Chapter 2: The Uninhabited Villa Complex

When they regained consciousness, they found themselves behind the crimson wooden door.

Ning Qiushui carefully observed the villas and noticed something peculiar.

"Wait..."

It was unmistakable.

"You made it too, kid?"

Ning Qiushui nodded.

Liu Chengfeng squinted at the villa, his expression darkening. He began finger-counting like a fortune-teller, muttering:

"This is bad..."

Ning Qiushui's eyes lit up:

"You can read fortunes?"

Liu Chengfeng shook his head.

"Out there, I did fortune-telling... But I just remembered I'm actually a fraud."

Ning Qiushui's breath hitched.

Unbelievable.

This guy was... textbook.

Had he started believing his own lies?

And...

How could he admit this so shamelessly?

"Never mind..."

Ning Qiushui sighed and strode toward the villa where the young matron stood.

Others had already arrived.

The hostess didn't speak, only offering them a perfunctory smile. When addressed, she would simply reply:

"Please wait. Several caretakers haven't arrived yet."

About ten minutes later, all seven had gathered.

As if triggered by their completion, the perpetually smiling hostess suddenly addressed them:

"All present?"

"My apologies for summoning you all to care for my mother. With my husband away working and me taking my daughter to the beach for her birthday, there's no one left at home..."

"Given my mother's advanced age - bedridden with severe dementia - I worried two or three caretakers might be insufficient. Hence I hired you all through the agency..."

"Don't concern yourselves with expenses. Money isn't an issue."

"When I return... If my mother has been properly cared for, I'll personally compensate each of you."

She led them into the villa's second floor, entering a spacious room.

The lighting was poor.

An unpleasant odor lingered.

By the window lay an elderly woman with a benevolent expression, gazing serenely at the group. Her faint, eerie smile made everyone's hairs stand on end.

"This is my mother..."

After the introduction, the hostess knelt beside the elderly woman, murmuring tenderly:

"Mother, I'm taking Tuan-tuan to the beach for her birthday. These seven caretakers will look after you these five days..."

She leaned closer to whisper something in the old woman's ear.

Rising, she told the group:

"Though bedridden with dementia, my mother understands simple speech. Her health is generally good, with no other ailments and a healthy appetite... Ah, I haven't shown you the kitchen yet."

She guided them downstairs to an expansive kitchen. Spotless utensils covered the counters. Two massive refrigerators stood by the entrance.

"Summer has arrived, and the rainy season approaches. The storms here can be terrifying - you may encounter heavy wind and rain these next few days, making grocery shopping difficult..."

She pulled open a refrigerator packed with meat and vegetables, smiling:

"But rest assured."

"I've prepared ample food and water..."

"Also... My mother dislikes vegetables. Prepare more meat in her meals."

Before leaving, she asked: "Any questions?"

Ning Qiushui spoke first:

"Is this villa complex uninhabited?"

The woman paused briefly before answering smoothly:

"Indeed. This complex was built years ago, but being so remote, we're the only residents. Truthfully, we wouldn't live here either, if not for my mother..."

She added sternly:

"These five days, consider yourselves the villa's masters. I've prepared second-floor rooms for you to choose from."

"But remember... You must absolutely never enter the third floor. Understood?"

The group agreed.

Satisfied, the hostess smiled again.

"Now that everything's clear... I entrust my mother to you!"

"Oh! The train departure approaches. We must hurry..."

She hastily departed with her daughter and luggage.

An uneasy feeling prompted Ning Qiushui to watch from the window. As they boarded the car, the little girl suddenly turned back, locking eyes with him.

The gaze rooted Ning Qiushui to the spot.

His sharp vision clearly caught... fear in the child's eyes!

What frightened her?

The beach trip?

Her mother?

Or... this very villa?

While pondering, Liu Chengfeng's bearded face reappeared beside him:

"Still staring? They're long gone..."

"Kid, never took you for a married woman enthusiast... Promising, very promising!"