After nightfall, in the old district, within a house that had been vacated for sixty years.
This house was also an old-style building, previously inhabited by a clan. Due to war, the people of this clan had all moved overseas, and the house had been empty ever since. However, the house was not dirty or disordered; everything looked neat and tidy, as someone came to clean it every month.
The house was large, with many layers upon layers, and deep courtyards.
There was hardly any need for extra decor; even in the daytime, if a person walked alone in the deep, quiet corridors, they would get the creeps, let alone after dark.
A sharp scream echoed from deep within the garden and, soon after, two pale-faced girls ran out in a panic.
"Two, number seventeen and eighteen."
Yang Kai held a notebook in his hand, crossed off two names at the positions number seventeen and eighteen with a red pen.
"Alas, such poor mental quality," lamented Yang Kai, "with such little courage, they want to join our Detective Agency."
Outside the courtyard, three folding tables were set up, and you and Wei Shuxian sat together. You looked up at Wei Shuxian and asked, "How many are still inside?"
"Twelve people left, including Liu Qing."
"You see, Liu Qing is quite impressive," hearing that Liu Qing was still inside, you couldn’t help but admire, and also turned to Liao Yong not far away to ask, "Black Bull, you didn’t give her any inside information in advance, did you?"
"No, no," Liao Yong vehemently shook his head.
Wu Qiyi brought over a bottle of Yakult, placed it in front of you, and said with a smile, "Ever since that incident, Liu Qing has changed a lot. Have you noticed she used to wear gold and silver, brands all over her whenever she went out? Now, she’s as plain as a country girl."
"Plain looks good, plain is natural."
Yang Kai said with a grin, and also winked at you.
Now, the whole club knew that Wu Qiyi had confessed to you last night. Although everyone knew you hadn’t accepted, your current ambiguous relationship made them even more eager to watch, so whenever the two of you stood together, those around would become overjoyed.
At that moment, Yang Kai’s cellphone rang, emitting a signal interference-like sound, mixed with a woman’s eerie voice: "Little Kai, two girls fainted from fright, send someone in to take care of it."
Yang Kai instructed Liao Yong and Wei Shuxian: "Tough men, go in and save them."
Wei Shuxian stood up, patted your shoulder, and said with a smile, "Time, like the wind, slips through your fingers when you’re not paying attention. Young man, time waits for no one, and once you truly miss out, you will regret it for life."
And, surprisingly, Liao Yong chimed in.
You glared at them both, annoyed.
Being part of the club, everyone knew Wu Qiyi to an extent. As time went by, while getting to know her better, everyone also grew to appreciate her personality and her way of dealing with things.
Now the whole club knew your girlfriend was named Zhao’er, but apart from Wu Qiyi and Lin Panxia, no one else had seen her. Whether in terms of feelings or other aspects, everyone hoped that you would end up with Wu Qiyi.
After Wei Shuxian and Liao Yong left, you naturally picked up the Yakult Wu Qiyi had given you and sipped it slowly, while Zong Wangyue plopped down beside you and addressed Yang Kai, who was not far off: "Hey, Little Kai, I’ve got a technical question for you."
Inside was a cacophony of shrill screams from the newbies, while you all chatted outside, creating a rather bizarre atmosphere.
"If a woman is like a handful of sand, how can you prevent her from slipping through your fingers?"
Without a second thought, Yang Kai replied: "Get her wet."
You sprayed Yakult all over Zong Wangyue’s face!
Zong Wangyue looked at you, full of silent reproach: "Boss, I’ve done nothing to offend you. Why do you keep spraying me?"
"Why bring up such a messy topic in the first place."
Soon, Yang Kai’s phone rang again. This time there was much less static, and Wei Shuxian’s voice came through: "Little Kai, someone here’s gone mad."
"Hello! Who are you trying to fool? There can’t be ghosts in this world! I don’t believe it!"
Yang Kai cursed, "Drag that madman out!"
Shortly thereafter, several more were dragged out from inside.
Wu Qiyi walked over with Hu Meili and Lin Panxia, inquiring of Yang Kai: "How many are left?"
Yang Kai counted on his fingers: "Two."
"Two?" Zong Wangyue was also surprised. "Really?"
Wu Qiyi then turned to you: "Is the first round always this tough?"
You nodded: "Yes, it has to be this way, and I’m not planning to recruit any new members in the short term. There’s no need."
Wu Qiyi, following up, asked, "Who are those two?"
"One is Black Bull’s Liu Qing, and the other is named Wang, ah, what was it? Let me check, oh, Wang Xiaohan."
"That girl with the short hair?" Zong Wangyue seemed to have a vivid impression of Wang Xiaohan.
Yang Kai nodded: "Yes, that’s her."
"It’s unexpected, she looks so gentle and fragile, yet she’s one of the last ones standing."
Wu Qiyi looked at you: "Speaking of the end, what was the final setup?"
At this, both Zong Wangyue and Yang Kai laughed mischievously, a particularly wicked kind of laughter.
You scratched your head and said to Wu Qiyi, "Well, I think you’d better not know."
A scream, or rather, two overlapping screams burst forth from the house!
Immediately after, Yang Kai’s phone rang again, and Wei Shuxian couldn’t help cursing loudly: "Which son of a gun came up with this idea! Goddamn it, they actually put cockroaches in chocolate beans! Damn it, a whole bunch of cockroaches!"
This was the first time everyone heard Wei Shuxian curse and everyone laughed out loud.
Wu Qiyi laughed while shaking her head: "You guys are too much. Which girl isn’t scared of cockroaches?"
Next, Nie Ying phased through the wall, glaring at Zong Wangyue and you with eyes that could kill.
You and Zong Wangyue exchanged glances and in unison directed the blame towards Yang Kai behind Nie Ying, saying simultaneously: "It was his idea! He caught the cockroaches too!"
Nie Ying’s body didn’t move, but her head turned 180 degrees!
Waiting with blood eyes, her originally pretty face suddenly became laced with terrifying black veins as she hissed at Yang Kai, "Little Kaikai..."
"Yingying, listen to me, just listen, oh my god!"
Yang Kai dropped his notebook and took off running!
Nie Ying’s apricot eyes widened: "Run, do you think you can escape from mom’s palm?"
With a cold smile, Nie Ying chased after him.