1416 In Modern Day 14 (2/2)

”Want a cigarette?”

”Isn't smoking banned?” I blurt.

”As long as I don't mind it.” The thin driver smiles through the rearview mirror.

”I don't smoke.” I instinctively shake my head.

The driver holds the steering wheel with one hand, not really paying attention to the situation on the road.

”It's good that you don't smoke. I don't smoke either. Smoking causes one to have a ghastly appearance.”

”Then why do you have cigarettes…” I follow up quickly.

As the car drives down the road, the driver uses his empty hand to touch the monocle on his right eye.

”There will always be some friends you need to meet despite you being unwilling to meet.”

”That's true.” I nod.

At this moment, I recall Vice President Wu from the company next door. Although he smokes, his appearance is definitely not ghastly. However, there's no need to say it out loud. I'm not someone who gets into debates with others in a professional manner.

”You don't look like a rideshare driver.” I glance at the obviously expensive cigarettes, and glance around the luxurious interior of the car.

”Heh heh,” the driver replies with a smile. ”Is my performance that obvious?”

”You don't look like you make a living from ridesharing. You look like you come from a rich family.” I give a random reason.

Either way, I can't tell.

”Heh heh, being born with a silver spoon doesn't bar me from making a living from ridesharing. It allows me to experience a completely different life from my past, and being able to see all kinds of unique people is a form of entertainment. Don't you find it interesting?” the driver says with a smile.

How philosophical… I nod and casually say, ”That may be the case, but I think you occasionally only take a few ride orders and are usually busy with other things.”

”Yes, I went to your building to investigate.” The driver looks at the rearview mirror again, and his smile makes me feel a little strange.

”Investigate…” I'm at a loss.

”It's about an evil cult. They like to use vending machines to harm others.” The corner of the driver's lips curls up.

…

If it wasn't for the fact that I already knew about it, I would've lost my composure!

”You're a private detective? Do you know a detective named Sherlock Moriarty? This might be his nickname.” I suddenly have an idea.

The driver raises his hand to pinch the edge of his monocle and chuckles.

”Of course. We're old friends.”

I don't know if it's my imagination, but I feel like he emphasized the words ”old friend.”

”D-did you, or any of you find anything?” I try my best to act like a bystander.

The driver half-turns his head to glance at me and says with an obvious smile, ”Guess.”

That's such a punchable smile… I rein in my emotions.

”I guess so.”

”Then it's as you say,” the driver says with an expression of ”I know a lot, but I won't tell you.”

”…” As I think about what to say, he suddenly straightens his back and looks ahead.

Then, he pushes the monocle on his right eye.

Suddenly, countless fragments appear in my mind.

Overlapping roads, tunnels, mixed colors, different signboards, pedestrians, cars that swept backwards rapidly…

They simultaneously explode in my mind at the same time, making me feel like I'm suffering from motion sickness.

”We're here.” The driver's voice enters my ears the next second.

I get out of the car in a daze and squat down at the side of the road, feeling like I might vomit at any moment.

I recover after a while, but the ridesharing car has already left.

Thinking back, I suddenly shudder.

The driver resembled the emoji that The Star had mentioned:

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