Zhan Yifang arrived upstairs with her arms full of things, only to find her door had been opened.
"Xiaoyu, Xiaoyu?" she called out twice, but received no reply.
"That's not right. I clearly locked the door when I left this morning. I couldn't have forgotten."
As she turned, she saw a bald man emerge from the bathroom.
"Who are you? How did you get into my room?"
"Didn't you report a clogged bathroom drain? I'm here to fix it," the bald man said.
"How do you have a key to my room?"
"I don't have a key. A beautiful lady from next door helped open the door when I called for someone."
"Next door? Which one?"
"The pregnant one. She heard I was here to fix the drain and helped me open the door."
"But I didn't report anything."
"Yes, I'm puzzled too. I looked around but found no problem. Aren't you in Room 1603, Unit 3, Building 4?"
"You must be in the wrong place. This is Building 3, not Building 4."
"Sorry, I made a mistake." The bald man picked up his tool bag and prepared to go downstairs.
"Wait a minute, where is she?" Zhan Yifang asked.
"Who?"
"The pregnant woman."
"She went back to her room."
"Yu Jie, where are you?" Zhan Yifang dialed Li Minyu's number.
"I'm in my room, what's up?"
"Did you open my room's door?"
"Yes. Someone came up earlier saying your room's drain was clogged, so I opened your door for him. What's wrong?"
"Why didn't you stay to watch? You're too trusting!"
"What's there to steal in your room? Besides, he took out something that smelled particularly bad. It made me uncomfortable, so I came back. What happened?"
"I thought something happened in the room?"
"The security in this complex should be good. Plus, it's broad daylight, and there are surveillance cameras. Who would dare to rob?"
"That's not what I meant."
"I'm out."
Zhan Yifang looked up and saw Li Minyu had come over in her pajamas.
"Did anything go missing?"
"No, I was just asking what happened," Zhan Yifang said.
"Is it fixed?"
"I didn't report it. He made a mistake; it's for Building 4."
"How can you mix up the buildings? I don't know what you guys are doing," Li Minyu said, looking at the bald man.
"Sorry for the disturbance. I didn't check the building number carefully," the bald man said, quickly retreating from the room.
"I feel like that bald guy has ill intentions," Zhan Yifang said, watching the bald man wait for the elevator.
"Don't be so suspicious. Check if anything is missing from the room."
"Nothing should be missing. I just have a feeling he was casing the place. No, I need to ask Qi Qi to come over."
Zhan Yifang dialed Wang Qi's number again.
"Where are you?"
"I'm out. What's up?"
"Nothing. A strange repairman came today and went into the wrong building to my room."
"Weren't you home?"
"No, Yu Jie helped open the door."
"Then check if anything is missing, and also if there are any hidden cameras."
"I think he was casing the place."
"Then he's asking for death. With Yu Jie there, what are you afraid of?"
"I think it's better to be cautious."
"You're too cautious! Who would dare to steal from your room in broad daylight?"
"Yu Jie said the same thing. Are you coming back for lunch?"
"Of course, I am. Didn't you say you were cooking today?"
"Xiaoyu said she'd cook."
"When he gets back to cook, it'll be late. What are you planning to eat for lunch?"
"I brought beef and lamb from the shop, and a few sea fish."
"Start boiling the lamb first, and then do the other things when Xiaoyu arrives. You know how to make lamb soup anyway."
"Just wash it and put it in a pot with water. It's not complicated."
"You get started with that. I'm heading home now," Wang Qi said and hung up.
"What did she say? Where is she?" Li Minyu asked.
"She's out and will be back soon."
"Then I'll head back. There really is a smell here, and it's unbearable."
"What smell? I don't smell anything."
"I can't describe it. Go check the bathroom, see if it's what he used to flush the drain."
Zhan Yifang opened the bathroom door as Li Minyu suggested.
The smell inside was indeed pungent. She quickly turned on the shower and closed the door.
"This smell is so strong, what is it?"
"I went back to my room because I couldn't stand this smell."
"When you called me, I thought something had happened to you with that bald guy!"
"No, I just feel something is off about that bald guy, but I can't pinpoint what it is."
"Don't be so suspicious. With me here, what are you afraid of?" Li Minyu said.
"Sister, you're pregnant with two now. If that bald guy has bad intentions, he wouldn't be obvious about it. We have to be careful."
"Why don't you call Yangzi and tell him?"
"Let's forget it. If something really happens, then we can call Yangzi. If I call him now, he'll just say I'm being suspicious, just like you two."
"Where did you buy so many things?" Li Minyu asked, looking at the piles of items on the floor.
"Most of it is from the shop. The seasonings were bought from the supermarket. We're planning to start cooking, and there are no seasonings at home. Xiaoyu wrote this list last night. If it's not enough, I'll buy more when I get back."
"Did you carry it up yourself?"
"What else? You're a national treasure, I didn't dare call you. Qi Qi is a night owl; she usually doesn't get up at this hour. Instead of disturbing you, I'd rather work hard myself."
"You're too good to me. What are you planning to make?"
"Yu Jie, don't tell me you can't cook either?"
"What's so strange about that? What's up?"
"I think I might be the most talented among the three of us."
"That's for sure! What are you planning to eat for lunch?"
"Lamb soup."
"Then start boiling it. Call me when it's ready. I really can't stand this smell." Li Minyu said and turned to leave.
Zhan Yifang looked at her retreating back helplessly. With no other choice, she had to take action herself.