Chapter 2 is ruined, it was just an illusion earlier

  I didn't insist on keeping those two vagrants around, as a detective I had no reason to ask two unrelated people to follow me into danger.

  But I was prepared, took out my iPhone to record them, took a photo, and left the bridge hole of Xihu Bridge. When I left, the two vagrants were packing up their only belongings, that broken quilt and burlap sack. It was clear they had made up their minds to leave, but it was unknown which city's bridge hole they would drift to next.

  Originally, a city with one or several fewer vagrants would not attract people's attention. They were originally drifting everywhere and had no fixed abode.

  I walked onto the Xihu Bridge and looked up to find that there was a camera installed at the head of the bridge, but it seemed to be broken as it was tilted and standing in mid-air with only its "head" exposed.

  But this unexpected discovery still made me feel a little happy, as long as the camera wasn't completely broken, even at midnight under the dim streetlights, those scoundrels who kidnapped Liu Xiao'er should have left some clues.

  I'm not in a hurry, this matter can wait until tomorrow when I get back to the team and report it to Captain Zhou.

  After crossing the Xihu Bridge, it's already the suburbs. Qin Su'er's residence at No. 18 Meihua San Nong Street is not far away. I remembered that she had mentioned moving to rent a house at the foot of Mei Mountain with the old witch and thousand-year-old corpse, Ma Gu Po.

  It's very close, why don't I go pick her up? A girl moving house must have some stuff.

  Although Liu Xiao'er was not found, I thought of seeing Qin Su'er soon, and my heart was slightly excited.

  I didn't hesitate and turned around to head towards No. 18 Meihua Santou Street Alley.

  Because it was daytime, the scenery in this area could be seen more clearly. The bluestone path was still there, but the houses were badly damaged, with broken walls and rubble everywhere, like a no-man's land.

  When the house in No. 18 Hutong where Qin Su'er rented and lived at the foot of a mountain range appeared in my sight, I felt eerie, that building looked too abrupt.

  Will Qin Su'er be in the house? And what about that terrifying old witch?

  I was lost in thought as I walked forward, slowly approaching the 18th alley.

  It's quiet all around, not a soul in sight. I dare not shout, fearing that the old witch might appear. If Qin Su'er is not here, if I were to shout and summon the old witch, my life would be forfeit for sure.

  The iron gate was still ajar, and the yellow paper symbol stained with chicken blood was still there. I slipped sideways into the courtyard quietly.

  The courtyard is still a dark and gloomy place, filled with the musty smell of decayed flowers and trees, and the damp earthy scent that assaults my senses.

  "My goodness, such a house can't be lived in, I don't know what Qin Su'er was thinking. Even if the rent is cheaper or given to me for free, I won't stay here."

  As soon as I walked into this courtyard, for some reason, my heart started racing and my back broke out in a cold sweat.

  How can I find Qin Su'er without being discovered by that old witch? I'm in a dilemma. Because when I came, I had already called Qin Su'er's phone, but it was turned off.

  I tiptoed a few more steps towards the house, and before I even reached the porch, I suddenly heard faint voices coming from behind the house.

  This suggests that there is someone behind the house, is it an old witch or Qin Su'er? I feel a little fearful and also excited.

  I tiptoed as quietly as possible, hugging the wall and making my way to the back of the house. I poked my head out for a peek and saw that old crone, Ma Gu Po, sitting beside an ancient well, clutching a handful of yellow spirit money and muttering to herself in front of the well mouth.

  She didn't notice me until I was sneaking a peek at her from the side. Although I was startled, my curiosity kept me there, wondering what she was up to and what kind of trickery she was playing.

  "Now I've heard clearly," she said, "Madam, are you short of money over there? Do you want me to burn some more for you. That ghost girl told me last night that she wants to leave here and go somewhere else. In that case, she won't be able to come visit you often, and I'll be lonely too..."

  Her action scared me half to death. Was she talking to a dead person? Could it be that there was a ghost hiding in the ancient well?

  The "ghost girl" in her mouth is naturally Qin Su'er, but who is this dead young lady?

  I didn't dare to move, and then I saw her leaning over the edge of the well and saying: "Young lady, wait a moment, I'll go get some fruit and offerings, and then come back to keep you company. Ah?"

  Damn it, is this old witch human or ghost? It's too scary, my heart almost jumped out. I accidentally made a little noise.

  That old witch suddenly stopped and turned her head towards where I was hiding, with a very venomous gaze.

  I hastily withdrew my neck, worried that she would walk over and discover me. However, the worrying situation did not occur, and after a while, she faced the ancient well again, muttering to herself.

  I feel like a pair of icy hands are touching the vertebrae on my back, and I'm getting chills all over. This place is somewhere I'd rather die than come to again.

  Fortunately, Qin Su'er will move out today, and I won't have to face this terrifying old witch again.

  I was just about to quietly leave when I saw the old witch get up and walk away from the ancient well towards the front of the house.

  Good heavens, it wasn't walking, but rather floating. With a bamboo basket slung over her arm, she seemed to be gliding along without touching the ground, and in an instant she had floated out of the iron gate, leaving no trace behind.

  It's too eerie, I pressed my hand against my chest and panted heavily. That Qin Su'er is probably in this house, she's always following that ghostly old witch around, isn't she afraid?

  I stood in the corridor of the house for a while before I calmed down.

  "Su'er...", "Su'er...". I tried calling out loud a couple of times, but couldn't hear Qin Su'er's response.

  Isn't this woman around? If she is, she should be able to hear my shout.

  Forget it, anyway I can see her tonight at the rental house under Mei Mountain, no need to rush for this moment. Better withdraw, wait for that old witch to come back and discover me, I'll be in trouble.

  I was walking with the intention of heading towards the iron gate outside the courtyard, but somehow my feet seemed to have a mind of their own and led me to the old well behind the house instead.

  I was greatly startled, but couldn't stop my own footsteps.

  Just as I approached the old well, I heard a voice coming from inside: "Save me... save me..." To my surprise, it was Qin Su'er!

  My blood rushed to my temples, damn it! This wicked old witch must have seen Qin Su'er wanting to move out and live elsewhere, refusing to accompany her, and suddenly had a perverse idea, pushing her down this ancient well!

  Without saying another word, I jumped down with a "splash" and the icy well water, emitting a foul odor, quickly engulfed me.

  I suddenly felt something wrapped around my feet, pulling me hard towards the bottom of an ancient well that seemed to be bottomless.

  It's all over, I've been deceived! Just now it was just an illusion, where is Qin Su'er's shadow in this old well?

  I didn't have time to think carefully, I pulled out the sharp military dagger from my boot, took a deep breath, and dove into the water. At the same time, the military dagger in my hand quickly cut towards the two dark things wrapped around my feet, trying to cut them off.

  It's indeed a military dagger, extremely sharp, and whatever the blade passes through, that black thing breaks off in one's hand.

  Through the light passing through the water's surface, I saw that severed thing, which turned out to be a long lock of hair. Although it was cut off, it still writhed like a decapitated snake, spewing out streams of fresh blood, quickly dyeing the surrounding water red.

  Damn it, this well is full of women's long hair everywhere. I cut off a handful, and another handful floats over, entwining my legs. Several handfuls have even wrapped around my neck, making it hard to breathe.

  I waved that military dagger, struggling, panting heavily, that kind of desperate panting, I swear I will never forget it in my life.

  It was all over, a long hair suddenly wrapped around my arms, and I couldn't swing the dagger anymore. A large amount of long hair quickly pulled me down to the bottom of the water.

  Am I going to die?

  Suddenly, I heard Qin Su'er's trembling voice coming from above: "Ma Niang, you really want to kill him, don't you?"

  That old witch smiled slyly: "Su Er, there isn't a single man in the world who is reliable, this is also for your own good!"

  Qin Suer's voice was particularly mournful: "Ma Niangniang, I beg of you to spare him? I really like him, and he likes me too..."

  Ma thought to herself with a strange smile: "Su'er, don't be so stubborn, this man is unreliable..."

  "Qin Su'er shouted in a shrill voice: 'If he dies, I'll never care about you for the rest of my life!'"

  Perhaps Qin Suer's words had a certain destructive power, and as I struggled in the well water, I heard the old witch sigh: "Okay......, let him go......".

  It's strange to say that as soon as the old witch finished speaking, those long hairs entwining my body suddenly dispersed and vanished into thin air.

  I kicked a few times in the water and my head emerged from the surface, like a fish on the verge of death, gasping for air with big mouths.

  Then I saw Qin Su'er's head poking into the ancient well, and saw her tear-stained face and a pair of anxious eyes.

  These girls are really concerned about my safety.

  I was pulled up by Qin Su'er with a rope, she hugged my wet body and burst into tears: "Yu Ge... I'm sorry... I'm sorry..., it's all my fault, almost got you killed..."

  I noticed that the zombie-like old witch was actually not there.

  I heard Qin Su'er sobbing and apologizing to me. As a survivor of the disaster, I had long thrown my fear behind me and also hugged her, saying: "Su'er, this is not your fault! All of this is because of that...". I was about to say "old witch", but thinking of her strange appearance, I quickly stopped talking.

  To be honest, I'm actually afraid of offending that old witch.