It’s Him – Ch43

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The teacher’s dormitory was not located inside Pingcheng High School, but in a residential area next to it, a building where all the residents were teachers from the school.

Pingcheng High School was a key high school, and the teachers had good benefits. Many of them lived in the teacher’s dormitory with their families, including both the elderly and young children.

Usually, when they ran into each other, they would greet each other. Zhao Xin lived in the room at the very back on the fourth floor, a two-bedroom, one-living-room apartment.

Next door to him was Teacher Mei, who taught chemistry in the second year of high school. She had a one-year-old child, and the child’s father worked as a sailor, away for nine months out of the year. Since the child’s grandparents had not yet retired, the grandparents from her side of the family, who were already retired, helped take care of the child.

The older generation was warm-hearted, and Zhao Xin, being an older teacher at the school, felt that the elderly couple wanted to build a good relationship with him so that he could help look after their daughter at the school.

When they made a big meal at home, the elderly couple would always bring a portion to Zhao Xin. In the spring, relatives from their hometown sent spring bamboo shoots and wild vegetables, and they would clean and prepare them and deliver some to him. The neighbors had a great relationship.

Teacher Mei had said several times, “We’re not in the same grade, we’re just colleagues, we rarely see each other, there’s no need to build a good relationship.”

Her mother would say, “You’re too young to understand. Relationships have to be built over time. You need to accumulate goodwill, otherwise when something happens and you need help, you’ll be left in the dark.”

Teacher Mei would respond, “What kind of help would we need in this day and age? It’s not like in your time.”

“You younger people just don’t get it. When your father and I were young, we both worked full-time jobs. If we were busy, we relied on colleagues from work to help. Don’t you remember?”

In their time, colleagues living in the same building were like family.

Teacher Mei couldn’t convince them, but it didn’t matter because the elderly couple was sensible. They didn’t treat her any differently due to their warmth, and they didn’t shower her with extra attention.

What kind of special treatment could two colleagues expect? Being too close would only cause trouble.

But the elderly couple knew their limits, and at school, they acted as if they were strangers.

Teacher Mei had a good impression of him, and her parents often said Zhao Xin knew how to live well—he kept plants and flowers at home, and his son was well-behaved. Whenever their child cried out, Zhao Xin never said anything.

Sometimes, when they met outside, Zhao Xin would even help hold the child.

The older generation thought it was a good thing when others liked their children, and they felt happy about it.

Until one day, they saw the news.

Their neighbor—Zhao Xin—was possibly the serial killer from back then, the one who specialized in killing children.

Their hearts went through a roller coaster of emotions—no way, it couldn’t be, Zhao Xin didn’t seem like that, he looked so honest!

But what if it was true?

The serial killer case had been a nightmare for all parents at the time. Although there hadn’t been any more killings, whenever a child went missing, people’s first instinct was to suspect the serial killer.

The elderly couple had taken care of Teacher Mei back when she was in elementary school. They had stopped picking her up after third grade, but when they saw the news, they started picking her up every day.

A group chat was formed among colleagues, and if anyone was too busy, someone else would help pick up the children. Sometimes, when someone couldn’t go, another colleague would go instead. If they couldn’t reach them, it was terrifying.

It was a time when the city’s family planning policy was strictly enforced, and every family had only one child. It was also an era when human traffickers were rampant, but this serial killer overshadowed everything.

Not only did he kill children, but he also sent things to their families.

One can imagine the fear this serial killer instilled in people.

And now, he was possibly their neighbor, the one who had held their child!

The elderly couple felt like a nightmare was repeating itself, and they immediately checked on their child.

When Teacher Mei returned, the elderly couple discussed moving out of the teacher’s dormitory.

“Now, it’s hard to rent a house near the school. All the vacant houses have already been rented by parents who are bringing their children. It’s too far, it would be inconvenient for me to go to work.”

“Even if it’s far, safety is the most important thing.”

At this point, the situation was still in its early stages, just a post online about a past life and reincarnation, but Teacher Mei believed in science and didn’t actually think Zhao Xin was the killer.

But this was a good opportunity.

Teacher Mei said, “I always tell you to keep a distance from strangers, but you didn’t listen. Now you’re in a hurry, right? From now on, never let anyone else hold your child. You never know what kind of person they are.”

The next day, Zhao Xin disappeared. When he did, Teacher Mei’s mother let out a sigh of relief, saying, “Although it’s not moral, we’re safe now.”

Teacher Mei couldn’t help but laugh and cry.

After some time, Zhao Xin made the news again. He had been imprisoned by the family of one of his victims.

Teacher Mei’s mother said, “Zhao Xin is definitely the killer. Didn’t the news say she was the only one who had seen the killer? A mother would never mistake the person who killed her own child.”

Teacher Mei still felt there was no concrete evidence.

Soon, a document began circulating among the teachers at school, showing how Zhao Xin had manipulated their emotions over the years, provoking conflicts between teachers and students.

The more Teacher Mei read, the more frightening it became, and she started to think Zhao Xin might really have psychological issues.

Her mother brought it up again: “We must move out.”

Teacher Mei hesitated.

Her father said, “It’s not like before. There are cameras everywhere now, and since everyone believes he’s the killer, he wouldn’t dare do anything.”

Her mother immediately retorted, “You don’t understand. It’s dangerous because everyone believes he’s the killer. Just think about it—if he goes out, people will either watch him or curse him. His temper will definitely flare. Where will he vent that anger? If our daughter starts crying, he’ll think, ‘Well, everyone already thinks I’m a killer, why not finish the job?'”

Teacher Mei quickly interrupted, “Alright, alright, Mom, you’re scaring me. What should we do?”

“Move out. Even if it’s far, it doesn’t matter. Let your dad drive you in the morning.”

“I’ll check the listings.”

Teacher Mei had originally thought Zhao Xin wouldn’t dare to act, but her mother made a good point. When she had self-study class, she couldn’t stop thinking about it.

Zhao Xin was under a lot of pressure, and if something really happened, when she got home, her mother, her child, and her father…

No, no! This won’t do, I need to find a way to move out.

She started searching for housing listings as soon as class was over. She wasn’t wrong; there were no available rentals outside the school. With the news of a teacher from Pingcheng High School being a potential serial killer, some parents were surely uneasy and would come to take care of their children.

A teacher came over: “Teacher Mei, you live next to Zhao Xin, right?”

“What’s up?”

Her heart almost leaped out of her chest. Did something happen? She even started imagining her colleagues might have seen news about Zhao Xin killing the entire family next door…

“We’re organizing to ask the school to relocate Zhao Xin.”

“Ah?”

Another young teacher said, “Isn’t that a bit much? The police have already investigated the school and didn’t they not arrest Zhao Xin?”

Others agreed, “Don’t get swayed by those news stories online. The internet is full of fake information, just trying to stir emotions and get clicks. The scarier they make it sound, the more views they get. Zhao Xin might not be the killer.”

Everyone knew there was a possibility he was being wrongly accused.

But being in the situation was a different matter altogether.

“You live alone, and you’re at school during the day, so you’re not afraid. But if you had a child, you’d think differently,” one of the teachers who had suggested the move immediately countered.

Everyone knew there was a chance Zhao Xin was wrongfully accused, but as the news spread, it became more dangerous. If he wasn’t the killer and was wrongly accused, he would have psychological problems. If he had any conflict with someone in the neighborhood, he might just snap and confirm his own identity as a killer.

If he was the killer, and everyone knew, he might stop pretending and kill more people to make up for his losses…

The two teachers, seeing how agitated she was, raised their hands in surrender: “We were just suggesting.”

Teacher Mei no longer hesitated and joined their group.

She lived right next to Zhao Xin, and her family had a child.

If anything happened… she didn’t even dare to think about it.

The teacher who had made the suggestion said, “We’re not trying to kick him out. We’ll talk to the school. We can take care of his rent.”

Teacher Mei was a bit surprised and asked, “Do the other teachers agree?”

“Everyone agrees. For those of us who are willing, each person will contribute 500 yuan, which is enough for Teacher Zhao to rent a house outside for a year. It’s like we are paying a 500 yuan protection fee each year.”

Just 500 yuan?

Teacher Mei was shocked. “So many people?”

“There are also others in the community who share the same idea.” This neighborhood wasn’t just home to teachers from Pingcheng High School.

Teacher Mei’s situation was the same as that of others in the neighborhood. No one wanted to suddenly think about the elderly and children at home when at work, living in the same space as a deranged killer, and then gamble on whether that person might suddenly lose control.

They didn’t dare offend the person too much either. They weren’t online people; Teacher Zhao couldn’t kill over the internet, but could easily do so by finding the door number.

So, their solution was to have the school negotiate on their behalf without them getting involved directly.

——————————————

Zhao Xin went out to buy groceries in the morning. There were quite a few glances along the way, but he had gotten used to it. The vendors still talked to him as they did before.

“Teacher Zhao, buying groceries?”

“Yeah, just here to buy some vegetables.”

“How’s the injury? Better?”

“Thanks for asking. Much better.”

But the fear in their eyes, and the thought of letting their own children inside, all betrayed their fear.

Zhao Xin didn’t say much. There was no point in saying anything now.

He returned to the elevator. Soon, the elevator came up from the basement, and three people were inside.

It was the elderly woman from next door, holding her great-grandchild. The little girl didn’t want to be held and insisted on walking by herself.

When the old woman saw him outside the elevator, she jumped in fright, then quickly walked out while still holding the child.

Zhao Xin said, “This is the first floor.”

The old woman said, “I… I just came to the first floor.”

Zhao Xin walked in, and the button for the third floor was lit. The normally slow-moving woman was now running with the child in her arms.

As the elevator doors closed again, Zhao Xin saw his own savage expression in the reflection.

When he got home, he received a message from the school.

It was a long message.

He flipped to the end and understood the intent of the other party.

The school was short on teacher dormitories, but they were willing to offer him some money to rent a house outside.

Rent a house?

Given his current situation, where could he rent a house? Where could he live?

His face darkened. The door opened, and his son came in.

“Dad, what’s for breakfast?”

“My mom just called. She said she’s going to Hangzhou to study traditional Chinese medicine, and won’t be back for a while.”

“That’s just an excuse. She’s still the same, running off at the first sign of trouble.”

“I’ve never seen a mom like that…”

Zhao Jing kept talking, her resentful tone filled the entire room, making it suffocating, and unreasonably irritating.

Zhao Xin’s gaze stayed on the kitchen knife in the other corner.

It was in this situation that Teacher Zhao received a message from Tao Feng.

The person on the other end spoke as if they knew everything, saying those words.

The malicious intent that Zhao Xin had nowhere to vent was wrapped up in the most ordinary language and sent to the other person via his phone.

“Let’s meet.”

“Pingcheng People’s Hospital, 10 AM, at the reception in the lobby.”

He arranged to meet at the hospital because he had to go for a stitch removal and check-up the next day.

The next day, after removing his stitches and having his check-up, he returned to the lobby.

The hospital was crowded. Maybe because everyone had more important matters to attend to, no one paid attention to him.

Soon, a young man approached him.

The other party was wearing a baseball cap, a mask, and was fully equipped.

“I’m the one who sent you the text.” The other person walked up and whispered.

“Don’t you want to introduce yourself?”

Tao Feng hesitated but, in order to show sincerity, said his name: “Tao Feng.”

“If that’s a fake name, I’ll leave immediately.”

“It’s my real name.” Tao Feng was relieved that he hadn’t lied.

“Let’s talk in my car.” Zhao Xin said.

Tao Feng didn’t dare go. He said, “Let’s talk here. No one will hear us.”

The hospital lobby was busy and noisy, so it was difficult to eavesdrop on their conversation.

Zhao Xin didn’t refuse. He simply took something out of his bag, about the size of a palm. Tao Feng didn’t know what it was, but when Zhao Xin opened it, it made a sound.

“Turn off any recording devices on you.”

Tao Feng felt embarrassed and turned off the recording on another phone he had hidden.

“Is this your sincerity?”

Tao Feng said, “It’s my problem. I admit it, I’m sorry, but I just wanted extra security. I won’t upload it online.”

Zhao Xin wasn’t satisfied with his words and turned to leave.

Tao Feng, well-prepared, quickly chased after him, speaking in a low voice, “You’re here because you were moved by what I said. Your situation is bad right now, and so is mine. If you just give me the address, I’ll help clear things up, and you can get out of this situation.”

Zhao Xin stopped and said, “Clear things up? How? You’re also someone who’s been reincarnated, right? Did you also dream about the murderer? What would they look like? Can you draw it?”

Tao Feng immediately said, “If I can’t clear things up, I’ll give you a large sum of money. You can go abroad to live, and you’ll also get the best care for your injuries.”

Zhao Xin felt that this person thought everyone was a fool. “You mean you’ll risk being found out that you have financial dealings with me just to help me live abroad?”

“Why should I believe that you’re willing to take such a risk? You could completely ignore me later, or even say that you dreamed I was the murderer.”

Tao Feng then realized that he had to show enough sincerity to make the other person believe him and cooperate.

He was too anxious. At this point, he even thought about revealing the issue at his home, which could be a huge leverage. If he told the other person, they might believe him, but there was also the risk of the information being leaked.

No, he couldn’t say that.

Zhao Xin appreciated his dilemma. He didn’t know what kind of trouble Tao Feng was in, but Zhao Xin guessed that this young man was likely just dealing with some typical young people’s problems. It wasn’t anything too big.

Using this method to get out of trouble?

Zhao Xin was more than willing to lend him a hand.

“If you want to cooperate with me, you need to show me full sincerity so that I can trust you won’t betray me in the future.”

Tao Feng started to hesitate. He was sure that he wouldn’t betray Zhao Xin, but he didn’t want to reveal the situation at home.

Zhao Xin didn’t want that kind of leverage.

“Then tell me, what should I do?” Tao Feng simply gave the initiative to Zhao Xin.

Zhao Xin had been waiting for this.

He said, “As long as you help me kill one person. All the problems will be solved.”

He didn’t lower his voice when he said this; there were still people around.

Tao Feng widened his eyes, unable to believe it. He didn’t think of himself as a bad person, let alone a murderer.

“Don’t joke around.” Tao Feng quickly looked around, afraid someone might overhear. Fortunately, everyone was busy with their own things, and the noise in the lobby drowned them out. No one noticed their conversation.

“I’m helping you. I’ll tell you the address, and you’ll know my secret. You don’t have anything to exchange with me, so if you want my help, what I can think of is this – go kill someone. Give me the evidence, and we’ll each have leverage on each other. Then we can both be safe.”

Tao Feng stood stunned for a few seconds. Was this person serious?

Kill… kill someone?

He quickly realized and stammered, “No… no way, if you don’t know the location, I’d be at a huge disadvantage.”

Everything was based on Zhao Xin being the murderer of the serial killings, but what if he wasn’t?

“If you want to cooperate with me, you need to trust that I know,” Zhao Xin repeated. “Then you go kill one person. I’ll give you the address.”

Tao Feng didn’t want to cooperate anymore. He didn’t dare take the risk and decided to think of other ways.

He turned to leave, but Zhao Xin called out to him.

“Really not going to reconsider? If you know the address, you can choose who you want to be reincarnated as. After all, all the victims are in one place.”

He emphasized the last part.

Tao Feng widened his eyes.

It clicked! It clicked! The murderer definitely knows how many people they’ve killed! They also know where the bodies are buried!

This person is definitely the murderer!

Tao Feng looked at the other person again, and among the crowd, this man still smiled and talked to him, as if they were just discussing normal things in the hospital.

He had observed this person for a long time. In real life, he seemed like an ordinary person, and this appearance made him forget the danger.

A deep fear, originating from his soul, shot up from his feet to the top of his head, making his scalp tingle.

At this moment, he clearly realized that under this person’s human skin was a murderer who had killed seven… no, six people.