Chapter Nine, Ghost Wall.

The exclamation "Ah!" was a result of my biting Yang Xiufeng too hard. This cry jolted us from the frenzy we had just experienced. I raised my head, feeling somewhat at a loss as I looked at her, while Yang Xiufeng merely closed her eyes, her face flushed like a small apple. I really wanted to take a hearty bite, but of course, that was out of the question. However, with that exclamation, the confusion I had felt earlier dissipated, leaving me feeling somewhat awkward.

Elders often tell stories. Sometimes, when a person walks alone in the wilderness at night, they may encounter a phenomenon known as "ghost wall," where they cannot discern the direction and keep turning in circles. Until dawn, they cannot find a way out. It is said that a ghost plays tricks on the person, and although it may cause a night of torment, it does not harm anyone. However, some have been so frightened that they fell seriously ill, and some even died from the fright. Others describe the sensation of being surrounded by an invisible wall, making it impossible to find an exit. In such moments, lighting a cigarette is said to help; as long as it can be lit, the ghost wall will dissipate, allowing one to find their own way.

Struggling to retreat, I have not forgotten to hold onto Yang Xiufeng's hand. At this moment, I no longer have the strength to stand up, merely shifting my body in a final struggle. I retreated two more steps, and it felt as if something had pricked my hand. What is it? I glanced at it in my hand, a chill surged from the soles of my feet, and I shivered violently. How could it be the lighter I had dropped earlier? We had clearly run quite far just now; how could it still be here, unmoved?

I do not know how it happened, but I inexplicably lowered my head and kissed Yang Xiufeng on the lips. Yang Xiufeng's body trembled beneath me, her face flushed even more, and her breathing became noticeably heavier

With a grunt, I still felt somewhat restless inside. It was as if I needed to vent, so I suddenly threw the lighter in my hand at a rock. To my surprise, the lighter hit the stone and exploded with a loud "bang," startling both me and Yang Xiufeng, causing us to shiver involuntarily. Just then, an unexpected change occurred. With the sound of the explosion, the surrounding white ghostly walls seemed startled and suddenly moved away from us, shaking rapidly, and in the blink of an eye, they had vanished from our sight.

After a while, I finally regained my composure. Feeling somewhat embarrassed, I stood up and pretended to be nonchalant, looking around. The white objects surrounding us resembled a six-sided wall enclosing us. When I reached out to touch it, I could feel the gaps between the bricks, piece by piece. No wonder it is called a "ghost wall"; it truly is a wall.

For a moment, I was at a loss, unable to comprehend what was happening. How could this be? I turned to look at Yang Xiufeng, who also wore a bewildered expression. As we left the place that felt like a maze, the sound of insects chirping filled the air, and the mountain breeze rustled the leaves. The stars in the sky twinkled, as if nothing had occurred, and everything had returned to how it was before. Yet, something felt amiss, for from our vantage point, amidst the cover of the trees, a faint glimmer of light emerged. What could that be?

I gathered my thoughts and swallowed hard, managing a bitter smile as I said, "Not yet, but it seems I've been swallowed into the belly of a monster."

Wait a moment—" I pulled Yang Xiufeng, my expression somewhat grim, glancing around as I felt something was amiss. My gaze eventually fell to the ground, where it seemed there was an extra plastic water bottle in a patch of grass. Although I couldn't be sure if there were others on Mount San Gu Niang, or if it was discarded by someone else, if there happened to be an additional instant noodle packet nearby, I could almost confirm that it was the one I had just eaten. The thought sent a chill creeping up from my feet, causing my body to stiffen. I swallowed hard, my voice trembling slightly: "Xiao Feng, do you think we turned back earlier? Why do I feel like we haven't made any turns at all?"

Yang Xiufeng was taken aback; she had not noticed any water bottles or instant noodle bags and had no idea why I suddenly asked these questions. However, she understood that there must indeed be some issue. After a moment of hesitation, she inevitably leaned closer to me and said, "No, indeed, I have not turned at all."

Getting up from Yang Xiufeng, she no longer felt the fear she had before, merely sitting to the side and panting heavily. Yang Xiufeng also sat up, but did not dare to open her eyes. The intense emotions from earlier had faded, leaving an even greater sense of awkwardness, and she found herself at a loss for words. However, regarding the bizarre situation before her, she had managed to dispel the fear from her heart.

The area I explored was not large, but there was no distinction on all sides; it was merely a series of walls. Even the top was the same, resembling a six-sided sealed box. Strangely, I did not feel suffocated; however, after turning around, I felt a bit flustered. I had tried; each wall was very solid, and no matter how hard I pushed, it would not budge.

A white, fluffy substance rolled over me in an instant, yet I felt nothing. I was merely enveloped in a white world, surrounded on all sides by this fluffy material. It seemed that the books and I had been swallowed up. After a while, I fearfully lifted my head. Although I had not been crushed to death, I could not shake off the terror in my heart. Am I inside the belly of this monster?

The sound of Yang Xiufeng's heavy breathing by my ear grew more pronounced. When I became aware, I realized that my face was pressed against hers. I could even see a hint of rosy color on her face, her tightly shut eyes, and her trembling lips. It turned out that Yang Xiufeng was quite attractive. For some reason, a flurry of mixed thoughts suddenly arose in my mind.

I suddenly remembered, but I did not know when Yang Xiufeng had wrapped her arms around my neck. In a moment of instinctive struggle, Yang Xiufeng also sensed it, and with a sudden shake of her body, she finally released me, yet I was left unsure of where to place my hands

Fear has rendered me somewhat unable to act autonomously; I cannot say whether I like or dislike it. I feel a need to vent, and without thinking, I suddenly lowered my head. Our four lips came together, and under this strange and unsettling environment, I found myself becoming excited. Having grown up, I had never been intimate with a girl before, and I did not know what would happen next. However, I can say that I have no regrets now. Perhaps Yang Xiufeng thinks the same way, as she did not resist my intimacy. I do not even know when my hand slipped into Yang Xiufeng's pants.

While I was still in a daze, Yang Xiufeng beneath me woke up, but for a moment she was still confused and foolishly asked, "Xiao Haige, have we died?"

I do not know how long it has been, nor how far we have run. In any case, we have been running up and down for a long time, until we were utterly exhausted. Finally, I stumbled and fell to the ground, instinctively looking back. However, that glance sent a chill through my entire body. How could that pale figure not only not have receded, but instead seemed to be getting closer to us? It was like a lump of dough, swaying and approaching us, seemingly about to roll over us.

Are you afraid? In fact, I am also scared, but I cannot bring myself to say it in front of the girl. I force a bitter smile; at least we are not alone right now. But what should we do now? It is clear that discussing this with Yang Xiufeng is not appropriate, and I have no ideas either. I can only think of a jumble of things in my mind, as those childhood stories swirl around, perhaps I might find something useful.

I was in despair, that white thing had already reached within my grasp, and there was no escape; I could only watch helplessly as it rolled over. At that moment, I thought I was surely doomed. Instinctively, I turned and pressed Yang Xiufeng beneath me, using my body to shield her. It was then that I realized Yang Xiufeng had already fainted. How I envied her, being able to lose consciousness at such a critical moment, while I could only endure everything with wide eyes. I truly wished to find a stone to knock myself out, so I wouldn't have to face the irresistible fear.

Is this the true form of the ghost wall? I swallowed my saliva, instinctively wanting to evade it. Once this thought arose, it became unstoppable. I couldn't care about so much anymore, grabbing Yang Xiufeng and turning to run. Along the way, I stumbled and fell, my clothes torn by branches, but I paid no mind, only desperately running forward

After studying for a long time, I finally returned in disappointment and sat down beside Yang Xiufeng. Looking at her, she could only manage a bitter smile. However, at this moment, Yang Xiufeng was no longer so afraid. Seeing my dejection, she leaned closer to me and softly comforted, "Xiao Haige, you don't need to think too much. I heard the elders in the village say that the ghost wall, aside from trapping people, won't harm them. We just need to sit here until dawn, and once there is light, this thing will leave."

Observing the situation around me, I completely forgot to get up from Yang Xiufeng. As she gradually regained her composure, her fear only intensified. Not only did she not push me away, but instead, she wrapped her arms around my waist and buried her head in my embrace, then began to sob softly: "Xiao Haige, I am scared—"

I pulled a cigarette from my pocket and only then did I realize that my hands were trembling. It turned out that I could be afraid like this too, but no one laughed at me; after all, others are not much stronger than I am. Didn't I see Yang Xiufeng, who was also anxiously burrowing into my arms? However, as a man, who could I hide in the embrace of? While lost in thought, I gently fiddled with the lighter, but that damned lighter seemed to be working against me today. No matter how hard I tried, it just wouldn't spark a single flame. Didn't I see Yang Xiufeng, who was also anxiously burrowing into my arms? However, as a man, who could I hide in the embrace of? While lost in thought, I gently fiddled with the lighter, but that damned lighter seemed to be working against me today. No matter how hard I tried, it just wouldn't spark a single flame.

The harder I tried to light it, the more my hand trembled; this damned lighter was truly frustrating. Yet, I persevered. Just then, I suddenly felt Yang Xiufeng bury her head in my arms, followed by a piercing scream that startled me, causing my hand to shake and the lighter to fall into the grass at my feet. When I looked up, I noticed a whitish object approaching us from a distance, vague yet resembling a wall.

The answer is affirmative, yet I cannot feel any joy. Since there has been no turn, it should be said that no matter which way we go, we will not return. However, we have indeed turned back. The mountain wind still blows, and the leaves rustle, yet my heart continues to sink. There must be a ghost; I recall the stories told by the elders in my childhood. Could it be that I have encountered a ghost wall?