The burly man shivered, "What's wrong with this bus? Why is it so chilly in here? Everything feels wrong."
“This bus doesn’t actually exist in our world,” Zhou Yang solemnly explained. “It only appears in the world of the living at a certain time. Didn't you look carefully before boarding?"
The burly man looked frightened, "What the hell do you do? How do you know about this?"
"This is what I study,” said Zhou Yang. “You can check out my Weibo, ‘Nighttime Ghost Encounters.’"
When I sat back in my seat, Bingxin smiled, "Anyway, tonight was worth it. It was much more fun than a haunted house."
"Aren't you afraid?" I asked curiously.
"I'm not afraid of anything with you around!" she giggled.
The bus was already in the southern region of the city and only God knew when it would stop. Certain that the driver was a living person, I was hoping to ask him a few questions. If he were really a ghost, how could he drive?
I walked to the front of the bus when Zhou Yang stopped me. "What are you doing?"
"I want to speak to the driver!"
"You mustn’t break the peace. If you annoy the driver, we may never return to the land of the living!" warned Zhou Yang.
What nonsense! "Look at the bright lights outside. Does this look like the netherworld to you? I never knew it was so prosperous!" I quipped.
"You don't understand!” frowned Zhou Yang. “The netherworld is a parallel world composed of antimatter. Everything outside is just a projection of the living world. Just imagine that we’re underwater now. Seeing the outside world through the water doesn't mean we can go there! Why do you think no one else got on the bus this whole time?"
I was convinced that no other internet celebrity could spin fairy tales like Zhou Yang. "Who would dare get on a broken bus without a number?” I laughed. “All right, I’m not arguing with you. I'm going home."
As soon as the bus stopped, the man and two women tore hell for leather out of the bus followed by the rest of us. The feeling of stepping on solid ground was reassuring. The bus floated through the white mist and slowly disappeared down the road.
I proposed we take a cab back while Zhou Yang warned, "Your behavior today has angered the ghosts and gods. I declare that a calamity will befall you in three days!"
"Why thank you!" I chuckled.
With that, we hailed a cab and headed to Bingxin's home. Downstairs of her apartment, she cried, "Hehe, my dad hasn't come back yet. Won’t you come in for a bit?"
I shook my head, "It's late! I’m going back to my place."
Bingxin pouted, "Just stay the night then. I’m scared of being alone."
"Fine!" I helplessly acquiesced.
"Let's go up together!" Dali chimed in but I quickly pushed him off.
Although I had previously visited Bingxin's home, this was my first time dropping in at night. Upon entering the apartment, Bingxin turned on all the lights.
"Isn’t this a waste of electricity?" I asked.
"I’m scared!" she burst out.
I thought to myself, Overthinking only leads to trepidation and fear.
When Bingxin asked me if I wanted to take a bath, I shook my head, "No thank you!"
Bingxin burst into laughter, "Are you planning to sleep in my bed reeking of sweat?"
"Can't I sleep on the couch?"
"No, you must take a bath." Bingxin insisted.
I motioned with my hand, "Then you go first!"
After Bingxin entered the bathroom, steady splashes sounded. For a lack of something better to do, I watched TV for a while until Bingxin came out wearing a loose T-shirt. She searched through the closet and finally grabbed a pair of loose pants and a towel. "Here, you can wear my dad's!" she said.
"Sure." I didn't mind wearing someone else's clothes.
"You’re sleeping on the sofa tonight!" Bingxin added.
"Alright," I nodded.
"I’m going to my bedroom..."
"Just go!" I waved her off.
But when I came out of the shower, Bingxin was sitting on the couch snacking on fruit while watching TV.
"Weren’t you going to bed?" I asked, surprised.
Bingxin pursed her lips, "It's not so often you get to stay the night. So how can we just go to sleep! Let's do something else!"
I dropped into the couch, "What else can we do?"
"Would you like to play a game?" she smiled mischievously.
"I just want to sleep!"
"No,” she cried. “You must join me in some intense activities!"
Perfectly aware she wasn’t suggesting anything sexual, I didn't think of it. "What are you thinking?" I arched an eyebrow.
"Give me a minute."
Bingxin ran barefoot into her bedroom and soon appeared again, holding two PSVs. "Let’s play this!"
"Oh, give me a break! I want to sleep!" I grumbled.
"No, I insist we play at least 300 rounds before you can sleep!" she pressed.
Thus, I was forced to accompany her in a continuous combat game. The loser would have their nose flicked by the winner. Bingxin almost doubled over laughing throughout the game. Although I didn't often play, it was rather interesting once we got started. I deliberately lost so Bingxin could have a few victories.
After more than an hour, Bingxin rubbed her eyes and yawned, "One last round."
"You’re already sleepy. Listen to me, go to bed now!" I urged.
Bingxin agreed but upon entering her room, she shrieked and came running. "It's dark in my bedroom. I'm afraid."
"Turn on the lights then!"
"How am I supposed to sleep with the lights on?” she retorted. “You’ll have to stay with me for a while."
Smiling wryly, I walked into Bingxin’s bedroom to watch her lying on the bed, curling up like a child. I couldn’t resist the urge to pamper the girl who seemed to have never grown up.
Bingxin murmured, "Can you wait till I fall asleep?"
"Alright, I’m here."
Bingxin rested her head on my lap as her breathing gradually evened out. I gently placed her head on the pillow but just as I was about to leave, she pulled me into her embrace and dreamily mumbled, "Song Yang-gege!"
My torso was twisted in an awkward position that was extremely uncomfortable to maintain. Afraid to wake her up, I slowly pried her arms open, covered her with the blanket, and quietly left the room.
I slept on the couch until about seven in the morning when I was woken up by a loud voice. "Kiddo, when did you come over?" asked Sun Tiger.
"Uncle Sun, did you just leave the station?"
"Don’t even get me started.” Sun Tiger complained, “We were investigating the boss of a smuggling and drug-trafficking triad all throughout the night. Why didn’t you sleep in my room?"
"Then where will you sleep?" I chuckled.
“You don’t have to be so courteous with me!” he laughed. “Take this as your own place.”
Sun Tiger washed up and returned to his bedroom. Soon, thunderous snores reverberated around the room, disturbing me from my sleep. I decided to get up and get dressed, leaving a note informing Bingxin of my return to the store before quietly slipping out the door.
After a simple breakfast, I busied myself with watching the store. Luo Youyou who was in charge of the cashier never showed up, so I had the other employees take over today.
Worried she had really quit her job, I left to find Dali in our rented apartment. However, I was startled by an altercation between two people that came from a distance...