Chapter 46: Three Leaps in One Night

Over the past few days, whenever he had a spare moment, Shen Xin would stand on the balcony, observing the happenings at the girls’ dormitory across from his own. He activated his ocular technique to scrutinize the building opposite; even though it was a bright, sunlit day, he could still make out wisps of black smoke curling around it.

He racked his brain, trying to recall the details. If memory served, the last time Tang Wenwen had jumped from the building was on a Sunday morning. Today was Saturday, which meant the tragedy would occur tomorrow morning.

After hanging out his bedding to air, he turned and asked Zhou Yuan, “Do you have Tang Wenwen’s phone number?”

“Nope. She’s not my type—definitely not interested.”

“Oh, I’ll go ask Yanan then. See you later.”

He walked to the balcony and called loudly for Yu Yanan to come downstairs. Then, descending himself, he arrived just as she exited the dormitory as well.

Facing the sun, Yu Yanan squinted and took a deep breath, savoring the sunshine. “It’s so much nicer out here. The dorm room is so cold and gloomy—it’s really strange.”

Shen Xin decided not to hide anything anymore, though he couldn’t be too blunt. After a moment’s thought, he said, “Yanan, maybe you should spend a few nights at your best friend’s place. Your dorm feels heavy with gloom. Something bad might happen.”

Yu Yanan laughed. “Why go all the way there? Wouldn’t it be the same to stay at your rented place?”

“You said you weren’t ready for that.”

“What are you thinking? I’ll take the bed, you take the floor.”

Shen Xin shook his head. He had his reasons for staying in the dorm; it would be inconvenient to move to his apartment.

“No way. Alone together, sparks might fly, and who knows what might happen.”

She giggled. “I’m not worried. I’ve got my period.”

Shen Xin was taken aback, his expression changing. That didn’t seem right; as he recalled, last time Yanan hadn’t been on her period. Was his memory faulty, or was his presence setting off a butterfly effect?

Yu Yanan, noticing his face, complained, “You men! Always driven by base instincts, pretending to be gentlemen but all the same deep down.”

“No, it’s not that. I just remembered something else. By the way, do you have Tang Wenwen’s phone number?”

“I do, but why should I give it to you? That’s the second time you’ve asked about her today. Don’t tell me there’s nothing going on between you two. Honestly, she’s not exactly clean. There are rumors she’s even had an abortion.”

“Come on, Yanan, you misunderstand. I’ve been having nightmares these past two days. In my dreams, several girls from your dormitory jump from the building—Tang Wenwen is the first.”

“Really? Are you trying to scare me?” Yanan looked utterly unconvinced.

“I’m not lying. Think about it—does your dorm still feel normal these days?”

“Now that you mention it, it’s a bit off. It’s May, over thirty degrees, but our room is freezing cold.” As she spoke, Yu Yanan shivered, immediately clutching Shen Xin’s arm in fright.

“Don’t be scared. I’ll figure something out. Just give me Tang Wenwen’s number and go stay at my place for now.”

“What about you?”

“I’ll stay in the dorm.”

“Alright then,” Yanan agreed reluctantly, and gave him Tang Wenwen’s number.

Shen Xin then took Yanan to his apartment, stopping on the way to buy new bedding and toiletries. Once she was settled, he went straight to the compound to find Sister Dan.

“Sister Dan, can you spare me a few Vitality Pills?”

She eyed him suspiciously. “You know about those?”

“Yes. Please? My body is weak right now, and the missions are dangerous.”

After a long consideration, Sister Dan finally agreed, giving him two pills and carefully explaining their use and the precautions.

Shen Xin listened patiently, then found an empty room to take one. By evening, half the pill’s effects had been absorbed, and his physical strength and speed had more than doubled.

He hurried back to the apartment to have dinner and go shopping with Yanan, returning to the dorm just before curfew.

On the balcony, he watched for a while and saw the black fog around Building 21 growing even thicker. Alarmed, he immediately called Tang Wenwen.

She picked up quickly, her voice lazy: “Who is this?”

“It’s me, Shen Xin.”

After a brief silence, she replied, “Oh, Yanan’s boyfriend. Why are you calling me? Is something up?”

“Not really. Our company is looking for a temporary female model. Two thousand a day. We need to leave at six tomorrow morning. Are you interested?”

“I’ll do it.”

“See you tomorrow morning, then.”

Relieved, Shen Xin quickly washed up and went to bed.

Zhou Yuan, having overheard the call, asked curiously, “Did you get a new job? Are they hiring?”

“Not right now, but if there’s a chance, I’ll let you know.”

He set his alarm, pulled the thin blanket over his stomach, and closed his eyes to sleep.

Deep in the night, Shen Xin was abruptly awakened by terrified screams. He leapt from bed and rushed to the balcony, only to witness a scene that left him in utter disbelief.

In the dim glow of the streetlights, he could just make out three bloodied figures lying on the concrete sports ground—judging by their clothes, female students from the building opposite.

“Damn it, what the hell! How could this happen?” Shen Xin was stunned. This wasn’t how it was supposed to be; he remembered the jumpers went one by one, with Tang Wenwen at around ten in the morning.

Why had it become a mass suicide this time?

His roommates, roused by the commotion, crowded onto the balcony, their shouts echoing with fear. Lights blazed in the girls’ dormitory, and soon, many appeared on their own balconies.

“Someone jumped!”

A chorus of screams followed.

“What do I do? I have to keep He Xuantong and Yu Yanan safe first!”

He quickly called Yanan, who answered immediately, her voice trembling: “Shen Xin, your dream came true! Tang Wenwen really jumped! I’m so scared!”

“Don’t be afraid. I’m here. Whatever you do, don’t go anywhere alone today, no matter who asks—unless it’s your parents.”

“Okay!”

After calming Yanan, Shen Xin dashed out of the dorm. Many others were out as well. He found He Xuantong and said, “Xuantong, you’re not going to donate blood today, are you?”

He Xuantong looked perplexed and shook his head. “With something this big happening, I doubt anyone’s leaving campus today.”

And indeed, just as Xuantong predicted, soon ambulances, school leaders, and teachers arrived. The police sealed off the entire dormitory area—no one allowed in or out.

With a canteen and supermarket in the compound, a temporary lockdown wouldn’t cause any real hardship.

The police quickly launched their investigation. Many girls from Building 21 were questioned, and Shen Xin was not spared—after all, he was the last person to call Tang Wenwen.

Fortunately, he hadn’t said anything suspicious, and Tang Wenwen’s roommates confirmed that Shen Xin was telling the truth and had nothing to do with the jump.

After all, who would have thought that a student who had just accepted a lucrative modeling job would take her own life that very night?