Chapter 35: The Child of Destiny, the Fourth Clue

Chapter 35: The Child of Luck and the Fourth Clue

Meng Qian had not appeared for several chapters. Having never witnessed Han Lingling’s dominance or Duan Ming’s tyrannical behavior, he still believed that everyone was struggling to survive.

Right now, he was in deep trouble.

In a patient ward on the second floor, Meng Qian and Shang Xiaoya were pressed against either side of the door, gripping the handles nervously. From within the room came the unconscious, low moaning of "Hungry... so hungry."

"Damn it," Meng Qian hissed. "What’s going on with the cafeteria? Why hasn't lunch been delivered at this hour? The Hunger Ghost is about to enter its death-rule phase."

The death rule of the Hunger Ghost inside was simple: it was hungry. As long as three meals were served on time, any harm from it could be completely avoided.

"In three minutes, at most three, the Hunger Ghost will enter a berserk state," Shang Xiaoya said with a grave expression, pulling out a kitchen knife. "At that point, anyone in its line of sight will be indiscriminately attacked and eaten."

Meng Qian stared at her. "You’re using that as a weapon?"

"Oh, Duan Ming lent me his before. I found it quite handy, so I got one for myself."

"But this is the inpatient department! Where on earth did you get a kitchen knife?" He emphasized the words "kitchen knife" heavily.

"This?" Shang Xiaoya pointed at the blade, puzzled. "It wasn't that hard. I bribed a fierce ghost to snatch it from the guy in 207. Duan Ming taught me that, too."

Meng Qian was speechless.

He hadn't expected that while Shang Xiaoya looked refined on the outside, her inner workings had already been twisted beyond recognition by Duan Ming.

Just then, the door handle they were gripping began to shake violently. The Hunger Ghost was trying to get out!

"It’s no good, we’re out of time! It wants to come out!" Meng Qian gritted his teeth, holding the handle fast while pushing Shang Xiaoya aside. "Go get help!"

"It’s useless. Call those two cowards on the second floor?" Shang Xiaoya shook her head. "They wouldn't even dare to help us block the door, let alone face a berserk Hunger Ghost."

Meng Qian fell silent.

As a member of the Supernatural Investigation Bureau, self-sacrifice was an instinct. He said in a low voice, "Then you go first."

Shang Xiaoya didn't respond. Instead, she scanned her surroundings and locked her gaze on an office across the hall.

"What are you standing there for? Go!"

"Maybe we don't have to," Shang Xiaoya said, pointing at the office. "When you let go, we’ll have just enough time to duck in there."

Meng Qian looked at her in shock. "Isn't that an office where entry is strictly forbidden?"

"You're still thinking about that now? As long as we get inside and out of the Hunger Ghost's sight, we’ll have a fighting chance. I’m certain that even if you die, I won't be able to escape its pursuit once it’s out." She added, "Entering might not necessarily lead to being caught for a violation, but if we don't, we’re dead for sure."

Meng Qian gritted his teeth. "Fine. You go in first, I’ll follow."

Shang Xiaoya decisively opened the door and entered, waiting by the entrance.

Meng Qian took a deep breath, released the handle, and sprinted into the room across the hall.

Bang!

As the door closed, the hallway erupted into chaos.

"I want to eat!"

"So hungry!!!"

"Eat! Eat! Eat!"

The two pressed their backs against the door, faces deathly pale, sweat streaming down.

Meng Qian felt a lingering fear. "Damn it, a mindless Ghost-level entity... it’s too terrifying."

"Dammit! I’m going to give that cafeteria delivery guy a bad review! If it weren't for him, the Hunger Ghost would never have gone berserk."

Shang Xiaoya felt a bit awkward. "Actually... I brought the delivery guy to the nursing department."

"Huh? Who is it!!! If the cafeteria staff can't do their jobs properly..."

"Duan Ming."

"Oh. Never mind then."

Shang Xiaoya sighed. "Speaking of Duan Ming, if he were here, he wouldn't let this guy outside be so arrogant. He’d have slashed it with a kitchen knife long ago."

"Ha! If you said that kid was clever and good at avoiding danger, I’d believe you. But a rookie hacking up a Ghost-level entity? Don't joke around." Meng Qian didn't believe a word of it.

Just then, the roaring outside began to mingle with a humming tune that grew closer and closer.

The two looked at each other and peeked through a crack in the door, their eyes widening.

Duan Ming was walking toward the Hunger Ghost, his hands full of lunch bags, looking completely relaxed. He had stayed on the third floor a bit longer because it was his first time encountering someone who had acquired a contracted ghost spirit. They had chatted happily, and he had even eaten his own lunch, which was why he was late.

"Hungry!"

"I'm so hungry!"

The Hunger Ghost shambled straight toward Duan Ming.

"Alright, alright, look at you, what's the rush? Lunch is here, isn't it?" Duan Ming said casually, walking to the meal station to free his hands.

"I'm hungry!!!"

"I want to eat!!!"

"Ah!!!"

Slap!

Duan Ming backhanded the ghost across the face.

"Are you sick?" he muttered with disdain, turning back to set out the food.

The Hunger Ghost froze.

The sudden slap had left it dazed; the ferocity in its eyes vanished, and its beady eyes blinked in confusion.

"I told you the food is here! Are you blind or what!!!"

"All that screaming, you’ve rattled the earwax right out of my ears."

"Get over here and eat!"

Seeing that the Hunger Ghost didn't react, Duan Ming simply grabbed it by the neck and hauled it to the service counter like a chick.

"Eat right here!"

The furious Hunger Ghost actually began to eat its meal obediently, one bite at a time.

Silence fell.

Duan Ming dug at his ear and scanned the area with a frown. Immediately, a series of clicking sounds followed as doors closed, hiding the many prying eyes.

But one door opened.

"Duan Ming!" Meng Qian and Shang Xiaoya called out in unison.

Duan Ming turned back and beamed. "Oh, Shang Xiaoya, Brother Meng Qian, what a coincidence. You two are here too?"

He walked over to greet them. But as he reached the office door, his relaxed expression turned somber.

"Duan Ming, what’s wrong?"

He didn't answer, instead walking past them directly into the office.

The office was simple and sparse, with only a desk sitting alone in the center and large filing cabinets on either side. On the desk was a photo frame; it was this frame that had caught his attention.

As he got closer, the image became clearer.

It was a photo of two women. One of them was clearly He Yuwei, the "cow girl." The other woman, who was embracing her tightly, was also incredibly beautiful. They stood shoulder to shoulder, forming a heart shape with their hands, their smiles brilliant.

Duan Ming picked up the frame.

[Hidden Task Triggered: Irreparable Regret (4/5)]

["Qiongyin, we must be best sisters for lifetimes to come."]

["Don't be silly, we’re medical students. You still believe in that?"]

["I don't care. If there really is such a thing as a soul after we die, I will find your next life no matter what, and then we’ll be reborn to be best friends again, hahaha."]

["Hmm!!!"]