DSMC Chapter 153.1

Another CW for the whole arc: childhood abuse (physical, emotional, and implied sexual abuse)

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“Kitty Baby is completely obsessed with holding the veteran’s hand in this instance. Hahaha, is he trying to experience what it feels like to be a dad?”

“But it’s so adorable! I don’t even see this as an instance anymore. First it was an animated show, and now it’s turned into a children’s mystery drama. The more I watch, the more hooked I get.”

“Jiejie upstairs, me too! It feels like I’m watching a kids’ TV show. I’ve already stopped trying to guess who Qu-laoshi is. There are three identical Mini Qu Wanqiao, and I seriously can’t tell them apart!”

“Who took Little Class Monitor away? Was it that creepy guy hiding in the bushes earlier?”

“If a school had a teacher like that, I’d lose my mind.”

“Not necessarily a creepy teacher. It could be some creep who snuck in from outside.”

“What does this plot point have to do with Kitty Baby searching for Qu-laoshi? Still, I hope Kitty doesn’t run into that creepy guy.”

“The main plot isn’t about the creepy guy. It’s about Mimi’s group finding Yan Weilan. Pay attention to the story.”

Yan Jiyun grabbed Qi Feng by the wrist and pulled him in another direction.

He recognized the scent of the body wash Little Class Monitor used. As long as he followed where the fragrance lingered, he’d know where Little Class Monitor had been taken.

Qi Feng couldn’t help feeling curious about Yan Jiyun, who seemed already knew exactly where to go without searching.

“Are you sure the Class 3-3 Monitor was taken this way?” Qi Feng asked. He couldn’t see anything.

“I’m sure,” Yan Jiyun replied. “Can’t you smell the body wash in the air?”

Qi Feng sniffed himself. “I smell it… but that’s just because it’s on me.”

Of course Yan Jiyun could smell the clean scent coming from Qi Feng. He’d been able to distinguish it long ago. The problem was that he could tell different people’s scents apart, something he couldn’t exactly explain to Qi Feng. So he simply threw the question back at him.

“Alright, I’ll tell you the truth. I’m relying on my intuition. I was worried you’d think I was unreliable, so I said I was following the smell instead.”

“Then let’s trust your intuition.” Qi Feng nodded. “I believe you.” 

He knew some people genuinely had an unusually strong sixth sense. Besides, he was already convinced Yan Jiyun wasn’t an ordinary newcomer. His hearing was several times sharper than a normal person’s, and now he supposedly had remarkable intuition as well. That was already beyond the range of normal human perception.

Ever since entering [Destiny], Qi Feng had come to understand that the world contained all kinds of strange things. As long as they didn’t harm anyone, he could accept almost anything that wasn’t completely unreasonable.

Being trusted always felt more reassuring than being doubted and it also gave people confidence. Yan Jiyun especially liked how well Qi Feng knew what to say.

In his good mood, his mouth moved faster than his brain. “Then let this Gege of yours carry you to victory, Classmate Qi Feng!”

For once, Qi Feng refuted him. “I’m a few years older than you.”

Yan Jiyun grinned. “But right now we’re the same age.”

Qi Feng had no comeback, because it was the truth. He could only change the subject. “Let’s focus on finding Little Class Monitor.”

Sometimes becoming younger wasn’t necessarily a good thing. Being younger was nice, becoming a child wasn’t.

After Yan Jiyun derailed the conversation, Qi Feng’s anxiety over losing his cat eased considerably. 

Suddenly, Yan Jiyun let go of Qi Feng’s hand. Following the lingering scent of body wash, he had already arrived near the functional classroom building behind the boys’ dormitory.

This elementary school’s dormitory area and academic area were clearly separated. Beyond the main teaching building was the athletic field; and past the field was the basketball court. On either side of the basketball court stood the dormitories with boys’ on the left, and girls’ on the right. 

Behind the boys’ dormitory was a small path leading to the school’s north gate. Several staff apartment buildings stood beyond it, where children and elderly residents could still be seen outside.

Further east, near the teaching area, lay a large pond between the dormitories and the classroom buildings. Many trees had been planted around the pond, making it look a little unsettling at night. 

The person who abducted Little Class Monitor had probably taken advantage of the darkness, slipping behind the boys’ dormitory before circling the pond and heading toward the functional building.

Why choose this route? What was his objective?

Looking at the lotus leaves floating on the pond that was now bare of lotus flowers, Yan Jiyun remarked, “There aren’t even any streetlights here. No wonder he came this way.”

Qi Feng: “Be careful.”

The two arrived behind the functional building, where the scent of body wash still lingered in the air. Little Class Monitor had been taken upstairs.

Weren’t they supposed to be investigating the poisonings, so why are they dealing with a kidnapper now? And this kidnapper seems awfully familiar with the school’s layout.

Why kidnap Little Class Monitor?

The only explanation Yan Jiyun could think of was either the man intended to commit some criminal act against a child since Yan Weilan really was adorable, or someone with twisted tastes might very well become obsessed with him. The mere thought sent goosebumps across Yan Jiyun’s skin.

Walking shoulder to shoulder with Qi Feng, he subconsciously edged a little closer. “Don’t you think this building is… too quiet?”

Qi Feng replied, “That’s normal. No matter what school it is, nobody stays in these buildings at night.”  He then asked, “Is Yan Weilan really here?”

If Yan Jiyun were currently in cat form, he’d have rushed ahead already. But now it was far too quiet — there wasn’t even the sound of footsteps. He didn’t dare lead Qi Feng around recklessly. 

They climbed from the first floor to the second. The building only had four floors, and the scent continued upward.

By the time they reached the third floor, the smell stopped.

Little Class Monitor was on the third floor. His exact location wouldn’t be difficult to pinpoint.

Just then, Qi Feng grabbed Yan Jiyun before he continued forward. “Wait.”

They were moving along the wall, and Yan Jiyun turned back. “Hm?”

Qi Feng frowned. “Something feels off. Isn’t this a little too easy? It could be a trap.”

Yan Jiyun relied on his nose rather than intuition, while Qi Feng relied on years of gaming experience. And perhaps that intuition was even sharper than Yan Jiyun’s nose.

Pressing his ear against the wall, Yan Jiyun whispered, “Then let’s wait here for a bit.” He hadn’t heard anything heavy being dragged. An eight- or nine-year-old child would weigh at least 25 kg. 

Although he said they should wait, Qi Feng quietly moved ahead. He pressed his ear against the door of one classroom.

Yan Jiyun followed behind him. There was no one in this classroom.

They moved to the next classroom, and there was still no one. 

When they reached the third, Yan Jiyun caught a faint sound. Without needing any reminder, Qi Feng silently turned the doorknob.

At that moment, Yan Jiyun truly saw Qi Feng’s ability. This was the experience of a veteran player, and they were worth learning from.

Keeping low, Qi Feng quickly slipped behind the multifunctional classroom desks.

Yan Jiyun could clearly see the room. It was a computer classroom, with desktop computers built into every workstation. The desks weren’t ordinary furniture either, they were made of special materials and permanently welded to the floor.

He quietly followed Qi Feng.

Poking him lightly, Yan Jiyun leaned so close their heads were nearly touching. In an almost inaudible whisper, he said, “There’s a closed door over there.”

Qi Feng rarely allowed anyone to get this close. The last time someone had invaded his personal space like this, it had been an NPC pretending to be a ghost. Back then, he’d punched the NPC square in the face, sending it straight underground, never to reappear. At the time, there had only been horror. But now, it felt different. Yan Jiyun’s faint breath brushed against his ear, tickling him. It’s a strange sensation.. 

Qi Feng quickly steadied himself and forced his attention back to the instance. “I’ll check it out. Stay here.”

Yan Jiyun grabbed the hem of Qi Feng’s freshly changed white T-shirt. “Maybe don’t. How about we go together?”

“Don’t be afraid,” Qi Feng reassured him. “Once I know it’s safe, you can come in.”

Yan Jiyun wasn’t worried about whether it was safe. He simply wasn’t sure whether someone else was inside.

Before he could stop him again, Qi Feng had already walked away.

Yan Jiyun could only crouch behind and wait.

Qi Feng slowly pushed the door open, which hadn’t been fully closed, leaving a narrow crack.

Creeeak.

The door actually made a sound. Wouldn’t that alert whoever was inside?

The moment it opened, Yan Jiyun quietly edged forward, shortening the distance between himself and Qi Feng.

Qi Feng pushed the door fully open and stepped inside. Yan Jiyun wanted to stop him, but it was too late. Walking to the doorway, he peered inside. Qi Feng was gone.

In a low voice, Yan Jiyun called, “Qi Feng? Where are you?”

What’s going on? There’s no response.

Qi Feng had disappeared within only a few seconds of leaving his sight. What had happened?

Wonderful,  now he had two people to find instead of one.

Taking a deep breath, Yan Jiyun stepped into the room. He continued walking forward.

The storage room looked rather empty, with little office supplies. At most, it was used to store broken teaching equipment. 

There were no surveillance cameras inside. Was there a hidden door that could transport people somewhere else? Qi Feng had vanished without making a single sound. Was there some kind of soundproof wall? Or had he been taken into another world?

Don’t tell me this is turning into a supernatural instance…

Yan Jiyun knocked along the walls. “Qi Feng? If you can hear me, kick the wall.”

He’d said earlier they should stick together. Now they’d gotten separated anyway.

“Qi Feng?”

“Where did you go?”

Just as Yan Jiyun was wondering how to solve the mystery of this secret room, a pair of adult hands suddenly reached out from inside the wall behind him. One arm wrapped around his waist, the other clamped tightly over his mouth.

Yan Jiyun: “!!!”

HOLY SHIT!!! 

The sudden attack completely startled him. It wasn’t that he hadn’t reacted. By the time he did react, the hands had already subdued him. Whoever it was had clearly been lying in wait.

No wonder Qi Feng disappeared without making a sound!

Who was it?

Who exactly was it?

Was it the creepy man hiding outside the boys’ bathhouse earlier?