44. The Fatal Occurrence

                                    

                                          



Chapter 40
The Fatal Occurrence 




Research Wing, City Library



The librarian looked at the young 19-year-old doe-eyed kid in front of him with amusement and curiosity. The librarian was a good-looking 40-year-old man with great cheekbones and an attractive mouth. He had seen this girl off and on in the library with her sweet-looking elder sister but he really didn't think this kid had much to do with books other than sticking bubble gum under the tables and getting fined for doing that. And, here the girl stood in front of him, looking genuinely interested in 'errm' werewolves and witch's crosses? He adjusted his smart gold-rimmed spectacles and looked at the girl closely.


Librarian -- Zu Ai, right? You are Lang Hui's younger sister, that popular social worker, hmmm. I have seen you around. You want access to the research wing? For werewolves and occult?


Zu felt like such a fool but her intrigue for Sam was far stronger than this momentary awkwardness.


Zu ( shrugs her shoulders and nods )- Well, yeah. And it's not like I am running away with the documents, dude!.. I mean, Sir. It will take an hour or so and I promise not to stick any gum under any table.


The man smiled and shook his head. He took out a bunch of keys from his drawer and beckoned her to follow him. As Zu went after the librarian up the dark staircase, Rohan, who had been following Zu as per Sam's orders, immediately put the book that he was supposedly reading. He made an urgent call to Sam there and then.


Rohan ( whispering )- Sam! This Zu chick has lost it! She is at the old research wing of the city library and she is specifically digging out the werewolf stuff'(pause) 'hmmm' are you sure? Okay. Come here right away and don't worry about Qui Su. I will be seeing what she is up to!... ( seriously) and Sam, I am seriously worried now. Just DO something about Zu!


Rohan ends the call and goes out of the library.



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Social Activities Society, Cloud Recesses College.




The SAS hall is buzzing with activity as it is that time of the year when all Cloud Recesses College students team up and undertake social projects for the betterment and development of the villages around Guilin. Heng, Guang Ho, Jia, Xena, Natasha, Bi, Joya, Zhan, Yibo and all others are there. Two senior final-year students of the Physics Honours batch are signing up the students. Yibo is talking in general with a group of students and Zhan is just looking at him. Yibo knows that he is looking at him but he deliberately avoids Zhan's emotion-ridden eyes. Just then, the professor who had been making the list of projects and the assigned students, calls for everyone's attention.



Professor ( drawing attention)- Alright kids! We are done with the projects and since you all marked your interests in the form, we have divided you all, accordingly, okay?... ( they all nod)' so, here we go now. The first social project is Educating Rural Women. The chosen village is Daxu. And the group that is headed to Daxu is Heng, Guang Ho and Xena.


Guang Ho is happy but Heng and Xena give each-other uncomfortable smiles. They both look at Yibo who gives them ice-cold looks. Heng thinks of something and raises his hand.


Heng ( flatly )- Mam, I don't think I will be too comfortable working in this team. Can I...


Professor ( surprised )- Heng? Are you alright? You know the rules, child. We decide who works with who. Whom do you have a problem with? Guang Ho or Xena?