The day to visit the Vacation Resort arrived soon. Zhou Chiyu’s task was to use AR to scan specific plants and draw their ecological relationship diagrams with drawing software.
Gu Yuan’s task was a bit harder: collecting rocks of varying weathering degrees to bring back to the laboratory for hardness testing.
“Little Yi says his parents want to take him back to Britain, but he wants to stay here.” Zhou Chiyu carried the foraging basket and mumbled sadly. “My good friend is leaving me.”
Gu Yuan had just collected some special rocks from the cliff face. He turned back to Zhou Chiyu. “He’s leaving.” It was a statement, and even he hadn’t expected something he’d long hoped for to suddenly become reality.
He stared at Zhou Chiyu’s sad face and slowly lowered his eyes.
He actually hated Zhou Junyi a lot.
No, he hated him intensely.
But if he and Zhou Junyi left together, how heartbroken would Zhou Chiyu be?
He changed his mind. He hoped Zhou Junyi would stay.
He would still be jealous that Zhou Junyi could be by Zhou Chiyu’s side every day, but at least Zhou Chiyu would be happy.
“Teacher Zaoxao!” Zhou Chiyu spotted his favorite volleyball teacher and got very excited. Slinging the bamboo basket over his shoulder, he trotted over. “What are you doing here?”
Teacher Zaoxao squatted down and gently patted Zhou Chiyu’s head. “Because I’m in charge of photographing you all.”
Zhou Chiyu pulled a cluster of small flowers from his pocket. “Here, for you. This is the prettiest flower here.” He loved Teacher Zaoxao’s classes. The teacher was gentle and attentive, never minded that he was chubby, and always patiently guided his movements.
“Thanks, Little Fish.” Teacher Zaoxao pinched Zhou Chiyu’s chubby cheek and asked warmly, “Can the teacher give you a task later?”
Zhou Chiyu: “Of course!”
“See you in a bit.” Teacher Zaoxao winked at him, patted Gu Yuan’s head, and hurried off.
Gu Yuan watched the middle-aged man disappear into the distance and asked softly, “Have I seen him before?”
“He’s the volleyball teacher. He’s taught us for two semesters.” Zhou Chiyu dusted off his clothes and continued, “Brother hasn’t taken volleyball class, so you wouldn’t know.”
“Mm.” Gu Yuan took Zhou Chiyu’s hand again and walked slowly, searching for other types of rocks. “What task does he want to give you? Need me to come?”
Zhou Chiyu considerately refused. “No need. Rest here, Brother. I’ll be right back.”
Fifteen minutes later, Zhou Chiyu’s Phone Watch lit up with a message.
He told Gu Yuan that because he was so handsome and cute, Teacher Zaoxao had invited him to shoot this year’s social practice promotional video.
Gu Yuan nodded and stayed put. “I’ll wait for you.”
Zhou Chiyu ran fast and reached the designated shooting spot in under ten minutes. Students from other grades were already there. Zhou Chiyu felt very proud to be the only third-grader representing as a student participant. He puffed out his chest the whole time, flashing his standard seven-tooth grin.
The shoot was short. After Teacher Zaoxao set down the camera, he walked toward Zhou Chiyu amid the dispersing crowd. “Little Fish, you looked great just now. Want to see your photos?”
Zhou Chiyu didn’t hesitate. “Of course!”
Teacher Zaoxao smiled. “Then follow me. We need a computer.”
“Okay!” Zhou Chiyu trailed after Teacher Zaoxao like a little tail, heading in the opposite direction from the main activity area.
He hummed a nursery rhyme, completely oblivious to the teacher’s complicated expression.
Gu Yuan waited a long time. When the other shooting students returned, he couldn’t help but wonder where Zhou Chiyu had gone. He opened the family locator on his Phone Watch and saw Zhou Chiyu’s footsteps heading toward the deepest part of the resort.
He frowned slightly, searched online for the resort’s map, and found that the direction led to a misty forest.
In that moment, his heart pounded wildly.
He quickly called the homeroom teacher, his voice tense. “Teacher! I have a report! Little Fish is in danger!”
…
The forest reeked of rot all around.
Zhou Chiyu covered his nose and asked muffledly, “Teacher Zaoxao, where’s your computer exactly?”
Teacher Zaoxao slowly lowered his head, gazing at Zhou Chiyu’s innocent, childish face. He bit his lip hard and pointed to the dilapidated wooden house ahead, forcing a smile. “Right there.”
“Okay!” Zhou Chiyu put his hands on his hips and hopped over the stones, kindly reminding him, “Be careful, Teacher Zaoxao. I’m worried a wild beast might jump out and hurt you.”
The man swallowed hard, suppressing the sourness in his eyes. He didn’t want to do this either, but if the child before him didn’t die, his own daughter would. From the moment he’d agreed to this deal a year ago, his life was no longer his own.
Today was the day he closed the net.
While Zhou Chiyu wasn’t paying attention, he caught up in a few strides, pulled pre-hidden rope and cloth from the bushes, and clamped them tightly over Zhou Chiyu’s mouth from behind.
He felt the child struggle desperately. Gritting his teeth, he bound Zhou Chiyu tight in one go, then tied a massive stone to those little feet. Across from them was the lake, and there were no cameras here—this was his best method for murder.
“Kid, you’ve enjoyed nine years of blessings. That’s enough.”
He carried the limp Zhou Chiyu slowly to the lake’s edge—
“Little Fish!”
“Zhou Chiyu!”
“Where are you!”
The man’s pupils contracted sharply as he whipped around in panic.
He heard at least three different voices.
“Teacher! My brother’s over there!”
Gu Yuan’s eyesight was sharp; he spotted Zhou Chiyu’s orange sneakers peeking out from behind the man’s body.
The man saw Gu Yuan and his eyes bulged in shock, cold sweat instantly breaking out on his back.
With a plop, Zhou Chiyu was thrown into the lake like a rag doll. By the time Gu Yuan reached the lakeside, the man had fled.
“Quick, save my brother!”
“Someone, hurry…”
Gu Yuan’s face drained of color, too frantic to speak clearly.
He stared rigidly at the small figure sinking under the weight of the stone at the lake bottom, anxiously looking back to see the teachers still some distance away.
This time, he didn’t hesitate. He picked up a sharp stone from the shore, held his breath, and jumped into the water.
