Chapter 12: Possession (Part 1)
Lin Banxia was still a bit unclear about the specifics of the job Song Qingluo had mentioned, but there was one thing he did understand: this job probably wasn’t all that great. Otherwise, why would Song Qingluo rent a place next to him, making do with such a modest setup? As for Song Qingluo’s claim that the pay was decent, Lin Banxia didn’t take it seriously. After all, even pyramid schemes promise their recruits they’ll be making five million in three years—those kinds of words are just for show.
According to Song Qingluo, the items he’d placed in his room just happened to counteract the effect of Lin Banxia’s house number, giving Ji Leshui some mental relief. As long as Ji Leshui’s mental state improved, he wouldn’t see those terrifying apparitions anymore, and then he could finally move out.
Ji Leshui was in a good mood after hearing about this and invited Lin Banxia out for a celebratory meal. Lin Banxia asked if Song Qingluo wanted to join, but Song declined, saying he had some things to take care of.
Lin Banxia gave a simple “oh,” changed his clothes, and headed out.
After nearly a week of gloomy weather, the sky finally cleared up. Lin Banxia strolled along the street, basking in the last rays of the evening sun.
The place Ji Leshui had picked was a barbecue restaurant near where Lin Banxia worked. The food was delicious and affordable, and they often met up there for meals.
Since Lin Banxia had the day off, he arrived early, ordered the food, and got the grill ready while waiting for Ji Leshui.
Around six o’clock, Ji Leshui arrived. He looked vibrant, a stark contrast to a few days before; there was no trace of fatigue on his face, and he even looked a bit flushed, clearly recovering well.
“Banxia, what, the big boss isn’t coming?” Ji Leshui asked as he sat down.
“He said he’s busy, so he won’t be joining us,” Lin Banxia replied. “You got off work early today?”
Ji Leshui answered, “I snuck out early. Hurry, throw some meat on the grill.”
Lin Banxia nodded and placed a large slice of pork belly on the grill.
Pork prices had been skyrocketing lately, and pork belly was already costing over thirty yuan per jin (half a kilogram). Eating meat had turned into a luxury. As the fatty meat sizzled on the grill, releasing its unique, savory aroma, the smell filled the air. Once the meat was browned and crispy on both sides, they dipped it in sauce, wrapped it in lettuce, and took a big, satisfying bite. The delicious flavor was enough to send their souls to heaven.
Tearing up a little, Ji Leshui exclaimed, “Oh man, how long has it been since we’ve had a proper meal like this?”
Lin Banxia glanced at him. “Didn’t we just come here last week, right after you moved?”
“Oh,” Ji Leshui replied, a little embarrassed.
Lin Banxia said, “You’re just greedy.”
“I thought after moving in, we could live a happy, carefree life together,” Ji Leshui sighed. “But no, life threw us into chaos, and now our relationship is going through a serious crisis…”
Lin Banxia rolled his eyes at him.
“Honestly, it’s kind of miraculous,” Ji Leshui continued. “Ever since I moved into that big boss’s place, I haven’t seen any of those things. What’s going on? Is he some kind of exorcist who got rid of the ghosts?… Hey, why are you ignoring me?”
With his mouth full of meat, Lin Banxia mumbled, “Go on, keep talking.”
Ji Leshui observed him for a few seconds and finally realized Lin Banxia’s sneaky tactic. He slammed his hand on the table in anger. “Are you even human? Taking advantage of me talking to eat all the meat, huh? Fine, I won’t say another word!”
Unbothered, Lin Banxia continued to stuff his face.
The two sat at the table, devouring the barbecue. Halfway through, Ji Leshui went out to buy a pack of cigarettes, telling Lin Banxia to pace himself and save him a bite.
However, less than a minute after stepping outside, Ji Leshui returned with a panicked look. Seeing his expression, Lin Banxia reflexively asked, “What’s with that look? Did you see a ghost?”
At these words, Ji Leshui’s face turned pale, and he didn’t deny it.
Lin Banxia was taken aback and softened his tone. “What did you see?”
“I saw your coworker,” Ji Leshui replied.
“Coworker? Which one?” asked Lin Banxia.
“That guy, Liu Xi something?”
“Oh, him? What about him?” Lin Banxia asked.
“He was talking to a woman.” Ji Leshui’s voice grew softer, a tremor slipping in at the end, “That woman… she had something strange on her back…”
Lin Banxia froze in place, instantly recalling the terrifying woman he had seen at his workplace before. But why would she be with Liu Xi? Did they know each other? He quickly asked Ji Leshui where they were, and Ji Leshui said they were just outside, not too far away. Lin Banxia rushed outside, but by the time he got there, Liu Xi and the woman were nowhere to be seen.
Back at the barbecue restaurant, the mood had soured, and they finished up quickly before heading home.
Ji Leshui had thought he’d completely freed himself from the influence of that building, but the sight of that strange thing brought back all those horrific nighttime visions. Though usually tough, he couldn’t endure endless frights like this; eventually, he’d end up with a nervous breakdown.
On their way back, Lin Banxia sent Liu Xi a message, asking where he was.
Liu Xi quickly replied, saying he was at home with his girlfriend.
Lin Banxia responded, “Oh, I just happened to be eating near the office and thought I saw someone who looked like you. Thought you might be here, too.”
After a short pause, Liu Xi replied, “Haha, I’m at home.”
That “Haha” reeked of insincerity, and Lin Banxia couldn’t shake the feeling something was off as he walked back to the neighborhood with Ji Leshui.
Following behind, Ji Leshui whispered, “Banxia, do you think ghosts are real?”
Lin Banxia replied, “Maybe? Maybe not?”
“But the big boss next door said there are no ghosts, right? By the way, what does the boss actually do? Could he be some kind of shaman…?”
Ji Leshui mumbled to himself as he followed closely behind Lin Banxia. Suddenly, Lin Banxia stopped abruptly, and Ji Leshui, caught off guard, bumped his head against Lin Banxia’s shoulder. He hissed, “Banxia, what are you doing?”
Lin Banxia didn’t respond.
“Banxia?” Ji Leshui called out, noticing Lin Banxia tilting his head as if he was staring at something. Ji Leshui followed his gaze and, upon seeing it, felt chills spread over his body. The window from a few days ago—the one where they had seen a woman jump—was lit up once again.
“Whoa!!” Ji Leshui staggered back in shock.
“Is this the same window you saw as well?” Lin Banxia asked. When he had come back last time, he only found Ji Leshui scared out of his wits and didn’t know the exact location of the window.
Ji Leshui nodded vigorously. “Yes, yes!!” Then he paused. “Wait, why did you say ‘as well’?”
Lin Banxia replied quietly, “Because I saw it too.”
Ji Leshui’s eyes widened.
The faint light from the window flickered like a candle in the darkness, drawing him in like a moth to a flame. Ji Leshui recalled the events of that day, and he dared not take another step forward. Lin Banxia, however, appeared to be deep in thought and stood still on the path.
Silence stretched between them. Ji Leshui felt a cold drop on his forehead and wiped it away, realizing it was rain. It had been clear that afternoon—why was it raining now?
While Ji Leshui was lost in thought, a thin, shadowy figure appeared by the window. From the outside, it looked like a woman, with long hair and a dress—the same shadow they had seen a few days ago.
The shadow swayed as if unsteady and finally stopped in front of the window. Slowly, it rose, as if the shadow’s owner was standing on a stool.
Lin Banxia was still wondering what she was doing when he saw the woman lift a rope, creating a loop above her head. Lin Banxia immediately understood.
The shadow started to sway, as if the light inside the room was unsteady. Yet, the instability didn’t stop her actions. She lifted her heels slightly and slipped her neck through the noose.
In the next moment, the shadow began to struggle and sway under the light, until it finally stilled.
Ji Leshui was terrified, his whole body shaking as he yelled, “Run, Banxia—” He grabbed Lin Banxia to pull him away, but his movement was too abrupt; he tripped on his own feet, pulling Lin Banxia down with him.
Lin Banxia hadn’t expected it and fell in a heap with Ji Leshui.
“Ah!!” Ji Leshui screamed. Lin Banxia quickly asked, “Leshui, are you okay?”
“D-don’t worry about me… that window… it’s open!!!” Ji Leshui’s voice trembled uncontrollably. “She’s about to jump again. Banxia, leave me and run!!”
Lin Banxia looked toward the window and saw that it had indeed opened. The flickering light inside revealed a pale face slowly leaning out.
Ji Leshui closed his eyes in despair. “Ahhhh, it’s coming!!!”
Lin Banxia: “?!”
Ji Leshui: “Ahhhh, she’s jumping!!”
Lin Banxia: “…”
“Stop yelling.” The owner of the pale face seemed to be annoyed by the noise and tossed a ball of paper down, which missed Ji Leshui and landed on Lin Banxia’s head.
Lin Banxia, feeling a bit wronged, gave Ji Leshui a slap on the back. “Open your eyes and stop screaming.”
Ji Leshui continued to yell until Lin Banxia stuffed the paper ball into his mouth, finally ending the ear-piercing noise.
The person above watched and gave Lin Banxia a thumbs-up.
Ji Leshui opened his teary eyes and was met with Lin Banxia’s unimpressed expression. He seemed to recognize the voice and hesitantly looked up, only to see Song Qingluo’s face in the window.
Ji Leshui: “????” Boss, are you ghost hunting instead of sleeping tonight?
Lin Banxia asked, “Are you done screaming?”
Ji Leshui nodded tearfully.
“Then get up and let’s go. It’s cold sitting here.”
Ji Leshui slowly stood up, took a step forward, and then let out another wail.
Lin Banxia grew annoyed. “Are you still yelling?”
Ji Leshui cried like a two-hundred-pound child, “Bro, I twisted my ankle—”
Lin Banxia: “…” You’re hopeless. First place in screaming, last in everything else.
—
Author’s Note:
Lin Banxia: “Ji Leshui, male, twenty-five, specializes in screaming, also known as the screaming chicken.”
Ji Leshui: “Lin Banxia, male, twenty-five, specializes in being single, also known as the single dog.”
Song Qingluo: “Are you two done yet?”
