The corridor without carpets doesn't absorb sound, and the sound of the four people's footsteps was amplified and echoed in the corridor.
The overhead lights had an orange-red tint, and some of them were broken and wouldn't light up.
There were no windows, which blocked out the sunlight, making the entire corridor very dark.
Several doors to the rooms on both sides were wide open, while others were only slightly ajar, presumably because the residents had just checked out and the cleaning staff hadn't finished cleaning the rooms yet.
A stainless steel cart was parked at the entrance, and through the crack in the door, you could see a cleaner in a black uniform shaking a white cloth.
The room numbers and directions were displayed on the wall. Shi Jinzhe glanced at the numbers in Shehe's hand, walked to the end of the corridor, and turned left.
After turning around, you can continue to turn left at the end of the corridor.
This is a rare hotel with a U-shaped layout.
Counting the numbers on the room doors, Shi Jinzhe noticed that there were also rooms with doors that weren't properly closed.
There were coughing sounds coming from inside; there were other residents on this floor.
When we reached the number range of 406-412, two more lights on the corridor ceiling went out, and the light gradually dimmed.
As his gaze inadvertently swept past the door of 409, Shi Jinzhe caught a glimpse of two small gray-white dots flashing by in a narrow, dark crack.
He squinted, unsure if he was seeing things.
Shi Jinzhe looked again cautiously, but found nothing.
"Shekh, have you noticed anything wrong?"
"No." Shekh walked to the door of room 403, stuck on the room card, and opened the door with a beep.
Meng Chengxi lived in apartment 402, which was diagonally opposite theirs. The four of them separated before entering the apartment.
The standard room is less than 20 square meters and has two single beds placed side by side.
It was only slightly better than a budget hotel, with the interior decor matching the hallway, and a long, gold and red striped bed runner draped at the foot of the bed.
Shi Jinzhe walked to the window and saw a central open space shaped like the Chinese character "回" (hui), with a pavilion and a small garden.
Shekh came out of the bathroom: "The mirror is fine, and we haven't found any problems with the bathroom yet."
Shi Jinzhe drew the curtains: "Hmm, what were you trying to say just now?"
"Points, have your points been bought by Cheng Youan?"
Shech said, "It would be too cheap for him if he had already bought it. Let's take his phone and then drive all the prices up to the maximum."
“Great idea. Don’t let those guys around him get away either. If they can carry people through the dungeon, they must have a lot of props on them, especially that guy named Liu Run. He’s the one who suggested passing on the greeting card. Although the decision was made by Cheng’s parents, someone else would have fallen for it even without me. I feel perfectly justified in taking his money.”
“Then we can keep the good ones and let Cheng Youan buy the bad ones at a high price.”
Shi Jinzhe sat down at the foot of the bed: "He may not have that much usable money on him. If you want more money, you have to start with Cheng Yun."
Shekh didn't hesitate. "What should we do?"
Shi Jinzhe paused for a moment before speaking, "Don't you think what I'm doing is heartless and shameless?"
“Why would he be so heartless and shameless?” Shekh sat down at the foot of the bed, staring into his eyes. “Is it just because he raised you? But his upbringing wasn’t pure. He made you do many things that made you unhappy, things that he liked.”
"Without him, I might still be in the orphanage."
He certainly harbored resentment towards the Cheng family, but undeniably, he saw a different world within their household.
If he had stayed in the orphanage, he would never have had the opportunity to come into contact with those things.
Shekh then asked, "Who gave you the name 'Shi Jinzhe'? Did you do it yourself?"
"No, this name was placed in my clothes and sent to the orphanage with me. I told you about the origin of my name. The poem and this name were written on a piece of paper, both in my clothes."
"The farewells to travelers are endless. I hate the separation."
Shi Jinzhe smiled faintly: "Your memory is really good. So much time has passed, yet you can still remember the poem I only recited once."
Shekh didn't understand why he was laughing; shouldn't this be a sad memory?
I really don't understand.
"Besides the name, is there anything else? Is that all?"
"There's also a willow branch." Shi Jinzhe gestured with his hand to show it to her.
“It was longer than me back then. The aunt at the orphanage couldn’t bear to throw it away. She said it was just this little thing to keep as a memento, so she planted the willow branch. Later, it was transplanted into the Cheng family’s garden.”
A flash of green crossed Sheh's mind following Shi Jinzhe's words. She tilted her head slightly, and when she tried to think about it again, the green was gone.
I don't understand, but that doesn't stop Shech from giving his opinion: "You have your own name, and you have nothing to do with the Cheng family anymore."
It's like a family adopting a great dog that can guard the house, protect the yard, and do many other things. But one day they find another dog that's only cute and useless, so they think you're superfluous and abandon you regardless of your past companionship and efforts.
Not only are you homeless, but they also beat you every time they see you. Since they don't treat you like a human being anyway, why don't you fight back fiercely?
"..."
When the time is up, press and rub the space between your eyebrows.
Shekh's words of comfort touched him, but Shekh's analogy made Shi Jinzhe feel as if he had been scolded.
"Shekh, that's a good example. Don't use it again next time."
“But it’s true.” Shekh turned his face away. “Your adoptive father may never have wanted a son who would make them dote on him.”
It's not a good watchdog.
Sheh swallowed back the sharp second half of her sentence, but she believed Shi Jinzhe would understand.
Shi Jinzhe's adoption was a mission from the very beginning.
The Cheng family adopted the child not so that he could enjoy family affection, but because they needed someone to fill the position.
Shekh said, "I only feel that you haven't done enough, not that you are heartless or shameless."
Shi Jinzhe moved his body awkwardly, seemingly trying to hide his true feelings of relaxation:
"...Actually, I know that if Cheng Youan can get along with me peacefully, then when he comes back, my mission will probably be to work for him for the rest of my life."
If we can't get along peacefully, then I'll appease Qi Huiyun and make her an example of Cheng Yun's successful parenting; then my task will be complete.
Shekh noticed that the slightly happy smile on his face had turned into an indescribable expression.
If Shi Jinzhe knew everything in his heart, why did he still ask himself that question?
She was a little confused. Would she think Shi Jinzhe was heartless and shameless?
But whether she felt it or not, it wouldn't affect his resentment towards the Cheng family.
Besides, he can make his own decisions, so why bother asking himself?
Schech was confused. Would I think so...?
He was asking for his own opinion, and was he simply trying to get some feedback?
He wants to know how I feel?
Good or bad?
"Are you afraid I won't think you're good enough?" Shekh asked directly.
Shi Jinzhe's gaze lingered on her tightly pursed lips for a long time, only to be met with the most direct question.
He looked away and answered after a moment, "Yes."
"I think you're great; you always do what I ask for."
Shi Jinzhe's anxious heart settled down because of Shehe's instant reply. She didn't think she was bad, so he didn't need to care about moral reputation.
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