The sound of footsteps carried a sense of resentment, and the two of them fell silent in unison, watching as Yao He walked out in a huff.
Yang Xufeng did not follow her out; the young couple seemed to have had a fight.
Chi Yu followed behind her, looking relatively energetic, and gave Nan Yue a nod before pulling Yao He aside to comfort her.
Yao He didn't know where to go and stood by the roadside wiping away tears.
Jiang Siyan felt it was inappropriate to stay and went back first, while Nan Yue walked over and heard Chi Yu coaxing the girl with rare gentleness.
"What's wrong? You two have such a good relationship, why the fierce argument?"
Yao He's eyes were red, and she stomped her foot. "It's all because of him! He keeps talking about Xie... Miss Xie every single day!"
Nan Yue's gaze darkened; she knew that no couple could remain indifferent to provocations like Xie Hui's.
And so, trouble had arrived.
"What did Xie Hui do?"
Seeing Nan Yue ask, Yao He didn't feel guarded; they had all met before, and as fellow girls, there was a sense of mutual sympathy.
"She... strictly speaking, she didn't really do anything. She's just so enthusiastic, inviting us to dinner every day. I'm willing to help a young girl when she needs it, but..."
But it was hard not to feel jealous.
The two of them comforted Yao He for a while before going to Sister Deng's place nearby for wontons.
They learned then that Yao He still hadn't found a job, as there were no places nearby that needed help. She had originally planned to work at a restaurant near the front gate of Oasis Community, but since the female owner there still hadn't been found, the couple had become a bit apprehensive.
Because of this delay, Yao He had been staying at home.
Yao He was a very hardworking girl who did all the laundry and cleaning at home, but she wasn't very good at cooking, and the food she made was mediocre.
Yang Xufeng had eaten Xie Hui's cooking twice, and he had brought it up during their argument.
Nan Yue remained silent for a moment. "You two... should move out as soon as possible."
These words were meant as both a kindness and a test.
Yao He was a bit dazed. "Huh? Move out?"
Nan Yue spoke calmly. "It's not very safe here."
Yao He stared blankly before a look of realization dawned on her. "Are you talking about the person who fell to their death on the first floor? I find it creepy too! Who knows how long we've been living alongside a corpse."
She hesitated for a moment and sighed. "I've actually discussed it with Xufeng, but we've already paid this month's rent, and moving is such a hassle. We wouldn't be able to take any orders for at least two days..."
Yang Xufeng handed over all his money, and Yao He frowned as she thought about their savings.
Nan Yue said no more; she had said enough.
Besides, what if they were the serial killers?
The killer seemed to be moving from place to place, and there was currently no way to determine their whereabouts.
"Do you want to sleep at my place tonight?"
If Yao He came over, Nan Yue could at least keep a close eye on her.
Yao He shook her head, feeling a bit embarrassed.
They were just strangers meeting by chance, and she and Yang Xufeng weren't going to break up over a few words.
Yao He went back after finishing her meal.
Chi Yu watched her receding back in silence. Nan Yue asked, "What's wrong?"
Chi Yu's exposed eye looked somewhat dull. "I just feel like it's all meaningless."
"Huh?"
Chi Yu pointed at Yao He. "Relationships are truly meaningless. You think you can trust the people around you, but the bond between two people is actually incredibly fragile."
Nan Yue didn't speak. Chi Yu was right, but those words were very strange.
These weren't the kind of things Chi Yu would say.
Chi Yu was straightforward and feisty, with strong abilities, and she was fully dedicated to eliminating pollution and reclaiming the world.
She cherished relationships and firmly believed in her teammates, which was why Fu Xi Ming had assigned her to Nan Yue.
She wasn't the type of person who should be saying such things.
The sky gradually darkened, and chaotic lights flickered on. Although their surroundings grew brighter, Nan Yue felt an indescribable sense of dread.
At that moment, she felt the entire world was very eerie.
It was as if...
As if the entire world were a fake painting, and the Chi Yu beside her was also fake, nothing more than a dummy painted to look like her.
Only she was real.
Nan Yue's mental stability wavered for only an instant before she quickly regained her composure.
"Are you okay?"
Chi Yu turned her head and smiled. "I'm fine, but Yin Qian is indeed a bit dispirited."
Having spent more time with Yin Qian, she naturally spoke up for him.
"His ability involves dealing with NPCs, but this mission is a bit tedious. He might just be feeling a bit down for now, but he'll be fine soon."
Nan Yue nodded and suddenly asked, "Do you feel like something isn't quite right?"
Chi Yu tilted her head. "No, what's not right?"
"It's nothing," Nan Yue stopped herself from saying more.
Old Wu wouldn't be returning today, and while Zhu Xi Ning wasn't feeling well, keeping an eye on Granny Li wouldn't be a problem. Nan Yue planned to go back and rest before heading to Old Wu's place tonight.
She and Chi Yu parted ways on the third floor, but when she reached the fourth floor, she saw Wu Ming knocking on the mute's door.
Calling it knocking was being polite; it was more like pounding.
Gu Xiang Kai was nearby, pretending to offer advice. "We're all neighbors, let's talk things through properly."
Nan Yue stopped to watch, and Gu Xiang Kai gave her a look when he saw her.
Nan Yue's mind wandered a bit. Gu Xiang Kai was normal, and so was Zhu Xi Ning. As for Jiang Siyan...
Jiang Siyan wasn't normal to begin with, so he couldn't really be used as a benchmark.
Was it related to mental stability?
The door opened, and the mute stood at the doorway, his collar grabbed by Wu Ming.
"Where is Wu Gang?"
The mute's eyes were filled with panic, and he kept looking at Gu Xiang Kai for help, yet an exaggerated smile remained plastered on his face.
"What happened to Wu Gang?"
After finally being pulled apart, Wu Ming crouched in the hallway and lit a cigarette, visibly anxious.
"Wu Gang didn't come back."
Nan Yue and Gu Xiang Kai exchanged a glance. "Wasn't Wu Gang working as a security guard across the street? Didn't you go ask?"
Wu Ming took a deep drag of his cigarette. Of course he had, but they said Wu Gang had left early in the afternoon.
Wu Gang was a clever guy and had quickly befriended the security team, so he was able to slip away early today.
But he hadn't returned.
"He's a grown man, don't worry. Why are you picking on someone else?"
It wasn't polite to call him a mute to his face, so Gu Xiang Kai just gestured toward him with his chin.
Wu Ming didn't say anything.
The mute stood behind them, silent and seemingly nervous.
After finishing his cigarette, Wu Ming stood up and rubbed his face.
"Sorry, brother, I was just too anxious." The mute faced him with that eerie smile.
Wu Ming felt extremely uncomfortable. He didn't say another word and closed his door.
Nan Yue walked back, and Gu Xiang Kai offered a few words of comfort to the mute before returning to his own room, where he immediately peered out through the peephole.
The mute didn't go back inside. He stood there for a moment before walking to Wu Ming's front door.
He tilted his head, seemingly trying to look through the door at Wu Ming.
Gu Xiang Kai narrowed his eyes. In the next second, the mute suddenly turned his head and looked right at him.
Gu Xiang Kai cursed inwardly and remained motionless; the mute stood there for a while longer before going back.
Rate on N.U.
