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Chapitre 42

Xia Chen angrily retorted, "Don't talk to me about missions. All you know is missions. The students all think you're a good person, but you don't care about their lives at all. Tell me the truth about how Tang Ying died. What the students told me is completely different from what you're saying. You liar, he didn't hang himself here at all!" The two women outside the door were startled. Xia Chen knew Tang Ying, the legendary man who found the terrifying files, and they had a close relationship.

In a fit of anger, Director Wang slapped Xia Chen across the face, leaving five bright red finger marks. It was a hard slap, and Luo Shimin, consumed by rage, wanted to rush forward and beat Director Wang so badly his own mother wouldn't recognize him. Hu Rongrong used all her strength to hold Luo Shimin down, whispering in her ear, "Calm down, calm down. Don't forget why we're here. If you rush in now, everything will be over." Luo Shimin gritted her teeth, finally suppressing her urge to punch Director Wang, and said through gritted teeth, "You old bastard, you just wait, I'm not done with you yet."

Director Wang cursed, "You brat, you eat, drink, and wear my clothes at Yishi Academy. If it weren't for my support, you'd probably still be wandering around, maybe even starving to death. Tang Ying didn't hang himself in this classroom; he's already dead. Serves him right. Who told him to find the Horror Files and not hand them over to me immediately? If it weren't for the fact that you're Tang Ying's brother and might be able to find the Horror Files, I would have killed you too. Forget about that bullshit 'Nuwa Project,' focus on finding the other basic Horror Files. You have three months to find them, or you'll regret it!"

Luo Shimin asked in surprise, "That's not right. I remember Xia Chen calling out 'sister' to thin air in this room. Tang Ying is a man, right? What's going on?"

Hu Rongrong covered Luo Shimin's mouth, "Don't talk, just listen carefully."

Xia Chen said softly but firmly, "Tell me how Tang Ying died. Otherwise, even if I find the Horror Files, even if I die, I will not hand them over to you. Also, don't tell me you're looking for the Horror Files for the students' safety. I don't want to hear your nonsense anymore."

Seeing that Xia Chen didn't seem to be joking, Director Wang said, "After Tang Ying found the Horror Files, he called me and asked to meet me in front of the old building. I waited for two hours when I arrived, but I didn't see him. When school let out in the evening, some classmates saw Tang Ying walking in the corridor of the old building with bloody tears streaming down his face. After that, no one saw him again. The school only found a line of blood on the ground of the old building. As for why I was looking for the Horror Files, I've told you enough. We'll talk about it when you find them."

Xia Chen said, "You didn't find Tang Ying's body? How can you be so sure that Tang Ying is dead?"

"This..." Director Wang stammered, "Tang Ying has been missing for more than two years. According to the law, someone who has been missing for more than two years is presumed to be dead. Although we have not found Tang Ying's body, he has been missing for almost five years, so the school has determined that he is dead."

Xia Chen lowered his head. Director Wang stood for a while and said, "If you find the Horror Files, I'll double your reward. Think it over carefully. I have other things to do, so I'll be leaving now."

Hu Rongrong pushed Luo Shimin aside, and Luo Shimin gave Director Wang the middle finger. After Director Wang left the old building, the two ran to the door and saw Xia Chen standing motionless with his head down, a trace of blood at the corner of his mouth, through the crack in the door. A cold voice came from inside the classroom, "Don't stand at the door. I know you're outside. Come in."

Luo Shimin panicked and pulled Hu Rongrong into the classroom, murmuring, "It was our fault. We shouldn't have followed you, and we shouldn't have eavesdropped on your conversation. Don't be angry."

“I noticed you were outside the door a while ago. I don’t blame you. I was planning to tell you about these things, but I didn’t know how to bring it up. It’s good that you heard it.”

Luo Shimin took out a tissue and carefully wiped the blood from Xia Chen's mouth. "Old Wang beat him so badly. He'll pay for this."

Xia Chen picked up a chair and sat down. "You must have many questions in your hearts. Would you like to hear my story? I'll take this opportunity to tell you."

"We want to hear it." The two women nodded vigorously.

"Go get a chair and sit down to listen. This is a very long story, starting from my childhood. You need to be patient and listen to the whole thing."

“We’re ready.” The two girls sat obediently in their chairs.

004 Xia Chen's Past

The setting sun, as if soaked in blood, emitted a crimson glow, painting the entire sky a blood-red hue that stung the eyes. The world seemed to have fallen into purgatory; everything on earth was stained crimson, a scene of utter desolation and apocalyptic grandeur.

But under the blood-red sunset, the silvery laughter of children echoed from a large courtyard.

A wall surrounded a four-story building, painted a cheerful green. A group of five- or six-year-old children were playing in the yard. A large wooden sign hung beside the iron gate, reading 'Shangjing City Orphanage'.

The children were playing beanbag toss in two groups. One child in particular stood out; he was much thinner and weaker than the others, like a newly sprouted bean sprout that a gust of wind could knock him over. His skin was pale, so pale that you could see the blue veins beneath. This was Xia Chen, who had just arrived at the orphanage, and his memories of life began on this day.

A child threw a sandbag at Xia Chen, and several of his companions shouted, "Catch it! Catch it!"

The child missed the beanbag, which hit him in the face, knocking him over and causing him to fall to the ground.

"You're so stupid!" his companion cursed. The other children noticed this too and deliberately threw sandbags at him. The boy's repeated mistakes annoyed his companions. A slightly older child picked up a pebble and threw it at Xia Chen, yelling, "You idiot, you're so stupid! No wonder your parents don't want you anymore!" The other children followed suit, throwing pebbles at the boy. Xia Chen was hit hard by the pebbles, but he didn't cry or scream. He covered his head with his hands, curling up like an abandoned kitten.

"Stop! Don't bully him!" Two slightly older girls appeared, and the children scattered. One girl looked to be seven or eight years old, and the other was over ten. Both were carrying schoolbags and had just returned from school.

The girl gently helped Xia Chen up from the ground, brushed the dust off her clothes, and straightened her clothes. The slightly older child gently rubbed her wounds, while the younger one cheerfully said, "My name is A-San, this is my older sister Tang Ying, what's your name?"

“I don’t have a name.” The child lowered his head. “I was abandoned by my parents when I was born, and people call me Little Beggar.”

Tang Ying gently cradled the child's cheek and spoke softly.

“That’s all in the past. We were abandoned at birth, just like you. We don’t even know who our parents are, but that’s okay. We’re very happy now. How about this, you be my little brother. I really want a little brother.”

"Okay." The child felt a warm current flowing through his body, and he felt very close to the two girls.

The lively Indian girl exclaimed excitedly, "Great! I have a little brother now! Call me 'sister' so I can hear it!"

The child obediently called out, "Sister Tang Ying, Sister A-San."

Tang Ying gently stroked the child's hair. Ah San said, "You don't have a name, that won't do. I'll give you a name. You are my and Tang Ying's younger brother, and you are the third child in your family, so you will be called Tang San."

"Tang San?!" The child frowned. "This name..."

"What, you don't like this name?" Ah San raised his fist. "If you dare say a word against it, I'll beat you up. Tang San, what a nice name. You can tell you're my brother just by hearing it."

"Alright then, I'll be called Tang San, I have a name now!" The child jumped up happily.

From that day on, Xia Chen's memories became colorful. With his two older sisters taking care of him, no child dared to bully him anymore. The boy who led the attack on Xia Chen with stones was caught and had his pants pulled down by Ah San, who made him remember what it felt like to be bullied. Xia Chen was malnourished, and his two older sisters always saved the best food for him at every meal. He also got a birthday, June 29th, the day he met his two older sisters and received a name.

Half a year passed in the blink of an eye. With the care of his two older sisters, Xia Chen grew up strong and healthy. His face was no longer pale, and he was half a head taller than other children his age. Because they always saved the best food for Xia Chen, his two older sisters' complexions had lost their rosy glow. Today, Xia Chen heard some good news: a large company called the Xia Group was going to donate a large sum of money to the orphanage to improve the children's meals. His sisters wouldn't have to save the best food for him anymore. Xia Chen sat on a large rock near the door, waiting for his sisters to come home from school so he could tell them the good news.

As soon as Ah San entered, he saw Xia Chen. "Tang San, what did you do today?"

Xia Chen ran up to Ah San.

"I have good news to tell you. A big company called Xia's Group gave us a lot of money. From now on, we will have delicious food every day. My two older sisters will no longer have to give me the best food. When I grow up, I will earn lots and lots of money and then buy lots and lots of delicious food to give to the orphanage."

Tang Ying touched Xia Chen's forehead and said, "Our Tang San is really ambitious. He will be going to school in two years. He can earn a lot of money by studying hard."

"I will study hard." Xia Chen smiled happily, revealing a mouthful of white teeth, and skipped and hopped towards the orphanage while holding the hands of his two older sisters.

Xia Chen was still young at this time. After his two older sisters went to school every day, he would play with his friends in the yard. Sometimes he would sit down alone and draw, using his paintbrush to depict the world as he saw it. When it was almost time for his sisters to be reassured, he would sit on the big stone by the door and wait for them to be reassured. His days were peaceful and happy.

Until one day, the tranquility was shattered.

It was a gloomy morning. After sending his two older sisters to school, Xia Chen returned to the house and stood by the window. The sky was overcast, like the somber face of an old man on his deathbed. Every now and then, black swallows would drift in the air, and a thin mist would rise and float in the air, like ghosts ascending to heaven.

The sound of cars pulling up in the courtyard caught Xia Chen's attention. In those days, cars were a rare sight. Five cars were parked in the courtyard, and all the children were pressed against the windows, their big, curious eyes wide open. One by one, elderly people with white hair slowly stepped out of the cars. The orphanage teachers announced that from today onwards, they would be living with the elderly people in the nursing home. They said the elderly liked the children, and the children would receive care from the elderly, which was good for both sides. All the children sat obediently in their chairs, and the elderly were led into the rooms one by one.

An elderly woman caught Xia Chen's attention.

The moment she entered, she fixed her gaze on Xia Chen. Her face was covered in wrinkles and numerous spots of varying sizes and shades. She had lost almost all her teeth, leaving only a few long, yellow ones. Xia Chen was convinced that she was an old witch and that she must have a scheme to come to the orphanage.

When his two older sisters returned in the evening, Xia Chen told them everything that had happened that day and his deductions. Tang Ying didn't say anything, but Ah San laughed loudly, "Our Tang San is so timid. She was scared by an old man. What will she do in the future?"

At Xia Chen's insistence, Tang Ying and A San went to see the old man, but found nothing.

Xia Chen always felt that there was something wrong with the old lady; she must be plotting something!

Three days passed, and nothing happened. The old woman, like a witch, sat quietly in a corner of the room every day, watching the children play, sometimes showing a happy smile. Xia Chen thought to himself that she was faking it; the old witch must be plotting how to harm people. Every day when Ah San came home from school, he would laugh at Xia Chen about this.

On the fourth day, after Tang Ying and A-San went to school, a light rain began to fall outside, the raindrops pattering against the windows. The corridor was dark, and a cold wind whistled through the windows. Bored at not being able to play outside, Xia Chen went to the activity room. Only five or six children were playing inside, and the old witch was also there, sitting in one of the rooms, seemingly half-asleep, looking very strange. Xia Chen went in; he wanted to see what the old witch was up to. He wouldn't let her harm the children of the orphanage.

After playing for a while, the child got bored and sat down next to the old witch. "Grandma, tell us a story."

The old witch reached out and pinched the child's rosy cheek, saying in a frail voice, "Little darlings, Grandma doesn't know how to tell stories, you two play by yourselves."

The child hugged the old witch's leg and begged, "Grandma, please tell me a story, you're sure you can."

The old woman laughed and said, "I only know how to tell ghost stories. Aren't you afraid?"

"Don't be afraid, don't be afraid. We love hearing ghost stories. Tell us one!"

"Alright, then I'll tell you a story about a ghost knocking on the door." Xia Chen also joined in. This might be the old witch's conspiracy, and he wanted to hear what she had to say.

The old witch's withered lips moved as she spoke, "After death, the soul leaves the world. Good people ascend to heaven, and bad people go to hell. Some ghosts linger in the world, unwilling to leave. Most of them have unfulfilled wishes or regrets, while some are vengeful spirits who stay to harm people. Although ghosts can pass through walls, they need permission to enter a house. Evil ghosts will knock on the door first. When you open the door and find no one outside, the evil ghost has already entered your house and is hiding in a corner, waiting for its chance to harm you. So, if you hear a knock on the door and look through the crack but see no one outside, never open the door."

The protagonist of my story is named Luo Bing. She's a recent college graduate who lives alone across from me. We live in an old building that's been there for fifty or sixty years, and every night it exudes an eerie atmosphere. There's only a small yellow lamp in the hallway, emitting a faint, weak yellow light. When the night wind blows, the bulb and its black wires sway incessantly, making the whole building sway, and everything becomes unreal. Luo Bing often works overtime and comes home very late. Every time she returns, she feels someone following her, their shadow blurring and overlapping with the dim, yellowish light of the hallway. Luo Bing would close the door tightly and stay inside until dawn.

A strange thing has been happening these past few days. Every night, she hears terrifying, heavy breathing coming from her doorway. Then, someone gently knocks on the door: bang... bang...

The knocking wasn't very forceful, but each knock landed squarely on Luo Bingxin's skin. It was so late; no one would be looking for her. Standing at the door, she asked in a trembling voice, "Who...who's outside?"

No one answered. Luo Bing went back to bed and didn't sleep well all night; she kept feeling that someone was wandering outside the door.

The next day, Luo Bing didn't go to work. She found me and asked, "Grandma, did you hear someone knocking on the door last night?"

"Knock? No, I went to bed very late last night and didn't hear any knocking."

"But someone knocked on my door. I asked him who it was, but he didn't answer."

"Girl, you've definitely encountered a ghost knocking on your door. There's an evil spirit trying to harm you. Don't open the door. Letting it in will kill you." Luo Bing didn't believe me, just said "oh" and left.

That night, she heard another terrifying knocking sound. Bang... bang...

The heavy knocking echoed in the night, drilling into Luo Bing's ears. Each knock felt like a hammer blow to her fragile heart. Luo Bing mustered her courage and went to the door, peering through the peephole. There was nothing there, only the dim yellow light of the corridor lamp swaying slightly. Fear washed over her like a tidal wave, and a chill ran down her spine. Could it really be a ghost knocking? Luo Bing returned to bed, pulled the covers over her head, and trembled uncontrollably.

Daylight finally broke, and Luo Bing went to work with dark circles under her eyes. After dark, she returned home filled with fear. At midnight, the knocking started again, bang... bang... Luo Bing couldn't bear the torment any longer and rushed to open the door. No one was there, and a chilly night wind swept into her house. Luo Bing closed the door, and the terrifying knocking stopped. She went back to bed and quickly fell asleep.

In the middle of the night, Luo Bing suddenly woke up in a cold sweat. Something terrifying was lurking in the dark room.

A terrifying gurgling sound came from under the bed, like a mouse gnawing on something, or like a demon eating bones. Luo Bing trembled with fear. Half an hour later, the gurgling stopped. Luo Bing mustered her courage and looked under the bed, but all she could see was a hazy darkness.

Luo Bing got out of bed, found a flashlight, and shone it under the bed. There was a man under the bed, his face as pale as paper, gnawing on one of his arms.

The man's mouth was stained crimson with blood. Seeing Luo Bing, it opened its mouth, revealing teeth stained crimson, with strands of flesh visible between them. Luo Bing noticed the arm it was clinging to; it seemed to be hers…

Luo Bing never left her house again. A few days later, a nauseating stench emanated from her home. When the police broke down the door, they found Luo Bing's decomposing body under the bed. Half of her bones were missing. That's the story of the ghost knocking at the door. That's all I have to say.

The activity room was deathly quiet. All the children were terrified by the old witch's story, not daring to breathe. Xia Chen was also frightened by the story. Half a minute later, the children screamed and fled the room. The first thing Xia Chen did after leaving was go back to his room and check under his bed. Only after confirming that there was nothing under the bed except dust did he feel relieved. When his two older sisters came home from school, Xia Chen couldn't wait to tell them the terrifying story he had heard from the old witch.

Ah San laughed heartily.

"Tang San, you won't be so scared you can't sleep tonight, will you? Do you want your sister to sleep with you?" Xia Chen's face turned red. Tang Ying frowned and said, "Telling such scary stories to a child seems inappropriate." She gently rubbed Xia Chen's forehead and comforted him, "Don't be afraid, little brother, there are no ghosts in the world."

After dinner, the rain grew heavier, with thunder and lightning. Xia Chen's two older sisters played with him for a while before going to do their homework. Xia Chen then went back to his room to sleep.

Xia Chen was awakened in the middle of the night by a knocking sound. Bang...bang...

The knocking was so forceful that it shook off years of accumulated dust. Xia Chen looked around, puzzled that although many people were sleeping in the room, only he had heard the knocking. He walked to the door and peeked through the crack; no one was outside. A thunderous boom followed. The knocking ceased. The dormitory fell silent once more.

Xia Chen stayed awake until dawn, then ran barefoot off the bed and pulled Tang Ying and A San up. "Sister, sister, I heard knocking on the door last night, but no one was there."

Ah San yawned and said, "It's only five o'clock, let me sleep a little longer, I'm so sleepy."

Tang Ying rubbed Xia Chen's forehead and said, "Little brother, did you have a nightmare? I told you, there are no ghosts in the world. Did your roommate hear the knocking?"

"No, only I heard it." Xia Chen also found it strange; there was no reason why his roommate wouldn't hear such a loud knocking.

"You're still young, you were scared by the ghost story, you must have been hallucinating. Go back to sleep with your sister." Tang Ying carried Xia Chen to bed, and Xia Chen quickly fell asleep in his sister's warm embrace. When he woke up, his sisters had already gone to school. After sleeping, he began to doubt whether he had really heard the knocking at the door last night.

But something very strange happened today. Two of the five friends who listened to stories with him yesterday were missing. He told the orphanage teacher about this discovery, but the teacher ignored him. He secretly went to see the old witch; she was in her room, seemingly asleep.

After school, Tang Ying and A-San told Xia Chen about his discovery to his two older sisters, and this time they didn't laugh at him. They had both seen the two children Xia Chen mentioned; they were indeed missing. Before going to bed, Tang Ying and A-San secretly went to Xia Chen's room. Xia Chen was greatly surprised, "Sisters, what are you doing here?"

Ah San jumped onto Xia Chen's bed, saying, "We're afraid you'll be scared, so the older sisters will sleep with you tonight."

Xia Chen saw Tang Ying frowning and asked, "Sister, what exactly happened? Can you tell me? I really want to know."

Tang Ying hesitated for a moment before saying, "I was planning to tell you when you're a little older, but since this happened today, I'll tell you now. There's a problem with our orphanage."

"Something's wrong?" Xia Chen asked, confused. "Sister, are you saying there really is a ghost knocking on our orphanage?"

Ah San laughed,

"There's no knocking ghost, but there is one coward—you!"