Chapter Forty-Five: The Real Estate Agent

"Are you saying Liu Juan has seen your brother?"
"Well... actually, I'm not too sure, but it feels like my brother's presence is here." Ah Hao looked troubled, and both Lao Liao and I fell silent. Searching for a lost soul without any clues—where were we supposed to start?

"What... are you looking for?" Liu Juan had quietly stepped out from her room at some point, and seeing Ah Hao’s fierce expression, she timidly asked.

I quickly picked up Ah Hao’s phone, found the photo, and handed it to Liu Juan. "Have you seen this person?"

Liu Juan frowned and studied the photo carefully, glancing at it several times before handing the phone back. "No, never seen him."

Ah Hao sighed heavily, pacing back and forth twice, then bowed slightly to us. "Thank you both for your help. I'll try somewhere else and contact you again."

He pulled on his long black coat, donned a straw hat, tucked a silver bell at his waist, and concealed himself beneath his cloak. That chilling, putrid stench seemed to surge up again as he stepped out of the villa.

I shrugged at Lao Liao, admitting my helplessness.

Just as we were about to leave, Lao Liao suddenly remembered something. "Miss Liu, where did you buy this house?"

Liu Juan was startled by the sudden question but answered truthfully. "Ah, from Anle Real Estate. This house has changed hands many times, the price was very cheap."

Cheap, of course it was cheap. So many people died here, so many ghostly incidents—how could it not be cheap?

Haunted houses, murder houses have always been taboo in real estate. Not only do they not sell, but they can ruin a brand. Anle Real Estate has been rooted in South Guangdong for more than ten years, with many branches. Its influence is unquestionable. What puzzled me was why such an established real estate group would get involved with a haunted house.

"By the way, Sun Xing is one of Anle Real Estate’s agents, isn’t he?" Lao Liao mused, stroking his chin.

Anle Real Estate—the name alone is ironic if they're dealing in haunted houses.

Evening, Anle Real Estate, XX Plaza branch.

Lao Liao and I stepped into the branch and were astonished by the busy scene. South Guangdong, as a second-tier city, naturally had a high demand for property, but the business here was surprisingly booming.

Every employee was making calls in their cubicles, the VIP room was nearly full, and Lao Liao and I stood at the entrance, feeling out of place as no one came to greet us.

After a while, a manager approached. "Hello, do you have any needs for buying, renting, or selling property?"

I had to admit, the female manager’s polished manner, her hair neatly tied up, her striking figure, and slender high heels... Lao Liao seemed entranced.

I nudged him quickly. Had he forgotten why we were here?

"Heh, we were sent by a friend. Her name is Liu Juan, she purchased a villa at No. 44 Lijing Garden from you. May I know which agent handled the sale?"

The manager’s face changed at the mention of No. 44 Lijing Garden and ushered us to a sofa in the lounge before leaving.

"What’s going on?"

"How would I know? Looks like No. 44 Lijing Garden is a forbidden topic." Lao Liao glanced around at the bustling staff and felt uneasy sitting on the sofa.

After about half an hour, no one came to see us, and I grew restless.

Just as I was about to get up and find the manager, a young girl entered.

She was dressed like a student, with none of the professional flair of the others. Carrying two cups of coffee, she placed them nervously on the table.

"Little sister, let me ask you something. Do you know someone named Sun Xing?" Finally spotting a staff member, I hurried to inquire.

She seemed startled by my approach, quickly stepping back and fiddling with her fingers.

"Not really, just heard the name. He was a senior here, but was fired a few months ago."

Fired? Ah Hao said his brother was diligent, a key contributor at the branch, his half-year performance matched others’ two years—how could he be fired out of the blue?

Lao Liao shot me a glance, and I sensibly sat down, sipping the coffee.

"Do you know anything about No. 44 Lijing Garden?" Lao Liao fixed his gaze on the girl’s face, as if trying to discern something.

"Well..." she wrung her hands, clearly nervous.

As expected, there was something seriously wrong with Anle Real Estate.

"Actually... that house is a bit abnormal. But the manager usually forbids us from talking about it—it would affect business."

"We all know about the odd things in that house, but we want to find Sun Xing. Could you help us ask around?" Lao Liao pressed on, and judging by her reaction, there was hope.

"I could ask my mentor," she said, and hurried out.

"Hey, Lao Liao, don’t scare her off with your forceful manner. She’s just a young girl, you shouldn’t be so aggressive." I was annoyed by his interrogative tone.

Lao Liao ignored me, waved his hand, and continued sipping his coffee.

Before long, a woman walked in.

She was dressed in a professional pencil skirt like the others, her hair styled in a neat bob, her makeup bold yet not unpleasant, and her ears and neck adorned with sparkling diamond jewelry.

Resplendent—that word sprang to mind as she entered.

"Hello, gentlemen. I am the chief client manager of this branch. My name is Xia Liang." Her brief introduction, the extended hand—her poise was truly impressive.

I shook her hand lightly, noticing Lao Liao’s slight frown as he did the same.

"Hello, Manager Xia. Did you handle the sale of No. 44 Lijing Garden?"

Xia Liang raised a cup of tea and sipped it calmly. Perhaps she realized we weren’t here to buy property, or maybe her apprentice had secretly informed her of our inquiries, but her attitude wasn’t as warm as the others.

"Yes, that house was very cheap—the owner got a real bargain."

"Then you must know the issues with the property?"

As soon as I spoke, Xia Liang’s movements noticeably paused, her grip on the cup tightening.

"No, there’s nothing wrong with that house. I don’t know what you’re referring to." Her reply was smooth, flawless.

With that, Xia Liang got up and opened the door. I understood—she was asking us to leave.

I sighed, glanced at her timid apprentice, and prepared to leave.

Suddenly, Lao Liao grabbed me, pulled a business card for a tattoo shop from my pocket, and handed it to Xia Liang.

"Recently, are you finding your sleep longer, often late for work? Sometimes you’re clear-headed but can’t fully wake up? I know you’re aware of some details about No. 44. If you want to resolve your issues, come find us at this address."

Leaving Xia Liang and her apprentice stunned, Lao Liao dragged me quickly out of Anle Real Estate.