Chapter 33: The 1924 Train Murder Case (6)

"Is that so? Very well. But I must first check this young lady's ticket," Eli said, gesturing for Tang Mu to hand over her ticket.

Tang Mu complied and handed it to him.

Eli examined the ticket, then said, "I'm sorry, miss, but it seems there’s a small issue with your ticket. Would you mind coming with me to the attendant’s compartment so we can double-check?"

"Of course," Tang Mu replied, knowing full well that there was nothing wrong with her ticket.

Eli's claim was merely a pretext to help her avoid being bullied by Ottilia.

So, Tang Mu gladly accepted Eli’s assistance.

However, barely had she risen when Ottilia launched into a furious tirade.

"You pair of adulterers!" Ottilia raged. "You're in cahoots!"

She cursed, "John Joseph's adopted daughter, don’t think you can do as you please on this train just because you have that pretty boy helping you! Wait until we get off—I’ll make sure you regret it!"

Tang Mu did not so much as spare Ottilia a glance.

"Madam Ottilia. Dignity is something one earns for oneself. If you’re unwilling to earn yours, I can help tear it off and trample it underfoot. Besides, I dare say that in England, the status of a nouveau riche is hardly above that of my foster father."

Tang Mu’s gaze was icy as she looked at Ottilia. "Or perhaps I should write a letter to my foster father, Baron John Joseph, detailing the ways you’ve abused me on this train."

Ottilia was speechless.

After thoroughly berating Ottilia, Tang Mu turned to Eli with a sweet smile—a complete transformation from her previous harshness. The contrast was so striking that the onlookers felt as if they were witnessing two entirely different people.

"Mr. Eli, didn’t you say there was a problem with my ticket?" she smiled innocently. "Shall we go? We could even find a little corner for a thorough inspection."

Eli, well accustomed to Tang Mu’s mercurial nature, showed no particular reaction. "Certainly, esteemed miss. Please follow me."

The two entered a narrow attendant’s compartment.

Inside was only a bed and a small chair. Behind the door hung a neatly pressed conductor’s uniform, identical to the one Eli wore, arranged carefully on the rack.

The bedding was immaculate, placed tidily at the head of the bed.

Eli did not actually check Tang Mu's ticket, but instead poured her a cup of hot water.

"You seem particularly interested in me," Eli said directly.

Tang Mu looked around the room, yet her reply did not address Eli’s question.

"Mr. Eli’s room is quite small, and there are no plants."

Mentioning greenery, Tang Mu observed Eli’s reaction closely.

Eli sighed, "Having chosen to be a train attendant, one must abide by the rules. Even as the chief conductor, I cannot keep too many personal items in my room. It would hinder cleaning and delay work."

"Doesn’t Mr. Eli feel that life here is somewhat discordant with your true inner world?" Tang Mu pressed on. "For example, your original living environment shouldn’t be cramped like this—it ought to be much more spacious."

Eli looked perplexed.

"I’m sorry, Miss Tang Mu. I don’t understand what you mean."

So it seemed he had completely lost his memory.

A black servant fully integrated into the game environment would only follow the program set by the Black Queen, instinctively carrying out his duties. For instance, before the hunting hour truly began, they would earnestly adhere to the character settings given by the Black Queen, diligently completing their tasks without a trace of doubt or rebellion.

Yet the reality was, they were meant to be people—living, breathing people—mercilessly enslaved by that wicked man.

The thought of the accursed Black Queen soured Tang Mu’s mood.

Eli evidently sensed her displeasure.

He maintained a smile. "Though I don’t know why Miss Tang Mu would be interested in a commoner like myself, it is an honor to speak with you. So please don’t be unhappy. When you frown, it’s as though clouds have obscured the moon, making people feel inexplicably sad."

At Eli’s words, Tang Mu’s tightly furrowed brow relaxed.

She even smiled with genuine delight. "Mr. Eli, you certainly know how to speak. But your manner and words remind me of someone I once knew."

"If someone could linger in Miss Tang Mu’s memory, he must have been extraordinary," Eli remarked.

"He was," Tang Mu affirmed, nodding. "He was the best person I’ve ever met. Sometimes, he was possessive, wanting me to keep away from other men. But when he was busy and did not respond, I would act mischievously. Then, he would first coax me, and afterward, he had his own ways of giving me some small punishments."

"Punishments?"

"Yes," Tang Mu smiled, "Punishments between a man and a woman in bed. Though we could never truly touch each other, the subtle pain felt entirely real."

Eli’s expression was one of astonishment, confusion, and bemusement.

He could not help but laugh. "Miss, I don’t quite understand. Unable to touch, yet able to punish... Forgive me, but I cannot imagine such a strange scenario."

"It’s normal that you don’t understand," Tang Mu replied, not expecting Eli to grasp it. "But you only need to know that he loves me very much. And to clarify, I am not suffering from Stockholm syndrome—definitely not. We have saved each other many times. He knows all my suffering and shares it with me. Whenever I face difficulties, he uses his formidable intellect to plan and strategize for me. We have always worked together, solving many problems—never failing."

Eli was silent for a long while.

Then he spoke.

"Well, Miss, supposing all this is true, why would such a possessive man not accompany you on this journey?"

Eli countered, "I am a man myself. I know how hard it is to let a beautiful girlfriend travel alone to a distant land. It’s enough to drive one mad with worry."

"So, if everything you say is true, I imagine that even if he doesn’t contact you, he’d have left some exclusive mark on you—something that would make other men quickly keep their distance."

"Yet, Miss, you have nothing of the sort. And you’re here, in this cramped compartment, chatting so intimately with a stranger you’ve only known for half an hour, without a trace of reservation."

"This hardly seems like the behavior of someone with a boyfriend, Miss Tang Mu." Eli’s tone was faintly displeased, as if suspecting Tang Mu was playing him for a fool.