Is this what a zombie is?

112. Let's make a bet.

Manager Jiang... Jiang Chen...

Once this thought emerged, it grew uncontrollably, gradually evolving into an absurd, even obsessive, illusion that frantically proliferated in her mind.

He is still alive.

He is not dead.

He simply changed his face and adopted a different identity, living in some corner of this world.

When the idea popped into Qiu Ziting's head, she felt it was absurd; reason told her it was impossible.

I only see him because I miss him so much.

A profound sense of loss overwhelmed her instantly, and she couldn't concentrate on what anyone else was saying.

Therefore, this social gathering ended hastily in an awkward and perfunctory atmosphere.

As they stepped out of the bar, a gust of cold wind sobered everyone up a bit.

Qiu Ziting kept turning back, her gaze piercing through the glass door, stubbornly searching for that figure at the bar, on the dance floor, and in every corner.

However, no.

That "Manager Jiang" seemed to have vanished into thin air.

"What are you looking at?" Li Xiaoyue took her arm, somewhat puzzled. "You don't actually have a crush on that head waiter, do you? He's so ordinary-looking, not even as handsome as those senior students from earlier."

"His back view... looks a lot like Jiang Chen." Qiu Ziting's voice was very soft, with a tremor she herself was unaware of. "And, he also has the surname Jiang."

Li Xiaoyue was stunned for a moment, then sighed helplessly.

"Ziting, I know you can't forget him. But you're really obsessed. There are so many people with the surname Jiang, at least several million people in the whole country. Does that mean every single one of them is him?"

"You're just missing him too much, that's why you're having this illusion."

Qiu Ziting fell silent.

Yes, maybe I'm just overthinking it.

The dead cannot be brought back to life; this is basic common sense. She had seen his death certificate with her own eyes; his household registration had already been cancelled.

Moreover, that face was so unfamiliar and ordinary, bearing no resemblance whatsoever to Jiang Chen's handsome and refined face.

She gave a bitter smile, a smile that looked worse than tears.

She lowered her head and said softly, "...Perhaps."

In the end, she gave up the search, and with a heart full of unresolved disappointment and loneliness, she turned and merged into the crowd of people on the street late at night.

In the shadows on the second floor, Jiang Chen stood there motionless.

He watched Qiu Ziting's lonely figure as she was helped by Li Xiaoyue and gradually disappeared around the street corner.

Stay away from her, and it's best to never have any contact with her again for the rest of your life. Let her live an ordinary, ignorant life.

This was the best protection for her, and also his final act of tenderness.

He was no longer the Jiang Chen who could dream about the future with her.

Their worlds have long been completely separated by an insurmountable chasm.

Just as he was about to look away and force himself to turn and leave, his gaze fell once again on that sleazy, bespectacled senior—Wang Hao.

Wang Hao did not leave with the other classmates, but followed Qiu Ziting and Li Xiaoyue alone, like a predator lurking in the shadows.

The streetlights cast his shadow long and distorted.

The humble, fawning smile on his face had vanished, replaced by an extremely gloomy and venomous resentment.

The gray, negative energy emanating from him was several times more concentrated than it had been in the bar, swirling around him.

Jiang Chen frowned; he had a strong premonition.

This guy will definitely be a threat to Qiu Ziting and the others tonight.

Without the slightest hesitation, Jiang Chen turned and walked towards the bar.

"I'm asking for leave to go out for a while."

Shen was slightly taken aback. "Are you taking leave? What's the matter?"

"Private matter."

Jiang Chen had already changed his clothes before Shen could give his consent. He was just saying hello; he didn't actually need Shen's permission.

Shen had no objection, and Tai Sui did not stop him; he simply offered a kind reminder.

"My manager Jiang, although you have achieved initial mastery and can use the power of the Blood Coral Tai Sui and the Zombie Fungus Mother, the Blood Coral Tai Sui is not completely dead yet, and you have not completely eradicated its intelligence."

"So don't leave me for too long, you know what the consequences will be."

"I know."

Jiang Chen paused only briefly before continuing on his way.

He knew, of course, what the consequences would be, but some things had to be done.

Watching his resolute departure, Shen frowned with some worry.

Tai Sui walked up to the bar, and Bao Shi offered him a drink. Tai Sui took a sip and enthusiastically made a suggestion.

"Let's make a bet, how long do you think he can last?" He held up two fingers. "I bet less than two hours."

Shen gave him a charmingly disdainful look, seemingly finding the game boring, but still extended three slender fingers.

"I pressed for three hours; I believe in his willpower."

Shen had a lot of confidence in Jiang Chen. After all, this was the longest she had spent with him, and she had witnessed all the changes in him. So she bet three hours.

Both of them looked at Gluttony, who was silently wiping his wine glass.

Gluttony looked up. He didn't want to participate in such a boring thing, but he didn't want to spoil Tai Sui's fun.

After a moment of silence, he silently raised one finger.

He chose an hour.

……

The streets were deserted late at night.

For convenience, Li Xiaoyue pulled Qiu Ziting along and took a shortcut into an old alley.

This is a forgotten corner of the city, with dim streetlights and intermittent light. The walls are covered with mottled graffiti and moss, and the air is filled with a damp, musty smell.

Most importantly, this is a blind spot for surveillance.

"Ziting, are you sure you don't have anyone you like? How about I organize another get-together and we can go out again in a few days over the weekend?"

As Li Xiaoyue walked, she planned the next social event, determined to keep up the good work and help her best friend find a partner soon.

Qiu Ziting absentmindedly hummed in agreement; in her mind, the image of "Manager Jiang" was still lingering.

Neither of them noticed that about twenty meters behind them, a figure wearing glasses was following them at a leisurely pace.

Wang Hao.

Like a patient hunter, he landed silently, blending perfectly into the shadows of the alley.

He always maintained a delicate distance from his prey, ensuring that he would not be discovered while keeping them under his control.

The alley is long and deep.

When the two reached the deepest part of the alley, where the surrounding area was completely blocked by towering residential buildings and even the last bit of moonlight was swallowed up, Wang Hao stopped.

He confirmed that no one was around; darkness was his best camouflage.

In the darkness, he can be his true self again, without having to hide his inner impulses.