【September 29th, 5:50 AM】

Work has made me develop the habit of checking my phone first thing in the morning.

Twenty minutes ago, Xu Yang sent me a message.

"Baby, I will buy breakfast and be at your place at six o'clock tomorrow morning, wait for me."

I glanced at the cloudy weather outside, which is really not suitable for a morning run.

After a quick wash, I aimlessly scrolled through short videos.

The first news item: [In the early morning of the 29th, several seafarers were bitten by unidentified creatures. They have been sent to the hospital and are currently not in life-threatening condition.]

The second news item: [The municipal government of Haicheng is urging citizens to minimize their plans to visit the seaside during the National Day holidays.]

The third news item: [Yesterday, the funeral home in Haicheng reported that three bodies had mysteriously disappeared. The police are currently investigating, with a focus on all catering establishments within the jurisdiction of the coastal new district, including but not limited to steamed bun shops, pie shops...]

I was enthusiastically reading comments from netizens about the human flesh steamed bun incident that happened decades ago.

【Annoying call from an idiot】

A flickering reminder appeared on the screen of my phone.

I sighed deeply. This holiday is not going to be good; it's my boss calling.

My inner OS: 'Let the world of idiots be destroyed!'

"Hello, General Qi, good morning!"

"Xiao Zhang, you're awake so early. Since you have some free time, come to the company later to prepare a report for Party A. They need it urgently."

"Okay, General Qi."

"Before submitting it, cross-check the data with Xiao Hu. Also..."

【Bang, bang, bang】

There was a sound of something hitting in the corridor. Damn, I was already annoyed that I had to work overtime, and now some neighbor is disturbing the peace early in the morning!

I agreed with all the arrangements of my idiot boss while stuffing my phone into my pocket and opening the door.

The door opened a crack,

Suddenly!

【Bang】

Something hit the door violently, and it closed with a bang.

I was startled and prepared to curse.

At that moment, Xu Yang's voice came, filled with exhaustion, sounding hoarse and low as if it was squeezed out with difficulty.

"Xiao Xiao, don't go out!"

What the hell?

I have to go to work!

I struggled to open the door.

"Xu Yang! Why are you blocking my door?"

I pounded on the door, but all I heard from outside was Xu Yang's heavy gasping.

I looked through the peephole and saw a pitch-black scene, probably blocked by something.

I listened carefully, and it seemed like Xu Yang's chair was on the door. His breath was accompanied by a heavy wheezing sound, as if he were in a wind tunnel.

"Xu Yang! What's wrong with you? Open the door! Did something happen to you?"

Did he have a conflict with a neighbor in the building and got beaten up?

I leaned against the door, and through the peephole, I saw a sudden flash of light in the dark field of view.

Xu Yang's whole body was flung around by something, and his head hit the stairs, blood flowing profusely, splattering the surroundings.

I quickly prepared to open the door.

The next second!

Xu Yang was thrown against the door.

His blood-stained face was right in front of my eyes, filled with a terrified expression that made my hands tremble uncontrollably.

In the end, I couldn't open the door.

Xu Yang held onto the door and said, "Xiao Xiao, don't open the door..." then slowly slid down.