Safety Manual Labor Tips with a Twist of 2D Chapter 25

Chapter 25.1 Don’t give up on life

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Have you heard of the urban legend of immortality?

Chen Xi was such a person, unable to recall how long he had been alive or how many bodies he had inhabited.

As his body gradually aged, he sought out fresh and healthy bodies to exchange with, extending his own lifespan.

When Chen Xi realized it was time for him to find a new body, he had already spent several years in the three-dimensional world. This world was different from his original one, fraught with various dangers. In his old age, he could barely walk a few steps, spending his days wearily sitting in the security booth, watching the constant stream of people with cloudy eyes.

He served as the security guard for the apartment, diligently observing the comings and goings of people. Chen Xi narrowed his eyes, scanning for his desired prey. Soon enough, among the residents, he spotted the body he was drawn to.

Lin Zhaohe, a young and attractive man, possessed a healthy body and simple social connections.

During his time guarding the gate, Chen Xi had noticed that none of Lin Zhaohe’s relatives ever came to visit. Lin Zhaohe was like a lone herbivore in the forest, his harmless aura inevitably attracting predators in the vicinity.

Seated in the security booth, Chen Xi heard Lin Zhaohe politely greet him. He coughed and responded with a gentle smile, confirming his target.

The person targeted by Chen Xi had no way to move away. No matter where they relocated, they would be forcefully transferred back to their original place until their identities were exchanged.

Chen Xi felt no guilt. He had changed countless bodies, and any sense of guilt had long been worn away by the passage of time.

His plan unfolded exactly as expected, and he effortlessly obtained Lin Zhaohe’s body. However, Lin Zhaohe’s reaction caught him off guard.

When he took away others’ bodies before, their reactions were intense—angry curses, furious screams, and even attempts to fight him. However, their aged bodies were no match for his youthful self. They could only watch helplessly as Chen Xi departed with a brand-new body, taking away everything that belonged to them.

Now, everything was repeating once again. Chen Xi was prepared to hear Lin Zhaohe’s cries and pleas, but he didn’t anticipate Lin Zhaohe’s reaction, which completely caught him by surprise.

In his worn-out body, which could barely walk, Lin Zhaohe looked at him with eyes full of pity, as if it was he who had been disadvantaged by the body swap.

Ha, he must be putting up a tough front, Chen Xi thought. No one would feel happy encountering such a situation! No one!

“Lin Zhaohe, where are you going?” Just as Chen Xi had the thought, he saw Lin Zhaohe hunched over, slowly walking away.

Lin Zhaohe remained silent, moving sluggishly forward. Chen Xi knew it wasn’t that he didn’t want to speak. He simply couldn’t. That body was too old, to the point that even the soul residing in it became dull. Speaking and thinking became luxuries. Lin Zhaohe, who had no family or friends, wouldn’t be noticed by anyone for any peculiarities.

He would spare his life. Watching Lin Zhaohe’s resolute figure, as if he had cast off a heavy burden, Chen Xi thought with bitterness. Let Lin Zhaohe put up a tough front. He didn’t believe that Lin Zhaohe could truly remain indifferent to his body being taken away. He actually wanted to witness Lin Zhaohe’s hope shatter completely, to see him break down in tears!

Did Lin Zhaohe truly not care? Not entirely. In fact, facing the sudden persecution, he felt quite angry. But he had always been someone with a positive outlook, and since the situation had already occurred, he could only bravely face it.

His fragile frame was certainly no match for Chen Xi. If he were to confront him head-on, he would be the one at a disadvantage. Lin Zhaohe tried his best to think with his sluggish mind. The best course of action now was to wait for Zhuang Lao and Qi Ming to return and discuss this matter with them, brainstorming for a solution.

This fusion of the second and third dimensions, would they believe him? Lin Zhaohe sat in the security booth, closing his eyes to bask in the sunlight, dozing off in a drowsy state.

“Feels so comfortable,” he mumbled drowsily. Being a security guard seemed quite enjoyable…

Zhuang Lao and Qi Ming put in tremendous effort for Lin Zhaohe’s life. Within two days, they rushed around to various places, finally locating the woman’s ashes.

“Does this ashes really work?” Almost sleepless and tirelessly, when they returned to the apartment on the third afternoon, Qi Ming’s complexion was haggard, with exaggerated dark circles under his eyes. If someone didn’t know, they would think he had applied smoky makeup.

“I don’t know,” Zhuang Lao remained unchanged, as if he didn’t need sleep at all. “Have you managed to contact Lin Zhaohe?”

“No,” Qi Ming replied. “We had a brief connection yesterday afternoon, but today no one answered. I don’t know if he’s dead.”

“He’s stubborn,” Zhuang Lao said. “He wouldn’t die that easily.”

It was not surprising that Zhuang Lao casually discussed life and death. Nowadays, it was easier to die than to have a meal. Unlucky people could step out to buy breakfast and end up getting killed.

“Then let’s hope his luck holds a bit longer,” Qi Ming said, feeling helpless.

Carrying the urn containing the female ghost’s ashes, the two arrived at the entrance of the apartment building. As they entered, Qi Ming caught sight of the old man in the security booth and glanced at him, saying with a smile, “Does this grandpa security guard sleep in there every day? Is he even useful?”

Zhuang Lao looked over, his footsteps slightly pausing, then he withdrew his gaze and calmly said, “Being a mascot isn’t too bad.”

“True,” Qi Ming said. “In this day and age, even the strongest security guard is useless.”

In his drowsiness, Lin Zhaohe seemed to hear the voices of Qi Ming and Zhuang Lao, but when he opened his eyes, he didn’t see anyone. The sunlight was still bright as ever. He lazily shifted positions and fell back asleep.

Knock, knock, knock. Qi Ming knocked on the door of Lin Zhaohe’s home, but no one answered even after a while.

“Strange, where is Lin Zhaohe?” Qi Ming scratched his head, puzzled.

Zhuang Lao took out his phone and made a call. After a moment, they heard the ringing sound from inside the house. Qi Ming’s heart sank as he said, “Uh-oh, something might have happened to Lin Zhaohe.”

Just as he was preparing to force the door open, it creaked and popped open.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Chen Xi was very satisfied with the body he obtained. After watching Lin Zhaohe leave, he returned to Lin Zhaohe’s residence, feeling accomplished.

Free from the old body, his soul also gained a new life. He could indulge in foods he hadn’t tasted in a long time, whether it was ice-cold beer or spicy dishes that the frail body of an elderly person couldn’t handle..

However, now he could indulge greedily in everything.

Staying up late, snacking, watching TV—Chen Xi reveled in this long-awaited time. He lay on the couch, a satisfied smile on his face.

Chen Xi thought to himself that he had finally embarked on a brand new life. This world, full of dangers and opportunities, surely revolved around him as the protagonist.

Plink! A droplet of water landed on Chen Xi’s head, causing him to pause slightly. He lifted his head and gazed at the ceiling.

On the pristine white ceiling, a dark stain stood out conspicuously. The shape of the stain resembled a crouched woman, even the outline of her long hair was remarkably clear.

The water droplet that fell on his forehead had dripped from the stain above.

Chen Xi wondered if there was a leak in the house. That Lin Zhaohe, even if his home had a leak, he didn’t care at all. He truly showed no responsibility for his own life.

And so, in the next moment, with an imposing aura, Chen Xi stormed up to the eighteenth floor and knocked forcefully on the door of 18-2.

“Is anyone there? Your house is leaking!” Chen Xi wasn’t known for his good temper. After being forced to act kindly as an old man for several years, now that he had finally regained his youthful appearance, he naturally wanted to release some of the pent-up strength. He rolled up his sleeves, exuding a fierce and menacing aura. “Damn it, playing dead, huh? Don’t let me catch you, because if I do, I’ll skin you alive!”

He viciously kicked forward, but to his surprise, he kicked into thin air, staggering a few steps and nearly falling to the ground.

The previously locked door had somehow been opened, and Chen Xi rushed straight into the house.

“Damn it!” Chen Xi cursed. “You’re asking for death—”

His gaze swept across the room, searching for the culprit who had harmed him. However, the room was not large, and at a single glance, Chen Xi could take in everything. After a quick scan, he realized that there was no one in the room.

“Where is everyone?”

Just then, the sound of rushing water suddenly came from the restroom. Chen Xi immediately headed towards it. Upon reaching the restroom, he indeed saw a woman with her back facing the doorway, seemingly washing something.

Seeing that it was a woman, Chen Xi felt even more confident and shouted, “What the hell are you doing? Don’t you know your house is leaking—”

“I’m washing something,” the woman replied softly.

Chen Xi was taken aback.

“I’m washing something,” the woman repeated. “What do I do if it doesn’t come clean?”

Slowly, she lifted her head, and through the reflection in the mirror, Chen Xi caught sight of the woman’s face. In the place where her eyes should have been, there were two pitch-black voids.

She slowly turned around, and Chen Xi also saw what she held in her hands—ᴛᴡᴏ ᴇʏᴇʙᴀʟʟꜱ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ʀᴏʟʟᴇᴅ ᴀʀᴏᴜɴᴅ ɪɴᴄᴇꜱꜱᴀɴᴛʟʏ. ᴛʜᴏꜱᴇ ᴇʏᴇʙᴀʟʟꜱ ꜱᴇᴇᴍᴇᴅ ᴀʟɪᴠᴇ, ꜱᴘɪɴɴɪɴɢ ɪɴ ᴄɪʀᴄʟᴇꜱ, ᴡɪᴛʜ ʙʟᴀᴄᴋ ᴘᴜᴘɪʟꜱ ꜰɪxᴇᴅʟʏ ꜱᴛᴀʀɪɴɢ ᴀᴛ ᴄʜᴇɴ xɪ.

The sight was terrifying beyond measure, and Chen Xi’s scalp exploded instantly. He let out a scream and turned to run. He tumbled and crawled down the stairs, rushed into the house, and slammed the door shut.

“What the hell was that? Scared the shit out of me! Damn it!” Chen Xi cursed repeatedly, his face covered in cold sweat.

But before he could catch his breath, he heard another creepy sound. Chen Xi looked up and saw the water stains on the ceiling starting to wriggle and churn. A woman’s face emerged from the water stains, her pitch-black pupils glaring at Chen Xi with malice. The corners of her mouth stretched into an exaggerated curve, revealing white, menacing teeth. Chen Xi couldn’t bear the horror of the scene before him any longer and let out another scream. Overwhelmed, his eyes rolled back, and he fainted.

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