Boîte corporelle

Chapitre 14

The slightly older beggar slowly walked over, his face showing disbelief.

"From now on, you'll come to collect the trash every morning, but you're not allowed to go inside, okay?"

The little beggars gathered around, their faces showing a dazed expression, their eyes welling up with tears.

In front of the monitor, Xiao Song and Xiao Zhang fell silent. (5)

In the early morning, four or five students were rehearsing a play in the school auditorium.

Sunlight streamed through the glass windows, refracting off the deep red curtain on the stage and illuminating several students with a soft, vibrant red hue.

They are rehearsing a play called "The Shape of the Heart," which tells the story of a Chinese student's experience in Japan during the Anti-Japanese War. This man, named Zhang Daosheng, was initially pro-Japanese and went to Japan with a pilgrimage-like mentality. However, subsequent events constantly shattered his faith. Although there were good people in Japan, the cowardly, numb, and blindly obedient Japanese people in the prevailing environment drove Zhang Daosheng into despair. On one side, his compatriots were being massacred, and on the other side, the Japanese people were watching and cheering. Zhang Daosheng finally broke down and walked towards the silent Japanese crowd, clutching a grenade.

It's unclear who wrote this play, but when the department head brought it to us, the script's title page was signed: Yu Fu.

At this moment, the director is explaining the scene to the actors. He is talking about Zhang Daosheng's love and the militaristic issues that Zhang Daosheng is pondering. This is how he explains it:

"A sense of crisis about social ideology, distrust of the system by individuals, disappointment at the collapse of trust between people, concern about the widening gap between the rich and the poor, and reflection on the cowardly masses under militaristic ideology—despite all these crises, hope always exists, no matter what form it takes. Even if happiness is always fleeting, even if the night is long and seems endless, as long as there is breath, humanity will not give up."

The students exchanged ideas with each other again, and then began rehearsing for the play.

They staged a play about Zhang Daosheng after he saw photos of the Nanjing Massacre.

Male student B, nestled in female student A's arms, tears streaming down his face, asked sadly:

"God! You made us live together, yet why do you hate one another?"

Female student B was heartbroken. She tightly hugged male student A's head and answered:

"God is dead! Japan will die too! This numb and silent masses will sooner or later bury the Yamato people in history, making them a legend of barbarians! But now, my love, I don't know what to say to you. My heart is also in pain and conflicted, because I want to save them, to prevent them from falling into hell and laughing ignorantly. What should I do? This mad world!"

At the same moment, outside the campus, a drunk man staggered along the road, suddenly tripping over a protruding stone. He simply sat down by the roadside, chuckling at the passersby. Not far away, a mother and daughter were doing their morning exercises, their movements rhythmic, two steps followed by a kick, the two moving in unison, looking very happy. The drunk man chuckled to himself, swayed to his feet, and passed by the mother and daughter, bathed in the serene light of the morning sun.

At the same moment, inside a hotel in the south of the city, two Japanese businessmen were negotiating with the hotel, demanding an apology. An argument ensued, escalating into a fight. Male and female staff rushed in and mercilessly beat the two Japanese men, who did not retaliate, merely staring wide-eyed at the men and women wielding fists. Outside the hotel, several passersby watched the entire scene unfold, seemingly oblivious to the chaos.

At the same moment, Yu Fu walked into Building 4, Lane 11 of Culture. The scene before him was all too familiar: dust covered the insulation layer of the heating pipes, the staircase was narrow and sunless, and the air smelled of rotting food. Yu Fu climbed the steps and came to a door. He hesitated for a moment, took out his key, inserted it, turned the key, and the door opened. This was his home.

The window was open, and the aloe vera looked rather thin in the wind.

Yu Fu closed the window, lay down on the bed, and was without thought. (6)

A traffic accident occurred on Suochengli South Road, in the winding alleys.

The injured woman was pregnant. The driver, a young man in his mid-twenties, panicked as he got out of his car and ran to the pregnant woman, finding her unconscious. He immediately picked her up and prepared to get back into the car, but then he hesitated. Perhaps the car belonged to a friend, or perhaps it belonged to his boss; whoever it was, he was in trouble. The young driver paused for a moment, looked around, and seeing no one, gently put the pregnant woman down and ran back to the car. But the blood on his hands was glaringly obvious, cold, sticky, and smelled strongly of blood, making his heart pound uncontrollably.

The pregnant woman seemed to be salvageable; her breathing wasn't too heavy, but her broken arm was bleeding profusely. She appeared to be eight or nine months pregnant, looking quite bloated. Despite the shock on her face, it was clear she was a very beautiful woman. Perhaps she had gone out to buy breakfast for her family, or perhaps to greet her husband returning from a business trip, never expecting such an accident.

The young man sat trembling silently in the car, his gaze never leaving the pregnant woman. Two lives were at stake; was he really going to just leave like this? He hesitated repeatedly, occasionally wiping the cold sweat from his brow with his sleeve. Finally, he decided to get out of the car, run to the pregnant woman, tear a handkerchief in half, tie it together, and use it to bandage her wound to stop the bleeding. After doing this, he ran back to the car, started the engine, reversed, and drove further and further away from the pregnant woman who was occasionally twitching. Perhaps this was the end of it.

But at the street corner, the young man slammed on the brakes. He pounded on the steering wheel and then wiped the blood off his hands on the car seat cover, but he couldn't get it clean. The injured pregnant woman was still lying motionless not far away, looking so helpless. The young man's gaze became somewhat fixed, and finally he slammed on the gas, driving towards the pregnant woman... (7)

"Congratulations! Your wife has given birth to a son! Mother and child are both safe and sound—it's truly a miracle!"

The nurse, holding a bright red, ugly-looking baby, spoke to a restless young man. The young man let out a sigh of relief and slumped into a chair outside the operating room.

"She wants to see you, but she's unconscious again. She'll be taken to a ward later, so go wait there!"

The nurse walked away carrying the baby as she spoke, and the young man seemed not to hear anything, just staring blankly at the marble floor. He looked somewhat exhausted, and it was hard to tell whether he was happy or sad; he didn't even look up when the delivery woman's cart passed by.

It was already 11:40 a.m., and the young man had been sitting there for a full four hours; time seemed to have stood still for him. At the far end of the corridor came the loud cry of a baby, so loud, like thunder in a storm, prompting him to make a decision.

Why did you save me?

"No, it was... it was me who hit you with my car."

"This is none of your business, I want to die."

"ah?"

"How is the child?"

"Oh, okay, the nurse said it's very healthy, it's a boy."

"Is it pretty?"

"Hmm, beautiful, like...like..."

"I want to see my child."

"Okay, okay, wait a minute."

The young man stood up, left the ward, and walked toward the nurse, his steps becoming lighter and lighter.

Perhaps more things will happen, but that's another story. (8)

The waves were gentle on the shore.

The Catholic church, built at the beginning of the last century, stands alone amidst ruins, making it quite conspicuous.

The courtyard was dark and the objects were old, as if no one lived there. Perhaps people had long forgotten it; it was a godless city, one that even God did not wish to remember. But today was different. The door to the confessional, which had been closed for a long time, was opened, and the priest was pushing it open, stopping at the foot of the cross, making the sign of the cross, and then entering the confessional.

"What do you need, God's people?"

"I am guilty, Father, I am guilty!"

"Repent, and the Lord will forgive you. Tell me, what is it?"

“Five years ago, I was driving while fatigued and hit and killed a woman. It was morning and there were many people around. I was terrified and drove away. Later, I heard that she was dead. Oh God, she is dead! From then on, I see her face every time I close my eyes. For five years, I have been moving from one city to another, but I have nowhere to escape. I can’t take it anymore. I’m going to turn myself in and stop living like a clown.”

"This is a grave sin, but if you are willing to repent, the Lord will forgive you. Moreover, when you realize that you are like a clown, it only means one thing: you are beginning to grow. Go forth, and you will be freed soon. May the Lord be with you, Amen."

“But I don’t know what to do. I mean, I don’t know how to confess. I’m scared. May the Lord give me strength.”

"In China, there's a saying: 'When the boat reaches the bridge, it will straighten itself.' In other countries, there's a saying: 'When the boat reaches the bridge, it will pass naturally.' This principle applies to all, and wisdom is universal. As long as you have wisdom and faith, you will know what to do. Don't hesitate, surrender yourself as soon as possible, and you will be freed. Almighty God is above, and He will watch over you."

"Thank you, Father. I know what to do now."

"May the Lord be with you, Amen."

“Amen.” (9)

The room was a bit cold, but Yu Fu still fell asleep. He was lost in deep confusion, his memories filled with uncertainties. He couldn't distinguish whether they were real events or just his delusions, which caused him great pain. Yu Fu began to dream again. In his dream, there was a pure white light, and mountains and rivers floated in the sky, all transparent and exceptionally beautiful. Standing before him was the woman named Wu Huan, a happy smile on her face, so real.

Yu Fu suddenly woke up from his dream and found himself lying on his bed at home. He sat up and saw the clock on the wall. It was already 12:30 noon. The sun was shining brightly outside the window, and a book was quietly placed on the writing desk. Yu Fu reached out and picked it up. It was "Resurrection". The cover was clean and there was not a speck of dust.

The room was very quiet, without the slightest noise, except for the ticking of the clock.

Yu Fu stroked the book, the pages exuding a faint, aged scent that was somewhat oppressive. He recalled the dream he had just had, and couldn't help but feel a little sad. He sat quietly for a while before getting out of bed, walking to the door, and opening it, only to be surprised to see Wu Huan standing there.

Wu Huan looked confused, surprised, and even a little shy.

Yu Fu felt a heat rising in his chest. He tried to calm himself down, but the first thing he said was: "How are you?"

Wu Huan's tears welled up instantly. Yu Fu suddenly stepped forward and hugged her tightly, speechless, tears streaming down his face.

Saturday, March 1, 2003, 23:25:56

Story Three: The Legend of the Laughing Spirit (by Ling'er) (The End)

(1) Such a demonic servant

Hunters are a special profession and a group, founded over a thousand years ago. Their influence is deeply rooted throughout the world, irreplaceable by any individual or nation. Hunters also have a king, the Hunter Emperor. The Hunter Emperor is the supreme ruler among hunters, appointed through abdication. The Hunter Emperor is the most skilled hunter, possessing unparalleled composure, willpower, and cultivation. Besides the king, there are also eight elders. The eight elders could impeach the Hunter Emperor if they reached a consensus, but this has never happened. The eight elders also have specific roles: The Heavenly Eye Elder monitors all demonic movements worldwide and issues orders to eliminate them; the Heart-Chasing Elder is responsible for regular checks on the hunters, and if any hunter is found to have a demonic heart...

If a hunter is possessed by a demon, their inner demons must be cleansed immediately. Elder Celestial Star – responsible for astrology and writing prophecies. Elder Thunderclap – responsible for punishing hunters. Elder Lightning Strike – responsible for assisting hunters in completing unexpected missions. Elder Sunlight – responsible for healing hunters from serious injuries or poisoning sustained during missions. Elder Melting and Forging – responsible for forging hunters' weapons or destroying demonic artifacts obtained during missions. Elder Wealth God – responsible for finances. Among the hunters are also several legendary figures: the Hunter Saint, the Hunter Overlord, the Hunter Immortal, the Hunter Knight…

Ling'er was taken in as a disciple by the legendary hunter, the Hunter Saint, from a young age. Afterwards, she traveled the world with her master, slaying demons and monsters. Her comprehension was exceptionally high; by fifteen, she could complete missions independently, and at seventeen, she passed the hunter's level exam, becoming a Level Two Hunter—a feat that even impressed the Hunter King. Ling'er's innate comprehension and meticulous analytical skills were among the best of all Level Two Hunters.

When Ling'er was 19, she released a thousand-year-old fox demon because of a moment of weakness. As a result, she was punished by her senior brother, the Hunter King Ku Zhu, who confiscated her hunter's license and removed her from the hunters for three years. She was happy to relax and returned to being an ordinary person, living a peaceful life.

University life was very pleasant for Ling'er. Breathing in the slightly cool night air of the campus, she was even a little grateful to the fox demon. If it weren't for it, how could there be such a beautiful night? However, recently she felt that there was a trace of resentment somewhere in the school, but she didn't pay much attention to it. She knew that if there was really a vengeful spirit, the hunters would definitely come to eliminate it. Besides, she was just an ordinary second-year university student.

That morning, screams came from the dormitory next to Ling'er's. She vaguely felt that something had happened and rushed over. She saw her terrified friend Tingting standing at the dormitory door, covering her face with her hands, looking extremely frightened.

Ling'er shook Tingting's shoulder and said, "Tingting, tell me, what's wrong?"

"Xiao Fang...she's dead, Xiao Fang is dead!"

Ling'er's body trembled violently. How could this be... Xiao Fang was fine yesterday, how could she be dead today?

She couldn't believe it was real, but the facts before her eyes told her that Tingting wasn't joking. Looking at Xiaofang's mangled body on the bed, she was stunned. Blood had stained the once pristine white sheets. Xiaofang's hands, feet, and even head had been torn off. Her once bright and clear eyes were now a deathly gray! Her face was expressionless, for her nose and mouth were gone! Ling'er slowly walked over and closed Xiaofang's eyes, silently vowing: She would never let the murderer escape, no matter where she went!

All day long, the school was abuzz with rumors about Xiaofang's death. Despite the school's order to suppress the news, everyone was terrified. No one could help but think about such a death, no one could help but feel sympathy for Xiaofang. Ling'er knew the killer must be a beast demon, a beast demon with sharp claws! Because ordinary humans didn't possess such strength. That night, Ling'er lit calming incense in her dormitory and set up a Seven Star Array below the dormitory building before rushing to the highest point on campus. Standing on the rooftop, holding the Vajra pestle given to her by the Tibetan Living Buddha, she used her Earth Eye Technique to monitor the entire campus: several couples were whispering sweet nothings in the nearby grove, the gatekeeper, Uncle Chen, was drinking, and the cleaning lady, Granny Wang, was sweeping fallen leaves… Ling'er scanned the campus again and again. There was no demonic aura, no resentment. She frowned slightly, feeling that something was amiss, but she had no clue—perhaps it was just intuition!

Ling'er returned to her dormitory, put away her vajra, and poured herself a glass of water. She sat at her desk, carefully considering what she had observed that night. Everything seemed normal! The desk lamp cast a soft, pale light, but Ling'er was utterly troubled! Suddenly, a scream rang out outside. She rushed towards the source of the sound like lightning. Another victim had been found—Wang Qing from the Foreign Languages Department. His body was exactly like Xiao Fang's, torn to pieces! Ling'er could no longer control herself. She shouted hatefully at the distance, "Evil spirit! No matter what kind of monster you are! I swear to heaven, if I cannot make it vanish into nothingness, I will willingly be condemned to eternal damnation!"

Ling'er rushed home that night to retrieve her treasures from her hunter days: the Hua Shui Holy Spirit Robe, the Rainbow Phoenix Boots, the Nine Heavens Chain, and the Dancing Feather Rings she had forged herself. After donning them, she pinched her right thumb and middle finger together and uttered: "Illusion!" She transformed the clothes and shoes into her usual blue dress, completely undetectable to mortals. The next day, Ling'er returned to school to find many classmates packing their belongings overnight, discussing the recent murder and dismemberment cases.

Before she even reached the dormitory, Tingting came up to her, panting, and said, "Ling'er, someone is looking for you."

"Oh? Where? Who is it?" Ling'er asked curiously. Who would be looking for her at this time? Could it be a hunter?

"I don't know him in your dorm, but he's a real heartthrob!" Tingting said before leaving, giving her a mischievous smile as she went. Ling'er thought to herself: This Tingting, seeing such a horrific dismembered corpse the day before yesterday, and she's back to her playful nature today. She's really something! She pushed open the dorm room door and saw a tall young man standing by the window. Just as Ling'er was about to ask him something, he turned around and said, "Master, it's been a long time!"

Ling'er looked at him. His long, flowing hair, handsome features, and white robes fluttering even without wind suggested he was a master. But… why did he call me master? Ling'er was completely baffled!

"Excuse me, who are you? I think you may have mistaken me for someone else, because I don't know you!"

Then the man laughed and said, "I'm the one who's going to give you two years of a wonderful life!"

Ling'er exclaimed in surprise, "Ah? You're that fox demon? You've transformed into human form?"

"Yes! A few days ago, the Hunter King found me and said that you were facing a great calamity, so I volunteered to acknowledge you as my master..."

"Wait, you said you acknowledge me as your master? You said I'm in deep trouble?"

“Yes! I have made a heart contract with the Hunter King! I recognize you as my master. It’s normal for hunters to have demon servants, but I’m a little special.” The fox demon brushed his hair with his hand.

Ling'er asked, "What's so special about you?"

"I'm so beautiful! Even Pan An would feel inferior in comparison! And I have great magical powers," the fox demon said narcissistically, touching her face.

"Alright, stop doing that, it's disgusting!" Ling'er waved her hand, unable to bear it any longer.

"Are you jealous of me? It's not my fault! I've looked like this ever since I took human form. Sigh! I'm so beautiful!" After saying that, she picked up the mirror on the desk and kept looking at herself.

Suddenly, a murderous aura emanated from behind the fox demon. Ling'er, holding two rings, glared at him angrily. He quickly cried out, "Master...Master! Don't...don't hit my face!"

That evening, Ling'er and Hu Yi (the thousand-year-old fox demon) wandered aimlessly around the school, finding no clues. Ling'er and Hu Yi sat on a bench when suddenly Hu Yi stood up, looking around. Ling'er looked at him, puzzled. "Something's happening," Hu Yi said. Ling'er immediately prepared herself defensively. "Meow—" A large tabby cat ran past them. Ling'er glanced at Hu Yi, who smiled sheepishly and said, "It's all a misunderstanding!" He then glared fiercely at the tabby cat, feeling embarrassed in front of its owner!

As dawn approached, Granny Wang, who was sweeping the floor, came in with her broom. Ling'er pulled Hu Yi away. As they were leaving, Ling'er noticed Granny Wang staring intently at her and Hu Yi, and even gave a strange smile. Ling'er blushed, realizing that Granny Wang had mistaken Hu Yi for a couple!

Unfortunately, the third victim was discovered, but not at the school, but at her own home—Xu Hui, also a student at this school, majoring in Chinese literature, and she died in the same way! Ling'er clenched her hands tightly, and a murderous aura that had not been seen in a long time appeared on her face! This murderous aura terrified Hu Yi, who shivered uncontrollably. He knew his master's power well. Although she usually seemed like just a cute and ordinary girl, she was, after all, a level two hunter!

"Damn it!" Her voice was cold enough to freeze even the coldest penguins to death! Ling'er and Hu Yi arrived at a secluded bamboo forest. Ling'er said thoughtfully, "Tonight, go to the police station and get me a detailed file of the three deceased." Hu Yi nodded.

In the evening, Hu Yi returned with the backpack. Although everyone in the dormitory had left, he still carefully set up a barrier to prevent the sound from being heard.

Ling'er opened the file, but the information inside wasn't as clear as she had imagined: