A marionette controlled by its father.

This is Mia's assessment of the performance style of the street puppet show in front of her.

Perhaps this is also her assessment of herself when she was young.

You can tell from the artworks displayed in her home that look like they've been passed down through generations.

Mia's family is most likely an artistic family that has been passed down through generations.

Although he didn't actually know the situation, Gu Xinghe didn't have the idea of ​​reopening old wounds by letting others speak out on his own initiative.

But from the various subtle clues, he could still roughly guess—

Mia's strict and demanding father pushed her to learn various painting techniques from a young age, hoping to carry on the family's artistic tradition.

The mother who wore a gentle, fake smile may simply be part of a business alliance with an artistic family.

In any case, Mia's relationship with her parents during her childhood was not particularly close or pleasant.

However, aside from the thoughts that Gu Xinghe heard.

Mia showed no displeasure at the street puppet show in front of her.

But as I spent more time with her...

Gu Xinghe also found himself increasingly able to perceive the subtle emotions that she revealed beneath her normal demeanor.

Therefore, he also discovered that although the plot of the puppet show is now developing to the climax of the hero defeating the evil dragon.

But Mia's mood and interest remained low.

"Want to try it?"

"Um?"

Upon hearing Gu Xinghe's sudden question, Mia looked at him with a puzzled expression.

It turned out that while the two were quietly watching, the puppet show had already quietly ended.

At this point, after the performance had ended.

The performers even invited many onlookers to come up and experience how to manipulate the puppets to perform actions and acts.

Many audience members who were still enjoying the puppet show went up to try it out.

Right now, the same children who had exclaimed in surprise during the performance are now trying to manipulate the puppets.

Before Mia could react, Gu Xinghe pulled her forward to experience controlling a puppet.

"Speaking of which, I once heard a saying—"

He intently observed the effects of the various threads on the puppet's movements.

At the same time, Gu Xinghe was also speaking.

"Writers, painters and other artists often immerse themselves in the characters they portray when creating their works."

For them, those were also different kinds of lives that they could not experience in their daily lives.

Therefore, it seems that artists can arbitrarily arrange the fate of the characters in their works.

But in reality, one could say they were freely controlling their own destiny.

At this point, Gu Xinghe paused for a moment, and Mia then turned her gaze to the puppet he was manipulating.

Although he had never been exposed to this form of theatrical performance before, Gu Xinghe's incredibly nimble fingers controlled the performance.

The puppets, though manipulated, actually performed a variety of actions that looked quite realistic.

Even the former puppeteer standing to the side applauded and praised Gu Xinghe after seeing his actions.

But after seeing Mia focus her gaze on his actions, Gu Xinghe paused for a moment before continuing.

"So, perhaps it was during the puppet show that it happened."

At the same time, the artist narrating this story is also experiencing an adventure he could never have lived.

Although Mia had not yet responded to what Gu Xinghe said.

But Gu Xinghe could sense that her mood was no longer as low as before.

At this moment, she chuckled softly.

"Mr. Gu Xinghe, you can't do this!"

Engaging with employees to envision a bright future, and sharing profound truths, life insights, and ideals—these are all examples of such actions.

But that's my exclusive right, boss!

Mia did not ask Gu Xinghe why he suddenly started talking about such life insights.

Instead, she seemed somewhat dissatisfied and "complained" to him.

"Is that so...? Then please don't deduct my salary, boss."

"Then I'll have to think about it carefully."

At this moment, Gu Xinghe began to understand the pleasure that Eris often felt when asking him for a raise.

After both of them tried to manipulate the puppets in their hands to make them move.

After leaving, Mia and Gu Xinghe watched a variety of art performances in the square.

And I saw all sorts of exquisite little commodities for sale.

As the two were about to part, Mia waved to Gu Xinghe.

"Then remember to come to work on time tomorrow morning!"

Upon hearing this, Gu Xinghe nodded.

After transitioning from an "underground agent" to an open assistant, he had a fixed working schedule arranged by Mia.

And he will naturally continue to go to the castle tomorrow to work as Mia's painter assistant.

After the two parted ways, Gu Xinghe, upon returning to his hotel room, did not find the strange distress note at the door again.

After all, Mia had spent most of the day with him.

After having dinner, Gu Xinghe quickly rested in his room.

The next morning, after having breakfast in his room, Gu Xinghe left the hotel and headed back to the castle where Mia was.

However, this journey has clearly not been smooth.

New wanted posters were now plastered on the walls and bulletin boards along the street.

The wanted person is named Angel.

Although Gu Xinghe did not recognize the person based on the name and appearance on the wanted poster.

However, judging from the description on it and the discussions of those around it...

This was clearly the background figure he had heard about from both Phils and Mia—

The husband of the only woman in the town who disappeared after meeting Mia.

And, the person who allegedly sent the threatening letter written in blood and the person who stole the painting.

Seeing this, Gu Xinghe, who had stopped in his tracks, began to carefully examine the wanted poster in front of him—

The portrait on the wanted poster must have been painted by a skilled artist.

Although not as "high-definition" as a print, it still vividly portrays the dejected state of Angell after losing his wife in middle age.

Depression, decadence, collapse, and even a touch of madness.

This is the impression of Angell that everyone who sees this wanted poster will have.

However, due to the darkness at the time, Qi Kangle himself did not see the face of the murderer who killed him.

Furthermore, since the wanted poster did not include the character's full body size, Gu Xinghe had no idea whether Angel was also the one who killed player Qi Kangle.

Although there is no concrete evidence, he is the most likely suspect.

Furthermore, according to the information on the wanted notice, Angel is currently still missing and on the run.

Therefore, the police department still issued an arrest warrant for Angel.