Zhao Lun picked up the items on the ground and examined them; they were recent newspapers from the magical world and letters from friends.
Finding a comfortable spot, he sat down and began to read the letters from his friends. Everyone seemed to be doing well and enjoying their lives. The Weasley family had won a lottery and planned to go on vacation.
Other friends wrote about their adventures, including some photos, and seeing his friends so happy made Zhao Lun smile. However, his smile soon faded, and he put the letters aside, amusement replaced by contemplation.
"How stubborn."
With a sigh, Zhao Lun set the letters down and decided not to dwell on them any longer.
One of the letters was from Potter, filled with complaints about his life with his aunt and uncle.
Zhao Lun's arrangements had proven useful. For the first few days, Potter had a pleasant stay, receiving treatment comparable to that of his cousin. He had even moved out of the cramped cupboard and enjoyed playful squabbles over the remote control for the television, which kept his aunt and uncle at bay whenever he got upset.
Those days made him feel triumphant and quite happy, thinking that perhaps life wouldn't be so bad after all.
Unfortunately, something had changed with his aunt and uncle in recent days. Their tempers had flared without any apparent reason, and they began to target him once again. Not only did they force him back into the cramped cupboard, but they also imposed strict limitations on his activities as punishment for his recent boldness.
Fortunately, Zhao Lun's people noticed Potter's predicament and rescued him, allowing him some freedom. However, his aunt and uncle treated him like an enemy, their hostility glaringly obvious.
For this, Potter felt quite frustrated.
After reading these letters, Zhao Lun decided it was best not to interfere in Potter's family matters; it wasn't his place to meddle, as doing so could complicate things further.
He wrote a reply, offering some words of comfort and included a potion book, advising him, "Since you're feeling down, why not spend some time revisiting your old books? This book will also help you avoid trouble with Snape. And, of course, feel free to call me when you have time."
After handling the replies, Zhao Lun opened the magical newspaper to catch up on recent events.
"Sure enough, the world seems harmonious; everyone is doing well."
Aside from some minor incidents reported, the magical world appeared to be at peace. Zhao Lun skimmed over the mundane stories and searched for more interesting news, such as the opening of a new shop, the release of magical products, and a new type of cuisine, treating them as light entertainment.
"Hmm? Someone won a prize?"
The images in the newspaper were animated and vivid. One particularly lively image showcased a family celebrating their lottery win. Zhao Lun recognized the Weasley family, each member beaming as they posed for the reporters.
This year had brought them good fortune, and they were excitedly discussing their plans for a trip to Egypt.
"Things are progressing steadily and surely."
Zhao Lun's gaze shifted to a small rat in the image, prompting this thought. He set aside the outdated newspaper and flipped through the new one.
Finally, he opened a newspaper dated today and discovered startling news: someone had escaped from the most notorious prison in the magical world, Azkaban. The escapee was none other than Sirius Black, a friend of Potter's father, who had been labeled a traitor. The image accompanying the article showed a disheveled, gaunt man with vacant eyes.
"Is this a photo from before his escape from Azkaban?"
The longer a person stayed in Azkaban, the greater the chance they would lose their sanity. Sirius had been imprisoned for over a decade, and although he had endured the difficult days, the current image looked too pristine; Zhao Lun guessed it must have been taken shortly after his arrival at the prison.
"An escape? This should be exciting."
Zhao Lun set down the newspaper, looking forward to thrilling events ahead. He opened his mind interface, quickly copied the recorded information, and stored it in Athena's database for future reference, so that Nicole and the others could review it later.
Having organized his materials, he made his way to the game room. As he approached, he could hear laughter coming from within.
Zhao Lun chuckled and pushed the door open, just in time to see several people gathered around a large screen, excitedly discussing something.
Not wanting to interrupt, he quietly observed. At a glance, he recognized the source of the videos; they were all recordings he had captured using his mind interface. The group was busy editing the footage, preparing to create a new project.
Though their idea was good, without Zhao Lun's advanced assistance, they needed Athena to direct them in the editing process.
"Are you all planning to make a movie out of these clips?"
"Yes, boss! What do you think? Isn't it a great idea?"
"Your new movie?"
"Of course! It's been ages since we released a film, and our fans have been eagerly waiting. I think they'll be thrilled with this new edit."
"Let's hope you can handle any trouble that comes your way."
Indeed, they were preparing to edit a movie, and Zhao Lun didn't stop them; he merely reminded them that their efforts might attract trouble.
These videos captured real events, and while he intended to modify them, the essence remained unchanged, which would undoubtedly draw attention.
Ordinary fans would rave about the thrilling experience, likely attracting even more viewers. However, those with a deeper understanding would perceive subtler layers within the film.
This posed risks; the troubles from fans were secondary, but the real danger lay in attracting the attention of extraordinary beings, such as vampires and other supernatural entities. Such encounters were perilous and troublesome.
"Don't worry, boss! No matter how many invaders come, we'll handle them!"
"Are you planning to use the invaders as a training exercise?"
The group nodded earnestly. "That's exactly the idea!"
"Suit yourselves," Zhao Lun replied.
After this summer, he, Penelope, and Maria would be heading off to school, leaving the ladies behind at the estate. The group was formidable and well-equipped. Although they normally dealt with some shady organizations, the training had become less effective, making encounters with extraordinary beings a perfect opportunity for training.
They requested Zhao Lun's assistance with the editing, and he agreed, "In a few days, I'll have it ready for you. As for you, just prepare yourselves."
With his mind interface, he could quickly produce a satisfactory product. However, Zhao Lun didn't want to take the effort lightly; making things too easy could lead to a lack of appreciation. While three days might seem quick, for Nicole and the others, it was just right.
As evening approached, they prepared to leave.
The estate was quiet, filled with the gentle scent of flowers, creating a tranquil atmosphere.
"Do you know anything about the new maid?"
Zhao Lun inhaled the faint floral aroma, enjoying the rare tranquility, and asked in a gentle, unhurried tone.