The night was gloomy, like an eternally unbroken deep, black pool. Of the six people they had come across along the way, some had fallen in the forest, some had been locked in the car, and some had fallen at You Mingxu's feet. Everyone in front of and behind Gu Tiancheng, essentially disabled and resigned to their fate.
You Mingxu gave him another look. He still had the same handsome face, broad shoulders, narrow waist, and raw masculinity. But she realized he was no longer who she thought he was.
"Are you not afraid of me?" Gu Tiancheng suddenly asked.
You Mingxu refused to look into his eyes, which were no longer clear and deep. She turned to the side, smiled, and said, "Don't you like me? Couldn't bear to let me go, so why should I be afraid?"
He erupted into a sudden laugh, took another drag of his cigarette, and said, "You are somewhat elusive to me."
You Mingxu replied lightly, "There are many things and people in this world that are elusive. It's not good to be too obsessed, it hurts others and oneself." She seemed to be insinuating something, and Gu Tiancheng took a puff on his cigarette, staring at her without response.
"Are you the serial killer Ming Tao mentioned? The two people in Hunan, and the two people along the highway in Tibet, you killed them all?" You Mingxu asked.
He chuckled and lowered his head, saying, "It's six." He glanced at the fool lying on the ground, whimpering and bleeding, "The police only linked four of them. The fool even added one more."
You Mingxu also looked at the fool, and asked, "Who is he?"
Gu Tiancheng answered, "I honestly don't know. Yesterday I decided to change cars because I couldn't escape the search network. I happened to meet this fool who had stopped to rest on the side of the road. I took advantage of his distraction and hit him with my car, and stole his car."
A shock hit You Mingxu's heart and immediately she had a guess. The number of victims this person mentioned was only one short of the number Gu Tiancheng admitted to, so obviously, he knew some inside information. Was it possible that he was also part of the police? Was he normal at the time when he was able to drive alone and then got hit like this?
You Mingxu felt a lump in her throat; he was actually a police officer. A competent officer suffered such a fate. She looked at the man on the ground again. He was awake, his eyes wide open, his face wrinkled in pain, emitting low whimpers. Even with this contorted expression, he was still not bad-looking, but he seemed pitiful.
"Why, feeling sorry for him?" Gu Tiancheng teased, noticing her gaze.
You Mingxu knew the fool wasn't seriously injured, and wouldn't be in immediate danger. Without him noticing, she shot the fool a calming look. She didn't know if he could understand, then asked, "So, he's been locked in your trunk since the accident. The two large suitcases didn't exist. A man like you traveling wouldn't have brought so much luggage. Was his first escape unexpected to you?"
Gu Tiancheng raised his eyebrows, gazing at her from under his dark eyes, a smile playing at the corner of his mouth, "You are very smart."
You Mingxu continued, "The flat tire was your doing, to trap everyone here. After discovering his escape, you conveniently blamed it on him. I guess when you punctured the tire, you unlocked the car, then forgot to lock it again, and that's how he got out, right?"
Gu Tiancheng raised his hand gently, applauding slightly, "That's what I guessed too."
Even the fool on the ground, who had been raising his head and seemed to be listening very seriously, stopped furrowing his brow and regained his handsome appearance. He also strenuously nodded to You Mingxu with a happy smile and quickly glanced at Gu Tiancheng, muttering, "The bad man...the bad man who locked me up…"
You Mingxu thought to herself: He really isn't that stupid.
Then, the rest followed logically.
You Mingxu asked, "How did you lure Song Lan and Zou Fuyu out of their room?"
Gu Tiancheng smirked coldly, lit another cigarette, took a light puff, and said, "Zou Fuyu is an unsettled woman to begin with. Didn't you see the way she was looking at me, so lascivious. Song Lan is a bit more difficult, but not like you, lacking in brains. It didn't take long after everyone went to bed, Zou Fuyu said she needed to use the restroom, I accompanied her into the woods. After dealing with her, I returned, and told Song Lan that Zou Fuyu wasn't feeling well and asked her to check. I felt uncomfortable doing so. But even if they didn't come out on their own, I had ways to drive them out."
You Mingxu remained silent for a moment, then said, "Does manipulating people like this amuse you?"
Gu Tiancheng thought for a moment, "At first, it was quite fun. Gradually, it became monotonous."