Chapter 13: The Foresight of a Fatal Encounter

Qiao Xia was somewhat taken aback when Grandpa Li suddenly mentioned Liu Ge, who lived next door. However, considering how strangely Liu Ge had been acting these past few days, Qiao Xia hadn’t even dared to go near the community exercise equipment.

He was terrified of being continuously scrutinized by Liu Ge’s eerie gaze. It felt like a small insect caught in a spiderweb, where even a slight struggle would only draw the terrifying spider closer to its prey.

“Liu Ge has indeed been quite off these past few days,” Qiao Xia admitted. “I even advised him to see a doctor, but he didn’t respond to me.”

Qiao Xia didn’t treat Grandpa Li as an outsider. Upon hearing the topic of Liu Ge, he immediately recounted the strange encounters he had experienced.

In this day and age, unusual illnesses were not uncommon. For someone exhibiting Liu Ge’s abnormal state, a thorough medical examination at a hospital was undoubtedly the best course of action.

Even if Liu Ge’s physique was robust enough to fell an ox with a single punch, illness sometimes didn’t spare the healthy. Instead, it could unexpectedly creep in and take hold.

Upon hearing Qiao Xia’s words, Grandpa Li’s iron walnuts, which he had been ceaselessly twirling, stilled. His face immediately adopted a grave expression, as if deep in thought, before he spoke with a serious tone.

“Xiao Xia, if Liu Dali doesn’t care for his own life, then so be it. But you absolutely cannot go near him anymore!”

“Someone who isn’t responsible for themselves can hardly be responsible for others. What if it’s some new infectious disease? That would be terrible!”

“No, I must inform the community committee. They need to talk to Liu Dali and persuade him to seek medical attention at the hospital as soon as possible.”

As he spoke, Grandpa Li felt an urgent need to act swiftly. Otherwise, if Liu Dali truly harmed someone, it would be too late!

Without another word, he hurried off, striding briskly towards the committee office. Qiao Xia, watching from behind, couldn’t help but feel a sense of helplessness at Grandpa Li’s remarkably swift initiative.

Still, if the community committee intervened, perhaps the situation could genuinely be resolved.

Liu Ge’s condition was far too abnormal. If it continued, Qiao Xia had a distinct feeling that it would become very dangerous.

With that, Qiao Xia resumed his hurried journey home, eager to get on his computer quickly.

His encounter with Grandpa Li had already been unexpected. This time, no one would stop him from playing his game!

As he entertained these thoughts, Qiao Xia’s steps became vigorous and swift, almost a light jog. However, just as the elevator arrived at his floor and its doors glided open, before Qiao Xia could even step out, he saw a man standing directly in front of it.

Dressed in a black trench coat and a hat, the man was completely covered from head to toe, his bloodshot eyes staring intently forward.

Qiao Xia, standing opposite the man, found himself directly in the line of that intense gaze.

A chill ran down his spine. ‘How incredibly unlucky,’ he thought. ‘Why did I have to run into Liu Ge at this very moment?’

‘It seems I won’t be enjoying my game today after all.’

Since they had already met, Qiao Xia couldn’t simply ignore him. After making an effort to keep his facial expression as normal as possible, he immediately spoke to Liu Dali.

“Liu Ge, what a coincidence,” Qiao Xia said. “Where are you off to?”

However, Liu Dali showed no intention of replying. He remained motionless, standing rigidly in front of the elevator doors, his red eyes fixed intently on Qiao Xia, making it impossible for Qiao Xia to exit.

At that moment, goosebumps erupted on Qiao Xia’s skin. He had no idea what Liu Ge’s intentions were, or if his illness was simply worsening.

[Danger detected. Foresight function activated.]

[100 yuan automatically deducted. Future vision constructing… Construction successful. Activating now.]

Just as Qiao Xia was about to suggest Liu Ge move aside, the familiar, peculiar voice resounded once more.

Simultaneously, Qiao Xia’s vision plunged into darkness.

Having experienced this once before, Qiao Xia felt no panic. Yet, a flicker of confusion arose in his heart.

He wondered what danger he was currently in that would cause his golden finger to activate automatically.

He had known Liu Ge for such a long time. Even if Liu Ge was truly ill, surely he wouldn’t turn on him!

Just as Qiao Xia found himself utterly perplexed, the scene before his eyes reappeared the next moment.

In that instant, he was still inside the elevator, with Liu Ge standing silently before him, his eyes fixed intently on Qiao Xia.

Qiao Xia felt a surge of bewilderment. He recalled that the previous foresight had shown him ten minutes into the future. ‘Does this mean Liu Ge and I will spend ten minutes staring blankly at each other in this elevator?’ he wondered.

‘And judging by this situation, if we don’t even exchange a word, how are we going to pass those ten minutes?’

At that moment, as Qiao Xia felt his confusion mount, he suddenly found himself unable to control his mouth, just as before.

“Liu Ge,” he announced, “I just remembered there are some rewards I haven’t claimed in my game. I’m heading home now!”

After speaking directly to Liu Ge, Qiao Xia didn’t linger in the elevator. Instead, he reached out, intending to ask Liu Ge to step aside.

However, as his hand rested on Liu Ge’s shoulder, the sensation was not that of firm, taut muscle. It was more akin to touching a piece of cold stone.

Liu Ge’s body was stiff. Even after Qiao Xia pushed him aside, he remained standing there, utterly motionless. A flicker of panic crossed Qiao Xia’s face, and he found the scene profoundly eerie.

He instantly decided he had to leave the elevator quickly; only once he was home could he truly feel safe.

With these thoughts racing through his mind, Qiao Xia’s steps grew hurried. He simultaneously pulled out his keys, ready to unlock his front door the moment he reached it.

Yet, the more anxious he became, the more his hands seemed to betray him.

After several failed attempts to insert the key into the keyhole, Qiao Xia’s hand trembled uncontrollably. A wave of terror swiftly spread through his body.

Nevertheless, Qiao Xia finally succeeded in unlocking the door. As he heard the click of the lock’s spring, a look of immense relief instantly washed over his face, and he hastily reached to twist the doorknob.

It was at this precise moment that Qiao Xia felt a sudden, sharp pain in his chest, compelling him to look down in astonishment.

A ghastly pale hand emerged from his chest, accompanied by a steady gush of blood. The sight intensified Qiao Xia’s agony.

The next moment, as the hand withdrew from the wound, Qiao Xia, collapsing weakly, used his last vestiges of strength to lift his head. He saw the expressionless Liu Ge raise a hand and remove his hat.

The last image Qiao Xia witnessed was a pallid face, blood-red eyes, and that blood-stained hand hanging limply, with crimson drops steadily dripping from its fingertips…

[Foresight vision concluded. Returning to reality.]

His vision went black. Before Qiao Xia could fully recover from the recent experience, the peculiar voice sounded in his ear once more.

Immediately, Qiao Xia swiftly looked up at Liu Ge, who still stood silently before him.

However, the Qiao Xia of this moment was no longer the Qiao Xia from before.

Having witnessed the premonition, Qiao Xia now knew that if he didn’t flee immediately, he would be dead in ten minutes!

His heart would be ripped out.

‘Damn it, who could possibly endure that?!’