Chapter 1, The Sinister School

On both the east and west sides of the teaching building, a small room has been constructed, which serves as the cafeteria and restroom, respectively. The central part of the main building consists of classrooms, while the curved ends in the shape of a "凹" are designated for the teachers' offices and dormitories. Old Chen opened a room on the second floor, which contained a wooden bed frame, a table, and two chairs, along with new items such as a straw mat, a blanket, a kettle, and an electric fan. It seems that Old Chen was not lying; the school indeed places considerable importance on my arrival. Old Chen opened a room on the second floor, which contained a wooden bed frame, a table, and two chairs, along with new items such as a straw mat, a blanket, a kettle, and an electric fan. It seems that Old Chen was not lying; the school indeed places considerable importance on my arrival.

I took out the key to unlock the padlock, pulled the switch by the door, and the light turned on. However, I couldn't tell if it was due to the low wattage or severely insufficient voltage, as the glow emitted by the bulb was quite dim

A man came around from the front of the car, speaking in the local dialect, which I barely understood. Turning my head, I saw a slightly overweight man in his forties, with a shiny face, a broad smile, slightly squinted eyes, and pronounced crow's feet at the corners of his eyes, giving off a somewhat cunning impression

As I walked along the road, I had a strange feeling that Old Chen's insistence was not entirely out of enthusiasm, but rather a desire for me not to stay at the school, as if there were some unspeakable reason. But why wouldn't he let me stay at the school? There was nothing valuable to steal.

"Let's go to my house first. Look, it's already dark outside. No one has lived in the school for two months, and it's dusty everywhere. There's even no hot water, which makes things a bit inconvenient..." Old Chen urged, his eyes flickering slightly.

I was not even in the mood to respond, merely nodding slightly. That person enthusiastically came to help me with my bag and introduced himself in somewhat non-standard Mandarin. It turned out he was the village secretary, named Chen Jianguo. The old principal had gone to a meeting at the county education bureau and had entrusted him to welcome me. He had already been waiting for several days.

Creak—ah!

It turned out that there was a window in the classroom that was not properly closed, and the sound was caused by the wind moving the hinge. The final sound was the window closing. After I came to my senses, I couldn't help but curse myself inwardly, while also feeling a bit disdainful of myself for being so cowardly

A sharp sound that made my teeth ache echoed through the classroom, causing my heart to leap into my throat. Immediately after, there was a loud bang, and the books startled me so much that my heart nearly jumped out of my chest

When I left, it was not yet completely dark. Old Chen only accompanied me to the door before returning. Soon, sounds of shouting and playful banter filled the room, indicating that my arrival provided them with a great opportunity for a feast

I was taken aback; I had heard of this thing long ago, but it was my first time seeing it in person. The so-called "will-o'-the-wisp" is actually phosphorescence, which is produced by the spontaneous combustion of phosphine released during the decomposition of a corpse. However, being in the moment and witnessing it for the first time still sent chills down my spine. Perhaps it was my own suspicions that conjured fears, but I felt as if many eyes were watching me from the cemetery over there, which frightened me into hastily closing the windows and doors.

After putting down my luggage, Old Chen insisted on taking me to his home for dinner, where several village officials were already waiting. The table was set with braised pig trotters, marinated pig ears, sweet and sour fish, and stewed old hen. The dishes were abundant, the host was very hospitable, and the living room was piled high with beer boxes, yet none of this could significantly improve my mood.

A drink is only enjoyable when shared with a kindred spirit; with those whom I cannot connect, I naturally drink less. It was only under their persistent persuasion that I reluctantly consumed a few cups, hastily filling my stomach before rising to take my leave

My heart is racing, and I finally understand why Old Chen repeatedly advised me not to stay overnight at school; there must be some issues here! If I had known earlier that there was a graveyard behind the school, I would have accepted Old Chen's invitation nine times out of ten. Now that I have already declined, how can I possibly go back on my word?

I steadied myself and ascended the central staircase of the teaching building, then proceeded along the corridor outside the classrooms towards the dormitory. The second floor had wooden flooring that was severely worn and loose, creaking ominously underfoot, reminiscent of a heart-stopping sound. Some wooden planks had been removed from the classroom door by mischievous children, leaving a dark hole that resembled the gaping mouth of a giant beast... Damn it, this atmosphere is really a bit off!

At the foot of the mountain behind the village stands a solitary two-story building, shaped like a "凹" character, located about two to three hundred meters away from the village. As I approached, I discovered that although the teaching building is one of the few brick-wood structures here, it is in a very dilapidated state. The roof tiles show many signs of repair, and most of the glass in the doors and windows has gone missing, replaced by haphazardly nailed wooden boards. The brick walls are mottled and crumbling, with indistinct slogans written on them, such as welcoming educated youth to the countryside. In front of the teaching building, there are several old willow trees, and on the uneven earthen playground, there is only a single bamboo flagpole.

Why was there a cross-regional reassignment? After inquiring from various sources, I learned that a cousin of a female classmate of mine works in the municipal education bureau, and I had previously declined this classmate's invitation for a date. This is likely the reason for the trouble. It is too late now; even sending a red envelope through someone else would not change the situation. At the very least, I would need to teach for a year to possibly be reassigned. More importantly, my family is not well-off, and I do not have the money to use connections.

In the mountains, dusk falls quickly; the last ray of light in the west disappears, and night fully descends. I inadvertently glanced out the window and noticed a glimmer on the hillside, a light that seemed both blue and green, flickering and drifting.

I repeatedly shook my head: "I really can't drink anymore, it's too much trouble, I will go back to the dormitory."

Finally, the bus stopped at a small village entrance. I couldn't wait to rush out, taking several deep breaths of fresh air, and then I scanned my surroundings. Before me were all low, dilapidated earthen walls and tile-roofed houses, with not a single decent building in sight. Under the glow of the setting sun, everything appeared even more worn and dim, exuding a sense of despair and desolation

At this time, it is late summer and early autumn. The weather in the south is still quite hot, and the evening breeze feels somewhat warm. However, when I arrived at the school playground, a gust of cold wind blew towards me, causing me to involuntarily shiver, and I could clearly feel goosebumps rising on my arms.

Old Chen hurriedly said: "The school is just behind, and it won't start for a few more days. There is no one living here right now. You have worked hard on your journey; come to my house for dinner and stay overnight. I have already prepared a bed for you."

At the beginning of August, I received a notification from the education bureau, and I was completely stunned; I was unexpectedly assigned to a place called Beikeng, which is two hundred kilometers away from home

A scholar possesses integrity; what is there to fear from ghosts and monsters

I do not believe in this evil. I emptied everything from the backpack mhetushucomcom onto the bed, but still there were no apples. Suddenly, I felt a chill run down my spine, as if someone were standing behind me

Old Chen had already consumed quite a bit of alcohol, his face flushed, his eyes hazy with drunkenness, yet he still held onto me tightly, saying: "It has been a long time since anyone lived in the school, it is really quite inconvenient. If you don’t mind, you can stay at my place in the future; I have plenty of rooms..."

The conditions are somewhat difficult, but they will soon change. We are already making efforts, and the former principal's visit to the city is aimed at securing more funding. Only education can transform the backward situation, and the village will also provide strong support. Old Chen, noticing my poor expression, kept rambling beside me, but these empty words offered no comfort; instead, they made me feel even more frustrated and upset.

Here, far from the village, I am the only one in the desolate, dilapidated school, right next to a graveyard. How could I not be afraid? However, I know that I cannot be afraid right now; the more afraid I am, the more likely I am to encounter "dirty things." With a righteous heart and strong spirit, ghosts and monsters will not dare to approach. Thus, there has always been the saying, "Those who do not do wrong do not fear ghosts knocking at the door in the middle of the night."

Will-o'-the-wisp

At that time, although the economy had improved, fruits were still a rare commodity in the remote mountain village. My family was not well-off, and we rarely bought fruits, so I placed great importance on the two remaining apples. The knot of the plastic bag was tied by my own hand, and it had not loosened; the plastic bag had no holes, my backpack had not been tampered with, the window was secured from the inside, and the door was locked. How could the apples possibly disappear

At the head of the Xunyang River, I bid farewell to my guest at night, the maple leaves and reed flowers rustle in the autumn... I began to recite Bai Juyi's "Song of the Pipa," but after only two lines, I was startled and stopped. While passing through a town, I bought three apples, ate one, and had two left, packed in a plastic bag in my backpack, but now there is only one apple in the plastic bag

Old Chen hurriedly pressed down on my shoulder: "Have a few more drinks, after all, school hasn't started yet. It doesn't matter if you get drunk; you can sleep at my place tonight"

I lost my father at the age of ten, and my mother raised me with great difficulty. Due to her hard work, her health has not been very good. Therefore, despite my excellent academic performance, I did not hesitate to apply for a teacher training college, with the hope of becoming a teacher in my hometown after graduation, allowing me more time to take care of my mother. Now, the time has finally come for me to repay and show filial piety to my mother

In the summer of 1995, I graduated from normal school. Typically, normal school graduates are assigned to teach based on the principle of proximity, usually in their hometown or nearby villages. After one or two years of outstanding performance, they may be transferred to the central primary school in the township. At that time, several nearby villages were in urgent need of teachers, and many older substitute teachers were due for replacement. Therefore, I was certain that I would be assigned close to my hometown, patiently waiting at home for the notification.

The school is located at the foot of the mountain, with a slope behind it. Due to the close proximity, even in the hazy night, one can still see the graves on the slope, lined up closely together. Some of the graves are adorned with numerous wreaths, which may have turned white due to exposure to sun and rain, or perhaps the insufficient light makes them all appear white, creating a particularly glaring and eerie effect

Turning my head to look around, the night has begun to descend. The distant mountains crouch like ancient behemoths, while various night insects cry out with all their might. The willow trees sway back and forth in the evening breeze, resembling a disheveled female demon.

The room felt a bit stuffy, so I unlatched the window and pushed open the northern window to allow for air circulation. At the same time, I glanced outside... To my surprise, I was confronted with a vast expanse of graves

Although the secretary personally welcomed me, I was not moved by the "high-level" reception. I coldly replied, "Thank you for your trouble, may I ask where the school is?"

My mood was already quite poor, and seeing this situation made my heart turn cold; it feels like we have returned to the pre-liberation era! As the ancients said, beauty can bring disaster, so why can the 'Sesame Cake Girl' also cause harm? That female classmate of mine has a face that looks as if it has been flattened by a brick, covered in acne, and she resembles a sesame-coated pancake!

Are you the new Teacher Zhang

As the end of August approached and the start of school loomed, I could only suppress my anger and frustration under my mother's repeated reassurances as I reported for duty. After a series of transfers, I finally boarded an old minibus that should have been retired long ago, traveling along a newly constructed dirt road that felt like a bungee jump, jarring my bones. To block the dust, the stifling heat had most of the windows closed, making the cabin so crowded that a pin could hardly fit in. Besides people, there were also chickens, ducks, pesticides, fertilizers, and more, emitting a pungent stench mixed with the smell of gasoline and sweat, overwhelming me to the point of transcendence.

I thought to myself that perhaps the school was too dilapidated, which is why they wouldn't let me go immediately. The more they did this, the more I wanted to see it for myself. Old Chen couldn't persuade me otherwise, so he had no choice but to take me along a small path into the village, introducing the situation in the village as we walked, of course only highlighting the positive aspects.

Sigh, even before arriving, I had anticipated that the destination would be remote and impoverished, but I did not expect the school to be in such a dilapidated state... More importantly, it is truly too far from my hometown...

No need, let's go to the school first. I don't want to disturb anyone, nor do I like spending the night at a stranger's house, and I am more concerned about what the school is like

Old Chen's wife happened to be nearby and muttered something in her dialect. I did not understand what she said, but it was evident that she was dissatisfied with Old Chen's last remark, which made me even less inclined to stay. The other village officials also invited me to spend the night at their homes, but I do not like to owe others favors, and I was even less interested in forming any connections or relationships here, so I politely declined all the invitations.

It is strange; why is it particularly cold near the school? The last time I came here with Lao Chen, I noticed that the area around the school was quite cool. At that time, I didn't pay much attention to it, but now it is not just cool; there is a distinctly chilly feeling that makes me uncomfortable, along with a vague sense of unease.

Isn't it just a graveyard? When I was young, I often passed by that graveyard in my hometown while gathering firewood, it's nothing to be concerned about! As a role model for others, well-versed in science, I cannot be frightened by a few graves, as it would tarnish the image of a people's teacher. Therefore, I decided to ignore it and began to pack my belongings.

Close the doors and windows. After adapting to the light, I feel a bit more grounded. I unzip my backpack and start organizing my things. At times like this, doing something to distract myself, avoiding thoughts that should not be entertained, can alleviate mental tension. It is best to sing a song or recite ancient poetry, demonstrating that I am calm and composed.