chapter 60

The Lady’s Perfume.

She had actually hidden her Perfume in the secret chamber, and there was far more than just one bottle.

Following the principle of not making a trip in vain, Tu Nan swiped two bottles-one for Tang Yuan, and one for the Fairy Tale Compendium.

Taking any more would make it inconvenient to move.

This secret chamber was connected to many passageways, like a miniature Maze, allowing direct access to other people’s rooms, and through the Painting in each room, enabling surveillance of their occupants.

Tu Nan was dumbfounded. The thought that the Lady had been hiding behind the Painting, watching her and Jane chat, sent a chill down her spine.

In the end, she crawled out from behind the Painting on the first floor.

These two secret chambers were actually connected.

Inside the Mansion, there was a vast internal passageway, concealed by Murals on the outside, allowing those inside to quickly monitor others.

Luckily, she was quick enough-she had just climbed out when the Lady descended the stairs, running right into Tu Nan, who was about to return to her room.

“Miss Lita,” the Lady looked down at her, her gaze icy. “Why aren’t you in your room? What are you doing?”

Tu Nan remained calm, bowed politely, and smiled, “Good afternoon, Madam. I was a bit thirsty in my room, so I came down to get a glass of water.”

“Is that so?” The Lady scanned her from head to toe, her tone pointed. “The Mansion is very large. I hope you don’t wander around. It would be bad if you got lost.”

“I’ll be careful.” Tu Nan stepped aside to clear the way on the stairs. “Are you heading downstairs? Please, go ahead.”

The Lady stared at her for a moment, snorted coldly, and brushed past her.

As the Lady passed, Tu Nan saw her face up close-thick white powder covered her cheeks, and the skin seemed unnaturally smooth.

On her first night at the Manor, she had noticed the Lady’s powder was unusually heavy. She hadn’t thought much of it then, assuming it was just the peculiar aesthetic of women in this era. But now, she wondered if the Lady was trying to hide something.

What was she trying to conceal?

Burn scars?

The Lady’s skirt was wide, and her neck and wrists were covered by clothing. Aside from her face, almost no skin was visible.

Tu Nan watched the Lady’s departing figure, deep in thought.

Many mysteries of this Instance seemed to be surfacing, but to fully unravel them, she needed more clues.

She went to find Tang Yuan.

Tang Yuan was also resting in a room on the Third Floor.

Tu Nan knocked on her door and handed over the Perfume she had stolen from the secret chamber.

Tang Yuan raised her eyebrows, a bit surprised. “You actually got it.”

“Now can you tell me what illness Lilith actually has?”

“Of course.” Tang Yuan smiled and invited her in. The two sat down on the sofa.

“Lilith’s illness is congenital heart disease,” Tang Yuan answered straightforwardly. “Her heart is very fragile. She can’t be stimulated, can’t exercise vigorously, and can’t endure any fatigue.”

“Just as I thought… That’s why there’s that book in the Lady’s room.” Tu Nan felt a sense of calm inevitability.

“So you know the method, too?” Tang Yuan leaned back on the sofa, relaxed. “I came here not only to re-examine Lilith, but also to prepare her prescription. Everything is ready-except for the Catalyst.”

And what the Catalyst was, was obvious.

-It was their hearts.

“Since the Lady needs our hearts, why did she send the others into the Maze…” Tu Nan was puzzled. “If they all died in there, wouldn’t their hearts be useless?”
“Only one Catalyst is needed. I believe she has already decided whose heart will serve as the Catalyst,” Tang Yuan said, her tone subtle. “She is extremely particular. Since she chose you, it means she is quite satisfied with you.”

“That hardly counts as good news for me.” Tu Nan replied coldly.

Tang Yuan shrugged. “In any case, you brought me the Perfume, and I kept my promise. I wish you the best of luck in staying alive.”

She took something from her pocket and tossed it to Tu Nan.

Tu Nan caught it with quick reflexes, glancing down in some surprise.

[Fairy Tale Hospital Employment Notice

We are honored to inform you that you have been selected by Fairy Tale Hospital!

Please bring this notice to Fairy Tale Hospital within fifteen working days to complete your employment procedures.

Once the employment procedures are completed, you will undergo a one-month Training. If you successfully pass the Training, you will officially become an on-duty medical staff member of Fairy Tale Hospital.

We look forward to meeting you!

All staff at Fairy Tale Hospital]

“My authority can’t get you direct employment; you must participate in Training,” Tang Yuan said, crossing her legs. “Whether you can secure a formal position depends on yourself.”

“Of course, you may also choose not to go. This Employment Notice will automatically expire after fifteen working days.”

Tu Nan tightened her grip on the Employment Notice, looked at Tang Yuan, and said seriously, “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Tang Yuan smiled. “Maybe we’ll have a chance to become colleagues one day.”

Leaving Tang Yuan’s room, Tu Nan saw that it was already late.

She went down to the first floor and glanced outside; it seemed that dusk was nearly upon them.

But the group who had gone to the Maze still showed no sign of returning.

A nimble Cat in such a large Maze was indeed hard to find.

Still, she was confident in Fu Zhixing and Jenny. Even if Jenny’s strength was limited, Fu Zhixing was with her, and with the Glass Slipper as a tool, they shouldn’t lose their lives.

That confidence slowly faded as the night deepened.

She hastily ate dinner in the Dining Room, then hurried back to the entrance to keep waiting. The Moon had quietly risen into the night sky, yet still no one had returned.

She paced back and forth at the entrance, unable to understand: so many people, an entire afternoon, and not even a single Cat had been found?

Or was the Maze truly that terrifying?

Just as Tu Nan could no longer suppress her anxiety and was about to go out and look, she finally saw Fu Zhixing and the others returning in the distance.

George was pushing Lilith’s wheelchair, and Lilith, holding the listless Xiao Bai in her arms, looked very pleased.

The people trailing behind them, however, didn’t look so well.

Fu Zhixing and Jenny both looked terribly pale. Qin’s face was expressionless. Rose’s eyes were red; she kept wiping away her tears and would now and then glare at Qin, her hatred almost tangible.

Among them, the only one who looked at ease was Alan.

He wore a smile and was clearly in high spirits.

Tu Nan looked at Fu Zhixing, eyes full of questions.

Fu Zhixing gave her a slight shake of the head.

“Thank you all for helping me get Xiao Bai back.” Lilith smiled at them. “You must all be tired, so get some rest.”

“What happened?” As soon as Lilith and George left, Tu Nan immediately asked, unable to wait any longer. “Where’s Jack?”

“He’s dead.” Jenny replied coldly, looking at Qin. “Perhaps you owe us an explanation.”