Chapter One, The First Nightmare of Two Thousand and Nine

I randomly wiped the sweat from my face on the sleeve of my pajamas and pressed the answer button firmly: "Hello, who is this? Why are you calling so early in the morning?"

Her delicate and fair hands, with slender fingers, are as exquisite as finely carved white jade. On her wrist rests a jade bracelet, its flowing green hue further accentuating the perfection of her wrist, with skin texture as smooth as a polished gem

Zhang Liangying is singing with her unique clear voice the sadness and helplessness of wandering souls with no place to rest, I once loved it as if I had heard the heavenly sound, even without hesitation setting this song "Hua Xin" as my phone ringtone

I do not know whether it is the coolness of the rouge or the chill of her hand, but I seem to be shivering continuously, feeling so cold, so cold, that I am impulsively driven to push away that gentle yet icy hand, to push away that indistinct figure resembling rippling water, and to flee far from that delicate and soft voice.

Indeed, it is my phone that is ringing

A stream of tears cascades down the freshly applied rouge on her cheeks, dripping onto the hem of her water-blue skirt, as crimson as blood

Spring of the year 2009

There was a momentary pause, followed by the familiar voice of my boyfriend, Yan Yining: "Jiao'er, you haven't gotten up yet?"

The diamond-shaped mirror adorned with patterns of twin orchids was brought before me, its bright surface suddenly reflecting a devilish head, charred and fierce, as if scorched by fierce flames, oozing a liquid that was red and yellow; freshly applied rouge floated on several exposed patches of flesh, indistinguishable whether it was the red of blood or the red of the rouge.

I screamed in terror, heart-wrenching.

Haha

The woman, however, was laughing increasingly, and it became more and more terrifying, until it finally turned into a sobbing sound.

The sound of crying gradually transformed into a sorrowful and desolate chant: "La la la ... ... la la la ... ..."

"Rouge! Isn't it true that younger sister loves the rouge made by elder sister the most?" The voice became even softer, carrying an indescribable allure

It should be around two or three o'clock! I let out a big yawn, glanced at the computer screen still flashing its indicator lights, and finally felt a bit more at ease. Comfortably, I lay back down on the bed, resting the back of my head against the soft cotton pillow

Then, a pair of hands reached out in front of me, and I could see them very clearly

Sister, this is the new rouge that I have prepared. Once you use it, you will surely be even more beautiful, a rare beauty that could topple nations and cities...

I made an effort to lift my head and finally saw a delicate silhouette, obscured by a layer of thin gauze, with only a hint of crimson lips, subtly imbued with a smile, rippling like water patterns.

The woman held a white jade box in her left palm, filled to the brim with a red paste, as delicate and soft as if it had gathered the essence of a hundred flowers.

In that heart-pounding terror, it was unclear how much time had passed before the icy hand finally withdrew

But I found myself unable to move, trembling all over, and tears kept falling.

Ah ... ...

I rubbed my still throbbing temples, and my voice suddenly dropped: "Hmm, what time is it?"

The voice is crisp, soft, delicate, and as glutinous as plum wine in early spring, intoxicating and alluring

When that segment of "la la la" lament came to an end and transformed into relatively soothing music, I finally awakened, with the lingering sound of panic and screams still echoing in my throat

The first nightmare that began on the eve of my birthday started to change my life

Her other hand, dipped in the ointment, gently spread it across my face

Sister, take a look, is it beautiful

What is this

It is 10:30, almost 11 o'clock... Did you stay up late again last night? What time did you go to sleep?

But now, this sound of the bell perfectly merges with my dreams, conveying a deathly scream that originates from hell