Chapter 15 – Ying Ziye

Volume Two: Eyes

In K City, there was a prestigious science university known as Yingzhen University.

Ying Ziye had been teaching physics in this class for a year. After graduating from a teachers’ university and completing her master’s degree, she turned down the opportunity to study abroad and instead chose to remain at Yingzhen University—the very school where both her parents once taught. A major reason behind this choice was undoubtedly her breathtaking beauty, the kind that could be described as ethereal. With a delicate oval-shaped face, flowing shoulder-length hair, gentle and expressive eyes, and exquisitely sculpted features, she was a rare vision of elegance. Her usual cold and aloof demeanor only added to her refined presence, which captivated students of all genders alike.

But her beauty wasn’t the kind that evoked shallow desire—it was the kind of natural grace that inspired genuine admiration from everyone. During her year of teaching, she had developed close bonds with many of her students.

As the class ended, Ying Ziye gathered her teaching materials and cleared her throat. Calmly, she addressed the students seated below:

“Lastly… I need to tell you all something. Today is my last day teaching at Yingzhen University. I’ve submitted my resignation to the principal, and the handover with the new physics teacher has been completed.”

A stunned silence fell before the classroom erupted in protest. The students, who had come to regard her as family over the past year, all began to exclaim in dismay.

“Teacher… why are you resigning?”

“There’s no reason for this at all!”

Ying Ziye continued speaking.

“This university was not only my alma mater but also where my parents once taught. I’ve always felt a deep connection to Yingzhen University. But due to personal reasons, I can no longer continue teaching here. I’m truly sorry… Maybe I’ll return to visit sometime. The campus facilities and labs are excellent.”

“Personal reasons?” The students buzzed with speculation. Was she going abroad after all? Or was she getting married?

Though they were reluctant to let her go, they respected her decision and chose not to press her further.

“Please come back and visit us sometime, Teacher…”

“Yes, we’ve had a wonderful year together…”

Though Ying Ziye had always been reserved and soft-spoken, her meticulous care and warm presence were felt deeply by her students.

After leaving the school gates, she turned to glance one last time at the place where she had spent the past year of her life. Then, she turned and walked away.

Li Yin opened his eyes. Beside him sat Xia Yuan and Tang Lanxuan.

“You’re finally awake, Li Yin!” Xia Yuan let out a breath of relief. “You’ve been unconscious for two whole weeks.”

“Two weeks…” Li Yin’s mind was muddled. After a moment, he remembered—he and Kexin had escaped back to the apartment from Youshui Village. But Kexin… she’d been devoured by that ghostly woman in front of the apartment…

“And Ah Xiu saved me.”

He remembered everything. Somehow, he had survived the fourth Bloody Word directive. But Kexin… she hadn’t.

“Kexin, Heng Yan, and Shou Tian are all gone, right?” Xia Yuan sighed. “It couldn’t be helped… Every time the Bloody Word appears, someone ends up dying. The fact that you survived this time is already incredible. The fifth directive won’t appear for a while, but you can’t let your guard down. You need to prepare—because the fifth one is a turning point.”

“A turning point?” Li Yin was startled.

“Yes,” Xia Yuan explained. “Back then, I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want to put more pressure on you. But the fifth directive is transitional. From the sixth onward, the danger and horror will escalate dramatically.”

“But don’t worry too much,” he added. “Starting from the sixth directive, the apartment will provide far better conditions for avoiding the ghosts.”

“Better conditions?”

“Yes. Unlike now, where we have to run back for our lives… once the sixth directive starts, as soon as the countdown ends, no matter where you are in the world—you’ll be able to open a portal and return to the apartment instantly.”

“Even if we’re on the other side of the planet?”

“Even on Mars.”

In other words, from the sixth directive on, as long as one survives the countdown, there’s a guaranteed way back to safety.

“And another thing—from that point on, the countdowns won’t be so long. This last one lasted a whole month, which is rare. Most will last about a week. And the later directives… even shorter. It’s said that by the tenth, you’ll only have less than a day.”

“Less than a day?!”

“Yes,” Xia Yuan said grimly. “The survival tools get better, but the mortality rate will rise even faster.”

He himself was terrified. Could he really make it to the final directive?

It seemed impossible—but there was no other choice. No matter how much one hated the apartment or wished to escape, it was futile. Some had even tried to destroy it… only to be slaughtered by their own shadows. Once possessed, not even total darkness could protect them.

There was no way out—only the chance to survive all ten directives.

“Anyway, enough of that.” Xia Yuan patted Li Yin on the shoulder. “Just stay sharp. Train your body, hone your reflexes, and stay ready…”

Against ghosts, human strength was almost meaningless.

There was nothing one could do.

“Forget it, I won’t think about it anymore.” Li Yin’s stomach growled. “Ugh… is there anything to eat? I’m starving…”

“Oh, right!” Tang Lanxuan stood up. “I’ll make you something! What do you want? Something light?”

“Anything’s fine. Porridge or noodles…”

Having narrowly escaped death for the fourth time, Li Yin was overwhelmed with emotion.

But at least now, he had a short reprieve. If he could hold out until the sixth directive, things would get a bit easier.

“Oh, by the way,” Xia Yuan mentioned, “While you were unconscious… a new tenant moved into Room 403—Kexin’s old unit.”

“Huh?” Li Yin blinked. “So soon?”

“Yeah. She moved in three days after you returned. She’s a schoolteacher. Brought her things into the building, panicked a bit at first… but within a week, she calmed down. That’s rare.”

“Really?” Li Yin was surprised. He himself had only started to calm down after surviving his first directive.

Since she was a new neighbor, it made sense to greet her. After all, they’d be seeing each other regularly.

“She’s out right now, probably resigning from her teaching job,” Xia Yuan added.

“Got it…”

After eating something, Li Yin finally regained some strength. He got out of bed and, gazing across the hall at Room 403, couldn’t help but think of Kexin—the shy girl who had forever left his life.

Just then, a calm and elegant voice reached his ears.

“You’re awake, Mr. Li Yin?”

He turned to see a woman standing there. She appeared to be in her twenties, with long flowing hair, a gentle oval face partially hidden by bangs, and pale, crystal-like eyes. Her expression was indifferent, almost casual, but her gaze radiated a quiet wisdom—as if she could see through everything.

For a moment, Li Yin was stunned by her presence.

The woman approached and said, “Let me introduce myself. My name is Ying Ziye. I’m the new tenant in 403. Please take care of me.”

Snapping out of it, Li Yin quickly extended his hand. “N-Nice to meet you. I’m Li Yin, from 404. P-Please take care of me too, Miss Ying. And… don’t be too afraid of this place. We—”

“I know,” she replied evenly. “You have to survive ten Bloody Word directives to live, right? I’ll make it through.”

“I… see. Miss Ying, how did you explain moving here to your parents?”

“My parents passed away. When I was very young.”

“Oh… I’m sorry…”

“It’s alright. It’s all in the past now.”

As they neared the door of Room 403, she suddenly asked, “By the way… you’re a web novelist, right?”

“Um… yeah.”

“What’s the title of your book?”

“When Bullets Fly. It’s a military novel set during World War II.”

“Is that so?” She nodded, unlocking her door. “I’ll check it out.”

As the door closed, Li Yin continued standing there, staring as if trying to see through it.

In the days that followed, Li Yin returned to his old routine of writing web novels and earning manuscript fees. It was a mundane life, but it was far better than that month in Youshui Village.

His parents would occasionally call him—on his cell phone, of course. The apartment’s landline could only make outbound calls, never receive any. They still believed their son was just a homebody renting a place and writing novels, urging him to find a stable job and settle down.

They had no idea what he had been through this past year.

Ying Ziye lived an extremely disciplined life. She participated in tenant meetings regularly, always took notes, and though she didn’t speak much, her presence was felt. While both she and Otogiri Sachiko were quiet, their energies were different. Sachiko exuded a cold distance, while Ying Ziye had a gentler, comforting aura—like a soft spring breeze.

She and Sachiko even got along well, often seen discussing things together. Li Yin would sometimes join them to talk about the Bloody Word directives. He found Ying Ziye’s composure astonishing—she never showed a hint of panic or fear. Perhaps… she just hid it all deep inside.

But even so…

When would the next Bloody Word directive appear?