Area Lockdown

Luo Di changed into his winter clothes, slung his backpack over his shoulder, and walked out of his home again.

The class monitor sat on the steps opposite his door, pointing at the door of the apartment next door, which was covered in various small advertisement cards.

"It looks like no one lives next door to you? And when I went upstairs, I noticed quite a few apartments downstairs seemed to be empty?"

"It's normal. Anyone living here wants to move to a better place. As soon as a child in the family successfully gets into a good company, they'll move out immediately. If they don't have any outstanding children, they'll try to find other opportunities to turn their lives around and attempt some high-paying, high-risk jobs."

"Mmm, that makes sense."

The class monitor walked ahead with light, brisk steps. As they went downstairs, she deliberately put both her hands behind her back, with one hand making a waving gesture.

But Luo Di didn't seem to understand the meaning or even notice. He was more concerned about something else.

"How did you find my place?"

"How is this hard to find? This building only has seven floors, and each floor has only two units. Plus, many of them are empty. I just had to knock on each door to find it. I didn't expect you to live on the top floor."

"Knock on each door?"

Luo Di couldn't even imagine doing something like that, but given the class monitor's personality, it was indeed something she could do.

As the two were about to leave the building, discussing where to go for a quick meal to do their homework, Screech a cordon suddenly stretched across the exit on the first floor. A man, wrapped in a black trench coat with his collar pulled up to conceal his face, stood before them.

"There are suspected abnormal activities in the residential area you are currently in, which have led to resident deaths. This area is now under 'area lockdown.' All residents must not leave their homes during the lockdown and must cooperate with our investigation. I will come up later to ask you some questions."

His attire matched the term "area lockdown," and Luo Di immediately thought of the man's identity as a "city investigator."

Luo Di quickly pressed, "Abnormal activities? How long will the lockdown last?"

"Probably no less than a day."

"This girl is my classmate. She doesn't live here and only arrived five minutes ago. Can she be allowed to leave?"

"Please obey the arrangements and wait for the lockdown to end. All personnel who come to the area, regardless of the purpose, are not allowed to leave. Also, please pay extra attention to ensure your own safety."

Just as Luo Di was about to try to argue for something else, The class monitor gently tugged at his shirt hem, standing on her tiptoes slightly. "According to the 'Corner Law,' once an area lockdown is encountered, everyone must cooperate with the investigator's work. Even if I just arrived a minute ago, I must comply. It's okay, my winter break cramming has finished, and my family has allowed me three days to relax. I'll send the information about the area lockdown to my father later, so it's fine if I don't go home tonight."

"It's not..." Luo Di was concerned about something else.

"It's fine. I know it's inconvenient at your home. I can stay alone in the hallway or on the rooftop until the lockdown ends."

Luo Di recalled the previous funeral and the investigator's reminder. Leaving the class monitor outside alone might be dangerous, and the temperature outside was still very low.

After thinking for a long time, he let out a long sigh.

"Hah~ Come to my place and wait. My parents just took my sister out for a trip."

The class monitor's eyes immediately widened, "No wonder I couldn't hear any other sounds from your home. So, Auntie and Uncle are out. Don't worry, I won't wander into the bedrooms. I'll just stay in the living room."

She followed Luo Di upstairs again, pulling her scarf over her lips to conceal her inner joy. She was very curious about what secrets the academically gifted but solitary student's home held. How could he consistently win first place in Physical Education tests without any extracurricular tutoring? Perhaps she could use this opportunity to get her hands on the so-called "training manual."

[Top Floor]

The key turned in the lock as Luo Di took a deep breath. It was the first time he had brought someone home, and moreover, it was a female with whom he had a good relationship.

"Wow, it's so clean!"

Reflected in the indoor light, the class monitor couldn't see a speck of dust. There was very little clutter; it was simple and tidy.

"I mopped the floor this morning. Wait a moment, I'll find you a pair of slippers... I'll probably only have my sister's. We rarely have guests, so there aren't any extra slippers."

"No need! It's so clean, there's no need to wear slippers. Besides, it's not good to wear someone else's slippers. And I changed my socks when I went out this morning, so I definitely won't dirty your place."

"Alright."

White sneakers were neatly placed in the shoe-changing area.

The class monitor had already stepped onto the floor in her white pantyhose. Although this was just a resettlement community, in modern times, with energy issues fully resolved, heating was supplied all day, keeping the indoor temperature consistently around 20℃.

Without entering the bedrooms, the class monitor looked around and also helped Luo Di feed the Corner Parrot on the windowsill.

"Your place is quite spacious. I initially thought these types of houses were only as big as my bedroom. Now it looks like it's the size of two bedrooms. I don't mean anything by it~ I just think it's nice to live in such a small house."

Luo Di had already gone into the kitchen. Following the hospitality etiquette his mother had taught him, he found tea bags and poured the class monitor a cup of steaming hot tea.

As he carried the tea towards the living room, his steps paused for a moment. Due to the heating, the class monitor had taken off her thick down jacket and the scarf around her neck, folding them neatly in a corner of the sofa.

She was wearing a fitted black turtleneck sweater underneath, paired with a brown Scottish-style wrap skirt.

Thickened white stockings extended down from the skirt, covering the class monitor's long, running legs.

Up until now, the class monitor had either worn her school uniform or sportswear.

This was Luo Di's first time seeing her dressed like this. After a moment of surprise, he quickly recovered and handed her the tea he was holding.

"Luo Di, you look a little hot. Why don't you take off your jacket?"

"Okay."

Luo Di's forehead was covered in sweat, but he didn't seem to notice.

The class monitor winked and stared at him curiously. "Why do you seem a bit strange? Is there something shameful in your bedroom?

Or perhaps you've hidden some kind of 'fitness secret treasure' in there, afraid I'll find out?"

"No, I'm just not used to people visiting my home."

"If there's nothing there, can I take a look inside your bedroom?" The class monitor raised her right hand as if asking to speak in class. "I promise I won't touch anything, I just want to look."

"You can watch TV outside for a while or go to the dining table to do your homework."

"Oh~"

Since permission to enter the bedroom wasn't granted, the two of them, with unspoken understanding, took out their winter break homework.

However, after writing only a few words, Knock knock~ The door was knocked on. The investigator, who had just sealed off the residential area downstairs, had found their door.

"Hello~ Please cooperate with me for a situation investigation. This is my personal identification, which can be verified through your wristbands."

The investigator quickly stepped into the house after sticking dust-proof mats to the soles of their shoes.

After quickly scanning the home environment with a gloomy gaze, they chose to conduct the conversation at the dining table where the two were doing their homework.

The investigator retrieved relevant personal information from the database based on their faces.

"You two attend Fourth Middle School and jointly completed a practical training project provided by our city's research institute half a year ago, with excellent performance... exceptionally excellent, I'd say.

According to what you said downstairs, you just happened to come over to do homework together, right?"

The investigator suddenly turned their eyes to meet Wu Wen's gaze.

She was clearly startled and her reply was somewhat hesitant, "Y-yes."

The gaze did not stop after the class monitor's answer. After about a minute, the investigator nodded.

"I mainly want to explain the current situation to you.

A latent imposter who has already killed two young girls is suspected to be active in this residential area.

Its Mind Corner transformation has lasted for at least half a year, and it can skillfully wield Phobia-concretization. The search and capture of such individuals are relatively difficult and time-consuming.

The lockdown of the entire residential area is expected to take more than a day.

You need to be very careful, especially you, classmate Wu."

The class monitor obediently stated that she would not leave the door a single step.

Luo Di, however, posed a question, "Has this entire building been searched already?"

"You were the last household.

However, according to the permanent resident list and daily activity information provided by the community, a resident on the third floor temporarily left the area. Once she returns and is screened, this building will be considered cleared."

Upon hearing this, Wu Wen, who was standing nearby, looked puzzled.

"Huh? When I went upstairs earlier, I saw the resident on the third floor with my own eyes. It was about ten minutes before you locked down the building. Did she just happen to leave at that exact moment? What a coincidence?"

The investigator's expression instantly changed, like a predator catching a scent.

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure."

"Thank you for the valuable information."

After receiving a positive answer, the investigator immediately got up and left.