Translator: CinderTL
Based on the information revealed in the video, Director Qi didn't even pause after arriving at the hospital. Instead, he rushed eagerly through the main gate.
It was as if he were meeting a long-lost relative.
He never had a chance to hide behind a tree and call himself. The Director Qi who had called him was a fake, a ghost in disguise.
Yu Yu had witnessed everything from the window. Knowing the ghost was nearby, she hadn't dared answer the phone and had instead used a WeChat video call to notify them.
Oh no...
"What are you looking at?" Huai Yi asked curiously, approaching.
"Nothing," Jiang Cheng replied casually, quickly putting away his phone. He glanced sideways and saw Lin Wan'er and Director Qi standing behind him.
Director Qi in particular was rubbing his arm, hunched over, and constantly glancing around nervously. He looked exactly like an ordinary person who was terrified out of their wits.
"Have we heard anything from Yu Yu and the others yet?" Huai Yi frowned. "Now that the ghost is gone, who knows if it's looking for them."
Huai Yi knew that without Jiang Cheng or himself present, Yu Yu and Cao Yang would have been killed by the Ghost—perhaps both of them.
Jiang Cheng looked up and said calmly, "Don't worry. I've lured the Ghost away. It's wandering outside like a headless fly, searching for Director Qi."
Huai Yi's expression remained uneasy. "That's what you say, but something still feels off."
"Stop scaring yourself," Jiang Cheng said, stepping forward to pat Huai Yi's shoulder reassuringly. "You're perfectly safe right now."
"I hope so," Huai Yi said, rubbing his chest. "It was only me who took that kick. Anyone else would have been knocked unconscious on the spot."
"Brother Jiang," Director Qi's voice called from behind, thick with fear. "From what you're saying, there are still some people hiding, right?"
Jiang Cheng narrowed his eyes, finally understanding the Ghost's plan.
It had disguised itself to infiltrate the hospital, intending to use them to find the remaining survivors and then eliminate them all at once.
It seemed the Ghost wasn't particularly special when it came to finding people. Otherwise, it wouldn't have gone through so much trouble.
This was definitely good news for Jiang Cheng and the others.
The only uncertainty now was whether the Ghost possessed any special abilities.
It was too dangerous to walk around the hospital with a Ghost in tow. Jiang Cheng planned to find an opportunity to ditch it and then search for Yu Yu and Cao Yang.
Having been hiding in the hospital for so long, they were likely to know some other clues.
His gaze darted around restlessly, finally settling on Huai Yi.
Huai Yi had already approached Director Qi. It seemed he understood that keeping the director alive was the key to completing their mission.
"Huai Yi," Jiang Cheng said, approaching him with a reassuring tone. "We need to go upstairs and find Yu Yu and Cao Yang."
"Alright," Huai Yi nodded.
"You haven't grasped my meaning," Jiang Cheng continued calmly. "We'll take Director Qi upstairs first. You wait for us down here. After all, the Ghost previously disguised itself as you. I'm worried Yu Yu and the others might hide if you show up."
As Jiang Cheng reached out to pull Director Qi, Huai Yi moved faster, grabbing the director's wrist and pulling him behind himself.
"Brother Jiang," Huai Yi said with a smile, "it's inconvenient for you to bring Director Qi along while you search for someone. Why don't I stay here to protect him?"
"Come find us after you've found someone."
Though his words were polite, Huai Yi sneered inwardly. How could he not see through Jiang Cheng's scheme?
If they took Director Qi away, would they ever return for him?
Not a chance!
They were trying to ditch him. If the Ghost realized they'd been tricked and came back, they'd want to use him as a shield!
Who did they think Huai Yi was?
Did they really think such a petty trick could fool him? As long as he held Director Qi hostage, he'd have Jiang Cheng by the throat. He wouldn't dare abandon him.
While his martial prowess might not match the young man's, Huai Yi was confident he was eight streets ahead in terms of brains and cunning.
He looked at Jiang Cheng with an earnest expression, his eyes filled with mockery.
His grip on Director Qi's wrist tightened.
"Mr. Huai Yi," Director Qi said from behind him, his voice pleading. "Perhaps you should let me go with Brother Jiang..."
Before he could finish speaking, Huai Yi turned his head and gave Director Qi a look that silenced him instantly.
"Brother Huai Yi, what are you trying to do?" A flicker of dissatisfaction crossed Jiang Cheng's eyes, though he masked it well and his voice remained steady. However, the subtle change didn't escape Huai Yi's notice.
Sensing Jiang Cheng's suppressed resentment, Huai Yi became even more convinced of his judgment. He chuckled and said, "Brother Jiang, what are you talking about? I don't understand."
"We all know Director Qi is just a burden. Bringing him along would cause you many inconveniences and even put you in danger. It would be better if I looked after him for you." Huai Yi laughed heartily. "Brother Jiang, don't disappoint my good intentions!"
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Jiang Cheng sighed, his voice softening as if he had accepted his fate.
"When Huai Yi speaks, his word is law!"
"Alright," Jiang Cheng said, staring at Director Qi for a few moments with a lingering reluctance before turning to leave.
"You think you can fight me?" Huai Yi sneered, then tilted his head and suddenly noticed Director Qi glaring at him with a resentful gaze.
Huai Yi was already seething with anger, since this whole mess was ultimately Director Qi's fault for failing to control himself. He raised his hand and slapped Director Qi across the forehead. "What are you staring at? Just wait until this is over, and see how I deal with you!"
Despite the slap, Director Qi remained defiant, stiffening his neck and staring back without crying or even flinching.
Jiang Cheng and Lin Wan'er walked down the long corridor. After turning a corner, they were out of sight of Huai Yi and Director Qi.
Only then did Jiang Cheng stop and exhale deeply.
"You just left the Ghost with Huai Yi like that?" Lin Wan'er said indifferently. "He's probably not going to survive."
Hearing this, Jiang Cheng turned to Lin Wan'er, who was leaning against the wall. "You figured it out?"
When he had watched the video Yu Yu sent, he remembered Lin Wan'er standing far away, too far to see anything. Could she have suspected Director Qi from the start?
But that didn't make sense.
"Have you forgotten who taught you all these tricks?" Lin Wan'er tilted her head, brushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear. Her expression was enigmatic.
Jiang Cheng fell silent.
Right. He had learned all his methods from observing Lin Wan'er. She must have realized something the moment he started setting his trap for Huai Yi.
She had deduced Director Qi's guilt from his actions.
"Where do we go now?" Lin Wan'er asked.
"Wait a moment." Jiang Cheng pulled out his phone and sent a brief message to Huai Yi: "My brilliant Brother Huai Yi, are you there? Please check WeChat."
As usual, there will be an extra chapter tonight. Thank you for your support, brothers!
(End of the Chapter)
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