Chapter 6 : Dark Secrets Unfold

Zhou Huaixia had just returned home for two days when she had to go back to school.

At first, Father Zhou disagreed. “Why are you suddenly going back to school today?”

He had gone out early in the morning to buy groceries, planning to cook something his daughter liked for lunch.

“Let Xia go back to school if she wants to.”

Mother Zhou was worried that what happened yesterday had affected Zhou Huaixia.

She thought that returning to school might not be a bad idea, as it would allow her to get away from the chaotic neighborhood.

The parents from this morning were still causing a scene at the entrance.

Zhou Huaixia had already changed her ticket. She would be flying to S City at noon.

She picked up her bag and said, “I made plans to hang out with my friends.”

Since their daughter rarely took the initiative to go out with friends, Father and Mother Zhou had no reason to refuse.

Without hesitation, they grabbed the car keys and drove her to the airport.

On the plane, Zhou Huaixia thought about many things.

Lü Jin must have gone over it in her mind countless times; otherwise, those two dreams wouldn’t have been so clear and logical.

Yes, clear and logical.

People’s thoughts in dreams are often scattered and erratic.

Events that make no sense in reality can be naturally connected in a dream.

Like the girl from Building 23, whose arm was bitten off by a pig but suddenly grew back.

Like the boy who committed suicide in the neighborhood, who had two distorted alarm clocks pierce through his body yet still managed to survive against all logic.

Like the pencil in his hand that bled ink.

Like the two exam invigilators with oversized camera heads.

All these bizarre people and events seemed ordinary in the dream, and no one found them strange.

But the dream about torturing and killing the cat was too real.

The space within sight showed no distortion whatsoever.

Even the serial number on the manhole cover existed in reality.

Zhou Huaixia wasn’t sure if those two dreams were Lü Jin’s fantasies before committing the crime or memories after the fact.

But a psychological disorder always leaves traces.

She had to go check that staff dormitory.

If she found any suspicious evidence, she would report it immediately!

…

“Why are you back?”

Lü Jin slowly moved closer to the entrance of the faculty dormitory, forcing a smile.

“Weren’t you still at home this morning?”

At that moment, various news headlines flashed through her mind:

“A female university student entangles her roommate for years, Is it love-driven obsession or hatred turned into madness?”

Zhou Huaixia looked melancholic.

“I had another argument with my parents about my major this morning, so I decided to return to school early.”

Lü Jin immediately let out a sigh of relief.

So it wasn’t because she ignored her video call earlier.

“There’s no one else in school during the holidays, so I thought I’d come find you to hang out.”

As she spoke, Zhou Huaixia suddenly clutched her stomach.

“Can I use your bathroom?”

Lü Jin hesitated for a moment.

Seeing her looking genuinely uncomfortable, she relented and led her upstairs.

Each floor of the faculty dormitory had only two units, one on the left and one on the right.

Each apartment was about 80 square meters, with two bedrooms, a living room, and a small balcony.

For a single occupant, it was quite spacious and comfortable.

The hallways were also very clean.

Lü Jin pushed open the door with the couplet pasted on it.

She changed into her mother’s slippers and was just about to bend down when she noticed Zhou Huaixia had already reached out and opened the shoe cabinet, staring at it thoughtfully.

It was as if she was considering which pair of shoes to wear.

Lü Jin: “…”

She immediately regretted letting her inside.

Was there something wrong with Zhou Huaixia’s brain?

Zhou Huaixia finally shifted her gaze from the shoe cabinet and met her roommate’s eyes, looking completely innocent.

“What’s wrong?”

There wasn’t a single pair of shoes with black laces inside.

But Zhou Huaixia had keenly noticed the hint of unease that flashed in Lü Jin’s eyes.

She was afraid she might discover something!

“The slippers are here.”

Lü Jin expressionlessly kicked her slippers toward Zhou Huaixia.

“The bathroom is to the left.”

She had to make sure she left as soon as she finished using the bathroom.

“Thanks.”

Zhou Huaixia had noticed the change in Lü Jin’s emotions.

That only confirmed that she had come to the right place.

There was definitely something in this house that couldn’t be exposed.

“To the left!”

Lü Jin watched as Zhou Huaixia walked straight to the right and couldn’t help but remind her.

“The right is the study room.”

Zhou Huaixia had already placed her hand on the doorknob.

Pretending not to hear, she turned the handle and pushed the door open.

The study was in full view.

A row of bookshelves lined with medical books.

A desk in the center.

A human skeleton model in the corner.

Nothing else.

“Sorry, wrong way.”

Zhou Huaixia acted as if she had just realized her mistake and turned toward the bathroom.

Lü Jin, who had witnessed everything: “…”

Zhou Huaixia entered the bathroom and shut the door behind her.

She looked around, getting a clearer view than in the glimpses from the video.

It was exactly like in her dream.

She pulled open the glass partition and walked up to the showerhead, studying it for a while before turning her attention to the grab bar on the white tiled wall.

It was meant to help the elderly or children avoid slipping.

Zhou Huaixia bent down, inspecting the grab bar closely.

She remembered how, in the dream, the white cat had desperately clung to it, leaving visible scratch marks.

…Nothing.

She felt a bit relieved.

It seemed those dreams were just Lü Jin’s imagined scenarios before the crime, rather than actual memories.

Zhou Huaixia stepped out of the shower area and quietly opened the mirrored cabinet.

Inside were just a few basic skincare products and toothpaste nothing strange.

In the living room.

Lü Jin clutched her phone, glancing at the bathroom door from time to time, speaking in a hushed voice.

“Ms. Lü Zhihua, I want to apply for a dormitory change.”

Professor Lü was still discussing a surgical plan with her students.

Hearing this, she simply replied, “Reason?”

Lü Jin: “I think my roommate is mentally unstable.”

Professor Lü immediately denied the request.

“Request denied.”

“Why?!”

Lü Jin tried to exaggerate the issue.

“She’s unmotivated and acts really weird”

“All freshmen took a psychological evaluation before dorm assignments.”

“I reviewed your roommate’s results.

“She’s mentally very healthy.”

Professor Lü interrupted her sternly.

“Lü Jin, don’t label people just for your own comfort.”

Lü Jin felt slightly guilty.

“I’m not.”

Professor Lü ignored her and instead instructed,

“Tomorrow is your cousin’s birthday.

“I don’t have time to buy a gift.

“Go buy it tonight.

“She liked that co-branded princess bag from that pink-themed accessories store last time.”

Lü Jin was unwilling.

“I already came back to the dorm. I don’t want to go out.”

“Buy it and bring it tomorrow morning.”

Hearing the dial tone after the call was cut off, Lü Jin ruffled her hair in frustration.

Why did Lü Zhihua insist on making her suffer in communal living?!

“Click.”

The bathroom door opened.

Zhou Huaixia slowly walked out.

Lü Jin cleared her throat and pushed up her glasses.

“Are you done?

“I’m going out to buy something.

“You should head back to your dorm.”

Hearing this, Zhou Huaixia immediately became alert.

“Where are you going?

“What are you buying?”

In two hours, it would be completely dark.