13 Devil Mountain

Zhou Yun looked around and asked Fang Chengjin, "Professor Fang, should we stay on the second or third floor? Or should we go up and take a look at both?"

Fang Chengjin did not respond immediately; he walked towards the end of the second floor.

Zhou Yun noticed that Fang Chengjin was in a serious state, which meant he must have discovered something. Without saying anything, she followed behind him.

Zhou Yun had actually had some guesses along the way, but since Fang Chengjin didn't say anything, she didn't ask either. She figured it was related to the case, but she didn't know what kind of murder it was...

**

At the end of the second-floor corridor is a window, the wooden window slightly ajar, through which wisps of mountain breeze drift in.

Fang Cheng frowned slightly and quickened his pace.

The smells of blood, plastic, and disinfectant are faint, carried on the wind.

Where did it drift from?

Fang Cheng carefully pushed open the wooden window and peeked around.

Fang Cheng turned around and met Zhou Yun's gaze.

He said, "Let's go check the third floor."

Zhou Yun nodded and continued to follow in his footsteps.

**

The common area on the third floor was cramped, the corridor had no windows, and the three rooms were connected, almost closing in on each other. Fang Chengjin stood at the top of the stairs and looked around. "Let's stay on the second floor."

Zhou Yun had no objections; she would live wherever Fang Chengjin lived anyway.

The two returned to the second floor. Fang Chengjin chose the room closest to the window. He took out his phone and scanned the QR code on the door. The door then opened with a beep.

Seeing this, Zhou Yun wanted to turn around and sweep the room next door.

At this moment, Fang Chengjin spoke up: "We'll share a room."

The cold voice sounded particularly magnetic in the quiet space, and Zhou Yun was stunned for a moment before she reacted.

At that moment, Fang Chengjin pushed open the door and entered.

Zhou Yun turned around and went into the room to ask for clarification.

Unexpectedly, Fang Chengjin continued, "Close the door."

Zhou Yun watched Fang Chengjin's retreating figure and subconsciously closed the door. At this moment, only the two of them were in the room.

Fang Chengjin put his hands on his hips and began to look around the room. Because his back was to Zhou Yun, he did not notice her unusual expression.

Zhou Yun wasn't in the mood to observe the room. She hesitated for a moment, then took a few steps closer to Fang Chengjin and said, "How about we stay separately? I can pay for the room myself."

Upon hearing this, Fang Chengjin suddenly understood. He turned around and stared at the awkward and uneasy Zhou Yun.

Fang Chengjin suddenly walked towards Zhou Yun. Zhou Yun took a few steps back, and Fang Chengjin took a few steps forward until Zhou Yun's back was against the wooden wall. Fang Chengjin reached out and braced himself against the wooden wall, then leaned forward and approached.

Their eyes met, their breaths mingling.

Zhou Yun was extremely nervous. She believed that Fang Chengjin was a gentleman and would not act rashly, but his sudden approach and behavior might lead Zhou Yun to misunderstand.

She turned her face away and asked, "What...what are you going to do...?"

Fang Cheng extended his other hand and made a shushing gesture, his eyes clear.

Zhou Yun was involuntarily drawn to his expression.

Fang Cheng then said in a low voice, "I'm not sure if there are any surveillance cameras or listening devices in the room, so this is the only way I can explain it to you. Don't worry, I won't do anything to you. I'm your mentor, and it's my duty to ensure your safety."

Zhou Yun: "Safe?"

Fang Chengjin: "The murderer might commit the crime tonight. We are not familiar with this place. Staying together and pretending to be a couple is the best way."

Zhou Yun frowned her beautiful arched eyebrows: "The murderer? What exactly happened? Professor Fang! You couldn't have just asked me to come hiking. If you have any plans, tell me. I can help you with your business."

Fang Cheng gazed at Zhou Yun's angry expression and found it somewhat adorable. Her cheeks were puffed up, her eyes were bright, and the fragrance emanating from her grew stronger. The closer he got, the more he couldn't help but take a sniff.

Fang Cheng averted his gaze, coughed lightly to shift the focus, and explained, "Starting from December of last year, young women have been disappearing every month. Through investigation, the police discovered that all ten women had purchased mountaineering equipment, and their whereabouts were only traced to the vicinity of Devil Mountain. As for their activities after climbing, they couldn't find any clues. A month ago, Lin Long brought people to Devil Mountain to search, and they only found this guesthouse, but no signs of crime. Although Lin Long felt the guesthouse was suspicious, he couldn't find any leads, so he told me about it and asked me to investigate."

Zhou Yun's gaze sharpened: "You can't even find the body?"

Fang Cheng shook his head.

Zhou Yun pondered for a moment, her expression gradually becoming serious.

The fact that the police couldn't find the body shows that the murderer was quite skilled at destroying evidence and was extremely cunning and ruthless.

Zhou Yun had a new question: "But this guesthouse is self-service. We didn't see anyone else here when we came in. Even if there is a murderer, could it be the guesthouse owner? Or someone else? Where would he be hiding? When would he do it? Why would he do it?"

Fang Cheng gently tapped Zhou Yun's forehead. "Think carefully. If you were the murderer, why would you kill someone in this manor?"

Zhou Yun raised an eyebrow and began to think calmly.

At this point, Fang Cheng drew out his words, and Zhou Yun's attention became highly focused.

He said, "They pretended to be tourists and checked in together. The murderer might be one of the four people outside."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yun's heart jumped.

**

An hour later, Zhou Yun and Fang Chengjin came downstairs together.

In the living room, the little girl sat on the sofa, looking around. When she saw Zhou Yun come down, she stood up with a smile. "Come sit here! How about we get to know each other? It's fate that we met."

On the other side of the sofa, across an aisle, was an open kitchen where a muscular man and a short-haired woman were cooking, and a faint aroma of barbecue cumin filled the air.

Fang Cheng simply wandered around the living room alone and didn't really like to talk to people.

Zhou Yun did not follow Fang Chengjin. Instead, she sat down on the sofa and chatted with the little girl.

The lively young girl introduced herself first, "My name is Li Li, and I'm currently a sophomore in college. Since school is on holiday, I thought I'd come here to go hiking~"

Zhou Yun smiled and said, "Zhou Yun, you could say I'm a student, a graduate student."

Li Li's eyes widened and lit up. "Wow, you must be really amazing to be able to study for a master's degree in Hong Kong!"

It is well known that universities on Hong Kong Island have very strict admission requirements for postgraduate students.

Zhou Yun smiled gently.

Li Li tossed her long, curly hair; perhaps it was too hot, she was sweating, and her face was slightly damp.

Zhou Yun's gaze fell on Li Li's bare neck. She wondered if it was just her imagination, but she actually saw an Adam's apple on Li Li's neck. Before she could take another look, Li Li pulled her long hair back to cover her neck.

Zhou Yun frowned slightly as she silently observed Li Li.

She was a very beautiful young college student, with fair and delicate skin, a slender figure, and especially straight and thin forearms, giving her a beautifully delicate appearance. She was wearing a LoL outfit that was currently popular among young people, but it was slightly modified and not as flashy: a light blue butterfly skirt, white lace stockings, and a pair of Air Jordans.

It would be more accurate to say she came to take stunning photos rather than hike. But that's how young people are these days; they come to popular spots mostly to take pictures.

Li Li turned to look at Zhou Yun and asked curiously, "Which school do you go to, sister?"

Zhou Yun looked away, thought for a moment, and casually said, "University of Science and Technology".

She's studying at the Public Security University; what if mentioning this alerts the enemy? Because of Fang Chengjin's words, Zhou Yun now sees everyone as a suspect.

Li Li exclaimed again, "Science and engineering majors are so hard! I've seen people studying advanced mathematics so hard, I'm so sorry, please teach me, sister!"

Zhou Yun forced a smile. "Well, we can keep in touch when we get back. By the way, are you familiar with those two?"

Zhou Yun gestured to the two people cooking across from her.

Li Li said "Oh", "Actually, I'm not really a stranger to them. We just happened to come across that sign and got to know each other. We both wanted to try the guesthouse. The pretty girl is Chen Qingqing, and the guy is Zhao Ping. They seem to know each other, like a couple, but I don't really know. They just said they were going to make a weight-loss meal."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yun looked at the two people in the kitchen.

Zhao Ping looked very skilled at cooking. He was wearing an apron and stirring the vegetables. Chen Qingqing next to him seemed to be teasing him, occasionally reaching out to touch Zhao Ping's chest muscles.

They really do look like a couple.

Zhou Yun suddenly noticed that someone was missing from the living room and asked, "Hey, where did Pan Fei go?"

Li Li: "Hehe, you mean that handsome guy?"

Zhou Yun nodded.

Li Li: "He's probably in his room. We just went up to check the room. He lives next door to you. I also live on the second floor. The second floor is full. As for the third floor, Sister Chen and Brother Zhao have booked it. There's one room left."

At this point, Li Li suddenly became excited, "But this guesthouse is quite unique. I really like the style. I have a small doll in my room. Do you have one?"

Zhou Yun raised an eyebrow, puzzled: "A doll?"

Li Li: "Yeah, it's a little gift, a two-dimensional doll. Hehe, I'm into two-dimensional stuff, I love it!"