Translator: CinderTL
"Miss Shen left so abruptly. Did she discover something?" A young voice called out from behind Gao Yan. Wang Qi squinted, watching them with keen interest.
Jiang Cheng noticed that while Shen Mengyun's expression remained composed as Wang Qi spoke, Shi Xiaoya behind her appeared distinctly uneasy.
So that's how it is, Jiang Cheng thought, his suspicions confirmed.
"Let's hurry. Everyone's here," Wen Liangshan said, his discomfort palpable. He kept glancing into the surrounding darkness, as if sensing unseen eyes watching them.
The campus was eerily quiet at night. Trees lined the path, and the only sounds were the rustling of leaves in the bushes and the echo of their footsteps.
They followed the same route they had taken during the day. Though slightly longer, it felt safer. Fortunately, a few streetlights remained lit, their feeble glow pushing back the gloom in their hearts.
Wen Liangshan clutched his collar tightly against the chill. Their thin clothes offered little protection, and he shivered uncontrollably, burying half his face in his jacket. His muffled voice asked, "How much further? I don't remember it being this far during the day..."
"We're here," Jiang Cheng replied, holding up the map Yuan Xiaoyi had given him earlier—a detailed route to the Activity Center.
Jiang Cheng had another similar map—a layout of the Activity Center, drawn from memory by Yuan Xiaoyi, with key points marked.
Hearing Jiang Cheng's words, the group noticed a strangely shaped building about a hundred meters ahead. The darkness obscured its details, revealing only a vague outline.
The building was relatively flat, with two antenna-like protrusions on top. Fatty blinked and muttered under his breath, "Why does this Activity Center look like a toad?"
His words struck a chord, and everyone nodded in agreement, as if realizing something they had subconsciously recognized. "I knew it reminded me of something! That's exactly it!"
The only light came from a lamp above the Activity Center's main gate. Through the glass door, they could see posters and stacks of cardboard boxes, suggesting recent events.
According to Yuan Xiaoyi, there were no staff on duty at the Activity Center at night. However, student dormitories loomed nearby, making excessive noise inadvisable in the dead of night.
Jiang Cheng shifted his gaze to survey their surroundings. Across the way stood a row of dormitory buildings, with lights flickering in a few rooms. Even in the dimness, it was clear that the students' accommodations far surpassed their own.
Regaining his focus, Jiang Cheng led the group around to the back of the Activity Center, bypassing the main gate.
Following the map drawn by Yuan Xiaoyi, they quickly located an inconspicuous glass window.
"Are we really going to break in here?" Wen Liangshan's expression turned peculiar. "If I remember correctly, this is the women's restroom, right?"
Jiang Cheng reached out and slowly pushed the glass from the outside. To their surprise, the window, which appeared to be locked from the inside, actually gave way. Jiang Cheng carefully controlled his force, minimizing the noise.
As the window fully opened, a gust of icy wind rushed out. Peering inside, they saw only darkness, though they could faintly discern a row of toilet stalls along the wall.
After Urban Legends Club gatherings, when the Activity Center's main gate was locked, they would often sneak out through this window.
Shen Mengyun pulled out her phone, intending to use the flashlight to get a better look.
Before she could turn it on, a hand suddenly grabbed her wrist. Recognizing the face, Shen Mengyun's expression immediately darkened. "What do you think you're doing?"
"If you want to die, go alone. Don't drag me into it," Jiang Cheng snapped, jerking his hand away.
"I know you're worried the light might attract attention, but this is the back of the Activity Center. The dormitories can't see us here. Besides, it's the women's restroom—you know what that means," Shen Mengyun retorted quickly.
"I thought I saw some of the stall doors slightly ajar earlier," she continued. "Can you be sure there's nothing hiding inside?"
Jiang Cheng answered with action, demonstrating that the bathroom was safe, at least for the moment.
He quietly climbed through the window and systematically opened each stall door. Fortunately, they were all empty.
Fatty and Huai Yi exhaled in relief.
But Jiang Cheng didn't venture further. Instead, he retreated to the window, his eyes meeting those watching from outside. "We need a few people to stay out here for backup," he whispered. "Who's coming in with me?"
"I'll stay here," Wen Liangshan volunteered quickly.
Jiang Cheng glanced at him. Wen Liangshan awkwardly avoided his gaze, but Jiang Cheng didn't press the issue. He turned to Fatty instead. "You and him can keep watch outside."
"Got it," Fatty nodded.
"I... I'll stay too," Shi Xiaoya offered, her face strained. "My shoes aren't suitable for sneaking around. They'll make too much noise."
She lifted her foot, revealing leather heels with thick heels. Clearly, such footwear was ill-suited for a stealthy infiltration.
Just as the others were preparing to move out, another discordant voice broke the silence. "I think I'll stay behind too. I'm not really useful, and bringing me along would only burden the experts." It was Wang Qi, his irritating face framed by a shrug and an exaggeratedly helpless expression, as if he were genuinely disappointed.
Gao Yan seemed about to protest, but ultimately remained silent.
Jiang Cheng glanced at Wang Qi, then turned away casually. "Fine," he said. "The fewer people who go in, the smaller our target profile. Huai Yi, you should stay behind too. You can watch each other's backs."
Huai Yi immediately understood Jiang Cheng's unspoken warning. Why would those staying behind need someone to watch their backs? Jiang Cheng was clearly urging him and Fatty to be wary of Wang Qi.
"Understood," Huai Yi nodded.
Having already inspected the bathroom, Gao Yan and Shen Mengyun confidently climbed through the window. Jiang Cheng observed their movements closely, detecting no obvious flaws.
After gently opening the bathroom door, the three slipped into the corridor.
The Activity Center's layout was intricate, a result of the building's complex structure. They chose the safest route available.
At the far end of the corridor to the right, a staircase led to the fourth floor. The abandoned warehouse Yuan Xiaoyi had mentioned was tucked away in an inconspicuous corner on that level.
Perhaps a previous mission had left Jiang Cheng with lingering psychological scars. He now had a strict rule: if there were stairs, he would never take the elevator, and when using the stairs, he always hugged the edge, never venturing toward the middle.
These were hard-won lessons, paid for in blood by his comrades during countless missions.
The Activity Center was plunged into darkness, illuminated only by the eerie green glow of safety signs, giving the impression of descending into the Underworld.
(End of the Chapter)
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