Volume One (Prequel): The Seventh Reader - Chapter 17: Closing

The final exams arrived as scheduled.

In the last few days, Fang Mu finally settled down and pulled several all-nighters, managing to handle the previous subjects. It was impossible to achieve a high score, but passing the exams should not be a problem.

January 17, 2000, the final exam for Environmental Law.

In the classroom, students with varying expressions sat. Many of them were muttering to themselves and constantly flipping through their review materials. Some were even carefully writing down answers on their desks.

Ten minutes before the exam, Fang Mu decided to go to the restroom. As soon as he entered the restroom, he saw Zhu Laosì standing in a cubicle, tiptoeing to place something on top of the water tank.

"What are you doing?" Fang Mu shouted.

Zhu Laosì was startled, and the thing in his hand fell into the water tank. He turned around and saw Fang Mu, cursing under his breath, "Damn, it's you. You scared me. I thought it was the counselor."

"What are you doing?" Fang Mu asked as he adjusted his belt.

Zhu Laosì used the water pipe to retrieve the item that had fallen into the tank. It was a water-soaked environmental law textbook.

"You see, it's ruined," Zhu Laosì shook the book. "It's okay, this book won't be of any use after this subject anyway."

He carefully placed the book on the edge of the water tank, jumped down, walked to the cubicle door, looked around, and then adjusted the book's position.

Satisfied, he clapped his hands and, seeing Fang Mu looking at him inexplicably, grinned.

"How about it, clever, right?" He pointed to the book on the water tank. "No one will notice it there. I'll put the book there, write down the questions I don't know during the exam, and then say I need to go to the restroom. Clever, right?"

"I truly admire you," Fang Mu fastened his belt. "If I were you, I'd just find a plastic bag, put the book inside, tie it up, and toss it in the water tank. Wouldn't that be safer?"

"Yeah!" Zhu Laosì suddenly realized, "You're smarter. Laoliu, do you have a plastic bag?"

"Damn, go away. I don't have that stuff," Fang Mu punched Zhu Laosì. "Let's go, it's time for the exam."

"Good idea, next time I'll definitely listen to you," Zhu Laosì said regretfully.

Environmental Law was the subject Fang Mu disliked the most and usually paid little attention to. Although the questions were not too difficult, he still found it challenging. Fortunately, Wang Jian was sitting beside him, and this guy was like a genius with the pen. Fang Mu wrote down the answers he knew while also looking for opportunities to copy Wang Jian's paper.

After about half an hour of the exam, Zhu Laosì raised his hand and said he needed to go to the restroom. It took him almost 15 minutes. An older invigilator instructed another invigilator to check the restroom, "Check if he fell into the toilet."

Several people from dorm 352 looked at each other and burst into laughter.

In less than a minute, Zhu Laosì came back dejectedly. Walking to Fang Mu's desk, he made a helpless grimace and whispered, "Damn, it was unsuccessful."

Finally, Fang Mu couldn't help but burst into laughter.

It should be said that today was quite lucky. Both invigilators were well-known for their leniency in the department. Although many students were cheating, the two gentlemen turned a blind eye. So, with Wang Jian's help, Fang Mu quickly finished most of the exam. He did a rough calculation and felt that passing should not be a problem, so he put down his pen.

Twenty minutes before the end of the exam, Zhu Laosì raised his hand again and said he needed to go to the restroom. The invigilator smiled and waved him off, and he dashed out like he had received an amnesty. A few minutes later, he returned with a triumphant V sign for Fang Mu.

Ha, the fatso succeeded.

After the exam, Fang Mu seemed at a loss. Sitting on the bed, he watched everyone packing their bags. Everyone seemed eager to leave, perhaps because of the events of this semester. It seemed like everyone was eager to escape this ominous campus.

The eldest packed his bags, said goodbye, and hurried to the train station. Soon after, the second and fifth also left. Zhu Laosì and Wang Jian went to buy train tickets. Wu Han disappeared to goodness knows where. There was only Fang Mu left in the dorm room.

Suddenly, it was quiet, and Fang Mu felt a bit at a loss.

He stood up, pacing back and forth in the dorm room, and stopped in front of the mirror.

Inside was a person with disheveled hair and a pale complexion.

When did you learn to furrow your brow so deeply? When did you learn to clench your fists? When did your eyes begin to emit a cold light? When did your shoulders begin to bear such a heavy burden?

My name is Fang Mu, what about you?

The phone rang, and Fang Mu picked it up. A familiar voice came from the other end.

Fang Mu said, "Okay, Mom, I'll come home now."

Home is always the most relaxing place, and the family feast is always the best meal in the world.

Perhaps because of Fang Mu's increasingly pale complexion, his mother prepared a lot of delicious food. Fang Mu enjoyed it very much. It seemed like a long time since he had such a good appetite. While eating, the phone rang. It was Zhu Laosì calling, asking where the small pot for cooking noodles was in Fang Mu's dorm room. Fang Mu told him it was under his bed and asked, "What are you guys doing?"

"Hehe, Wang Jian and I are going home tomorrow. We're preparing to have hot pot tonight in the dorm room."

"Having hot pot in the dorm room? Be careful not to get reported."

"It's fine. There's no one in the building, and also, San-ge is on duty tonight, so there's no problem."

Wang Jian's voice came from the phone, "Fang Mu, want to join us?"

Fang Mu chuckled, "No, you guys go ahead and eat. Be careful, and have a safe journey tomorrow."

"Okay, we'll call you to wish you a happy new year during the Spring Festival."

After dinner, Mom was washing the dishes in the kitchen, and Dad had put on a Jackie Chan movie in the VCR, enthusiastically inviting Fang Mu to watch it with him. Fang Mu had already seen the movie, but seeing Dad's excitement, he sat down next to him.

It seems like all men have a bit of a violent streak. Dad was fixated on the scenes of car chases, explosions, and gunfights in the movie. When he saw Jackie Chan and a few special agents fighting in the office, Mom poked her head out of the kitchen and asked Dad to help boil some water.

"Xiaomu, come."

Mom held up her sleeves and poked her head out of the kitchen, "Xiaomu, it's rare for you to come home, don't bother the child, you come."

Dad grumbled discontentedly and went to the kitchen.

After boiling the water and returning, the fight scene had ended. Dad expressed regret, and Fang Mu picked up the remote control, pressed the rewind button.

The scene comically played in reverse as Jackie Chan leaped over his own handcuffed hands.

Dad was engrossed in the movie and didn't notice Fang Mu's sudden change in breathing.

As Dad was enjoying himself, Fang Mu abruptly grabbed the remote control and pressed the rewind button.

"What are you doing?"

Fang Mu didn't answer, his eyes fixed on the screen.

In that scene, Jackie Chan's hands were handcuffed behind his back, and after kicking down several special agents, he leaped over his own hands. In the rewound footage, Jackie Chan's hands were in front, and after leaping, they became handcuffed behind his back.

Fang Mu watched it several times, and the remote control was snatched away by Dad, who protested loudly.

It turned out that it's not difficult to handcuff your hands behind your back, as long as you're agile enough.

What about his feet?

Why did I start thinking about these things? I don't want to think about it. Fang Mu forced himself to focus on the video tape.

On the rooftop, Jackie Chan had an intense battle with two thugs. Plastic handcuff clips.

As long as the pointed end was inserted into the small hole of the other end and pulled hard, hands and feet could be bound.

The live broadcast mentioned that this was a very simple yet effective method of securely binding a person.

It's easy to bind others, and it's just as easy to bind oneself.

Fang Mu's heart began to race.

Impossible. Absolutely impossible.

When he was discovered, he was only wearing underwear.

If it was him, where were his tight-fitting clothes and headgear?

The scene was thoroughly searched, including downstairs, and no tight-fitting clothes or headgear were found. They would have left traces and smells if they were burned. No, it's impossible.

When he was discovered, only his underwear was worn, and the people who were present all had alibis, including him.

If Sun Mei lied? Then...

Dad noticed Fang Mu's expression and asked concernedly, "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

Fang Mu weakly shook his head.

No, I'm overthinking. Stop these crazy thoughts. Stop it now!

"If you're not feeling well, speak up. If it gets serious, it'll be too late."

It's too late.

When I realized the true intentions of the people on stage, I didn't take action immediately.

It's too late. Chen Xi is dead.

No, even if I'm wrong, I don't want it to be "too late."

Fang Mu leaped up, picked up the phone, and dialed Xing Zhisen's mobile phone.

"The number you've dialed cannot be reached at the moment. Please try again later..."

No one answered the phone in Xing Zhisen's office.

Fang Mu paced back and forth in the room, suddenly remembered something, and dialed the dormitory phone.

The receiver emitted a monotonous tone, and no one answered.

Where did they go? Wang Jian's dorm? I don't know their phone number.

Or, did something happen?

Should I call the police?

Fang Mu's hand lingered on the 1 and 1 for a long time, then put the phone down.

Maybe, it's just my overthinking.

Fang Mu sat back on the sofa, and the clock pointed to 10 o'clock. His eyes remained fixed on the TV, but he didn't actually see anything. After enduring for 10 minutes, he suddenly stood up, said to his stunned parents, "I'm going out for a bit," and put on his coat, opened the door, and left.

He had to go to the school and see for himself, otherwise he wouldn't be able to calm down tonight.

In the sparsely populated street, Fang Mu flagged down a taxi and let out a long sigh as he got in.

I hope it's just my overthinking.

Two hours ago.

In Room 352, a gas canister was placed under the table, a small aluminum pot was bubbling with heat, and the table was filled with lamb, squid, vermicelli, oysters, and several bottles of beer, with two already opened. Zhu Laosì and Wang Jian were crouching on the floor, selecting ingredients, and the chosen vegetables were scattered on the floor.

Someone knocked on the door. Zhu Laosì asked, "Who is it?" Wang Jian stood up and was ready to turn off the heat.

"It's me." Zhu Laosì breathed a sigh of relief and opened the door. Wu Han walked in.

"Damn, I thought it was Sun Meigeng."

"It's okay, she's downstairs watching a TV drama, 'Chasing No Regrets.' She's really into it. She won't come up. But keep your voices down."

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"Don't worry, with you around, we're covered," Wang Jian held a tray filled with vegetables. "I'm going to wash the vegetables. Wu Han, come up later for dinner."

"Okay."

Wang Jian pulled the door shut and walked out. Wu Han walked to his bed and pulled out a plastic bag from under the bed, taking out a dark object.

"Laosì, do you want to eat this?"

"What is it?"

"Cured meat, a fellow villager gave it to me. I'm not used to this taste."

"Cured meat! This is the best for hot pot! San-ge, you're really something," Zhu Laosì eagerly received it.

"Clean it before eating, it's been there a long time."

"Okay, San-ge, watch the heat for me," Zhu Laosì grinned and left.

Wu Han walked to the door and closed it, taking out a small packet from his pocket and quickly pouring the powder inside into two beer bottles, giving them a shake. The powder quickly dissolved in the beer.

In no time, Zhu Laosì and Wang Jian pushed open the door and walked in. Wu Han stood up.

"Do you want some? I'll come up later, save some for me," Zhu Laosì said.

"I'll bring the pot to you," Wu Han held onto the doorframe.

"It's okay, there's no one else in the building. Besides, San-ge is on duty tonight, so it's fine."

In a tone of regret, Zhu Laosì said, "Room 3, Room 6, and Room 8 will come up later to eat."

Zhu Laosì turned to the door, and Wu Han took out a small piece of paper from his pocket, pouring some powder into the two beer bottles, shaking them. There were no signs of panic, no one heard. He closed the door and quickly made his way down the stairs.

Wu Han stood in the dark corridor, quietly waiting, occasionally checking his wristwatch.

After a long time, he opened the door and a strong smell of gas hit him. He was satisfied with the door being slightly ajar, turned around, and quickly went down the stairs.

Sun Han hurriedly entered the duty room downstairs, and Wu Han walked into the room, putting his ear to the door and listening intently. After about a minute, the footsteps sounded again, but gradually faded until they disappeared.

"No problem, it's probably the security guard. I greeted them," Wu Han said.

Wu Han walked to the door, and the corridor was empty. He breathed a sigh of relief.

He went back to the room, took out the report book, and put it in his backpack. Then he took out a mop from his bag and cleaned the floor of the room, then went to the corridor and wiped the windowsill and frame. He then went to the 24th-floor bathroom, took out a mop, and cleaned the floor of the restroom. Afterward, he took out his backpack and water cup, left the restroom, and before leaving, wiped the doorknob of the restroom, then closed the door and quickly disappeared into the dark corridor.

In the study room, Jia Feifei and Song Bo were cuddling in a corner, and Song Bo's hands were moving around Jia Feifei's body.

The phone suddenly rang, and Song Bo quickly picked it up.

"Hello? Oh, I'll be right there."

He hung up the phone, turned to Jia Feifei, and said, "It's my father. I'm going home now."

Jia Feifei nodded, and Song Bo left the study room.

In the corner of the locker room, Wu Han also started packing his bag.

Jia Feifei and Song Bo arrived at the sports field, found a sheltered corner, and as soon as they sat down, they passionately embraced each other.

They didn't hear, in the hollow space under the steps where they sat, a person was calmly breathing.

Wu Han was sitting there, holding a wooden stick, his eyes closed, but his ears were catching every sound from above.

After a long time, the students' loud laughter and applause filled the sports field. Wu Han quickly dashed into the corridor, ran to the third floor, and hurried into the restroom. As expected, everyone was downstairs enjoying the climax of the drama, and the restroom was empty.

He went back to the dorm and put the report book in his backpack, then took out a piece of cloth and carefully wiped the table and photocopier. He then went to the corridor and wiped the windowsill and frame. Then he went to the 24th-floor bathroom, and from inside, took out a mop and cleaned the floor of the restroom. Afterward, he took out his backpack and water cup, and left the restroom. Before leaving, he wiped the doorknob of the restroom and then closed the door and quickly disappeared into the dark corridor.

In the evening, the community streets were quiet, and Wu Han walked toward the school, his heart full of determination.

At the school, the streetlights cast a dim glow, and Wu Han hurried to the dormitory building, his eyes fixed on the darkened windows.

As he approached the dormitory, Wu Han's heart raced, and he quickly climbed the stairs to the third floor, his breath coming in short gasps. He saw the door to the restroom, and as he pushed it open, the

He took off the tight-fitting costume and headgear, with thick cotton pads stuck to his chest, arms, and thighs. He entered a compartment, stepped on a water pipe, and took out a plastic bag from the water tank. He crumpled the costume and headgear into a small bundle, stuffed them into the plastic bag, tied it up, then stepped back onto the water pipe and placed the plastic bag in a corner of the water tank, where it would not affect the water supply and drainage.

Next, he tore off the cotton pads stuck to his body, tore them into small pieces, and wet them under the faucet, turning the thick cotton pads into several small bundles. He threw these cotton bundles and the tape into the toilet in another compartment, flushed them down the drain.

After doing all this, he took out two plastic fastening ropes that were already prepared from behind the radiator and walked into the innermost compartment. He first tied up his feet, then, with the coordination of his knees and mouth, he tied up his hands, then sat on the ground, curled his feet through his hands, so his hands were tied behind his back. With his hands on the wall behind him, Wu Han stood up, pressing the back of his head against the wooden compartment door frame. When he felt the edge of the door frame against the back of his head, he leaned forward and then suddenly slammed backward. A gash immediately appeared on the back of his head, and blood quickly flowed down. Feeling dizzy, Wu Han leaned against the wall, carefully not letting the blood touch the wall, then lay down on the floor of the compartment, closing his eyes.

"So, I saw you at the club that day," Fang Mu said slowly, "Did you go to the third-floor restroom to get that costume and headgear?"

Wu Han nodded.

I see. He didn't sit in the theater that day out of grief for Chen Xi or guilt, but to relive the wonderful performance of the day.

The two men silently faced each other.

"Why didn't you kill me?" Fang Mu suddenly asked.

"I wanted to keep you until the end, dear Fang Mu," his smile could almost be called friendly, "Someone is constantly guessing my thoughts, but can't figure them out, how fun. But." His smile disappeared from his face in an instant, "You stupidly ruined this great drama, it was supposed to have a perfect ending. So, Fang Mu, we can only say goodbye today."

A wave of fear rushed to Fang Mu's heart, with only one thought in his mind: run fast.

He had just turned around, but Wu Han picked up a chair leg from the ground and swung it at him.

Fang Mu hurriedly dodged, but Wu Han only feinted, crouching and hitting his ankles.

"Crack!" Fang Mu clearly heard the sound of his ankle breaking. His body tilted, and Wu Han quickly stood up, swinging his hand at Fang Mu's head. Fang Mu took a heavy blow and couldn't stand anymore, falling backward.

The intense pain almost made Fang Mu faint. In a daze, he felt Wu Han grab his collar and drag him toward the still-burning Room 352. Fang Mu struggled weakly, but it was in vain, he could only let Wu Han drag him to the doorway of the room.

Wu Han let go, Fang Mu fell heavily to the ground, just about to get up, but was stepped on the chest by Wu Han's foot, unable to move.

Wu Han took out a large military knife from his pocket, Fang Mu recognized it as the fake Swiss army knife that Wu Han bought at a stall last year.

Wu Han snapped the knife open, then straddled Fang Mu, pressing the blade against Fang Mu's neck.

"To tell the truth, I really didn't want to kill you," he sighed, "I was planning to let you live a few more days, so the game would be more fun."

"You're a psycho!" Fang Mu cursed through gritted teeth.

Wu Han wasn't angry, instead he smiled gently. "A psycho?"

"Actually, you're just like me." He leaned close to Fang Mu's face, "Sensitive and insecure, just like me."

Fang Mu stopped struggling, staring at Wu Han with wide eyes.

"Yes, you're just like me. I knew it as soon as we came back from the police station that day." Wu Han's knife still pressed against Fang Mu's neck, "So, before you die, I'll tell you all the secrets. Thank me, at least," he nodded toward the two bodies in the room, "You should be more willing than they are."

"The police will catch you sooner or later!"

"Hehe," Wu Han's mouth curved into a compassionate smile, "You're being silly. You're all dead, it doesn't matter what I say."

The sharp siren of a fire engine gradually echoed in the distance.

He took out a bottle of mineral water from his pocket, the liquid inside showing a faint red color.

"Good, I saved a bottle, it's enough." He unscrewed the cap, as if coaxing a child to sleep, "Don't move, it won't be long, it'll all be over in an instant."

"No…"

Fang Mu and Wu Han both looked at the wall corner. For a moment, Fang Mu thought he was seeing things.

But Sun Mei really moved a little.

Then, she slowly stood up.

"No… don't… kill again…"

Sun Mei's hair had been completely burned off, her face was charred and her flesh was exposed, her features were no longer discernible. Her clothes were barely hanging on, some still smoking.

She walked step by step toward Wu Han, murmuring to herself, "No… don't… kill again…"

Wu Han gaped, unable to say a word, his face twisted in fear.

The disfigured Sun Mei reached out to him, "Don't… don't… kill again…"

"Don't come near me!" Wu Han shivered, his eyes bulging as if they were about to pop out of their sockets.

"Don't kill again!"

Suddenly, Sun Mei let out a desperate, piercing scream and pounced on Wu Han.

Wu Han was knocked down in an instant. Fang Mu rolled to the other side of the corridor.

Sun Mei clung tightly to Wu Han, who struggled desperately, the liquid from the mineral water bottle spilling onto him.

They rolled on the ground, grappling. Wu Han scratched and clawed at Sun Mei's face, chunks of burnt flesh falling off, but her hands held him firmly.

The door frame, which had been burning for a long time, finally collapsed on top of them, and flames immediately leaped up on Wu Han's body.

"Ah——" Wu Han screamed in agony, the flames on his body growing bigger.

"Help… save me…" He reached out a burning hand toward Fang Mu.

Fang Mu looked at Wu Han and Sun Mei, who had been burned into a ball of fire, wanting to move but unable to. Dizziness struck, and Fang Mu gradually lost consciousness.