Hmm, he felt that he still had a significant advantage, a very optimistic thought.
A minute later.
"Zzz...%￥#@&...zzz...$#%&@..."
On his way back, retracing his steps through the dimly lit alley, Gu Mo once again heard that piercing auditory hallucination tormenting him.
It felt as if a current was running through his brain nerves, making him frown and feel extremely uncomfortable. This feeling was much worse than the experience of nails scratching a chalkboard.
"What the hell..."
Muttering under his breath, he walked out of the alley, back under the soft lights of the snack street in front of the neighborhood, and immediately felt the piercing and discomfort in his mind recede like a retreating tide.
Is there something wrong with this alley? He turned back to look at the dark, dim alley behind him, appearing a bit puzzled. After all, it was like this when he went in, and it was still like this when he came out. Such a coincidence couldn't help but make him feel strange.
Tilting his head, scratching his cheek, he turned around and left.
The snack street here was still bustling, and based on his experience, this situation would persist until one or two in the morning. Only then would people gradually disperse, and all the snack stalls and shops would gradually close, which was a pattern Gu Mo had gradually summed up over the past week.
Patting his eight-tenths-full belly, he walked directly to the nearest snack stall.
About five minutes later.
Looking at the barbecue he had taken a bite of, Gu Mo wore a solemn expression, his brows tightly knitted. He knew it would be like this; it's easy to go from frugality to luxury, but difficult from luxury to frugality. For the taste buds that had just experienced such a vivid culinary impact, the stimulation threshold rose to a somewhat exaggerated level in a short period.
—So much so that now ordinary food tasted like wax to him.
...
...
Unconsciously, the time came to around seven in the morning.
Only then did Gu Mo return to the neighborhood, having neither hurried to the hospital to register overnight nor wanting to waste the remaining activity time of the day.
"Xiao Gu, why are you out so early?"
"Good morning, Director Zhang."
Looking at the middle-aged woman in the duty room beside him, the slightly fatigued Gu Mo waved in greeting and then proactively explained, "I didn't go out early in the morning; I went out at midnight last night and only just came back... Hmm, I found a job and need to start working night shifts these days."
He had to play the role of a normal person well, so considering his current situation, he thought it necessary to explain first. This way, his future nocturnal comings and goings wouldn't be so conspicuous or suspicious—going out at night for a night shift, coming home during the day to sleep, and staying in; it made perfect sense!
"I see..." Director Zhang nodded, seemingly not surprised, but with a slightly hesitant expression, "Did you talk to Old Ding when you went out last night?"
Gu Mo's heart skipped a beat: "Yes, why?"
Could it be? Was it possible that he hadn't said anything yesterday evening, just acted a little strange, and Old Ding went around talking, claiming something was off with him?
As expected, he knew that loudmouth old man wasn't well-meaning!
"It's nothing, just... when you were talking, you didn't say anything strange, did you?" Director Zhang stopped short, thoughtfully saying this.
Last night, Mr. Ding on night duty got scared by something spooky, though it was nothing serious, it still frightened him quite badly. When asked what exactly happened, he couldn't explain, just kept saying there was a ghost in the duty room... he described it so convincingly that even Director Zhang felt a bit creeped out.
She came early this morning to check the surveillance footage and found that around midnight, only Xiao Gu left the neighborhood, and at that time, he talked with Old Ding for a while. At that time, Old Ding didn't seem to have any issues, and after that, Old Ding just sat in his chair, staring at his phone—
He seemed normal, except he didn't dare to move for more than an hour afterward.
Of course, just reviewing the footage didn't reveal anything, and Director Zhang couldn't really promote superstition, so she subtly asked Gu Mo, hoping to find out if he perhaps said something that could have shaken Old Ding.
Did I say something strange? So it is this! Old Ding must be spreading rumors about me!
Gu Mo was highly alert in his heart, more convinced of his suspicion, and he frowned, putting on a puzzled expression, "No, I didn't say anything, just greeted him..."
He would never admit it!
And from now on, no matter what bizarre hallucinations might occur, he must continue to play the role of a normal person perfectly!