Extreme Vigilance

30: Plot 30: A Premeditated Trap 30: Plot 30: A Premeditated Trap Xun Jiasheng was somewhat displeased by Qi Xin’s questioning of his expertise, he said, “What does this have to do with Giant Industries?” He was well-versed in matters of the supernatural, but when it came to people, he was a bit confused.

Tie Zheng spoke in a deep voice, “You mean we’re here because someone meticulously arranged it, Qi Xin?”

Qi Xin clenched his fists, “I have felt for a while that something is amiss.

When have you ever heard of a company scheduling interviews at 8 in the night?

Moreover,” Qi Xin glanced at everyone before adding, “We’ve already signed the death contract, it’s effective immediately.

Whether we live or die or disappear, even if our relatives reported us missing, as of now, Giant Industries holds the contract that can absolve them of any relation to us.”

Xun Jiasheng eventually fell silent, his face betraying a sense of dread.

He quickly understood the gravity of the situation as it pertained to him personally.

The more Hai Mingzhu thought about it, the colder she felt.

It’s as if she had fallen into a gigantic trap!

Despite not wanting to provoke Qi Xin, Feng Jingye couldn’t help but interject at this point, “So you’re saying that Giant Industries intentionally sent us here?”

Qi Xin grunted coldly and didn’t respond, probably bearing a grudge because Feng Jingye was unwilling to help find his brothers.

While swallowing hard, Feng Jingye asked, “Why would they do this?

We’ve done nothing to offend them.”

Qi Xin still didn’t respond.

Tie Zheng broke the silence, “Qi Xin, we are all in the same boat right now.

If the boat capsizes, it won’t do anyone good.

We’re also worried about your missing brother.

If there’s any way to save him, I swear to God, I won’t stand back and do nothing.” After his declaration, he patted his chest.

Qi Xin seemed to feel Tie Zheng’s sincerity and sighed, “Thank you, old man.” He knew the importance of unity in a crisis, so he set aside his anger, “I didn’t want to mention this initially, because it would only make everyone more confused.”

We would’ve been more panicked if you hadn’t said anything, Feng Jingye muttered mentally.

Qi Xin remained silent for a while, finally revealing the mystery, “Have you ever heard of people nurturing little ghosts?”

“I know.” Xun Jiasheng never passed up an opportunity to show off his knowledge, having realized that the most critical individuals would be the ones to survive in such a bizarre situation.

“It’s a custom brought up in Siam…

The belief is that if a stillborn child is nurtured with a specific ritual and then kept close by, one’s every wish can be fulfilled, and their business will prosper.”

“So, you’ve been nurturing quite a few little ghosts to fuel your booming business?” Jin Xin tried to poke at Xun Jiasheng again.

Xun Jiasheng glared coldly at Jin Xin, “This is a conversation between professionals, if you don’t want to listen, you don’t have to.” His implication was clear: he didn’t charge for sharing these profound insights, and Jin Xin shouldn’t presume to overstep.

Jin Xin smirked mockingly but said nothing more.

Tie Zheng nodded slightly, “I’ve heard the same thing too.

However, I’d advise against engaging in such things.

After all, it is morally wrong, and there’s a risk of being devoured by the little ghosts.”

“I guess that’s why Giant Industries brought us here, they’re afraid of being devoured by malicious spirits.” Qi Xin said word by word.

Everyone felt a chill run down their spines.

Many simply couldn’t understand what he meant.

Hai Mingzhu, having much experience from watching ghost movies, was one of the first to grasp the meaning, “You mean, Giant Industries nurtured many ghosts on the thirteenth floor for their business success, and we…” she said, shaking slightly, “We’re here to…

feed them?”

Her words hung in the air, changing the expressions of everyone present.

They were all aware of what it took to feed a little ghost.

It required human blood!

Everyone present had heard the story of Giant Industries’ rise to fame.

This place used to be teeming with floating spirits and lost souls.

It was Giant Li who chose to build this tower here, and people doubted him, only to see his business thrive to global eminence after the completion of the tower.

Those stories intrigued everyone, making them marvel at Giant Li’s choices.

Some people said that Giant Li owed his success to renowned foreign Feng Shui masters who helped design the building in such a way that ghosts got settled here, turning his failing fortune around.

Who would have thought that they weren’t taming the ghosts, but nurturing them!

Today when some female celebrities are rumored to be nurturing little ghosts for their success, Giant Li was nurturing an immensely powerful female ghost!

The person who nurtures little ghosts needs to supply fresh blood.

Nurturing a massive female ghost would require much more.

This mass influx of people was probably to feed the ghosts.

The reason why rumors were prevalent about the haunted thirteenth floor of the Giant Building, and people were continuously disappearing, was because there truly was a ghost present.

The disappearance of two of Qi Xin’s brothers could only mean one thing – they were captured by the ghost and slowly devoured.

The reason Giant Industries gathered so many people at night became clear – surely the female ghost slept during the daytime.

Giant Industries acted cunningly, using large sums of money to lure many to sign the death contracts; if they died, nobody would cash the checks.

It turns out that Giant Industries wouldn’t have to spend a penny.

The check would require going to a bank, but the banks wouldn’t open till morning, by which time they’d have been long gone.

No one spoke, but thanks to Qi Xin and Hai Mingzhu’s explanations, everyone started to understand as these thoughts kept spinning in their heads.

Xun Jiasheng looked as pale as a sheet, as if the female ghost had already drained his blood.

Suddenly, he asked, “Any idea how long a single man could satisfy a female ghost’s hunger?”

His sudden question startled many, but most of them quickly grasped the implications.

The current calmness was because the female ghost had already had her fill by capturing two of Qi Xin’s brothers.

However, there would come a time when she would get hungry again, and when she did, that would spell their doom!

Qi Xin shot a fierce glare at Xun Jiasheng, who retorted, “Why are you glaring at me?

We need to face the reality!” Just then, the sound of music began to play abruptly.

Xun Jiasheng, high-strung as he was, jumped and turned towards the gramophone, shouting, “The ghost is back!”

The music played, and a song began to blare!

After we part tonight,

When will we meet again?

The heavenly clock ticks incessantly,

And the good times do not return.

Most people there were caught up in the panic induced by Xun Jiasheng and waited nervously.

Only Shen Yue walked up to the gramophone and turned it off.

“It must be Manager Song turning on the gramophone,” Shen Yue suggested, though he hadn’t seen it happen.

“Did you witness it?” Xun Jiasheng regained his composure and instantly doubted him, convinced that the female ghost returned to enjoy her music and noticed that Manager Song seemed a bit too mesmerized.

Throughout everything, Zhou Dewei hadn’t said a word.

The song had initially unnerved him, but he quickly recovered his composure.

His eyes gleamed briefly as he walked up to the gramophone and murmured to himself.

Noticing his reaction, Shen Yue immediately asked, “Zhou, did you notice something?”

“I…” After a pause, Zhou Dewei hesitantly expressed, “I think I recognize this gramophone.”

Everyone gathered around the gramophone in surprise.

The gramophone, after all, was a product of the last century, popular for a while, but now mostly found in antique stores.

Nobody expected Zhou Dewei to recognize one.”

Regaining his enthusiasm, Xun Jiasheng said, “Oh, so you’re saying you recognise the ghost?

Are you related to her, by any chance?”