CHAPTER 51: CHAPTER 34: OUT OF CONTROL (BONUS CHAPTER) (PART 3)

Huang Zhongyu clutched the sound receiver as he filmed the faded red sign of the butcher shop and said, "Friends of the paranormal, this is the site of the little-known disembodied murder case in Xujiawan Village. The owner, Fatty Li, seems honest and kind, often using meat scraps to feed stray cats and dogs. Neighbors claim he’s a good man."

"However! You never know what’s in a person’s heart. Secretly, Fatty Li was a child molester and a pervert who abused and killed cats. Fortunately, a kind-hearted lady discovered and reported him. Who would have thought that Fatty Li, out of revenge, would brutally murder the kind-hearted lady, dismember her like pork, and display her in his shop, before slitting his own throat in the butcher’s shop."

"This shop remains intact to this day because, firstly, no one dares rent it after the death. Secondly, many people claim to have seen the ghost of Fatty Li in the butcher shop. They say anyone who enters the shop will be chased by his ghost. Of course, this is all superstitious nonsense. Our investigation aims to debunk these stories. Now, let me take you inside for a look."

Sister Hong followed behind Huang Zhongyu as he lifted the rolling shutter to enter. Just as she was about to follow, a cat’s meow rang out, and a black cat leapt from the side. Sister Hong screamed and stepped back, nearly getting scratched.

"What happened?" Huang Zhongyu peeked out.

Sister Hong, still shaken, said, "Nothing, just a black cat."

The butcher shop was in a state of disrepair and cluttered, with the typical layout of a butcher’s shop. There was an abandoned freezer, hooks for hanging meat on the walls, a huge chopping block, a sink stained with dark marks, and a moldy, smelly mop.

"...See this? This is likely where the dismemberment took place back then. Imagine a fleshy fat man, shirtless and wearing black rubber suspenders, holding a kitchen knife, chopping repeatedly, one cut after the other..."

Sister Hong pointed her camera at Huang Zhongyu, capturing his ’performance.’

There wasn’t much in the shop. After recording enough footage, the two left the shop and prepared to head to the Fushou Paper Shop ahead.

Chop! Chop! Chop!

The sudden sound of chopping came from behind, resonating loudly in the deserted village.

Huang Zhongyu and Sister Hong’s hair stood on end as they exchanged glances, each wondering if the other had planned it.

"Should we go back and check?" Huang Zhongyu asked Sister Hong.

Sister Hong shook her head vigorously, indicating no.

But Huang Zhongyu was determined to live up to his daring persona. Such a great opportunity—what if he captured something? A million-follower streamer wouldn’t be just a dream!

Ignoring Sister Hong’s objections, Huang Zhongyu headed back to the butcher’s shop.

Unexpectedly, as soon as Huang Zhongyu stepped inside the butcher’s shop, the rolling shutter suddenly slammed down, trapping him inside.

"Zhongyu!"

Sister Hong called out in panic from outside, but there was no sound from within.

A chilling wind brushed the back of her neck, and goosebumps rose all over Sister Hong’s body. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw someone behind her and spun around abruptly.

At the alley’s entrance across, a fleshy fat man in rubber suspenders, carrying a blood-dripping pig-killing knife, his neck half-severed, his large head lolling to one side, glared as he raised a chopping knife and charged at Sister Hong.

"Ah—"

A scream shattered the sky.

Across from Xujiawan Village, on the plaza, old men played chess, children frolicked, and a group of ladies turned on the stereo, dancing joyfully, as peaceful as ever.

Hiss—

The bus arrived and opened its doors. Sang Que, dressed in a black tracksuit, carrying a box with a hunting bow, pulled his cap low, got off the bus, and looked towards the ominous cloud-covered Xujiawan Village.