Book 4: Chapter 3: Business trip to City A

Book 4: Chapter 3: Business trip to City A

The next day around noon, Lazy Three who still had a headache from his hangover was dragged to the basement by Sis Wang. She needed to grab something there but as a woman from the countryside, she was superstitious and firmly believed an evil spirit had been responsible for the case. Therefore, she didnt dare go by herself despite it being the middle of the day.

As she put it: Men have more abundant yang energy.

Lazy Three had no choice but to accompany her to the basement. But the closer they got, the more his hairs stood up. He wanted to leave immediately but did not. He didnt want others to say he wasnt even a man. More importantly, he had lived in this place for half his life. There had never been any supernatural occurrences. He refused to believe something ghoulish would appear for no reason. This place was also his means of living and nothing could happen to it. Even if something did happen, he had to deal with it right away.

There had been a light in the hallway to the basement, but it hadnt been replaced after it broke. However, it was a sunny day so it was only a little murky.

Crash! A loud noise suddenly rang out, seeming even more startling in the emptiness. Lazy Three suffered a huge shock. Sis Wang who was walking in front also stumbled to a halt, making Lazy Three practically collide against her.

What happened? Lazy Three was a little annoyed. He realized the noise had come from Sis Wang dropping the ring of keys onto the floor. Really, people get frightened to death by other people, not ghosts!

Door.door. Sis Wang pointed straight ahead. She only said two words, her voice trembling. Her feet no longer moved.

Lazy Three looked over and saw that the door was open. There were a few pieces of joss paper scattered on the floor.

Ever since the police had investigated the scene and given the place back to him, he had kept this place locked. It was locked with several locks. Otherwise, Sis Wang wouldnt have needed such a large chain of keys. However, the door was currently open without any marks of forced entry. The joss paper was even more inexplicable. His parents had passed away early and no one had died here in two decades.1 Where did the joss paper come from?

As he stood frozen, Sis Wang suddenly yelled out in understanding. She turned and ran, actually sending Lazy Three staggering and almost falling.

For an instant he also wanted to run after her. Strangely however, he didnt do so. It wasnt clear what he was thinking. Perhaps it was an inexplicable attraction that made him slowly approach.

He had just reached the door when he sensed something shadowy swaying there. A slow creaking could be heard, making Lazy Threes legs grow weak. He almost sank to the floor.

Cold sweat dripped and he didnt know whether he should run or go inside to take a proper look. He remained frozen there for a long while. The shadow and the sound echoed persistently within the room, rhythmically, steadily, unhurriedly. It didnt seem like it would stop and nothing scary came out. His curiosity got the better of him.

There cant be a ghost in the middle of the day!

Lazy Three kept this thought in mind as he slowly stuck his head out for a look.

The light from outside shone in from the old, narrow little window. Because it passed through the dirty patterned glass, the light that came in was extremely dim, giving the room a musty air. A ray of light happened to shine upon the bed were the murder occurred. Someone was lying there at this moment covered in the thick blankets, unmoving. Only the head was exposed and as still as the dead.

Or perhaps it was truly the dead.

Furthermore, the rooms sturdy, outdated ceiling fan was actually turned on in the middle of winter. It spun slowly, and was the source of the swaying shadow and creaking.

Or rather, the source was the naked girl hanging upon the fan.

Xiao Xia nodded.

She wasnt against this assignment. It truly was relatively easy work. Although the others would once again say that the director was being biased towards someone lagging like her, she was prepared to accept it.

She had just wanted to travel abroad to get away from her worries and adjust her emotions. When such a good opportunity fell upon her head, she naturally accepted without hesitation. It wasnt her fault her dumb luck had always been good!

Two months had passed since the events around Christmas. She still felt extremely awkward and didnt dare stop by the Nocturnal Revenant.

How embarrassing!

Only after mustering up her courage and vaguely declaring her feelings did she find out he had always just viewed her as a friend. Being friends was fine. She just had to bury her feelings in her heart. Its just a crush, whats the big deal? Think about it. Liking someone without that person knowing. Isnt it romantic? Just because she liked someone doesnt mean that person was obligated to reciprocate. She understood this reasoning, and could also accept it. But that misunderstanding had been too embarrassing. She could only hope he hadnt understood her meaning. She would feel better that way.

But he was so smart and sharp. How could he not have understood!?

This thought lingered in Xiao Xias mind, making her avoid everything to do with Ruan Zhan as though she had a guilty conscience. However, she really wanted to see him. She really wanted to see those occasionally distant yet occasionally gentle eyes.

She got home and was packing the things for her trip when her phone rang. Looking at the number, her heart almost leapt out of her chest. It was the Nocturnal Revenants number.

She anxiously took several deep breaths before picking up, but the voice on the other end made her relax once again.

It was the Nocturnal Revenants servers, Liu Tie and Ni Yang. Due to the winter holidays, they had gone back home for a period. During this time, Ruan Zhan had hired some local college students as temporary servers. Once the holiday period was over, he had subbed the two back in.

The moment they returned, they made a fuss about wanting to see big sis Xiao Xia. However, since they had class and Xiao Xia had work during the day, they could only ask her to come to the bar to meet them.

Hearing Xiao Xias unconvincing excuses, the glib Ni Yang said: That wont do sis Xiao Xia, you have to come. Ive brought some local specialties from my hometown for you. If you dont come, my poor little hearts going to suffer a blow.

Also, also Liu Tie snatched the phone over. Ive had a crush on sis Xiao Xia for so many years. Shouldnt you at least come soothe my yearning!?

Xiao Xia started laughing. She was really helpless against these two!

Ni Yang had always been talkative. Liu Tie used to be a little shy. After becoming taciturn for a period of time following the Bloody Mary case, he had become lively and cheerful for some reason.

Wan Li called it excavating the inner personality.

Unable to withstand their pestering, Xiao Xia finally agreed. In her heart, the person she wanted to go see was someone else. That person who made her unable to sit still. After all, she was going to City A for business and would be so far from him. However, she lied to herself and said she was being forced by those two youngsters.

As Wan Li said: people loved lying to themselves because it was even easier than lying to others.

Well