Chapter 6: The Mouth Shape of a Madwoman

In my dream, I cannot open my eyes, but I know what I am holding in my hands is the steering wheel

I lay down again, and before I knew it, I had fallen asleep. This sleep was deep and lasted a long time

"You are awake; I will go make breakfast for you," Weiwei said as she prepared to get up

At the parking space in front of the steakhouse, Weiwei took her wallet to pay. I looked at my car in confusion; there wasn't a single leaf on it, while the cars next to it had accumulated quite a few leaves.

"Where did you get this set of pajamas?" I ask her every time I see her wearing them, and this time is no exception

No need, I am not working today I still feel extremely tired, seemingly because of that dream I feel very fatigued, and since it is a rare day off, I want to sleep a little longer

Weiwei propped herself up and looked at me: "It's been about an hour or so, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

I woke up and realized that it was already bright outside, but I felt as though I had not slept for long. My head was still groggy, and I had a sense of insufficient rest.

When I was having doubts in my heart, Weiwei also put away her wallet and walked over, looking at me with confusion: "Why aren't you getting in the car?"

By the way, I remembered that this time is set by the alarm clock I adjusted myself. After washing up and having breakfast with *the picture book*, I can drive and arrive at the company by 9:00 on time

I have never understood lip reading, only guessing based on possibilities, but if this is indeed what she said, then why did she say these four words to me

Soon, I heard the window of the passenger seat being knocked loudly. I wanted to ask who it was, but I could only move my lips without making a sound, and all I could hear was the thudding noise.

I nodded slightly, and as I drove past the parking lot exit, I saw the elderly man holding a car duster, which had a few leaves stuck to it

The alarm clock emitted a piercing sound, and I casually turned it off, glancing at the display which showed 7:30.

All the inexplicable encounters of that day were cast aside when I lay in Weiwei's embrace

Immediately afterwards, I heard the madwoman screaming, seemingly struggling, while a man beside her exerted all his strength to say, "Get away from me"

When I feel well-rested and wake up naturally, I see that the alarm clock on the bedside shows 7:25

Weiwei remained in her previous position, not moving at all throughout the night. The moment I slightly adjusted my arm to reach for the book, she woke up.

Weiwei habitually fastened her seatbelt while sitting in the passenger seat. As I just started the car, a few leaves slid down along the window.

That's right, this is Xiao Liu's voice, I remember!

I do not know when I fell asleep; in my dream, I felt as if I were sitting on something, with something constricting my chest.

Upon returning home, Weiwei changed into a playful and cute onesie featuring a deer design

But I still cannot help but think of the woman in white who was tapping on my car window. Now that I recall, her lips were moving continuously, and it seemed like she was saying...

Fearing that she might discover my thoughts, I responded ambiguously and opened the car door to sit inside

"Are you familiar with the elderly gentleman who drives?" I asked in confusion, as I had no recollection of him at all

Who is this, that madwoman in white?

Anyone would think that woman is insane; only I care so much about it. Even the security guard, Xiao Liu, said that woman is a lunatic

I feel like I have slept for a long time, yet it is only 7:25

How is this possible? The quality of sleep for just over an hour is actually better than that of an entire night?

I can feel the breath and rhythm of this woman beside me, and I catch a faint whiff of her hair fragrance; all of this is more real than ever.

Is it not true ... ... ?

If I ask too much, Weiwei will give me a glare: "How many times have I said it? It was brought from home."

Closing my eyes, I begin to find myself amusing. Given my currently superior living conditions, it is truly laughable that I still care about the actions of a madman

I glanced again at the old man who was talking to Weiwei; he occasionally stole a few glances in my direction, almost afraid to meet my gaze, and quickly looked away again

After making a round, I did not find a single leaf on my car

Weiwei made a sound of acknowledgment, seemingly dissatisfied with my response. She then took my arm and said, "I used to come here a few times with my best friend, and we always drove your car. He took special care of it; otherwise, do you think the car would be free of fallen leaves for any other reason?"

If only it could always be like this I turned around and found Weiwei was looking at me, as if she had been watching me sleep all along

This glance also put my heart at ease, but the unsettling feeling I had just now is inexplicable; even I cannot articulate what is happening now

Although Weiwei is the same age as me, she has not entered the workforce after graduation and has devoted herself to staying at home with me. Like a child, she occasionally exhibits some childish behaviors, truly embodying the stillness of a resting rabbit and the liveliness of a darting hare

Then I felt Vivi gently patting my back, as if soothing a child to sleep, which immediately made me set aside those distracting thoughts

I withdrew my gaze and put my arm around Weiwei's shoulder: "It's alright, let's go."

That woman is a madwoman

Every time I say this, Weiwei puts on her hat, with a pair of antlers on her head, resembling a giraffe as she burrows into my arms

I always joke about her pajamas having short pant legs, and there is even a decorative tail at the back

The diners in the steakhouse, as before, were each engaged in their own activities, either conversing or focusing on their meals

It is strange that there is not a single leaf on my car; most of them are concentrated around the vehicle

It is not true! A shout came through the car window.

With her question, the strange atmosphere instantly vanished, and only then did I breathe a sigh of relief, naturally turning to glance behind me.

close friend

This voice sounds heart-wrenching to me, as if it has been calling out for a long time. The tone is somewhat hoarse, yet familiar.

The eerie atmosphere made me stop, and for a moment, I was unsure whether I should turn back to look.

The nightmare I just had was incredibly real, as if I had experienced it myself, yet the feeling of being unable to open my eyes and speak despite being awake was clearly a dream

Only after she mentioned it did I recall that Weiwei has a long-time close friend. As for what she looks like, I cannot remember at all, and I have even forgotten her name; I only have the impression that such a person exists

Although I cannot open my eyes or speak, my senses suddenly returned to that moment in the car, as I was driving out of the company gate

I have failed several times to open my eyes, and I cannot even pull my hands back to unbuckle the seatbelt; I can only sit in the car like this

What happened? Wasn't this the alarm clock you set yourself? Weiwei casually mentioned it, as if reminding me, yet also helping me recall.

It is just 7:25. This is the time I usually get up for work.

Dada—

What happened? Weiwei seemed to notice my unusual behavior

What is going on, and how did I end up in the car

How long did I sleep