Translator: CinderTL
The person hiding behind the shelf was Jiang Cheng.
The red figure, of course, was Meng Yumian.
After receiving the photo, Huai Yi quickly understood Wang Qi's meaning: Meng Yumian wasn't searching based on proximity, but rather following a fixed route.
Otherwise, there was no reason for her to ignore Jiang Cheng, who was closer and easier to find, and instead hunt down others hiding in more secluded spots.
The seemingly empty schoolyard where Jiang Cheng was hiding was actually the Safe District.
Having pieced this together with Wang Qi's words, Huai Yi reached his conclusion. He immediately notified Fatty to retreat and regroup at the schoolyard.
Given the current situation, Liang Shan's chances of survival looked grim.
Just then, Jiang Cheng's phone lit up. He had received a message.
It was from Liang Shan.
"She's here. I can sense her in the bathroom, but I can't see her. I'm terrified. Brother Jiang, you said she wouldn't kill me, right? Is that really true?"
Less than twenty minutes remained. Normally, that would be just enough time for a quick nap. But now, it was the difference between life and death.
Liang Shan hadn't been found yet, and time was still on his side. If he could stall long enough, he might still have a chance to survive.
Jiang Cheng had promised to protect him, and he didn't want to break his word.
"It's true," Jiang Cheng replied quickly. "Don't be afraid. Be brave. Where are you?"
"I'm in the last stall of the women's restroom," Liang Shan texted back after a moment. "Brother Jiang, it's freezing in here... and it's getting colder."
"Stay calm! If you want to live, do exactly as I say!"
"O-okay," Liang Shan replied, his voice trembling.
Seeing Jiang Cheng typing on his phone, Huai Yi, Fatty, and the others crowded around. Shen Mengyun also walked over to watch.
Wang Qi remained aloof, standing alone at the edge of the playground, staring intently at the restroom. Gao Yan wore a dark, brooding expression, his mind clearly preoccupied with some calculation.
"It's only a matter of time before Meng Yumian finds you. When she appears, don't panic. Above all, don't even think about running. That's a guaranteed death sentence."
"And remember, never look up at her face," Jiang Cheng continued typing.
"I heard her, Brother Jiang. She's right next door, in the men's restroom. I heard a 'thump-thump' sound, like someone's jumping. It's so clear!"
Before Jiang Cheng could even type a response, another message came through: "She's here! She's in the women's restroom now. She's pushing on the door—the sound's coming from the entrance. It must be the first stall. Brother Jiang, what should I do?"
Even through the screen, Jiang Cheng could feel Liang Shan's terror and helplessness. This was exactly what he had feared: Liang Shan might lose his mind under extreme fear. If that happened, no one could save him.
"Brother Jiang, the ghost... she's coming toward me. She's checking every stall."
"Remember what I told you," Jiang Cheng typed urgently. "Don't run, and don't refuse the game. But stall for as long as you can before making your choice." The tension was palpable, as if Jiang Cheng himself were hiding in that restroom.
"Brother Jiang, she's here."
Liang Shan sent this final message and then held his breath.
Through the gap beneath the stall door, he could see a pair of bloodstained ballet shoes standing right in front of his stall.
"Don't be afraid," Liang Shan repeated to himself. "The best way to conquer fear is to face it head-on. I trust Brother Jiang's words—he said I won't die. I will survive!"
A pair of disturbingly unnatural hands slid through the gap beneath the stall door, their fists clenched tight, palms down and backs up.
Liang Shan trembled uncontrollably with terror, but he remembered Jiang Cheng's advice. Instead of making an immediate choice, he stalled for time.
Seconds ticked by. His phone lay on the floor, its screen dimmed to the lowest setting.
It was exactly 1:00 AM.
Jiang Cheng had told him the mission would end at 1:13 AM. If he could hold out until then, he would survive.
But less than a minute into the standoff, the Ghost Hands began to tremble slightly. Pale blue veins gradually surfaced on their backs.
Even more terrifying, Liang Shan could see razor-sharp nails growing from the ghostly fingers, stained crimson as if dipped in fresh blood.
Suddenly, a gruesome image flashed through Liang Shan's mind: the Ghost Hands gouging out his eyes.
Liang Shan could feel he couldn't stall any longer.
Meng Yumian was angry.
"Right hand!" Liang Shan blurted out, his heart pounding. "Right hand, right hand! I choose the right hand, beautiful lady! Please, don't be angry!"
As he shakily handed over the glass eyeball, the Ghost Hand indeed stopped trembling.
A gust of icy wind swept through the stall. Liang Shan squeezed his eyes shut, cowering in the farthest corner, shivering uncontrollably.
An eerie silence descended. When he finally dared to open his eyes, the Ghost Hand had vanished, along with the bloodstained dancing shoes beneath the gap.
The chilling sensation gradually faded. Liang Shan knew Meng Yumian had left, taking the glass eyeball with her.
Slightly regaining his composure, Liang Shan immediately contacted Jiang Cheng. "Brother Jiang," he typed rapidly on his phone, "Meng Yumian is gone. I chose the right hand, and she took the eyeball. What should I do now? Do I need to find a new hiding place?"
Several people were gathered around Jiang Cheng, including Shen Mengyun. She glanced at the time and nodded. "That's about enough. Tell him to come to the playground now."
"Once you're sure Meng Yumian is gone, rush to the playground as fast as you can. She'll be back looking for you," Jiang Cheng instructed.
Liang Shan's heart sank. He'd thought he was in the clear.
He quickly shoved his phone into his pocket and pressed his ear against the stall door. Silence. She must have left.
Slowly, he pushed the door open a crack. The bathroom was dim and dusty. After a quick scan revealed nothing amiss, he tiptoed out of the stall and hurried toward the exit.
But then he froze.
In that instant, he recalled a horror movie he'd seen long ago. A minor character had been trapped in a bathroom stall by a ghost, just like him.
At first, the character had heard footsteps and assumed the ghost was gone. He'd cautiously emerged, tiptoed to the door, and pulled it open... only to find the ghost standing right behind it, ready for a lethal head-pat.
If Liang Shan remembered correctly, the character's neck had been snapped clean in half.
That scene had left a deep psychological scar on young Liang Shan. So, he changed his mind and decided to climb out the window instead.
The bathroom had several ventilation windows. Liang Shan chose the most secluded one, stood on tiptoe to peek outside, and then hoisted himself through.
(End of the Chapter)
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