Chapter 88: South Street Apartments

After changing clothes, Chen Meiqian carried the intact human skin to the makeshift bathroom separated by wooden boards. She casually took down a clothes hanger and hung the skin up like a piece of laundry, followed by the sound of rushing water.

Though they couldn't see her actions clearly, Li Zhi could easily imagine the scene—the human skin hanging under the showerhead, being rinsed thoroughly with soap inside and out.

Yesterday evening, when she'd encountered Chen Meiqian in the hallway, she'd also heard the sound of running water. At the time, Chen Meiqian had said, "Chu Guangyan is taking a shower."

Well...

He was taking a shower.

No wonder the two burglars had been so terrified they'd fallen to their deaths down the stairwell. Watching a living person shed their skin was undoubtedly horrifying.

However, Li Zhi guessed that Xiao Bo and Qiangzi had probably fled in panic before Chen Meiqian had even finished removing the skin. According to the curly-haired aunt, Chu Guangyan had chased after them immediately.

Most likely, the two had bolted the moment they saw her start peeling, allowing Chen Meiqian to quickly put the skin back on and give chase.

In their terror, the burglars had chosen to jump.

On the players' first night—the night of the burglars' return—those staying on the first floor had heard the offering table being knocked over. That must have been the two ghostly混混, startled by the skinless Chu Guangyan wandering downstairs while they were eating the offerings.

So even as ghosts, they'd been scared again.

...Poor guys.

The sound of running water continued. Hidden in the wardrobe, the two remained motionless. With the help of the道具 mask, Chen Meiqian was completely unaware of their presence.

Soon, hurried footsteps approached outside, followed by knocking on the door of 603.

Chen Meiqian emerged from the bathroom, alert.

Meng Yuhan's voice came from outside: "Uncle Chu? Are you there? Granny Qiu is fighting with the curly-haired aunt from your floor! You have to help!"

At the mention of Granny Qiu, Chen Meiqian's expression changed. Without hesitation, she opened the door.

Meng Yuhan stood there, looking panicked. Seeing Chen Meiqian, she feigned surprise with impressive acting: "Auntie, is Uncle Chu here?"

"He's showering. What happened to Granny Qiu? I'll go with you."

She locked the door quickly, and their footsteps faded down the hallway.

Li Zhi and Xiang Ling removed their masks and slipped out of the wardrobe.

Xiang Ling gave her an admiring look. "You were right—mentioning Granny Qiu worked."

A woman who had endured years of domestic violence, with neighbors who either ignored her suffering or blamed her for not bearing children—Granny Qiu had been the only one who showed her kindness.

No wonder Chen Meiqian, disguised as Chu Guangyan, endured Granny Qiu's cold treatment every morning just to buy breakfast from her. To her, even Granny Qiu's harsh words were a comfort.

Her gratitude and guilt over indirectly causing the deaths of Granny Qiu's grandsons made her easy to lure away.

As they moved toward the door, Xiang Ling realized Li Zhi wasn't following. Instead, she headed to the bathroom.

A moment later, Li Zhi returned, holding the dripping human skin.

Xiang Ling: "..."

I think I'm gonna be sick.

Li Zhi rolled up the skin like a pancake, wrapped it in her jacket, and said calmly, "Let's go."

Room 104

They arrived at 104, where the other players had gathered. Fu Huan, who had stayed here the first night, had used a protective道具, making it relatively safe.

Li Zhi tossed the skin-wrapped bundle onto the bed.

Fu Huan, still flushed from her earlier "fight," reached for it eagerly: "What'd you bring back?"

Xiang Ling warned: "I really wouldn't—"

Too late. Fu Huan unrolled the skin and let out a bloodcurdling scream.

"WHAT THE F—?! OH MY GOD!!"

She flung it away, her face turning ghostly pale.

Xiang Ling finished dryly: "...touch it."

The others recoiled in disgust—except for Li Feng, who examined the skin closely. He pointed to a wound on the neck. "This is where she started peeling?"

Li Zhi nodded. "The fatal wound. Probably stabbed during a fight."

Fu Huan shuddered. "I get killing her abusive husband, but why wear his skin?! That's some serial killer shit!"

Xiang Ling, familiar with such cases, explained: "Fear. After killing him, she panicked. She didn't want to go to jail or face judgment. So she became him."

And it had worked. For months, no one noticed Chu Guangyan was dead.

"But that doesn't make sense," Fu Huan argued. "She's just a normal person. How could she wear someone's skin and pass as them? That's monster-level stuff."

Unless...

"Someone helped her," Li Zhi said. "Someone taught her how."

A name came to mind: Qu Rong.

Li Zhi continued: "The skinless Chu Guangyan avoids the sixth floor—where his murderer lives. But he also avoids the third floor. What's on the third floor that's even scarier than his wife?"

Fu Huan gasped. "Qu Rong helped her. That's why 'Chu Guangyan' is so friendly with her."

"But who is Qu Rong?" another player asked. "Why would she know such dark arts?"

Li Zhi glanced outside. "Chen Meiqian will realize the skin is missing soon. She'll go to Qu Rong. This is our chance."

Third Floor. Room 304

After waiting in the bathroom, they heard hurried footsteps descending the stairs. The sound stopped at 304.

A knock, then the door opened and closed.

Li Zhi stepped out and knocked.

"Qu Rong, I know you're in there. Chen Meiqian too. Let's talk."

The door opened. Qu Rong glared at her. "What do you want?"

Li Zhi raised her hands. "No ill intent. I'm on your side—I think Chu Guangyan deserved it too."

Qu Rong sneered. "You stole the skin."

Li Zhi met her gaze steadily. "I'll return it. Just tell me the truth."

"That worthless skin? Burn it for all I care."

"Really?" Li Zhi smiled. "Then I'll have them set it on fire."

"WAIT—!"

Chen Meiqian rushed out from behind the wardrobe, panic-stricken. "Don't burn it... Please..."

She couldn't lose that skin. She couldn't face being exposed as a murderer.

Li Zhi turned back to Qu Rong. "If Chu Guangyan's skin is burned, can't you lend her another? Like Xiao Ke's... or that middle-aged woman's from this morning?"

Qu Rong stared at her, then slowly grinned—a chilling, unnatural smile.

"Ah. So you've figured it all out."