Chapter Seven Howl

Good night

Well, just like on the television, when you press this button, I can receive it on my end. When I press the button here, your light will also turn on. This has been modified, and the communication distance is very far. We can communicate using this. If you feel unwell during the day, just remember to inform me, and I can come over immediately

It's nothing, just that I keep thinking about the orange that fell into the trash that day. You said it wouldn't be picked up and washed clean, would it

Uh ... ...

Are you going to sleep?

Lan Zi, I am going to sleep

Good night

What happened?

On the way home with the coral, he took out the orange several times to look at it. The coral noticed his actions and asked in confusion, "Are you going to eat it or not? Although it looks very similar to the one from that day, it really seems delicious..." As she spoke, she leaned down to smell it, "It even has a fragrance, it smells great."

Puff—

Of course, it wouldn't be the oranges from that day; even if the oranges from that day were still there, they should have rotted away...

Lan Zi said, casually tossing the orange to the roadside. Shan Hu pressed her lips together, and the two walked a dozen steps before Lan Zi turned back, looking at the orange that was quietly lying under the streetlight at the roadside: "Wait for me a moment."

"Just one, I don't want it." Coral glanced at the orange, then looked at Aunt Tang who was walking away. Feeling that Lan Zhi could block her view of that direction, she finally revealed a look of disgust and whispered, "Why does it look exactly like the orange from that day... although it seems very delicious..." As she spoke, she slightly swallowed and turned to wash her hands. "Why does it look exactly like the orange from that day... although it seems very delicious..." As she spoke, she slightly swallowed and turned to wash her hands

He stood in the sunken square, gazing towards the setting sun in the west. A few years ago, he had come here with his grandmother. After her passing, he was left alone. Many of the older women would often return home during dinner time, while he would remain here even at night. This feeling had never been experienced before this year

That is an orange

Coral's grandfather's profession remains unclear to Lan Zi, who only knows from Coral's occasional recounting that her grandfather is quite knowledgeable, seemingly understanding everything. He cares for her deeply but is also very indulgent, a method of education that Lan Zi currently finds completely incomprehensible. After a brief exchange, Coral asked, "The wind is really strong over there; I can hear it." Lan Zi could only smile and reply, "Yes, the window is open."

That day was Saturday, and it had been more than half a month since the body was discovered. After spending a day at the garbage dump, Lan Zi was preparing to finish work around five in the evening, having made plans with Shan Hu to go to the treehouse later. While he was washing his hands at the faucet, a little girl was still tinkering under the eaves, putting the finishing touches on a quirky mechanical device. Just as he turned on the faucet, a middle-aged woman, who had been chatting with someone nearby, approached. Her face was covered with a mask, but she revealed a smile.

Remember to cover yourself with a blanket, so you don't catch a cold

Regardless of what that feeling is, it has ultimately been shattered

The orange, the size of a fist, is smooth and round, brimming with vitality. In that moment, the first thought that crossed Lan Zi's mind was of the few oranges that had scattered among the garbage when the corpse was discovered; in terms of external characteristics, they were indistinguishable from the one before him

The feeling of dissonance finally became clear on the evening of November 9

Subconscious aversion

I was reading a book... and then my grandfather was also busy with something. I turned off his light and took him back to his room to sleep before I went to bed; otherwise, he would have been working all night.

In the evening, I listened to the radio in the treehouse, followed by watching Coral's performance. Then, as usual, I was compelled by Coral to learn the guitar. Recently, Lan Zi has made some progress and can barely play a few basic melodies, most of which last for several seconds to tens of seconds. Thus, it can be considered a happy occasion for all, and Coral is quite satisfied.

Yesterday, I saw someone selling it on the street, and I suddenly had a strong desire to buy it. You should try it too; it's quite expensive

The large yellow dog is tilting its head and looking at it, as if it is also gazing closely at this big yellow dog

This is a newly developed street in Yuling City. Although it is equipped with various facilities, there are few pedestrians and very few passing vehicles. On both sides are parks and residential buildings, and across the street, a shop is undergoing renovations. He jogged over, found a piece of brick, and rushed back, placing the brick on the orange and stepping down forcefully.

Thank you

This is a placeholder text.

Why are you only going to sleep at this time

It cannot be lowered too much; Lan Zi merely gazed from above. Beneath the streetlight, the brick still lay there, but the fan-shaped fruit pulp sprayed onto the street was already gone, likely affecting pedestrian movement, perhaps cleaned up by sanitation workers or someone else. The large yellow dog stopped by the lamp post, tilting its head as if it were observing that brick, perhaps contemplating marking something under the streetlight. After just a couple of glances, the walkie-talkie in his arms emitted a faint sound. He smiled as he took it out and pressed the talk button. Likely cleaned up by sanitation workers or someone else, the large yellow dog stopped by the lamp post, tilting its head as if it were observing that brick, perhaps contemplating marking something under the streetlight. After just a couple of glances, the walkie-talkie in his arms emitted a faint sound. He smiled as he took it out and pressed the talk button.

Alright, alright, you are the patient, so I will let you know... It was my grandfather who helped me take leave, he supports me, and besides, I already know everything that needs to be learned at school. My father told me that if you keep nagging, you will never get married in the future

It's just an orange

Lan Zi stood in the starry void, taking a long breath and drifting away with the wind

"Have you gone back? Lan Zi."

For Lan Zi, having never received any warm education about saying goodnight before sleep since childhood, it was difficult for him to understand the necessity of the little girl’s serious nightly greetings, as his grandmother never said such things. However, as he became accustomed to it, he found that having someone say goodnight to you was quite a pleasant feeling.

... ...

Not long after, a mournful and prolonged bark echoed through the streets of the city. The bark elongated in the wind, having already transformed, faintly resonating in the air above the city, reminiscent of an ancient and primal wolf howl

On a rainy morning, she left behind a pile of amusing remarks before skipping away. After school at noon, she brought a pot of porridge, and thus, Lan Zi began a life of having porridge for every meal. In the evening, Coral brought two items and earnestly taught him how to use them

Well, I will come over after having a meal

The small gathering ended at 10:00 PM. Lan Zi watched Coral head home from the sky, and then returned to the precarious building. For him, it was not late; he felt no drowsiness that day. Thus, he put on an extra layer of clothing, donned his helmet, and took the walkie-talkie left by Coral as he soared into the night sky. It was the end of the lunar month, and there was no moon in the sky. The stars were vast, and the Milky Way stretched across the heavens like a jade belt, truly enchanting. He flew above the city, observing the occasional vehicles passing on the roads, the rows of streetlights, the various neighborhoods, the buildings, the bright windows, and the flickering shadows within. His mood inevitably brightened considerably.

Logically, the first reaction is naturally this way; however, looking at the fruit in his hand, so plump and fresh as if just picked from the tree, Lan Zi always recalls the scene from that night. The orange seemed out of place against the backdrop of the garbage dump, as if tempting him to take a bite. There was a certain aura in the air that was drawn into his body, reminiscent of the feeling when his powers went out of control and absorbed energy. He frowned and tucked the orange into his pocket

The woman with the surname Tang walked to a nearby corner of the wall, picked up a small cloth bag, and then smiled as she took out an object from inside and handed it to Lan Zi. Upon seeing the object, Lan Zi was momentarily stunned.

Good night

After escorting Coral home, they agreed to meet again soon at the treehouse. Lan Zi returned home to take a shower and have a meal. As he passed by that road, he glanced at the red bricks, where the marks of the crushed orange were still clear. On the way to the treehouse again, he took another look, and nothing had changed.

The atmosphere of autumn deepened after October. The physical discomfort experienced by Lan and Tu Shuzi was not serious and did not last long, but their relationship with Shanhua became increasingly close. During those days, Shanhua took a leave of absence from school, claiming she needed to take care of him, and only relented when Lanzi truly lost his temper.

At this moment, under the streetlight from which he has already distanced himself, the large yellow dog is still tilting its head and watching.

The orange seemed to emit a subtle yet undeniable allure. Lan Zi held it in her hand, frowning slightly in distress. At that moment, Shan Hu ran over: "Oh? An orange."

A brick is tilted against the street, pressing down on something beneath it, large, round, orange-yellow, with a smooth and glossy skin, exuding vibrant vitality

Then... good night

This ... ...

Whatever it is, it feels a bit uncomfortable to think about it

Do not eat

This aunt with the surname Tang has been known for a long time; she had a good relationship with my grandmother in the past. She has a pleasant personality and gets along well with the people in the garbage dump. After exchanging a few words with Lan Zi, she had washed her hands and was about to leave after waving goodbye when she suddenly seemed to remember something: "Oh right, Lan Zi, wait a moment."

Aunt Tang gave it, um... do you want to eat it

Uh ... ...

In Lan Zi's view, Coral's serious attitude seemed a bit alarmist, but regardless, under the little girl's insistence, the walkie-talkie was placed in the dilapidated building. For more than a month thereafter, every night when the light of the walkie-talkie lit up, the little girl's voice would come from inside: "Lan Zi, are you there?"

Occasionally, I recall the corpse unearthed from the garbage mountain; an image of an orange flashes through my mind, gradually deepening the impression, and even he cannot explain the origin of that feeling

This is a placeholder text.

Yes, Aunt Tang, you are also going back to have dinner, right

I am going to sleep

Perhaps it is due to the profound dusk of late autumn that, in the decaying atmosphere of the garbage dump, Lan Zi occasionally lifts her head to gaze at the brownish-yellow twilight. The sky looms over the earth like a lid, and the garbage dump sinks down, surrounded by towering heaps of refuse. Not far away, some women rummaging through the trash appear somewhat silent. Occasionally, one can sense a hint of discord in the air, but this feeling dissipates upon seeing a little girl sitting nearby, dismantling electrical components while humming a tune.

"Here, take this. It's the kind of thing everyone just tries for the novelty." Aunt Tang stuffed the orange into Lan Zi's hand, turned to walk a few steps, then turned back, "This is the last one."

Taking a deep breath, Lan Zi shook her head and pondered for a moment, then cast everything aside and walked over to Coral, who wore a puzzled expression, with a smile.

In the distant sky, Lan Zi turned her head slightly, feeling somewhat bewildered

Manage yourself well, though you may be small, your spirit is great

What exactly is going on

"Giggling, how is that possible? The oranges from that day surely wouldn't look like this today."

As he flew over the street where the orange was smashed, he paused slightly. Only an occasional small car passed by on the street, and it was nearly midnight, cold and tranquil. A beggar huddled in the corner by the wall, while a large yellow dog gracefully ran across the street and stopped in the view of Lan Zi

In November, the withered yellow leaves began to quietly fall. The healed Lan Zi started pushing the tricycle to the junkyard to collect scraps again. After school, Shan Hu sat at the back of the cart, occasionally cupping her hands to mimic a horn, calling out on the street like others: "Collecting used books and newspapers!" She had a charming appearance and a sweet voice, which indeed helped her make a few deals.

That is indeed an orange

In an instant, it seemed as if the entire world in Lan Zi's vision trembled like a black-and-white film. The whole street appeared to be filled with phantoms silently and violently struggling. He raised his head, but all of this vanished like an illusion. Beneath his feet, the orange was completely crushed, and yellow juice and pulp spilled out in a fan-shaped pattern.