Chen Xi and Zhuang Anping quickened their pace and returned to Commercial Street, where they had first met. A huge electronic screen stood there. Last night, that screen had shown them the figure of 1%, which they suspected represented the extent of the Eerie resurgence.
Now, the figure displayed on that screen was-11%.
"It was only one percent yesterday, and today it's already eleven percent. If this really measures the extent of the Eerie resurgence, isn't it rising too fast?" Zhuang Anping stared at the number on the giant screen.
"That means things in 'Honghuai City' will get even worse tonight. I need to check on my brother first." Chen Xi still looked worried.
The two made their way through the streets. The high-rise buildings lining the roads of "Honghuai City" gave off an inexplicably oppressive sense of desolation and deathly silence. The pedestrians seemed to be pulled along by invisible strings, their eyes hollow as they moved forward mechanically. No matter how one looked at it, the sight was eerie.
Chen Xi and Zhuang Anping soon arrived at the Chen family's villa. Its exterior was lavish, in the sort of style favored by the nouveau riche online. The rising sunlight spilled over its marble walls and floor-to-ceiling windows, gilding the luxurious building with a faint glow.
"Just what you'd expect from the home of Chen Hai, president of the Candlelight Society." Zhuang Anping looked around curiously.
"But it still feels too quiet." Chen Xi sensed the same silence and stillness within the villa as on the streets outside. Without much hesitation, she pushed open the gate and led Zhuang Anping inside.
The villa's garden was utterly quiet, with only their footsteps occasionally sounding on the stone path.
Chen Xi crossed the garden with practiced familiarity. Before she could try