"Four people, five sets of chopsticks, could we be so unlucky to encounter another supernatural event?"
Yang Jian's uneasiness gradually evolved into an inexplicable worry.
He frowned and looked around the private room.
Everything seemed normal, just like any other time at a restaurant, nothing seemed amiss.
But, sometimes the appearance of supernatural events isn't just about the surface.
The incident at Huanggang Village was proof of that.
It seemed calm on the surface, but underneath lay a great terror.
He wanted to ask the others to confirm the situation.
However, the words stopped at his lips.
If it really was a supernatural event, asking Zhang Wei and the others would be no use; they were just ordinary people and couldn't solve anything.
If it wasn't, then this would just be a farce, unnecessary.
But to be cautious, the best course of action would be to leave the restaurant.
"Right, Zhang Wei, weren't you asking us to go sing at KTV? We've pretty much finished eating, let's head out now," Yang Jian abruptly said.
"Watch your words, Murong Erniu. What Zhang Wei? Call me my full name, Xuanyuan Tiedan."
Zhang Wei said seriously, "And right now, Miao Xiaoshan has just arrived, and I have some things to discuss with Shangguan Yun. Let's go to the KTV later."
Miao Xiaoshan said, "I don't mind, I already had dinner before coming. If you all want to go have fun, go ahead."
"That's not right. We've just met Big Cousin and naturally need to talk about some family matters. By the way, Big Cousin, what does the Shangguan Family do? Could it be that it's a hidden super-rich family with wealth rivaling nations?" Zhang Wei said, "It's a bit embarrassing, but the Xuanyuan Family has fallen on hard times; we just manage some billion-yuan construction projects."
"My friend here, Murong Erniu, is different. He's a powerhouse hiding in the city. You need to be careful how you speak with him. I give him a lot of face, and if by chance you anger him, with one transformation, he could wipe out your entire family."
Shangguan Yun's face darkened. It wasn't his fault that his name contained a compound surname. Was it necessary to target him this way?
"You must have read too many novels, and besides, have I offended this classmate?"
During our survivor's class reunion, you're showing off what kind of strength?
Zhang Wei glanced over, his look filled with contempt and dissatisfaction.
Yang Jian said, "Let's save some topics for later. We've eaten enough; it's time for us to go."
"No rush, I want to have a conversation between strong individuals with Brother Shangguan," Zhang Wei said.
Zhao Lei also nodded and said, "Miao Xiaoshan, you continue eating. Zhang Wei and I will meet your cousin in a bit."
"How could I have a bunch of classmates like these, hardly any of them are normal," Miao Xiaoshan thought, feeling embarrassed. If his family knew about his classmates' behavior, they would surely be the butt of jokes.
"Wait a moment, don't you all feel that this restaurant, no, more precisely this private room, is a bit off?" Yang Jian voiced his concern.
"What's wrong with it? There's no problem at all," Zhao Lei said, puzzled.
At that moment, Zhang Wei suddenly stood up, "You're right; I also feel something is off. Let's leave now."
Yang Jian froze for a moment; could Zhang Wei, with his carefree nature, also have noticed something abnormal about this private room?
"Let's go sing," Zhang Wei immediately said.
Then, unexpectedly decisive and swift, he settled the bill and left.
"We were having a good meal; why the sudden rush to leave? I haven't eaten my fill yet," Zhao Lei said on the way.
Zhang Wei said with a grave expression, "Because there's a problem with that restaurant."
"You noticed too? Seems I have to start looking at you differently. I thought you were good for nothing except playing video games," Yang Jian said, somewhat approvingly.
Zhang Wei said with surprise, "I didn't notice any problem. The food was delicious; I wanted to eat more."
"If you didn't notice anything, why the rush to leave?" Yang Jian asked.
"Wasn't it you who said that restaurant was sketchy? If you say it's sketchy, it must be sketchy." Zhang Wei said, "Since it's sketchy, let's just not eat there, it's just one meal wasted, no big deal. Anyway, this master will be going to work tomorrow, and from then on, there'll be plenty of money."
Miao Xiaoshan asked, "Yang Jian, what problem did you find just now?"
"Might have found a fly in the food."
Zhang Wei, looking at Shangguan Yun next to him, said.
Shangguan Yun, with a dark face, retorted, "Speak if you want to speak, why are you staring at me like there's nothing wrong?"
"Can't I just admire your handsome face?" Zhang Wei said.
"There were only the four of us in the private room at the beginning, but halfway through the meal, Miao Xiaoshan and Shangguan Yun came in, yet they didn't sit down. And I saw a fifth set of tableware on the table. Don't you think there's something off about that room?
You must realize, aside from the waiter, there was no fifth person entering the room, but how could the waiter sit outside and eat?" Yang Jian said.
"Damn, I knew there was a chilling feeling in that room, I thought it was just the AC cranked up. Turns out that place is haunted." Zhang Wei almost jumped in fright.
"No way," Miao Xiaoshan covered her mouth, her eyes widening.
Yang Jian said, "We can't be sure it's a supernatural event, but we can't completely deny it either. I didn't mention it earlier because I was afraid you'd panic and make a mess, possibly triggering a supernatural event unwittingly,"
"Since nothing happened then, as long as nothing unexpected occurs, there should be no issue moving forward. We can just act like nothing happened and leave the restaurant."
"That's the safest course of action."
Cousin Shangguan Yun burst into laughter upon hearing this, "Looking at all your serious faces makes me laugh. How old are you all, and you still believe in such things? Just because there was an extra set of tableware, you think the hotel is haunted? Your imaginations are too rich; it's a shame not to write novels."
"Cousin, Yang Jian is looking out for us, and what if it's true? You shouldn't make fun of others," Miao Xiaoshan said.
"Sorry, I just couldn't help it. But you guys are quite amusing, so childlike. You're going out of state for school in a couple of days, and from then on, it's better to keep your distance from your classmates here. Just by looking at them, you can tell they don't study much, always daydreaming. How can they focus on their studies?"
Zhang Wei was displeased. He said, "What are you rambling about? What moves our classmates make is none of your business. If you don't like listening, then don't listen. By the way, didn't you tell your family about what happened at school the other time, Miao Xiaoshan?"
"I did, I told them, but they didn't believe it," Miao Xiaoshan said, obviously embarrassed.
"Right, with your cousin's intelligence, there are indeed some things that would be very difficult to explain to him."
Zhang Wei said, "We can't argue with idiots, otherwise they'll drag us down to their level and then beat us with experience."
Zhao Lei also snickered, "Shangguan Yun, it's better for you to believe some things. Do you think out of our entire class, forty-something students, why only the seven of us are still alive?"
"The facts don't lie."
"You're right that facts don't lie, but I trust science more," Shangguan Yun replied, displeased, "Stories about ghosts and goblins are just nonsense."
Yang Jian wasn't upset, he simply said, "It's okay, we agree to disagree. Supernatural events are indeed difficult to believe if not witnessed firsthand, and it's not so easy to change a worldview nurtured over decades. There's no need to argue over such a trifling matter, especially since today is our last gathering. There probably won't be any future class reunions, so let's just enjoy ourselves."
He didn't think Shangguan Yun was at fault.
This was the common way of thinking, very normal, since supernatural incidents were still only occurring on a small scale and hadn't reached a completely uncontrollable situation.
Belief in ghosts and spirits was still not mainstream, becoming just an urban legend and stories circulating within certain circles.
"Anyway, it's fine if nothing happened now. Oh, by the way, you mentioned earlier that you're going to study out of province, is that true?" He asked again.
Miao Xiaoshan nodded, "Yes, the school has been locked down, but I still need to study, right? I plan to go back to my hometown to continue my studies; the college entrance exam is only a few months away."
"You're actually thinking about going to college?" Zhang Wei's eyes widened, "I can't even dare to step into a school anymore, you're really brave."
"What else can I do if I don't go to college?"
Miao Xiaoshan said helplessly, "My family doesn't agree with that idea either."
"Your family really values education; all educated people," Zhang Wei gave a thumbs up.
While the group was chatting,
In the private room of the restaurant they had been in,
The waiter cleaned up the table, then turned off the lights and left the room.
The moment the door to the private room closed,
Through the slowly narrowing gap, one could vaguely see someone sitting bolt upright in the spot where the fifth set of tableware had been laid out, completely still, submerged in the dimness, their features indiscernible.
The door gently closed, yet suddenly, there came the sound of dishes being used from inside.