Извращенная сверхъестественная академия

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"It wasn't until the next morning that someone found me unconscious in the elevator..."

"Later, I found out that there were many empty units on the 29th floor. Only two people lived on that floor, and I found out the other person from the building manager..."

"His name is... Feng! Xiao! Tao! *beep*" The phone hung up. I then realized what had happened and hurriedly played a song.

Damn it! What's going on? This traitorous Hong!

I must admit, it's a good story. However, at the end, Qiu Hong dragged me into it again, just like the first time. What was she trying to do? Why did she drag me into it every time? My mind was a mess; I couldn't understand what she meant. But I knew she must have some purpose in doing this. It was definitely not a joke! I was certain it wasn't something as simple as a joke.

Because I also live in a high-rise apartment building, on the 29th floor. In my apartment building, only one of the four elevators can be used at night.

Moreover, before telling the story, Qiu Hong mentioned that Coke can! The empty Coke can I dreamed about in my nightmare that day! Could it be that it wasn't a dream? Could it be real?

So, just as I suspected, she was there! She saw everything that happened!

But that was a dream! How could she enter my dream?

I desperately suppressed my fear and opened the drawer. Sure enough, there was an empty Coke can inside! No, I didn't want to think about where it came from or how it got there. I picked up the empty can and quickly threw it into the trash can at my feet. The Coke can was ice-cold, feeling like touching a knife; I shivered.

During the midday break, everyone went out to eat or wander around, while those remaining in the office were all dozing off. I also pulled a newspaper over my face.

But I can't fall asleep. So many things have happened lately, and it's all so frustrating. I need to sort things out, or I'll go crazy.

What's really bothering me is Qiu Hong. Of course, maybe her real name isn't Qiu Hong; yes, she's probably using a pseudonym. Undoubtedly, she's a mysterious woman, and one who understands me very well. When I first received her call, she used storytelling to reveal my deepest confusion and the practical difficulties I faced, and even pointed me in the right direction—a very practical one at that. I used to think she was a very attentive listener, but now I find it hard to believe an ordinary listener could do that. At the very least, she must have had similar or identical experiences to mine. Perhaps she's also an industry insider?

Or perhaps he's a novelist? It's said that this is how writers experience life.

Furthermore, how did Qiu Hong know about that brand and the Coke can? Perhaps Qiu Hong is a nurse at a provincial hospital and was following behind me and Xiao Qi that day? But how did that brand end up in the drawer of the live-streaming room's table by itself?

The Coke can is even more inexplicable. No matter how I try to recall it, I feel like it was in a dream. Although I later saw an empty Coke can next to the tire, there are hundreds of millions of Coke cans, so the possibility of a coincidence is not small.

After thinking it over, I realized I couldn't possibly be the one stuffing these things into the drawer, could I? Damn it!

What did she mean by calling to tell a second story? Was she dragging me into this again, just like the first time? Was she pointing me down a path again? The question is, do I still need it now? I really can't figure it out. Is Qiu Hong some kind of psychiatrist at a provincial hospital who hypnotized me and made me forget everything? And every time she hypnotizes me, it's through a hotline? This is too far-fetched. I shook my head inwardly. Then there are at least a hundred thousand people in the city who have been hypnotized like me.

Xiao Tao's Ghost Stories are getting more and more popular, but I'm not happy at all. It's all Qiu Hong's fault! Although she's certainly added a lot to the show, she also makes me terrified. I really don't know who she is. The enthusiasm I had when I first started the show seems like a distant memory, and the pain of struggling to improve the quality is also a thing of the past. But now, new troubles and worries have arisen. Although Xiao Tao's Ghost Stories are popular and advertising revenue has increased significantly, I feel like I'm smoking a cigarette. I'm tired of making up ghost stories, tired of answering those calls from teenagers, tired of this job that once filled me with ambition but later left me disheartened. It's all Qiu Hong's fault. Sometimes I think I should just let Qiu Hong be the host.

But I'm terrified of Qiu Hong. Especially every time I receive a call from her. Even though it's broad daylight, in the bustling office, the memory of Qiu Hong's terrifying voice, my horrific experiences in the hospital, the unexplained corpse tag (or was that supposed to be a corpse tag?) and the Coke can in my drawer still sends chills down my spine. I don't want to dwell on these thoughts; I don't want to live in fear. Like Wei Weiwei said, I'm not a very brave person. I used to turn off the lights when I told stories, because I could find inspiration in a relatively dark and enclosed environment. But now I don't dare do that at all, because I'm terrified. Sometimes, I'm even afraid of the stories I tell myself. It's strange; I made them up, I know they're fake, but I'm still afraid.

The second person who's bothering me is also a woman—Wei Weiwei. I can't quite describe my feelings for her. Although we've become incredibly close lately—I walk her home after get off work every day, and we eat and drink together for lunch and dinner—of course, without our colleagues watching—I still have this strange, inexplicable feeling, no, it's more like unease. I feel that her sudden act of reconciliation with me, right now that "Xiao Tao's Ghost Talk" has become a flagship program on Dadi Entertainment Channel, and I've become a popular NJ, doesn't seem like a coincidence. Especially now, I feel our relationship has even surpassed the friendship between ordinary colleagues or friends. But I'm unsure if I should let this relationship continue like this. I always feel like she has some ulterior motive… Maybe I'm just overthinking it?

The truth will out eventually. If I continue this relationship, she'll find out sooner or later. It could easily become a huge scandal, especially considering our past feud in the local media. If the journalists find out, it'll be plenty of material for them to write about. What should I do when that day comes? I've thought about it endlessly, but I can't come up with a solution.

"Whoosh—" The newspaper was flipped open, and Wei Weiwei's pretty face appeared before my eyes.

"Still sleeping? You're such a pig! Everyone should be at work." Wei Weiwei shoved a note into my hand and turned to leave. I smiled, clutching the note in my hand, and feigned a pitiful look, complaining to my colleague at the next table, "Look at me, look at me, what did I do to deserve this?"

"Please refrain from flirting during work hours."

"Why?"

Colleagues started teasing, "Hey, what? You two thought you could keep this from everyone for long?"

"That's right, that's right. If you don't want people to know, then don't do it in the first place."

"Tsk tsk, this is what you call a pair of bickering lovers, back in the day—"

I quickly said, "Stop, stop—I didn't do anything to you, did I?" Wei Wei's pitiful little face turned red to her neck: "Don't talk nonsense."

"Who's talking nonsense? Who were you having hot pot with last night? I saw it with my own eyes, so don't say I'm wronging you."

"Yes, they were in such a hurry to explain, it's obvious they're up to something."

...

I scratched my head, momentarily at a loss for words to get out of this awkward situation. Luckily, just then, two guys who looked like construction workers carried a large mirror into the live stream studio. I asked, "Who's so vain? Why did they bring such a big mirror?"

The person at the next table chuckled and said, "Who else could it be? Wasn't it your good sister who asked the boss to get it for her, saying it could correct lip movements when used in the live stream?"

I looked at Wei Weiwei, and she gave me a helpless smile. I opened the note in my hand; on it were four neatly written characters: "Wait for me after get off work." My colleagues were still pressing me:

"Forget it, the boss believes that reason anyway."

"I think it's a good opportunity to get ready and dress up."

"I think so too. Women in love really do care about their appearance!"

"Let's not change the subject, let's congratulate you first."

"Don't rush to congratulate them, just let them tell the truth quickly..."

Since it's already known, even if it didn't happen, it's already happened, so why not just make it true? This was Xiao Qi's famous catchphrase back when we were still at the provincial university. That night, as I walked out of the parking lot, nonchalantly putting my arm around Wei Weiwei's slender waist—whom I'd tricked into coming home with sweet words—and into my apartment, I couldn't help but think that I hadn't contacted Xiao Qi in a long time. I wondered how he was doing. I called him several times, but couldn't get through. That guy, he changed his number without even telling me.

"What do you want to do?" Wei Wei smiled and tried to break free from my arms, but it was just a pretense. I easily tightened my grip on her: "An injustice cannot be suffered in vain."

"You have the nerve, aren't you wronged?" She gently punched my chest with her small fist.

"Not from now on."

Every day when I come home, I feel a sense of dread, afraid that something terrible will happen again. When Wei Weiwei is around, my fear is lessened considerably. But every night, as I see her off and walk alone towards the only working elevator, I can't help but think of another woman: Qiu Hong! I think of her description of that apartment building, and her terrifying story. I secretly wonder, based on her previous storytelling style, perhaps this time she's not talking about her own experience, but rather—about me.

However, several days have passed, and to this day, I haven't encountered anything. But I dare not let my guard down; instead, I've become increasingly cautious. The more cautious I am, the more worried I become, and the more worried I am, the more afraid I grow.

Looking back, I realize that at the time, I had unknowingly taken Qiu Hong's words as fact.

The corridor was brightly lit, as usual. I breathed a sigh of relief. Although the apartment building Qiu Hong described was very similar to mine, it was quite different except for the elevator; at least, the dim wall lamps she mentioned were absent. And all eighteen apartments on the top floor were occupied.

"Why aren't you saying anything?" Wei Weiwei looked at me curiously.

"Hmm..."

"Hehe, do you remember that show from that day?"

Which time?

"It's the story about the apartment that Qiu Hong told me on the phone that day."

I was startled: "So what?"

"Hehe, not bad. Look how scared you are." She seemed completely unconcerned. They say people in love are incredibly brave and don't believe in anything superstitious; I wonder if that's true. Wei Weiwei continued, "But I do think the apartment she mentioned looks pretty much like yours."

"Really?" I replied casually. "Ding—" The elevator arrived, and I pulled her inside, habitually keeping my eyes glued to the doors. This was a habit I'd developed ever since Qiu Hong told the elevator story. The elevator doors slowly closed under my gaze. "See, nothing's wrong, is it? You're so scared, and you're a grown man, aren't you?" Wei Weiwei was still chuckling beside me. I felt a little embarrassed, so I wrapped my arms around her waist. She put one arm around my neck, looking at me with a half-smile.

Slowly, I felt our faces drawing closer; slowly, I saw her close her eyes; slowly, her long eyelashes began to tremble; slowly, her heaving breasts began to rub against me more and more passionately; slowly, waves of sweet, warm air washed over me…

I don't know how much time passed, until we were both out of breath and finally separated. I looked into her eyes and stroked her face. She tilted her head and smiled, softly asking, "Where...are we?"

"Heaven, baby, heaven."

"I mean, um? But it seems we're still on the first floor of Heaven?" she said with a sweet laugh, and I couldn't help but laugh too. Right, I forgot to press the key. So I reached for the 29 key.

"Click—" Just before my finger touched the button, the elevator doors opened automatically!

A woman I'd never seen before was standing outside the elevator!

A chill ran through my body. "Ah—" Wei Wei screamed and burrowed into my arms. I held her tightly, glaring at the woman in front of me, two words flashing through my mind: "Chou Hong!"

"Oh? I'm sorry." The woman seemed embarrassed. She lowered her eyes, took two steps back, and looked at me expressionlessly. I frantically pressed the 29 key.

The elevator doors finally closed again and began to slowly rise. I breathed a sigh of relief. Only then did I notice that my shoulder was a little wet; Wei Weiwei was actually sobbing softly.

"Okay, okay, it's alright now." I gently patted her head. "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid..." Who the hell said people in love aren't afraid? Look at the woman in my arms, the woman who was just laughing at me is now crying from fear.

"Hmm..." Wei Weiwei hummed softly, no longer sobbing, but remaining silent. I was also silent, because I was afraid too, and I really didn't know what to say to comfort her, or myself.

“...4, 5, 6, 7...18, 19, 20, 21…”

The elevator ascended in our silence, and as I watched the numbers jump higher and higher, my heart seemed to race as well. I had a premonition that something was about to happen.

"Ding—" We've arrived at the 29th floor.

The door opened. I dared not move, for there were no lights outside. The usually brightly lit corridor was now shrouded in darkness, save for the faint moonlight casting a shadow on the floor. It was exactly as Qiu Hong had described! Could it be—

"Tap, tap, tap..." It's someone walking outside in leather shoes! Who? Who's outside?

"Tap, tap, tap..." The sound grew closer and closer, and Wei Weiwei, nestled in his arms, couldn't help but tremble.

"Da, da, da..."

Suddenly, a dark shadow appeared in the faint moonlight outside the elevator. It was a woman's shadow! My throat went dry. For some reason, the elevator doors wouldn't close! I frantically pressed the close button and the number 1 button, but it was all in vain, utterly useless.

"Tap, tap, tap..." The shadowy figure slowly expanded, getting closer and closer! She had already reached the doorway!

I bet she was right outside the door, just two steps away from being within my sight, but for some reason she stopped moving. I stared intently at her shadow on the ground by the door; she remained motionless.

My heart was pounding, and I was gasping for breath.

Finally, she began to move, but backward. "Tap, tap, tap..." The sound rang out again. The dark figure on the ground was gradually retreating.

"Tap, tap, tap..." She seemed to be backing away. Who walks like that! A chill rose from the soles of her feet.

"Tap, tap, tap..." The sound grew farther and farther away, finally disappearing at the end of the corridor.

Wei Weiwei was so scared she was practically paralyzed and couldn't walk. I almost dragged her into my room. As soon as we got in, I quickly locked the door, then threw the still trembling Wei Weiwei into the bed, jumped in myself fully clothed, closed my eyes, and held Wei Weiwei close, not thinking about anything, just constantly telling myself, "Sleep, sleep..." while keeping my ears perked up, listening to the sounds outside the door.

I don't know how much time passed, but there was still nothing unusual outside the door. My heart, which had been in my throat, slowly calmed down.

Only then did I realize that I was already drenched in sweat, my whole body soaked. Wei Weiwei wasn't much better off. A woman's fragrance wafted around my nose. I didn't know when she had stopped shivering, but she was lying quietly in my arms without making a sound.

“Weiwei?” I asked.

"kindness?"

"What are you thinking about?"

“I wasn’t thinking about anything,” he paused for a moment, “I was thinking about things from the past.”

"What's up?"

"Things from when I was at the provincial university."

"Provincial University?"

"Well, you know what? I've actually been your listener for many years. It started with the ghost stories from the provincial university."

"oh?"

"But it's not like it is now..."

"Then, what was it like back then?"

"It's alright. But once my roommate told me a story about a ghost on a basketball court. Did you make that up?"