Nightwalkers need sleep too. I still haven’t figured out my messed-up biological clock—but one rule stays simple:

Eat when hungry. Sleep when tired.

*Yawns*

I slept soundly on the sofa all night. The hotel sofa was almost as cozy as my bed back home. But when I opened my eyes… I wasn’t on the sofa anymore.

I was tucked into my own small bed in the bedroom, covered with a light AC blanket.

“Huh? Who tucked me in?”

Staff don’t enter rooms unannounced during check-in. Besides me, only An Li shared this room.

“And no way I sleepwalked back here.”

Got it. After I dozed off, An Li carried me to bed—single-handedly.

But she’d already left by morning. The blanket was folded neatly into a perfect square. She was gone. The room felt empty.

I sat on the bed’s edge, pulled out the vacuum-sealed tube of loli blood, and downed it in one gulp.

Only two tubes left—about four days’ worth. Could I wrap up the Lianyun District case before they ran out?

“An Li said not to get involved… but she’s not here *now*!”

My eyes locked on the door. A light touch clicked it open—zero security.

Last time An Li caught me jumping out of the car, she’d snapped, “Next time I’ll weld this door shut!” Clearly just an angry threat. See? She hadn’t touched the latch.

Otherwise… I really would’ve been trapped.

“I *will* prove I can help!”

Before leaving, I pumped my tiny fist at the empty living room air—then turned, shut the door, and walked off in one smooth motion.

First time sneaking out. My heart fluttered with tiny nerves. When the front desk girl greeted me, my eyelids twitched wildly.

“Morning, little sister! Heading out?”

“Y-yes. Yep,” I said, hands clasped behind my back, forcing calm. “Just stepping out.”

Why’d she stop me? Did An Li tell her to watch me…?

My little brain spun wild theories—ready to outsmart any obstacle.

Silence. I peeked up. She was yawning, scrolling her phone behind the counter.

Not even glancing my way.

…Just a polite greeting.

Blushing, I darted outside and scolded myself.

“Too jumpy. Unnecessary. It’s not a crime. No need to be paranoid. *Breathe.* Act natural.”

I lifted my petite, loli-style legs and strolled slowly, like a morning walk. Dawn painted the city awake—commuters rushing, students hurrying, steaming breakfast stalls lining the streets.

But where to go?

I couldn’t scour every square hunting inflatable mascot costumes. That’d be like searching for a needle in a haystack. How *do* I track that spirit?

Wait—pattern!

An Li mentioned its hunting method involved contact: direct *and* indirect. Meaning… anyone who survived the square incident could be next.

Fingers flew across my phone. Weird search terms. Wild guesses. Then—

【Due to improper operation, injured individuals from Dingsheng Square are receiving treatment at Bo’ai Hospital.】

“Found it!”

Heart racing, I checked the map. Bo’ai Hospital—just three subway stops away.

Morning rush packed the train. Crowded, but short. Three stops. Off I went.

Few exited at Bo’ai Station—but every face wore worry. Hurried steps. Hushed talks.

“Really hospitalized here?”

“Police called.”

“Scam? Impersonating an officer?”

“Scams ask for money. Not ‘come see them.’”

“Phone’s dead… What *happened*?”

“Heard it was a building accident. Something fell.”

“Medical fees? Insurance?”

A couple’s anxious chatter. I trailed quietly behind—an idea sparking.

Bo’ai Hospital buzzed. Families clustered everywhere, voices tight with fear.

They knew nothing. One call: “Your loved one’s hurt. Come now.” Minor wounds. Critical condition. Life-threatening. For them—a bolt from the blue.

I walked beside the couple, blending in. No staff stopped me. Perfect.

“Doctor, I *saw* it! Please—wife, son, believe me!”

“Infection can cause neurological confusion.”

“No! I *really* saw it!”