arent really valuable. Thats why all the other grave robbers have western-style villas while hes still roaming around the flea markets. 

I didnt turn to look at him and kept cooking. Continue.

Li Mazi gulped his saliva. He unearthed that goldfish bracelet somewhere. But he didnt open his stall today, so I couldnt meet him. Someone else told me this information. The bracelet is made of black jade, but there are scratches on it, so its not a top-quality item. It couldnt be worth more than five hundred renminbi. However, he has a silver-tongue, so he tricked a female student into buying it

It seemed the female student in their story was Li Xiaoling. 

We could no longer deny the relationship between Li Xiaolings death and the goldfish bracelet. 

I put the food on the plate then asked, Do you know when Old Yao will open his stall again? 

Sunday, replied Li Mazi. Do you want to see Old Yao and ask him? I have to warn you that this old mans strange. If you didnt know him, you might think that hes mute. He only talks when hes selling his items.

I didnt bother to reply and took two bowls of rice. Then, I started to eat. 

Li Mazi wasnt pleased with my cooking skill. Little Brother Zhang, is this even a potato strip? You shouldnt fool me. This freaking piece of potato is even bigger than a French fry! 

I threw my chopsticks on the table. If you dont like it, get lost! 

Little Brother Zhang, I was out all morning running errands for you. You shouldnt belittle my efforts, okay? Li Mazi gulped down the rice while protesting.

I shot him a fierce glance. Li Mazi finished eating and ran to sit at my computer. 

While I was cleaning the dishes, he suddenly called, Little Brother, come take a look! 

Whats up? I asked. 

That stinky kid left you a message. Damn, he thinks hes a king now. He thinks we have to show ourselves whenever he wants to summon us. Li Mazi was fuming.

I pushed him aside to see. Shiso wrote only one line. I know why Li Xiaoling committed suicide. 

Why? I immediately asked.

Shiso was online. He was content that he had obtained such a crucial clue by himself. I heard it was because of some gossip. Before Li Xiaoling killed herself, someone had taken a photo of her getting out of a BMW car. The people in the school started to spread rumors that she was a mistress. Some said that she was working as a hostess in a bar, serving wine to earn extra money. In short, they said all kinds of nasty things about her. Our professor even summoned Li Xiaoling and talked to her. And then, that night, Li Xiaoling couldnt bear the pressure and humiliation anymore, so she hung herself

Shiso added, You are an expert in this field, and you couldnt even get such information?

Li Mazi, who was standing next to me, was enraged. This brat needs a lesson. Little Brother, if I were you, I wouldnt tolerate him.

I smiled at him. Its okay. I can tolerate him just fine.

Since Li Mazi had intervened, Shiso didnt receive my answer for a long time. He became restless. What do you think? Is my clue useful? I even searched the schools forum and found the photo in question. Its the photo of Li Xiaoling getting out of a BMW.

Shiso sent me the picture.

In the picture, Li Xiaoling wore a facemask, and her eyes looked empty. The BMW car behind her was beautiful, which didnt match her student identity. 

Hows the picture? Very explosive, right?

Hey, are you there?

Hey, grandmaster, are you there? 

Shiso was anxious and sent several texts. 

I kept silent for a while then wrote, If I were Li Xiaoling, I might also commit suicide. Rumors are scary, and they spread very quickly. Those people just wanted to talk ill about someone to amuse themselves, but they made Li Xiaoling suffer. Because of that, she didnt dare to live with her head held high

Youre right. The most horrible thing in this world is the onlookers who dont know anything but act as if they do.

Since Shiso was a little anxious, he didnt wait for my reply and logged out. I looked at our conversation on the screen and sat there in a daze. 

As Shiso had said, in this modern age, the weapon that could give people the deepest wound was gossip.

Your seemingly harmless sentence could change someones life forever. 

It could even end their life! 

I seemed to understand why the lip-sewing incidents started to happen after Li Xiaolings death. 

I pondered, Were those who had talked ill behind Li Xiaolings back the victims of this lip-sewing incident? 

I decided to go to Wuhan University the next day. 

When I passed through the university entrance, the atmosphere felt somewhat tense. 

I wondered, Did something happen here?  

Several young students holding textbooks walked past me. They were discussing something. 

Did you hear about what happened? Last night, there was a lip-sewing incident in the male dormitory.

Really? The school has installed cameras and many security guards were patrolling, right? How could something so horrible happen again?

Do you believe in what the school tells you?

Um, so who is the victim?

I dont know him. It seems hes a sophomore senior.

I know him. A fellow of mine lives next to his room. I heard that hes a nerd but also very curious. He really likes to gossip. I remember hes called Shi... Shiso?

Shiso! 

I was bewildered. 

Are they talking about the Shiso I know? 

The students walking ahead were still talking. 

Hes a man and he loves to gossip. No wonder someone sewed his lips together.

I heard that he and Li Xiaoling used to have an ambiguous relationship. I read a post from our schools forum this morning. They worked together on an assignment. They were so close that they couldnt wait to rent a hotel room.

They seemingly despised people who liked to gossip but were gossiping themselves. 

I looked at them as they walked away. 

Why were Shisos lips sewed up? I suddenly had a bad premonition. 

Was it because he had talked with me about Li Xiaolings death last night? I couldnt help but look at the female dormitory. I wanted to take a look at Li Xiaolings room.  

Since Li Xiaoling wore a red dress when she killed herself, could she have reached the Ghost King level already? I have never encountered such powerful resentful energy before!

All of a sudden, a red shadow flashed at Li Xiaolings window. 

Sure enough, it was her. 

However, that was the female dormitory, and I couldnt enter the place. Otherwise, not only would I not be able to do anything to solve this case, but I would also be taken to the police station. 

I might even be accused of the lip-sewing crime! 

While I was racking my brain, I heard a familiar voice behind me. Why have you come here again?

I turned and saw Zhuang Ning. 

1. Yao here means medicine.