Those Classmates who Suddenly Disappeared
Chapter 85: One More to Go

Chapter 85: Chapter 85: One More to Go

Eleven of the fourteen students who entered the secret room have already gone missing, leaving only Lin Xi, Du Jun, and another female student named Yang Yiran.

According to Gu Fan’s speculation, twelve people are needed for the sacrifice, and they are short of the last one. This means that among the remaining three, one will be the final one to disappear,

Gu Fan is now closely guarding Lin Xi. Although he believes he can’t fully prevent the actions of the hidden perpetrator, he can protect Lin Xi and secure his future wife and continuation of his lineage. Of course, all this is nonsense; most importantly, Gu Fan truly loves Lin Xi.

In order to prepare for the worst, Du Jun even asked his family to arrange for a driver to pick him up and drop him off, who is also a retired special forces soldier, essentially a driver-cum-bodyguard.

For Lin Xi, Gu Fan is her bodyguard. Gu Fan also mentioned that his boxing skills have greatly improved recently. He can spar with Su Hui for ten rounds without losing, although after ten rounds he would still end up disoriented, putting aside Gu Fan’s thoughts of raising the rent.

Now, Gu Fan and Lin Xi walk hand in hand around the campus. After all that’s happened, they have no mood for romance, constantly worrying about when the crisis will strike.

As they were walking around the campus, Gu Fan said, "Although the school is relatively safe as no one has disappeared from within the school yet, you still need to be careful. Especially when I am not at school, try not to leave your dormitory. Even if you do, always be with at least two people."

"Alright, I got it, you’ve said it multiple times." Lin Xi seems impatient, but she knows that Gu Fan is saying this for her own good. Yet, her fear is overwhelming, making her lack the patience to hear Gu Fan repeating the same cautionary advice.

Gu Fan understood and didn’t say much more, clutching Lin Xi’s hand tightly, making her feel the strength of his protection by her side.

At this moment, a couple approached them. The male was tall and strong, holding a beautiful woman next to him, smiling so brightly, clearly expressing his joy of winning the beauty’s heart.

The woman was Yang Xinran. She had an indifferent expression on her face, only uttering a courteous laugh, seemingly not surrounded by the happiness of love.

Both couples crossed paths, Lin Xi glanced at Yang Xinran, but Yang Xinran disregarded Lin Xi and passed indifferently.

Lin Xi was surprised: "Just a few days ago, I heard that Yang Xinran is single and has admirers. Even someone sang for her under her dorm building. I didn’t expect her to be taken today."

"Once you find someone you like, just go for it. Everyone has the right to date." Gu Fan said this, but he was a little surprised as well. Yang Xinran is widely known as a beauty at school. Though not as breathtakingly gorgeous as Lin Xi, she still outshines many others, so she has no shortage of admirers. However, there are few who dare pursue her.

Yang Xinran has really high standards. Her potential suitor has to be talented, tall, good-looking, from a good family, capable, doting towards her, etc. Her standards are so high that they seem unreachable.

Of course, there are many male students who are undaunted. One of them sang under her dormitory for a long time, but she did not accept his love because although he had talent, unfortunately, he lacked physical attractiveness.

Even Du Jun, a rich second-generation within whom many girls want to marry, does not meet Yang Xinran’s criteria, because her ideal boyfriend must be 1.8 meters tall, and Du Jun is just 1.78 meters tall, falling short just by a bit.

What’s more important is that Du Jun has never pursued Yang Yiran but was rejected by her as not meeting her standards. This made Du Jun feel very frustrated, and even many people felt that Yang Yiran was being overly conceited.

Gu Fan once heard that some people have countless expectations for their significant other. However, when that person comes along, all the expectations become meaningless.

The man who is now with Yang Yiran definitely meets her height criteria, but whether he meets the other requirements is uncertain. However, Yang Yiran doesn’t seem too enthusiastic.

Gu Fan speculated: "Lin Xi, do you think Yang Yiran suddenly got a boyfriend to protect her?"

Lin Xi pondered seriously: "Based on the man’s robust physique, I think there’s a high possibility. Maybe she saw that Du Jun has a bodyguard, and I have you to protect me, so she is worried that she might be the next to disappear."

After hearing this, Gu Fan shook his head: "If this is really the case, then the purpose of this relationship is not pure, which is somewhat pitiful for that male student."

Lin Xi gave a contemptuous look: "Is the purpose of you men dating pure? Isn’t it just to take advantage of us women?"

To this, Gu Fan defended himself forcefully: "That’s not the case. We just want a little physical intimacy with the person we like. This is different from impure intentions, so don’t get them confused."

"Oh, oh, what you’re saying does make sense," Lin Xi said somewhat doubtfully, leaving Gu Fan exasperated. He then grumbled, "If you think you’re being short-changed, then I’ll take the hit and let you get one over on me. I promise not to resist, do what you please."

"Just shut up," Lin Xi laughed, entertained by Gu Fan’s shenanigans and the atmosphere became more relaxed.

Gu Fan continued his teasing, "It’s your loss if you don’t want to, don’t blame me for being stingy. Okay, since you won’t take advantage of me, then I’ll go ahead and take advantage of yours." He then proceeded to tickle Lin Xi’s tiny, defined waist, making her squirm and laugh uncontrollably. She pushed him away, and so began their playful chase and banter.

While Gu Fan was busy flirting with Lin Xi, a janitor not too far off was keenly watching their every move.

At the same time, not only Gu Fan and Lin Xi were being monitored, but also Du Jun and Yang Xinran; the new school staff members had adopted a particularly watchful attitude recently.

Gu Fan had once suspected a school janitor of suspicious behavior, and he had also doubted the newly deployed supermarket staff at school. But after so much that has happened, he began to wonder if he’s being overly paranoid and stopped paying special attention to these individuals.

******

At this very moment, in a commercial square opposite the school, Leng Le was checking phone reports from various teams, making sure that everything on campus was normal. However, she appeared to still be cautious.

Someone next to her commented, "Sister Leng, it’s all right for you to have people keeping tabs on those three students, but why place all the main focus on Gu Fan? He has never entered the secret room before, he would not be a target."

To which, Leng Le shook her head, "Initially he wouldn’t have been, but now that he has the key and the map, he is definitely a target just like the missing students."

The person by her side still had doubts, "But Gu Fan pretended to throw the key into the river and secretly obtained the map, technically they shouldn’t know about this."

"If you think in that way, you’re underestimating them. If we know that Gu Fan has the key and map, they could also have found out." After saying this, Leng Le’s eyes narrowed, and then she gave an order, "Notify all of our people on campus, even if you lose sight of Lin Xi, Du Jun, Yang Xinran, you must keep an eye on Gu Fan."

"It’s no problem to keep an eye on him within the school since our people are there. But Gu Fan doesn’t live on campus, and if he leaves the school grounds and we follow him, with his wary nature, I’m afraid we will expose ourselves." This was a genuine concern and Leng Le had to think hard about it for a while before making a decision, "We can work around it. Let’s have him off-duty early and arrange for someone here to drive him home, or simply say that it’s on their way, this gives a perfect excuse to accompany him."

"Okay Sister Leng, I’ll arrange it right now." After saying this, the subordinate left.

Leng Le was left alone in the room, with brows furrowed deep in thought, "If I were them, after kidnapping the twelfth student, I’d have Gu Fan, who possesses the map and the key, in my sights. But they must satisfy one condition beforehand, they have to find out that Gu Fan has the key and the map somehow. I had surveillance installed in Gu Fan’s home, but what about them?"

Just then, Hai called to report his side of the progress, an unexpected gain, they have caught a few townies who could possibly provide valuable information.

Leng Le immediately took an interest and quickly asked Hai what he found out.

The townies weren’t core members and only acted upon orders. They were commanded to assemble in New Night City, where supposedly many of them had already gathered and big moves were imminent, meaning Hai’s target would be shifted to New Night City soon.

Leng Le knew that the former Great Night Country was now New Night City, and their grouping there indicated they are preparing for something. She is concerned about not knowing how powerful they might be, and how well Hai could deal with a possible encounter.

Hai assured her not to worry, as any direct conflict would attract wide social attention. None of them were foolish enough to let that happen, with the most they’d do being a covert competition.

Despite Hai’s reassurance, Leng Le remained worried unless the boss himself were present. Hence, she asked about the boss’s whereabouts and what he was doing.

However, Hai couldn’t elaborate much either as the boss had mentioned he had something to attend to some time ago and since then has been untraceable. It was suspected that he might’ve gone to the Qian Ye Ancient Country on his own.

Hai also mentioned that the old town suddenly suspended its admission to visitors due to maintenance, presumably planning to send people to the river to find the key Gu Fan threw away. It seemed they were still in the dark about Gu Fan deceiving them.

"Oh, is that so? I guess I have overestimated them." At this, Sister Leng chuckled enigmatically. She felt a sudden sense of pride, as she was the only one who could monitor Gu Fan’s every move accurately.