Number 35's voice was calm and indifferent as usual, but his eyes flickered; he wasn't in a very good mood.
In order not to disturb Jiang Jiuguo's recuperation and recovery,
He chose to mention Zhou Fengchun only when Jiang Jiuguo had nearly recovered.
Jiang Jiuguo's smile froze.
"Dead?"
He stared straight into Number 35's eyes, attempting to find a hint of jest within them.
Unfortunately, Jiang Jiuguo was disappointed.
Number 35's eyes were calm and waveless, confirming he wasn't joking.
Number 35 nodded in confirmation.
Jiang Jiuguo fell silent, subconsciously looking at the opposite wall.
Behind this wall was Numbered Room 15, the place where he and Zhou Fengchun lived.
But everything was about to change.
He would never see Zhou Fengchun again.
He would no longer see that face, sallow and haggard from enduring transformation after transformation.
Nor would he hear the man talk about his precious daughter when the two of them suffered from insomnia in the middle of the night.
"He didn't survive his final transformation during the period of your own transformation."
After Number 35 finished speaking, he glanced at Jiang Jiuguo.
"Zhou Fengchun's death has nothing to do with you. His Ghost Sequence was moved forward because of your transformation, but that's all; the process doesn't become more difficult because of your influence."
Not long ago, when mentioning Zhou Fengchun, he had told Jiang Jiuguo the reason why Zhou Fengchun's transformation had been moved forward.
It was precisely because of this that Jiang Jiuguo had asked about Zhou Fengchun.
However, he didn't want Jiang Jiuguo to blame himself for this; it wasn't his fault.
In fact, the early timing was actually a good thing for Zhou Fengchun; after all, if he had pulled through, he could have gone back early.
"This is a letter Zhou Fengchun left for you."
Number 35 took out a folded piece of stationery.
Jiang Jiuguo: "For me?"
The envelope was folded in half, with the words [To Jiang Jiuguo] written on it.
Number 35: "The final transformation is the most dangerous. Two days before the event, Zhou Fengchun asked me for stationery—one set for his family, and one for you."
Upon hearing this,
Jiang Jiuguo gently opened Zhou Fengchun's letter.
He had known Zhou Fengchun for less than three months, but having been captured and brought here, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say they had shared life and death.
The two were roommates.
They were also fellow patients who supported and encouraged each other.
Though the time was short, it didn't affect their friendship... [Jiang Jiuguo, if you are reading this letter, I am already dead. To be honest, it's hard to accept; I really thought I could pull through the last one.]
[But things don't always go as planned.]
[As it turns out, I didn't make it. I won't be able to see my precious daughter or my wife anymore.]
[Forget it, what's the use of saying these sentimental things? It doesn't help the outcome, does it?]
Looking at Zhou Fengchun's familiar catchphrase, the two words "Forget it,"
It was impossible for Jiang Jiuguo to say his nose didn't feel a bit sore.
His nose felt a faint itch and sting.
At this moment, it was finally certain: his friend Zhou Fengchun was dead.
"Damn it," Jiang Jiuguo cursed, a rare occurrence for him.
[I'm writing this letter to you because I actually have an unmerited request; I'd like to ask for a favor.]
[Jiang Jiuguo, do you know? You're the most capable of all my roommates. It's the first time I've seen someone with such a stubborn hold on life.]
[If you can hold onto that capability and never let go, there's hope you'll make it out alive.]
[That's what I've always believed.]
[That's why I'm writing this letter. If you make it out alive in the future, for the sake of our two months of friendship, I beg you to make a trip to Unit 3, Room 3002, Minghua Residential Area, District A, Dadong City.]
[That's my home.]
[I'd like you to check on my family for me then. If they're in any trouble, I beg you to help them out a bit.]
[This request is a bit much—after all, we've only known each other for two months—but you're the only friend I have here, the only one I can entrust this to.]
[There are still 12 little red flowers in my room. These are what I've accumulated over the past year or so. If you don't mind, let those 12 little red flowers be the reward for your help.]
[I've more or less said everything I needed to. I originally wanted to say more—after all, according to what you said, everyone who comes here has to write a suicide note. If I don't write more now, I won't be able to later.]
[But... how should I put it? Forget it. No matter how much I write, I can't change the fact that I'm dead. Writing more will only bring sadness.]
[So, that's all then. One last thing to say to you.]
[I'm glad I got to know you in the final moments of my life. My time during this period was better than before; with you around, I was much happier.]
[So...]
[I hope you make it out alive, my final friend, Jiang Jiuguo.]
Looking at the final signature—Respectfully, Zhou Fengchun.
Jiang Jiuguo's heart was filled with complex emotions.
He silently refolded the letter and took Zhou Fengchun's belongings that Number 35 had packed: the 12 little red flowers.
He stared blankly at the little red flowers in his hand, lost in thought.
No one knew what he was thinking at this moment.
Seeing this, Number 35 didn't intend to offer comfort; he had seen too much of life and death here. No amount of comfort could ultimately make up for the fact of death.
After explaining that he would come to pick up Jiang Jiuguo for a lecture in the afternoon, Number 35 left.
For a time, Jiang Jiuguo was left alone in Numbered Room 14.
Half an hour later,
A single sentence drifted softly from Jiang Jiuguo inside the room.
"I have to make it out alive."
...The scorching summer soon passed.
[Day 61 after consuming the ghost sequence formula, Weather: Crisp and Cloudy]:
I underwent my third transformation.
As expected, Number 35 didn't lie to me. The pain of each transformation deepens; I've endured a new round of torture.
Last time it was my bones; this time even my brain felt shriveled. I felt like I'd taken a trip to hell; the pain was too much.
But fortunately, I pulled through.
One step closer to fulfilling the promise to my friend Zhou Fengchun... [Day 70 after consuming the ghost sequence formula, Weather: Light Rain]:
I'll never believe Number 35's words again. He promised there'd be at least half a month between each transformation.
It's only been 9 days.
I've ushered in my fourth transformation.
So, the transformation came early, but the process itself was as consistently stable as ever.
It hurt so much I wanted to kill myself.
But thinking of my parents, my sister, and Zhou Fengchun, I'll just grit my teeth... Oh, right.
After this transformation, I discovered something: my skin has become very tender and smooth. Someone who didn't know better would think I'd applied foundation.
But the truth is, I'm bare-faced.
My skin is not just incredibly delicate; except for hair in the important areas, there is no other... fine hair on my entire body.
Despite the evolution from apes to humans, people still have more or less fine hair on their bodies.
But now, I have no fine hair. Aside from pubic hair and the hair on my head, there's no other hair left.
Number 35 gave me an examination.
My pores are still there, but hair won't grow. I feel like the fourth transformation was like undergoing laser skin rejuvenation, lol... [Day 126 after consuming the ghost sequence formula, Weather: Best described as 'autumnal and refreshing']:
I underwent my seventh transformation... [Day 148 after consuming the ghost sequence formula, Weather: Sunny]:
I underwent my eighth transformation.
I don't know if I can hold on; it's too painful... [Day 150 after consuming the ghost sequence formula, Weather: Hazy]:
Two days have passed since the eighth transformation.
But even so, I can still clearly recall that pain... [Day 153 after consuming the ghost sequence formula, Weather: Didn't bother asking Number 35]:
Six days have passed since the eighth transformation.
I feel like I'm in a very bad state.
I have insomnia; I don't dare to sleep at all. Once I fall asleep, I dream of the pain of the eighth transformation.
It's pure torture.
I now understand why my friend Zhou Fengchun's face was sallow and haggard... [Day 168 after consuming the ghost sequence formula, Weather: Doesn't matter anymore, just let it all be destroyed]:
I underwent my ninth transformation.
Right now, I really want to say one thing to my friend Zhou Fengchun: I'm sorry.
Because,
I feel like I can't hold on much longer. I really want to die; it's just too painful, this torture of transformation.
Mom, Dad, little sister, are you all okay?
I miss you all.
I don't want the last time I saw you to be when I was taken away.
Zhou Fengchun, I hope your spirit in heaven protects me so I can hold on...