Chapter 21

Chapter 21

"Excuse me, could you heat this sandwich for me?"

"Coming right up!"

Inside the 24-hour convenience store, a young man was organizing goods on the shelves. He was exceptionally handsome, his fair, delicate skin accentuated by the blue-and-white employee uniform. Hearing the customer's voice, he quickly stood up and walked to the register.

The customer was a young girl whose cheeks flushed pink the moment she saw him. She glanced at him briefly before quickly lowering her gaze.

She came to this convenience store almost every day, just for a chance to talk to him.

The young man had appeared out of nowhere last month. Back then, she had accidentally left her bag in the store, and it was he who had proactively contacted her to return it. Since then, she had gotten to know him.

Over time, she also learned his name—Lin Xingshu. It perfectly suited his refined demeanor. He was incredibly good-looking, with a gentle and likable personality, the kind of warm senior figure everyone adored.

At first, she thought he was a college student working part-time at the store. But after some inquiries, she was surprised to learn that he was already almost 30—you'd never guess!

"All set."

Lin Xingshu handed the heated sandwich to the girl and smiled. Her face turned even redder as she carefully took it, looking down shyly.

"Um... since it's getting late now and there aren't many customers, how about I buy you a coffee?"

Lin Xingshu shook his head with a smile. "I can't step away before my shift ends. There are cameras watching, you know."

"Oh... alright then."

The girl's disappointment was palpable at his refusal. She had been rejected so many times already.

*Sigh. Unrequited love.*

She sighed inwardly and sat down in the store, glumly eating her sandwich.

Late at night, only the two of them remained in the store. Since Lin Xingshu couldn't use his phone, he turned on the TV, which only showed local news.

He sat at the register, resting his chin in his hand, watching the broadcast with his eyes growing heavy, on the verge of falling asleep.

"In other news: The Xie Corporation's 50th-anniversary celebration was held today, hosted by the current head of the company, Xie Guan, the Xie family's sole heir. According to insiders, since Xie Guan took over..."

*Xie Guan?*

Hearing the familiar name, Lin Xingshu was suddenly wide awake. He instinctively looked up at the TV screen.

On the screen, a man in a sharp suit stood expressionlessly on stage, looking every bit the successful executive. Countless camera flashes illuminated his face, making his refined features even more striking—though his eyes remained cold.

Those eyes, that face—he recognized them immediately. It was the monster, that thing wearing human skin.

In just a month, the monster had replaced the real Xie Guan and seized control of the company.

Look at him, looking so pleased with himself, a stark contrast to the mess Lin Xingshu was in now. He must have been doing just fine this past month!

For some reason, Lin Xingshu clenched his fists unconsciously, a complicated mix of emotions spreading through his chest—bitter, aching, and even a little angry.

"Wow... so young and successful. I heard many successful entrepreneurs in City A want to marry their daughters to Xie Guan..."

The girl sighed as she watched the news.

"But it makes sense. Successful, handsome—of course, he'd have women throwing themselves at him... Huh? Why did the TV turn off?"

"Probably on the fritz."

Lin Xingshu casually slipped the remote under the counter. The girl wanted to say more, but seeing his slightly cold expression and furrowed brows, she kept it to herself.

"I'll head out then..."

"Sure, come again."

Lin Xingshu flashed a polite smile, though it never reached his eyes. As the girl left, the store fell silent again.

He stared at the blank TV screen, unable to stop thinking about what the girl had said.

*Why am I even angry? She's just telling it like it is. Someone like him would naturally have plenty of admirers.*

The image of Xie Guan's face surfaced in his mind, and Lin Xingshu clenched his fists again, anger rising anew.

*All his pretty words about love—nothing but lies! It's only been a month since we parted, and look how well he's doing. Does he look even slightly upset?*

Meanwhile, Lin Xingshu had bent over backwards to avoid being found, even taking up a job completely unrelated to his previous profession. Now, it all felt pretty pathetic.

"Whoa, it's really coming down out there..."

A coworker in a raincoat pushed the door open, shaking off rainwater from his hair. Summer rains were always sudden.

"Xiao Lin, why don't you just bunk upstairs tonight? The rain's too heavy—barely anyone's out!"

Lin Xingshu glanced outside. Indeed, the downpour was relentless. After a moment's hesitation, he sighed. "Nah, the store's too noisy. I won't get proper rest. My place isn't far—I'll just run back."

After a quick handover, Lin Xingshu changed clothes, borrowed an umbrella, and dashed into the rain.

The heavy raindrops stung his face, blurring his vision.

He didn't notice the tall figure standing across the street, holding an umbrella low to shield his face.

Rain soaked through the man's shirt, clinging to his toned frame and outlining his narrow waist.

Beneath the umbrella, dark eyes peered through the gap, fixed intently on Lin Xingshu. Slowly, the man began to follow, keeping a steady distance.

Lin Xingshu remained oblivious, running the whole way to his rented apartment and fumbling for his keys.

His place in City B was an old two-bedroom house with a courtyard, tucked away in a quiet alley. Though shabby, it was conveniently close to work.

Drenched, his clothes clung to his pale skin. The rain grew heavier as he struggled to fish out his keys.

"Where are they...?"

He muttered under his breath, shivering as a cold gust swept by. Finally, he found the keys buried deep in his pocket.

*Tap. Tap. Tap.*

Just as he was about to unlock the door, faint footsteps echoed in his ears. His hand froze.

*Was that... the monster's footsteps?*

His heartbeat quickened. He stood rigid, listening carefully—but the sound wasn't footsteps. Just rain hitting the rooftop.

Relieved, Lin Xingshu shook his head and inserted the key, mocking himself inwardly.

*That guy's living his best life now. Why would he come looking for me? Besides, he doesn't even know I'm in City B. No way it's him.*

"CRACK—"

Thunder exploded overhead, lightning split the night sky. Just as Lin Xingshu turned the key in the lock, the world flashed white as day. A ghostly light washed over the door for a mere instant before darkness reclaimed everything.

Lin Xingshu stood frozen, staring blankly at the iron door, his body locked up.

Was it his imagination?

In that split second when the lightning flashed, the reflection on the door seemed to reveal a figure standing behind him—a silhouette uncannily like that monster.

His hand trembled around the key, his throat tightened. Just as he was about to turn the lock, the rain over him suddenly ceased. He glanced up to find a large umbrella now shielding him from the downpour, its edge slightly tilted.

A cold presence loomed behind him, sending an involuntary shiver down his spine. Then, a familiar, deep voice whispered beside his ear:

"Ah Shu, long time no see."

"Boom—"

Another thunderclap roared. Lin Xingshu's face had already drained of color, terror swamped him. Too terrified to turn around, he swiftly twisted the key, flung the door open, and slammed it shut behind him with lightning speed.

His heart hammered in his ears. Pressed against the door, his mind blanked; his breath came in gasps. Shaking, he bit his knuckles. The pain jolted him back to reality, and he looked down to find his knuckles bleeding.

Him... the monster. He had come.

Without a second thought, Lin Xingshu hastily locked the iron door. Memories and the nightmares that haunted him surged back. He stumbled inside, but before he could shut the inner door, a series of knocks echoed from outside.

"Ah Shu, won't you let me in?"

"I'm so cold."

The knocking persisted, each knock punched through him. Lin Xingshu stumbled backward, his eyes wide with terror.

Another thunderclap boomed, and the knocking abruptly ceased. For a moment, Lin Xingshu thought the monster had left—until lightning flared again. His eyes widened in shock at the sight before him.

Atop the courtyard wall, a towering figure had somehow climbed over. Inch by inch, he descended into the yard. The pale glow of lightning revealed his face—not Xie Guan's, but his true visage: featureless, devoid of eyes or nose, his mouth stretched into a grotesque grin, rows of jagged teeth lining the black maw. A forked red tongue darted out, snake-like, his expression twisted with menace.

The man landed smoothly in the courtyard, his grin stretched wider, almost playful. He even tilted his head playfully.

"Ahhh—!"

Lin Xingshu screamed, scrambling to shut the inner door. A dark chuckle vibrated from the man's chest as he lunged forward, slamming the door open with brute force.

Lin Xingshu nearly fell, but an icy, familiar grip caught him around the waist. The man held him close, fingers tracing slow, teasing circles against his side. Stunned, Lin Xingshu looked up just as that crimson tongue dragged wetly across his cheek, the slick scrape made his flesh prickle.

Cold, ragged breath fanned over his ear as the slick touch trailed down to his earlobe. The deep voice murmured:

"Ah Shu, I've missed you so much. You still smell delicious... I really..."

"Want to swallow you whole."