Chapter 3

Summer Qi simply couldn't believe his eyes, for there were far too many bodies inside!

They all seemed to have died not long ago, as blood was still continuously flowing through the gaps in the partitions.

His heart began to beat violently, and his breathing became increasingly difficult. Summer Qi felt as if he was about to suffocate.

"No, this can't go on. I need to stay calm. I absolutely cannot panic!"

Summer Qi rubbed his cheeks hard, trying to calm himself down.

First, he needed to clearly understand his current environment and his next goal. Should he try to figure out what was going on, or should he try to escape the bookstore and call the police?

Without a doubt, if he had a choice, he would definitely choose the latter.

"There might be a serial killer in this bookstore building, and he just left the women's restroom on the third floor. No, that's not right. Since 'he' has the ability to kill so many people and I made such a loud noise earlier, 'he' shouldn't have ignored it."

Could it be that my earlier guess was wrong, and the killer wasn't in the women's restroom before?

Summer Qi thought it was very likely to be the case. Otherwise, if the killer was really there, he wouldn't have ignored the noise and shouting he made.

"Maybe the killer is no longer here..."

Recalling his earlier search for Zhang Xiaoshun downstairs, Summer Qi couldn't help but feel a chill. However, this incident also suggested that the killer might have really left.

"Still, I should escape quickly. What if 'he' is still here..."

With this thought, Summer Qi decided to go downstairs and escape. However, just as he rushed out of the restroom, a figure suddenly darted out from the side!

"Who—!"

Summer Qi's scalp tingled as he called out, his body assuming a defensive stance but trembling uncontrollably.

The flashlight continued to flicker, but with the brief light, Summer Qi managed to see the face of the figure!

It was none other than Zhang Xiaoshun, whom he had been looking for all along.

"Scared me to death!"

Despite his earlier dislike of Zhang Xiaoshun, Summer Qi was genuinely relieved to see him unharmed. After all, having someone around gave him a sense of security.

Zhang Xiaoshun, who also seemed to be quite frightened, was pale and clutching his heart.

"You should be the one saying that!"

"Shh..."

Zhang Xiaoshun wanted to speak, but Summer Qi made a gesture to silence him, whispering:

"Don't make a sound. Listen to me. There might be a serial killer in this building. The women's restroom is full of bodies. Do you have a phone? We need to call the police!"

Hearing Summer Qi's words, Zhang Xiaoshun's pupils contracted, and he shook his head nervously:

"I... I don't have a phone either."

"Damn! Then we can only escape!"

Summer Qi cursed softly, then whispered to Zhang Xiaoshun:

"You know this place better. Lead me downstairs."

"Okay."

Seeing Zhang Xiaoshun nod, Summer Qi turned off the flashlight. The flickering light made him uneasy and could easily be noticed.

With the flashlight off, endless darkness enveloped Summer Qi's vision.

He instinctively grabbed Zhang Xiaoshun's shirt and followed him cautiously.

However, as they walked, Summer Qi's thoughts began to race uncontrollably, and he suddenly had a terrifying suspicion.

He hadn't seen the killer's face, which meant the killer could be anyone except himself, including Zhang Xiaoshun!

Moreover, Zhang Xiaoshun was indeed suspicious. He hadn't responded to Summer Qi's loud calls downstairs, but they had met outside the third-floor restroom. Without a phone or flashlight, how could Zhang Xiaoshun be sure that the person coming out of the restroom was a good guy?

Or perhaps... it didn't matter to him whether someone was good or bad, because in his eyes... they were all dead!

Additionally, Zhang Xiaoshun was eerily quiet, not saying a word from start to finish.

Summer Qi's steps suddenly stopped, cold sweat streaming down his face. He didn't know what to do.

"Why did you stop?"

Zhang Xiaoshun's voice suddenly came from behind.

"I... My shoelaces are loose. I'll tie them and then we'll go."

Summer Qi tried to remain calm, trying not to show his fear.

"What to do? Is Zhang Xiaoshun the killer..."

After a moment of thought, Summer Qi decided to leave Zhang Xiaoshun behind and escape alone. As long as he could get out of the bookstore, he would be safe. After all, no serial killer would dare to kill on the street.

With his decision made, Summer Qi planned to speed past Zhang Xiaoshun, but just as he was about to do so, a figure suddenly appeared in his dark field of vision!

It was none other than Zhang Xiaoshun, waiting for him not far away.

At that moment, Zhang Xiaoshun looked strangely eerie. He had no light to illuminate his way, yet he seemed to be bathed in moonlight, emitting a chilling aura.

"Where are you going?"

Zhang Xiaoshun suddenly asked, his face cold.

"I'm not going anywhere... By the way, why are you so bright?"

Summer Qi steeled himself and tried to change the subject.

However, Zhang Xiaoshun wasn't fooled, pointing to the front and saying:

"You go first."

"Me... go first? Why?"

Summer Qi's voice trembled, his fear reaching its limit. He couldn't pretend anymore.

So, after saying this, Summer Qi suddenly turned and fled.

Of course, he didn't forget to turn on the flashlight, as he wouldn't be able to find the way down in the dark.

After running for a while, when Summer Qi shone the flashlight behind him, he found that Zhang Xiaoshun had disappeared. However, he didn't let his guard down, wondering if Zhang Xiaoshun might be waiting at the bookstore entrance.

After a sharp turn, Summer Qi rushed into the stairwell. As long as he kept going down, he would reach the first floor.

Just as Summer Qi was about to escape the stairwell, the door suddenly slammed shut!

At the same time, a terrifying figure slowly rose from the steps.

Seeing his path blocked, Summer Qi slipped and tumbled down the stairs, losing consciousness.

Summer Qi felt himself in a semi-conscious state, clearly sensing the burning pain in his chest. It was as if something was burning him, making him want to scream, but he couldn't open his mouth.

This feeling continued... and continued...

Until someone woke him up.

"Hey, wake up..."

Summer Qi struggled to open his eyes and was startled by the scene before him.

He saw at least ten police officers standing beside him.

Not only that, but many people in white coats were carrying... bodies!

Staring at the police officers for a moment, Summer Qi suddenly remembered the events of the previous night and screamed:

"Murder! There are bodies everywhere on the third floor, and the killer tried to kill me..."

"You saw the killer?"

One of the big police officers interrupted Summer Qi.

"I saw him. The killer is the librarian here, his name is Zhang Xiaoshun."

"Zhang Xiaoshun? Are you sure about the name?"

"He told me his name was Zhang Xiaoshun."

"Can you come here? Is there anyone named Zhang Xiaoshun in your bookstore?" The police officer called over a middle-aged man with a balding head from the crowd.

"No." The balding man answered definitively.

Summer Qi was immediately flustered:

"There must be. He was wearing the bookstore's uniform and had a work ID. His name is Zhang Xiaoshun, he has a flat head, single eyelids, and doesn't talk much..."

"I don't have anyone like that here!" The balding man repeated firmly.

While Summer Qi was arguing with the balding man, a police officer suddenly ran over and said:

"Chief, the surveillance footage from both sides of the street has been checked. Only he came in."

"Understood." The big police officer nodded and then signaled two other officers to handcuff Summer Qi:

"We suspect you of being a major suspect. Come with us."

Without giving Summer Qi a chance to argue, the big police officer waved his hand and said:

"Take him away!"

"..."

Previously, he had always heard that the difference between heaven and hell was just a line, but he hadn't taken it seriously. Now, Summer Qi truly believed it.

Yesterday, he was overjoyed to find a job with a satisfactory salary, but now he had become a criminal suspect. It was indeed too dramatic.

At the local police station, Summer Qi was temporarily placed in an interrogation room. He had seen such rooms in movies many times, but this was his first time sitting in one, and he never wanted to do it again.

Sitting on the cold chair, Summer Qi recalled the entire incident and found it full of doubts.

He suspected that the middle-aged man and Zhang Xiaoshun were in cahoots. The high salary was to make him a scapegoat. This explained the good salary and benefits; it was a way to buy his life!

Just as Summer Qi was thinking about this, the big police officer suddenly walked in and sat down opposite him.

"Is there anything you want to tell me?"

"I am being framed. I didn't kill anyone. What I told you in the bookstore was the truth. In fact, I know the accomplice of the killer. I have his phone number, a middle-aged man with a flat head, about..."

"Is it him?"

The big police officer said, and the middle-aged man in a suit walked in.

Seeing the middle-aged man, Summer Qi immediately flew into a rage, cursing:

"It's this old bastard who framed me. He must be in cahoots with the killer..."

"Alright, I know. You can go now."

The big police officer said, and to Summer Qi's surprise, he unlocked his handcuffs.

Summer Qi stared at the big police officer and the middle-aged man standing by the door, taking a while to get up from the chair.

"Can I really go?"

"Or do you want to stay here?" The big police officer smiled.

"Thank you..."

Despite not understanding what was happening, Summer Qi was glad to leave the police station. He said thanks and left the room, and the middle-aged man followed him out.

After leaving the police station, Summer Qi had many questions for the middle-aged man, but he didn't get the chance to ask:

"There will be two other probationary employees on duty soon. I will take them there personally."

The middle-aged man said and was about to get into his car, but Summer Qi stopped him:

"Who are you? What kind of company is this? People died in the bookstore yesterday, do you know? Many people! I almost died too, and now you want me to go back!"

"So what? You are still alive and haven't passed the probationary period, so you need to go back to work."

The middle-aged man paused and added:

"However, this time you won't be alone. New employees will join you. I don't advise you to quit and go home, as it will bring you even more trouble.

Finally, good luck. I hope to see you alive again."

The middle-aged man said this, made a sharp turn, and drove away in his luxury car, leaving Summer Qi with more questions.

(The support and recommendations during the new book period are crucial. I promise this book will get more exciting. I hope for your strong support and promotion!)

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