Of course Jiang Shui's hint is not that simple. The simple one is Li Zhuiyuan.

Because in life, there are very few people and things that Li Zhuiyuan really cares about.

This is his shortcoming, and it is difficult for him to trigger cause and effect, so he needs Tan Wenbin and others to help him get in touch.

This is also his advantage. He can examine these clues from a third-party perspective, summarize and explore the rules.

However, the Professor Zhu in front of me is a special case.

Li Zhuiyuan himself had long discovered that he was more accepting and tolerant of certain groups of people.

Professor Zhu was recognized by Li Zhuiyuan, and the young man was willing to contact him.

Others have to investigate dozens, hundreds or even more causal clues every day. The number of young people here is extremely limited. Recently, I finally accepted this clue, but something went wrong with it.

Unless the water droplets of the river did not splash towards him, but if it splashed a little bit on him, even just one drop, then from Li Zhuiyuan's perspective,

Professor Zhu... is already soaked to the skin.

"Then let's leave now?"

"good."

"Code of Conduct for Walking on the River":

1: When clues of cause and effect appear, the initial risk coefficient will generally be relatively low.

Two: New causal clues need to be taken care of, and you must follow its route and try not to destroy its development as much as possible, in order to obtain more information.

Therefore, Li Zhuiyuan did not let Professor Zhu wait for a while, and then called a companion to go with him.

They just invited me, and their wife just wanted to see me when she was seriously ill. If I brought another person there, the original development route might change.

The family home where Professor Zhu lives is not on campus, but in a community for senior workers outside the campus.

The environment of the community is good, there is an artificial river in front, and Professor Zhu's home is on the first floor of the building facing the river.

The small courtyard on the first floor is full of flowers, and it can be seen that they have been carefully cut and tended.

I opened the door and walked into the house. There was a smell of Chinese medicine mixed with a light orchid fragrance. It wasn't very smelly, but compared to ordinary families with patients, the smell was really good.

"Xiaoyuan, can I get you a drink?"

"Professor, I just want to drink water."

"Drink water? OK."

Professor Zhu poured a cup of tea for Li Zhuiyuan. When it was delivered, Li Zhuiyuan stood up from the sofa and took it with both hands.

Afterwards, Professor Zhu pointed to the bedroom and expressed his apologies to Li Zhuiyuan. He knocked gently on the door and called twice. After receiving a weak response from inside, he opened the door and walked in.

Li Zhuiyuan was sitting on the sofa, looking at the living room environment.

There are many books in the living room. They are not just decorative items. Each stack of books is placed in a position that is convenient for people to read.

There is an easel in the corner. The easel is covered with a layer of white cloth. There are drawing papers stacked on both sides, including sketches and oil paintings.

The room is not big, and there are a lot of things in it, making it a bit cramped, but the overall atmosphere is very comfortable.

On the way here, Professor Zhu and Li Zhuiyuan briefly introduced the situation at home. Due to the wife's health, the old couple did not have children, and they have supported each other until now.

Li Zhuiyuan put down his tea cup and leaned against the sofa. He felt something falling on one side and reached out to lift it up. It was a photo frame.

The photo frame was originally wrapped in oil paper, but it had been opened by someone. However, when it was placed, it was deliberately placed with the opening facing inward, as if it did not want people to see it.

When it fell down, most of the photo frame inside slid out.

The photo frame is completely black, with striations carved on the edges. Combined with the black and white photo in the middle, it can be seen that this is a posthumous photo.

The woman inside is older, but her eyebrows are still soft, and even the dense wrinkles on her face cannot hide her dignity.

This should be a posthumous photo taken in advance after knowing that I was not in good health.

Many elderly people do this, firstly, to be prepared and to prevent their family members from being in a hurry after they pass away; secondly, the remains of people who pass away due to illness generally do not look very good, so it is necessary to take pictures in advance while they are still in good condition, so as to give them to themselves when they are gone.

Be dignified at the funeral.

It’s the pattern on this photo frame that looks a bit too professional.

Not only is it a simple resemblance, when you rub it with your fingertips, you can clearly feel the fine internal bifurcation under each underworld pattern. This is a standard inscription of the Earthly Scripture.

Anyone with this kind of skill can customize the ancestral tablet for Grandma Liu at home.

In other words, the handmade cost of this photo frame is very expensive, and sometimes it is not a matter of price, but also of favors.

In addition, there is another detail. I don’t know whether it is the skill of the photographer or the makeup artist. The old lady in this black and white posthumous photo actually gives people a delicate and rosy look.

This is a very strange contrast, because it is impossible for it to have such an effect.

Li Zhuiyuan leaned sideways to see if there was anything special about the picture frame mirror. After inspection, he found nothing unusual.

But when I re-examined this photo, there seemed to be slight changes. She seemed to have moved, and the perspective of the characters in it seemed to have shifted.

Li Zhuiyuan took out a piece of "test paper" he drew from his pocket and pasted it on, but there was no reaction on the paper.

This is really weird. Is it really my illusion?

Although he came here just to look for information and clues, the young man didn't expect that he would be stuck when he touched a portrait as soon as he entered here.

Even he himself was caught in the triangular relationship between science, art or metaphysics, and he was not sure.

The footsteps of two people came from the bedroom. Li Zhuiyuan put the portrait back and put it behind him, preparing to let it fall down again when he got up later so he could take the opportunity to ask.

Professor Zhu helped his wife out.

The old couple have the same surname, both Zhu.

Mrs. Zhu should have simply groomed herself after being aroused before, but her face still showed signs of illness.

She is really in her final years. She may not be old enough yet, but her body is approaching a certain critical point.

"Hello, Grandma Zhu."

Li Zhuiyuan stood up to say hello, and the portrait behind him fell again.

Mrs. Zhu looked at Li Zhuiyuan with a smile, reached out and patted her husband's hand, and said:

"You are right, this child is indeed good-looking and has a bookish quality that makes people like him."

Everyone has their own aesthetics. If you look at the furnishings inside and outside the house, as well as Mrs. Zhu's profession before she retired, you can see her interests and preferences.

However, this is the first time that Li Zhuiyuan has been called bookish.

Come to think of it, those dead and evil people who died at the hands of Li Zhuiyuan would not speak out to object to this.

"Child, sit down."

"Okay, grandma."

When Li Zhuiyuan sat down, he touched the frame of the deceased photo and reached out to sort it out.

Mrs. Zhu did not shy away from this, but proactively asked: "Does the photo look good?"

Professor Zhu stood up and went to pack up the missing photo frame. He was a little dissatisfied with his wife asking this to a child, but he just smiled dotingly. He knew that his wife did not like those restrictions.

"It looks good." Li Zhuiyuan handed the photo frame to Professor Zhu and said to Mrs. Zhu, "I think the photo looks better than your real person now."

"Hahaha." Mrs. Zhu covered her mouth and laughed. This time she was no longer reserved. She was really happy.

If other women tell her that she looks better in photos than in real life, she will probably be unhappy, but this is what Mrs. Zhu pursues. Being praised and acknowledged makes her feel at ease.

"Grandma, I'm not in good health, so I just wanted to take better photos, so that even if I'm gone, when Mr. Zhu is sitting at home and thinking about me, we won't be too bored looking at my photos."

Professor Zhu echoed: "Yes, yes, it's very beautiful, very beautiful. I don't put it on the altar table at night. I hug it and go to bed."

Grandma Zhu blushed and spat: "Bah, the child is here, what are you talking about?"

Afraid that the topic would disappear, Li Zhuiyuan quickly asked: "Where was the photo taken? A photo studio? One of my brothers plans to take artistic photos with his partner, and I don't know which one to choose."

Grandma Zhu said: "There is Pingju Photo Studio at the intersection of Zhengyang Street."

"Oh, okay, I remember."

"Although the boss is young, his skills are excellent and he is very meticulous and responsible." Grandma Zhu added, "The price is not expensive. You can recommend your brother to try it with his partner."

"Then is this photo frame also provided by the photo studio?"

"Of course, this photo frame is exquisite, I like the stripes very much, and the price is not expensive, but your brother will definitely not choose this one. There are other styles."

A re-employed professor and a retired professor naturally have no worries about food and drink, but they have nothing to do with wealth. It is difficult for them to earn extra money in their majors.

Things that make them think they are cheap will definitely not be expensive.

If expensive things are sold at bargain prices, there is something wrong with the photo studio.

Next, Grandma Zhu asked Li Zhuiyuan which books he had read. Of course, Li Zhuiyuan would not expose Wei Zhengdao.

After reading some books based on the old man's preferences, Grandma Zhu also asked a few questions, which Li Zhuiyuan answered.

Grandma Zhu was pleasantly surprised and motioned to Li Zhuiyuan to follow her into the study, where she studied the boy's calligraphy and paintings.

Professor Zhu opened the door and said, "Lunch is ready, how are you doing?"

Grandma Zhu smiled bitterly and said: "I wanted to give my child some advice, but this child's calligraphy and painting skills are higher than mine. If it weren't for my poor health and lack of energy now, I would have wanted to worship this child as my teacher."
To be continued...