"Hello? It's me."
"I'm at the Thirteenth Road near East Bridge. I've run into some trouble, and I'm out of money. My phone is almost dead too. Please send someone to pick me up as soon as possible."
"By the way, Dad, I think I just encountered the kind of person you mentioned before..."
"Hmm? It's fine. Don't worry. The person who helped me is safe, but... the one who was harassing me is dead now. I remember you told me they shouldn't harm ordinary people, right?"
"Yes, I want you to send someone to deal with this. You always taught me to be grateful, and after all, he was my benefactor..."
"Alright, I'll stay by the sign on Thirteenth Road. Have them come quickly."
...
Under the street sign on Thirteenth Road by East Bridge, "Hoo..." The woman stared at her phone as it finally went dark. As she recalled everything that had just happened, she couldn't shake off the uneasy feeling lingering inside her, despite taking a deep breath of the cool evening air. Beneath the streetlamp, her appearance and figure were undeniably exceptional, to the point that even when compared to a top star on television, she might not lose. Moreover, her attire seemed to explain why she had become the target of an attack. Every item she wore, even the backpack that had been torn by the thug, was far beyond the price range of ordinary people. That recent phone call also seemed to indicate her distinguished status.
...
Half an hour later, several black sedans slowly pulled up in front of the alley. The men in black stepped out of the vehicles, exchanged silent glances, and walked directly into the dark alley, but soon returned to the vehicles.
"Miss, although we found traces, we cleaned everything up, but... the body isn't there."
"What did you say?" The woman looked astonished. She distinctly remembered that before she left, the thug had been unmistakably dead. Her benefactor had already left the scene, and considering the harsh environment, it was impossible for anyone to discover the body in such a short time. Could he have survived? No, that was impossible...
She recalled the twisted angle of the thug's neck, and even if he hadn't died instantly, there was no way he could have survived such a fatal injury. After all, she'd witnessed the long and desperate struggle, and both she and the thug were nothing more than ordinary people—nothing like her benefactor. Could a normal person survive a broken cervical spine? Absolutely not!
"Miss, we..." The man in black standing near the car door saw the woman's expression and dared not make a decision on her behalf. He could only look at her with a forced, troubled expression, unsure of what to say.
The woman glanced at the dark alley outside the window and said, "Forget it. It's strange, but since it's been taken care of, let's head back for now. And remember, don't speak about this to anyone."
"Understood." The man bowed respectfully, then gently closed the door. After exchanging a few words with the others, he returned to the other cars, and soon they all drove off from the site.
Inside the car, though the woman didn't show much alarm, she felt a sense of unease upon discovering the body was gone. Considering everything she had witnessed, she suddenly thought of an old man.
Immediately, she turned to the driver in front and said, "Uncle Wang, tell the others to head back. Also, give my father a report that I'm fine. Then... I want to visit Grandmother Guan."
...
Meanwhile, near Lianmen Port, East Bridge, and Eleventh Road,
"Hahaha, little darling, tonight, you'll experience my power."
"Hey, Big Brother, don't you think I know your tricks? Be careful you don't hurt your back."
"Pah! What nonsense! You think I'm the 'Lianmen Port Perpetual Motion Machine' for nothing? Last time I wasn't in top shape, or else with your little build, I'd have made you fall apart!"
"Alright, then I'll just look forward to you showing off tonight."
A middle-aged man and woman, embracing each other, strolled down the street. With the street empty, their conversation carried an unmistakable air of recklessness, occasionally accompanied by suggestive noises.
However, "Grr... Grr..." A low, guttural growl interrupted their flirtation, and a slow-moving figure began to emerge in their line of sight. From afar, it appeared to be a passerby carrying a bag.
"Hmm?" The middle-aged man, irritated by the interruption, looked up and saw the person walking toward them, oblivious to their presence.
"What an idiot, doesn't he have a brain?" The middle-aged man didn't let go of the woman, neither offering to step aside nor making room. He even adjusted his gold chain proudly, giving off a menacing vibe that seemed out of place.
"Big Brother, don't cause trouble." The woman, sensing the potential for conflict, tried to intervene, but the man paid her no mind.
"Grr... Grr..."
"What the hell is he growling about? It's the middle of the night! Is he sick?"
The man, drunk and angry, shouted at the figure, now much closer. But before the words had fully left his mouth, his expression froze. The figure continued to move toward them without pausing, its slow pace highlighted by the streetlights. In the dim light, the figure's appearance was fully revealed. Its skin was a deep, unnatural shade of blue-black, and its head drooped unnaturally as it moved. Its eyes were wide open, but there were no pupils, only bloodshot, yellowed sclera. It emitted no human emotions—only madness.
Wait... there was no bag on its shoulder...
"Ah!!!!" The middle-aged man's shriek pierced the night air, louder than the woman's, as he sat frozen, then scrambled to his feet in panic. Without a second thought, he abandoned the woman and sprinted away, his movements swift and seamless.
"Hey... hey, wait!" The woman, utterly frozen in fear, collapsed to the ground. Her wide eyes and trembling hands made her resemble a malfunctioning automaton.
"Grr... Grr..."
The slow-moving figure still approached relentlessly, its persistence palpable, though its pace remained disturbingly slow.
The woman, finally managing to snap out of her terror, scrambled to her feet like a frightened animal, hands and feet working in frantic coordination. Yet, in her haste, she broke the heel of her shoe. Despite this, she sprinted off, not looking back.