Facing an Ancient God for a Year

Chapter 1813: Chapter 1788: Vulgar Fear (21)

Eva’s voice was a bit louder than usual, as if she had received a significant revelation between questions and answers.

”Is it her boyfriend Wen? Did he do this to Salma? Why would he do that?”

So much so that the next three questions flowed smoothly.

”Why do you think that?”

Unfortunately, this newly opened line of thought was met head-on with a question mark tossed back by Expert Fu.

... Wasn’t it you who specifically mentioned it?

At that moment, it was apparent that not only Eva had such a thought rise in her mind.

Even though, for the moment, no reason could truly be provided, considering the discussion was about a tragedy, should someone suddenly ask about someone, wouldn’t anyone think along those lines?

Regrettably, although Mr. Wolf wasn’t feigning seriousness, his every move still carried excessive authority, and no one truly responded with such a snide nature.

”Salma is very enthusiastic... and quite popular, especially recently.”

In the next moment, Eva, who initially choked on her words, managed, after a wild squeeze of her brain, to directly give a conjecture.

”I have met her boyfriend; on one hand, I can’t really understand why they’re together, and on the other hand, many people at school are fond of Salma.

From that point of view, they indeed have the possibility of conflict.”

Choosing words with caution, Eva ultimately clarified her deduction.

”But there are also several issues; firstly, I’ve been here all day and haven’t seen Wen come over nor heard any arguments.

Furthermore, I don’t feel their conflict would be so intense.”

Upon saying that, seemingly reminded inadvertently, Eva looked at the blood on her hands, stared blankly for a few seconds, and then hurriedly wiped at herself, finally, as if shocked by electricity, threw her jacket and backpack to the ground.

...

”A reasonable explanation.”

Watching Eva’s rabbit-like movement, although the reaction tensed the atmosphere further for a moment, Fu Qian acknowledged her words.

”The reason I asked that earlier was that the scream of falling sounded a bit like his.”

Moreover, at the next moment, he even shared his observation findings.

”Additionally, it’s a fairly easy thing to verify because this building only has four levels, and he couldn’t have run. We’ll check later.”

It does seem so...

The three, previously immersed in a bizarre, horrific atmosphere, seemed to have a moment of revelation, and Eva’s actions came to a halt.

Indeed, it seemed like we needlessly got ourselves into a dead end.

It doesn’t matter if it feels overly intense; checking later to see if it’s really Salma’s boyfriend should suffice, but...

Seeing Mr. Wolf wasn’t too suspicious of the two of them, Gao Bi involuntarily sighed in relief yet suddenly seemed to remember something.

”But wouldn’t it have been Joshua...”

And at the next moment, he finally couldn’t hold it in.

”Tell him why it wasn’t Joshua.”

And without meaning to argue, Fu Qian indicated directly towards Eva in response.

Huh?

At that moment, both assistants looked over in surprise, not understanding why this related back to Eva.

”Wen and Wolf... found Joshua’s body in the storage room on the second floor.”

And Eva, following instructions, softly recounted the earlier observations.

...

”Impossible!”

Both assistants evidently had a hint of nervous breakdown, almost speaking in unison at that moment.

The follower, who arrived later, couldn’t help but rush to the window to look down.

In this relatively secluded position, without a follow-up to the scream earlier, no one came to inquire for the moment.

”Why is it impossible?”

And like Eva, Fu Qian casually asked the two assistants to provide judgement reasons.

”He should be on the first floor... I was just away for a little while, and he was gone when I returned.”

Facing this increasingly uncontrolled situation, after a simple look exchanged with Gao Bi, the follower seemed to have finally made up his mind, responding this time.

Oh? The statement might seem vague.

It could be understood that Joshua came to school to study on the weekend or that he was dead, placed there.

”And then, did you go looking for him everywhere?”

Scanning the troubled-looking people all around, Fu Qian silently commented while opting to bypass this question.

”Yes, at first, it was just me.”

The follower responded again.

Being on duty, it’s no wonder the chosen style is different.

The follower, stationed here, noticed his absence and promptly searched around.

Then Gao Bi, who arrived later and found out he was missing, opted to cover his face and act more discreetly in confusion.

Even with just one sentence, it was enough for Fu Qian to sort out some potential logic.

”So, the iron gate was locked by you guys too because you didn’t want him to be disturbed?”

”...Yes.”

”Such reliable friends.”

Faced with the assistants’ honest responses, Fu Qian even offered a compliment.

”Are you out of your minds? Why do such things?”

Unfortunately, not everyone felt the same; Eva had reached her limits and snapped at the two.

”That’s—”

”What you just said reminded me of something.”

Left speechless for the moment, yet it was the partner next to Eva who recalled something and scrutinized Eva while speaking.

”Joshua mentioned to me that Salma had long grown tired of her boyfriend and would soon break up to be with him.”

Oh?

At that moment, even Eva looked over sharply.

True to the saying ’many minds working together to achieve,’ under Mr. Wolf’s concise guidance, a thread of narrative gradually pieced together—

Salma sparked a connection with Joshua, planning to break up with her boyfriend Wen.

The latter knew she was practicing here today and came to find her.

Upon entering, he first encountered Joshua.

The specific process is unclear, but after a potential confrontation, he intended to hide the latter. Due to size constraints, he was forced to leave him in the second-floor storage.

This explains why that door was locked.

Then Wen headed upstairs, causing Salma harm.

When he tried to leave, people were coming up from both sides, panicking, he tried to hide on the outside ledge and accidentally fell.

The series of events appeared seamless, nearly dismissing all transcendent factors of this night, completely attributing everything to man-made causes.

Throughout this, Eva’s overly vivid imagination made her an innocent victim, deeply frightened.

Sifting through the facial expressions of the three, Fu Qian processed for them an understanding of this night and ultimately nodded.

”You’re welcome, but you better start thinking about how to explain it to the police.”

With a tone of gracefully retreating after success, he even walked over to pick up Eva’s bag, handing it back to her.

...

Nearly all wanted to speak but stopped, and after a few seconds of hesitation among them, Eva finally received her bag and departed, directly heading for the elevator.

The remaining two looked even more complex in expression, yet in the end made the same choice.

With the sound of the elevator doors closing, in a blink of an eye, within the building shrouded in darkness, it was just him left again.

Is it still not complete?

Inwardly musing, Fu Qian scanned his surroundings, not heading towards any of the exit routes, but instead walking deeper into the shadows, pushing open a familiar door moments later, re-entering the women’s restroom.

The trio had turned on the lights upon barging in; standing before the blood-stained stall, Salma remained leaning where she was, her demeanor even more ghastly under the light.

Quietly scrutinizing the scene for a few seconds, Fu Qian retrieved a small notebook from his pocket, flipping it open and reading its contents in the light as well.

Gathering the bag earlier wasn’t about any gentlemanly conduct.

Carrying a pen casually is quite a rare habit, especially when coming to the dance studio to practice.

Therefore, just now he checked quickly, confirming Eva not only had a pen but indeed a notebook.

It was even a Q&A book, filled densely; the further back, the more menacing the handwriting became—

[Will I have luck this All Fools’ Day?]

[No]

...

[Is there any danger on the second floor?]

[Don’t identify door numbers; don’t follow the piano sound to walk]

...

[Why is Salma so popular?]

[Because she is optimistic, cheerful... a bitch... enthusiastic, friendly... because... bitch!]

[Die]