Free Web NovelHua City, Fangxiang Road, Art Center.
In the quiet changing room, Nanling Yaohua wore a snow-white lace short skirt, her hair pinned up high, her slender figure like a swan with its neck lowered, looking down at her phone.
The phone screen displayed a message from Lu Yibei.
Lu Yibei: "Sorry! Although we had a prior appointment, something came up at my place, so I probably can't make it today. How about tomorrow? Is tomorrow okay?"
Nanling Yaohua: "Something came up at your place? What happened? Are you okay?"
Lu Yibei: "You might think it's a bit fantastical, but... 【Pic】【Pic】【Pic】 my water heater exploded."
Nanling Yaohua: "Okay, see you tomorrow then! 【Smile】"
"Was it really... the water heater exploding?" Nanling Yaohua murmured to herself, frowning, her eyes changing several times as if deep in thought.
"Xiao Hua, class is about to start!" A girl's soft call came from outside the changing room.
"Coming!" Nanling Yaohua responded, bending down to put on her pink dance shoes, tying the laces before standing up and quickly walking towards the dance studio.
Soon, music filled the dance studio.
The bright morning sun shone through the windows, illuminating the room. In front of the huge floor-to-ceiling mirror, the girls in short skirts leaped gracefully, their steps light, their white gauze skirts fluttering, like a flock of white swans about to lightly touch the lake's surface, creating ripples.
Among the crowd, Nanling Yaohua's brows were slightly furrowed, her dark, bright eyes seemed clouded, and there was a hint of sadness between her brows, as if she was saying goodbye to someone.
Suddenly, the music stopped abruptly.
The Teacher walked up to Nanling Yaohua and gently patted her shoulder, "Xiao Hua, why do you seem so distracted today? You've missed several beats... Are you not feeling well?"
Nanling Yaohua snapped back to attention, shook her head at the Teacher, and smiled, "Sorry, Teacher, I'm fine. Shall we start again?"
The moment the dance Teacher turned away, she closed her eyes and sighed wearily.
----
Meanwhile, at the Huacheng Institute of Technology Teaching Staff Compound.
Lu Yibei looked at the reply on her phone screen, but she didn't feel relieved.
Based on Lu Yibei's understanding of Nanling Yaohua, if it were the usual, upon hearing that her water heater had exploded, she would probably have dropped her dance class immediately and rushed over to help, or at the very least, she would have asked for details to confirm her safety.
But today, Nanling Yaohua didn't ask many questions and readily agreed to postpone their meeting by a day.
Combined with the situation earlier where she might have seen the wires binding Gu Qianqian but pretended not to notice...
Lu Yibei subtly sensed something strange.
"Forget it, since I can't see Xiao Hua and ask her in person, I can put this aside for now!"
Anyway, according to the setting in the dream memory, she'll be back to normal after bathing in the morning sun tomorrow. When she sees Xiao Hua then, she can just react accordingly.
Since I have this extra time today, there are a few things I want to figure out.
Lu Yibei grumbled inwardly, put away her phone, patted her cheek, and got up to walk towards the study.
Sitting down at her desk, she casually grabbed a pen and paper, briefly sorted through the various pieces of information in her mind, and began writing them down on the paper one by one:
"1. Figure out which urban legend that description of the Power refers to."
"2. Attempt to verify the authenticity of this body's various abilities."
"3. Investigate the abandoned factory that appeared in the dream, and what that group of people did to the little girl, who was likely Gu Qianqian, in the factory."
When writing the third point, Lu Yibei frowned and temporarily put down her pen.
Although her current physical state proved that the dream from a few days ago, which brought a massive amount of memories, had a certain degree of reality, this didn't mean that all of her dreams were real.
In other words, the abandoned factory that appeared in the dream might not exist at all, perhaps it was just some kind of symbol, or perhaps after so much time, it had already been demolished.
In short, finding it would probably not be that simple.
"However, at least it's not completely without clues..." Lu Yibei murmured to herself, and picked up her pen again to write on the paper.
"4. The huge chimney (can focus on investigating factories with large chimneys that have had abnormal incidents or are related to the Xunzhen Mutual Aid Society)."
"5. Find a few workers to come home and repair the bathroom, aiming to finish before Mom gets back."
After writing down the five things she needed to do today, Lu Yibei put down her pen, tapped the edge of the desk with her fingertips, and after confirming that there was nothing to add, carefully folded the paper.
Five things, it seemed like a small number, but each one would take a lot of time.
However, before starting on the main tasks...
Lu Yibei looked down at the bathrobe she was wearing and mumbled, "I need to find some proper clothes to wear."
Suddenly, she missed the Coat from her dream memory that could turn into any clothing; changing outfits with just a word was too convenient.
She just didn't know if that Coat actually existed. Lu Yibei thought.
----
At this moment, in an abandoned factory tens of kilometers away from the Teaching Staff Compound, in the suburbs of Hua City County.
This factory was jointly built by Huacheng Cement Factory and Huacheng Steel Factory in the 1980s, intended to produce active lime needed for steelmaking, while also producing some miscellaneous items.
Huacheng Steel Factory was once glorious, building many similar industrial chain factories, but as various technologies became increasingly specialized and industrialized, these factories gradually withdrew from the historical stage.
Although this factory was located within Hua City's county town, its location was not in the current urban area but outside the city, so even though it had been closed for a long time, it hadn't been demolished.
It was as if it had been abandoned, left on a barren mountain, left to "rot" on its own.
Inside the abandoned factory, in a dilapidated office.
"Okay... I understand, uh-huh, see you later." A middle-aged man responded into his phone a few times before hanging up, putting away his phone, and looking at the young man standing at the other end of the desk.
The middle-aged man was around fifty years old, with a slightly aged face, meticulously combed mottled hair, sharp eyebrows, and piercing eyes, his posture erect.
The young man at the other end of the desk looked somewhat similar to the middle-aged man, with a slightly rounder face and short chestnut hair.
Seeing the middle-aged man hang up the phone, the young man stepped forward.
"Second Uncle, someone went to our old house yesterday, and Uncle Cao attacked him."
Hearing this, the middle-aged man's /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ expression immediately became serious, and he pressed, "Oh? Who? Were they those Doctors?"
After asking, he felt something was off. Since their failed attempt over a decade ago, everyone had hidden very well.
Although information related to the Mutual Aid Society occasionally circulated among the public, in reality, apart from their regular meetings, they rarely had any other activities.
Those "Doctors" hadn't appeared for many years either.
The young man shook his head, "Not sure, he seemed to be investigating us."
"..." The middle-aged man pondered for a few seconds, then said dismissively, "What's strange about that?"
In the years the Xunzhen Mutual Aid Society had been dormant, many people who doubted the reality of this world had become interested in them and started investigating them, a large portion of whom eventually became new members of the Mutual Aid Society.
If the young man hadn't mentioned that Cao Wei attacked that person, the middle-aged man wouldn't have associated it with those white figures that were like a nightmare to them, lingering in their minds.
"But..." The young man hesitated several times, wanting to speak but stopping, finally sighing and saying, "When I went to ask Uncle Cao to come to the meeting today, I found out he was dead."
"What?!" The middle-aged man immediately stood up from his chair, "What about the person who went to the old house?"
The young man shook his head, "He's gone, but I think he will continue to investigate us. What do you think..."
The middle-aged man thought in silence for a while, then lightly slapped the table and said, "Alright, after you go back, secretly spread some information in the city. If that person continues to investigate, he will definitely follow the clues and come knocking. At that time, we'll know if he's an enemy or a friend by testing him."
"Understood!" The young man nodded, then changed the subject, "Also, there's one more thing I'd like to discuss with you."
The middle-aged man narrowed his eyes, looked the young man up and down for a moment, and said, "What else? Hurry up and say it, everyone will be here soon."
The young man looked at the middle-aged man with a troubled expression, hesitated for a few seconds, and then said seriously, "Second Uncle, Gu Qianqian, she is still looking for us. I was wondering if we should..."
"What are you thinking? Why are you just like your father?" The middle-aged man interrupted sharply, "How many times have I told you, she is not your sister. Your real sister died over ten years ago when that ritual failed."
"Have you forgotten how your father died? How dare you still get involved with her?"
"Our family raised her for so many years, and this time you risked exposing everyone to save her life. We've been more than benevolent, what else do you want?"
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"I just feel like she's very pitiful..." the young man said softly.
In the past few days, whenever he had free time, he secretly observed Gu Qianqian's movements. Every time he saw Gu Qianqian wandering the streets, looking lonely and helpless, he felt an indescribable feeling.
Bang—!
The teacup in the middle-aged man's hand flew over and shattered in front of him. The hot water with tea leaves splashed, soaking him all over.
Shut up, what's going on in your head?
The middle-aged man glared at him, his eyes wide with anger. "Gu Xinian, are you afraid your old man will live too long and want to piss me off to death sooner?"
She's pitiful? Aren't we pitiful? We are imprisoned in this false world like prisoners. If you keep messing around, will you be worthy of your deceased parents and everyone in the Mutual Aid Society?
In short, everyone has endured for so many years, and now a new opportunity has finally appeared. If you cause trouble at this time, don't blame me for not caring about our uncle-nephew relationship!
Gu Xinian clenched his fists, staring intently at his second uncle, Gu Weibing, for a long time without speaking, wondering what he was thinking about.
Seeing this, Gu Weibing forced a smile and played the carrot and stick game. "Don't you want to know what your father told me before he died?"
Do a good job, and I'll tell you after it's done.
...
Gu Xinian was silent for a long time, then slowly unclenched his hands, bowed slightly, and said, "I understand, Second Uncle."
Alright, everyone is coming soon. Why don't you go prepare? I'll be there shortly," Gu Weibing said.
Gu Xinian nodded, turned around, and left the dilapidated office, closing the door behind him.
Watching Gu Xinian leave, Gu Weibing paced to the desk, bent down to pick up the teacup fragments on the floor, and played with them between his fingers, his expression gradually turning gloomy.
Just family ties... are they really that important? If it weren't for you being a little useful...snort! freeωebnovēl.c૦m
----
After leaving the dilapidated office, Gu Xinian did not immediately go to the place being set up as the meeting venue. Instead, he walked to the end of the corridor, took out a cigarette pack from his pocket, and lit one.
Of course, he knew that Gu Qianqian was not his biological sister.
However, back then, their family went to the real world, found Gu Qianqian, and treated her like family, spending so many years together day and night. Such feelings are not something you can just let go of.
He wasn't his second uncle, who had a heart of stone.
Uncle Cao, this time, I'm afraid you've trusted the wrong person," Gu Xinian sighed as he gazed in the direction of Half-Mountain Apartment.
In his impression, Cao Wei was a very kind person. Even if he discovered that the young man named Lu Yibei was investigating the Xunzhen Mutual Aid Society, he wouldn't harm her; he might even help her.
He stayed at Half-Mountain Apartment simply because he couldn't bear to leave the place where he had lived, so he chose to keep watch.
Like a lonely watchman, watching over his hometown.
The reason Uncle Cao attacked Lu Yibei was likely because of Second Uncle, and the things he gave him a few days ago...
Earlier yesterday, when he talked to him on the phone, he already seemed a bit abnormal.
However, Gu Xinian couldn't stop his second uncle's madness.
Or rather, he wanted to know why his father and mother suddenly left the real world, why they died mysteriously, and what they finally told his second uncle. To find out, he couldn't disobey his second uncle.
As Gu Xinian was thinking, a burning sensation suddenly came from between his fingers.
The cigarette was almost burnt out. He collected his thoughts, stepped on the cigarette butt, glanced back at Gu Weibing's office, and turned towards the factory workshop.
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A moment later, the open space in front of the long-abandoned factory was filled with various vehicles.
From small electric scooters to ordinary household commuter vehicles, and even jaw-droppingly expensive limited-edition luxury cars, everything was there.
It was clear that their owners came from all walks of life and had different identities.
Inside the dilapidated and silent factory workshop, a large number of attendees sat silently on their committees, looking up and gazing ahead.
They were old or young, tall or short, some with ordinary appearances, others with extraordinary temperaments.
Among them were students who hadn't shed their childishness, wearing school uniforms.
There were construction workers wearing hard hats and clothes stained with mud.
Office elites in suits and ties were squeezed together with nouveau riche wearing large gold chains, both finding the other repulsive.
There were even some local celebrities and minor stars who were somewhat recognizable mixed in.
Their only common point was that they were all wearing various masks on their faces. Gathered together, they looked like they were holding a masquerade ball.
At the end of the empty workshop, on a temporarily erected stage, stood a semi-human-sized cylindrical object covered with a black cloth, hiding something unknown underneath.
What do you think that is?
I think that might be what the Chairman said, the new way to the real world. As for what it is, I'm not sure.
Is it really possible? I mean, to go to the real world. I thought we were all gathered here just to find a little comfort in this false world...
Just as everyone was whispering, footsteps came from the stage. A man wearing a brown hooded robe and a white mask came to the center of the stage and stood beside the cylindrical object covered with a black cloth.
Thump, thump—!
The man struck the stage with his cane to maintain order. His eyes behind the mask scanned the surroundings, and he said solemnly in a hoarse voice, "Everyone, how exactly can we escape the illusion and go to the real world? I believe this is a question that has troubled everyone for a long time."
After our Xunzhen Mutual Aid Society discovered that magical gem more than ten years ago, we made a series of attempts, but unfortunately, we failed.
However, there is always a way out. Just a few days ago, this old man found a new method!
As soon as these words were spoken, the entire assembly was in an uproar.
Really, can we go to the real world now?
How can what the Chairman says be false?
...
Thump, thump, thump—!
The man on the stage struck the stage a few more times with his cane. After the workshop quieted down, he slowly began to speak.
Everyone must be very curious about how this old man found this new hope. Here, I want to tell you all, it all originated from a dream?
I believe everyone present has caught a fleeting glimpse of the real world in their dreams, right?
As his voice fell, a chorus of responses echoed in the workshop.
Yes, we've seen it.
Isn't that right? That world is so beautiful.
Isn't the reason I'm sitting here because I believe in that dream?
...
Seeing this, the man on the stage nodded with satisfaction.
Not long ago, I had such a dream. I woke up in the dream, not knowing where I was or even who I was. My senses floated in the void. I heard the sound of wind and smelled an intoxicating fragrance. That feeling made me feel fear and want to escape.
But as I struggled between wakefulness and sleep, I suddenly felt an incredibly warm touch sweep over my limbs and bones, embracing me tightly. At that moment, I felt an unprecedented sense of peace, tranquility, and the happiness of heaven descending.
At that moment, I knew our hope had arrived. It was the salvation given to us by a deity!
Then, Chairman, what is the deity like? Did you see it?" asked an elderly man in the front row near the stage, dressed in a suit and tie with an extraordinary demeanor.
Unfortunately, Mr. Li, I did not!" The man on the stage shook his head and explained, "My dream was vague and beautiful, as if covered by a layer of rose-colored gauze, preventing me from ever seeing the appearance of that deity."
However, some fragmented concepts were directly injected into my mind. Its body can be larger than the world or smaller than a bacterium. Its breath is as sweet as honey. It is unpredictable and omnipotent, capable of transforming into any creation within or beyond conventional understanding.
Now, It is lingering outside this false world, listening to our calls, waiting for the right moment to lead us to the real world! Now, I will show everyone the great gift It bestowed upon me!
The man spoke passionately. As his voice fell, the workshop erupted in applause and cheers. However, as he lifted the black cloth from the cylindrical object, the scene immediately fell into a dead silence.
On the stage, inside a cylindrical glass cover, was a red and white contrasting jacket. But what was truly eye-catching was the semi-illusory, semi-real dark red flesh attached to the jacket.
The flesh continuously rolled and surged, briefly changing into various shapes and structures. At times, the body expanded to fill the entire glass cover; at other times, it shrunk into a small mass, requiring careful observation to see clearly.
It was so bizarrely twisted, ugly, and strange, yet it exuded a captivating aura. Everyone was unconsciously entranced...
