Netherworld’s Spirit Envoy - -

As I carried Leilei on my back, still clutching Lin Zhe’s arm as we headed outside, I suddenly realized that if I didn’t start exercising more, I would eventually be dragged down by them.

I don’t want to say that it was only after yelling myself hoarse in the cave that the Yin-Yang Notebook compelled a demon inside to release the three of us. By then, my throat was in so much pain I almost vomited blood.

As for how thrilling and perilous the experience was, Leilei seemed to have no recollection of it whatsoever, and Lin Zhe naturally wouldn’t bring it up either. I had no choice but to suck it up and look out for myself from now on.

When I received a call from Du Xiaodong, my throat hadn’t fully recovered yet, so I couldn’t speak loudly and had to use a husky voice. As soon as he heard my voice, he thought I was up to something shady.

“Speak clearly, what are you actually doing!” Du Xiaodong always kept a skeptical attitude towards me, which I was aware of, but as a single young man, what else could I possibly be doing?

I quickly drank a few sips of water to soothe my throat a bit, then said, “Officer Du, you go first. What do you need? I’ll come and meet you now. Is that okay?”

The meeting place we agreed on was a small diner next to the police station. It was now lunchtime, and when I arrived, the place was packed with police officers.

I ordered a bowl of beef noodles with a composed expression and saw that the seat in front of Du Xiaodong was empty. I walked over and sat opposite him.

He glanced up and frowned at me, “Why are you only arriving now?!”

I opened my mouth, pointed at my swollen throat, and replied in a hoarse voice, “Went to see a doctor. Just speak your piece, I need to get back and take my medicine.”

“What has Li Bai been up to lately?” Du Xiaodong continued eating, but still posed the question.

I hesitated, not daring to hide anything, and briefly explained our recent activities. However, I glossed over our joining Li Bai’s company, presenting it as just an internship. Who would have thought that Li Bai could be so cunning, easily tricking us into a trap.

“That’s it?” Du Xiaodong suddenly looked up, disbelief in his eyes.

I naively nodded vigorously, “Yes, it’s true. I’m already sick now, how can I have time to get involved in those things anymore? I don’t want to invite bad luck!”

Seeing my disdainful expression, Du Xiaodong seemed to believe I’d reformed and nodded solemnly, “It’s good you have come to this realization. But let me remind you, this mindset should never be forgotten, regardless of time or place. Alright, contact me immediately if anything comes up.”

With that, Du Xiaodong wiped his mouth and left.

I couldn’t believe how easily I got through that. I quickly watched Du Xiaodong’s retreating figure, and just before he reached the door, he pulled out his phone – seemed like he had a call to answer. No wonder he left in such a hurry, afraid I might eavesdrop!

That Du Xiaodong, definitely no good. Since he doesn’t trust me, there’s no need for me to be honest with him either.

But who was that caller? Du Xiaodong looked so respectful while taking the call. Could it be his superior? Though it didn’t quite seem like it.

Whoever it was, I hurriedly finished my meal and went straight home. After gulping down a large glass of water, I collapsed onto my bed and fell into a deep sleep.

I was jolted awake by my phone. When I opened my eyes, it was already dark outside. I thought it was the middle of the night and grumpily answered the call, “Who’s this? Leilei… why are you calling at this hour? Did something happen?”

My tone took a 180-degree turn, but was met with Leilei’s disapproving tone. “What time do you think it is? It’s barely after seven. Did you just wake up?”

“Of course not! I accidentally hit my head and got the time mixed up. Anyway, why did you call?” I quickly deflected, avoiding more questions from Leilei.

Over the call, I heard Leilei smacking her forehead, seemingly annoyed at forgetting something important. “So, we’re having a ghost story party in the classroom tomorrow night. You should come!” She added in a whisper, “It’s really late, and I’m a little scared to be alone.”

A surge of male dignity rose within me. If Leilei needed me, how could I back down? I immediately agreed to her request. After a long chat, she finally hung up in exasperation.

With Leilei’s invitation, I was in an exceptionally good mood, lying in bed too excited to sleep. Early the next morning, I got up to wash up and headed out to buy clothes.

Since it was Leilei’s invitation, I couldn’t dress too casually, nor too formally so as not to distance myself from her classmates.

After spending the entire morning wandering around, I finally decided on wearing jeans, canvas shoes, and a white checkered shirt. One reason was that it was comfortable, and another was that I realized I had no idea how to shop for clothes. After agonizing for so long, I still couldn’t make up my mind.

At 7 PM, I arrived at the school gate to meet Leilei for dinner. She glanced at my outfit, chuckled for a moment, but refrained from commenting, even though I looked somewhat unkempt.

After dinner, we strolled around the streets for a while. By 9:30, Leilei decided it was about time and led me back to her classroom at the school.

“We’re here,” Leilei announced, turning back to me as she prepared to knock.

As she pulled the classroom door open just a crack, she declared, “Ghost time is up.” The room was pitch black inside, and nothing was visible.

Her voice, intentionally hushed and eerie, sent shivers down my spine even before the ghost stories began.

Suddenly, the classroom lights flicked on, and four or five girls rushed to the door, pulling Leilei inside. Upon seeing me following behind her, they all started giggling, making me feel quite embarrassed.

A girl with a ponytail gave me a significant look, “Leilei, it seems you’ve finally conquered this dark horse.”

Leilei rolled her eyes, “No way, Fu Qingqing. I’ve told you countless times, he’s just my sidekick, not some prince charming.”

“Alright, alright, a sidekick it is. Come on in, you’re here to bolster our lovely Leilei’s courage anyway,” Fu Qingqing said, stepping aside to let me in. Only then did I find the opportunity to enter.

The classroom was spacious, with only about twenty people inside, and just seven or eight were boys. Everyone seemed to get along well, chatting and laughing together.

As Leilei and I entered together, some of the boys glanced our way with curiosity, but more so with a sense of rivalry, as if trying to discern what I had that they lacked.

The desks in the classroom were arranged in a large circle. After we took our seats, a girl with large eyes stood up and formally announced, “I declare the ghost story party officially started!”

Instantly, the lights went out, and everyone cheered excitedly. However, I couldn’t share their enthusiasm. In this large classroom, only four candles were lit, casting a mysterious glow on everyone’s faces, making them look particularly eerie.

I really can’t quite grasp the thoughts of young people – am I truly getting old?

Leilei whispered to me that the game they were playing was simple: each person would share a ghost story, and whoever managed to scare everyone would be the ultimate winner.

“And what do they get if they win?” I couldn’t help but ask irritably.

Leilei shot me a look. “The winner gets bragging rights, and the losers have to buy them snacks. Happy now?”

Seeing Leilei upset, I was at a loss for words and could only sit there quietly. I checked my pockets; in my haste to change clothes, I hadn’t brought much money. Hopefully, I wouldn’t end up embarrassing Leilei…

“Alright, I’ll start. Everyone, ghost time is up, please get ready!” The girl with the big eyes, named Qin Wenwen, was said to be the school beauty, according to Leilei. She was indeed very pretty.

After she spoke, everyone closed their eyes, resting their elbows on the table and their hands clasped like in prayer. I quickly followed suit, mimicking their prayerful posture.

“Okay, let’s begin!”

With that, Qin Wenwen launched into her ghost story.

“This is a true story. As for the origins, I’m sorry I can’t disclose them. It’s out of respect for the deceased and a penitence for human nature.”

Qin Wenwen’s voice was ethereal, as if carried by the wind and could vanish just as easily. It was really entrancing.

Everyone listened intently to Qin Wenwen’s story, fully engaged.

“Our university was established in 1933. Back then, it was a women’s academy with only one very strict old teacher. Though all the students were girls, he showed no mercy. Failure to complete assignments led to inevitable punishment…”

Among the students were two girls who were very close friends, named Qi Chuxin and Mu Wanchen.

The two girls were of the same age, with youthful beauty, cherished by their families. Despite having similar upbringings, they developed distinctly different personalities.

Qi Chuxin was lively and just as willful, a typical spoiled heiress refused to yield to anything but her whims, her temperament strong and stubborn.