"Dad, I'm going out with these friends for a meal. I'll treat them to some drinks to thank them, and I'll be back soon," Jasper Cheng said to Sam Evans.
Lana Evans added, "Dad, I'll go with them too."
The young couple left with the creditors, leaving only Sam Evans and Susan Evans at home. As usual, the two of them sat in silence.
Sam Evans felt a huge weight lift off his chest after repaying the debts, finally able to relax. But then he started worrying about how to pay back the money he owed to relatives and friends—and how long that would take.
Just as Sam Evans was fretting over the debts, someone knocked on the door. He opened it to find Arthur Evans, waiting outside for him.
"Sam, we're done with our side of things. Let's go have a drink together, what do you say?"
"Of course! If my brother invites me for a drink, I have to go," Sam Evans replied. He went back inside, put on his coat, and followed Arthur Evans out.
Arthur Evans had come by carriage and invited Sam Evans to get in.
Once Sam Evans got in, he was surprised to see Lily Evans already there.
"Lily, what are you doing here? You're expecting—why are you running around?" Sam Evans asked in surprise.
Lily Evans quietly looked at Sam Evans. "Uncle Sam, did you return the ten thousand taels of silver to the creditor?"
"Yes, I did. I watched them pay it back with my own eyes," Sam Evans replied.
"Is that what Lana told you too?" Lily sighed, gazing at Sam Evans.
Sam Evans was puzzled, but still nodded. "Yes, that's exactly what Lana told me."
Lily and Arthur Evans exchanged a glance, both showing a hint of sympathy on their faces.
"Come on, Uncle Sam, we're taking you somewhere," Lily said as she grabbed a small cage from the table nearby. Inside was a little yellow bird, adorably chirping.
"Lily, when did you start keeping birds?" Sam Evans was surprised. As far as he knew, Lily had never been interested in birds before.
"This little bird isn't mine; it's my father's," Lily replied, opening the cage. The yellow bird hopped onto her hand, docile and cute.
Lily gently stroked the yellow bird's feathers and explained, "My father raises these birds for tracking. They're fed a special diet and are extremely sensitive to certain medicinal scents. If you let one loose, it'll follow the trail straight to the source."
Sam Evans was thoroughly confused. Why would Lily bring out a little yellow bird at a time like this?
Lily didn't bother to explain further; she simply let the yellow bird out of the carriage.
The little yellow bird flapped its wings a few times in the air and then started flying in a specific direction.
The carriage driver followed the bird along the road, as if they were tracking something important.
Sam Evans was curious and wanted to ask what was going on, but seeing Lily and Arthur Evans both looking so serious, he kept quiet and sat in the carriage, following the little bird.
The bird didn't fly fast, dipping and soaring along the road. The carriage kept pace behind it until finally, the yellow bird stopped outside a lavishly decorated inn.
Lily Evans motioned for everyone to stop. "This is it. The person we're looking for is inside."
Sam Evans was stunned. "How did you know?"