[GL Mystery] Lost Tracks - Chapter 3

Sometimes, people only realize what matters most and what they’ve overlooked in life when they lose something.

Ximo lay in bed, wearing her sister’s nightgown, as if only this could make her feel Xiyan was near. Staring at the dull moon outside the window, her eyes grew wet.

She had never felt lonely before, but now she was very lonely.

That afternoon, after returning from the club, she didn’t meet Gu Yue but got through on the phone and arranged to meet tomorrow morning, with the exact time and place to be confirmed by Gu Yue.

Afterward, Ximo returned home alone, didn’t eat, took a shower, and lay in bed. Dingdang went back to gather more information.

Half-asleep, Ximo seemed to return to the past, to the days when the sisters relied on each other.

Back then, the sky was truly blue.

“Sister, come play on the swing! It’s so fun, like flying!”

Twelve-year-old Xiyan, innocent and adorable, had the same bright eyes as her sister.

Since their parents’ passing, Xiyan hadn’t been this happy in a long time.

For two years, Ximo had been extremely protective of her sister, never letting Xiyan out of her sight.

After their parents’ death, she felt she had to take care of her sister, her only family left.

Watching Xiyan play joyfully, Ximo’s eyes were full of affection.

She hoped Xiyan would always be this happy, and she would stay by her side forever, never leaving.

The next morning, Ximo woke early, tear stains at the corners of her eyes, a mix of bitterness and sweet memories twisting her heart.

“Xiyan, where did you go?” she murmured.

The phone rang. Ximo got up to answer, seeing the clock at six.

She guessed it might be Dingdang with news.

Bracing herself, she quickly pressed the answer key.

“Hello, is this Mu Ximo?” a low, magnetic female voice came from the other end.

“Yes, who is this?”

“Sorry for calling so early. I’m Gu Yue. I’m free now and can meet you. Is that convenient?”

“No trouble, I’m already up. Where should we meet?” Ximo was surprised but, anxious about her sister, agreed without much thought.

“Great, I’ll come to your place then,” Gu Yue’s voice was steady, as if the words were rehearsed.

“Okay,” Ximo replied, sending her address to Gu Yue’s phone.

After hanging up, Ximo called Dingdang, but there was no answer—likely still sleeping—so she left a message.

Then she activated the home’s surveillance system.

The system was installed years ago when the sisters were students.

With only the two of them and their caretaker aunt, the aunt, worried for their safety, hired a bodyguard and installed a security system.

It would automatically alert if anything dangerous happened, and the house and surroundings were under video surveillance.

Now, it was proving useful.

After preparing, Ximo dressed in dark, slightly formal clothes. She tidied the house a bit and waited in the living room for Gu Yue.

Soon, she heard a car outside.

Guessing it was Gu Yue, Ximo opened the door and saw a bold SUV parked at the entrance.

A woman stepped out—slim, medium height, with healthy wheat-colored skin.

Her long hair was tied back in a bun, looking sharp. Her features were refined, not flashy but pleasantly attractive, with sharp eyes that sparkled.

This was Gu Yue in Ximo’s eyes.

After polite greetings, Ximo brought Gu Yue inside.

Gu Yue seemed at ease, almost familiar, and after sitting, explained she had just returned from out of town.

She hadn’t gone home after the highway because, hearing about Ximo’s sister on the phone, she was concerned.

Xiyan had indeed contacted her recently, and the project was her responsibility.

“Would you like some breakfast before we talk?” Ximo, though anxious, didn’t want to be impolite.

“No, I usually skip breakfast. Let’s get to the matter. I know you must be worried sick about your sister,” Gu Yue said, considerate of Ximo.

“Yes. Let’s talk about my sister now. I want to know what happened after she contacted you.” Ximo didn’t think Gu Yue seemed like someone who’d kidnap her sister, but she wouldn’t conclude anything until things were clear.

Gu Yue took a sip of water and slowly recounted recent events.

That afternoon, Gu Yue was at home organizing travel materials.

She had designed an adventure project, uploaded to club terminals nationwide.

Many signed up, but no one from this town yet. She wondered if the project suited a small town.

Then her phone rang. A young girl, very interested in the new project, wanted details.

Soon, Gu Yue met the girl and showed her the project documents. The girl loved it and wanted to join immediately.

As the first local participant, and since the project needed about five locals to join others from L City for the destination, Gu Yue, not wanting zero progress in town, agreed to start the project for the girl, who would join the larger team with the town’s leader.

The leaders were skilled club members, avid travelers with strong adventure and adaptability skills. Wang Jie was such a leader, handling riskier outdoor adventure tours.

The club operated as a cooperative social group, not a commercial entity. All staff were elected by members, and the club had branches nationwide.

This kept costs to essentials, with no entry fees, but the non-commercial management made operations less formal.

The girl signed the project agreement, paid the fee, and Gu Yue arranged for her to meet Wang Jie. Everything else was handled by Wang Jie.

Per Gu Yue, things went smoothly.

From meeting the girl to joining the project and meeting Wang Jie, it took only a day or two.

Then Gu Yue went on a business trip. Besides club management, she ran a foreign trade company, keeping her busy. Hearing about Ximo’s sister, she rushed back to town.

“Can you still contact Wang Jie?” Ximo detected no flaws in Gu Yue’s story—it seemed like normal work—but the unknown number she and Dingdang suspected might be Wang Jie.

As if expecting the question, Gu Yue dialed Wang Jie’s number in front of Ximo, on speaker. Ximo’s eyes flashed; it was the unknown number Dingdang found. The result: “The number you dialed is invalid.”

“When you called yesterday, I tried contacting her and asked the assembly point’s staff. They said Wang Jie never showed up, and her number is invalid,” Gu Yue said sincerely.

But Ximo didn’t fully trust her, as her words couldn’t be verified yet.

Ximo nodded. “Can I see the project’s documents?”

“Yes, but I don’t have them on me. I’ll email them to you later. I’m truly sorry about this. Wang Jie’s missing too, but I’ll keep contacting other club members for news.”

“Thank you. Is Wang Jie her real name?”

“Yes, we verify the real identities of all club members, so you can trust that.”

Ximo briefly discussed project details and Wang Jie with Gu Yue, but there weren’t many clues, as Gu Yue said she left after the project was signed and didn’t know much after.

Right after Gu Yue left, Dingdang called. Minutes later, she was at Ximo’s house.