Every child chosen by the Underworld Child was missing something. Chen Ge was no exception, though what he had lost was probably different from the other children.
Memories, shadows, even parents — Chen Ge had lost far too much, and even he couldn't be sure of the full extent.
"Seven more nights. The truth is getting closer and closer."
Leaving Xijiao Peizhi Academy behind, Chen Ge returned to New Century Amusement Park. The matter had been dealt with, and he needed proper rest.
Just after eight in the evening, Chen Ge's phone suddenly buzzed. "Jiang Ming" had sent him a message.
"I'm already home."
This was the prearranged signal between the Phone Ghost, Men Nan, and Chen Ge. Once he received it, Chen Ge stuffed every employee he could bring into his backpack and dashed out of the haunted house.
At nine o'clock, Chen Ge arrived in the city center. He didn't go directly to the residential complex where Jiang Ming lived — instead, he sat down at a nearby restaurant and ate.
At ten thirty, Chen Ge received the second message from "Jiang Ming."
Only then did he set off, walking slowly toward Jiang Ming's complex.
He had already scouted the location the day before and knew exactly where the security cameras had blind spots.
At eleven twenty in the evening, Chen Ge received the third message from "Jiang Ming." He sprang into action immediately, vaulting over the fence and into the complex in a single fluid motion that took only a few seconds.
Chen Ge carried his backpack toward a certain building. At that same moment, Jiang Ming burst out of the stairwell in a panic, heading for the underground parking garage.
After Jiang Ming drove away, Chen Ge approached the entrance to the residential building. The security door at the stairwell opened from the inside, and Men Nan poked his head out. "The plan went perfectly. Jiang Ming has been completely fooled by the Phone Ghost."
"Is the child asleep?"
"Yep. Come on, I'll take you upstairs."
Chen Ge's plan was simple. Once the child in Jiang Ming's home fell asleep, the Phone Ghost would mimic Jiang Jiu and use Jiang Ming's phone to issue all manner of instructions, keeping him running around all night.
"The stairwell and his apartment both use combination locks. When he opened the door, I already memorized the codes." Men Nan led Chen Ge to the fourth floor and unlocked the apartment door.
"Give me a moment." Chen Ge pulled shoe covers and gloves from his backpack and only entered the apartment once he had them on.
Although this was one of the most upscale residential complexes in Hanjiang, the Jiang Ming family's apartment was decorated quite plainly. Many pieces of furniture were worn and old, clashing with the overall style — it almost felt as if they had deliberately placed those rundown pieces in the most prominent spots.
"All day today, Jiang Jiu hasn't contacted Jiang Ming at all. He's been acting completely normal, just like an ordinary amusement park employee."
"Is there anything on Jiang Ming's phone about the child? For instance, who the child's mother is, or when the child's hearing problems first started?" Chen Ge said in a low voice.
"The phone is clean. No clues at all, and I couldn't find any photos related to the child."
"So the child's very existence is a secret. If Jiang Ming's ex-girlfriend hadn't stumbled on him by accident, no one would ever have known there was a child in Jiang Ming's home who shared his name."