"Chen Chen was quite introverted since he was a Child. He didn't like playing with the other Children in the yard and was often alone.""I don't know when it started, but he suddenly became lively. I was quite Happy at the time, thinking Chen Chen had finally found a friend.""But later, I gradually realized something was wrong. Chen Chen always went out to play after seven in the evening, and when he came back, he was always filthy, with small cuts appearing on his arms and cheeks.""One time, he didn't return until very late. I was truly worried, so I asked the Building Manager to look for him. We searched for a long time and finally found Chen Chen in the abandoned Water Tank of the Residential Community.""He was huddled alone in the Water Tank, his body constantly trembling. When we asked him what he was doing, he said he was playing Hide-and-Seek with his friend.""The Building Manager and I asked for his friend's name, and Chen Chen held it in for a long time before saying his friend was called Ku.""At the time, I found it strange—who would be named Ku? The Building Manager's expression changed immediately upon hearing the name. He asked Chen Chen if that Ku lived on the Third Floor.""Chen Chen nodded. Then, the Building Manager revealed something even more terrifying: although no Murder Case had occurred in the room on the Third Floor covered in Talisman Paper, things far stranger than murder had happened there.""A long time ago in the Residential Community, Children kept going missing. Eventually, the remaining clothes and belongings of those Children were all found in Room 1034 on the Third Floor.""Room 1034 was like a house that ate Children. Things only improved after everyone completely sealed off the doors and windows of the Third Floor.""That Child named Ku hadn't appeared for a long time. I didn't expect him to suddenly latch onto Chen Chen."The wrinkles on the Old Woman's face bunched up: "Ever since I stopped Chen Chen from going out to play with Ku, Chen Chen seemed possessed. His temper grew volatile, and he often said someone was waiting for him, someone was calling his name. If I softened and let him out, he would run to the opposite door and talk to himself through it, sometimes laughing, sometimes crying. In the end, I had no choice but to lock him in the Bedroom."After hearing the Old Woman's story, Han Fei's heart also grew cold. There were many terrifying things in this building, but nobody wanted to approach Room 1034, eventually being forced to seal it off. This showed how terrifying Ku was."Chen Chen's personality grew worse after I locked him in the Bedroom. Yesterday, during dinner, I wasn't paying attention for a moment, and the Child ran out. When I chased him to the door, I found the door opposite was ajar. I don't know who removed the Talisman Paper on the door and the wooden planks nailed inside." The Old Woman sighed, truly worried about Chen Chen."Chen Chen might have torn the Talisman Paper, but he probably doesn't have the strength to remove the wooden planks. The vandalism must have been done by other Neighbors." Han Fei felt that none of his Neighbors were normal, so he immediately considered the worst-case scenario: "Has anything major happened in this building recently?""I don't know." Grandma shook her head, paused to think, and suddenly spoke: "Oh right, I haven't seen the Building Manager for a long time. It feels like he's gone missing.""The Building Manager?" Han Fei had heard this title more than once. "Grandma, who exactly is the Building Manager you're talking about?""He was one of the earliest residents in this building. He's over sixty, looks very kind, and had a good relationship with some of the older Neighbors. However, as those older Neighbors left, the Building Manager's condition also deteriorated.""How could anyone's condition not worsen living in this place?" Han Fei carefully recalled Meng Shi's words. He had a feeling he might have met the Building Manager Meng Shi was talking about: "Grandma, is the Building Manager you mentioned someone with completely white hair, and a black mole on the side of his neck...""Yes! Where did you see him?" Grandma was very surprised."It really is him?" The scattered clues in Han Fei's mind gradually connected into a single thread. The Old Man he had just described was the owner who sold him the game helmet!That Old Man is definitely not simple! The Tomb Keeper must only be one of his identities!Han Fei's mind raced. He still had too little information: "Grandma, do you know where the Building Manager usually lives?""He lives in Room 1101 on the Tenth Floor. Are you planning to find the Building Manager to save Chen Chen?" Meng Shi looked worried: "The hallway isn't safe. Besides, if we go out now, we might run into Ku."Han Fei noted down the number 1101. This was the most crucial clue he had obtained since entering the game: "To get to Room 1101, I have to go upstairs. I'm only Level 2 right now; the probability of reaching the Tenth Floor alive is too low. I can't rush; I need to proceed steadily."Glancing at Meng Shi, Han Fei had an idea.Chen Chen was Meng Shi's most important relative. Now that Chen Chen was in danger, if Han Fei could rescue Chen Chen, Meng Shi would likely become a completely trustworthy companion.Teaming up with an Old Woman in her seventies was something Han Fei would never have considered before, but in his current situation, every bit of strength was extremely valuable.Meng Shi had just saved his life. From a moral standpoint, helping the Old Woman counted as repaying a debt of gratitude.The most critical point was that Han Fei was not planning to enter the room next door to look for Chen Chen. What he wanted to do was lure Ku into the Haunted House on the Fourth Floor and solve the problem of Ku once and for all.Taking a step back, even if the Monster Roommate didn't kill Ku, as long as it could stall Ku, he and the Old Woman would have time to enter the Third Floor room and look for Chen Chen.Taking another step back, even if they didn't find Chen Chen, Han Fei risking his life to do these things would be enough to earn the Old Woman's trust.As long as he could earn the Old Woman's complete trust, he would have his first true friend in this terrifying Underworld Apartment!After much consideration, Han Fei finally made up his mind. He was ready to seize this rare opportunity.Taking a deep breath, Han Fei, wearing a look of facing death without regret, said to the Old Woman: "Grandma, I have a method that might save Chen Chen.""What method?" The Old Woman was anxious."I'll act as bait and lure Ku upstairs. You take this chance to enter the room opposite and check. If Chen Chen is inside, bring him out quickly.""No! You'd be gambling with your life! Absolutely not!" The Old Woman refused sternly."Staying stuck here isn't a solution either." Han Fei stated his true intention: "How about this: we wait for three hours. If Ku is still guarding the door after three hours, we'll do as I said—I'll lure him away, and you go inside to find Chen Chen. If Ku leaves after three hours, I'll go upstairs to ask the other Neighbors for help.""But whether you lure Ku away or ask the other Neighbors for help, both are extremely dangerous. You could lose your life in an instant. Aren't you afraid?" Grandma was very worried about Han Fei."I'm afraid, very afraid, but there's no better way now." Han Fei's expression was firm as he flexed his somewhat cold fingers: "Perhaps the courage shown when a person is afraid is the only true courage."Seeing that Han Fei was clearly scared to death yet still willing to do this, the Old Woman was truly moved.At the same time, the cold voice in Han Fei's mind suddenly rang out: "Player No. 0000, please note! Meng Shi's friendliness has increased by ten. Harmonious Neighborly relations are the first step toward a perfect life.""Player No. 0000, please note! The G-rank hidden mission, Searching for Chen Chen, has been triggered! Do you accept the mission?"
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