The next day, Xiaotao and I went shopping, watched a movie, and visited the game arcade in the mall. Although it was a long day, we were delighted and content.
After a day’s rest, Xiaotao went back to work while l helped out in the store. I managed to sell a bunch of our products to the police force which made Dali so happy he insisted on giving me a cut, though I refused.
Dali and Luo Youyou often chatted, ate and took long walks together. In the eyes of others, they were already a couple, but Dali claimed they hadn’t yet established a relationship.
"Are you running a marathon?” I chided. “Then, why the hell are you taking your sweet time? Speed up the progress a little. She’s such a nice girl. If you don't seize the opportunity, she’ll be snapped up by someone else."
"You're one to talk,” retorted Dali. “What about you? You’ve been with Xiaotao-jiejie for almost a year. Have you held hands, kissed, or done the deed?"
"My situation is special,” I blushed. “You shouldn’t learn from me."
"What’s so special, huh? You meet almost every day. Why haven't you established a relationship?" he snorted.
Forget it, I have nothing left to say! Do as you please!
Luo Youyou mentioned that Dali was still texting Bingxin every day. With Bingxin, once you got acquainted with her, she could talk about everything. And Dali, ever the casanova, thought Bingxin was interested in him so he kept gunning for her.
My intuition told me Dali's first relationship would end tragically, perhaps before it even began...
In the afternoon, Luo Youyou and I worked in the store together while Dali headed to the logistics company. During the afternoon slump, I was so bored I picked out a book to read.
Luo Youyou suddenly exclaimed, "Song Yang, look at this post!"
"What's the matter?" I asked.
"Have you ever heard of the ghost bus in Nanjiang City?"
"No, read it to me!"
She explained a post was published a week ago, mentioning a mysterious, decrepit bus people had witnessed driving between East China Road and Redbud Road late at night. Apparently, the bus model had been put out of commission in Nanjiang City ten years ago. Wherever the bus went, it would be accompanied by a thick fog that wouldn’t disperse even with strong winds. The fog was so heavy it filled the streets, creating an eerie atmosphere.
The bus drove at a snail’s pace, stopping only at certain locations and ignoring other stops entirely. Some people claimed to have discovered a pattern–they were all old stops from ten years ago!
The driver was a grim-faced man wearing an old uniform and cap from the early days, though his face was usually well-hidden. Legend has it the driver wasn’t a living person at all—someone reported having seen his face up close. His eyeballs hung out of their sockets and maggots wriggled all over his rotting face.
No one dared to get on the bus because the saying was that if you did, you would be taken to the underworld.
When several nosy parkers chased behind the bus to see where it was headed, it drove straight into a river in the outskirts of the city.
After some research, enthusiastic netizens discovered a serious traffic accident that happened ten years ago in Nanjiang City. A bus on the bridge dived into the river to avoid a car going in the wrong direction. Because it was winter and the water was freezing, the bus sank to the bottom and all the passengers inside drowned.
Netizens who dug up the old article were surprised to find that the license plate number of this ghost bus matched the one that crashed into the river.
Upon hearing this, I shrugged, "It’s all nonsense!"
"But many people have seen it!” Luo Youyou was unconvinced.
"Some of them probably lied in order to gain attention while others saw something misleading and were influenced by the comments online,” I explained. “They believed they had seen the bus, but human memory is the most unreliable thing."
Let me cite an example: Many alien abduction cases were reported every year, but before the word UFO was invented, there were none. This suggested that most of the so-called alien abductions were fictitious.
"The universe is so vast. There must be aliens!" cried Luo Youyou.
"I don't know if there are, but I don't believe this ghost bus is real!” I chuckled. “At least show me some photos or a video for proof."
"Apparently, a popular blogger specializing in paranormal activity research also confirmed the theory," added Luo Youyou.
"But his confirmation doesn’t do anything," I retorted.
Right then, Dali walked in through the front door and asked, "What are you talking about? You’re both so excited."
Luo Youyou pointed to the screen, "I saw an incredible post on the Internet, but Song Yang doesn’t think it’s real."
"That’s just how he is!” Dali laughed. “He doubts everything. Even if a hundred people tell him there’s a hole in front of him, he wouldn’t believe it unless he fell in himself."
"How can you make the pursuit of truth sound so bad?" I protested.
Luo Youyou proceeded to describe the ghost bus to Dali with much excitement.
"Redbud Road is only three blocks away from here. Why don't we go find out?" suggested Dali.
Luo Youyou clapped her hands, "Yes, what a great idea!"
"Dude, let’s invite Bingxin as well!” gushed Dali. “She loves this sort of thing."
Luo Youyou’s face sank like lead. I couldn’t help but wonder how Dali could be so blind! Dali brazenly phoned Bingxin and told her about our plans for the evening.
"Will Song Yang-gege be there too?" asked Bingxin.
Glaring at Dali, I warned him not to make any promises but the idiot said, "He's coming too!"
Bingxin agreed at once, "Alright, I'll drop by your store later."
Both Luo Youyou and I wore long faces while Dali grinned like the cat that got the cream.
A while later, Bingxin pulled up in front of the store. She cheerfully greeted me, to which I replied, "Has your father given you the green light for tonight’s outing?"
"How is that possible? He’s not home from work so I took the opportunity to sneak out,” she beamed. “By the way, what’s this about the ghost bus that Dali mentioned?"
Dali was anxious like a cat on hot bricks, "I'll show you the post. Luo Youyou, go to the convenience store and get us two drinks."
Though I had nothing to say about his request, Luo Youyou's expression turned dim. Picking up on her emotions, I immediately stood up and said, "I'll go!"
Bingxin shook her head, "It’s alright, water is fine."
Both of them sat at the cashier counter, eagerly studying the post. Like most girls interested in the paranormal, Bingxin was in high spirits upon hearing our plan to explore Redbud Road in the evening. Luo Youyou's expression was a sharp contrast to Bingxin’s wide grin.
I thought to myself, Dali, if you go on like this, you’ll surely end up with nothing!
As a friend, I had to do something within my power. I sent Luo Youyou a text message: Don’t worry, I’ll give Dali a good talking to.
She replied: It’s alright. I won't join you tonight. You guys have fun.
I pleaded: Come for me, won’t you?
She texted: Fine, for your sake, I will. But I’m resigning tomorrow!
Lost for words, I suddenly wished I had Xiaotao's emotional intelligence. I made up my mind to speak to Dali about this as soon as I got the chance.