Chapter 26: Life for Life!

The temperature inside the teachers’ dormitory plummeted by over ten degrees, and even Yan Yu couldn’t help but shiver.

“When did you realize I wasn’t who I seemed?”

Su Han’s face, like wax melting away, transformed into the appearance of the drowned ghost Yan Yu had seen yesterday.

Yan Yu smiled lightly. “I hadn’t paid much attention at first, until I touched your ‘Mount Everest.’ The fat guy once told me that Teacher Su’s bust was a C cup, but yours... must be an F.”

The drowned ghost stared in astonishment.

She and Su Han had planned carefully all day, even going for a hot shower beforehand to ensure she didn’t feel cold, and had turned off the lights immediately upon entering to prevent Yan Yu from noticing her lack of a shadow.

Yet he had still seen through her disguise.

And all because her chest was larger than Su Han’s...

It was both amusing and frustrating!

“Where has Teacher Su gone?” Yan Yu asked, showing not the slightest fear toward the drowned ghost before him.

The ghost blinked. “You’re not afraid of me?”

“You have grievances, but no malice...” Yan Yu pondered. “Let me guess—you died many years ago, were murdered, and so carry resentment. But since you don’t know who was responsible, vengeance is impossible, leaving you without ill will. Having missed the seventh day, you couldn’t reincarnate, so you’ve lingered in the girls’ dormitory ever since.”

“You’re quite knowledgeable, handsome.” The ghost’s reaction told Yan Yu his guess was correct.

Yan Yu smiled faintly. “Now can you tell me where Teacher Su has gone?”

“No,” the ghost shook her head.

“Then if I leave this room, you won’t object?” Yan Yu asked.

The ghost gently took hold of Yan Yu’s arm, shaking her head. “I beg you, please don’t go.”

“Give me a reason.”

“Zhao Qingqing.”

“What’s her connection to you?”

The ghost sighed. “Zhao Qingqing... she’s a pitiable girl, whether in life or in death...”

“Let’s keep it brief—I know you’re stalling for time,” Yan Yu said, frowning.

“Let me start with my connection to Su Han. I am—”

“Why not begin with the creation of the world?” Yan Yu glared at the ghost.

She grumbled, “I am still a girl, you know. Can’t you show a little respect? Fine, I’ll be brief!”

“As you see, I’m a drowned ghost who died unjustly in the dormitory years ago, eternally wandering the girls’ dorm. I was aimless but meant no harm, only occasionally appearing to frighten timid students... Once, I overdid it and scared a girl into the hospital. Not long after, Su Han moved in. She possesses the ability to see spirits, and so communicated with me. I was overjoyed to finally be seen, and we became close friends. I stopped my frightening pranks after that.”

Yan Yu was surprised—he hadn’t expected Su Han to have the gift of second sight.

“To return to Zhao Qingqing—she was an exemplary student. When Su Han substituted for Class One, she immediately admired this girl. When Zhao Qingqing received her scholarship, it was Su Han who presented her certificate. They even took the photo you saw at the bedside. Despite being teacher and student, their relationship was like sisters. Whenever Zhao Qingqing faced difficulties in her studies, Su Han helped her. Until... Zhao Qingqing was suddenly found hanged in the dormitory.”

“After her death, Zhao Qingqing could meet me. Both Su Han and I learned the circumstances of her wrongful death. Su Han knew early on that Li Kang was responsible.”

“Su Han initially tried to report him anonymously, but her letters vanished without response. Because of Li Kang’s connections, we finally decided... to take matters into our own hands.”

By now, Yan Yu understood the gist of Su Han and the ghost’s plan.

“Yan Yu, once you appeared and rescued He Qing, you caught our attention. Later, when you came to the girls’ dorm to investigate Zhao Qingqing, I disguised myself as Su Han to lure you and delay you...”

Yan Yu closed his eyes, recalling that yesterday, when Su Han sent him to the security office, it was the time Zhao Qingqing sought vengeance against Xu Jin.

So Su Han’s restriction of his movements was actually to buy time for Zhao Qingqing.

Suddenly realizing something, he said, “So tonight, you’re stalling again, so Zhao Qingqing can seek vengeance on Li Kang?!”

“That’s right,” the ghost nodded.

“Absurd!”

Yan Yu’s expression changed, nearly erupting in anger.

The ghost tried to persuade him, “Zhao Qingqing knows the consequences of her actions, but Li Kang deserves death a thousand times over. Zhao Qingqing would rather be destroyed than forego her revenge!”

Yan Yu wasn’t close to Zhao Qingqing; his actions were motivated by basic sympathy, but more importantly, he needed clues about his mother from Zhao Qingqing!

How could he watch Zhao Qingqing march toward damnation?

“Where are they now? Tell me!” Yan Yu demanded angrily.

“What use is telling you? These are Zhao Qingqing’s choices...”

“Tell me!”

The ghost sighed. “They’re in the sports equipment room. Zhou Xiaowan is there too. If you’re going, I’ll come with you.”

Yan Yu ignored the ghost, rushing out the door, and she hurried after him.

...

Inside the sports equipment room, there was a chorus of heart-wrenching screams!

Zhao Qingqing’s spectral form floated before Li Kang; the chilling aura rendered his limbs powerless.

Her fingernails suddenly grew to over ten centimeters, razor-sharp. With a ghastly smile, she slashed at Li Kang’s face.

“Didn’t you... like me...? Since you... like me so much... why not carve... my name... onto your face!”

Li Kang trembled, utterly unable to resist. Soon, Zhao Qingqing withdrew her hand, and Zhou Xiaowan saw that what was etched into Li Kang’s face wasn’t Zhao Qingqing’s name.

It was—Rapist!

“Some marks... once branded... can never... be erased. Just like... how you slandered me... after my death...”

“Li Kang... you were a rapist in life... I want you... after death... in every future life... to never escape this shame!”

Li Kang howled in agony, falling to his knees and begging, “Qingqing... I was wrong, please spare me! I have money... lots and lots of money! If you let me go, I’ll give your grandmother a fortune!”

Mentioning her grandmother, Zhao Qingqing’s aura grew even colder.

“The one who died... was me... why should the money... go to her?”

With a swipe, Zhao Qingqing sent Li Kang flying. Slowly, she turned and took the dagger from Zhou Xiaowan’s hand.

“Li Kang... life for a life... I’ll teach you... this lesson...”