Those Classmates who Suddenly Disappeared-Chapter 25 - Discussion Together

25: Chapter 25 Discussion Together

25 -25 Discussion Together

Last night, every person who had seen Qian Chuan was summoned by a teacher to the office, each one asked if they had any idea about Qian Chuan’s whereabouts.

After all, it was concerning that a college student had not returned to the dorm overnight and still hadn’t shown up for classes.

Worse still, his phone had been switched off.

Du Jun said the last time he saw Qian Chuan was at the supermarket last night.

They had run out of beer, so Qian Chuan decided to climb over the wall to get some more.

Gu Fan and Lu Yi also confirmed this, having indeed seen Qian Chuan running into a small grove where the wall could be climbed over conveniently.

However, what happened after Qian Chuan scaled the wall was a mystery.

According to collected information, Gu Fan and Lu Yi had had a somewhat unpleasant exchange with Qian Chuan after the welcoming party, also they were the last ones to see him.

This carried the suspicion of Gu Fan and Lu Yi among some of the people.

Although the teacher didn’t jump to such conclusions and had faith in Gu Fan and Lu Yi’s character, the problem was the others probably didn’t think so, which made Gu Fan and Lu Yi feel terrible being doubted.

As a look of worry marred Qian Chuan’s counselor’s face, there was one thing he had to do: call Qian Chuan’s parents.

If Qian Chuan had gone home, everything would be fine.

But if he hadn’t, then Qian Chuan’s parents would likely be a combination of worried sick and furious at the school’s negligence.

The counselor quickly placed a call to Qian Chuan’s parents.

Upon realizing that Qian Chuan wasn’t home, everyone began to understand the severity of the situation.

Fear and unease clouded their minds as they considered Qian Chuan mysteriously disappearing late at night, not returning to school, and not going home since then.

The teacher advised everyone not to overthink and let the adults handle it.

He sent them back to their classes.

As Gu Fan and Lu Yi exited the teacher’s office, Lu Yi looked guilty.

Noticing the coast was clear, he murmured to Gu Fan, “I admit that what I said yesterday about Qian Chuan was out of anger, I didn’t mean it.”

“I understand.

People can become unreasonable when they’re angry.

You didn’t actually wish any harm to come to Qian Chuan, and I didn’t either.” With a tight frown, Gu Fan replied, worried about the looming trouble caused by Qian Chuan’s disappearance.

Just then, Gu Fan’s phone rang.

It was Lin Xi, who must have heard about Qian Chuan’s disappearance and she was likely worrying about the same issues.

“Hello!” Gu Fan answered the call, catching on to Lin Xi’s urgency, who wanted him to come over to the library for an urgent discussion.

Indeed, a third person was missing now.

If things were as bad as he suspected, Gu Fan thought it would be wise to organize a meeting among everyone to decide on their next course of action.

When Gu Fan and Lu Yi got to the library, they saw Lin Xi standing at the entrance, waving at them.

Alongside her was Du Jun.

“What’s Du Jun doing here?” Gu Fan and Lu Yi wondered as they followed Lin Xi into a secluded corridor of the library to avoid eavesdroppers.

Du Jun looked baffled, “Why did you summon us?

Is it about Qian Chuan?

Teachers are taking care of it as we speak, and police would be on it in the worst-case scenario.

We, students, needn’t stick our noses in it.”

Hearing Du Jun’s indifference, Gu Fan and Lu Yi looked at him with disdain, feeling Lu Jun didn’t care about Qian Chuan’s plight.

Perhaps it was because Du Jun had assumed that him being called by Lin Xi was a hint, a sign that he had a chance with her.

Now seeing others also being summoned made him feel dashed.

However, Lin Xi was very careful in her words, “Don’t forget, Zhao Rui and Li Xiaoyan also disappeared.

Have the police found them yet?

Do you believe they can find Qian Chuan this time?”

“What do you mean?

If the police are unable to locate him, are you suggesting we can?” Du Jun was visibly puzzled about where Lin Xi was heading.

At Du Jun’s nonchalant attitude, Lin Xi felt let down and thought, ‘Why is this guy being so complacent?’

It was then Gu Fan broke the silence, “First, it was Zhao Rui, then Li Xiaoyan, and now Qian Chuan.

Du Jun, don’t you find this sequence alarming?”

“Alarming?

Why…

would this be…

alarming…” Midway through his response, Du Jun’s complexion changed as he began to grasp the gravity of the situation.

Gu Fan continued, “Why the three of them?

What commonality did they share?

Additionally, might there be a fourth disappearance?”

Attempting to maintain his composure, Du Jun retorted, “Gu Fan when did you become so paranoid?

I advise you not to dwell on this subject and stop conjuring up spookiness.

You’re only going to drive yourself mad and drag others down with you.”

Hearing this, Lu Yi was slightly incensed, ‘We’re trying to discuss something for everyone’s benefit, and this is the attitude he pulls?’

But Gu Fan wasn’t offended and calmly continued, “I get it, Du Jun, you’re reluctant to believe in such bizarre phenomena.

But it should be clear to you by now that whatever is happening is directed at us.

You, me, Lu Yi, Lin Xi; any of us could end up being the fourth to disappear.”

“If anyone’s going to disappear, it’s you guys, not me.” Du Jun’s voice trembled slightly as he said this, lacking any confidence, indicating to Lu Yi that his extreme denial is due to fear, refusing to believe in any bizarre disappearances.

Indeed, Gu Fan shook his head: “Even if we escaped being the fourth victim, we could possibly become the fifth or sixth.

If we don’t work together to uncover the truth, we’ll all be in trouble.”

Lin Xi agreed: “I think we’re really in trouble this time, Du Jun.

Stop being stubborn, let’s figure out a solution together.”

“Alright, alright…” Du Jun finally relented and then said: “I kind of regret meeting you guys now, it’s like you’re purposely preventing me from sleeping tonight.”

Gu Fan replied: “If one day you haven’t become the fourth, or the fifth, or the sixth person to disappear, you’ll thank me.”

Du Jun didn’t know how to respond, so he just laughed it off.

Since they had reached a consensus, Lin Xi began her inference: “I think the origin of the problem lies in that secret room.

Fourteen of us entered, and now three out of the fourteen have disappeared.

I think this is far beyond mere coincidence.”

Gu Fan thought for a moment, then asked: “Last time you mentioned that the secret room was strange, with symbols and drawings on the floor that could radiate light after absorbing moonlight.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Could it be that we’ve been cursed by the secret room?” Lin Xi’s comment almost made Du Jun turn deathly pale, whereas Lu Yi just seemed relieved that he hadn’t been to the secret room and had narrowly escaped danger.

Du Jun said seriously: “If it really is a curse from the secret room, then Gu Fan and Lu Yi have nothing to worry about.”

“No, quite the opposite, we could also become involved.” Gu Fan mentioned about them being followed recently, though they later figured it was their misunderstanding.

Hearing this, Du Jun breathed a sigh of relief: “One moment you’re talking about a curse from the secret room, then about bizarre disappearances, then about being followed.

Are you trying to push the limits of my tolerance?”

Gu Fan apologized with a laugh: “It must be because of the recent disappearances that I’m a bit on edge and thought erroneously that we were being followed.”

Lin Xi chimed in: “People don’t just disappear without a reason.

If they’re not kidnapped, something strange must have happened.

If it really is some strange event, like a curse from the secret room, what do we do?”

On hearing this, a shadow fell over everyone’s hearts.

If it’s just kidnapping, that’s manageable.

But if it’s bizarre disappearances, there’s no way to defend against that; they’d be powerless.

“Please stop talking about the secret room curse, it’s freaking me out…” Du Jun’s face grew increasingly anxious.

Today’s discussions with Lin Xi and Gu Fan were more than he could handle.

Gu Fan also said: “I also don’t want to believe this is a paranormal event, but we don’t know what’s really going on at this point.

The best we can do is be more cautious.

Try not to be alone.

Zhao Rui, Li Xiaoyan, and Qian Chuan all vanished after being separated.”

“Alright, I understand.” Du Jun frowned as if grappling with a difficult problem, then asked: “Should I tell the others so they can be careful too?”

This left Gu Fan in a dilemma: “The disappearance is just our speculation.

If it spreads and causes unnecessary panic, it wouldn’t be a good thing.”

“What do you mean by that?

Knowing that more people could disappear, we do nothing, just watching others become the next victim?” Du Jun retorted, feeling that Gu Fan’s attitude of ‘better safe than sorry’ was incorrect.

Lin Xi also felt they can’t just ignore the others’ fate, but it’s really hard to say.

Gu Fan responded: “That’s not what I meant.

We just need to remind everyone to be cautious.

As for the disappearance, we should not mention a word.

Now that three people have already disappeared, if we gently remind them, others would probably get the hint and take precautions.”

“It seems that’s all we can do for now.” Lu Yi shook his head and sighed, then pessimistically remarked: “But I have a feeling that some things just have to happen.

Simply being vigilant isn’t nearly enough.

We need to think of a countermeasure.”

“Exactly!

But what can we do?” Gu Fan knew very well that the best defense is a good offense.

But for now, we have no clue, no direction, and can only be on the defensive.

Hoping everyone can be careful, and there won’t be a fourth disappearance.

“If nothing else, I’m going to head back.” As Du Jun prepared to leave, something seemed to occur to him, causing him to stop.

He looked back at Gu Fan and the others while displaying an awkward expression.

Gu Fan just laughed it off: “No worries, it’s daytime now.

Even if you’re alone, you’ll be safe.”