CapĂtulo 1455: Chapter 1455: A Probing Gaze
This favorable condition makes this place different from other villages.
Some families have built three-story buildings, while others have constructed small villas. Although some still live in thatched cottages, judging by the ownersâ demeanor, it seems their construction days are near.
Qin Yize stopped the car here because he needed to find someone.
He asked Gu Qiaoqiao to wait in the car while he went alone to a household at the village entrance.
Gu Qiaoqiao sat in the car, watched Qin Yizeâs silhouette disappear behind a familyâs house, and then retracted her gaze.
At this moment, the image before her still contained that person named Zhao Yuan, who remained rooted to the spot.
Gu Qiaoqiao slowly leaned against the back seat, contemplating what her next move should be.
After catching the person, theyâd definitely find out who instructed him to act this way. With the interrogation expert Qin Yize by her side, no mouth stays shut. However, a significant struggle might still await her afterward.
But once she gets the evidence, sheâll leave the rest to the police, not every matter requires her personal involvement.
However, unlike before, she couldnât bring Public Security to draw any Tracking Talisman and catch Zhao Yuan, so sheâd handle this part herself and leave the rest.
At this moment, smoke was rising in the village as some families prepared breakfast. Vehicles were on the increase, lining the road mostly with eateries and temporary resting places.
After all, another three hours will take you to the city center, so few choose to rest here, but many opt for a meal.
Those traveling overnight arrive hungry in the morning, and the next three hours take them to noon; hence, some drivers park by the roadside and enter eateries for food.
Qin Yize said heâd be back soon, and Gu Qiaoqiao decided to get out and stretch her legs, taking in some fresh air, as the villageâs air was genuinely nice.
Yet, as she stood by the village entrance near a large banyan tree, she furrowed her brows slightly, glancing around as if she felt eyes watching her.
Gu Qiaoqiao didnât have this feeling while she sat in the car. She thought about it but didnât mind; people were bound to look at her as a girl getting out of the car.
She stretched her arms and walked a few steps forward, but the feeling grew stronger.
Gu Qiaoqiao paused, didnât advance, but stood still, releasing her senses as she scanned the surroundings which included drivers, cargo handlers, and villagers.
People were indeed watching her, but those gazes were different from that particular pair of eyes.
Who could be watching her like that?
She felt puzzled, with her ability, sheâd quickly lock onto such a gaze, yet she found nothing, leaving her slightly disappointed after scanning the area.
Nevertheless, she merely paused briefly and then continued walking forward.
She strolled leisurely past the restaurants.
Inside, some diners ate while watching outside, but none matched that particular gaze.
That gaze was akin to a hunter locked onto its preyâprobing, careful, yet determinedâa complex intent.
Gu Qiaoqiao examined all the eateries facing the street and then focused on the woods not far from the road, a bamboo grove beside an orange orchard, with some oranges seemingly hanging on the green trees.
Those oranges at the top of the trees were likely too high to warrant picking, left untouched without falling.
Her gaze swept over the orange trees and landed on the bamboo grove.
If her feelings were correct, there should be someone in the grove.
Just as she intended to walk towards the bamboo grove, she halted her steps, smiling wryly; why should she let herself be led by the nose? She thought, whoever wants to watch can just watch. If she went in, sheâd walk into a trap. Besides, Qin Yize would be anxious if he couldnât find her after returning from the village.
She chuckled, relaxed her frown, then turned and walked leisurely back towards the jeep.
As she turned, those prying eyes vanished.
Perhaps it was just her imagination, she thought to herself.
By now, Qin Yize was striding out from the village alone, unclear what heâd done, asking as he approached Gu Qiaoqiao who had exited the vehicle, âQiaoqiao, are you hungry?â
âNo, I just had breakfast.â
Qin Yize glanced at the eateries, frowning slightly. It wasnât that he thought villagers running restaurants was bad, but the hygiene around the houses were poor, with piles of filth everywhere. Blood-stained chicken and duck feathers were scattered in front of some restaurants, in the woods, the environment wasnât pleasant.
So Qin Yize opened the car door and got in, with Gu Qiaoqiao following. Theyâd had a simple breakfast earlier, the next meal would be in Sky Sea City.
Once seated, she looked at Qin Yize beside her, inquiring crisply, âWhom did you visit earlier?â
âI have a comrade whose family used to live here. Havenât contacted him much since he retired.â
She peered at the road ahead, âYour comrade isnât here, right?â
Qin Yize shook his head regretfully, âNo, his family has already moved away.â
No wonder Qin Yize came out alone; if his comradeâs family were here, courtesy or otherwise, someone would accompany him.
She asked casually, âWas something urgent you needed from him?â
âNothing really, I happened to pass by⊠didnât hold much hope. We havenât contacted each other for two years.â
With that, Qin Yize started the car, heading towards Sky Sea City slowly.
The journey to Sky Sea City, including traversing several villages and towns, takes over three hours. Despite the busy road and economic potential, the dense forests, largely state or collectively owned, remain untouched, preventing any development, preserving their condition.