Chapter 9: Concentric Knots (I)

Due to the hot weather, after returning to the dormitory, Xie Lang first took a refreshing cold shower

I said! A stranger with a loud and arrogant northeastern accent spoke.

"Ghost building, really?" Xie Lang chuckled, as it seemed that many schools had legends concerning ghost buildings and ghost toilets, which were widely circulated among students. However, such legends were mostly fabricated.

However, despite the complaints, the four of them were helpless and could only obediently head to the school staff dormitory after lunch

"Qin Zhaojian, from the History Department," the boy replied. After exchanging a few pleasantries, Qin Zhaojian then said to Xie Lang with a serious demeanor, "In fact, this wooden building is not a dangerous building, but... it is a haunted building"

Which one are you?" Xie Lang casually asked.

Xie Lang glanced at Zhong Guotao, who appeared to be only about 1.6 meters tall, slightly overweight, and wearing black prescription glasses. Although not tall, his gaze was quite arrogant. Generally speaking, people from Northeast China are robust in build, but Zhong Guotao was an exception. When he looked at Xie Lang and the fat man, it was as if he were assessing his servants. In short, this person's appearance and demeanor were very unsettling.

I heard someone say that Liu Xiaotong was actually coerced by Zhong Guotao. Lin Qiang said somewhat gossipingly, "I heard their family is very poor; you can tell just by looking at the clothes he wears. In order to lessen the financial burden on his family, Liu Xiaotong applied for a work-study program, planning to work in the school cafeteria to earn a monthly living allowance of 200 yuan. However, Zhong Guotao found out about this and explicitly told Liu Xiaotong that as long as he helped with a recommendation, Liu Xiaotong could apply for this temporary job, but Liu Xiaotong would have to do some things for him." Liu Xiaotong applied for a work-study program to alleviate his family's financial burden, intending to work in the school cafeteria to earn a monthly living allowance of 200 yuan. However, Zhong Guotao learned about this and clearly told Liu Xiaotong that if he helped with a recommendation, Liu Xiaotong could apply for this temporary job, but Liu Xiaotong must assist him with certain tasks.

Damn it, one cannot be shameless to this extent! Jiang Shuai shouted loudly, and even he, who is usually quite composed, began to curse.

Xie Lang originally wanted to retort a few words, but upon seeing the expression in the fat man's eyes, he held back and chose not to speak

After coming out of the restroom, Xie Lang asked Jiang Shuai and Pangzi, "Hey, didn't you two say you were going to participate in the drama club member selection this afternoon? Why haven't you gone yet?"

Wow, heavens, is this a sewage ditch? It's simply a stinking river! Just that smell is enough to make Jiang Shuai feel nauseous

The teachers' apartments are located near the south gate of the school, nestled among dense woods, offering pleasant scenery and fresh air. Behind the apartments lies the only small hill of Southern University, which, although only fifty to sixty meters high, provides a panoramic view of the entire campus from its summit. It is no wonder that many senior teachers choose to spend their later years here.

The fat man detected that Zhong Guotao's tone was off, and he gave Xie Lang a glance, signaling him to refrain from saying more.

"Who said that?" Xie Lang asked while drying his hair with a towel.

"Is the teacher's appointment of the class leader not subject to democratic election?" Xie Lang asked.

Xie Lang pretended to be unaware and asked, "Classmate, were you calling me just now?"

However, the strange feeling in my heart did not dissipate; instead, it grew increasingly intense

"A dog relying on the power of its master!" Xie Lang, Lin Qiang, and Jiang Shuai exclaimed in unison, cursing together.

He is a boy wearing black glasses, thin to the point of appearing somewhat malnourished, yet he seems to be the type of high achiever with excellent academic performance, currently holding a book in his hand

Jiang Shuai's expression was also quite unpleasant, and it seemed that this matter was likely true

"In the Southern University, let's not talk about democracy," the fat man said indignantly. "After lunch, we should get to work. Damn it, just thinking about having to go clean the sewers later has completely ruined my appetite."

Hmph, I am the class leader of the Computer Science department—Zhong Guotao!" The other party sneered coldly at Xie Lang, as if he believed that Xie Lang, this country bumpkin, was deliberately provoking the authority of his class leader

After speaking, Zhong Guotao swaggered out of the dormitory 403 where Xie Lang was located. It was only then that Xie Lang noticed a slender person beside Zhong Guotao holding the door for him. Compared to Zhong Guotao, that person was not particularly small, yet somehow seemed to go unnoticed.

Hello, is anyone there?" Xie Lang called out loudly from the stairway, merely wanting to confirm whether there was indeed someone inside

Xie Lang said somewhat shyly: "Thank you for the reminder, I didn't notice just now. By the way, my name is Xie Lang, I am a freshman in the Computer Science Department, how about you?"

Damn it, I'm done!" The fat man threw the hoe in his hand onto the ground and said indignantly

Seeing the look of doubt on Xie Lang's face, Qin Zhaojian said seriously: "I often played in this school when I was a child. Some stories about the Ghost Building have been circulating among the students. Why would I lie to you? The reason the school refers to the library as a dangerous building is simply to prevent students from approaching this wooden structure, to avoid any accidents."

Zhong Guotao, seeing Xie Lang fall silent, seemed even more pleased with himself, displaying the authority of a class monitor. He began to lecture Xie Lang and his three companions, "You four listen carefully. The task of cleaning the stinking ditch has been assigned by the department, and you must do it well. Otherwise, all members of your dormitory will be disqualified from participating in any outstanding evaluations this semester. Is that clear? I believe you should understand this very well."

In fact, there is no acting talent in either the overweight person or Jiang Shuai; their participation in the drama club is merely for the sake of seeking beauty.

"Birdman!" The fat man cursed and then said, "Zhong Guotao is the class leader of our department, appointed by the honest authority of the department. The kid next to him is his lackey, named Liu Xiaotong."

Among the four individuals, only Xie Lang and Lin Qiang remained unperturbed.

Xie Lang finally arrived in front of the wooden building. This wooden structure did not evoke any feelings of eeriness or terror in him. The lighting inside was quite good, with sunlight filtering through the trees, though the light was not overly intense. The stairs inside, although somewhat old, were neither decayed nor covered in moss, suggesting that the wooden building was fairly well-ventilated and dry

This is a drainage ditch approximately one meter wide and half a meter deep, nearly thirty meters long. It has become blocked due to soil erosion from the hillside and fallen leaves from the trees, resulting in stagnant water and garbage that cannot be drained, and a foul, decaying odor has begun to permeate the area

"Who were those two just now?" Xie Lang inquired

In fact, you all blame Liu Xiaotong, but I heard from those in their dormitory and the librarian that Liu Xiaotong is actually the most pitiful one. At this moment, Lin Qiang suddenly sighed.

The dry leaves piled up around are of an unknown thickness, soft and fluffy underfoot

After leaving the apricot grove, Xie Lang wandered around the school for a while, as it was essential to familiarize himself with the school environment. He returned to the dormitory around 11 o'clock.

In this way, it seems that Zhong Guotao is not entirely without merit; at least he knows how to help his classmates in the dormitory solve their difficulties. Upon hearing that Zhong Guotao assists impoverished students, Xie Lang's aversion towards him diminished significantly, after all, no one is perfect, and as long as there is a kind side, that is already commendable

Qin Zhaojian spoke so seriously that Xie Lang could no longer doubt it. He said, "Thank you for reminding me just now. Oh, by the way, I need to return to my dormitory. See you next time"

Jiang Shuai's expression became even more unpleasant. Throughout his life, he had never endured such mistreatment. He said to the fat man, "Why not find a few migrant workers to clean it up? Just give them a little money each. I don't want my Nike shoes to be ruined because of this drainage ditch"

Although Xie Lang's curiosity about the wooden building remained, at this moment, with Qin Zhaojian present, he naturally had no way to investigate inside the wooden building. He could only withdraw and return to his dormitory, after all, there was still a long time left in school, and he was not worried about lacking opportunities in the future

Xie Lang felt as if he had arrived on Mars, and he indignantly said, "In this world, there are actually such despicable people."

There is no need to go; later, all members of our dormitory will have to clean the stinking ditch behind the teachers' apartments. It will take more than a day or two to get it done," said the chubby one, puffing up.

"If there is any nonsense regarding the illustrated book, just say it quickly." Jiang Shuai was also somewhat indignant, as he had never dealt with the clearing of sewage ditches since he was born.

"Yes, didn't you see the warning sign next to you?" said the bespectacled man to Xie Lang, pointing to the warning sign beside the wooden building

Although Xie Lang was curious, at this moment, since he had been seen by others, he felt embarrassed to go in any further and turned to look at the person who had called him.

Xie Lang stepped towards the stairs

He is taking advantage of the situation, hum. Lin Qiang sneered, "Do you know what Zhong Guotao made Liu Xiaotong do? He made Liu Xiaotong wash all his clothes, including his stinky socks. I heard that Zhong Guotao has a serious foot odor; every time he finishes playing football, a foul smell fills their dormitory. Liu Xiaotong, truly pitiful."

Although Zhong Guotao is not a good person, you three should be cautious. At this moment, Pangzi appeared somewhat calm and reminded the three: "That Zhong Guotao has connections, and he is also someone who holds grudges. It is said that his uncle, Yu Shaonan, is the director of the Student Affairs Department at our school, which has the power of life and death over student matters. This is why he is so arrogant and why he is the class leader of our department, as well as the reason why we in Room 403 have to clean the stinky ditch.

"Classmate, don't go over there!" a voice shouted loudly from Xie Lang.

Certainly, no one answered; within, there were only the occasional chirping sounds of autumn insects.

If one comes to appreciate the scenery, the hills, forests, and fallen leaves are all quite beautiful; however, the four of them, including Xie Lang, are here to clean the stinking ditches, and the situation is entirely different