Chapter 148: Investigating the Cause
Mu Lantu was both amused and exasperated.
“Uncle, we really are just here seeking refuge.”
“Sir, it’s already chaos outside. If we meant you harm, we could have just shoved you out there and let the mutants infect you. We wouldn’t bear any legal responsibility.” Xu Huazhang’s tone and pace were calm and steady, easy to believe.
The two of them didn’t move recklessly closer. They looked harmless, without a trace of aggression.
The middle-aged woman whispered, “Honey, I don’t think they’re bad people.”
The middle-aged man had no reply. The word “bad guy” doesn’t show up on anyone’s face. But he knew things were already out of control outside. Even if he called the police, they couldn’t come quickly. Better to take the gamble of trusting these two.
“Please, sit.”
“Thank you.”
Mu Lantu expressed his thanks, tugged Xu Huazhang along, and sat opposite them across the coffee table.
The frying pan and shopping bags were casually placed on the carpet.
Seeing the bloodstains on the pan, the man and his wife awkwardly averted their eyes.
No one spoke. The atmosphere in the room was extremely strange.
Since they might be stuck together for five days, Mu Lantu hoped for peaceful coexistence. He took the initiative: “Do you want to hear what’s happening outside?”
The man immediately said, “If you’re willing to share, of course.”
So Mu Lantu recounted everything from their experience at the supermarket up until they reached the 68th floor to seek help.
The man couldn’t detect any loopholes in his story and finally relaxed.
Mu Lantu probed, “For the two of you to be staying in the presidential suite, you must have some distinguished status. Do you have any inside information? Are those people mutating because of an epidemic, a mad scientist, inhumane experiments, something like that?”
The couple both sank into thought, then shook their heads.
“No. If we knew of anything like that, we never would’ve chosen this island for vacation.”
Mu Lantu asked again, “May I take a look from the balcony?”
The man agreed.
On the balcony was a telescope.
Mu Lantu peered through it toward the ground—and his expression tightened.
The woman grew nervous. “What’s wrong?”
Mu Lantu told the truth: “There’s not a single normal person left down there. You can see for yourselves.”
The man clenched his hands on his knees and signaled a bodyguard over.
Before the guard could grow suspicious, Mu Lantu had already stepped aside.
After checking, the guard’s voice grew heavy: “Boss, it’s all mutants down there!”
“Darling!” The woman trembled in fear. “Wh-what do we do? Will anyone come save us?”
“Don’t worry.” The man forced himself calm. “Wang Long, keep calling the police.”
“Yes, Boss!”
Wang Long repeatedly dialed, but every call was met with a busy tone.
“Darling—ahh!” the woman suddenly shrieked. On the sofa, she writhed as black lines spread across her face.
The man’s eyes widened. “Honey!”
“Careful!” Mu Lantu shouted.
Xu Huazhang, closest to him, grabbed the man by the shoulder and yanked him clear, almost lifting him off the ground.
“Boss!”
The two bodyguards rushed back to shield their employer, staring warily at the woman.
The man refused to accept the horrifying truth, shouting: “Honey! Wake up!”
“She’s already mutated!” Xu Huazhang pulled back beside Mu Lantu, the two of them retreating to a corner of the living room.
The black streaks spread rapidly across her body. With a guttural roar, she leapt—pouncing straight at her husband.
Mu Lantu cried out in warning, “Don’t let her bite you! A bite will infect you!”
The bodyguards proved loyal. One shielded the boss, while the other snatched up the frying pan to strike.
But the mutated woman moved with terrifying agility, dodged cleanly, and lunged again—knocking Wang Long to the floor and opening her mouth to sink her teeth into his throat.
Panic surged in Wang Long’s heart. He clamped both hands on her skull, yanking back with all his strength.
Her strength was monstrous. She thrashed, tore free of his grip, and lunged again.
In a flash, Mu Lantu appeared behind her and smashed the frying pan against her neck.
Her body went limp, collapsing to the floor.
“Darling…” The man broke into tears.
“Boss…” The guards helped him back.
“She’s not dead,” Mu Lantu reassured. He’d held back his strength. Since they were staying in the man’s presidential suite, it wouldn’t do to alienate him.
Xu Huazhang tore down a curtain. Mu Lantu ripped two strips from it.
“I’ll do it.” Xu Huazhang bound the woman’s ankles and then her wrists behind her back.
The curtain fabric was sturdy; even with her strength, breaking free would be difficult.
Xu Huazhang lowered his voice. “Baby, did you catch that?”
Mu Lantu nodded. Xu Huazhang’s knotting method was unique—tight and secure. A handy little skill that might come in useful later.
The man, oblivious to their impromptu “lesson,” exclaimed with joy and relief, “She’s really not dead?”
“Really,” Mu Lantu said. “But best to lock her in a room alone. When it’s safe outside, send her to a hospital. Maybe she can be saved.”
“Thank you, thank you!” The man wiped his tears. “I’ll take her back to the room.”
He returned shortly, calmer now. Mu Lantu asked, “Forgive me for being direct—have there been any unusual changes in your wife’s diet or habits these past days?”
“My surname is Xiao—Xiao Yuntian,” the man said, fully dropping his guard now. “Here’s my card. And may I ask your names?”
From a drawer under the coffee table, he produced two business cards and handed them over.
[Item discovered!]
[Xiao Yuntian’s Business Card: Permanent item. Can unlock any lock in the instance world. No cooldown.]
Mu Lantu: “…”
Xu Huazhang: “…”
005: [……] Are Host and Brother Xu Huazhang children of destiny or what? That’s twice now! Twice in a row, the NPCs have handed them items outright!
Thanks to the item, Mu Lantu warmed to him. “So it’s President Xiao. I’m Li Xiaohua, and he’s Wang Xiaoming.”
Xiao Yuntian fell silent.
Mu Lantu sighed and laid his ID card on the table.
“Our names aren’t something we can choose.”
“…I was overthinking.” Xiao Yuntian smiled wryly, then grew solemn. “Mr. Li, Mr. Wang, you’re both brave and capable. I’d like to hire you as bodyguards. Pay settled daily, ten thousand per day. What do you think?”
Mu Lantu considered. Not a bad deal—they were staying here anyway. And maybe they’d trigger more items.
“Huazhang, what do you think?”
Xu Huazhang nodded. “Feasible.”
Mu Lantu smiled. “Since you trust us, of course we’re willing. But we can only stay five days. We’re waiting for a friend. If he doesn’t show up in five days, we have to go find him.”
Xiao Yuntian had no objection. Having them even a day longer was worth it.
“Good. It’s about lunchtime now, but I doubt the hotel will still deliver meals.”
Mu Lantu offered, “If you don’t mind, I can cook. My skills are average, though.”
“No need, Wang Long will cook,” Xiao Yuntian said. “When I hired bodyguards, I specifically chose an all-rounder.”
Mu Lantu didn’t insist—maybe they feared he’d tamper with the food.
Xiao Yuntian sighed. “Earlier you asked about my wife’s habits… We’ve been on Baihua Island three days. Our relationship is good—we’ve eaten and drunk the same food, water, and wine. I can’t think of any difference that could’ve caused her infection. If I must point out something… She’s the only woman in the suite. Could it be the cosmetics the hotel provided?”
Mu Lantu’s heart stirred. That was a lead.
Xu Huazhang politely asked, “May we see your room?”
With lives at stake, Xiao Yuntian didn’t hesitate. “Of course.”
While Wang Long cooked, the two of them followed Xiao Yuntian and another guard into the room.
The air was filled with fragrance from a vase of roses on the dressing table—bright red, dripping with color.
Beside the vase were jars and bottles of cosmetics.
Mu Lantu didn’t touch them, just bent down to observe.
Xiao Yuntian regretted aloud, “So it was the cosmetics? My wife even brought her own, but since the suite provided her favorite brand, she used those instead. If I’d only known…”
Mu Lantu said, “Unlikely. Many of the men on the beach mutated too. They couldn’t all have used these products.”
“Maybe sunscreen?” Xiao Yuntian guessed, then dismissed it. “No, I used it too, and I’m fine.”
Xu Huazhang’s gaze landed on the roses.
“Mr. Xiao, did you buy these flowers on the island?”
Mu Lantu recalled that almost every female tourist on the island had been wearing flowers, and the first woman to mutate in the supermarket had one in her hair. He and Xu Huazhang exchanged a glance and said in unison: “The flowers?”
Xiao Yuntian smiled wistfully, reaching out. “Yes, my wife and I are very close—I gave her a bouquet every day.”
“Don’t touch it!” Mu Lantu yanked him back.
Xiao Yuntian recoiled as if shocked, staring at the roses. “You mean it’s the flowers?”
The guard looked doubtful. “I carried them in. Why am I fine? I don’t feel anything wrong at all.”
Xiao Yuntian wasn’t reassured. “Truly? If you feel anything, you must tell me.”
The guard said earnestly, “Boss, I really don’t feel a thing!”
