"Fatty, Fatty?" Gu Mian had already returned to the apartment, rummaging for something. When he couldn't find what he was looking for, he started calling out for Fatty.

Hearing the noise, Fatty quickly ran up from downstairs, hugging a basin. "Doctor, you're back!"

Xiao Hong was also scurrying along behind Fatty, climbing up the stairs.

As soon as she saw Gu Mian, she rushed forward to give him a great big hug. Gu Mian expertly dodged to the side as Xiao Hong banged her head into Chu Changge's chest, knocking him back two steps until his back hit the wall.

Fatty hastily put down the basin in his hand. "Doctor, you guys came back earlier than I thought. I just finished doing the laundry and haven't had time to go and buy groceries. Is there anything particular you want for dinner tonight? I can pick it up from the supermarket."

Gu Mian waved him off. "Don't worry about the meal now. Remember back when I snatched up that thing resembling a mobile phone and walkie-talkie from Mr. Green? Do you know where I put it?"

Previously, Mr. Green had contacted the people in the instance with that phone-like device. Gu Mian thought it would be useful and snatched it, which resulted in Mr. Green threatening to run away.

"Ah, that," Fatty recalled. "I remember you fiddled with that thing for an entire afternoon but couldn't figure out how to use it, so you just left it somewhere. I haven't seen it since."

"By the way, why are you suddenly asking for that thing?" Fatty asked curiously.

Before leaving the instance, Zhao Tiankuo had shared the contact information of several Paradise World NPCs—a string of numbers, which appeared to be phone numbers.

Gu Mian took out a small notebook with the numbers written on it. He wanted to try calling these numbers using Mr. Green's peculiar mobile device.

Upon seeing the string of numbers, Fatty guessed what Gu Mian was trying to do. He mused, "Could it be that Mr. Green took it back sneakily? Doctor, maybe you should ask Mr. Green."

Come to think of it, I haven't seen Mr. Green since we got back. I have no idea where he's gone, Gu Mian thought. If I want to find out about Paradise World, it would be more convenient to ask Xie Bi'an directly, since he's from there. However, he doesn't look trustworthy and probably wouldn't tell me the truth.

Chu Changge seemed to be able to read Gu Mian's mind and suddenly spoke, "Don't trust Xie Bi'an."

It seems their conflict runs deep, Gu Mian mused. They're technically colleagues, but it's strange how they could have such an adversarial relationship.

They could not find Mr. Green, who only returned after it was completely dark.

When he came back, Fatty was cooking dinner. Xiao Qiao, who was freeloading, was already clutching her bowl at the table, eagerly waiting for Fatty to serve the meal.

Mr. Green returned looking gloomy. When he saw Gu Mian in the living room, he was startled.

"You... you got out already?" As soon as he spotted Gu Mian, Mr. Green instinctively took a big step back, clutching his chest.

But then, realizing he no longer had anything worth stealing, he let his hand fall in despair.

Last time he ran away from home, he had run into thieves who made off with everything he had, not even sparing his clothes.

His signature green suit and hat were lost in that robbery. Now, Mr. Green was wearing clothes from Gu Mian's childhood, which fit him perfectly.

He had somehow gotten a piece of green cloth and wrapped it around his head, in a feeble attempt to impersonate a hat.

Seeing Mr. Green backing away, about to retreat all the way out the front door, Gu Mian stepped forward and pulled him back.

"What are you doing?!" Mr. Green widened his eyes at Gu Mian, unable to imagine what else Gu Mian could profit from him.

Not mincing his words, Gu Mian asked, "Did you steal the mobile phone back?"

Upon hearing Gu Mian's question, Mr. Green's facial expression shifted from horror to panic, before finally settling into dejection.

Fatty was right indeed, Gu Mian thought.

Mr. Green's short stature seemed to shrink even further. "Yes, I took it."

"Where did you hide it?"

"It was stolen." As he spoke, Mr. Green looked even more desolated. "I stole the phone back the same night you took it. I tried to sneak away without anyone noticing, but unfortunately, I ran into some ruthless people who cleaned me out! They snatched the phone too."

So, Mr. Green had taken the phone back that very night, Gu Mian realized.

On Earth, there is no protective mechanism to shield NPCs from player attacks as there is in an instance. Poor Mr. Green, dressed so green and standing so short, clearly looked like an easy target. It's no wonder he got mugged, Gu Mian thought. If it was taken by players, that might be a little more complicated. It would be tough to locate the players who robbed Mr. Green amidst Lianhua City's massive population, Gu Mian considered.

At this moment, Fatty came out carrying a pot of meatball soup. "Doctor, dinner is ready."

Ignoring the meal, Gu Mian continued interrogating Mr. Green, "Where were you robbed?"

Mr. Green sniffled. "Just outside the nearby supermarket. I screamed and yelled, yet not a single employee came out to help me! Despite us being fellow townsfolk... they really aren't human…" As he spoke, he even extended an arm to wipe away a tear.

Right now, the only way to contact anyone inside the instance is through Mr. Green's missing phone. I do have a phone that can cross dimensions, but it can't dial specific phone numbers, Gu Mian thought.

"If he was robbed outside the supermarket, the thieves are likely to periodically visit the supermarket for supplies. They might also frequent the supermarket to rob other players. We can stake out the supermarket front." Chu Changge came over and looked down at Mr. Green. "Do you remember what the players who robbed you looked like?"

Mr. Green gritted his teeth. "I could recognize them even if they turned to ashes!"

According to Mr. Green, the group that robbed him consisted of three middle-aged men.

After the robbery, the trio had headed north from the supermarket; that was likely where they lived.

If we want to contact the NPCs in Paradise, the only option is to retrieve that phone, Gu Mian concluded.

Gu Mian stroked his chin. "Starting tomorrow, let's take turns keeping watch in front of the supermarket with Mr. Green to see if that group shows up again."

"If necessary, we can use him as bait." Chu Changge eyed Mr. Green from top to bottom.

Mr. Green visibly shuddered, glaring at Chu Changge in silent condemnation.

The sounds of fighting suddenly broke from behind Gu Mian.

The source of the commotion was Xiao Hong attempting to grab a meatball from Xiao Qiao's bowl, provoking a punch in retaliation.

This triggered a full-out brawl between them.

The table was overturned, and soup spilled everywhere.

Fatty, with his head full of vegetable leaves, was trying to break up the fight but ended up getting scratched by Xiao Hong and kicked twice by Xiao Qiao.

The sounds from the brawl soon alerted other residents in the apartment building.

Keke and 007 came up just in time to see Gu Mian, his hair disheveled, kicking them both out the front door—one kick for each.