Book 6: Chapter 2: Coming of winds, herald of rain

Book 6: Chapter 2: Coming of winds, herald of rain

Xiao Xias hairs stood on end!

Especially the ones on the back of her head, where she sensed something abnormal by the bedside lamp. She was no longer able to hide under the covers and feign sleep any longer. She leapt up and pounced over to the lamp, turning it on.

The warm yellow light instantly turned on in a murky semicircle. However, it only lit up half the room. The area by the bathroom door was still dark.

Xiao Xia stared wide-eyed, trying to see through the darkness, afraid to see something moving. As if in response to her, there was another flurry of sounds!

Almost instinctively, Xiao Xia leapt for the lamp on the other side of the bed. She had completely forgotten that the creepy feeling had been coming from this direction!

Her actions were rushed and chaotic. Her palm touched the porcelain base of the lamp, but before she found the switch she felt a burning sensation! She instinctively tried to withdraw her hand, but it was unexpectedly stuck to the base. As she pulled her hand back, the entire lamp was pulled onto the bed!

Save me, its so hot! A mans crying voice came from the lamp.

Xiao Xia cried out in fright. She scrambled away and leapt off the bed. Unable to worry about anything else, she immediately ran for the bathroom. Ah Bai was there. Wasnt she an awesome witch doctor in her previous life? She must have a solution!

As she dashed to the bathroom door, she happened to see a vase lying on the floor. It was desperately trying to climb back up, like a turtle that was flipped on its back!

Clang, clang

The vase struggled a couple more times before finally standing up!

This vase was an ornament that had been sitting on the rooms table. The white vase had faint red patterns. It was extremely beautiful. Xiao Xia loved the beauty in its simplicity. She even fiddled with it for a while before bed. But at this moment, what should have been a lifeless object now seemed as if possessed. It stood there looking up at her, its dark opening continuously making whimpering sounds!

Xiao Xia was stunned. She stood at the bathroom door unmoving, until a voice called her from inside. Only then did she remember Ah Bai and hurriedly barged in!

The silver bracelet was on the makeup counter, giving off a slight silver light. It was indeed Ah Bai calling her!

She rushed over and picked up the bracelet. Only when the cool, gentle sensation in her palm spread did she feel that lingering burning gradually fade. She tried to undo the patterned string seal, but the more anxious and flustered she was, the more she couldnt undo it! Outside, footsteps sounded continuously, and she heard a door opening!

This startled Xiao Xia. She thought the bathroom door had been opened. Her hand jerked heavily and the patterned string was pulled off.

What happened? I heard you scream! Ah Bai asked in concern. Look at you, youre covered in sweat!

Didnt you sense it? Xiao Xia stared at the bathroom door. It was still properly shut. Now that Ah Bai was with her, she felt much safer. But Ah Bai unexpectedly hadnt sensed the supernatural occurrences outside. The vasethe vase and the lamp are both alive. They kept saying it was hot and wanted me to save them. There was also the sound of a man crying!

Ah Bai saw that Xiao Xias face was pale and her body was trembling. She hurriedly passed through the wall. Xiao Xia opened the bathroom door and followed closely behind. However, the situation in the room made them look at each other. There wasnt anything abnormal at all. That white vase was properly in its place on the table and the lamp was also extremely normal.

There was definitely

Shhh Ah Bai interrupted Xiao Xia and slowly drifted to the table. She looked the vase over repeatedly, and then went to check out the lamp.

How is it? Xiao Xia asked anxiously.

Very normal. Theres no ghostly aura!

But Icould it have been a nightmare? Xiao Xia approached the bed doubtfully. She mustered up her courage and quickly snuck her hand out to touch the lamp. It was slightly cold. It wasnt even warm, let alone burning hot.

She looked at her hand. Although the feeling earlier had been too realistic, the current situation made her start wondering whether it had been a dream.

Right as she thought she had made a fool of herself and raised a false alarm, Ah Bai sniffed and said, Theres an unfamiliar persons smell in the room. Someone was in here! But dont be afraid, theres only the two of us now.

Such a fool, you really slammed those breaks. See, the car even stalled! He heckled.

Driver Liu didnt say anything else and started turning the ignition again. However, despite trying for a while, the car wouldnt start!

Whats the matter? Mao Fu was a little impatient.

The cars stalled. Driver Liu responded.

Obviously, but why cant you start it again?

Idont know. Ill go take a look. Driver Liu opened the door and got out.

Xiao Xia didnt want to stay in the car with the other two so she also followed him out. She immediately realized the sky had turned even darker. The mountain wind which had already died down contained some moisture.

How about letting lil Liu fix the car while we head back in the other cars first. Looking at the sky Zhao Jia Yuan, who had also gotten out of the car at some point, suggested to Mao Fu who had remained inside. The rain wont be light when it comes down. This road hasnt been paved. The mud will get slippery, its too unsafe.

Their car had been in the very front, and they had gotten some distance ahead. Now, the other two cars had caught up.

Might as well. Mao Fu was a little annoyed as he got out of the car, yet he immediately put on a smile as he turned to Xiao Xia. Oh, apologies, Miss Yue. The towns resources have all been going into constructing the new town. The cars arent too good. Just hitting the breaks caused one to break down. How embarrassing. Hopefully Miss Yue doesnt mind squeezing into the other two cars. What a disgrace. Shame, shame!

Xiao Xia didnt want to squeeze in with them, but the darkened skies looked like it would swallow them up. She involuntarily felt a little afraid and was forced to nod her head.

Yet this matter wasnt resolved so easily. When they reached the other two cars, their engines died too. They also couldnt be restarted again.

These two cars had stopped normally without slamming the breaks. Why did they also stall?!

Fuck, something fouls afoot! It wasnt clear who spoke.

Everyone fell silent immediately. The only sound was the wind rustling through the trees on either side of the road. Xiao Xia looked over and saw several people turning pale, seeming a little frightened.

What should we do? Zhao Jia Yuan broke the silence and asked Mao Fu.

Mao Fu hesitated as if unable to decide. In the end, he still spoke up. Its no longer possible to return to the town. However, we arent far from the village. Why dont we walk back?

Im afraid well encounter heavy rains, judging by this freakish weather! A reporter from the province said.

This fellow reporter from the province might not be aware that from the looks of things, the rain wont stop for a while once it starts. Once it gets dark, with the slippery roads, itll be even more dangerous to drive. Besides, taking a shortcut back is only around one and a half kilometers of mountain roads. If we walk quickly, we can get there in about an hour. Im very familiar with this area, and we also have rain gear and flashlights in the cars. We can endure for a bit. Zhao Jia Yuan naturally gave all his support to Mao Fu.

At his words, the scene grew chaotic. Everyone started talking at once.

How about this, lets put it to a vote. The weather wont wait for us. Lets all decide and act soon! Mao Fu waved his hand decisively. Those who agree to leave immediately on foot, come stand by me.

Actually, these people from the countryside where more superstitious to begin with. Seeing the weather change suddenly was already unexpected enough. Now, the normally well-maintained cars suddenly broke down half-way and Driver Liu insisted that he saw something running in front of the car. Everyone wanted to leave this godforsaken place. They were just afraid that it would rain heavily soon and the mountain road would become dangerous on foot.

The towns people werent willing to go against Mao Fu. The reporters and Xiao Xia also didnt really understand the situation. Therefore, the vote to walk back to the village was actually unanimous. Once things were decided, the group immediately got moving, leaving behind the three drivers to mind the cars.

After walking around half an hour, the group of twelve reached a fork in the road. On the left was still the mountain path while the path on the right was flat and smooth. Looking into the distance, it seemed to be that newly constructed town. They would reach pavement after crossing a dried ditch.

Lets go through this new town! Xiao Xia suggested. The road is paved so it should be faster.

No! Mao Fu and Zhao Jia Yuan rejected loudly at the same time. Their fierce and firm tone startled Xiao Xia!