"I originally just wanted to get a diploma, get a job, and earn a salary to live a comfortable life."
"But because the apocalypse came... I had to become a wandering dog, learning to loot, to kill, to survive by any means."
"I learned quickly in the apocalypse. What you are feeling now is the result of my learning. I am really good at doing dirty work."
His mouth twisted into a cruel smile, mocking Raul's helplessness and his own ruthlessness.
"But given a second chance..." Zhou Qingfeng's inner voice suddenly grew louder, "I don't want to be so pathetic anymore, I want to live like a person."
"Your life ends here, and all the good fortune will be mine." Zhou Qingfeng's arm tightened again, completing the final execution.
Raul's body jerked violently a few times, then went completely limp, his arms dropped weakly, and the light in his eyes vanished totally.
After confirming the target was dead, Zhou Qingfeng finally released his arm. The corpse slid to the ground like a broken doll, the head hitting the floor with a dull thud.
He slowly stood up, glanced at the corpse on the ground with no trace of pity in his eyes, and bent down to pull a lottery ticket from Toto's chest, carefully checking the numbers.
The bar returned to a deathly silence, with only the emergency lamp lying lonely on the ground, casting a pale glow and putting a cold end to the bloody fight.
Zhou Qingfeng's shadow was stretched under the light, like a demon walking out from the depths of hell, exuding a chilling aura.
He didn't leave immediately but stood in place, his gaze sweeping over the surroundings like an eagle, ensuring no details were missed.
His clothes were clean, but there were bloodstains on the soles of his shoes, which was unavoidable. He could deal with it later.
He crouched down, carefully inspecting Raul's corpse, especially his fingernails.
Humans often scratch their attackers unconsciously when they are in the throes of death, leaving behind skin fragments or fabric fibers.
These tiny pieces of evidence were enough for the police to use DNA to identify the killer. He would not allow himself to make such a basic mistake.
After confirming there were no traces, he stood up and once again scanned every corner of the bar.
The surveillance cameras had long been damaged by him, but he confirmed again, ensuring no equipment that could have recorded his movements was missed.
Next, he began planning his escape route.
The bar's back door led to a narrow alleyway, which had no streetlights, only a few scattered trash bins.
Zhou Qingfeng had already scouted the place and knew this route had no surveillance and rarely any passersby. He quickly traversed the alley, his steps as light as a cat's, making no sound.
After escaping the scene, Zhou Qingfeng didn't head directly home but took a few streets, disposing of all the tools and clothes used in the hunt by abandoning them in different trash bins.
Gloves, a jacket, shoes, even a knife used to tamper with the surveillance—all were discarded separately to avoid arousing any suspicion.
The process was swift and decisive, with not a trace of hesitation, as if he had rehearsed it in his mind countless times.
After completing everything, Zhou Qingfeng looked at his wristwatch. The time was nearing 3 AM.
Only then did he jog towards Chief Constable Conges' house. In the night, his figure moved like a phantom, silently gliding through the darkness.
The garage at the Constable's house was empty, and the familiar 'Mustang' police car was not there. The Constable was likely working overtime.
The townhouse was so quiet it felt like it had been forgotten by time, with only the rustling sound of wind blowing through the treetops.
Standing downstairs, Zhou Qingfeng looked up at the second-floor window, ensuring everything was as usual before skillfully climbing up the rainwater pipe.
The bedroom window was slightly ajar; a gentle push was all it took to open it.
After slipping through the window, he quickly undressed from his dirty clothes and changed into clean pajamas, stuffing the discarded clothes into a pre-prepared plastic bag.
Tomorrow morning, these clothes would be taken far away to be disposed of.
He climbed into bed, went to sleep, and began to recover his strength and sooth his spirit.
-----------------
Hours later, as dawn was just breaking, the morning light seeped through the gap in the curtains, filling the room with a fresh, cool breeze.
It felt like it was going to be a beautiful day.
Exhausted from the night's labor, Zhou Qingfeng was still deep in his dreams. Suddenly, the bedroom door was flung open, and a lively figure burst in like a whirlwind.
"Victor!" Selena's voice carried suppressed anger, like a volcano ready to erupt.
She took several steps to the bed, jumping onto it without hesitation. The mattress shook violently from her movements.
Jolted awake by the sudden commotion, Zhou Qingfeng opened his eyes in surprise.
"You sneaked out to play last night, and you dared to not take me along?" Selena growled through gritted teeth, her eyes filled with grievance and fury.
Her cheeks were tinted slightly red from excitement, her hair was a tousled mess over her shoulders, clearly just out of bed.
Zhou Qingfeng found himself unable to react, his brain still groggy from sleep. He rubbed his eyes, attempting to make sense of the situation.
"What... how do you know I went out?" He asked instinctively, his heart already pounding.
He believed he had been cautious enough during his night activities, so how had she found out so quickly?
Selena's expression shifted rapidly to one of triumph, and she waved a key in the air, catching it in the morning light.
"Because I snuck into your room in the middle of the night," she said slyly. "Did you really think locking the door would keep me out? Too naive!"