I'm Actually Panicking Because My Heart Doesn't Beat (GL) - Chapter 14

Special items weren’t uncommon in this world. Most of them were handled by the official Paranormal Investigation Bureau, but some ended up scattered among the general public—usually left behind after someone accidentally defeated a paranormal entity. These leftover items often carried unique abilities.

They were rare, but not unheard of. Take this person named Cheng Yi, for example—she apparently had an item that could change her appearance. Not only that, it could change her face selectively, without being affected by other factors.

The meeting room fell silent. Everyone knew that shapeshifting items like this were the hardest to track. Just when you think you’ve caught them, they change faces and disappear again.

Xing Tianqing listened carefully to Xiao An’s report, her gaze landing on the last sketch.

That final sketch was based on how one of the girls remembered Cheng Yi looking. She looked around twenty, with big round eyes and a slightly chubby oval face. Cute and pretty, with a bright, sunny appearance.

“Can we identify any of these three people?” Xing Tianqing asked. “Run them through the public security system and see if there’s a match.”

Xiao An looked around seriously and said, “I’ve already checked. None of them match any records in the database. I think Cheng Yi’s face has been modified. But—we did get something.”

She pointed to the third drawing and said, “One of the witnesses said she’s seen this girl at school before and even said hello to her once. So this third face likely belongs to a student at the Normal University.”

“That’s a lead,” one of the investigators said, nodding. They turned to Xing Tianqing. “Captain Xing, should we go check it out? Maybe we’ll find something useful.”

Xing Tianqing stared at the third sketch for a long moment, then finally nodded. “Bring the drawings. We’re going to Normal University.”

In an empty classroom, Guan Xiaoxuan sat next to Zhang Wen, watching the girl speaking at the front of the room.

That girl—Cheng Yi—was beautiful to the point of looking unreal. She had light makeup on, but her features were so striking they seemed almost too perfect.

All the guys in the room were staring at her, completely mesmerized. The girls sitting nearby looked uncomfortable, many with visible irritation on their faces.

Pretty girls often drew jealousy, but Guan Xiaoxuan felt more puzzled than envious. She couldn’t recall seeing such a stunning senior in the original Guan Xiaoxuan’s memories.

“I’ve been tracking the times the faceless girl appears,” Cheng Yi said, standing at the podium and writing on the chalkboard with a piece of chalk she’d gotten from who knows where. “She usually shows up around dusk or sometime after three in the morning.”

Cheng Yi had a curvy figure—long legs, a slim waist, and as she stood on tiptoe to write, her smooth calves peeked out from her skirt.

Everything about her radiated charm.

A guy suddenly asked, “So, are you trying to figure out her routine so you can catch her?”

Cheng Yi turned around and smiled slightly at him, her beauty practically glowing.

The guy’s face turned red instantly. His girlfriend, sitting beside him, went pale with anger, jumped up, grabbed her bag, and stormed out.

Normally, the guy should’ve chased after her. But instead, he stayed seated like he was under a spell, grinning and saying, “Don’t worry about her—go on, keep going.”

The atmosphere in the classroom turned weird. Zhang Wen tugged on Guan Xiaoxuan’s sleeve and whispered, “Xiaoxuan, don’t you think this senior seems a little… off?”

A little off?

More like seriously off.

Based on her previous life’s experience, Guan Xiaoxuan was sure there was something wrong with this girl. There had to be another reason she’d gathered so many people—it wasn’t just to talk.

Cheng Yi didn’t seem bothered by the girl who had stormed out. She casually tossed her hair over her shoulder and smiled again. “I think we should act tonight.”

“Tonight? Isn’t that too soon?” someone asked, frowning.

People began murmuring around the room. They thought it was reckless to rush into action just based on the entity’s activity times, without any real understanding of what they were dealing with.

“Don’t worry,” Cheng Yi said calmly. “I was actually the first person to see the faceless girl. One time I came back to my dorm and saw her standing right at my door. I got really close to her—and I even managed to hurt her. So I’m pretty sure she doesn’t have any special powers. She’s just a normal person without facial features.”

“You hurt her?” someone asked in surprise. “She sounds terrifying. How’d you manage that?”

Cheng Yi smiled smugly. “I happened to be holding a kettle of boiling water. I was scared, but I threw the hot water on her anyway. She was in a lot of pain—her skin turned red and she ran away. That’s how I know she’s not dangerous.”

“I ran into her a few more times afterward,” she continued. “Every time, she didn’t show any special powers. She’s just creepy at first glance, that’s all.”

She looked around the classroom and said, “I’m not forcing anyone to join. Tonight’s plan is totally voluntary. I gathered you all here to talk it through first.”

“You all know some paranormal entities leave behind special items when they’re defeated. Those can sell for a lot of money. So if any of you want to join me tonight, stay, and we’ll keep planning. If not, you’re free to leave—I won’t hold it against you.”

The room went silent for a few seconds. Then two people stood up. They looked around nervously and quietly slipped out.

Once someone left, others followed. Several more people got up—some without saying a word, others muttering things like, “I don’t want to get involved,” before heading out too.

Guan Xiaoxuan and Zhang Wen were among those who quietly left the room without saying anything.

Out of the original group of more than twenty, only four or five people stayed behind.

As Guan Xiaoxuan walked away, she glanced back at the empty classroom. Cheng Yi was still standing at the front, smiling brightly. Her mouth moved as she gestured with her hands, trying to persuade the few who remained.

But that smile—it was off. It made Guan Xiaoxuan frown deeply.

It didn’t look like someone excited about catching a faceless ghost.

It looked like someone about to enjoy a delicious meal.