The staircase led down to the first floor, which opened into a small lobby with a front desk and a few small sofas for guests to rest.

Two men were currently seated on the sofas, engaged in conversation.

“Inspector, just look at this dreadful weather — it seems neither of us will be going anywhere again today,” said the man wearing a long grey trench coat.

The other man, a middle-aged fellow with a handlebar moustache, replied, “I won’t be leaving this place until every last criminal has been apprehended, Doctor.”

“Surely it won’t take much longer? You’ve already caught two suspects.”

“That remains to be seen. These killers tend to be terribly cunning…”

It was abundantly clear that these two NPCs were an inspector and a doctor.

There was also a stout middle-aged woman, bustling back and forth between the dining room and the kitchen with plates and cutlery, her footsteps quick and her movements efficient — she appeared to serve as both cook and waitress.

Bai Youwei glanced around and then asked Zhu Shu beside her: “Where are Yan Qingwen and Lin Kui?”

“They’re in the Inspector’s room, not allowed to have contact with the other players.” Zhu Shu looked out at the heavy rain. “Right now they’re only suspects. If the rain stops and the real killer still hasn’t been found, the Inspector will formally arrest Yan Ge and Lin Kui and take them out of this inn — which means they’ll be eliminated from the game.”

“When will the rain stop?”

“No idea…”

They chatted as they walked, passing through the small lobby and into the dining room. The lighting was just as dim as in the corridor — every lamp barely managed to emit a faint, sallow glow.

The cook must have found it dark as well, for she had placed four candelabras on the dining table. The candlelight cast a sheen over the food on the plates, lending even the modest dishes a somewhat appetising appearance.

And modest they certainly were.

Some corn flakes and milk, a few slices of salt pork and sausage, and beetroot boiled in plain water.

A peculiar combination.

Bai Youwei was grateful she had eaten vegetable buns before coming here.

Everyone took their seats in the dining room. Fifteen chairs were arranged along the long table. Zhu Shu and Su Man had Bai Youwei sit in the middle, with the two of them flanking her on either side.

With Yan Qingwen and Lin Kui temporarily “detained,” and the woman from Room 305 having been murdered, three chairs sat empty. With Bai Youwei’s arrival, only two empty chairs remained.

Bai Youwei swept her gaze across the table, openly observing everyone present.

They were observing her in turn.

She paid them no mind and continued looking at the seated guests, her gaze unguarded and unhurried.

“If this were the plot of a novel, it would make quite a fine opening.” Mr. Robert picked up a metal spoon and ladled two spoonfuls of baked beans in tomato sauce onto his plate. “…A calm morning, a mysterious guest arrives without warning, joins everyone for breakfast…”

“Not for me, I’m afraid.” Bai Youwei said earnestly. “I’m not used to this kind of breakfast. No offense to the local food culture, but I genuinely cannot eat this — I’ll just sit and watch.”

She paused for two seconds, then looked at Mr. Robert and asked, “You’re British, aren’t you? I notice how naturally you ladled those beans — you seem quite accustomed to this style of cooking. Of everyone at this table, only you, the gentleman in the plaid shirt, and the bald gentleman on the left are eating those beans. You’re all from the same place. Are you travelling together?”

Robert’s hand, holding the spoon, stilled.

The man in the plaid shirt and the bald man to the left both froze as well, instinctively glancing at Robert to gauge his reaction.

“Oh…” Bai Youwei said, as though something had just clicked. “I see — not only are you travelling together, but you’re their leader as well. Look — the moment something happens, they instinctively look to your face for cues.

I think it would be simpler if we were all a bit more honest with each other. Why insist on pretending to be strangers? It’s really rather clumsy.”

—