Others might not know what kind of person Fu Sang was, but Huo Wei, who could be called his “childhood sweetheart”, knew her senior brother all too well.
For instance, if it were anyone else who said something like “atone for my sins with death”, she would sneer and then say that kind of talk was like farting, as if they would actually be willing to die if they were really in the wrong.
But Fu Sang was different.
Because if he said it, he would really do it.
He would genuinely go die.
“It’s actually not that serious… there’s no need, there’s really no need…”
Huo Wei really hated her own mouth.
Why did she have to go provoke him when she had nothing better to do?
As if he would actually listen even if she tried to talk him out of it.
Huo Wei cursed under her breath as she headed toward the College of Humanities. Fu Sang, finding it boring to stay by himself, slung his backpack over his shoulder and headed to the library.
It was still early, so he could look up some materials in the library study room and think about his topic.
With his destination set, he hung one earbud in his ear and walked along the edge of the road, his hair getting blown into a mess by the wind.
When he felt a faint chill that deviated from the normal temperature settle over him, he knew that a certain legendary ghost had stuck itself to him again.
“Fu Sang.”
He heard Qi Changying’s voice almost against his ear, and he could imagine the posture of the ghost pressing close from behind to sniff at him.
“If you’re going to sniff, just sniff, why call me?”
Fu Sang raised an eyebrow slightly.
“What, you want to say my speculation about a strange girl is too malicious and harsh too? I suggest you shut up.”
“You misunderstand.”
This ghost that never seemed to get angry always spoke in the same gentle tone, as though every word had been carved from the same mold, “I only wanted to say that I really admire this about Fu Sang…even when no one has faith in you, you still have the courage to trust your own instincts.”
Although he didn’t want to admit it, Fu Sang was indeed stunned for a moment when he heard those words.
“What you hear, see, or even the ‘evidence’ in your hands may not be true and can be fabricated. The vast majority of people will give up on their initial instincts because of some ‘facts’ that contradict their guesses. Then, when it’s too late to turn things around, they look back and realize they were right all along. It’s just a pity that they didn’t even trust themselves, and so they missed the answer.”
“Very few people can keep believing in themselves when they gradually find things developing contrary to their guesses, especially when no one else has any faith in them. So, I think Fu Sang is very determined and very brave.”
Qi Changying’s tone was clearly sincere, and it was equally clear that what he said wasn’t temporary comfort, but something he truly believed.
“Don’t lay it on thick.” Fu Sang let out a light scoff, “It’s just me being ‘extremely paranoid and arrogant by nature,’ looking down on all living creatures equally, and unwilling to take anyone’s advice or suggestions, that’s all.”
Qi Changying didn’t respond to this.
And Fu Sang couldn’t be bothered to deal with him anyway.
But after a moment of silence, as the song in his earbuds came to an end and gradually fell quiet, he heard Qi Changying let out what sounded like a very soft laugh.
“?” Fu Sang looked over and sure enough saw a lingering smile at the corner of Qi Changying’s lips.
“What are you laughing at?”
“Nothing… I just think you’re a bit childish.”
“Are you sick in the head?”
“No.” Qi Changying raised his hand and gently brushed away a bit of grass debris that had somehow landed on Fu Sang’s hair, “I just realized that Fu Sang has a habit of saying one thing while meaning another, like a stubborn child.”
After hesitating for a moment, Qi Changying still finished what he wanted to say: “It’s not a good habit, but… it’s cute.”
Fu Sang said expressionlessly: “Say one more word and I’ll refine you.”
This threat no longer posed any danger to Qi Changying. He buried his face in Fu Sang’s neck and took a deep sniff: “You wouldn’t do that.”
…
Fang Zehao was full of regret.
He really hadn’t meant to shove that talisman right in Wei Luyuan’s face that day, but by some twist of fate, Wei Luyuan discovered what he was holding.
Actually, he had no idea why Wei Luyuan had such a strong reaction upon seeing the talisman. She burst into tears on the spot, and without even giving him a chance to make excuses, ran off crying.
Regret gnawed at Fang Zehao.
He should have realized it sooner, Fu Sang was just messing with him. There were no such things as ghosts in this world; people were just people. To suspect someone he liked because of a few words from someone else… Fu Sang, who had instigated him, really deserved to die, and he himself was no good either.
He was determined to apologize to Wei Luyuan in person, so he didn’t even eat dinner that night and sat by the nameless lake early to wait for her arrival.
Winter days were short, and the sky darkened early. Fang Zehao sat alone by the lake in the night, shivering as he huddled up, stomping his feet constantly.
Soon, he saw a girl in a white coat walking toward him from the wooded path by the lake.
“Yuanyuan!”
Fang Zehao immediately got up and went to meet her, and only when she was closer did he notice that her eyes were red.
A wave of intense guilt immediately washed over him:
“I’m sorry, Yuanyuan. That talisman from yesterday…”
“I know. You suspect I’m a female ghost because I always ask you to meet me by the lake at night, right?” Wei Luyuan’s voice was a little muffled, her grievance nearly spilling over:
“I’m really hurt, Zehao. I know what happened at this lake before, and I know I act strangely, so I’m not angry at you. There was nothing to be angry about in the first place. I just feel… so sad. This isn’t directed at you, I’m just heartbroken that no one can truly understand me.”
“I…” Fang Zehao was a little unsure of what to do.
“I’m sorry… but if you have any grievances, you can tell me, Yuanyuan. I was wrong this time. Can you forgive me? Tell me what’s on your mind, give me a chance to really get to know you and understand you, okay?”
“You’re not wrong.” Maybe because Fang Zehao’s words really did sound sincere, Wei Luyuan let out a soft sigh and turned her face slightly away, staring thoughtfully at the rippling lake surface stirred by the wind:
“Do you know why I like taking walks by the lake?”
Fang Zehao was startled: “Wh-why?”
“Have you heard that story? The girl who died in the nameless lake four years ago.”
The night wind lifted Wei Luyuan’s long hair, and her beautiful eyes were tinged with sorrow and melancholy:
“I know what you’re afraid of, but it’s not what you think, Zehao. I like walking by the lake only because it makes me feel like she’s still here, that she hasn’t left…”
Fang Zehao was a bit dazed: “Who is ‘she’…?”
“She was my only friend.”
Wei Luyuan looked back at him, the night making her eyes seem especially deep and dark:
“Her name was Xia Han.”
“Xia Han?”
Fu Sang leaned against the cold metal handrail in the stairwell, raising an eyebrow slightly.
“Yeah, Xia Han. Xia for “summer”, and Han as in the character made up of the water radical, jin, and kou (“mouth”).”
Huo Wei’s voice came through the phone:
“This was way easier than I thought! You wanna know how I did it? I pretended to be a student in their major first, and got close with the professor. After all that chatting, I casually brought up the topic and got it out of her! The teacher remembered this Xiao Han really well. He said she came from a small city, was really hardworking and excellent, won scholarships every year, but was very introverted and a bit of a loner. She always kept to herself.”
“Alright, got it. Thanks.”
Fu Sang was about to hang up after saying that, but then Huo Wei suddenly yelled: “Hey…you just say ‘thanks’ and that’s it? Do you know how many people I met and how much I talked today just for you?!”
“Then what do you want?” Fu Sang was uncharacteristically patient.
“You at least have to treat me to a late-night snack to reward me, right?”
“Fine.”
Huo Wei was a bit surprised that this cheapskate agreed so readily: “Are you in a good mood today? You actually agreed?”
“I can also take it back immediately.”
“Then never mind. Let’s go to that barbecue place behind your school. I’ll wait for you at the restaurant.”
“Okay.”
Fu Sang hung up and went back to his seat. He was going to grab his things and leave, but when he was packing his computer, he noticed three books in his bag and remembered he still had books to return.
It was almost closing time, and there was only one person on duty at the service desk.
“I’m returning books.”
Fu Sang handed over the books and his student ID, and the librarian reached out to take them.
There was nothing special about this, but when the person reached out, the long sleeve shifted back an inch, revealing a section of blood-stained gauze wrapped around the person’s wrist.
Fu Sang raised an eyebrow slightly, then let his gaze travel up the arm to take a look at the person.
She was a young girl, wearing a black octagonal beret, with naturally curly hair loosely tied into low pigtails, making her look a bit messy.
“All done.” The girl’s voice was indifferent. When she handed the student ID back to Fu Sang, she lifted her face, and only then did Fu Sang get a clear look at her features.
She had an ordinary face, nothing particularly memorable about it, with a thick pair of glasses perched on her nose bridge.
“Thanks.”
Fu Sang withdrew his gaze, put away his card, and turned to head toward the library exit.
But after a few steps, he paused and changed direction.
There was a librarian arranging books by the shelves. Fu Sang walked over and knocked on the shelf: “Hello?”
“Hm?” The librarian looked at him: “What’s wrong, student? Is there something you need?”
“Could I ask what the name of the teacher on duty at the service desk tonight is?”
“What’s wrong? Is there an issue?” The librarian looked confused.
“Oh… she did me a huge favor, and I wanted to send her a thank-you banner, but I forgot to ask her name. I went back to find her just now but couldn’t see her. Would you mind telling me her name?”
Fu Sang told the lie without changing his expression, and the librarian was indeed fooled, “Tonight…”
He thought for a moment:
“The person on night duty tonight should be a student working part-time. You mean the girl with glasses and a hat at the service desk, right?”
“Yes.”
“Oh, that’s right then. She’s a graduate student in the College of Humanities.”
The librarian smiled at him, “Her name is Wei Luyuan.”
