Deep Within the Living-Chapter 41: Going Home

In the official car designated for the Investigation Bureau, Luo Di and Wu Wen settled into the spacious backseat. The seat’s heating and massage functions automatically activated, like two gentle hands gliding over their tired bodies, doubling their already overwhelming fatigue.
The voice of the driver came from the front. “I’ll drop you off at the home addresses listed in your personal information records.”
“Wait... let us discuss it first.”
The class leader propped open her eyelids with one finger and turned to Luo Di beside her.
“How about I go to your place again? Then head home a bit later. My dad will definitely be happy about me surviving this anomaly and even getting a reward from the Investigation Bureau. He might loosen up on watching me for once. Even if I go home late today, he’ll think I was discussing business with the Bureau.
Besides, I want to watch a movie. And my clothes are still at your place.”
Luo Di hesitated for a moment at the mention of "movie." Watching one together wasn’t a bad idea. Plus, since the class leader had already been to his house before, he eventually nodded in agreement.
“Driver, driver~ just take us to his place!”
The driver was initially inclined to refuse based on the Bureau's rules, but when he glanced at the rearview mirror, he saw the two young people already slumped together, fast asleep. The sight seemed to evoke memories of his own youthful days. With a shake of his head, he reluctantly stepped on the gas.
Four hours later, they woke to find the car parked at the perimeter parking lot of No. 13 Resettlement Neighborhood. The car’s sleep mode provided optimal temperature and humidity for rest.
The driver was no longer at the wheel but seated on a nearby stone bench, browsing videos on his wristband with an empty noodle bowl by his side.
Click!
The car door opened.
Seeing the two young people get out, the driver strolled unhurriedly back to the car.
“Thank you,” the class leader said politely.
The driver simply gave an "OK" gesture before driving off.
“Brr~ It’s freezing! Let’s hurry home!”
The class leader, still dressed in the borrowed T-shirt and shorts from last night, shivered. She hadn’t felt the cold while at the Bureau or in the car, but now it hit her hard.
The neighborhood had been fully unsealed. As the two ran toward the deepest building in the compound, they passed many hurried residents carrying bags and suitcases. Those who had been hesitant to move after previous warnings were now decisively leaving after the events of last night.
Luo Di paid no mind to them. He just wanted to get home.
Ascending the familiar stairwell, they reached the scuffed wall marking the third floor. The area was plastered with the Bureau’s seals, and cleanup teams were inside gathering residual pheromones.
Continuing upward, they arrived at the top floor.
To Luo Di’s surprise, just as he reached for his keys, the door opened from the inside.
Three staff members in protective suits were inside, collecting residue from the Impersonator’s activity while also doing a general cleanup. Their work had just finished.
After verifying each other's identities, Luo Di and the class leader finally stepped into the warm apartment. Everything was in order, and none of the furniture had been damaged.
Seeing the untouched state of his home, Luo Di let out a long sigh of relief.
[Half an Hour Later]
The class leader emerged from the bathroom, still wearing Luo Di’s T-shirt.
The house now had a rich, delicious aroma. Her appetite was instantly piqued.
Luo Di gestured to the freshly made fried egg noodles on the table. “Let’s just make do with this for lunch. I’m guessing you’re not in the mood to eat out either.”
“Perfect! We can eat and watch a movie to celebrate surviving! Cheers!”
The class leader raised her noodle bowl to clink it against Luo Di’s.
She showed no signs of discomfort from her possession incident or the mental strain of narrowly escaping death. Her demeanor was as cheerful as before the events of the previous day, her face glowing with happiness.
To her, nothing seemed better than eating and watching movies.
Luo Di had initially planned to talk about last night’s events, but seeing her excitement, he decided to wait until after the movie.
Watching a movie together felt pretty good—sometimes even more fun than watching alone.
The movie ended quickly, and the class leader, like a model student after class, immediately dove into dissecting its details. Their lively interaction brought Luo Di a sense of joy—something he hadn’t felt in a long time: the joy of “sharing.”
As their conversation drifted, the topic shifted.
“Class leader, how did you manage to wake up last night?”
“Isn’t that obvious? I ran into the suspect from the third floor during the day, and I also happened to meet the victim criteria. Plus, you acted totally out of character by letting me sleep in your bedroom while you took the sofa. It was clear you sensed danger.
With all that adding up, how could I sleep peacefully?
Not to mention, I’ve undergone sleep training. Even the slightest disturbance wakes me up. I was already awake when you got out of bed.
But you—what a coincidence that you got up to go to the bathroom. What’s the deal, Luo Di?”
Luo Di didn’t bother hiding it and explained the nightmare brought on by the Tongue Demon.
“That same tongue from the practice session?”
She frowned. “Your Demon Possession was completely removed, yet it still gave you a warning? Be cautious—Corner infiltrations are everywhere. If anything feels off, contact the Research Bureau immediately.”
“Got it,” Luo Di replied nonchalantly.
Seeing his indifference, the class leader’s furrowed brows soon relaxed.
“Maybe it’s no big deal. It’s been half a year, after all. You go for monthly check-ups at the Bureau, and you’re not showing any symptoms. It could just be your innate danger sense.”
She stretched with a sigh of relief. “Surviving this ordeal wasn’t easy, but we gained a lot.
Facing a veteran Impersonator with over a year of activity? That’s the kind of experience that will really boost our resumes.
And the Investigation Bureau even gave me one of their combat suits! Just thinking about it excites me.”
“What’s so special about it?” Luo Di asked, unfamiliar with this detail.
“I heard from my tutoring teacher that investigator suits are made with special tech—possibly a combination of human and Corner anomaly technology. Even the basic version has its perks.
Hey, how about this? When I get the suit, I’ll go with you to the Bureau to pick up your reward. I also want to see what your knife will become after absorbing the Spider Woman’s blood.”
“Sure, let me know when,” Luo Di replied.
The class leader hugged a pillow and raised one hand high. “Not much time left! Let’s watch another movie!”
In the evening, Luo Di prepared for another session of his nightly running training and decided to walk the class leader downstairs on the way.
The lightbulb at the corner, which the class leader had removed yesterday, had been replaced with a new one. On the railings, stairs, and even the ceiling, faint claw marks were still visible here and there.
As they approached the third floor, Wu Wen took the initiative to walk ahead, clasping her hands behind her back and swaying them slightly. Her movements were even more pronounced than they had been the previous night.
But even after they passed the third floor, nothing approached. Her hand simply swirled through empty air.
Click!
The class leader clicked her tongue and stopped walking.
When Luo Di caught up with her on the same step, she did the same thing as the night before—reaching out and slipping her hand into his rough, work-worn palm, which hardly seemed like it belonged to a high schooler. She held it gently.
Though she seemed like she wanted to complain, all she managed to squeeze out through gritted teeth were two words:
“Thank you…”