Chapter 21: “This Old Man is Not Ordinary”

Faced with Tang Zhishu’s question, the old man answered in a raspy, unpleasant voice: “I don’t know about that. Back then, I wasn’t the director here. I only became the director fifteen years ago.”

Tang Zhishu frowned. “Sir, what about the previous director?”

The old man said, “The previous director passed away fifteen years ago. Since you’ve already looked at the records, if there’s nothing else, hurry and leave. That was nineteen years ago. I don’t remember much. Leave now and don’t disturb the children’s studies.”

The old man looked a bit impatient.

Tang Zhishu pressed her lips together, glanced at him, and said, “Thank you, Sir.”

The old man, still with a cold expression, seemed a bit odd. “Just go.”

As the old man was about to put away the record book in his hands, Tang Zhishu glanced at it and suddenly saw a name.

— Zero One.

It looked like a name, but also like some kind of code.

For some reason, just seeing that name sparked her curiosity.

“Sir, what’s the story of that person?”

When Tang Zhishu pointed to the name ‘Zero One,’ the old man seemed startled. He snapped the record book shut with a loud smack. For a moment, his expression turned chillingly cold. “That’s none of your business. It’s not convenient to share information about others with you.”

Seeing the old man’s strange reaction, Tang Zhishu narrowed her eyes slightly but kept her expression neutral.

The old man raised his hand and waved impatiently, “Alright, go on, go on.”

Tang Zhishu gave him one more look and turned to leave.

But as something came to mind, she stopped and asked another question.

“Oh, by the way, thank you for taking the time to tell me all this. I’d like to donate some daily necessities for the children at the orphanage. Is there anything they need?”

Hearing this, the old man’s expression suddenly became a little agitated for some reason. His old eyes coldly stared at Tang Zhishu. “They don’t need anything. The orphanage provides everything the children need. Now, leave quickly.”

With the old man’s response, Tang Zhishu knew it was best not to press further. She thanked him again, then left with Zhuilang.

Just as she reached the door, Tang Zhishu suddenly turned back and asked, “Sir, I want to know, how was Fu Yushen’s life during those four years at the orphanage?”

The old man blurted out, “How could it be? He was very quiet, always by himself…”

But before he could finish, he seemed to realize something and quickly changed his words. “You know how it is, all the kids in the orphanage are the same. Most of them were abandoned by their parents, so their personalities are like that. Your brother was probably the same.”

Tang Zhishu, as if not noticing the old man’s odd behavior, teared up slightly and said emotionally, “Sir, thank you for taking him in back then, so he didn’t have to wander the streets.”

Hearing her words, the old man’s expression softened a bit. “The orphanage is here to take in homeless and parentless children. Alright, now you should go.”

Tang Zhishu gave him a grateful look before turning and walking out.

As Tang Zhishu and Zhuilang left the orphanage, the old man shut the worn-out iron gate behind them, locking it tightly with the rusty padlock.

When the two got back into the car, the expression Tang Zhishu had earlier completely disappeared. Instead, her gaze was icy as she stared at the dilapidated orphanage in the distance.

“Let’s leave here,” her voice was cold and indifferent.

Zhuilang, sensing she had probably noticed something, didn’t ask any questions. He started the car and drove away.

About ten minutes later, Zhuilang pulled the car over by the roadside.

He turned to look at Tang Zhishu, “Zhishu, did you notice something?”

Tang Zhishu’s expression was cold and gloomy as she narrowed her eyes dangerously. “That old man is not ordinary. He’s definitely not a simple person.”

Zhuilang frowned. “His temper is a bit strange, but he didn’t seem that unusual to me.”

Tang Zhishu shot him a cold glance and said, “I’m starting to wonder how you manage to complete your missions.”

Zhuilang picked up on her tone, feeling a bit wronged. “Zhishu, are you calling me stupid?”

Ignoring his comment, Tang Zhishu’s expression turned sharp. “That old man isn’t ordinary. If he were just a regular person, why would there be calluses between his thumb and index finger? That’s clearly from handling guns for many years.”

Zhuilang’s face grew serious as he frowned and asked, “Couldn’t it be from years of hard labor?”

He knew Tang Zhishu wouldn’t make a mistake like that, but he was surprised. How could an old man from an orphanage not be a simple person?

Tang Zhishu let out a cold laugh. “What do you think?”

Zhuilang sighed, “Alright, probably not.”

Tang Zhishu gazed out of the window, continuing, “Not only that, when I mentioned Fu Yushen’s name, I noticed right away that he reacted oddly.”

She turned to look at Zhuilang. “Also, when we were leaving, I deliberately asked him about Fu Yushen’s time at the orphanage. He claimed not to remember anything from nineteen years ago, yet he answered me without even thinking. What does that tell you?”

Zhuilang was startled, looking at her in shock. “It means he’s hiding something. He not only knows Fu Yushen but also remembers those four years clearly.”

Tang Zhishu nodded. “Exactly. Not only that, but I noticed a name—Zero One. When I asked him about it, his reaction was even more intense, then when I mentioned Fu Yushen. I suspect this person might have some connection to Fu Yushen.”

“Zero One? That doesn’t sound like a name. It seems more like a code,” Zhuilang mused, frowning.

Tang Zhishu agreed. “Yes, that’s what I think too. This orphanage is definitely not as simple as it seems.”

Her eyes narrowed dangerously, a cold gleam flickering within.

“Zhishu, should we keep investigating?” Zhuilang asked.

“Of course. Keep a close watch on this orphanage. I want to know what they do every day, in full detail, but make sure they don’t notice. Be cautious,” she instructed.

“And look into who this ‘Zero One’ is and what connection he might have with Fu Yushen.”

Zhuilang nodded. “Got it. Don’t worry.”

Suddenly, something else crossed Tang Zhishu’s mind. “Oh, by the way, last night when I was looking at the guest list, I saw that Fu Yushen attended my grandfather’s banquet with a director. What does he do?”

“He’s an actor. In just over half a year, he went from a rookie to one of the most popular stars. I also found out that he recently joined a variety show.”

Tang Zhishu was curious, “What kind of variety show?”