Chapter 61: The Amusement Park Gambit and Curious Disappearances

Although Lin Qing had previously received a five-thousand-yuan reward from the police station for his bravery, which was a substantial sum for him, he knew that even a mountain of wealth would eventually dwindle. Now, presented with an opportunity to replenish his funds, Lin Qing was determined not to let it slip through his fingers.

Upon hearing Lin Qing’s affirmative nod, Liu Hong couldn’t help but pump his fist in a triumphant ‘yes’ gesture. He excitedly resolved to treat Zhou Lin and Wang Jian to a lavish meal that evening. ‘This is absolutely perfect!’ he thought.

“Alright, it’s settled then. See you tomorrow at the amusement park!”

As if fearing Lin Qing might suddenly renege on the deal, Liu Hong released his grip. He then scurried over to Zhou Lin and Wang Jian, swiftly snatching the meal tickets and shopping cards from their hands before thrusting them directly into Lin Qing’s.

He then waved at Lin Qing, before gleefully leading his two companions away. Their excitement and anticipation were so palpable, they looked as though they could bounce all the way home.

Lin Qing, left alone, glanced down at the items in his hand. Without a hint of ceremony, he tucked them into his pocket, knowing he would enjoy free meals for a while. He simply needed to get through tomorrow.

Moreover, while it appeared he and Su Yao would enter the amusement park together, Liu Hong had already finalized their actual plan with Lin Qing.

After Lin Qing and Su Yao had enjoyed themselves at the park for a bit, it would be Lin Qing who suggested they head straight for the haunted house. Once inside the dimly lit attraction, Lin Qing would secretly slip away and hide.

Liu Hong, meanwhile, would make his grand appearance, orchestrating a ‘chance encounter’ with Su Yao.

Amidst the terrifying and eerie confines of the haunted house, Su Yao would be thoroughly frightened. At that moment, even the usually detestable Liu Hong would appear remarkably pleasant to her.

Then, as they navigated the haunted house, the ‘suspension bridge effect’ would take hold. Liu Hong’s impression in Su Yao’s eyes would skyrocket accordingly!

When Liu Hong confidently laid out this flawless plan to Lin Qing, Lin Qing immediately fixed him with a look reserved for idiots. ‘Su Yao afraid of a haunted house?’ he thought. ‘He’s truly overthinking things. If she were to actually encounter a ghost, the specter itself would be terrified of Su Yao, fleeing in panicked haste.’

Hower, Liu Hong, having never witnessed Su Yao’s true nature, would likely dismiss any warnings. Thus, Lin Qing could only nod in agreement with Liu Hong’s scheme.

As for whether the plan would succeed, that was beyond his concern. His only task was to hide within the haunted house; nothing more was required of him.

Having accepted benefits from Liu Hong and his companions, Lin Qing couldn’t afford to be lax. He simply had to ensure a good performance at the amusement park tomorrow.

As these thoughts occupied his mind, Lin Qing lifted his hand, releasing the handkerchief that had been pressing against his lip wound. Since the bleeding had stopped, there was no need to continue the pressure. Applying some wound medicine once he returned home would help it heal even faster.

Anxiously gazing at the blood-stained handkerchief in his hand, Lin Qing initially considered discarding it. Yet, remembering Su Yao’s words just before she left, he instead tucked it into his pocket.

Su Yao disliked any form of defiance. If Lin Qing were to simply toss the handkerchief, it would be akin to openly declaring war against her. While it was unlikely Su Yao had spies everywhere, considering her background as a scion of a powerful conglomerate, Lin Qing decided it was best not to take any chances.

‘After all, it’s just a handkerchief,’ he mused. ‘I can put it away at home, out of sight, out of mind.’ It was time to head home quickly now, to finally shed the day’s weariness.

****

“Oh, Xiao Qing, school’s out already!”

Lin Qing hadn’t lingered at school for long. On his hurried walk home, backpack slung over his shoulders, he once again encountered Auntie Wang walking her dog downstairs in their residential complex.

The poodle, currently on its walk, spotted Lin Qing and immediately trotted over excitedly. It then proceeded to hump his leg with vigorous enthusiasm.

Auntie Wang, accustomed to this behavior, expertly reached out and lifted the poodle by the scruff of its neck, separating it from Lin Qing’s leg. Even suspended in mid-air, the dog continued its frantic thrusting. Lin Qing, observing this, noted that it was a female poodle.

“Auntie Wang, out for a stroll?”

Lin Qing, now back home, no longer needed to hunch over, allowing him to stand tall as he spoke. He knew he ought to respond to friendly neighbors, even if they sometimes gossiped, as they meant no real harm.

Having experienced a great deal at school recently, Lin Qing no longer maintained his usual silence. He was slowly beginning to engage in conversations with others.

Naturally, he still wouldn’t initiate conversations, remaining somewhat passive. However, Auntie Wang’s face lit up with delight the moment Lin Qing spoke.

‘This child is finally willing to chat,’ she thought, pleased. ‘Good! This is a positive development.’ Though it was a small shift, its impact felt quite significant.

“Oh, I’m just taking a quick walk downstairs,” Auntie Wang replied. “I heard several families have had their dogs stolen recently, so I don’t dare walk mine too late anymore.”

“Dog thieves?” During their casual chat, Lin Qing was somewhat surprised to hear about the dog thefts. The security measures in their complex were quite good; how could dog thieves possibly get in?

“Indeed, it’s truly bizarre,” Auntie Wang said, frowning. “One moment you’re walking your dog, and the next, it’s gone. Even after checking surveillance footage, no suspicious individuals were seen. What’s more, the larger dogs, those on leashes, behaved even stranger; they’d hear a peculiar sound and immediately bolt with such force that they couldn’t be restrained.”

As Auntie Wang recounted the disappearances, a worried expression crossed her face. She quickly clutched her own little darling close, fearing it might vanish the next second. “Damn those dog thieves, may their sons be born without anuses!”

“Did you report it to the police?”

“Of course we did!” she exclaimed with a sigh. “But it’s just a lost dog, the police don’t care at all. In the end, we have to rely on ourselves… Look at me, what am I saying all this for? Xiao Qing, you need to focus on your studies, don’t mind these things.”

As she spoke, Auntie Wang’s face was etched with resentment when she mentioned the unresponsive police. However, suddenly remembering Lin Qing was still a student, she quickly steered the conversation away. ‘Best to keep such complaints about society to a minimum,’ she thought.

With these thoughts, Auntie Wang didn’t press Lin Qing for further conversation. Instead, she cradled her dog and went off to walk elsewhere.

Lin Qing, for his part, harbored only a fleeting curiosity about the missing dogs. He had neither the time nor the inclination to get involved, especially with his own matters still unresolved. His focus remained squarely on the amusement park tomorrow.

****

The night passed without incident, and soon dawn broke.

Lin Qing had little to prepare. Since he didn’t need to wear his school uniform, he simply donned a black T-shirt, dark blue jeans, and a baseball cap for sun protection before heading straight out the door.

While meeting the school’s most coveted beauty at an amusement park—a girl every boy in school dreamed of—might seem like a divine stroke of luck for anyone else, an opportunity prayers couldn’t buy, Lin Qing felt no excitement whatsoever.

He merely wanted to get it over with swiftly, without wasting too much time.

Yet, considering Liu Hong’s eagerness regarding Su Yao, he was surely already waiting at the amusement park entrance.

Lin Qing checked his phone: 7:30 AM. He had half an hour until the agreed-upon time. If he boarded a bus within ten minutes, he should arrive by eight o’clock, as the distance wasn’t particularly far.

‘Beep.’ Having checked the bus schedule before leaving, Lin Qing naturally wouldn’t miss his ride. However, just as he finished swiping his card, his shirt was suddenly grabbed from behind.