The fat pig eventually recovered, but before Tang Tang arrived, the fat pig started acting up again. The director explained it was a residual effect from its previous severe illness.
Tang Tang was also clever and could draw inferences from one case to another.
She changed her approach and asked someone else, feigning interest in the zoo's employee turnover. She inquired if any staff had resigned around the time the fat pig fell ill.
The answer she received was: "Working at the zoo is very tiring, and the salary isn't particularly good. Many people leave after two months, so it's hard to say how many resigned during that period."
Tang Tang didn't dare to ask too many direct questions, fearing she might alert them. After indirectly asking several people, she managed to gather this information.
"This information is enough. My guess is highly likely to be true!"
After hearing Tang Tang's report, Ning Wei became even more convinced of her suspicion.
The fat pig was clearly destined to die, so how did it disappear for a month and then miraculously recover?
The only plausible explanation was that the director had taken the fat pig away, skinned it after it died, and then put its hide onto someone else.
The reason for doing so was likely because the fat pig held special significance for the tourists. Otherwise, the director wouldn't have organized a naming event specifically for a pig.
Its current bad temper after returning to the zoo, which eventually normalized, and the new erratic behavior, strongly suggested that human consciousness was slowly awakening.
However, the entire affair was too bizarre. Ning Wei, despite her extensive experience, could only speculate.
"After the fat pig was taken away, did you see it at the zoo today?"
Tang Tang shook her head. "I specifically asked the head of the petting zoo. He said the director had a car come and take the fat pig away from the back gate, claiming it was for another vet check-up."
The check-up was a pretense; the real intention was to get rid of it!
"Then be more observant and report any developments to me. Also, be careful. If the director asks you to meet him alone, make an excuse to refuse, or have someone notify us!"
Tang Tang's face turned pale upon hearing this.
"Are you implying the director might target me?"
"I'm not sure, but it's always good to be cautious."
"You should get some sleep. I'm planning to infiltrate the zoo tonight. I'm leaving now."
With that, Ning Wei slid down the drainpipe outside the balcony.
Tang Tang stared in stunned disbelief at this maneuver, especially since they were on the third floor.
She was unaware that Ning Wei frequently engaged in such activities.
Having scouted the area beforehand and being naturally cautious, Ning Wei avoided every surveillance camera.
As she passed by a small grove of trees, a red figure flickered past.
Ning Wei immediately gave chase.
The ghost fled the faster she pursued. Ning Wei simply flicked her finger, pinning the ghost in place.
Upon closer inspection, it was another flayed ghost. However, this one differed from the ones she had encountered before.
Although its skin had been removed, making its features unclear, its physique was distinct.
This one was clearly a newly formed ghost, instinctively trying to evade detection upon seeing a person.
"Who are you?" Ning Wei tentatively addressed the flayed ghost.
The flayed ghost opened its gaping maw. Ning Wei, expecting resistance, took a step back, preparing for an attack. To her surprise, she saw that the red mass at the end was a black void.
This flayed ghost had no tongue!
It appeared to have been ripped out during its lifetime!
This discovery further solidified Ning Wei's suspicion. The skin-grafting technique used in the past likely involved removing the victim's tongue to prevent them from crying for help or revealing the truth, thus avoiding unnecessary complications.
Now, this presented a problem. Without being able to communicate with the flayed ghost, how could she ascertain its identity?
This skin-grafting technique was utterly cruel, completely blocking any avenues for investigation or pleas for help.
"Can you hear me?" Ning Wei tried a different approach.
However, the flayed ghost remained uncooperative, suggesting that ghosts, like humans, could be willful.
Ning Wei bit her fingertip, and a drop of blood landed on the flayed ghost. White smoke immediately billowed. The flayed ghost writhed in pain, its flesh and blood twitching, yet it couldn't break free from its restraints.
"Answer my questions with a nod for yes and a shake of your head for no. Can you cooperate?" She still had a drop of blood on her fingertip, which served as a potent threat to the flayed ghost.
Indeed, after experiencing the power of the blood drop, the flayed ghost promptly nodded.
"You haven't been dead long, have you?"
The flayed ghost nodded.
"Are you an employee of the zoo?"
The flayed ghost nodded.
"Is your body currently inside a pig?"
The flayed ghost continued to nod.
"Did the director harm you?"
Upon mentioning the director's name, the flayed ghost reacted with extreme agitation. Even without a nod, Ning Wei knew the answer.
Having identified the culprit, tonight's expedition was not in vain.
Unfortunately, she couldn't determine the flayed ghost's identity. With so many zoo employees, questioning them one by one would likely take until dawn.
"I'll let you go. You must not harm anyone. Can you promise this?"
The flayed ghost nodded.
"If I need you, you cannot run away or resist. Otherwise, I'll use one drop of blood to ensure you can't even be a ghost. Do you understand?"
The flayed ghost nodded emphatically.
To threaten a bloody, flayed ghost into such submission was likely something only Ning Wei could achieve.
After releasing the flayed ghost, Ning Wei regretted it. She had forgotten to inquire about Fu Chengwei!
She tried to search for the flayed ghost again, but it had vanished without a trace.
Never mind. Since she hadn't seen Fu Chengwei's ghost, it meant he was at least still alive.
And for this flayed ghost, having admitted its body was beneath a pig's skin, it proved one thing: the skin-grafting ritual had failed this time.
It was likely that news of the fat pig's death would surface in a couple of days. Ning Wei wondered if the director would hold a farewell ceremony for it.
Having made significant progress tonight, Ning Wei returned to the dormitory with a sense of satisfaction.
She moved so quietly that Tang Tang remained fast asleep.
The next day, while heading to the mess hall for breakfast, Ning Wei ran into Tang Tang on the way.
Tang Tang held Ning Wei's arm, and the two appeared to be very close. In reality, they were discussing important matters.
"The fat pig is dead. Its body has been returned to the petting zoo. According to procedure, there should have been a farewell ceremony, but because it had previously frightened tourists, it's not convenient to hold one."
"Then what's the point of returning it? Are they planning to add it to the mess hall's menu?" Ning Wei asked in confusion.
Even the reserved Tang Tang couldn't tolerate this comment and, with a frown, sternly told Ning Wei, "Your imagination is really quite vivid."