Chapter Ninety: Turning Resentment into Strength, Aiding Spirits in Their Journey

“I think I’ve already guessed the reason!”

At that moment, Fang You, Zhou Shen, and Zhang Shengnan were seated inside the police station. After a moment of contemplation, Fang You spoke, “I think I now understand what’s really going on here!”

“What is it?” Zhou Shen couldn’t help but ask eagerly.

“It seems that the novelist Fang Meiqi’s stories have inadvertently formed a kind of power—a force that enables vengeful spirits to fulfill the grudges they carried in life.”

“In simple terms, all the stories Fang Meiqi writes are based on true events, though the characters’ names are changed. But the people themselves were real.”

“Something must have compelled Fang Meiqi to write out their stories. Once these tales were revealed and seen by others, they became a source of power.”

“As the saying goes, those who aren’t afraid of ghosts might live next to cemeteries but never see one, while those who fear them might still encounter ghosts even when hiding at home.”

“Ghosts exist by feeding on human energy. As long as people remember them, they don’t disappear. The stronger the emotions people feel toward them, the stronger these spirits become.”

“That’s why, before harming anyone, ghosts instill fear to stir up intense emotions. The greater the emotional response, the more corporeal and powerful the spirit grows, enough to affect brainwaves and even cause real harm.”

“So, these vengeful spirits tell their stories to Fang Meiqi, and once she writes them out, the spirits draw strength from readers’ emotional reactions. That’s how they are able to carry out their revenge.”

“It’s just like in the novels: the spirits, empowered by this force, follow the plot and avenge themselves on their killers. On the surface, it seems Fang Meiqi’s horror novels are predicting people’s deaths.”

“In reality, it’s these stories that evoke strong feelings in readers. The ghosts absorb these emotions, grow stronger, and become capable of vengeance.”

As Fang You spoke, Zhou Shen’s computer chimed again—Fang Meiqi had just updated her novel with a new chapter.

Zhou Shen glanced at the latest update. His eyes grew dark and deep. Suddenly, he jumped to his feet. “We have to stop that damned novelist—what I mean is, we must bring her back to the station and use every means to stop her from writing another deadly story!”

He set down his laptop, put on his coat, and strode out of the station. “I’m going to bring Fang Meiqi in. You two stay here and keep watch!”

After Zhou Shen left, Zhang Shengnan looked puzzled. “Master usually takes me along. Why did he go alone this time? Something’s off… this doesn’t feel right…”

Fang You also sensed that something was very wrong with Zhou Shen’s behavior.

When Master left just now, he took his sidearm with him. Usually, the gun is just for show—he never draws it. Why would he specifically take it today? Zhang Shengnan glanced at Zhou Shen’s abandoned laptop, then exchanged a meaningful look with Fang You.

They opened the computer to read Fang Meiqi’s latest chapter.

Meanwhile, after updating her story, Fang Meiqi returned to her small cabin in the woods.

She sat down at her computer, reviewing the freshly written scenes. As a famous horror novelist, she always paid close attention to her work.

But as she read through the new content, she sensed that something was amiss.

Just then, the shrill wail of police sirens echoed outside. Clutching her computer, Fang Meiqi rushed toward the door, hoping to escape.

But the police car barreled down the path and crashed straight to her front door.

Realizing she couldn’t flee through the main entrance, Fang Meiqi snatched a nearby vase and smashed the reinforced glass window.

A gunshot rang out—the lock on her door was blasted open.

At the same moment, Fang Meiqi leapt out the window and made her escape.

“Fang Meiqi, where are you? Delete your chapters and come with me to the station!” Zhou Shen burst through the door, determined to arrest her.

But Fang Meiqi had already slipped out through the window, clutching her laptop as she darted down a hidden woodland path.

Zhou Shen saw the shattered window and vaulted through after her, spotting a woman in a white dress fleeing in the distance.

He raised his pistol and fired four shots, emptying the magazine. The woman’s body shuddered, but she kept running.

Reloading, Zhou Shen continued the pursuit.

Back at the station, Fang You and Zhang Shengnan were reading the latest chapter by Fang Meiqi:

A young police officer was chasing a thief. The thief was incredibly fast; the rookie officer couldn’t keep up. Their pursuit through the streets was intense…

Suddenly, at a corner, another officer sprang out and tackled the thief.

But the thief immediately drew a folding knife from his waistband and fought back furiously.

The officer who had tackled the thief tried to ward off the attacks with his hands; the two men grappled fiercely on the ground.

“Zhou Shen, what are you doing? Help me!” The officer shouted as he struggled. In the chaos, his right hand was stabbed clean through by the knife.

He kicked the thief away and retreated to a wall. The thief, a desperate man, seeing his opponent wounded and the alley behind him a dead end, fixed his gaze on the newly minted officer Zhou Shen, standing at the only exit.

The thief mustered his courage and charged straight at Zhou Shen, hoping to break through and escape.

But at that moment, overwhelmed with fear, Zhou Shen’s pistol went off. The shot struck the thief dead.

Zhou Shen panicked. Though he hadn’t meant to kill, it was clearly excessive force in self-defense. If investigated, not only would he lose his badge, but he could also end up in prison. His whole life would be ruined.

The wounded officer, surprised by what he’d seen, quickly composed himself. Clearly a seasoned veteran, he began to reassure Zhou Shen: “The thief was about to attack. You fired in self-defense. It’s over now—hand me your gun.”

Bandaging his wound, the officer approached Zhou Shen. “Everything will be fine. Give me the gun.”

But Zhou Shen now pointed the weapon at the officer instead. “No one can know about this. If anyone finds out, my life is over.”