INSIDER Chapter 51

The surroundings were filled with chaotic voices, and everyone was scared, yet no one left the scene. Although Lu Chu was initially shocked, he quickly calmed down.

Regaining his composure, he looked back at 7, who was standing silently behind him. He found 7 looking at him with a steady and reassuring gaze, which immediately put Lu Chu’s heart at ease.

Zhang Cheng was terribly frightened, his face pale. Although he usually could talk endlessly about supernatural incidents and horror stories, he couldn’t maintain his composure when faced with such a situation in real life. Qian Wenhao was also pale, his lips trembling slightly. He wanted to say something but didn’t know where to start. Unable to bear or dare to look at the deceased’s horrific state, he turned his head to the side.

Although the dormitory supervisor was experienced in life due to her age, it was her first time encountering such an event. She swallowed hard and looked at the surrounding students. When she noticed one student had taken out his phone to call the police, she immediately came to her senses and stopped him, “Don’t call the police yet!”

The student, confused, asked, “Teacher, someone has died. Why shouldn’t we call the police?”

“Contact the school authorities first. The school will handle it!” the supervisor said sternly. “Do you realize what kind of impact calling the police will have on our school’s reputation?”

High school is a challenging period, and being the best high school in the city, Yucai High School is known for its strict management. Because of this, there are one or two incidents each year where students commit suicide due to the immense pressure. When this happens, the school suppresses the news, forbidding students from discussing it privately, and tries to settle with the parents.

Sometimes parents refuse to settle and protest at the school gates. After all, it’s hard to accept that their beloved child went to school and ended up dead. However, the situation always gets suppressed and forgotten soon after.

“It’s hard to believe that calling the police will do any more harm,” the student retorted. “Teacher, someone has died, and in such a gruesome way. I’ve already called the police, and they’ll be here soon!”

The dormitory supervisor glared, “You’re violating school rules by bringing a phone here, and now you’re defying my instructions. Be prepared for a demerit and punishment.”

The other students, who had been in a state of shock and fear, started to frown upon hearing the conversation between the supervisor and the student who called the police.

The sight of the deceased was horrific, and the supervisor didn’t want to stay long but had to maintain order. She told the students to disperse and hurriedly contacted the school authorities.

Upon hearing the news, school staff quickly arrived from the teaching building to the boys’ dormitory. Several teachers dispersed the students and warned them not to spread the news. After ensuring that other students went to class unaware, they sealed off the dormitory building.

On the way to the classroom, Zhang Cheng was still in shock. Nearing the classroom door, he snapped back to reality and grabbed Qian Wenhao’s arm, “Brother, slap me. I need to see if I’m still dreaming…”

Qian Wenhao, also dazed, replied, “Maybe I’m dreaming too…”

Zhang Cheng turned to Lu Chu, seeing him equally serious. He muttered, “Why are you in my dream… and Li Bo too…”

At that moment, Meng Yu and Li Lan walked to the classroom door. Seeing the group blocking the entrance, Meng Yu asked, “Why are you blocking the door? Why not go in? Zhang Cheng, what are you thinking, looking so dumb? The class bell is about to ring!”

Zhang Cheng and Qian Wenhao snapped back to reality, exchanged complex glances, and entered the classroom.

It was their first time witnessing such a close encounter with death, different from movies, TV, or news reports. It was a living person, someone who might have been around them—perhaps crossing paths in the dormitory hallway, the water room, the school paths, or even as opponents in a school game.

Death had never felt so close.

Although the school forbade discussing the incident, the news spread quickly among students. Witnesses described the horrifying scene, filling everyone’s minds with dreadful images. The reason for the student’s death became a topic of speculation.

Most believed it was a suicide due to academic pressure, some thought it was a love-related tragedy. However, few considered the possibility of homicide.

Lu Chu sat at his desk, recalling the gruesome scene.

Would someone commit suicide by sticking their head into boiling water?

A person would instinctively lift their head due to the pain, even if determined to die. Moreover, the deceased’s clothes were barely wrinkled and not wet.

The water heater in the dormitory’s water room was automatic. During busy times, the water temperature dropped, so students often rushed back early to get hot water.

It’s likely the incident happened during the lunch break when the water was the hottest.

Unless the victim was killed before the break, hidden in a restroom stall to look like someone was using it, and then moved to the water room.

All these hypotheses were based on human actions, but there’s always the possibility of supernatural forces at work.

.

Two classes into the afternoon, the boys’ dormitory suicide incident had become a major topic.

Unlike the previous ghost story, this was real. By now, many started considering the possibility of murder.

Lu Chu sat at his desk, thinking about the deceased’s terrifying state.

During the third period, which was supposed to be chemistry, the class was visited by their homeroom teacher, Mr. Lu.

Mr. Lu, looking grave, stood at the podium and said, “I’m sure you’ve all heard about today’s incident. The school is deeply saddened and is investigating. For now, classes are dismissed early. Whether we continue tomorrow will be announced later. I hope everyone refrains from discussing this outside. The west side of the third floor of the old dormitory is sealed off. Students who wish to go home can apply. Those who can’t, please see me.”

He finished with a heavy heart, “Alright, class dismissed. Boarding students, come to me for a leave slip.”

No one was happy about the early dismissal.

The school had seen deaths before—a teacher in the old lab building, a student jumping off a building, a classmate collapsing in PE…

But never had the school been so cautious, even announcing early dismissal and possible continued closure.

Liu Yang, a day student, had been hearing firsthand accounts of the scene. He had already imagined the horrific sight, and now, hearing the school’s serious response and the chaotic corridors, he broke into a cold sweat.

Wiping his forehead, Liu Yang whispered to Lu Chu, “Lu Chu, you saw the scene. Do you think it was murder?”

Lu Chu shook his head, “Not sure yet. Let’s wait and see what the school says.”

Liu Yang nodded, then asked, “Are you going home?”

“No,” Lu Chu replied, “It’s too far, and no one’s home. I’ll talk to Mr. Lu. He should have a solution.”

Lu Chu’s primary concern wasn’t the killer or whether it was a human or ghost, but if the school would force all boarders to go home, complicating his mission to “stay active within the school.”

Liu Yang, not agreeing, said, “How about staying at my place? Even if Mr. Lu arranges somewhere away from the old dorm, it’ll be scary if you’re alone at school.”

Lu Chu smiled slightly, “Don’t worry, I’m not alone.”

7, listening from behind, tapped the desk lightly, as if in response.