He pushed the broken car and we walked side by side. "What kind of work do you do on the construction site?" 

"Don't mention it. I'm tired. Does the guy pretending to be me look like me?" 

"Apparently, he is a copy of the original." I suddenly had a feeling, as if I had forgotten something very important, but I couldn't remember what it was. "If the two of you stand together, you really can't tell the real one from the fake one." 

"Really? What a pity. I really want to see it. However, after burning the painting this morning, if it really works, I won't be able to see it." 

"What's wrong with not being able to see it? I was hoping that this thing would not fall on me from the beginning." 

"What did that fake Xiaoguo say?" 

"He said it, and he spoke so sincerely, as if it were true. I was so moved, but I saw through it in the end." 

"What did he say?" 

"He just reminded me to be careful of that woman's conspiracy and not to fall for her tricks. She wanted to alienate us. He was so sincere and persuasive that I almost believed him. But there is one thing I don't understand. Why did he have to make me believe him? He could just tear off his mask and pounce on me. Why go to so much trouble?" 

"I don't know, but I guess these aliens are not always so powerful. They are always powerful enough to do whatever they want in one place. So after leaving their nest, they always use their spiritual power to lure people into traps to succeed. It's the same principle as a hanged ghost using a substitute to lure people into a collar." 

"Wow, you are so proficient in the affairs of the underworld that you can even go to the Ghost." 

"No big deal, we're here." 

There was a large courtyard on the side of the road. On one side were work sheds, on the other a tiled bungalow, and between them a row of cement bungalows. On the fourth side, there was another row of buildings, but it was hard to see clearly. Xiaoguo put his bicycle aside and led me into a nicer room. I sat on the sofa against the wall, and Xiaoguo picked up the thermos on the table and poured me some water. 

At that moment, I clearly saw the teacup on the table. I immediately realized two things: first, it had actually been daybreak, but I had always thought it was still dark. Second, I recognized the teacup; it belonged to our factory. I turned around and saw a giant world map hanging on the wall, the bottom corner taped shut. This map was unique to our factory. 

Had Xiaoguo and I been tricked and returned to the office? "Xiaoguo," I called. 

He didn't answer, continuing to pour water. He hadn't said a word since entering the office. Looking closely, I noticed he was doing something strange. After emptying the thermos into the cup, he poured the remaining water back into the cup. The water was surprisingly blood-red. Even from this distance away, I could smell it. It was unmistakably blood. 

My hands and feet went cold, and my heart nearly stopped. Finally, I remembered something: Xiaoguo worked the day shift at the construction site; he never worked overtime at night! In other words, the Xiaoguo I'd just been walking with was fake, and I'd been running around the yard. 

Desperately, I glanced outside. Sure enough, the row of buildings across the way were all bungalows! I was indeed in the office! I practically collapsed on the sofa. I gathered my strength and scrambled towards the door. But just as I tried to lift my butt, I saw "Xiaoguo" hunched over, head lowered, squinting at me with a smirk. I collapsed immediately onto the sofa. 

"What are you doing?" he asked in a voice no one could utter. 

"I—I…" 

I noticed that most of the office was bathed in a pale green glow, with only a few areas, like the desk and the sofa, illuminated by daylight. "Xiaoguo" suddenly rushed in front of me, so fast I couldn't even blink. "His" crimson eyes glared at me fiercely. The entire room was instantly bathed in a shimmering green glow. 

"You haven't even had your water yet, and you're already leaving?" "He" gritted his teeth. 

The cup was thrust under my nose, filled with blood. I pushed it, spilling the blood all over the man. He let out a shrill laugh, thrust a long claw into his clothes, and with a powerful tug, ripped the clothes and skin apart. A vague figure burst out from within—it was the woman in the portrait! 

Her claws clamped around my neck, her crimson eyes fixed on me. My life force gradually faded. I knew I was dying, but I refused to die. Never in my life had I wanted to live as much as I did at that moment, but I couldn't resist her. The coldness of her body gradually drained my life force, and my body grew colder.