Chapter 4, It has come.

My worries outweigh my joys, and there is a kind of indescribable unease. The feeling of being watched and followed still lingers, as if there is someone sitting in the back seat of the car, staring at me from the darkness

I am at a loss for words, having pulled a blanket over my head and stuffed my fingers into my ears. In fact, I have other tricks up my sleeve, such as wearing earplugs to listen to music. Even with the loudspeakers next door, I might not hear them while lying in bed. However, at this moment, I do not wish to move, nor do I have the mood to listen to music, so I simply blocked my ears with my fingers. The ancients washed their ears to avoid hearing the sounds of a fallen nation; I block my ears to avoid hearing the sounds of moaning and lamentation, which could also be considered a gesture of approaching the wise and virtuous.

What is happening? Am I really scared out of my wits?

In the past, when I worked in the factory, I often worked overtime and returned home alone late at night, never feeling that there was anything frightening in the neighborhood. However, today, with Xu Guangli accompanying me, I find myself constantly suspicious and anxious, always worried that someone might emerge from the darkness. Even the slightest movement of the tree shadows sends a shiver down my spine.

By the way, didn't he give me a talisman? I hurriedly took out that small paper packet and pressed the folded triangular talisman against my chest, immediately feeling much more at ease. I still felt dizzy, fatigued, and weak. I glanced at my phone; it was almost 5 AM, and dawn was approaching.

Damn it, it turns out to be a temporary morgue! I cursed inwardly, no wonder Xu Guangli chose that place, and no wonder he was so afraid. If Liwan Square is the most sinister place in Guangzhou, then this stairwell is the most sinister place in Liwan Square, truly the epitome of evil. I felt a bit annoyed; he should have told me the truth first. I hate being led around by the nose.

Perhaps upon hearing that I had brought someone back, the noise from next door had previously paused and the door was closed, but it started again. Although the sound was not as loud as before, in the stillness of the night, every sound was distinctly audible, each noise evoking deep thoughts, and every call felt like a caterpillar crawling in my heart, wanting to catch it but unable to, which was truly frustrating. Although the sound was not as loud as before, in the stillness of the night, every sound was distinctly audible, each noise evoking deep thoughts, and every call felt like a caterpillar crawling in my heart, wanting to catch it but unable to, which was truly frustrating.

Considering that you are a former colleague and my current roommate, I have usually restrained myself from cursing. However, my emotions are somewhat abnormal at this moment, particularly irritable. I jumped up and kicked the wall hard, shouting: "Do you dare to be any louder, so the whole world can hear?"

It's fine, it's fine, haha... Xu Guangli chuckled twice and started the car

It must be Fang Liping; she is the only woman here, and she has long hair like this. But how could she have the key to my room? The person outside stood for a while before slowly walking in. When I saw her face, it was indeed Fang Liping, but her face was frighteningly pale, and her expression was somewhat stiff and strange, unlike her usual self

As I ascended the filthy and disgusting staircase to the third floor, I took out my keys to unlock the door. Immediately, I heard the sounds of a young woman moaning, along with the creaking of a worn-out mattress under strain. The sounds were emanating from a room, and the door was surprisingly not fully closed, leaving a gap of about half a foot.

I was filled with terror, struggling desperately, and with a startled cry of "Ah!" I sat up abruptly. Before me was a dim scene, yet it was illuminated by a faint, hazy light, as if several figures were swaying in front of me, tugging at me with their claws. I waved my hands wildly, tearing away the covering from my head, and suddenly, the light brightened; it turned out the lamp was still on.

The car drove onto a small road, and it became even quieter. There was not a single person in sight, and the streetlights flickered through the leaves, casting a dim light. I always felt that there was someone sitting in the darkness of the back seat. Through the rearview mirror, sometimes a shadow flashed, making it seem as if someone was indeed sitting there. I forced myself not to turn my head, but I glanced at Xu Guangli a few times; he had completely regained his composure, his small eyes slightly squinted, a smile on his face, appearing relaxed. Could it all be just my illusion? I forced myself not to turn my head, but I glanced at Xu Guangli a few times; he had completely regained his composure, his small eyes slightly squinted, a smile on his face, appearing relaxed. Could it all be just my illusion?

I was accustomed to it, not turning on the living room light, using my phone as a flashlight to open the door to my bedroom, and stepping inside first. However, Xu Guangli stood at the doorway, peering in with a curious expression, glancing through the crack of the door next door with a strange smile on his face

There is no one in the room, and the door is securely closed. The only thing covering my head is a blanket. It seems I have merely had a nightmare; Fang Liping did not come in. I took several deep breaths, feeling somewhat weak, with a heavy head and light feet, my whole body cold. It is early summer, with high temperatures during the day, yet there is still a bit of chill in the late night. The small ceiling fan has been blowing directly at me; perhaps I have gotten cold from it. But what about the sensations in the dream? I have heard people talk about the phenomenon of "sleep paralysis," which felt just like what I experienced a moment ago. It is early summer, with high temperatures during the day, yet there is still a bit of chill in the late night. The small ceiling fan has been blowing directly at me; perhaps I have gotten cold from it. But what about the sensations in the dream? I have heard people talk about the phenomenon of "sleep paralysis," which felt just like what I experienced a moment ago.

The place where I live is an old community with a history of at least 30 years, lacking even a security guard. Cars are parked haphazardly, and the overgrown vegetation is neglected. Water leaks combined with cooking fumes have resulted in a thick layer of grease on the stairs, while the walls, mottled and discolored, are covered with layers of small advertisements for services like professional drilling and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases. Even during the day, entering feels somewhat eerie. Living in such a place is certainly uncomfortable, but the rent is cheap, making it the best choice for someone of my socioeconomic status. Currently, more than half of the residents are tenants.

"Cousin, is there anything special about that stairwell?" I couldn't help but ask Xu Guangli, who was with me in the library.

Fang Liping walked to the side of my bed, lowered her head, and smiled at me. Her gaze was gentle and deep, yet her smile was eerie and strange. I wanted to escape, to grasp something, but there was nothing to hold onto. This boundless sense of emptiness and terror is difficult to articulate accurately in words; in short, it was extremely frightening

I suddenly feel a bit cold, unsure whether it is because my eyes are closed or the lights have gone out, as everything before me is pitch black. Although I cannot see, I can feel a cold breeze rising in the room, the curtains fluttering, and some plastic bags and pieces of paper drifting about. I want to sit up, but I am completely powerless, my body unresponsive, and I cannot even open my eyes. Then a chill begins to creep up my legs, from my feet, ankles, calves, knees, to my thighs. I want to sit up, but I am completely powerless, my body unresponsive, and I cannot even open my eyes. Then a chill begins to creep up my legs, from my feet, ankles, calves, knees, to my thighs. ... The same coldness invades my hands, and wherever the chill reaches, it becomes numb and stiff, as if something is pressing down on them, or as if I have been administered a large dose of anesthetic and lost all sensation.

With a creak, my door was opened, and a person stood outside. I could not see her clearly, but I could ascertain that she was a woman, as she had a slender figure and shoulder-length hair

What did she come to my room for? I felt very anxious and fearful, wanting to ask her, but I couldn't bring myself to speak, and I even felt as if I didn't exist in my own body

This apartment has two and a half rooms. I occupy one large room, while another person named Zhou Jian lives in the other large room. There is also a small room that has been unoccupied recently. Zhou Jian is from Jiangxi and is two years older than me. We used to be colleagues, and he is somewhat handsome with a sunny disposition, but he is a bit stingy. This year, he seduced a woman named Fang Liping, and they are cohabiting. The two of them are quite energetic and often make sounds inappropriate for children, and their noises are particularly loud. They probably thought I wouldn't be back tonight, as they didn't even close the door properly before starting their activities.

Fang Liping's face kept drawing closer to me until the tip of her nose was almost touching mine, at which point she stopped and maintained this position, her face unmoving in close proximity to mine. To be honest, she is quite beautiful; I have even felt a twinge of jealousy towards Zhou Jian for his good fortune. However, at that moment, her expression was strange, and the proximity made me feel a chill run down my spine

I can drive, but I do not have a driver's license, and I also do not want to move his car, so I have already taken a seat in the passenger seat

The next door fell silent immediately, but just a few seconds later, the sounds started again. Fang Liping's moans were even louder than before; those two shameless individuals were indeed obedient, truly making even more noise.

I feel a bit dizzy and very fatigued; once I lie down on the bed, I don't want to move. Is Xu Guangli's method really effective? Will I be able to get rich tomorrow? Will there be any other side effects from this matter? I dare not think too much; the more I think, the more anxious I become, feeling as if there is something in the darkness outside the window. Even with my back against the bed, I still feel waves of weakness and cold.

I responded somewhat absentmindedly, my heart racing. Having someone to accompany me is certainly better, and I did not think much about the reason for his absence.

... ...

"We have succeeded, we will definitely succeed!" Xu Guangli waved his fist at me, speaking incoherently due to excitement, "Tomorrow morning we will go to place our bets. I know a reliable friend; we can go directly to his house."

Xu Guangli said: "It is too late tonight, and it is inconvenient for me to go back, so I will just squeeze in at your place."

Oh, oh, that room..." Xu Guangli became somewhat nervous, his small eyes blinking as he stammered, "Most of the people who jump from the building are taken to that stairwell, waiting for the hearse to come and take them away. So, so...

What is happening? I feel a sense of panic, yet I cannot think clearly or coherently, nor can I struggle or move. My heart races as if I have lost my very heart somewhere. I cannot determine how long this process lasts; it could be a long time or just a few seconds, after which my mind becomes even more confused.

I shot him a glare, saying, "Damn it, who was fidgeting just now? Who asked me to drag you out? If you can't step on the gas, let me drive!"

I turned off the fan and the lights, lay down on the bed, covered myself with a blanket, and carefully placed the talisman paper on my chest, pressing it down with my hands. I soon fell asleep

My bed is 1.4 meters wide, which can barely accommodate two people. However, it is quite awkward for two large men to lie together while listening to the sounds of passion from next door. I suddenly remembered that the landlord had left the key to the small room with me for prospective tenants to view the place. The small room has a ready-made bed, so I found the key, opened the door to the small room, and sent Xu Guangli to the small room.

Xu Guangli glanced at me and chuckled, "Did I scare you? It's a pity you always boast about how brave you are!"

Upon exiting the underground parking lot of Liyuan Square, I felt something was amiss. This is definitely not just my sensitivity causing me to frighten myself; there is truly some "unclean entity" following me. That bastard Xu Guangli, he refuses to go back to his own home and instead comes to spend the night at my place, surely afraid of bringing the unclean entity back home—he hasn't treated me as a weapon, but rather as a shield!

The car turned onto the main street, the streetlights shining brightly, and the number of passing vehicles increased. The feeling of being watched finally disappeared. I turned my head to look back; of course, there was no one behind me, nor anything else.