The Evil God of Hogwarts - Chapter 371

c361 unexpected clues

After a moment of silence, the shop owner saw that Xing Ze had no intention of leaving, so he said unhappily: “We don’t like outsiders here.”

“Really?” Xing Ze disagreed, “But there is a university here, there should be many scholars and guests from other places, right?”

“The university is the university, this is here.” The shop owner replied firmly, “This street is the oldest neighborhood in Brest, it is different from other places in the city.”

“It’s really interesting. So I’m not allowed to even finish a cup of Coke here? You are so hospitable.”

The shop owner heard Xing Ze’s sarcasm, he didn’t get angry, just smiled coldly and said: “I know you outsiders too well…”

But his words were ignored by Xing Ze. Xing Ze interrupted, “I don’t think you know. If this place doesn’t welcome outsiders, then can you explain to me what’s going on with the trucks coming here?”

“Trucks?”

Looking at the puzzled boss, Xing Ze explained again: “Yes, trucks. Do you know the house on this street? No. 290, near the cemetery, it looks like no one has lived here for a long time.”

“I won’t discuss the residents here with a stranger.”

“Oh, very vigilant.” Xing Ze took a sip of Coke, “You don’t discuss the outsiders living here with me, a stranger. Isn’t this contradictory?”

“What are you kidding, the one who lives there…” The shop owner suddenly realized something, he hurriedly closed his mouth, and finally had some anger on his face.

Almost. Xing Ze thought, but he didn’t give up, but continued to ask: “Don’t you think it’s strange? Recently, there are always trucks stopping near that house, big and small, am I right?”

“I don’t know, you can ask somewhere else. Don’t stay any longer, there’s nothing you want here.”

Xing Ze finished the last bit of Coke and left the glass bottle on the counter. It seemed that the shop owner would not reveal anything useful anymore. He considered whether to show his police ID so that the other party would cooperate.

But even the police could not force a person to say something he did not want to say unless he was suspected. Thinking of this, Xing Ze gave up the idea. He actually did not want to see that after he showed his identity, people on the street would know that there was a policeman from another place asking questions.

He walked out of the convenience store, walked back a distance, and then flashed into the second-hand bookstore. The store was filled with the smell of moldy pages, and there was a faint smell of leather, probably from the leather-covered books piled on the bookshelf.

The boss was a gentle man wearing glasses. He looked about fifty years old, but Xing Ze knew that his actual age was much older than he looked.

When Xing Ze came in, he was looking down at a thick and wide book. Xing Ze did not recognize the words on it. It should be some kind of ancient words.

“If you want something, just read it, take your time, don’t rush. But please be careful, some books have a lot of history.”

“If that’s the case.” Xing Ze stopped in front of a bookshelf, he browsed the books on it aimlessly, “Are these books preserved a little too casually?”

“You know a lot about books?” The bookstore owner raised his head, looked at Xing Ze for a moment, and then lowered his head again, “It’s really interesting, there are very few foreigners in this neighborhood. Not to mention Orientals.”

“In that case, your business is obviously good.”

“I have a supply agreement with the university, and some of the textbooks are provided by me, so my life is pretty good. The books in the store are sold to people who are destined to meet.”

Xing Ze smiled, retracted his gaze from the bookshelf, and introduced himself: “Richard Lee.”

“Riley.” The bookstore owner closed the thick Zhongshu replied, “Are you here for tourism? Or for school?”

“For tourism. I’m here to collect some local customs and practices.”

“Local customs and practices? Oh, then you’ve come to the right place. Brychester is full of legends.”

“I’ve heard of it, but the locals don’t seem to be so warm and hospitable.”

“Haha, don’t expect the locals to treat you well. People here are like this, frowning and stern, as if they have something on their mind. Can you believe it? Even the local broadcasters are like this. I think it’s caused by inconvenient transportation.”

Xingze spread his hands, “Who knows. I just went to a convenience store to buy Coke, but the boss didn’t want me to stay in the store. You wouldn’t be like this, would you?”

“Do you think I look like a local?” Riley asked back. He took off his glasses and stroked his thick but gray hair.

“Of course not, the locals don’t talk as much as you do.”

“Hahaha.” Riley laughed, “You are very interesting, a guest from afar. Unfortunately, I can’t buy you a drink, I’m still working, and the nearest bar won’t welcome you.”

Hearing this, Xing Ze suddenly realized something, and he asked, “Do they welcome you?”

“Not to mention welcome, but they won’t be too repulsive.”

Speaking of this, Riley rubbed his clean chin and thought about it. “Well-” he spoke again, “People here seem to have a special ability to tell whether you are a local at a glance. However, the bars near the university are all opened by outsiders, you can go there.”

“I’ll go if I have a chance. But I’m more interested in that house now.”

“House?” Riley didn’t understand.

“No. 290 Reims Avenue, do you know who owns that house?”

Riley shook his head, “I rarely ask about the residents nearby, and even if I do, no one will tell me. You said number 290? You may have to point it out to me before I can tell you.”

Xing Ze walked to the door of the bookstore, pointed in the direction of the house and said, “It’s the house with all the curtains drawn. Do you have any impression?”

“Ah, do you mean old Kimball’s house?”

Xing Ze was stunned. He wondered if he had heard it wrong, so he asked, “What did you say? Are you saying that the owner of that house is named Kimball?”

“Yes, but old Kimball has passed away. He was a book collector when he was alive, and he collected a lot…”

Xing Ze didn’t continue to listen to the words after that. His brain was working fast, and the clues were slowly gathering.

After a long time, he asked, “What is the full name of the owner of that house?”

“Why are you asking about this?” Riley noticed that Xing Ze was wrong, and he became alert.

Xing Ze saw his doubts and had to take out his police ID and hand it over, “I’m investigating a case, I hope you can cooperate.”

Riley took the police ID and looked at it, nodded and said, “I didn’t expect you to be a policeman.”

“Surprised?”

Riley smiled awkwardly and said, “Uh, nothing. Let me help you find it. He came to me to buy books several times and there are receipts. His full name should be on it. Please wait.”