Chapter 4: Midnight Terror
979 Words
I was distracted all day, already planning to visit the research institute again that night.
I told Long Dan about my plan, driven by a strong obsessive-compulsive disorder. I kept thinking something might happen to me. If something did go wrong, and no one knew where I was, I might not be found for a long time, which would be a terrible way to die.
Perhaps it was because I had read too many novels and watched too many TV shows, I always thought that if something happened to me, I might discover something important. If no one was there, my discovery would be lost, which would be a great loss!
Long Dan was equally curious. Given that everyone at the research institute was trying to keep us in the dark, there had to be a special reason. Maybe there was some prior incident, making our investigation even more worthwhile!
However, she didn't believe my claim that the female corpse had smiled at me, dismissing it as my imagination. I didn't argue further.
Like me, Long Dan loved the thrill of discovery. Otherwise, she wouldn't have spent two years in the field with me.
She got the keys to the research institute from Long Hui and said everything was ready, just waiting for nightfall.
Surprisingly, Long Hui had the courage to take such a risk. I never pegged her for anything but a diligent researcher.
Yet she wasn’t afraid of responsibility. Not only did she take pictures of the inscriptions, but she also gave Long Dan the keys. The research institute’s keys weren’t just handed out to anyone!
Thinking about Long Hui's enthusiasm and knowing it was for my sake, I quickly dismissed any doubts.
I donned the outfit my father left me, and Long Dan dressed in casual clothes, grabbing her small bag as we headed out. This was our habit from fieldwork.
We hurried to the site, moving quickly through the darkened hallways. In the dim light, I twisted my ankle, cursing in frustration.
“Why are you always such a hassle!” Long Dan grumbled as she found the room and unlocked the door. She checked to ensure no one was around before we slipped inside. I locked the door behind us.
As I did, I thought I saw a shadow at the end of the hallway near the stairs. Dismissing it as a trick of the light, I whispered to Long Dan, “I think someone’s here!”
“Nonsense! Even if there is, what are you afraid of? You’re here to investigate the Shen Zhui relics. What could be suspicious about that? And it’s not like we’re breaking in!”
Long Dan’s voice sounded strangely distant, almost ethereal.
A flicker of doubt crossed my mind, but Long Dan had already switched on her flashlight and pulled back the white cloth, urging me, “Hurry, make the most of our time!”
Trembling, I approached the female corpse, hesitating to look.
Long Dan dragged me closer, “Examine it thoroughly!”
Reluctantly, I turned my head towards the corpse, and we both gasped. The corpse's once-closed eyes were now open, staring directly at us with a sinister smile!
Gripping my hand, Long Dan screamed, “Ah!”
Before I could react, the corpse’s smile grew wider. Panic overwhelmed me as everything went black, and I lost consciousness.
It’s a cliché, but we truly blacked out!
I don’t know how long I was out. When I woke, I found myself in a room straight out of an old wuxia TV drama, reminiscent of a 1930s inn.
Rubbing my eyes, I looked around and realized I was lying on a bed. I felt someone else beside me, and my heart raced, “Oh no! Have I been violated?”
I felt faint. Despite being twenty-nine, I was still a virgin. In the 21st century, this was embarrassing, making me feel inferior, but it was true.
I closed my eyes, not wanting to see who was next to me. I clutched my chest, internally lamenting, “It’s over! Wu Lan, you’re finished!”
Fumbling off the bed, I twisted my ankle again, falling flat. Opening my eyes, I glanced at the bed. The person next to me sat up—what a handsome man!
I couldn’t help but stare. He was stunning! His features seemed familiar.
He opened his eyes, looked around, and upon seeing me, started screaming, “Ah! Ah! Ah!” clutching his chest as if he were the one violated!
Furious, I thought, “Am I so hideous? He violated me and now acts like an innocent victim! How infuriating!”
I stood up, brushing off the dust, “What are you screaming about? If you keep yelling, I’ll slap you. Believe it or not!”
He stopped instantly, staring at me with wide eyes. I glared back, thinking, “Such beauty is rare. Why waste the chance to admire him?”
Suddenly, he stammered, “Wu Lan, are you Wu Lan?”
His voice was familiar. I thought, “I don’t have such a handsome boyfriend, and who would set up such a romantic, classical date for me, knowing my love for wuxia novels?”
But something was off. He seemed unsure of my identity. Did he realize he had the wrong person?
I nodded, feeling wronged, “Yes, I’m Wu Lan. Are you here to apologize?”
He glanced at himself, his face pale. Then, he reached under the covers, groping for something, and collapsed back on the bed, shouting, “Wu Lan! Wu Lan! Damn Wu Lan! Look at yourself, you’ve turned into a man!”
Stunned, I recognized the voice. It was Long Dan! No wonder he looked familiar.
I looked down at myself. My chest was flat! I reached down and felt… Oh no!
I had turned into a man!
- Writer
