Chapter 12 The Heart

It was already midnight when I got back to the bookstore in a taxi. The door was still open, and there were quite a few people inside.

Zhou Ze remembered Xu Qinglang telling him on the phone earlier that the store was doing good business tonight. It seemed to be true; even at this late hour, there were still customers.

Pushing open the glass door, Zhou Ze was somewhat disappointed to see that the dozen or so people sitting inside were all alive.

Zhao Ju's case last time was a special exception. Surely, this time, it couldn't be that all these people were exceptions too?

Even during the time of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, the folk customs, or rather, the ghost customs, weren't this simple.

They were sitting in a circle, with one person standing in the middle, telling a story. The others were listening attentively, as if it were a suspenseful horror story. The storyteller was using inflections and gestures to create an atmosphere.

Bai Yingying was behind the counter, playing with her phone.

When Zhou Ze returned, Bai Yingying took the initiative to stand up and pour him a glass of water.

Zhou Ze sat down, subconsciously reaching out to cover the area where his heart should be. Even though it was hidden under his clothes, at least for now, that area was empty.

"Boss, what's wrong?" Bai Yingying asked, sounding puzzled.

"Hmm?" Zhou Ze looked at Bai Yingying.

"I feel like something's different about you. You weren't like this when you left this afternoon."

The female corpse was quite perceptive.

"It's nothing," Zhou Ze said, not wanting to talk about it right now.

"Can I go next door and play games now that you're back?" Bai Yingying asked pleadingly.

Zhou Ze nodded.

"You're the best, Boss."

Bai Yingying went to the noodle shop next door. Soon after, Xu Qinglang came from the noodle shop to the bookstore, walked to the counter, offered Zhou Ze a cigarette, and asked:

"Is this a tea party?"

Zhou Ze shook his head, indicating that he didn't know.

"Hey, it sounds like they're telling ghost stories." Xu Qinglang was intrigued and even found a plastic stool to sit down.

The person in the middle of the circle was telling a story about a vengeful ghost baby, full of twists and turns. The story was indeed good, and the surrounding people were listening intently.

Gradually, Zhou Ze realized that this was probably a "club," an organization similar to a book club or cycling club, gathered together because of a shared hobby.

After the last story was finished, a man who seemed to be the leader took out a large white sheet of paper with some things drawn on it, and then took out several pens.

Zhou Ze was a little far away and couldn't see clearly. Xu Qinglang turned his head and mouthed to Zhou Ze:

"Spirit writing." (bixian)

Spirit writing is a type of game that involves summoning ghosts, shrouded in mystery. It's said that playing this game can easily lead to misfortune and possession by wandering souls.

Everyone seemed very excited, and they all reached out, holding the pen together. A man in a yellow wool coat and black-rimmed glasses, who appeared to be the leader, spoke piously after everyone was ready:

"Spirit writing, spirit writing, where are you? Spirit writing, spirit writing, where are you?"

The pen didn't move, but the bookstore suddenly fell silent.

The man with black-rimmed glasses continued:

"Spirit writing, spirit writing, will we encounter a ghost tonight?"

Ten seconds after the words fell,

The pen held by everyone began to move slowly.

Everyone held their breath.

In fact, when many people hold a pen together, it's easy for it to slide if the pen tip is smooth enough. If someone is intentionally making it move, it's even simpler.

"Swish!"

The pen tip suddenly trembled,

And pointed horizontally in the direction of Zhou Ze.

Xu Qinglang's mouth opened slightly. Lucky break?

Zhou Ze still sat steadily behind the counter, watching the situation with half-closed eyes.

Because of the movement of the pen tip, most people's eyes were focused on Zhou Ze's direction.

"Yes!"

The man with black-rimmed glasses said, pointing to the area where the pen tip was located.

There were two areas labeled "Yes" and "No." At this time, the pen tip was right in the "Yes" area.

"Okay, put things away, let's set off together later. Remember, the activity lasts half an hour. Everyone has charged their phones, right? Everyone must record video for at least twenty minutes."

"Okay."

"Understood."

"Yes."

The others packed up their things and left the bookstore. The man with black-rimmed glasses walked to Zhou Ze's counter and said apologetically:

"Sorry, boss, we're the Horror Story Lovers Association. We do nothing but ghost hunting and paranormal exploration. Didn't scare you, did we?"

Zhou Ze shook his head.

"Then you're really brave, boss. When that little girl was here, I asked her if we could play spirit writing here, and she approved it. But when you came back, I was really worried you'd blame us. Here's the tea money, boss, please accept it."

The man handed over six hundred yuan.

Zhou Ze took the money and asked, "Where are you going later?"

"To the building above your shop. There haven't been any businesses here for a long time. Recently, there was an arson case, and a few people were burned to death. We plan to try our luck there tonight."

"So eager to see a ghost?"

"I don't know, but people are always curious about the unknown. Actually, everyone gathers together with the mentality of pursuing excitement.

In terms of everyone's usual social circles, it's difficult to find like-minded people. Our association also provides an opportunity for everyone to communicate.

Moreover, I've already made arrangements in advance for tonight. During the day, I had people set things up in the previously burned-down movie theater. Tonight, Mr. Chen from our association will confess his love to Miss Liu."

"Confess?"

"That's right. Actually, everyone else knows about tonight's events except for Miss Liu. Our association has been established for five years, and everyone has a good relationship, so everyone is happy to help."

"Are you Japanese?" Zhou Ze asked, looking at the man with black-rimmed glasses.

"Yes, I'm a Chinese national who lived in Japan. I returned to China five years ago. There are many hobby associations like this in Japan. After returning to China, I found that everyone was too introverted, so I basically organize everyday book clubs or haunted house explorations."

The man patted his forehead and handed out his business card.

"My Chinese name is Cui Yilang, please give me your guidance."

Zhou Ze took the business card from his hand.

"Then we'll go organize the event first. Thank you again for your hospitality, boss."

Cui Yilang walked out of the bookstore. Xu Qinglang, who had been standing on the side without saying a word, immediately burst out laughing, clutching his stomach:

"Hahaha, I was dying to hold that in! They're really going to see ghosts this time."

As Xu Qinglang laughed, he noticed that Zhou Ze wasn't smiling. He punched Zhou Ze's chest and asked:

"Not funny?"

Zhou Ze immediately bent over, one hand covering the chest area he had just been hit.

"This… are you okay? I didn't use much force!"

I only gave you a little punch on the chest.

"It's not that." Zhou Ze gestured for Xu Qinglang not to come closer and said, "It just hurts when I laugh."

"That exaggerated?" Xu Qinglang pursed his lips. "Are you hungry? I'll make you… a plate of egg fried rice?"

"Not hungry, I already ate."

"You ate outside?" Xu Qinglang asked curiously, "Don't you usually not like food from outside?"

"That thing was very delicious."

"What kind of dish was it? If you like it, I'll buy some tomorrow and make it for you?"

Zhou Ze shook his head.

A person only has one heart.

Zhou Ze couldn't produce a basketful for Xu Qinglang to "fry, deep-fry, boil, and steam."

"Then what do you want to eat lately?" Xu Qinglang asked.

"Water spinach, maybe." Zhou Ze looked at Xu Qinglang and said very seriously, "I suddenly really want to eat that."

"Okay, I'll go get some tomorrow."

Just then, the lights in the bookstore suddenly went out.

"Aaaaaahhhhh!!!!!!!!! Final circle, blessed circle!!!!

I'm about to get a chicken dinner! My AWM, level three armor, level three helmet, fifteen times scope!"

Bai Yingying rushed out of the noodle shop and stood outside, wailing loudly.

Zhou Ze felt that she probably didn't scream as intensely even when she was being drowned in a pig cage.

There was a power outage.

Zhou Ze and Xu Qinglang also went outside.

Xu Qinglang made a call and then hung up, saying helplessly:

"Damn it, they said someone will come to fix it tomorrow. Lao Zhou, this place of ours is really not good anymore. The power went out, and people are too lazy to even come and take a look. Now it's become a place for hobbyists to explore haunted houses."

Xu Qinglang pointed to the windows of the high-rise building above them. "How did they think of confessing in that movie theater where people died?"

"It's very romantic. In a horrifying environment, plus the suddenness of love, that sense of contrast is enough to intoxicate those who like that kind of thing."

"Why do you sound so strange today?" Xu Qinglang looked at Zhou Ze.

Zhou Ze shook his head.

"You really look like you've been emptied out. Did you finally take that step with your wife today?" Xu Qinglang asked carefully.

"You're thinking too much."

But the word "emptied out" made Zhou Ze's eyelids twitch slightly, a detail that Xu Qinglang noticed.

Zhou Ze raised his head and looked up.

"Hey,

Looking at the sky won't help.

Are you feeling guilty?

Did I really guess right?"

Seeing that Zhou Ze didn't reply, Xu Qinglang also raised his head

To look at the sky.

Then,

They saw a figure in white standing by the glass window on the fifth floor.

Because of the power outage, there was no light around, but the moon was very bright tonight, and the color of the other person's clothes was easy to distinguish in the night.

"Are they even hiring someone to dress up as a ghost to create an atmosphere?" Xu Qinglang exhaled a smoke ring. "They're really going all the way…"

Xu Qinglang stopped talking,

Because he saw the white figure falling from above,

Very fast,

And falling directly less than ten meters away from himself and Zhou Ze.

"Thud!"

A heavy thud sounded,

A person fell face up on the ground, motionless, and blood slowly spread out from under her.

Zhou Ze felt a chill on his face.

Some blood had splattered on his cheeks.

Xu Qinglang immediately ran over to check on the fallen person,

While Zhou Ze reached into his pocket for a napkin, intending to wipe the blood off his face first.

Someone died… must save people… must check the situation…

A look of struggle appeared in Zhou Ze's eyes,

But his hand still trembled as he took out the tissue,

Slowly and carefully wiping away the few drops of blood,

"Hey, come over here and see if there's any chance to save her!" Xu Qinglang raised his head and shouted at Zhou Ze, then when he saw that Zhou Ze was actually standing there wiping his face without taking a step, he roared:

"Do you have any conscience? You're wiping your face at a time like this!"

Zhou Ze was stunned for a moment,

That's right,

His heart,

Was gone…