Creak.
Qin Nuo walked over and opened the door. Outside stood Li Qianqian, looking the same as always, her hair dry and disheveled.
Qin Nuo was a bit puzzled. What was this girl doing knocking on his door so late at night instead of sleeping?
Li Qianqian lifted a bag containing a roast chicken and said, "A late-night snack for you."
Qin Nuo took it, unable to resist asking, "You didn't stay up just to bring me a snack, did you?"
"Couldn't sleep, went out for some fresh air, and heard some noise from your place when I got back, so I came to check," Li Qianqian said flatly, her gaze falling behind Qin Nuo.
"Is it your father back? I can smell the alcohol, it's strong."
"It's him."
Qin Nuo stepped aside, "Come in and sit for a while."
Li Qianqian showed no intention of coming in and asked, "So, did he hurt you?"Qin Nuo smiled, "Do I look like I'm hurt?"
As he spoke, he raised his hand to show the bloodstains, "This isn't my blood."
Hearing this, Li Qianqian's expression softened a bit, "Oh, then I'll head back."
Qin Nuo watched her, a hint of contemplation on his face, and suddenly called out to her, "Qianqian, are you going anywhere tomorrow?"
"My life is simple, apart from sleeping, I just sit on the balcony daydreaming or chat with my grandmother who can't speak anymore." Li Qianqian said this without any trace of loneliness on her face, as if it had become a habitual way of life for her.
"Then are you free to go somewhere with me tomorrow?"
"Where to?"
"To a classmate's house." Qin Nuo smiled.
Li Qianqian's freckled face showed hesitation, clearly not fond of interacting with strangers. In her social circle, there were only one or two people, just a couple who were kind to her.
Qin Nuo noticed this and pleaded, "Qianqian, do me a favor. I'm socially awkward too, but if I don't go, it'll be awkward, and going alone would be even more awkward."
Li Qianqian hesitated for a moment before nodding, "Alright, what time tomorrow?"
"How about after two in the afternoon?"
"Okay, I'll come find you tomorrow. Eat the snack while it's hot; it won't taste good cold."
After Li Qianqian left, Qin Nuo closed the door, returned to the living room, opened the bag, and started eating. After a busy night, he was indeed starving.
"You're taking that girl to the neighbor's?"
"With Li Qianqian's combat ability, she's a good bodyguard, but we're not visiting the neighbor; we're going to Yanan's house." Qin Nuo tore off a piece of roast chicken leg, took a bite, the crispy sound and the oil dripping from his mouth whetting his appetite.
"Why?"
"I don't know. This game NPC, Li Qianqian, doesn't seem that simple to me. She might have some connection to the main storyline." Qin Nuo said while eating.
It's purely a sixth sense.
But with the experience of several instance MVPs, this sixth sense is quite reliable!
Like an old master in tomb raiding, who may not be proficient in other fields, but in his own, his technical experience and keen sense are indispensable.
Qin Nuo sensed this kind of aura from Li Qianqian.
"I don't understand, but I'm deeply impressed," said the Blood-Eyed Ghost.
"Tomorrow's going to be busy."
"The scumbag father at home is a necessary problem to solve."
"In the main storyline, I must also speed up the progress. The time left for me in the instance is very tight."
As Qin Nuo spoke, he finished the roast chicken in a few bites, cleaned up a bit, washed the oil off his mouth in the bathroom, then returned to his room, digested a little, and soon fell asleep.
The next day, the alarm clock by the bed woke Qin Nuo.
When he opened his eyes, it was already bright outside, and he had slept until eleven o'clock.
Qin Nuo hurried to get up, changed clothes, washed up, and rushed to the bun shop before the business peak.
Today's boss looked in a bad mood, wielding a rolling pin with such force it was frightening.
Qin Nuo naturally knew why, but still asked with feigned confusion, "Boss, what's wrong today? You look upset."
"What did that brat say to you yesterday?" the boss asked with a dark face.
"Nothing, he didn't say anything," Qin Nuo replied, feigning hesitation.
The boss snorted coldly at this expression, "That brat disappeared last night, probably sneaked back to the Performing Arts Department again. If I catch him, I'll break his legs!"
With a fierce swing of his arm, the rolling pin shattered, wood chips flying.
Qin Nuo certainly couldn't say that his son had disappeared because of him, so he offered some symbolic consolation before heading to the kitchen to work.
The business peak was very short, and since it was the weekend, after about two hours of busyness, the shop gradually quieted down.
The boss took off his apron, hung it aside, grabbed his small fan, and prepared to lie down on the rattan chair as usual.
Qin Nuo also took off his apron, washed his hands, checked the time, and told the boss he had something to do and needed to leave.
The boss waved him off, not paying much attention, indicating Qin Nuo could go.
Back home, Qin Nuo prepared a few things, then left, bypassing the fence to the middle-aged woman's house.
The middle-aged woman's home was beautifully decorated, with a country villa style. The small yard was filled with various potted plants, meticulously pruned, yet it still gave off a cold, deserted feeling.
Qin Nuo hadn't expected to visit voluntarily, though it was beyond his control. Before coming, he had made some preparations as a precaution.
In front of the red-painted door, Qin Nuo pressed the doorbell twice, and the door opened a crack.
He didn't see who opened it; the clean floor had a black cat lazily glancing at Qin Nuo before laying its head back down to sleep.
Qin Nuo instinctively wanted to pet the black cat but thought better of it and withdrew his hand.
The living room was large, and the tidy environment gave a sense of comfort, a stark contrast to Qin Feng's home.
"It looks like a wealthy family, but the lady of the house seems a bit crazy."
Qin Nuo thought, looking for a place to sit, but before he could, a voice came from behind, "Auntie thought you wouldn't come."
Qin Nuo turned to see the middle-aged woman's heavily made-up face, which, even in daylight, gave off a horror-like vibe.
Accustomed to such sudden scares, Qin Nuo chuckled dryly, "We're neighbors; it's normal to visit each other."
"Right, Auntie, friendly."
"Oh, I brought some fruit for Auntie, a small token of appreciation. I'll just put it on the table." Qin Nuo placed the fruit on the table, executing the etiquette of a guest flawlessly.
The middle-aged woman ignored Qin Nuo's emphasis on certain keywords, picked up a grape, and said leisurely, "Without an adult accompanying you, aren't you afraid you won't be able to leave?"
Qin Nuo remained calm, "Why, Auntie is so beautiful, I can't associate you with the word 'bad.'"
The middle-aged woman smiled, but it wasn't a happy smile from being complimented; it was more of a tacit mocking smile.
"You said last night you wanted to meet my daughter?"
Qin Nuo thought to himself, did I say that? But he replied, "If Auntie's daughter is napping, there's no need."
Resentful ghosts usually can't control their emotions, and Qin Nuo didn't want to encounter such a ghost.
But it seemed he had no choice. Just as he finished speaking, a gust of black wind swept through the room, followed by a clatter as all the doors and windows slammed shut.
The room's light dimmed in an instant...