Chapter 5: The Peculiar Neighborhood

"Have you heard that in this world, ghosts are not frightening, but the unknown is what truly terrifies?" She lifted her chin slightly and said, "Knowing whether there are ghosts around me is at least better than being completely in the dark, trapped in the fear of the unknown, right?" I could not argue with her, so I had no choice but to agree.

"Look," Nie Huayu pointed to a certain building, "About a week ago, a young woman jumped to her death from this building. However, it is quite strange that this woman had a very harmonious and happy family, her husband had no records of infidelity, and they had two daughters. There were no conflicts or disputes between her and her husband's family, and she was generally well-liked, held an ordinary job, and had good relationships with her colleagues. The most crucial point is that I heard this woman had a lively and cheerful personality, and she never seemed to have any gloomy thoughts. Isn't it strange that someone like her would take her own life? I was present when she died, and you wouldn't believe how tragic it was; her eyes were wide open, as if she had seen something terrifying!"

Moreover, Nie Huayu said, "A few days ago, I heard that someone, while returning from the night shift, heard the cries of a child in this garden. He followed the sound but could not find the child, which scared him into thinking he had encountered a ghost. He ran home and the next day developed a high fever, remaining unconscious for an entire week! After that, this person moved away. Now many people say our community is haunted; I don't know if it's true, but I really feel something is off. Bailin, you should take a look and see if there are... those kinds of things around." As she spoke, Nie Huayu squeezed closer to me, holding my arm tightly.

I find it both amusing and helpless: "It's obvious that I am older than you."

"No way!" She immediately widened her eyes in surprise, and soon began to act coy: "Oh, Oppa, just help me take a look, I don't want you to do anything else, I just need you to help me confirm if there are any ghosts around!"

Today is July 6, in the midst of the scorching summer, yet the sky over the neighborhood where Nie Huayu resides is filled with dark clouds. It is not unusual for the sky to be overcast, but what is peculiar is that, apart from the sky over this neighborhood, the skies in all other places are clear and sunny.

Nie Huayu bounced in front of me and said, "Since you can see ghosts, could you accompany me back to my home and check if there are any ghosts around me?"

Can I refuse? I asked, feeling frustrated

No wonder it is said that a woman's mood changes as quickly as turning the pages of a book. It is indeed the case. I shook my head quietly and said to her: "Often, not seeing is actually a form of happiness, do you understand? Even if I tell you that there are ghosts around you, what difference would it make?"

Alas, I have to look for a job again

"The bedding is neatly arranged, OK, all done." Nie Huayu clapped his hands and turned to me: "How is it? Are you satisfied? You should feel much more comfortable at home now."

She shrugged her shoulders, indifferent to age, and called to me with her backpack: "Let's go." I had no choice but to follow her, leaving the rental apartment.

Look. I shrugged my shoulders and said to Nie Huayu: "If I had run away just now, I might be in jail right now, instead of accompanying you home."

I opened the refrigerator, and for the first time, it was filled with so much food!

I paused for a moment, then shook my head: "It's nothing, let's go in."

"No need to thank me," Nie Huayu waved his hand at me, "I still need your help."

Nie Huayu stuck out her tongue and did not refute me

I took a taxi with Nie Huayu to her home. During the taxi ride, I received a text message from my supervisor informing me that my salary for the past half month had been deposited into my account. Then, I was dismissed.

She immediately smiled brightly, standing on tiptoe to pat my shoulder: "Sister did not suffer in vain for you"

"What do you think of the sky today?" I asked her, pointing to the sky above the community.

I haven't killed anyone; if I were to run away, that would cause a lot of trouble. After saying this, I approached the police, and Nie Huayu had no choice but to follow me.

Everything that was thrown on the floor has been removed, and is now neatly categorized and placed on the table. Even those few smelly shoes have been tidied up and lined up by the door. The dusty floor and table have been cleaned to the point of being spotless, even reflecting light. The wardrobe is open, and I see that the clothes, which were in a disarray, have been folded neatly. Nie Huayu is tidying up the quilt while saying: "I have washed your dirty clothes and hung them outside in the sunlight to dry. Remember to take them. I bought fresh milk and fruits for you in the refrigerator, along with some instant food." The dusty floor and table have been cleaned to the point of being spotless, even reflecting light. The wardrobe is open, and I see that the clothes, which were in a disarray, have been folded neatly. Nie Huayu is tidying up the quilt while saying: "I have washed your dirty clothes and hung them outside in the sunlight to dry. Remember to take them. I bought fresh milk and fruits for you in the refrigerator, along with some instant food."

Nie Huayu was somewhat apprehensive as the community's security facilities were quite complete. Before we could enter, we needed to register at the security office, as I was an outsider. They had to record the time of my entry as well as my name. Only after completing the registration could we enter the community. It was not just me; after I had taken a few steps inside, I turned around and saw someone else coming in, who also had to register at the security office.

We left the rental house, and Nie Huayu suggested we first check out the shoe store. I was dragged by her to the vicinity of the shoe store, where I could see a large crowd gathered outside from a distance. Several police cars were parked nearby, along with an ambulance from 120. The police were questioning people inside, including my supervisor. I couldn't hear what they were saying. Nie Huayu wanted to pull me closer to listen to the police's questioning, but my supervisor spotted me and said something to the police while pointing in my direction. Suddenly, two police officers walked towards me.

The taxi soon stopped outside the Nie Huayu community. Nie Huayu paid the driver. I got out first and stood outside the community, looking towards it.

"What are you looking at?" Nie Huayu walked up to me and together we looked up at the sky.

Nie Huayu sensed something was amiss and tried to run away. I pulled her back, and she whispered, "Why aren't you running? The police are coming to catch you! You're going to get into big trouble!"

What is going on in this community

With Nie Huayu's words, I felt a chill run down my back. I turned around, but there was nothing there.

Hmm. She tilted her head and said: "The sky is clear and beautiful, but it's just too hot. What's wrong?"

No one has ever cared about my well-being from childhood to adulthood, nor has anyone shown concern for the environment in which I live. Even fewer have cared about whether I feel lonely or isolated, or simply whether I am comfortable at home. Nie Huayu is the first person to show concern for me, and I am deeply moved, yet I do not know how to express it to her. I can only shyly nod at her and say, "I feel much more comfortable, thank you"

Ah? Help? Indeed, there is no such thing as a free lunch in this world. I immediately sulked, wondering where the promised concern for me had gone.

Such a community should not have any thieves or robbers

I leaned back on the car seat, closing my eyes in distress

The police asked me to recount the events of yesterday. I told them that I was the one who reported the incident, stating that I discovered the man dead after entering the warehouse. I fabricated a few sentences casually. The man's death was clearly not caused by human actions, and it seemed the police also found it quite strange. They did not press me too hard; after taking a detailed statement at the police station, they allowed me to leave, but I was not permitted to leave the city.