Chapter 88: An Unexpected Death

Chapter 88: An Unexpected Death

Though he didnt manage to get the hint from this door, there was still gain in his losshed brought Yan Shihes gun out with him.

Upon careful thought, this wasnt a loss at all, since everything that could be brought out of the doors was special. Lin Qiushi could be considered very lucky.

But having said that, the special nature of the doors meant that, when faced with ghosts and deities and the like, having a gun wasnt all that useful either. Lin Qiushi had been in Obsidian for a long time now, but this was the first he was hearing of not being able to bring guns in.

Ruan Nanzhu seemed to know what Lin Qiushi was thinking, and said, naturally, you cant bring in any weapons that are too dangerous, or people always end up going too far.

Lin Qiushi, too far?

Ruan Nanzhu, someone once tried bringing a rocket launcher inside

Lin Qiushis expression twisted at this. Are you serious? Someone had really tried to bring that sort of thing in? Wasnt the world of the doors a world of ghosts? Were things like that actually useful?

Im serious, Ruan Nanzhu said. You can try to imagine, if that kind of thing was really brought inside, then that person aims it at the targeted building

Lin Qiushi, Even imagining it, he felt speechless.

Whatever the case, according to Ruan Nanzhu basically no firearms could be brought in. At most, you could have a dagger or something for self-defense.

And so Lin Qiushi once again felt hed gotten a sweet deal.

Currently, Lin Qiushi was very physically fit. Though hed gotten shot inside, once outside, he was pretty much recovered after a few days in the hospital.

Back at the mansion, he even received Chestnuts enthusiastic welcome.

Lin Qiushi picked up his meowing darling kitty, happily petting its soft white tummy and generally looking happy enough to ascend to heaven.

Cheng Qianli watched from the side and said, Lin Qiushi, you really only get such an incredible expression when youre petting your cat, huh

Lin Qiushi, do I?

Cheng Qianli, you do you do. You never even had such a complicated expression inside the doors.

Lin Qiushi didnt know what to say to that, just thought, surely, he wasnt as excessive as Cheng Qianli was saying.

After he returned, Ruan Nanzhu spoke to Lin Qiushi once in private, primarily to talk about how Lin Qiushi passed the door.

Lin Qiushi told Ruan Nanzhu what had happened insidetold Ruan Nanzhu, and when he got to Gu Longming the high school girl, couldnt help his sub-sonar teeth-grinding.

As Ruan Nanzhu listened, a hint of amusement appeared in his eyes. As if thered be so many high school girls.

Lin Qiushi immediately saw through his scheme. You already knew, didnt you

Ruan Nanzhu, know what?

Lin Qiushi, that theres a problem with that high school girl!

Ruan Nanzhu began to laugh. Yeah, I had someone investigate this case.

Lin Qiushi, He sank into a deep silence.

Ruan Nanzhu, basically all gigs from the internet have to be investigated, or its easy for accidents to happen. The person you picked up this time was actually pretty reliable, aside from his claim to be a high school girl.

Lin Qiushi recalled the sight of Gu Longming saying pika pika to him in a miniskirt, and couldnt figure out exactly what kind of a face to make.

But Gu Longming was just a parenthetical. The important thing was still what happened inside the door.

Lin Qiushi sat on the sofa and snacked on crackers as he told Ruan Nanzhu about the key and doors situation inside this door.

When Ruan Nanzhu heard about Yan Shihe shooting Lin Qiushi in the leg at the end, his browson his mostly expressionless facefurrowed. Hes called Yan Shihe?

Lin Qiushi nodded, Yes. Then, after some thought, but the feeling he gave me was a bit familiar

Ruan Nanzhu, familiar?

Lin Qiushi, yeah. He tried to find the words. I suspect he actually had a detailed hint, like the girl in the Woman in the Rain door who set people up with the picture frames. The feeling they gave off were similarYan Shihe was just a lot more meticulous than the girl had been.

Ruan Nanzhus finger tapped the table, looking contemplative.

Lin Qiushi continued, but he wasnt as lucky. He got stabbed in the back by the person he brought, and that person even took the hint with her. Speaking of Ive suddenly remembered. If someone kills a person the moment before they enter the door, and immediately go into the tunneldoes that mean the victim cant get revenge?

This was something he had yet to figure out; judging by Yan Shihes personality, why hadnt he been killed, only injured?

At Lin Qiushis question, Ruan Nanzhus gaze became a bit peculiar. He said, someone has tried that. I even witnessed it myself.

Lin Qiushi, and?

Ruan Nanzhu, and a pair of hands came into the tunnel and dragged that person straight out.

Lin Qiushi, hands?

Ruan Nanzhu, yes, a pair of hands. He changed his position, long legs folding as he leaned into the sofa. He spoke mildly, that person and I went in the door together. Then, after I left the tunnel, he jumped right in front of me. He paused for just a beat, then continued, at the time, we were in an apartment on the 27th floor.

27th floor. Forget humanseven a cat with all nine lives would be dead after that kind of jump.

Lin Qiushi had thought killing people right before leaving was a loophole, but after hearing this from Ruan Nanzhu, he understood this wasnt a loophole at all.

It seemed that both Yan Shihe and Xiao Qian knew about this. Yan Shihe hadnt killed Lin Qiushi, and Xiao Qian hadnt stabbed Yan Shihe anywhere fatal. Lin Qiushi supposed that Yan Shihe couldve use his last strength to drag himself into the tunnel. As for how sick hed get in reality after a wound as serious as that, Lin Qiushi didnt know.

Youve worked hard, Ruan Nanzhu said. Your first solo doorany special insights or thoughts?

Lin Qiushi, thoughts The images of Gu Longming in drag and Ruan Nanzhu in drag appeared in his mind. Itd been fine before, but after the comparison he couldnt help but shivergoosebumps even appeared on his arms. But he didnt dare tell Ruan Nanzhu, only said, n- no, no thoughts.

Ruan Nanzhu peered at his arms in suspicion. If youre not thinking anything why do you have goosebumps?

Lin Qiushi hahd, its a bit chilly.

Ruan Nanzhu obviously didnt believe him, but still let Lin Qiushi get away with it. Alright, since youve just recovered, dont overwork yourself. Go get some rest.

Fine, Lin Qiushi said. Im fine. It was Wu Qi who wasnt okay.

Does this kind of thing happen often?

Slowly, Lin Qiushi walked to the couch, sat, and glanced at Cheng Yixie.

Cheng Yixie, no. Its not easy to do.

Lin Qiushi, but how did they do it?

Cheng Yixie, usually, people who do this kind of thing know theyre about to die. He came in front of Lin Qiushi and summarily explained, they have to find someone with a door, enter with that person, then find an opportunity to kill that person.

Lin Qiushi, but doesnt the person who was followed in know they want to steal their door??

Cheng Yixie, theres always a way.

By lies, concealment, falsehoods, or forcewhen a person wanted to survive, there were always a hundred, a thousand methods.

Lin Qiushis hand slowly tightened into a fist. He said, I understand.

Cheng Qianli came over and patted him on the shoulder, telling him not to be too upset. Lin Qiushi chuckled bitterly, Im not the one most upset.

It was Wu Qi whod lost his loved one.

Lin Qiushi wasnt deeply social, with only a handful of friends. Wu Qi was one of them. He didnt think something like this would happen to Wu Qi.

That night, the atmosphere in the mansion was somber.

Ruan Nanzhu returned from being out, and felt something was wrong when he sat at the dining room table. He asked, what happened?

Cheng Qianli peered at Lin Qiushi, so Ruan Nanzhu too looked over at Lin Qiushi. Lin Qiushi?

Lin Qiushi, Wu Qis girlfriend died. Seems like its because someone stole her door.

Ruan Nanzhus hand, holding chopsticks, stalled for a beat. He glanced at Lin Qiushi. When did this happen?

Lin Qiushi, ten or so days ago. When he was still in the hospital.

Ruan Nanzhu was silent for a while. Wu Qi came to see you then, but you were still unconscious, so he left. Wu Qi had seemed off then, but Ruan Nanzhu wasnt someone who cared much for others, so didnt ask. Hed thought that once Lin Qiushi woke up, Wu Qi would simply contact Lin Qiushi, but he didnt think this was what had happened.

Lin Qiushi sighed. It was rare that he felt this depressed.

Hed heard Ruan Nanzhu talk about it yes, but only when it actually happened to someone he knew did he understand how words paled in comparison.

He hadnt been familiar with Wu Qis girlfriend; theyd only met twice, and he remembered her name to be He Shuangya. He didnt know anything else.

And yet, Lin Qiushi still felt he couldnt accept this.

Lin Qiushi kept his eyes down, and returned to his room after a simple meal.

Not long after, there came a knock at his door. Lin Qiushi called to come in, and saw Ruan Nanzhu push the door open.

Ruan Nanzhu leaned against the doorframe. About to sleep?

Lying on the bed, Lin Qiushi shook his head and got up. Cant.

For something like that to have happened during the day, how could he still manage to sleep? At first, hed thought the door was just something to deal with himself. But then the same thing happened to someone he knew, and she hadnt been as lucky as hed beenshe didnt survive it.

Ruan Nanzhu, whats on your mind?

Lin Qiushi watched Ruan Nanzhu steadily, but didnt speak; he didnt want to say what was on his mind, but he didnt want to lie either. Because he had the feeling Ruan Nanzhu could tell anything he lied about.

Ruan Nanzhu spoke slowly, youre thinking about Wu Qis girlfriend? As he spoke, his eyes observed Lin Qiushis expression.

Mh, Lin Qiushi confessed.

The two kept their gazes locked, and silence reigned. Just as Lin Qiushi couldnt bear anymore, about to shift his gaze, Ruan Nanzhus lips parted again. What he said struck straight at Lin Qiushis soul: Youre wondering how she died?

Lin Qiushis lips pressed into a tight curve.

Ruan Nanzhu slowly approached Lin Qiushi and looked down at him from above. Is that right?

Lin Qiushi, sighing lowly, yes. He was indeed thinking of Wu Qis girlfriend. You couldnt kill inside, yet He Shuangya clearly knew someone had set her upbut why didnt she successfully turn into a vengeful spirit?

Ruan Nanzhu, theres always a way. He looked skyward, and though his voice remained even, his actual words were bone-chilling: Ive been asked before.

Lin Qiushi froze at this. He thought for a while to confirm he wasnt misunderstanding Ruan Nanzhus meaning: someones asked you to steal a door?

Ruan Nanzhu nodded, yes.

Lin Qiushi didnt understand. How is it done?

Ruan Nanzhu, its actually quite simple. He sighed, tone becoming just a bit tiresome. You just have to make sure the person dies confused. Remember the Woman in the Rain world, the lady who killed with the picture frame?

Lin Qiushi nodded. Of course he remembered.

Ruan Nanzhu scoffed, if the dead person doesnt even know how she died, what revenge could she have? Even if she guesses a teammate had done it, a guess doesnt get you vengeance inside the door. To become a resentful spirit, you have to at least figure out how you died. And people who do this, for safety, usually go in in teams of three. This way, the suspect pool was larger, and stealing the door was even easier.

Lin Qiushi frowned. I want to investigate first.

Of course well investigate, Ruan Nanzhu said. We never go easy on people who do this kind of business. Lin Qiushi, rememberI, Ruan Nanzhu, am watching over you.

If hed heard this on a normal day, Lin Qiushi might not have thought anything of it. But today, he felt inexplicably embarrassed, and so played it cool as he gave Ruan Nanzhu his thanks.

But Ruan Nanzhus gaze fell on the tips of Lin Qiushis ears. Hm? Are you shy? With an outstretched finger, he tapped once on Lin Qiushis ear tip. Hey, it moves.

Lin Qiushi, Please, will these people let his poor ears live!

Authors Note:

After careful thought I edited the last bit, and deleted the part where Lin Qiushi wanted revenge. The plot makes more sense this way. Vengeance must be taken, but it still needs an important catalyst.