Mystery: Gray Walker

Chapter 14: Leave the window open tonight?

Green raised his hand and gently brushed away Ms. Martha's fingers as they slid toward his chest.

"Such generous terms..." Green met her gaze, his voice low, "Is it simply impossible for me to refuse?"

Ms. Martha let out a pleasant chuckle, the laughter carrying an unspoken meaning.

She didn't answer, but her eyes said it all. From the moment Lillian led him into the lush garden, the outcome was already sealed.

Green understood what she meant.

"I choose the secret medicine formula," he said calmly. "Money is a good thing, but I value my life more."

"A wise choice." Ms. Martha's eyes showed even greater approval; she had long anticipated this outcome.

She gracefully reached out and gently grasped at the air, and a small, pale yellow sheepskin scroll with slightly curled edges appeared out of thin air in her palm.

"I admire you more and more; you're intelligent, prudent, and know how to make choices."

She handed the reel to Green.

"Now, it's yours. Lillian will inform you of the Archaeological Society's information and mission details separately. In the meantime, if you have any questions, or need... a little help, feel free to contact her."

"Oh, right."

As if just remembering something, Ms. Martha raised her hand and gently twirled it from her hair, revealing a seemingly ordinary oval leaf at her fingertips.

She smiled and gently touched the leaf to Green's chest.

Green instinctively wanted to back away.

"Don't move." Lillian chuckled, blocking his retreat.

The moment the leaf touched Green's clothes, it seemed to melt, turning into an imperceptible green light and disappearing silently. He didn't feel any discomfort.

"This is a small gift from 'Flourishing Garden'," Ms. Martha explained, her tone tinged with a lazy pride.

"It can disguise your scent to some extent, making it difficult for those 'hounds' with keen sense of smell, whether it's the city guards or those rude guys from the Scarlet Cult, to pinpoint your location in a short time. Of course, it's not a panacea, and its effectiveness will diminish over time."

Upon hearing this, Green felt a weight lifted from his shoulders. This was undoubtedly what he needed most right now: a tangible guarantee.

Although he knew this was also a way for "Flourishing Garden" to deepen their connection with him, Green had to admit that this "gift" was given at just the right time.

"Thank you," Green said simply, carefully putting the sheepskin scroll in his hand into the inside pocket of his coat, together with the wallet containing all his belongings.

"I hope we have a pleasant working relationship, Mr. Morris."

Ms. Martha returned to the head of the long table, picked up her wine glass, and gestured for the guest to leave.

"Lillian, see our new friend off. Remember, 'Flourishing Garden' awaits your good news."

Lillian stepped forward, let out a clear laugh, and then gestured for Green to enter.

When Green stood in the alley again, the heavy pressure vanished instantly. He glanced back at the café next door. "The Secret Door...how fitting."

"So, now that you've seen the charm of the Flourishing Garden, are you even a little tempted?" Lillian's voice came from beside him.

"We're just doing a deal," Green said coldly, without looking at her. "That's all."

Lillian seemed not to hear him, suddenly moving closer and taking his arm without a word. Her soft body pressed against his, and even through their clothes, he could still feel her warmth and curves.

"That's all?"

She looked up. "In the Mother Goddess's garden, blooming is the only rule. Don't you feel...tired wrapping yourself up like this?"

She tiptoed closer to Green's ear and whispered:

"Come in...you'll find that yielding to your desires is far more wonderful than fighting them."

Green was unmoved by her affectionate gestures and seductive words. He simply turned his head slightly, looked at Lillian who was practically clinging to him, and calmly asked:

"Are you like this with everyone?"

His voice wasn't loud, but it was like a bucket of cold water, instantly extinguishing the deliberate enthusiasm on Lillian's face.

Lillian's arm, which was linked with his, stiffened slightly, and the smile on her face froze for a moment. Then, as if offended, she abruptly released his hand, took a half step back, and distanced herself from Green.

She looked Green up and down, then let out a soft laugh, a laugh tinged with undisguised sarcasm.

"Who do you think you are?"

Lillian tilted her head, her tone turning cold. "Not everyone can gain the Mother Goddess's favor, or be worth the Garden of Flourishing paying the price to seduce. We just think you... might be capable of completing this task. It's a transaction, nothing more."

She paused, her tone growing even colder:

"Don't forget, Mr. Morris, without this leaf and without our protection, you'd be no different from a rat hiding in the sewers. The City Guard, the Scarlet Order—neither of them would treat you like this... 'politely.'"

After saying that, she stopped looking at Green and turned to blend into the growing crowd on the street.

But after taking a few steps, she suddenly stopped, turned around abruptly, and gave Green a smile that was completely different from before, with a hint of eeriness and mystery.

"Oh, by the way," her voice drifted over, "remember to leave the window open tonight."

Before Green could respond, she had already disappeared into the bustling crowd.

Green stood there, looking in the direction Lillian had disappeared, his gaze deep.

Leave a window open?

Green pondered Lillian's last words. Was she going to come see him again that night?

"Never mind, it's not important. I can finally go home." Green let out a heavy sigh.

He hadn't been home for several days. Ever since he got involved in the William Vanderbilt affair, he had been on the run and in hiding, unable to even send a message home.

Sula and her aunt must be terribly worried.

Of course, that home wasn't all warmth.

He was already used to his uncle's constant indifference and his cousin's occasional harshness. Especially his cousin Emily, who couldn't wait for him and Sula to move out.

But no matter what, those are the only relatives I have left. At least for now, I still have a bed to sleep in.

With that in mind, Green no longer hesitated and stepped into the crowd.

Instead of heading directly to Oak Street, he headed towards the market area.

Finally, he carefully selected several gifts from a vendor with a decent reputation and relatively fresh goods:

I bought a small jar of golden, high-quality honey. My aunt likes to add a little to her afternoon tea, but she always hesitates to buy the really good stuff.

A perfectly marbled ham, smoked with herbs, is enough for a family to enjoy several hearty dinners.

There was also a bag of amber candies, Sula's favorite, from the southern port.

As for his aunt's husband and cousin, Green did not neglect them either.

He chose a bottle of mid-priced, locally made gin—not extravagant, but respectable enough.

As for his cousin, who loves dressing up, he chose a silk handkerchief printed with trendy small floral patterns. It wasn't expensive, but the design was exquisite, which he thought would be enough to shut her up if she was picky.

These expenses further depleted his already meager savings, but he felt it was worth it, at least for a few days of superficial peace.

Carrying these gifts, carefully wrapped in thick oiled paper and exuding the aroma of food and wine, Green walked toward Oak Street while rapidly concocting reasons in his mind.

There has been no news for several days; a reasonable explanation is needed.

"I just said... I received an urgent commission from a wealthy merchant outside the city to help handle a rather tricky business dispute. The reward was quite generous, so I was delayed for a few days and bought some things on the way back."

Green silently perfected this makeshift lie.

The investigator's job was special, and he could occasionally receive well-paid assignments. Although this reason wasn't perfect, it was enough to appease his aunt and Sula, and it also explained why he was willing to buy these not-so-cheap food and gifts.

He didn't care whether his aunt's husband and cousin believed him or not.