Apartment Building No. 5 (5)
6:30 PM.
The noise outside the door had gradually died down since 4 PM.
It wasn’t until dinner time that Jiang Ai stepped out of the bedroom with Xiao Qing and Luo Chen.
Xiao Qing followed Jiang Wan nervously, her eyes catching the glaring scratch marks on the door, and she instinctively swallowed hard.
Gu Chang stood by the doorway, scanning the fresh scratches—some deep, some shallow, as if claw marks left by a wild beast.
His gaze shifted, and Luo Chen glanced toward the corrupted woman standing by the dining table.
The middle-aged woman’s expression was vacant as she lowered her head, arranging the cutlery.
Xiao Qing couldn’t help but ask, “Jiang Ai… aren’t you scared?”
Jiang Ai reacted for a moment before realizing Xiao Qing was referring to “Mom.”
“Mom” behaved rather uncivilized during her free time.
Jiang Wan felt no fear; in fact, she didn’t even know what fear felt like.
Jiang Wan subtly looked toward Luo Chen; this man showed no signs of “fear.”
Not everyone should be “afraid” when faced with this kind of situation.
Jiang Wan explained, “My mom is usually quite normal.”
Xiao Qing: “Hm? Really?”
She pondered silently: “Does amnesia affect cognition…?”
The insect nest was rife with contamination.
Many who entered lost their human cognition before they could even resist.
…Jiang Wan’s ability to distinguish normal from abnormal cognition was probably flawed.
The three of them reached the dining table. In front of Xiao Qing and Luo Chen was a sticky, blackish substance of unknown liquid.
Looking at Jiang Chen, there was a plate of instant canned food.
At least it was something edible. Xiao Qing hesitated to speak.
Could it be that her mother was actually… quite good to her?
“Miss Jiang, have you eaten this before?” Luo Chen’s slender fingers poked at the mushy porridge.
Jiang Shu sat down and picked at the dishes on her plate. “No, I don’t like mushy food.”
“Our family always respects each other.
My mom respects my preferences, and I respect hers.”
The corrupted woman remained silent.
Xiao Qing couldn’t help but comment bitterly, “Haha… then your family is very harmonious.”
Jiang Ai’s orderly ability was basically confirmed.
Luo Chen could hardly sense any emotional fluctuations from the gaunt woman before him, like a still pool of water.
Her mental value would not be low.
High mental value combined with an orderly ability left the corrupted woman helpless.
Add amnesia, and this was probably why Jiang Ai could temporarily adapt to her current life.
Luo Chen and Xiao Qing still didn’t touch the food in front of them.
The noon test proved that not eating wouldn’t cross the line.
“Mom” looked extremely annoyed; her deadfish eyes stared fixedly at them.
Xiao Qing was so chilled by the gaze that she lowered her head, avoiding eye contact as much as possible.
She observed Jiang Chen sitting diagonally across.
Jiang Ai’s bamboo-jointed fingers held chopsticks steadily, picking at the scant instant food before her.
A few bites and the food was finished.
Seeing her tired face and sunken cheeks gave Xiao Qing a sudden urge to pull her away from this misery.
Xiao Qing’s mind began to drift, and her fear dulled a little.
The quiet dining table echoed with the sound of clinking cutlery.
Jiang Ai suddenly spoke: “Mom, what did you do today?”
Xiao Qing froze.
Luo Chen calmly looked toward the corrupted woman.
The corrupted woman opened her mouth and, with a dry voice, said, “Early morning…”
She mechanically recounted the day’s events.
Xiao Qing listened, confused and foggy.
Jiang Ai chewed on a salty leaf from her mouth. “Good, hard work.”
The table fell silent again.
Luo Chen waited a moment, sensing Jiang Ai had no intention to continue speaking.
He guessed Jiang Ai was following the third family rule during dinner:
【3. At dinner, all family members must sit together and share their daily experiences. Absolutely no mention of the word “insect,” as it is disgusting, lowly, and detested by descendants.】
This rule showed obvious signs of contamination.
Only monsters despised as “insects” would explicitly label “insects” as disgusting, lowly, and repulsive.
The first half of the rule, though not obviously contaminated, was very tricky—language was one way contamination spread.
After the corrupted woman finished describing her day, Jiang Ai didn’t take the initiative to share hers.
The rule did not clearly state that everyone must recount their “daily experiences.”
Luo Chen pondered.
Jiang Ai was highly obedient to the rules. Even without knowing their purpose, she adapted well and even used them.
…Was this the talent of those with orderly abilities?
Dinner made Xiao Qing feel like she was sitting on pins and needles; every second with the corrupted woman was torture.
Just as Xiao Qing thought she could get through dinner smoothly, a sticky, throat-pressed voice quietly echoed: “Good child… let’s watch a movie together…”
Xiao Qing’s limbs stiffened suddenly.
The corrupted woman’s gaze was like a nail, piercing straight into her.
The corrupted woman was looking at her!
This woman… wasn’t talking to her, was she?
She, she was a “good child”…?
“Get down,”
Jiang Ai smoothly lifted her chin and checked the time.
19:01.
Family Rule No. 9 states that one may only leave the house between 11:00–15:30 and 19:00–23:30 daily.
Jiang Ai had arranged with Luo Chen to take them to see the property notice.
With a “click,” the corrupted woman’s head exaggeratedly turned toward Jiang Ai. “You, refuse me?”
She quickly approached Jiang Ai, a smile gradually widening on her face, lips cracked down to her neck, as if an axe had crudely split her mouth—
“Good child. Will not. Refuse. Mom—”
Xiao Qing’s heart pounded wildly, almost screaming out loud.
Family Rule No. 8 reads: 【For family unity, family members must not refuse when asked to watch a movie together.】
Like pressing some ominous switch, the living room lights flickered.
A foul aura began to spread.
The clothing behind the corrupted woman suspiciously bulged and writhed, as if something alive was struggling inside.
Luo Chen’s clear brows furrowed slightly as he stepped forward, his dark blue eyes rippling with energy—
“Refuse.”
Ignoring the strange atmosphere, his voice carried doubt: “I only said, maybe next time.”
“Mom, don’t be unreasonable.”
Corrupted woman: “…”
Luo Chen hesitated briefly; the patterns in his eyes scattered like swimming fish.
Xiao Qing thought: …Is he calling the corrupted woman unreasonable?!
Jiang Ai expressionlessly comforted, “I’m going out now. When I come back, I’ll watch the movie with you.”
“What part of that was refusal? How can you just guess my intentions?”
“Your words disappoint me.”
Mom: “…”
The living room light flickered once, then stabilized, the bright incandescent bulbs illuminating the room.
“Mom” stared at Jiang Ai’s departing back with a look of utter despair, then silently turned to wash the dishes.
After stepping outside the door of unit 524, Xiao Qing still felt uneasy. “Are you okay?”
She had thought the corrupted woman would get angry.
But instead, she had let it go so lightly?!
“I’m fine. My mom is reasonable.”
Reasonable?!
She just wants to eat you!
Xiao Qing’s pupils trembled.
“The last part of the family rules states—these rules are based on mutual respect.”
Luo Chen’s voice echoed in the hallway: “Miss Jiang knows how to use the rules well.”
Jiang Ai glanced back, quietly warning him.
At this moment, Xiao Qing recalled that the last part of the family rules seemed to say: 【These provisions are based on mutual respect to protect family members’ mental health and build a safe, friendly home environment.】
Written at the very end, easy to overlook.
Jiang Ai always negotiated with “Mom” calmly and respectfully.
Though her behavior seemed bold, it was always within the boundaries of the rules.
Xiao Qing straightened up, silently deepening her understanding of the rules’ importance.
At the same time, she felt a chill at Jiang Ai’s sensitivity to order.
Without fully understanding her own ability, she could create or modify rules using her orderly power…
Once outside, these people would—
The corridor lights shone brightly.
Footsteps echoed intermittently.
Apart from this, no other sounds broke the eerie silence.
After a few steps, Jiang Ai stopped and pointed to the wall.
【“Property Service Center Owner Notice”】
【Dear Owners:
We are pleased that you have chosen to reside in Apartment Building No. 5. To create a safe, comfortable, and clean living environment, the Property Service Center reminds all owners:
- The Property Management Center is located on the seventh floor and is trustworthy. Should you need assistance, please ask property staff or call the 24-hour hotline.
- Daily corridor disinfection and sterilization occur as follows:
- 11:00–15:30 and 19:00–23:30 on floors 2, 4, and 6 corridors.
- 6:30–11:00 and 15:30–19:00 on floors 3 and 5 corridors.
The disinfectants are harmful to the body; please avoid traveling during these times. We will not be responsible for any harm caused.
- Keep the area outside your door clean. If you find suspicious liquids, please clean them promptly.
- Please seal garbage bags before disposing of them in designated bins downstairs. Do not leave garbage in stairwells to avoid scattering and attracting insects.
- Avoid loud noises and using noisy electrical appliances from 24:00–6:30 to prevent disturbing neighbors’ rest.
- Pets must be leashed inside the building. Managing your pet is your responsibility.
- If lighting fixtures are damaged, report immediately to property staff. Do not go out under damaged lighting.
- Safety corridor lights are broken. For your safety, please use the elevator when moving between floors.
- Darkness is safety. You may trust the darkness.
- There is only one elevator in this building. If you see a second elevator, do not use it. Inform property staff or return home and wait ten minutes until only one elevator is visible.
- Remember you are human with two eyes and one nose. If you encounter neighbors or property staff with obviously non-human features, return home immediately and report the situation to the Property Service Center.
- Only property staff and your family may enter your home. No others are permitted. We will not be responsible for your safety if this rule is violated.
- This building has only six floors. Please note residents may only be active on floors six and below.
- Recently, environmental contamination has been severe. The white mist outside the building is known as the White Mist. When you must go out, please collect a flashlight from the Property Service Center. Only our flashlights can help you find your way.
Please strictly observe the above rules. Cherish life and help build a harmonious and pleasant living environment.
Property Service Center 24-hour Hotline: 1356896.
Apartment Building No. 5 Property Service Center
June 7, 2037】