Even though it was just a fleeting glance, Ye Qingju had clearly seen how desperate Hei Meilu’s situation really was beneath his polished exterior.
The dusty smudge on the inner thigh of his right dress pants said it all.
Classic sign of missing a step while riding a shared bike—one foot slips off the pedal, and your leg scrapes down along the crank. That dust didn't get there by accident.
Apparently, he was so broke he couldn’t even afford a rideshare just to move into the room across from hers.
Xiao Jiji, her system companion, spoke with soft awe in his voice.
【Host, you're amazing! So you lured him here on purpose, right? You’ll wait until he makes a reckless move and then—bam—turn the tables on him!】
He was so lucky to be bound to such a brilliant host!
Ye Qingju smirked with full confidence.
【Not at all.】
【?】 Xiao Jiji blinked.
【Honestly, I didn’t expect him to follow me here.】
【Ah... then what do we do now?!】 Jiji squeaked in panic.
Unbothered, Ye Qingju walked over to remove her makeup and pulled her long hair into a high ponytail.
【Now? Obviously, I’m going downstairs to eat.】
She hadn’t eaten properly on the flight—had to maintain the original host’s image as a light eater, after all. But she was starving.
When she saw Hei Meilu earlier, her first thought wasn’t even shock—it was that his black-and-white suit looked like one of those giant layered sponge cakes.
Originally, she’d planned to have room service deliver a meal.
But whether it was a fluke or sabotage, something seemed wrong with her room’s communication system. No matter how many times she tried calling, no one answered.
Left with no choice, she took the elevator down.
She remembered Assistant Wan mentioning in passing that the restaurant was on the second floor.
Ding—second floor.
As the elevator doors opened, Ye Qingju finally tore her eyes away from her phone and the top trending headline: “Serial Killer Resurfaces.”
She made a mental note to eat quickly—her favorite livestream host was going on later, and she didn’t want to miss it.
The second floor was guest-free, dedicated entirely to diners who preferred not to eat in their rooms.
Beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows stretched a wide ornamental lake—a gorgeous view, peaceful and still.
The dining area was enormous, yet completely empty. The only sound came from a cheerful voice on a small wall-mounted TV, announcing today’s special: fresh king crab.
Ye Qingju’s eyes lit up.
She passed the buffet area and followed the signage toward the seafood station.
The kitchen was semi-open, allowing guests to watch the chefs prepare their food.
As she scanned the room for the king crab, her peripheral vision caught a figure seated by the window.
“Qi Xinian?” she called out, surprised.
The boy, head lowered, looked up at her and froze for a second.
Ye Qingju walked over and looked down at him.
“Weren’t you supposed to be out with Assistant Wan?”
At the mention of this, Qi Xinian pouted.
“That was the plan, but he suddenly had something urgent and sent me back here.”
Ye Qingju thought for a moment.
“Is the communication system in your room also acting up?”
How else would a child end up wandering down to eat by himself?
Qi Xinian nodded firmly.
“This hotel’s service is terrible. When we get back, Uncle should file a complaint.”
She ignored his childish indignation and glanced around for hotel staff.
Scanning the restaurant, her eyes finally landed on someone.
Near the sushi station beside the seafood section, a stout chef stood with his back to them, focused on what looked like hand-rolling nigiri.
Seeing Ye Qingju move, Qi Xinian didn’t want to stay behind and hopped down from his stool to follow.
Ye Qingju noticed but didn’t stop him.
She walked over and called out:
“Chef, is the hotel’s communication system down?”
The man didn’t respond. He didn’t even flinch.
Ye Qingju frowned and took another step forward, reaching out to lightly tap his shoulder.
“Chef—”
She didn’t even finish the word.
The chef’s body suddenly slumped and pivoted unnaturally toward her—his face a mask of blood and horror.
His abdomen gaped open, a deep wound oozing dark blood.
Ye Qingju’s fingers trembled.
Without a word, she pulled her hand back and spun around to scoop up Qi Xinian—who was just about to speak.
She clamped one hand tightly over his mouth and bolted.
Her soft body startled the boy, making his face flush bright red as he struggled in her arms.
But before he could get a word out, his eyes landed on something behind her—a splash of glaring crimson that struck like a hammer.
Terror flooded his tiny body, and he nearly screamed.
His round eyes, once like dark grapes, were now wide with pure dread.
“Close your eyes.”
Ye Qingju’s voice was gentle, but her pace didn’t slow one bit.
Qi Xinian shivered and slowly nodded. His little arms stopped pushing her away and clung tightly to her clothes.
He wasn’t a child born in blood—but growing up in the Qi family, he was no stranger to violence.
Ye Qingju didn’t head for the elevator. She chose the fire stairs instead.
The first floor was out of the question. If there were no responses from staff, then…
She pushed the thought away.
Six floors wasn’t too bad—she could handle stairs. If her room had been higher up, she might’ve honestly considered jumping out the window.
She crept open the stairwell door and peeked into the hallway.
No one.
She kept her steps quiet and rushed to her room.
Setting Qi Xinian down, she gave her thigh a quick pinch to stop her hands from shaking, then fished through her pocket for the keycard.
Fingers brushed the thin plastic. Relief flooded her.
Then—from the end of the hallway—a woman screamed.
“Help—ah! Don’t kill me!”
The scream was followed by the wet, slicing sound of a blade cutting through flesh, and then… laughter.
Sharp, high-pitched laughter that scraped against her nerves.
Her hand jolted.
The keycard slipped from her grasp and clattered onto the marble floor.
In the silent hallway, the sound was deafening.
And then—the laughter stopped.
Footsteps began to approach. Slow, deliberate. Getting closer.
Qi Xinian instinctively took a step back. Before he could cry out, he clapped both hands over his mouth.
Pick up the card. Swipe. Open the door. Slam it shut.
Ye Qingju did it all in one breath.
Thankfully, the door’s quality muffled the sound.
But the attacker already knew someone was here.
She wasn’t a trained professional. She was just a regular person—used to scoffing at horror movie characters from the safety of a screen.
But now, she was the one inside the horror story.
Hands trembling, she dialed Qi Weiran’s number.
She didn’t even think. She just hoped he’d answer.
“Hello.”
His low voice filled her ear.
The tension inside her snapped.
Of course—Qi Weiran was Qi Weiran.
He didn’t waste time asking her to call the police or suggesting she run.
He only said two words:
“Wait there.”
After the call ended, Ye Qingju leaned against the wall for a few seconds to calm down.
Then she stood, carried the still-shaking Qi Xinian to the innermost room, and tucked him under the bed.
She picked up her sleep mask and handed it to him.
“If you get scared, wear this.”
“No matter what you see or hear, do not come out.”
“A true warrior never removes his mask.”
The boy nodded hard.
As she stood to leave, he tugged at her pants leg.
“What about you?” he asked, voice shaking.
Ye Qingju gave her first real smile since everything started.
“I believe in Ultraman. Diga will come save me.”
Yeah, right.
She stared at the video doorbell monitor—at a pair of blood-red eyes staring straight at her.
Ye Qingju cursed under her breath.
He couldn’t see her. She knew that.
But still, she nearly screamed.
Taking a deep breath, she forced a twisted little smile.
【Xiao Jiji, do you know what it means to rob a robber?】
(t/n: 黑吃黑 literally means “black eats black,” slang for criminals preying on other criminals)
Jiji was so terrified he didn’t make a sound.
She didn’t care.
With steady hands, she took out her phone and dialed a number.
Three seconds later, the call connected.
Staring straight at those blood-filled eyes on the screen, Ye Qingju spoke sweetly:
“Mr. Hei, your delivery has arrived.”
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