Événements étranges dans la chambre 202

Chapitre 1

eve of winter solstice

In late December, Westerners begin celebrating Christmas, while Easterners celebrate the Winter Solstice. Strictly speaking, the Winter Solstice isn't a festival, and even if it were, it wouldn't be of this world, but rather of another realm—a festival for ghosts, as the Chinese would say. However, Westerners may prefer Christmas Eve to Christmas Day, giving it various beautiful names, such as Silent Night. The same applies to the Winter Solstice, though the eve of it is considered rather unlucky, especially for older people who value tradition.

From a scientific perspective, in the Northern Hemisphere, the winter solstice is the day with the longest night and shortest day. Therefore, if a year were a single day, the winter solstice would be equivalent to midnight. Thus, the night before the winter solstice is a truly long night; darkness falls exceptionally early, and it's exceptionally cold. The sun seems to struggle to set early, as if suffering from nyctophobia, hastily hiding below the horizon. It was only six o'clock, and the sky was already pitch black; even the moon was almost invisible. I stood by the window, gazing at the distant, dark sky, and a strange feeling suddenly welled up inside me.

I hurriedly drew the curtains, turned on my computer, and went online. There wasn't anything particularly interesting online today. I chatted with a friend for a while, then logged off. I started writing a new novel, but after just the beginning, the inspiration I had planned suddenly dried up; I couldn't remember it anymore. I felt something was off about today. I opened my email inbox; there was only one new email from Lin Shu, an old classmate and good friend. The message was very short—

My friend

After you receive this letter, come to my house immediately. Come right away, without hesitation, okay? I don't have time now, hurry, you must come.

"Forest Trees"

What does he mean? He wants me to come to his place tonight, in this cold weather, and it's such a long way—an hour's drive from my house! This is going to kill me! I checked the time he sent the message; it was only half an hour ago. And it's almost eleven o'clock now. Is it really that important? Is he joking? But Lin Shu isn't that kind of person; he's a serious person and doesn't joke around. Maybe it really is something very important.

I paced around the room for a moment, then looked out the dark window. In the end, I decided to go anyway.

Stepping outside, I noticed several rings of yellow ash on the ground, indicating someone had burned tinfoil. I deliberately took a detour. Reaching the street, I realized the weather was colder than I'd expected; a gust of wind seemed to appear out of nowhere, whistling through the air. All the shops were closed, and even the convenience stores that were open looked lifeless. The sidewalks were almost deserted, and there were very few cars on the road. I waited a long time for a taxi, clearly counting the echoes of my footsteps in the empty darkness.

Finally, I managed to hail a taxi. The driver, a man in his thirties, was quite talkative: "Sir, are you going out again tonight?"

"It's urgent."

Tomorrow is the winter solstice.

"Hehe, I don't believe in that."

"I don't believe it either, but it's best to stay home tonight. I'll go home as soon as I finish this deal with you. I always go home early tonight."

Why?

"Ghosts need taxis too, you know. Because tonight and tomorrow are holidays for ghosts. Did I scare you? Hehe, just kidding, don't be afraid."

Once the car was on the elevated highway, I looked out the window at our city. The Santana sped along, the tall buildings on both sides rushing past, and I felt as if I were driving through a forest. In the hazy darkness, the lights flickering from countless windows were somewhat dim, and even the neon lights seemed as pale as a woman without makeup.

For some reason, I feel uneasy.

The car had already left the inner ring road. Lin Shu's home was in a remote residential area near Xinzhuang in the south of Xuhui District. It was on the seventh floor, a little over 100 square meters, and quite far from the subway. Last month, Lin Shu said his parents had gone to Australia to visit relatives and celebrate the new century there, so he was living alone now. Living alone in such a large house requires some mental fortitude.

I looked around. We were driving on a small road. Although I often went to Lin Shu's house, I had never been to this road before. In the darkness, I couldn't see the road signs on either side; I could only see dark houses in the distance, or large stretches of wasteland. The car's headlights were on, illuminating the road ahead, the gleaming asphalt reflecting a blinding light. All around us was darkness, like a vast ocean on a winter night, and our car was like a small boat with a light on, sailing on a lost course.

I simply closed my eyes, letting the car carry me through the darkness in a hazy state. Half-asleep, the car suddenly stopped. I opened my eyes and saw rows of dark apartment buildings outside; we had indeed arrived. I got out, and the driver only charged me the round number, refusing the change. Then he quickly turned the car around and drove away.

I stumbled forward, shivering uncontrollably. The alleyways of the neighborhood were deserted; only a few windows on either side of the buildings emitted light, perhaps from a few people surfing the internet late at night. I exhaled hot breath, which rose into the sky like wisps of smoke. I looked up at the sky; the stars and moon had vanished, leaving only a few dark clouds drifting by. The wind grew stronger, lashing down from high above, whipping up tiny debris that swirled in the air. A plastic awning, not properly installed, trembled precariously in the wind, swaying precariously and making a loud thud, like a fist slamming into plastic.

Suddenly I seemed to hear a sound ahead, "Bang—" The sound was muffled, like someone's flowerpot had broken.

I quickened my pace and found a person lying on the ground below Lin Shu's house.

I held my breath and took a few steps closer. Under the dim streetlight in front of the building, I could see the person's face clearly. It was my friend Lin Shu's face.

A pool of dark red blood was rapidly gushing out from under the back of his head.

Suddenly, something occurred to me, and I immediately looked up at my watch—it was exactly midnight.

Winter Solstice has arrived.

winter solstice

Lin Shu's face was so clear, white, without a trace of pain, as if he had been freed from something. When he actually tried to open his mouth to speak, no sound came out. I shouted at him, "Tell me quickly, what happened?" At that moment, I woke up from my dream.

It's already noon. I'm lying in bed, wondering if what happened last night was real. Yes, it was real. I remember Lin Shu gave me an email asking me to come to his house. When I arrived at his building at midnight, he jumped off the building and committed suicide. Then I called the police, spent half the night at the police station, and didn't get home until six in the morning. I then went straight to sleep and haven't been awake since.

I got up and ate something. The phone rang. It was my colleague Lu Bai calling. He invited me to go out with them on Christmas Eve. He had mentioned it before, but I hadn't been sure because Christmas doesn't mean much to me. But now that Lin Shu has had an accident, I'm very anxious, so I immediately agreed on the phone.

I took a minibus to the countryside of Jiading. An hour later, I arrived at a cemetery. Today was the winter solstice, and there were many people there; it must have been even more crowded this morning. I bought a bouquet of flowers at the entrance and went into the cemetery. Although it was cold, the sun was lovely and gentle, shining on the fields surrounding the cemetery. There were many large trees and reeds around, and some birds were chirping merrily. I walked to the innermost row of tombstones and stopped in front of one name. An oval photograph was embedded in the tombstone, showing an eighteen-year-old girl smiling in the picture. I gently placed the flowers in front of the tombstone and stared at the photograph for a long time. Suddenly, a strange bird call pulled me from my reverie. I looked up at the sky, and the bird flapped its wings and flew away, leaving only the winter solstice sunlight lingering in my eyes. In front of some of the surrounding tombstones, people were kowtowing to their deceased elders in the traditional way. Perhaps this was one of the few times they would bend their knees in a year; the other time would be Qingming Festival. As the ancient ritual of commemorating ancestors unfolded, smoke rose everywhere from burning paper money and tinfoil. The wisps of smoke curled upwards, spreading across the air like silk threads, as if we were in another world. This place where the souls of the dead gather—today, the people in the graves are finally on holiday. I recalled the taxi driver's words from last night, and for some reason, my throat suddenly felt itchy.

When I got home that night, I didn't turn on the computer. I turned off the lights, and in the complete darkness, I stood alone, gazing at the winter solstice night outside the window. The entire night was spent immersed in memories of Lin Shu. I simply couldn't understand why he would choose to commit suicide. He was a very gentle person, but not particularly introverted. His family was relatively harmonious, and his circumstances were good. He was a big internet addict, always dreaming of working for an internet company. At the beginning of the year, he participated in several recruitment events for major websites, but without success. Two days ago, he was finally hired by a large, well-funded website. Keep in mind, at a time when many websites are laying off staff, it's practically a miracle that Lin Shu, with his average education, was able to get the job. The very night he received the offer letter, he immediately treated me to hot pot. He was beaming with joy, completely smug. Who would have thought he would jump off a building the next day? There's just no reason for it.

I let my mind wander for a long time, slowly sinking into the sofa. Suddenly, I seemed to see a figure in the darkness ahead, blurry and indistinct. The figure approached me, and a ray of light suddenly appeared, illuminating the face—Xiangxiang. I called her softly.

That face looked at me calmly, without answering, then quietly disappeared back into the darkness. I jumped up from the sofa and turned on the light, but I was alone in the room. I must have fallen asleep, perhaps having a dream. My mind is so fragile right now; I'm on the verge of a breakdown.

I lay down and went to sleep. But I couldn't fall asleep until I heard a familiar sound, drifting near and far, and penetrating my heart.

Christmas Eve

"What a beautiful night." Lu Bai's girlfriend, Huang Yun, leaned against the railing of the Pudong Riverside Avenue, her dyed red hair fluttering in the wind. It was another Christmas Eve.

There were seven or eight of us in total. Although we had agreed to split the bill, Lu Bai insisted on treating us this time because he had brought his girlfriend. We wandered aimlessly around Lujiazui, eating, drinking, and having fun. Only I felt rather heavy-hearted and hardly said a word. Lu Bai is twenty-eight years old this year. Apart from owning his own house, his conditions in other aspects are average, but his girlfriend is very beautiful, a rare beauty. They met online, which could be considered a great success of online dating. At first, they were very much in love, but later Huang Yun became less satisfied with Lu Bai, probably because she thought his appearance was average. It seems that online dating eventually has to return to reality. Lu Bai often complained to me that his girlfriend was becoming more and more indifferent to him, and last month she even proposed to break up. He was in great pain, and he even sought advice everywhere on how to win a girl back.

Standing on the riverside promenade, gazing at the Bund lights across the water and the Oriental Pearl Tower behind me, on this last Christmas Eve of the 20th century, amidst the dazzling lights and bustling city, my mood remained melancholic. Suddenly, Lu Bai, embracing his girlfriend, announced loudly to us, "Huang Yun and I have decided to get married! We invite everyone to our wedding banquet next Spring Festival."

This surprised us all. We thought they were about to break up, but now they're getting married. It was so sudden. I looked closely into his eyes, but I couldn't see anything. He was all smiles, but they were a little stiff. He must be so happy. Yes, when you think you've reached the end of the road, a new path opens up. Anyone would feel this way when they encounter such good fortune.

I checked the time; it was almost midnight. I decided to give them some time alone, so I said goodbye to Lu Bai, and the others tactfully left as well. Only the two of them remained, whispering sweet nothings to each other along the Huangpu River embankment.

I looked around; many couples were still huddled together in the cold wind. I turned up my collar and walked a few dozen steps along the Huangpu River when suddenly a woman's scream rang out behind me. The high-pitched, shrill sound was like a sharp dagger slicing through the Christmas Eve air; my fragile heart felt as if it were being torn apart. I clutched my chest; my heart was practically leaping out of my throat. Then I heard the sound of many people running, while the woman's shrill scream continued. I turned around and saw that the screamer was none other than Lu Bai's girlfriend, Huang Yun. I froze for a moment, then rushed over. I pushed through the crowd and saw people peering into the Huangpu River. I looked in too. A cold wind swirled across the dark river, and a figure struggled and thrashed in the water, rising faint steam before gradually disappearing into the icy, rolling waves.

"Lu Bai!" Huang Yun continued shouting into the Huangpu River, "He jumped into the Huangpu River, quick—quick, save him—" She suddenly grabbed my clothes, "Save him, quick."

I was numb. If I could swim, I might have jumped into the Huangpu River to save her, but I can't swim at all. Jumping in would be suicide. People around me were shaking their heads and sighing; no one dared to go in. Just then, a policeman in a new black uniform arrived. He looked at the Huangpu River, shook his head helplessly, and said he couldn't swim either. Then he spoke a few words into his walkie-talkie. Soon, a small boat appeared on the river. They seemed to be there to retrieve someone, not to rescue them. I turned away, too afraid to look into the river, trembling and hugging my shoulders. Huang Yun's cries for help ceased. She stood motionless in the river wind, like a beautiful sculpture.

An hour later, Lu Bai was finally pulled from the water. He was in a terrible state; I can't describe what he looked like after being soaked in the icy river water. He was put into a large black plastic bag, zipped up, like a plastic coffin, and put into a hearse.

A policeman was questioning Huang Yun. She answered haltingly, "Suddenly, his expression became serious—as if he had seen something."

"What is it?" the policeman urged her.

"I don't know. His gaze was strange. He looked behind me, then to my left, then—and then to my right, shifting unpredictably, sometimes near, sometimes far. I looked around, but there was nothing there. Finally, finally, his face lost all expression, and his gaze seemed to disappear. He turned around, climbed over the railing, and jumped into the Huangpu River—" She couldn't say any more.

I didn't understand what she was saying, and neither did the police. I looked around, and there was nothing there except people.

What exactly is it?

Christmas

I made an appointment with this girl—Huang Yun. I knew it was inappropriate, but I had to do it to resolve the many questions swirling in my mind. In a simply decorated café, I waited alone for a long time. Just when I was about to leave, having given up hope that she wouldn't come, she actually showed up.

Dressed in white, her red-dyed hair had returned to black, and in the twilight, she looked like a woman in mourning attire from ancient times. Sitting before me, I noticed she looked much more haggard; she wore no makeup, her face bare, yet this only added to her charm.

"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting." Her tone was calm.

"I didn't expect you to actually come."

"You're probably all wondering why Lu Bai committed suicide, but I don't know either. He really had no reason to die. Besides, he's always been mentally sound."

“It’s precisely because it’s without any reason that it’s so scary.” I took a small sip of my coffee, which was almost cold, and continued, “And it just so happens to be on the day you two are announcing your wedding plans, and more importantly, it’s on Christmas Eve.”

"As you all know, last month I clearly told him we broke up. He was heartbroken, but that didn't change my decision. But a few days ago, he sent me an email telling me that he had made a special trip to Mount Putuo last week to offer incense and pray for my mother's safety. My mother was diagnosed with a malignant tumor last month and had surgery that very night. The surgery was extremely difficult, with a very low success rate, and even if successful, a full recovery would be difficult. He knew my mother was very superstitious about this; she goes to Mount Putuo to offer incense almost every summer. The very night I received this email, my mother's surgery was successful, and she didn't suffer any aftereffects, which greatly surprised the surgeon, who called it a miracle. I immediately changed my opinion of Lu Bai; I was deeply moved by his sincerity, so—"

"Offer yourself in return? I'm sorry." I interrupted abruptly. I hadn't expected such a thing. Had Lu Bai really been to Mount Putuo? I didn't know.

"You could say that. I'm very grateful to him. Actually, I don't believe in this kind of thing, but at least I know he's sincere."

"It's somewhat unbelievable."

"I was so stupid, wasn't I? Never mind, it's no use saying all this now. Looking back, my decision to marry him was so rash. Deciding to marry based solely on a purely coincidental event—I really can't understand what I was thinking back then, why I suddenly became so superstitious. Maybe I shouldn't say these things; it's blasphemy against the dead. I'm sorry, Lu Bai. Actually, I didn't love him. I was just acting impulsively. That's why I decided to marry him on a whim. Do you think I'm a rash, selfish, and heartless woman? Yes, my fiancé's body was barely cold before I was having coffee with his former colleague." She gave a bitter laugh. "I hope Lu Bai can forgive me."

My face suddenly turned red. I knew what her last few words meant: "I'm sorry, please don't misunderstand." Then, I told her about the terrible thing that happened to me on the eve of the winter solstice.

She listened calmly to my story and said lightly, "I know a psychologist who runs a very good clinic. You can go there to adjust your mindset. You need this, you know?" She handed me the psychologist's business card.

"Forget me, goodbye." Then she walked out of the coffee shop.

Her figure disappeared into the twilight. I pondered her last words, "Forget me." What did that mean? I looked around again; all I saw were couples.

I sat alone for a long time until it was completely dark.

December 26

In the southwest corner of Shanghai lie countless quiet alleyways, covered by plane trees. In summer, they are lush and verdant, with dappled shadows, while in winter, they evoke the atmosphere of a European city. On one such alley, following the address of the psychological clinic on the business card, I turned into a wide lane and pushed open the door of a small villa. A sign hung on the door—Dr. Mo's Psychological Clinic.

It was the kind of house that looked old and worn on the outside, but was actually quite new inside. The foyer wasn't big, and there was a desk at the corner of the stairs where a girl in her early twenties was answering a phone call. Her tone was light and cheerful, as if she were talking about something business-related. She glanced at me and gave me a look that said, "Wait a moment."

Her face reminded me of someone, and I was so surprised that I instantly fell into a trance.

who is she?

“Welcome to our clinic.” Her words interrupted my thoughts, and then she said my name.

"What, you know my name?"

"Someone notified us that you were coming. Please come upstairs; the doctor is waiting for you."

I glanced down the stairs again, and she was smiling at me naturally. I smiled back at her, but I think my smile must have looked very stiff, because seeing her made my mind feel a fog.

I pushed open the door to a room upstairs, and there sat a man in his thirties in a large swivel chair. His eyebrows were very thick, almost exaggeratedly so, and although his beard was clean-shaven, his bluish cheeks were still visible. He was somewhat different from what I had imagined.

"Please sit down." He introduced himself. "My surname is Mo, you can just call me Dr. Mo. By the way, do you have my business card?"

I sat down and said, "Did Huang Yun tell you I was coming?"

"Yes, are you her good friend?"

"They can't be considered good friends."

“It’s okay, you’ll become good friends eventually.” He said this with an ambiguous expression. “I heard that her boyfriend committed suicide by jumping into the Huangpu River, and they had already decided to get married. It’s such a pity.”

“I was there that night, and it was indeed very strange.”

"Oh, that's a topic worth studying. I mean, the psychological aspect."

Are you also Huang Yun's good friend?

"She has a history of neurasthenia, so she often comes to me for treatment. Okay, let's get back to the point. You're here for treatment, right?"

"I don't have any mental illness; I just feel that I've been under too much psychological stress lately." I tried my best to explain, not wanting others to see me as mentally ill.

"Listen to me, everyone gets sick. It's normal to be sick; it's abnormal not to be sick. It's just that most of us don't realize our illnesses, whether they're physical or psychological." After saying this, Dr. Mo walked to the window and drew the curtains. They were very rare, large black curtains, very thick, almost completely blocking out the light, shrouding the entire room in darkness.

"What are you going to do?" I began to regret coming here.

He didn't answer, but returned to me and took a stub of white candle from the drawer. He lit it, and in its dim light, the surroundings seemed even darker. Gradually, I could see nothing but the candlelight; it was as if a black cloth had been drawn over my eyes, with a small white dot drawn in the center. This white dot moved slowly, left and right, like the wind, or like the eye of a person moving up, down, left, and right. Yes, for a moment, I felt it resembled an eye, only one, not a pair. I could almost see its long eyelashes, its black pupil, its bright eyes, and in the very center, a pupil like a black hole. This pupil was deep and unfathomable, like a bottomless pit, a deep well; no one knew its end, perhaps it led to my soul.

"Did you see the black hole?" a voice rang in my ear. "A black hole—in the physical sense, a black hole in the universe absorbs all matter. Space and time near a black hole are distorted, even inverted. We can see things that happened in the past from it. Therefore, all supernatural phenomena can be explained in black holes."