Chapter 170: Would You Kill Him? |
A prickle of icy dread crawled up Yu Xiao’s spine, turning her scalp numb. Her first panicked thought: a ghost. But no, this voice was unfamiliar. The resident spooks at the Sixth Hospital knew better than to swipe a singing ghost’s phone just to prank her. Probably.
So, a person then. Maybe a senior ghost from the hallowed halls of the First Hospital?
“Um, greetings,” Yu Xiao ventured, injecting her voice with extra doses of respect. “I’m a patient over at the Sixth. I got the food delivery ghost to, uh, ask for your number.”
The voice on the other end practically oozed curiosity. “You say Sixth Hospital? How long has that one been around?”
“Not even a year.”
“These new hospitals, aren’t they so eager?” the voice chuckled. “Barely a year old and already have ghosts fetching phone numbers.”
“Just lucky, I guess,” Yu Xiao mumbled, hoping the patient would get to the point. After all, if you’re chilling in your ward and suddenly a ghost delivery girl pops up asking for your number on behalf of some junior patient, wouldn’t you be just a tad curious why?
Yu Xiao waited for the inevitable. “Why do you need my number?” or perhaps a more senior-appropriate, “What is the purpose of this request, young one?”
Yu Xiao answered each question with forced patience until she could no longer hold back. “Shouldn’t you be at least a little bit curious about why I wanted your number?” she blurted, the words tumbling out in a rush.
There was a moment of silence. Then, a startlingly honest response, “Not really.”
Yu Xiao choked back a sputter of indignation.
“But,” the senior continued, “if you’re burning to tell me, go right ahead.”
Emotions battled inside Yu Xiao – frustration, annoyance, but most of all, a stubborn sliver of hope. She took a deep breath. “I…I wanted to ask you about someone. A patient from the First Hospital, discharged many years ago. Do you…do you happen to remember them?”
There was a pause, then, “Trying to inquire about a former patient, are we?” The senior patient’s tone hinted at familiarity, sending a jolt of excitement through Yu Xiao.
“Yes! I need to know about them.”
“Oh?”
“Could you…answer some questions? I can offer something in return, of course.”
A low chuckle purred through the phone. “And what,” the voice inquired, “might you offer me in return?”
Yu Xiao pressed on, a shiver tracing its way up her spine. “Talismans? Function cards? Props? Anything you need. I can even weave you dreams of perfect peace.”
**
Across the horror hospital, the patient twisted her face into a grotesque mockery of a smile, drawing the phone closer. Yu Xiao could hear the woman’s derisive scoff. “Oh, that? Don’t need it. Sleeping like a baby these days.”
A beat of silence stretched, then, “Besides, I don’t know who you’re talking about. Anything else?”
The line went dead.
The patient handed the phone back to the ghost, her smile widening as the ghost stared, speechless. The woman’s voice, thick with a strange blend of resignation and grim acceptance, echoed from the hallway.
“I had just sealed the door… and now it is open.” A heavy sigh followed. “Give me some food.”
“What would Madam like?” the ghost chirped, already rifling through the trolley’s contents. “Boiled fish, perhaps?”
The woman’s gaze snagged on the bottom shelf. “Is that… a human hand?”
“Tiger-skin human hand!” the ghost corrected, beaming. “Very flavorful!”
- (Parody of dish 虎皮尖椒 (Tiger Skin Green Peppers) is a popular Sichuan dish where green peppers are fried until their skin blisters, resembling tiger stripes, then seasoned and stir-fried. The name comes from the distinctive blistered appearance of the pepper’s skin, which resembles a tiger’s fur pattern.)
“I’ll have a portion,” the woman’s voice came, flat and devoid of emotion.
**
Yu Xiao hung up, the woman’s words clinging to her like cobwebs. Every other patient in the First and Second Wards was tormented by nightmares. Yet this woman, this senior… she slept soundly. The thought sent a fresh wave of ice through her.
Three deep breaths later, she pushed the encounter aside, focusing on the task at hand. The next instance awaited.
“Team card tomorrow?” Zhao Lan asked, already laying out their gear.
“Definitely,” Yu Xiao confirmed.
“Who’s in?”
“Flying to Someone Else’s Bed, Luo Jin, Lu Xu…” Yu Xiao ticked them off on her fingers. “And I’ll check with Sister Qing Lang and Brother Dong.”
Ever since Yu Qing Lang and Wang Dong Dong had embraced the bliss of undisturbed sleep, their moods had soared. They readily agreed to the instance delve.
Zhao Lan, ever observant, noticed the lingering pallor on Yu Xiao’s face. “Did something happen?”
Yu Xiao recounted the phone call, the woman’s words hanging heavy in the air. Zhou Xiao Zhen shuddered.
Zhao Lan’s brow furrowed.
“Has she…” she began, her voice hushed, “completely given up?”
“So IT had already eaten someone then?” Zhou Xiao Zhen squeaked, her eyes wide.
Yu Xiao hesitated, not wanting to entertain the horrifying thought. “Not necessarily. She seems lucid, her thoughts are clear…”
“Plenty of ghosts are perfectly coherent,” Zhao Lan deadpanned.
Yu Xiao was silenced. Still, she clung to the hope that their senior wasn’t a ghost yet – the signing ghosts could tell the living from the dead, after all.
The next morning, at the ungodly hour of half-past seven, the trio awoke.
They dressed and forced down the last of the previous day’s rice, pretending it was breakfast. Yu Xiao stuffed Nightmare, now thankfully in feline form, into her backpack. As the clock struck eight, a piercing tone echoed, followed by a wave of dizziness. When they opened their eyes, the world had shifted.
A dilapidated hospital loomed before them, shrouded in shadow. The air was thick with the smell of disinfectant and decay. Peeling paint revealed layers of yellowed plaster beneath, and the grime on the floor tiles seemed to have a life of its own.
Yu Xiao’s eyes fell on a sign: “Cardiology”
- (心内科 (xīn nèi kē); heart internal department; “Cardiology” – In Chinese hospitals, departments are often named directly after the organs or functions they treat, reflecting a straightforward approach to medical terminology.)
She turned to check on the others, just in time to see Yu Qing Lang, a vision of bed-head and wrinkled pyjamas, stumble into view. “Ugh, slept like a log, forgot to set an alarm,” she mumbled, scratching at her tangled hair. “Just rolled out of bed and came straight here.”
Wang Dong Dong sighed in relief. “Thank goodness I set an alarm last night. Imagine rocking up to this in my birthday suit.”
Luo Jin and Lu Xu stood nearby, observing the scene. Lu Xu, a sly grin playing on his lips, raised an eyebrow. “Aren’t you going to introduce your friends?”
Yu Xiao spun around, her heart skipping a beat. There was another figure with them, someone she didn’t recognise.
Zhou Xiao Zhen, equally bewildered, blurted out, “Who are you?”
The stranger was undeniably handsome. His dark hair, slightly longer than fashionable, was pulled back in a short ponytail, a single strand escaping to curl against his cheek. He had the kind of face that could launch a thousand ships – sharp jawline, piercing eyes, flawless complexion.
As the trio gaped at him, Yu Qing Lang burst into laughter.
Wang Dong Dong chuckled. “Don’t you recognise ‘Flying to Someone Else’s Bed’ without his beard? Looking sharp, mate!”
“…”
‘Flying to Someone Else’s Bed’ rubbed his smooth chin, a smug grin spreading across his face. “What do you think? Handsome, right?”
“Totally!” Zhou Xiao Zhen gushed, her earlier shock forgotten. “You look like that celebrity I had a crush on in primary school.”
The smug grin on ‘Flying to Someone Else’s Bed’s face vanished.
Yu Xiao jumped in to smooth things over. “These are my friends too. The quiet one is Luo Jin, top dog at Fourth Hospital. And the chatterbox is Lu Xu.”
She then gestured to the trio from Second Hospital. “These three are our esteemed seniors.”
“Oh!” Lu Xu sprang forward, seizing Wang Dong Dong’s hand. “I’ve heard so much about you! Can I have your number?”
Wang Dong Dong shot Yu Xiao with a puzzled look. She kept her cool. “This is Wang Dong Dong, but you can call him Brother Dong.”
“Hello, Brother Dong!” Lu Xu enthused, giving his hand another vigorous shake.
“This is Yu Qing Lang. You can call her Sister Qing Lang,” Yu Xiao continued.
“Sister Qing Lang,” Lu Xu said without missing a beat, extending his hand. “I’ve heard so much about you too!”
Yu Qing Lang snorted. “Why ‘sister’? Given my age, ‘auntie’ would be more appropriate.”
Unfazed, Lu Xu chuckled. “Someone as youthful and radiant as you? Never! Sister it is.”
“And this is ‘Flying to Someone Else’s Bed’,” Yu Xiao said, indicating the clean-shaven man. “You can call him Bed Brother.”
“Bed Brother!” Lu Xu exclaimed. “I’ve heard so much about you as well!”
“Tsk,” ‘Flying to Someone Else’s Bed’ interjected, an eyebrow raised. “Do you say that to everyone?”
“Only the special ones,” Lu Xu replied with a wink. “You’re a legend, you know, top dog at Second Hospital. A real big shot.”
‘Flying to Someone Else’s Bed’ preened under the praise. “This kid’s alright. I like him.”
The sound of approaching footsteps cut their introductions short. They turned to see a tall, slender woman striding towards them. Her short hair framed a face of exquisite beauty, but as cold and emotionless as a porcelain doll in a shop window.
“I am Doctor Qing Niao (青鸟: Blue/Green Bird),” she said, her voice as icy as her expression. She glided past the group, stopping at the entrance to the Cardiology Department. “Welcome.”
- 青 (Qīng): Means “green” or “blue.”
- 鸟 (Niǎo): Means “bird.”
- Together, “青鸟” could be interpreted as “green/blue bird.”
- 青鸟 (Qīngniǎo) refers to a blue or green bird that appears in Chinese mythology, popular stories, poetry, and religion.
- In mythology, the 青鸟 is associated with serving the Queen Mother of the West (Xi Wangmu). It is regarded as a messenger, carrying messages or fetching food for her. Some sources depict three-legged 青鸟, which may have similarities with the Three-footed birds believed to reside in the sun.
- Over time, the 青鸟 evolved into a symbol associated with good fortune, happiness, and auspicious tidings. It represents the act of bestowing blessings and positive things upon others.
With a flick of her wrist, she pushed the door open, revealing a dimly lit corridor beyond. “Everyone’s heart harbours its own ailment,” she announced, her gaze sweeping over them. “Cardiology offers answers, and healing for the soul. So, who will be first to receive treatment?”
Yu Xiao frowned. “Can’t we go in together?”
Doctor Qing Niao’s expression remained as cold as ever. “Only one person may be treated at a time.”
The group exchanged nervous glances. Yu Xiao was about to volunteer when ‘Flying to Someone Else’s Bed’ drawled, “Ah, heart troubles, an old man’s burden. As the most senior here, I’ll be the guinea pig.”
He ambled towards the Cardiology Department door. “Just through here, then?”
Qing Niao inclined her head. “Yes.”
He swaggered through the door, and Qing Niao closed it behind him with a soft click.
The others stared at the door, holding their breath, straining to hear any sound from within.
But before a minute had passed, Qing Niao opened the door again. The room beyond was empty.
“Next?” she asked, her voice as emotionless as ever.
“That quickly?” Zhou Xiao Zhen squeaked. “What’s the point of going in one by one?”
“I’ll go next,” Yu Xiao said, stepping forward.
“Don’t rush out once you’re inside,” Zhao Lan advised, her tone low.
Yu Xiao nodded, understanding the unspoken suggestion. She should wait inside the door until the others followed, then they could leave together.
She passed through the doorway, finding herself in a narrow corridor. A sign above read “Emergency Exit.” The door clicked shut behind her. She stood still, waiting.
A moment later, the door opened again. Zhao Lan and the others peered in, but the corridor was empty.
“What?” Zhou Xiao Zhen frowned. “Wasn’t she just…?”
Zhao Lan’s eyes narrowed. “It’s the same door, but a different place each time. Even if you stay put, the next person won’t find you.”
Realisation dawned on the group. Yu Qing Lang sighed. “Right, well, off I go then.”
As she disappeared through the doorway, she threw a warning over her shoulder. “Don’t get cocky, kids.”
**
Yu Xiao lingered by the entrance, waiting for someone – anyone – to appear beside her. However, the corridor remained stubbornly empty. With a sigh, she gave up and headed away from “Emergency Exit” sign.
“Any ghosts around, Nightmare?”
“Yep.”
“And where might they be?”
“Everywhere!”
A shiver ran down Yu Xiao’s spine. So much for a quick exit.
**
Zhou Xiao Zhen hated this part. Being forced to go it alone in these games always brought a wave of nausea. It wasn’t just fear, though that was a big part of it. It was the gnawing worry for Smiley and Misty.
She took a deep breath, reminding herself that those two could handle anything. They were practically superheroes in scrubs!
Slightly reassured, she pulled out her phone and tried calling Yu Xiao. No surprise there – the call went straight to voicemail.
“Stupid hospital,” she muttered, shoving the phone back in her pocket.
The corridor ended in a junction, pathways branching out like a spiderweb. No helpful signs, of course. Just a single placard, with a question scrawled across it.
【Between you and Yu Xiao, only one of you can be discharged. Who will it be?】
“Oh, for crying out loud, not this again!” Zhou Xiao Zhen groaned. They’d seen this jealousy tactic before, but did they really think it would work? Please.
“Smiley gets discharged!” she shouted. “Obviously!”
The words on the placard shimmered, then rearranged themselves.
【Correct answer. You may ask one question, and it shall be answered truthfully.】
Zhou Xiao Zhen laughed. *Like I need to ask! Which way do I go to get out of this death trap?*
“Alright, genius, don’t get ahead of yourself,” she muttered, impressed by her ability to see through such a blatant deception. “Tell me, oh wise and mysterious sign, which way is the actual exit?”
No sooner had she spoken than the sign at the end of the left corridor illuminated, casting a comforting green light on the emergency exit.
“Well, that was easy,” she said with a shrug, skipping towards the light.
**
Zhao Lan stared at the sign, a chill crawling up her spine.
【If time could turn back, back to your brother’s infancy, would you kill him?】
Her mind went blank. This wasn’t some throwaway question, this was… personal. Dangerous. Zhao Lan forced herself to think strategically. There was always a “right” answer in these scenarios, but what was it? In the real world, the answer was obvious, morally sound. But this hospital? This hospital thrived on darkness.
She pressed her fingers to her temples, trying to massage away the sudden headache. What did it want to hear?
And then it hit her. Maybe there wasn’t a fixed answer. Maybe the answer lay within.
Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes, reflecting on the past.
If she could turn back time to when her brother was a fragile newborn, back when her mother’s love had vanished, leaving Zhao Lan to fend for herself, even for breakfast… Back then, it was just her and her baby brother, and she craved her parents’ undivided attention. It would have been so effortless. A blanket, a moment of silence, and as a child, she wouldn’t have had to bear any responsibility. It would have been an accident.
The image flashed before her eyes – her brother, small and helpless crawling on the floor. A simple action, and everything would be different. She would be the sole recipient of her parents’ attention from that moment forward.