Chapter 8, Sleepless Night

Yu Suqiu is a rather special woman. Unlike the vibrant beauty of contemporary girls filled with fashion, Yu Suqiu's beauty is imbued with a classical charm. Perhaps it is the ethereal spirit of Jiangnan that nurtures such gentle women, as soft as water. Yu Suqiu's tenderness is like a deadly poison, making Ma Xiaofeng unable to approach her in the same way he would with other girls. Ma Xiaofeng has contemplated deepening his relationship with her, envisioning a life together like ordinary couples, marrying and having children. However, he knows he cannot do so. If he were just an ordinary man, perhaps he could offer Yu Suqiu a tranquil and warm little life. But Ma Xiaofeng is not that; since he began studying the arts of the Xuanmen at the age of seventeen, he has been destined to be estranged from ordinary people.

Upon returning to his apartment, Ma Xiaofeng took a shower and then took a can of frozen beer from the refrigerator to drink by himself. He opened the voicemail, and the first few messages were from several girlfriends in the city, expressing their complaints about Ma Xiaofeng not visiting them recently. Ma Xiaofeng simply smiled as he listened; he truly had no time to deal with these women now.

Ma Xiaofeng took a deep breath and said: "It is I, Su Qiu, why are you still awake so late?"

Outside the apartment's main entrance, Shi Yong's off-road vehicle had already arrived ahead of time. Ma Xiaofeng greeted an old friend and, after getting into the car, instructed Shi Yong to drive to McDonald's to buy hamburgers and soda for dinner. As Shi Yong watched Ma Xiaofeng consume junk food to satisfy his hunger, he felt somewhat guilty. However, when Ma Xiaofeng raised the dinner at Jingnan Restaurant from one meal to two, that guilt was immediately burned to ashes by an unnamed anger.

After a moment of silence, Ma Xiaofeng hung up the phone and silently began to drink.

It is now nearly twelve o'clock. The radio in the car is broadcasting an evening program, and the host's magnetic voice sounds particularly enchanting in the late night. Shi Yong is driving, slowly following the patrol route that was determined earlier in the afternoon through Jian'an City. Ma Xiaofeng, having eaten and drunk his fill, is resting his chin on his hand while gazing at the night scenery outside the car.

Ma Xiaofeng did not conceal anything and laid out all that he knew, particularly emphasizing the time when the monsters come out to hunt for food. Could there be further clues? Shi Yong immediately felt a surge of joy.

Shi Yong's voice remained as clear and vibrant as ever. Ma Xiaofeng smiled helplessly, casually exchanged a few words before hanging up the phone. After splashing cold water on his face, Ma Xiaofeng felt a refreshing surge of energy. After changing his clothes, he carefully checked his dining tools once more, including the most formidable dagger, "Yasha." Only after making thorough preparations did he hum a tune and step out the door

Crazy one, are you awake? I am almost downstairs. Wash your face and come down immediately.

"You don't need to apologize," Yu Suqiu said with a smile. "As long as you're fine, that's good. Are you at home now? I just finished my night shift and got off work. How about I buy some late-night snacks to bring up for you?"

"Have you gained anything?" As soon as he sat down, Shi and Tushu boldly asked.

"Don't be nervous," Ma Xiaofeng had just managed to say this when he heard Yu Suqiu's voice calling out from the phone, followed by a burst of static noise.

Shi Yong did not say much. Currently, apart from knowing the time when the monster comes out to hunt, he is still unable to grasp its exact whereabouts. He also felt uncomfortable keeping his old friend on standby twenty-four hours a day. After reminding Ma Xiaofeng to call him before 12:00, the criminal investigation team leader let his old friend leave. As for himself, there was a mountain of tasks waiting to be handled, especially the need to build good relations with the police in Jian'an. Otherwise, if a situation arises, it would not be so easy for him to find someone to help.

Upon hearing the female voice tinged with a hint of Jiangnan dialect, Ma Xiaofeng's smile froze on his face, and the hand that had been resting on the telephone slowly lowered.

Hello, Xiaofeng, are you there? This is Suqiu

Where have you been recently? I have called you many times, but your phone is off. I am worried about you. If you come back, could you please give me a call?

The following two matters are relatively serious: one is the property management urging him to pay the management fee for the second half of the year, and the other is the bank calling to inform him that the term of some fixed deposits has expired, prompting him to complete the necessary procedures.

Although it is merely a foolish method of waiting by the stump for a hare

Seeing that there was basically nothing more to be done at the moment, Ma Xiaofeng took a leave of absence from Shi Yong, stating that he needed to go home to catch up on sleep, and that he would accompany Shi Yong on patrol later in the evening with Tu Shu.

I have been worried about you. I called your phone many times, but you never answered. Fortunately, I was able to get through this time said Yu Suqiu softly from the other end of the phone

As it is the height of summer, many shops gradually close around midnight, while entertainment venues enter their golden hours of the day. Nevertheless, it is an undeniable fact that the city gradually drifts into slumber. When the streets become quiet, and the neon lights cease to flicker, the city resembles a young girl shedding her extravagant dance attire, donning soft, simple fabrics, revealing a different kind of beauty in the gaze of the wind.

However, there was no response from Yu Suqiu on the phone, and Ma Xiaofeng immediately became more anxious. After calling out twice, he finally heard Yu Suqiu's voice on the phone, lowered and tense, saying: "Xiaofeng, it seems like someone is following me. What should I do?"

It is unclear what the two directors discussed privately, but as evening approached, the director of Jian'an wisely announced a series of measures, including strengthening citywide patrols after midnight. This is currently the only feasible method determined based on the clues available.

"That is not called lust; that is called being charming," Ma Xiaofeng immediately retorted.

Ma Xiaofeng was taken aback, then shouted at Shi Yong: "Shitou, hurry to the central hospital, Yu Suqiu is in danger!"

Ma Xiaofeng gritted his teeth before pressing the answer button

Ma Xiaofeng let out an "Oh," but immediately became tense again: "Su Qiu, did you say you just got off work now"

Since he had obtained the clue regarding the time of death, Ma Xiaofeng no longer lingered with Ouyang Feifei. After setting the date for their next meeting, Ma Xiaofeng left Tian Shang Ren Jian. As he stepped out the door, he happened to see Shi Yong squatting by the newsstand, bored, holding a soda in one hand and a cold drink in the other, looking nothing like a formidable people's police officer.

Upon saying this, Yu Suqiu hung up the phone

Shi Yong said, and then drove back to the Public Security Bureau of Jian'an City. He was not a fool; he knew that if he openly told the director of the Public Security Bureau in Jian'an City that there were monsters in the city, he would likely be sent back to Nanwen immediately, and then his superiors would suggest revoking his position as captain. Therefore, upon returning to the Public Security Bureau, Shi Yong first made a phone call to his own director, and then let the directors of Nanwen and Jian'an communicate with each other.

Indeed. Yu Suqiu did not explain: "It's my turn to be on duty tonight, so why are you so nervous?"

Ma Xiaofeng secretly found it amusing, greeted Shi Yong as he crossed the street, and then the two of them got into the car

They are all the same

Uncertain of how long he had slept, Ma Xiaofeng was awakened by the ringing of his phone. Grabbing the phone to check, he found it was a call from Shi Yong.

Due to boredom, Shi Yong and Ma Xiaofeng engaged in casual conversation. When the time reached 12:30, Ma Xiaofeng's phone in his pocket suddenly rang. He took it out to see that it was a call from Yu Suqiu

Ma Xiaofeng, who frequently interacts with beings such as monsters and evil spirits that ordinary people are unaware of, does not dare to engage too closely with Yu Suqiu. This is because he fears that Yu Suqiu might become his weakness, or even be used by some of the otherworldly entities with whom he has enmity to threaten him. He is afraid that he might bring harm to Yu Suqiu, and thus he rejects her concern and affection.

"Go ahead, how did you manage to ask that?"

The voice of Yu Suqiu came from the phone

Seeing his old friend hesitating, Shi Yong could not help but say, "Why don't you go ahead and answer?"

Ma Xiaofeng smiled and said, "Do you remember the girl at my house yesterday afternoon? Her name is Ouyang Feifei, the DJ of music in this world. Do you think I wouldn't be able to find out anything?"

After finishing the beer, Ma Xiaofeng let out a sigh. After pondering for a long time, he ultimately decided not to make the call, hoping that time would dilute Su Qiu's feelings for him. With this thought in mind, Ma Xiaofeng walked into his dormitory and collapsed onto the big bed, gradually drifting into a hazy sleep

Ma Xiaofeng thought there was nothing important left, and just as he was about to casually hang up the phone message, a woman's voice suddenly emerged from the receiver after a "beep" sound

Hello, Xiaofeng, is that you

I apologize, I recently went to Hainan to seek inspiration, so I have been keeping my phone turned off

It would be strange not to feel nervous; there is a monster outside looking for people to eat. Ma Xiaofeng thought to himself, but quickly said, "Su Qiu, it's too late now, you shouldn't come over. Hurry back home, and next time I'll treat you to a late-night snack."

"Ah!" Shi Yong exclaimed, "It seems that your lustful nature is not entirely a bad thing."