Those Classmates who Suddenly Disappeared-Chapter 33 - - The Method That Is Not A Method

33: Chapter 33 – The Method That Is Not A Method

33 -33 – The Method That Is Not A Method

Two went missing over the summer and another two disappeared after the new school year began, all of whom were members of the dance club.

The school realized action was needed.

The student affairs teachers and counselors started running safety awareness courses for all students.

They even invited speakers from the police department, all in an effort to raise the safety consciousness of students during their outdoor activities.

Since those who disappeared were from the dance club, the school took extra measures to bring them together, give them special attention, and provide personal counseling.

They earnestly hoped every student could remain safe.

Gu Fan greatly appreciated the school’s efforts, but he knew that neither counseling nor increased safety awareness would resolve the issue.

Until the matter was clarified, the disappearances would continue.

There were no afternoon lessons, and the dance club did not rehearse.

In line with the spirit of the safety awareness education conveyed by the teachers, Du Jun gathered all the club members who had previously entered the secret room for a brief meeting.

The members of the dance club congregated in a usual rehearsal room as per Du Jun’s instructions.

It surprised them to see Gu Fan and Lu Yi—who weren’t members of their club—in the room.

Many guessed what this could mean.

Gu Fan looked at the sullen faces of the dance club members.

He knew what was running through their minds.

Du Jun cleared his throat, attracting everyone’s attention, and then opened the conversation: “As the teachers suggested earlier, we need to enhance our safety awareness.

We’ve already lost four people.

I hope everyone will be more cautious.

Avoid going to less crowded places alone.

Try not to interact with strangers.”

The club members only gave token nods, faces grave, their minds burdened with heavy thoughts.

This is when Gu Fan stepped in: “That’s what the teachers advised.

Now, I have other matters to discuss that concern everyone here.

I hope you’ll listen carefully to what I’m about to say.

Keep everything confidential.

Do not disclose the contents of this meeting to anyone.”

Upon hearing this, everyone perked up, thinking the conversation was about to get more interesting.

Gu Fan cleared his throat again.

“Everyone here, except for Lu Yi and myself, have entered the secret room.

You’ve seen how eerie that room is.

Now, four students have gone missing.

I don’t want to frighten you all.

I hope this is a coincidence and the unfortunate events happened to choose these four individuals.

But I believe I’m not the only one feeling that these disappearances are targeted at each one of us.”

No one responded.

The silence was deathly.

Their faces displayed fear and unease, as if an invisible hand was choking them.

The atmosphere was discomfiting, making everyone break out in a cold sweat.

Gu Fan let out a sigh.

He didn’t want to induce panic, but the truth was, everyone had been living in fear ever since the fourth person disappeared.

“Alright, I gathered everyone today to discuss how we’ll handle this situation.” Gu Fan’s statement immediately raised everyone’s spirits.

Their hopeful eyes turned to him, perhaps he did have a good idea in mind.

One student suggested, “Should we go to the police and seek their protection?”

However, Gu Fan shook his head.

“We contacted the police when Zhao Rui went missing.

We told them about the secret room, but nothing came out of it.

You should all know the results.

Unless we prove there’s an imminent danger threatening us at all times, the police won’t protect us around the clock.

So we have to rely on ourselves.”

“Rely on ourselves?” A few female students looked at each other, their eyes reflecting a trace of despair.

They wondered how they could protect themselves in such a situation.

Gu Fan continued, “Just like what our teachers said, don’t go to quiet places, don’t interact with strangers, and don’t act alone.”

“Well… it’s possible, yes.

But we can’t possibly do these things all the time…” Some students were concerned about exceptional situations.

Upon hearing this, Gu Fan nodded seriously.

“I know it’s difficult, but we have to take these measures considering the circumstances.

If you don’t want to be the fifth one to disappear, just try your utmost to follow these rules.”

After hearing this, everyone adopted an attitude of grudging acceptance.

Then, Du Jun interjected, “To effectively implement these three points, I’ll divide everyone into teams.

We have ten people right now, two people per team, for a total of five teams.”

Gu Fan also said, “Everyone, remember, all four missing students were acting alone when they disappeared.

We’re using a two-person team arrangement that I think can prevent such a situation.”

Upon hearing this, everyone thought the method was feasible and agreed to the team setup.

After a moment of thought, Gu Fan seemed to remember something crucial, and he continued, “I hope everyone will cooperate.

Perhaps, the direction your partner is headed might be far, or you may be hesitant about accompanying them. freēwēbηovel.c૦m

But this is the time we need mutual support.

For everyone’s safety, please let’s not be petty.”

Someone raised a question at this point, “If my teammate goes out with other people, do I need to follow?

And if I don’t, what if I have to go somewhere urgently while my teammate is away?”

Indeed, this was a crucial issue.

Many people turned to Gu Fan with their questions, hoping he could provide a solution.

After a moment of thought, Gu Fan said, “If your groupmates and others leave and are not able to accompany you to the place you urgently need to go, then you should look for other classmates you know to accompany you.

If that isn’t possible, seek help from another group.”

Thus, under collective wisdom, an idea of group cooperation emerged.

The first and second groups would work together, as would the third and fourth, to compensate for the sudden absence of group members.

As for Gu Fan and Lu Yi’s fifth group, they had not entered the secret room and thus their safety was highest.

Moreover, they also had Jie.

The plan to counteract the disappearance incident was set.

As long as there were countermeasures, the possibility of disappearance was reduced and everyone felt somewhat relieved.

Then, when the meeting was dismissed, everyone left.

Lin Xi wanted to stay and accompany Gu Fan, but Gu Fan wanted her to return to the dormitory immediately with the other girls in her group.

It was a special time, so personal matters would have to wait.

When everyone had left, Gu Fan looked visibly anxious, which worried Lu Yi.

He asked, “What’s wrong, Gu Fan?

Have you found flaws in our countermeasures?”

Gu Fan nodded with a pessimistic look.

“There will certainly be flaws, as humans are prone to mistakes.

Furthermore, we still don’t know what we’re facing.

Even group actions can’t ensure absolute safety.”

Lu Yi asked another question, “Should I accompany you home today?

Didn’t you say we shouldn’t act alone?”

“There’s no need.

Someone is coming to pick me up.

Just stay here with Jie and guard the place,” replied Gu Fan.

His meaningful smile made Lu Yi suspicious, “Gu Fan, if I’m not mistaken, you didn’t want Lin Xi to accompany you because it’s a woman who’s coming to pick you up.”

Hearing this, Gu Fan had to admit that his best friend was incredibly sharp and nodded, “That’s correct, you guessed it right.

Su Hui said she’d pick me up after her shift ends since our school is on her way.”

“I see…” Lu Yi carefully scouted their surroundings and then peeked outside the activity room.

In the corridor, there was only an auntie cleaning.

Ensuring that no one was eavesdropping, Lu Yi grinned, “Gu Fan, you dog!

One at school and one at home.

I guess my chances of having a romance with an older woman is diminished.

But as a good friend, I won’t mind.

You go chase your happiness, I support you.”

“Stop kidding, you know who her last boyfriend was.

There’s no way she would look at a small fry like me.” Gu Fan was a bit annoyed but amused.

He knew anything between him and Su Hui was impossible, and he had full confidence in Lin Xi.

Once Lin Xi gained more life experiences after stepping into society, she wouldn’t lose to Su Hui, so Gu Fan didn’t need to have his cake and eat it too.

What worried him now was if he could live up to Lin Xi’s growth.

After that, Gu Fan and Lu Yi talked more and confirmed they had thought of everything.

Then they left the activity room, which was still quiet with just the cleaning lady left.

Lu Yi couldn’t help but comment, “This auntie is really slow.

She was cleaning when we started our meeting and she’s still at it.”

“Well, we can’t say that.

They’re working hard too.

We should be grateful to them for keeping our campus clean and hygienic,” replied Gu Fan, but then he suddenly paused and turned back to look at the auntie.

Noticing Gu Fan’s strange expression, Lu Yi asked, “What’s wrong, Gu Fan?

Did you notice something?”

Gu Fan nodded, “I hope I’m just overthinking this, but how long did our meeting last?”

About half an hour,” replied Lu Yi.

“And how long have we been chatting after the meeting?” Gu Fan continued to ask.

“Less than ten minutes.

So in total, we’ve spent about forty minutes.” Lu Yi answered, feeling confused about the purpose of these questions.

As he walked, Gu Fan furrowed his brow, “This corridor couldn’t be more than fifty meters long.

If you were to clean it, Lu Yi, how long would it take you?”

“Certainly not half an hour.” After his answer, Lu Yi’s expression shifted slightly.

He whispered, “Don’t tell me, Gu Fan.

Last time you suspected the supermarket’s new cashier, and now you’re suspecting this auntie.

Aren’t you being overly suspicious?”

“We’ll see if I’m overly suspicious.

Let’s hide around the corner and see if this auntie leaves immediately after we do.”