After Xiao Q asked this question, Xiao Peng and Ke Bei both showed hopeful expressions. There was no helping it—they had been imprisoned here for too long.

They desperately wanted freedom!

They really, really wanted it!

They wanted it so badly they could cry!!!

It was the same as Hu Hai wanting to become emperor!

Mike nodded: "Naturally, but I also need to learn some things from you."

Xiao Q asked: "What things?"

Mike said: "I met a very pale Chinese youth in the apartment who told me that Room 1001 held the answers I wanted and the secrets of this apartment. That's why I came."

"A very pale... Chinese youth?"

"Wait, isn't that Bai Ze?!"

The three exclaimed in unison.

Actually, after being imprisoned here, they had wondered whether Bai Ze might come to rescue them.

But since they had no relationship with him, they thought it unlikely.

Unexpectedly, Bai Ze hadn't come himself but had sent someone instead.

Because of this, the three felt completely at ease with Mike.

After all, they clearly remembered how Su Mi had pretended to be good but turned out to be terrible.

Of course, this time—just like last time—whether Su Mi or Mike were good or bad made no difference.

Because last time, right after dealing with the Dog Men, even if Su Mi hadn't pretended, she could have easily captured them.

This time, they were even worse off—completely restrained. What could they do?

Therefore, to be rescued as soon as possible,

Xiao Q said: "I don't know what answers you want, but I can tell you about our experiences and what we believe are the apartment's secrets."

Mike: "Alright, go ahead."

"Consider it payment for me rescuing you later."

Xiao Q nodded:

"You asked earlier who imprisoned us here—it was Su Mi."

"Next, I'll tell you about the apartment's hidden secrets."

"Of course, this is just our speculation—you can take it as reference."

"This apartment houses many perverted criminals and serial killers."

"As well as ordinary people who signed agreements to live here."

"Ordinary people receive 10,000 yuan per day they stay here."

"It's essentially a survival game for those who signed the agreement."

Hearing this,

Mike felt it matched what he had imagined—one side providing money, the other providing lives.

However, Xiao Q's explanation filled in the specific details of this arrangement.

One thing that surprised Mike was the existence of these agreements.

And another big question:

Those who signed agreements got 10,000 yuan per day for staying here.

But he had never signed any agreement—why was he also receiving 10,000 daily?

Could it be that simply entering here automatically made him like those who signed agreements?

Unaware of Mike's thoughts, Xiao Q continued:

"I'm a resident who signed an agreement to live here."

"Xiao Peng's ex-girlfriend signed the agreement, then was killed by Dog Men in the apartment. The three of us killed Dog Men to avenge her, then were imprisoned here as dogs by Su Mi, the Dog Men's owner."

"As for Ke Bei, he also signed an agreement—he came to investigate his father's disappearance. His father had signed an agreement to live here years ago."

Mike frowned: "What are Dog Men?"

Xiao Peng interjected: "They're people trained to behave like dogs—we call them Dog Men."

Mike nodded: "I see. Also, this owner Su Mi you mentioned—she's a very beautiful woman, right?"

The three nodded, asking if Mike had encountered her.

Mike said he had installed pinhole cameras on the 10th floor this morning and saw the woman who entered Room 1001 at noon.

Mike then asked about Zhou Wu and his father.

After all, Mike hadn't forgotten that he entered this apartment to complete that commission.

Xiao Q thought for a moment: "Zhou Wu and his girlfriend were part of the same batch of new residents as me and Ke Bei—we all attended the same welcome party."

"As for Zhou Wu's disappearance—now that you've seen this apartment, he was probably either killed or imprisoned like us."

"As for Zhou Wu's father, we know nothing."

Mike: "Alright, I understand. Now I'll free you."

Mike placed his flashlight on the ground, shining it against the wall.

First, he took out his lockpicking tools and crouched beside Xiao Q, who pointed out the three padlocked iron restraints on his body.

"Mike, do you have any extra lockpicking tools? Give me one."

Ke Bei, who was closer to the wall, moved over.

Mike pulled another lockpick from his pocket and tossed it to Ke Bei.

Picking it up, Ke Bei noticed it resembled his own tools—both were specially made wires.

So he began picking his own locks.

Unexpectedly, he couldn't open any of the three restraints—neck shackle, handcuffs, or leg irons.

These locks were far more difficult than Room 1001's security door—completely different levels.

Mike obviously noticed how challenging these restraints were to open.

But being ranked tenth in America,

his skills surpassed Ke Bei's.

While Ke Bei failed to open any, Mike had already removed Xiao Q's neck shackle.

Freed from the neck restraint and its chain,

Xiao Q immediately felt relief.

"What's wrong? Can't open it?"

Mike turned to Ke Bei.

Ke Bei smiled awkwardly: "I can't pick this lock. Normally, I can handle most locks—even security doors don't trouble me. But this one has me stumped."

Mike said: "Seems you've never picked rich people's safes. These locks rival those."

Ke Bei: "No wonder then..."

As Mike spoke, he freed Xiao Q's handcuffs too.

At this moment, Xiao Peng said: "Mike, I realize you're no ordinary detective. You must be among the best."

"Oh? What makes you say that?"

Mike suddenly grew interested.

Honestly, among the three, Xiao Peng had made the least impression.

Xiao Peng said: "Look at us—more ragged than beggars, no pants, not even underwear. Yet when you saw us, you barely reacted—no surprise at all."

"Also, since we've been imprisoned here, the windows haven't opened. So our unwashed stench, plus urine and feces smells, have nowhere to go. Though we're used to it, the stench must be unbearable."

"This is your first time here—you didn't vomit or even cover your nose! You're amazing!!!"