Chapter 216: The Figure in the Alley
Chapter 216 The Figure in the Alley
"So, you were the one who told Clifford I was drunk."
Ruben sounded a bit embarrassed on the other end of the phone.
"If you can't handle your booze, maybe just skip it next time, alright? Embarrassing yourself twice in one day, seriously, I can't with you."
Zoey rolled her eyes, too tired to argue with Ruben.
Ruben's tolerance for alcohol was practically non-existent; he would get drunk almost immediately.
The alcohol in Vesperia wasn't as strong as what we have back home, and last night we were drinking Vesperia's top-tier stuff.
Even someone with a terrible tolerance wouldn't have a problem with half a bottle.
This guy had four or five glasses and was already tipsy, slurring his words, ignoring the looks Zoey and I were giving him.
One moment he wanted to become sworn siblings with Clifford, the next he was hugging Dean, declaring lifelong friendship.
Thankfully, Clifford and Dean seemed to have a soft spot for him, though I couldn't understand why.
Otherwise, last night would have been a total disaster.
"Was it really that bad? Clifford said I passed out and you three had a hard time carrying me back."
Well, he blacked out and forgot he stumbled back on his own.
"Clifford was saving your dignity. She wouldn't post your embarrassing moments online, would she?"
The two kept bickering, or more accurately, Zoey kept throwing sarcastic jabs while Ruben responded with mild retorts, seemingly oblivious to Zoey's sarcasm.
Occasionally, he would ask a question that made Zoey react like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, immediately snapping back.
Ruben chuckled softly, not getting angry. It seemed that Zoey's initiative to call him meant more than anything else. The content of their conversation didn't matter.
From their chat, I learned that Clifford had indeed visited Ruben in the afternoon, sat in the lobby for a while, and left due to some urgent matter.
I listened without interrupting, letting them bicker all the way to our destination.
We saw Ruben standing at the hotel entrance, waving at us, and finally hung up the phone.
"Ms. Johnson, Zoey, have you guys eaten? I'm starving."
Ruben had changed back into his workout clothes, looking much more spirited than yesterday in that oversized suit. He jogged over and started talking.
It was almost 8 PM, and seeing Ruben looking so drained, I asked curiously, "Didn't you eat after you woke up?"
Ruben widened his eyes, looking aggrieved.
"I don't speak Vesperian. It's like being mute here. I went downstairs several times, gesturing to the waiters, but they didn't understand."
"When Clifford came over, I invited her in, but she blushed and dragged me downstairs to chat. You know, when you're abroad, you can't just ask where the food is right away. So I patiently listened to her talk, but eventually, I couldn't hold it anymore and was about to suggest getting some food when she got a call and left in a hurry."
Zoey and I laughed until we were almost falling over.
"What do you want to eat?"
Zoey seemed in a better mood, glancing at Ruben.
"I want noodles, the kind we have back home. Vesperian noodles are too greasy. I miss the food from home."
Ruben patted his stomach, speaking earnestly.
"Come on, it's only the second day here. You gotta learn to appreciate the local cuisine."
Zoey said, pulling out her phone to check nearby restaurants. I watched her, noticing one not too far away.
"Zoey, your phone screen is cracked!"
Ruben exclaimed.
"So, are you planning to buy me the latest iPhone 16 Pro Max?"
Zoey said, pulling me along as she turned to leave.
Ruben followed closely, looking conflicted, and cautiously said, "Maybe after I get my paycheck this month?"
"Save your money for getting married. Spending so much on a girl and ending up with nothing."
Zoey glared at Ruben.
Ruben didn't seem embarrassed, instead nodding thoughtfully and muttering, "But, I want to."
Zoey didn't say anything, a faint smile appearing on her lips. I noticed and chuckled softly, saying nothing.
Zoey nudged me with her shoulder, giving me a playful look.
Ruben quickly moved closer, walking beside Zoey.
"Walk on the side!"
Zoey scolded.
"Why?"
Ruben felt wronged, wondering why women could change their moods so quickly.
Zoey pointed at me, then at herself, looking at Ruben like he was an alien.
"We're both girls. Shouldn't you, as a man, walk on the side to protect us? Or do you expect us to protect you?"
Ruben agreed repeatedly, reluctantly moving to my left side.
Ruben was about four inches taller than Zoey and me. As he moved, I noticed a figure darting past the alley where the hotel stored its trash.
Though it was evening, the area was well-lit.
It was an elderly scavenger, with disheveled hair hanging over his shoulders, clearly unwashed for a long time, wearing a tattered black-and-white coat.
Most people were wearing light clothes this season, making his outfit stand out.
Most importantly, the figure was eerily familiar. I had seen him earlier today in the suburbs, the same old man Byron had given money to, inspiring Byron's creativity.
At noon, I had seen him from a distance, only able to make out his clothes, not his face.
Now, he was about 30 feet away. The old man was short, around 5'2", with dark skin, either unwashed or naturally so, but his facial features were sharp, like a sculpture.
Especially his eyes, not large but with a piercing gaze, exuding an inexplicable sense of menace or even murderous intent.
In that moment, I instinctively stopped, but when I looked again, the old man had vanished.
Something was off.
I recalled the first time I saw the scavenger at noon. He definitely hadn't noticed me because Zoey and I were focused on Byron, moved by his kindness.
The scavenger had been hunched over, head down, never looking up, definitely not seeing us.
But just now, his gaze wasn't vacant; he was observing me, not avoiding my stare.
Why did he suddenly disappear?
Of course, none of this mattered.
What mattered was that the suspicion I had just dismissed was now ambiguously resurfacing.