Chapter 73 - Red and Black (1/2)

Translator: Lonelytree  Editor: Millman97

The dilapidated paths crisscrossed like a maze. Afraid of being left behind, Chen Ge also picked up the pace. After many turns, a squat two-story terrace block appeared before his eyes, and it was into this place that the woman and the boy disappeared.

The drains surrounding the building were fetid with a horrible stench, and a large poster stating that the original tenants had moved was pasted on the first floor. Everywhere Chen Ge turned, there was rubbish piling up either at the corner or directly on the floor.

Chen Ge walked toward the building, and many questions floated up his mind. The pair lived in such a horrible environment, so this meant that their living conditions were too good. However, at the park, the woman readily pulled out 100 RMB just for the boy to visit the Haunted House. This went to show how much she cared for the boy. Yet, the boy was cruelly indifferent to her. He had said only two phrases while he was inside the Haunted House, and they were both directed at Chen Ge. The boy seemed to dislike the woman vehemently.

Is it because of his mental issues, or is something more sinister at work?

After walking up the stairs, Chen Ge realized there was only one tenant residing on the second floor. The corridor was swept clean, and there was laundry hanging on poles.

“Is anyone in?” The door was open, but Chen Ge still knocked on the door out of courtesy.

“Coming.”

Footsteps could be heard coming from inside the room. When she saw Chen Ge, she was visibly stunned.

“Why are you here? Did we cause some damage when we visited the Haunted House?” the woman asked cautiously.

“No, it’s not that. I’m just interested in the little boy’s situation, and I have something to ask him.” Chen Ge realized the woman did not show any sign of wanting him inside the house so he continued. “I have some friends at Jiujiang Medical University, and I thought, maybe they can help.”

“Thank you, but it’s alright.” The woman rejected him without thought. Then again, Chen Ge also felt like he was being a little too forward. “I am really not a bad person. You can look on your phone for today’s Jiujiang Morning News.”

Since the woman did not move, Chen Ge took out his own phone to look for an article on him helping to solve the Ping An Apartment case.

“Look, I’ve once helped the police solve a buried case and was awarded a medal of honor.” Chen Ge passed the phone to the woman, and she took a glance at it. “Supernatural Livestreamer trapped and was finally saved by the police? The intrepidness of a Haunted House operator almost caused his death?”

“Ignore the headlines. There should be my picture inside the article.”

Chen Ge explained for a long time before the woman put her suspicion aside. She returned his phone to him and said, “Come in for a seat then, just leave the door open.”

“Okay.”

The woman led Chen Ge to the ‘living room’, which was more like a thirty square feet space that had a dining table and beds pushed to the corners.

“Forgive the mess, I wasn’t expecting any visitors. Would you like to have something to drink?” The woman was embarrassed. In that moment, Chen Ge could see the boy’s shadow on her.

“That won’t be necessary. I just want to ask some questions about the boy’s parents.” Chen Ge took out his phone to record anything he deemed important.