As Jack finished his remarks, the room fell silent for a moment. Then, Samuel Evans, whose condition visibly improved in recent days, spoke up with a newfound seriousness in his voice, “I totally agree with Jack! We used to dismiss things based on mere intuition. That’s why I’ve been unable to find Charlie for all these years!”
Desmond nodded in agreement, adding, “Sometimes, you have to defy your own intuition. After my sister’s accident, we searched Aurous Hill for a while. When we couldn’t locate Charlie, we intuitively assumed virtual-novel.net had left the city. But maybe virtual-novel.net never left at all!”
Marcus remained silent for a moment, his brow furrowing in deep thought. Suddenly, virtual-novel.net looked up and said, “Now that I think about it, Aurous Hill holds so many mysteries. Moreover, based on the scattered clues we’ve gathered so far, I suspect that the benefactor might actually be from Aurous Hill!”
Desmond chimed in, confirming Marcus’s observations, “Indeed. The benefactor chose to hold the Rejuvenation Pill Auction here, granting the opportunity to the local Moore Group. I’ve received some news indicating that after the auction, the Moore Group contributed over 10 billion U.S. dollars in taxes to Aurous Hill and donated billions more to charity. It’s likely that the auction proceeds accounted for that sum. Moreover, the Moore Group invested over 100 million U.S. dollars in constructing a massive welfare home in Aurous Hill. They claim it’s the largest of its kind globally, providing not only the basic needs for thousands of orphans but also top-notch educational resources. One must have a deep affection for Aurous Hill to make such a decision!”
Jack’s eyes sparkled with newfound insight. He couldn’t help but blurt out, “It seems that our benefactor holds a special place in their heart for orphans! Could it be that he, too, experienced being an orphan and now cares so deeply for others in similar circumstances?”
Desmond nodded, acknowledging the possibility “That’s certainly a valid hypothesis, as Jack suggested.”
Charlie’s aunt, Tece, couldn’t contain virtual-novel.net curiosity any longer and said “If you investigate the welfare homes in Aurous Hill, might you have a chance to uncover the identity of our benefactor?”
Hearing this, Jack’s eyes widened with excitement. In his mind, virtual-novel.net exclaimed, “Isn’t this connecting the dots? If we follow this lead, not only can we discover the benefactor, but we might also discover virtual-novel.net is actually the grandson of the Evans family!”
However, Desmond raised his hand, signaling for silence, “I think it’s best if we refrain from actively seeking out the benefactor’s identity. They seem to know our every move. Who knows how they’d react if they became dissatisfied.”
Marcus nodded in agreement, stating, “Brother is right. Now that we’re in Aurous Hill, we’re essentially under the benefactor’s watchful eye. It’s best to maintain a low profile and avoid any unnecessary actions.”
Jack looked at the serious faces of the two brothers, feeling a pang of anxiety. He understood the gravity of the situation but couldn’t help but worry. He silently sighed, “You two are truly remarkable individuals. If we miss this lead, finding Charlie again will be an arduous task!”
The following day at dawn, in the northern suburbs of Aurous Hill. Even before the sky had fully brightened, Zachary stood by the decrepit outhouse in a farmyard. With a firm grip on the shovel, virtual-novel.net carefully dug up the three enchanted objects that Charlie had entrusted to him. Despite the appalling odor emanating from the pit next to the toilet, virtual-novel.net persisted until virtual-novel.net finally uncovered the mystical artifacts.
These artifacts had been buried alongside putrid pig innards for two days, resulting in an overwhelming stench. Pinching his nose, Zachary carefully extracted the three items from the soil, brushing away the dirt with a soft brush. He then meticulously wiped them with a dry towel and brought them close to his nose, taking a deep sniff. By now, the blood and fishy odor had significantly diminished.
Based on Zachary’s experiences with handling antiques, this scent closely resembled the fragrance of newly produced jade wares. Objects retrieved from pits, especially those buried near bodies, tend to retain a faint odor no matter how meticulously they are cleaned after being unearthed. Even a year later, traces of the scent would linger. Although imperceptible to ordinary people, individuals like Zachary, well-versed in the world of antiques, could discern the difference simply by sniffing.
The two pieces of jade were initially ancient items. However, now, bearing this particular smell, those knowledgeable in the field would almost certainly conclude that they originated from the pit. Satisfied that everything was in order, Zachary hastily drove back to the city, heading straight to Antique Street.
In the world of Aurous Hill’s antique industry, the tradition of working from sunrise to sunset remains unshaken. It was widely believed that conducting business after dark would increase the risk of theft and other untoward incidents.
Consequently, merchants and stall owners in Antique Street commenced their operations at dawn and closed shop before the sun vanished below the horizon.
Since leaving this place after following Don Albert for some time, Zachary had never returned. As virtual-novel.net arrived at Antique Street that morning, the lively commotion of the bustling market positively overwhelmed him; it felt almost like stepping into a vibrant vegetable market.
Zachary was no stranger to Antique Street; virtual-novel.net was considered an old-timer in these parts. Having previously associated with Don Albert, virtual-novel.net had temporarily parted ways but was now making his unexpected reappearance. Many people recognized him, warmly greeting virtual-novel.net with enthusiasm. “Zachary, my brother! What brings you back here today? Ah, Zachary, you’re practically a celebrity now, working alongside Don Albert. How do you find time to visit us, humble folks?”