You Are Lying

"Phew, phew, phew... I can't take it anymore. Let's take a break," Qi Liang, who was leading the way, waved his hand, clearly exhausted.

Honestly, it wasn't just Qi Liang; Zhao Ke and the girl with glasses were also struggling.

The sky grew darker. The mountain forest, already shrouded in smog, now seemed even more ominous. Traveling at night was difficult enough, and the three of them had to hurry forward in the dark.

Several times, Qi Liang, who was in front, nearly missed a step. If Zhao Ke hadn't pulled him back, he would have likely been severely injured by now.

"Thank goodness that bear didn't chase us. Otherwise, in this pitch black, it would have been a real problem for us three," Qi Liang said. He cautiously looked around, and only after confirming the bear wasn't pursuing them did he feel a sense of relief.

"I wonder how the other two are doing."

The girl with glasses adjusted her glasses. Her pale face looked tired, but she remained spirited and hadn't complained once during the journey. This earned her a lot of points in Zhao Ke's estimation.

As for why the bear hadn't chased them, Zhao Ke smirked. Half of his face was hidden in the darkness as he let out a cold laugh. He didn't tell them that there was someone else behind them, serving as dinner for that bear.

After resting for a while, the three continued on. After walking for an unknown duration, the flicker of light ahead grew closer, and they could vaguely see an old-fashioned house standing in the wilderness.

Taking a closer sniff, a thick, fragrant aroma wafted through the air.

Gulp!

The scent hit Qi Liang's nostrils. After a few deep breaths, his stomach couldn't help but rumble. He couldn't help but swallow, looking back at Zhao Ke and the girl with glasses, as if asking whether they should go in or not.

After all, in this desolate wilderness, an old house appearing out of nowhere, far from any civilization, would make anyone uneasy.

"Didn't that scar-faced man say that if we want to leave, we need to find clues? Since we can't get out, why not go in and try our luck?" The girl with glasses recalled what the scar-faced man had said and analyzed it for Zhao Ke and Qi Liang.

"You believe him? That scar-faced man?"

"I do!" The girl with glasses nodded. Although what he said was exaggerated and strange, she was certain the scar-faced man wasn't lying.

The girl with glasses fumbled in her pocket and pulled out a business card, handing it to Zhao Ke and Qi Liang.

Chen Jing, Psychologist. Seeing the information on the card, Zhao Ke and Qi Liang were surprised. The girl with glasses, who looked like a university student, was actually a psychologist.

As if sensing their thoughts, Chen Jing said sheepishly, "Because one of my patients is a student, I need to get closer to them when communicating. Dressing like this makes it easier."

"No wonder!"

Zhao Ke nodded inwardly. The first thing he did after waking up was observe everyone's actions.

Chen Jing's behavior had surprised him the most. Not only was she calm, but she also knew how to utilize all her resources. For example, hiding behind the female office worker and using her own ordinariness to highlight the office worker's beauty.

If he had to choose, he would have prioritized that female office worker as well.

He had been wondering how a student could think so far ahead. Now that Chen Jing had revealed her identity, Zhao Ke understood.

"Let's go in and take a look."

Zhao Ke nodded. In fact, their purpose in coming here was to find a way to leave. If there were clues to their escape inside, they naturally had to go in.

The mud walls, built with packed earth, had large cracks in the mud. The moss growing on the roof tiles indicated that the house was quite old. In reality, even a rural village might not have such dilapidated houses.

"Bang, bang, bang..."

Qi Liang stepped forward and knocked on the door. The deep thud of the lock made them uneasy.

"Who is it!"

Soon, they heard a voice from inside asking. It sounded like an elderly woman. Before Qi Liang could speak, Chen Jing pulled him aside, away from the door, and leaned in close to the gap. "Ma'am, we are students from down the mountain. We're lost and would like to stay here for the night. We'll leave tomorrow morning."

Not long after Chen Jing finished speaking, the door creaked open a sliver. Through the gap, a pair of eyes scrutinized Chen Jing before the door was slowly opened further.

As the door opened, a faint smell of blood drifted out, making Zhao Ke frown. He glanced up at Qi Liang and Chen Jing.

However, the two of them didn't seem to notice any peculiar smell. Instead, they were drawn by the savory aroma from inside, their stomachs rumbling uncontrollably.

The door was opened by an old woman with snow-white hair. She looked kind, but her left eye seemed blind, its dull, lifeless pupil making her benevolent face look somewhat unsettling.

Leaning on her good eye, the old woman glanced at Zhao Ke and Qi Liang behind Chen Jing. A simple smile appeared on her aged face. She was particularly warm towards Chen Jing, taking her hand and saying, "Oh my, you children, why do you like to wander around? Come in quickly."

The old woman, holding Chen Jing's hand, ushered Zhao Ke and Qi Liang into the room.

The room was bright. On a square table, two candles flickered. To the right was a bed. It appeared to be a bedroom, with the kitchen and bedroom connected, separated by a curtain.

Zhao Ke's peripheral vision caught a glimpse through the gap. He saw a large iron pot, its contents steaming and emitting a strong, fragrant aroma.

"Grandma, are you living here alone?" Chen Jing asked the old woman, looking around.

"I have two unpromising sons. They should be back soon. Please make do tonight. I have some bedding, so you'll have to sleep on the floor. When my sons return tomorrow morning, they'll help you leave," the old woman said kindly.

Upon hearing that they could leave tomorrow, Qi Liang and Chen Jing couldn't help but show a hint of joy.

"Rumble, rumble..."

Qi Liang's stomach let out an untimely growl. Seeing this, Qi Liang scratched his head and said to the old woman, "Grandma, could you give us something to eat? ...We're so hungry."

As Qi Liang mentioned hunger, Chen Jing's face also filled with anticipation. They had inexplicably appeared here, hadn't figured out what was happening, were chased by a bear, and then scrambled their way here in the dark. Their stomachs had been growling with hunger the entire time.

From the moment they entered, the meaty aroma in the room had almost stolen their souls.

"Yes, yes, there's some ready in the pot, still hot," the old woman said. She stood up, pulled back the curtain, and went into the adjacent kitchen. Shortly after, she brought out two large bowls of meat chunks and a small plate of pickles.

"Smells amazing!"

Qi Liang sniffed and couldn't help but give a thumbs up. The meat chunks in the bowl were bright red and translucent, looking like pork. However, Qi Liang had never smelled anything so fragrant.

"Let me try first."

Qi Liang didn't stand on ceremony. He was genuinely starving, so he picked up his chopsticks, grabbed a piece of meat, and stuffed it into his mouth. The moment the meat hit his tongue, it melted like jelly, rich but not greasy, lean but not tough.

Paired with the crisp and delicious pickled vegetables in the small dish, it was simply irresistible.

"Delicious!" After swallowing, Qi Liang couldn't help but praise the old woman.

Beside him, Chen Jing watched Qi Liang wolfing down the meat and couldn't help but swallow. However, mindful of her image as a lady, she picked up her chopsticks, took a small piece, and put it in her mouth.

But after this small piece of meat entered her mouth, Chen Jing forgot all about her ladylike demeanor and started stuffing large mouthfuls into her mouth.

"Young man, why aren't you eating?"

Seeing Chen Jing and Qi Liang with their mouths slick with oil, the old woman's single eye narrowed into a straight line. She looked back and saw that Zhao Ke hadn't touched his chopsticks the entire time, so she couldn't help but ask.

"Yeah, it's so good! Try some..."

Qi Liang nodded repeatedly, pushing his bowl towards Zhao Ke, signaling him to try as well.

He glanced at the distinct red and white piece of meat in the bowl, but Zhao Ke still didn't pick up his chopsticks. He shook his head, "I'm not hungry."

Seeing Zhao Ke refuse, Qi Liang didn't hesitate and took the bowl back to continue eating.

"Here, have some water. Don't just eat, young man, you should drink something too." The old woman carried the kettle, poured Zhao Ke a cup of water, and handed it to him.

Zhao Ke sniffed the water in the cup, his brow twitching. He didn't reach for it.

Instead, he looked directly at the old woman's face and asked, "We had a companion who came here ahead of us. Why haven't we seen him?"

Zhao Ke was referring to Li Hongbing. This guy looked rough and brave, but he was the fastest runner. Calculating the time, this guy should have arrived here long ago.

"Mmm-hmm, Grandma, have you seen that big guy? He's very tall, a bit short-tempered, and there was a woman with him. Have you seen them?"

Qi Liang's mouth was full, and he turned back to ask vaguely. He didn't know that the female office worker he mentioned had already become their scapegoat.

Chen Jing, however, after hearing Zhao Ke and Qi Liang's questions, glanced suspiciously at Zhao Ke.

The old woman's expression stiffened upon hearing Zhao Ke's question. She casually placed the cup on the table and shook her head, "Haven't seen them. You two should eat quickly and go to bed early."

As the old woman spoke, she tried to stand up. But at this moment, Zhao Ke's hand suddenly grabbed her wrist. His slender fingers clamped down like iron pincers, gripping her wrist tightly. His cold eyes narrowed, "You're lying!"

"You... what did you say?"

The old woman's expression changed. She tried to shake off Zhao Ke's hand. Seeing this, Zhao Ke twisted his fingers and pressed down on the old woman's head with his other hand.

"Bang!"

Qi Liang and Chen Jing, who were still stunned, were startled by the muffled sound. Neither of them expected that Zhao Ke, who had been fine moments ago, would suddenly attack an old woman who looked around eighty.

"What are you doing!"

Qi Liang's face changed, and he tried to step forward to stop Zhao Ke.

"Get lost!"

A gleaming fruit knife appeared in Zhao Ke's hand, pressed against the old woman's throat. The blade was tight against her withered skin, and drops of crimson blood were trickling down the blade.

Qi Liang froze, not daring to step forward. He looked at Zhao Ke, confused, "Are you crazy? What are you doing? Put the knife down."

Zhao Ke ignored Qi Liang. He grabbed the old woman's hair with one hand and tore open the curtain with the other. Behind the curtain was a simple stove. Besides the large boiling pot, there were only two vats for pickling vegetables.

"You're crazy!"

As Zhao Ke tore open the curtain, a glint flashed in Qi Liang's eyes. He quickly lunged at Zhao Ke, trying to snatch the knife. However, before he could even extend his hand, Zhao Ke, as if anticipating his move, quickly turned and kicked Qi Liang squarely in the chest.

"Clang!"

Qi Liang, who was over 1.8 meters tall, was caught off guard by the kick to the chest. He stumbled, his hand landing on the lid of a large water vat. His hand slipped, and his entire arm plunged into the vat.

Before he could even stand up, Qi Liang suddenly felt something in his hand. He looked back into the vat and, upon seeing what was inside, was first stunned.

"Hiss!!"

Then, a gasp of cold air escaped through his clenched teeth. In the dark vat of pickled vegetables, a corpse lay inside, its eyes staring directly at him.