Translator: CinderTL
First, based on the video footage, the actual time when Nan Huaili encountered trouble should be within the brief one and a half minutes from when he stepped out with a coffee cup to when he returned.
According to Jiang Cheng's experience, it was unlikely that Nan Huaili could be dragged into a Nightmare in such a short span of time.
Second, who was that face that suddenly appeared? If this were a Nightmare, everything could be explained.
That sudden face was a Ghost.
It was the cause of Nan Huaili's disappearance, and the Nan Huaili that appeared afterward was merely the Ghost in disguise.
But this was reality, not a Nightmare.
An indescribable emotion began to ferment in Jiang Cheng's heart. In just a few seconds, numerous images flashed through his mind, accompanied by their corresponding sounds.
One evening, on the sofa in the studio, the middle-aged man who had appeared alongside Xia Meng once shared his understanding of Nightmares with Jiang Cheng.
He mentioned a term that left a deep impression on Jiang Cheng.
"Erosion, huh..." Jiang Cheng muttered to himself.
"Mr. Jiang," Weiwei's voice suddenly rang out. She blinked and looked at him, "What did you say?"
"Nothing," Jiang Cheng replied. He walked over to the corner where the Ghost's face had appeared, crouched down, and mimicked the posture of that face, peeking out with half of his own.
From this position, he could just see into Nan Huaili's office.
He then looked up at the location of the surveillance camera. At the end of the corridor, in a corner, there was a white surveillance probe.
The video had been captured by this probe.
From previous inquiries, Jiang Cheng learned that there had been another surveillance probe near the coffee machine, but it had broken down some time ago.
Since the location wasn't crucial, it had been left unrepaired.
"How long has it been broken?" Jiang Cheng asked.
Weiwei thought for a moment, then looked at Du Feng, who immediately answered, "Almost two months, no, at least two months!"
Two months... Jiang Cheng pondered, feeling that the broken surveillance likely had nothing to do with the Ghost's face. After all, he didn't believe the Ghost would patiently wait that long.
However, for the sake of thoroughness, he decided to confirm, "Did Nan Huaili often work late in his office?"
"Yes," Weiwei replied. "Director Nan is very dedicated to his work."
"Always alone?"
"Yes."
Jiang Cheng's gaze swept around the area. He had a rough understanding of the situation, but the clues were truly limited. All the mysteries pointed to that Ghost's face.
"Let's go," Jiang Cheng said.
The group walked back to the elevator. From Weiwei's expression, it wasn't so much disappointment as it was a lack of expectation, since she hadn't held much hope to begin with.
Yet, in her eyes, Jiang Cheng could sense a lingering sense of loss.
It must be that Nan Huaili had treated her very well.
The elevator arrived.
When the doors opened, there were still a few people inside—some dressed like office workers, others in suits resembling successful entrepreneurs... a variety of vivid individuals.
"Brother Wang," Weiwei greeted.
A middle-aged man in a suit inside the elevator smiled and responded, "Weiwei, it's good to see you again. I thought you were on a business trip."
It seemed Weiwei had quite a few acquaintances in this building, which alleviated some of Jiang Cheng's concerns. After all, he was reluctant to take the elevator.
If it weren't for Weiwei and Lin Wan'er being here, he would have preferred to take the stairs down.
The elevator space was modest, and with the four of them inside, it felt somewhat cramped.
Jiang Cheng glanced around; including them, there were ten people in the elevator.
The elevator descended steadily.
Fortunately, Lin Wan'er didn't cause any trouble this time.
As the elevator moved, Jiang Cheng suddenly caught a faint but distinct strange odor in the confined space.
It was the stench of rotting meat.
Years of habit made Jiang Cheng immediately alert. He slowly turned his head, searching for the source of the foul smell.
"What the hell?" A man slightly taller than Jiang Cheng fanned his nose, complaining, "What's so stinky?"
He stood in the corner of the elevator, dressed in a delivery man's uniform, holding a large transparent bag filled with pre-packaged milk tea.
Without much searching, everyone's gaze turned toward a figure at the far end of the elevator.
It was a janitor.
The janitor was holding a large black bag, similar to the ones used for household garbage, but much larger.
Though no one said much, their displeasure was evident on their faces. The stench was simply unbearable.
If it got on their clothes, they'd have to carry it into the office.
The janitor, huddled in the corner, kept his head down. The grayish-white hair peeking out from under his old-fashioned hat suggested he was quite elderly.
Everyone instinctively kept their distance, forming a half-circle around him.
After a few glances, Jiang Cheng averted his eyes. The elevator had stopped, and all they needed now was for the doors to open so they could leave.
But in the crowded space, no one noticed that although Jiang Cheng had looked away, his slightly blurred reflection in the mirror-like elevator wall had not.
A pair of faintly red eyes stared intently at the janitor. After a moment, the reflection turned its gaze toward the door.
If anyone had been more observant, they might have noticed something deeply unsettling.
Jiang Cheng's reflection in the elevator wall was different from everyone else's. While everyone else's reflections showed their backs, Jiang Cheng's reflection faced forward.
It was as if there was another version of Jiang Cheng, identical to him, living in the shadows.
Several seconds passed.
The elevator doors did not open.
"What's going on?" The middle-aged man frowned, repeatedly pressing the door open button. He had an important meeting and couldn't afford to be late.
The elevator doors remained unresponsive.
"What's happening?" The delivery man squeezed over and knocked on the elevator door. "Is it broken?"
He seemed even more anxious than the middle-aged man. After all, many customers were waiting, and a few complaints would mean all his recent work was for nothing.
Complaints began to rise in the elevator. Someone pressed the emergency button, while others took out their phones to call the rescue number listed on the elevator.
Suddenly, the lights in the elevator went out.
Now, everyone started to panic.
The elevator was filled with chaotic noises, and someone shouted for help.
If anyone was the most panicked, it was Jiang Cheng.
He had already sensed that something was very wrong.
"Everyone, be quiet!" Jiang Cheng was annoyed by their noise and silenced them with a single sentence. In the darkness, only the sound of heavy breathing could be heard.
A few seconds later, Jiang Cheng's heart skipped a beat.
Something was definitely wrong.
(End of the Chapter)
---
📖Read (NS) on Pa.treon@CinderTL - c616. [+4]
🔑Early Access at $1.
✍Translated (5) Series, (2.8K+) Chapters, (3.9M+) Words.