One Third Remaining Chapter Sixty: The Elevator (First Update)

Passwords, in a sense, reflect certain secrets within the hearts of those who set them. Those seemingly simple strings of numbers might be the birthday of oneself or someone dearly cherished, perhaps a date of special significance, or maybe a combination of lucky numbers—like the most straightforward series of six sixes or six eights.

Wang Chao crouched behind the computer desk in the gynecology emergency room, watching as the screen warned there were only three attempts left. His mouth was parched, sweat beading on his forehead. He swallowed, raised his right index finger, and tapped out six eights on the keyboard. Pressing Enter, he finally saw the word “Welcome” on the screen and successfully entered the desktop.

Wiping the sweat from his palm, Wang Chao could not suppress his elation. He quickly searched for Han Mei’s patient records, took out his phone, snapped a photo of the address line, shut down the computer, muttered, “How utterly vulgar,” and then tiptoed out. At the end of the corridor, he subtly flashed an “OK” sign at the bespectacled young doctor chatting with the gynecology emergency physician.

Hurrying out to the hospital entrance, Wang Chao flagged down a taxi and gave the driver an address. He folded his arms, leaning back in the rear seat to gather his strength, his mind rehearsing all the possible scenarios for the thunderous blow he was about to strike. Unconsciously, a cruel smile crept onto his lips.

He only snapped out of his reverie when the driver reminded him to get out. Stepping from the car, he took a deep breath, stretched lazily, and squinted up at the dilapidated apartment buildings before him. Noticing the empty security booth by the heavy iron gate, he sneered and sauntered toward one of the dormitories.

At the entrance, Wang Chao didn’t go in immediately to press the elevator button. Instead, he checked the time on his watch, raised his head to glance at a certain third-floor window, and saw it tightly shut. After a moment’s consideration, he turned and walked to a nearby trash can, pulled out a pack of cigarettes, and, pretending to make a phone call, began to smoke leisurely.

Five minutes later, Han Mei came through the main entrance, one hand carrying a bag of vegetables and fruit, the other holding her purse, ambling inside and pressing the elevator’s up button, her face weary as she waited.

Wang Chao immediately stubbed out his cigarette, checked his face mask, and strode briskly through the door, stopping just two steps behind Han Mei. One hand quietly slipped under his gray jacket, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he tensed every muscle, breathing deeply in preparation.

Ding! The elevator doors opened just then, and a group of middle-aged women stepped out, beaming as they greeted Han Mei.

Han Mei mustered a smile, exchanged a few pleasantries, then entered the elevator and pressed the button for the third floor, tilting her head at Wang Chao. “Aren’t you coming in?”

Immersed in fantasies of his ruthless kill, Wang Chao was jolted awake. He coughed, nodded at Han Mei, and quickly stepped into the elevator, his right hand beneath his jacket tense, veins bulging as if ready to strike at any moment.

Just as the elevator doors were about to close, a hand shot out to stop them. The man with yellow hair strolled in, grinning impudently. He glanced at Han Mei, then inserted himself between her and Wang Chao, gesturing with his chin at Wang Chao. “Hey, brother, mind moving over a bit...?”

Wang Chao’s body stiffened, his hand froze, and a fire ignited in his eyes. He stared daggers into the back of the yellow-haired man, his teeth grinding audibly, shoulders slumping as he reluctantly stepped aside.

Han Mei, glancing sideways at the yellow-haired man, said exactly what Wang Chao was thinking: “Why are you everywhere?”

With eager courtesy, the yellow-haired man grabbed the bag of groceries from Han Mei. “Whoa, this is heavy... Pregnant women shouldn’t be lifting things like this. Don’t you know that? Next time, don’t do it... I was just handling some business at the nearby real estate center and saw you heading home with your shopping, so I hurried over to catch up.”

“The real estate center?” Han Mei frowned. “You’re selling your apartment? Hey, let me tell you, if you keep squandering your assets, who’ll want to marry you?”

“I’m not selling, just had some errands...” The yellow-haired man forced a laugh, glancing at her belly. “Hah, I’ll tell you later. Now’s not the time.”

“Well, I’m giving you a heads-up,” Han Mei wiped the sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand. “A home is a must for marriage these days. Apartment prices in City A have doubled in a year. For an average family to own a place, six wallets are emptied and debts piled high. Look at me and He Wei, still crammed in this tiny building—haven’t even dared to buy a slightly bigger washbasin for fear it won’t fit. Your place, if I remember, is a three-bedroom?”

“Ninety square meters, three bedrooms,” the yellow-haired man announced, puffing his chest with pride. “Not just one basin—could fit a hundred.”

“Nice,” Han Mei said with envy. “He Wei and I dream of a three-bedroom, doesn’t even need to be ninety square meters. Sixty or seventy would do... But it’s too expensive. After years of saving, we’re still only halfway to the down payment. So you’d better cherish what you have, understand?”

“Hah, a big house without people isn’t a home...” The yellow-haired man scoffed. “Don’t worry, I’m not selling. I’m not that desperate yet.”

As they spoke, the elevator doors opened again. Han Mei stepped out, exhaling in relief as she rummaged in her purse for keys, earnestly advising, “You’re not getting any younger. It’s time to settle down and start a family. You can’t just drift forever.”

“I don’t want a life where I can see the end from the start,” the yellow-haired man declared, swaggering behind Han Mei with the bag in hand. “I’m destined for great things, with lofty ambitions...”

“Oh, please. Stealing electric bikes is your idea of great things? Planning to go back to prison for another meal?” Han Mei rolled her eyes. “Why not find honest work and live a steady life? I have a friend at the sanitation bureau. They’re hiring sewer cleaners. Interested?”

“I’ll think about it,” the yellow-haired man said, pursing his lips. “I’m busy lately.”

Han Mei opened the door, set her purse on the shoe cabinet, and pointed to a folding table. “Just put the groceries on the table. There’s nothing but hot water to drink here...”

He set the groceries down, glanced around the cramped living room, and sighed. His right hand brushed quickly over Han Mei’s purse before he shoved both hands into his pockets and shook his head. “No need to trouble yourself. I just remembered something urgent. I’ll be off, see you next time.”

Han Mei shot him an exasperated look. “I really don’t know what you’re always so busy with. Anyway, think seriously about that job. It’s tough, not much money, but at least it pays the bills.”

“Got it!” The yellow-haired man grinned, waved, and quickly left, closing the door behind him. He glanced at his palm, where Han Mei’s ID card now rested, and clicked his tongue in admiration. “What a move... Now I just need to get my own ID back from the hospital and it’s done. Hurts a bit, but for my godson, it’s worth it!”

Once the yellow-haired man entered the elevator, Wang Chao emerged from the shadows at the end of the hall, glaring resentfully at Han Mei’s closed door, then at the closed elevator. He slammed his fist against the wall, his gaze venomous. “Ruin my plans again, and I’ll send your brat to the underworld with you. If you’re so eager to die, don’t blame me for being ruthless!”