Chapter 4

Chapter 4

A foul, metallic stench permeated the air.

Beneath the peeling concrete of the “tunnel,” meaty textures were exposed, their surfaces constantly oozing a milky-white mucus.

It was like… the inside of some creature’s stomach!

I didn’t have time to think. I turned and ran for my life.

But in the next instant, a tide of mucus engulfed me. A sense of suffocation washed over me, and I lost consciousness.

…

When I opened my eyes again, I was surrounded by a vast primeval forest.

The sound of happy voices and laughter drifted from nearby.

It was a small village.

I stood up and walked toward it. At the entrance of the village, I saw a large, moss-covered stone. I reached out and brushed the surface with my hand.

Faintly visible were three words carved into it:

[Duoji Village]

“I’m already here?”

I stood there dazed. Wasn’t I just inside the “tunnel” a moment ago?

“Teacher Song is back!”

A silvery laugh suddenly rang out. A little girl with a ponytail ran over and hugged my leg.

Soon, a crowd of children came running out.

One innocent, youthful face after another surrounded me, shouting in unison:

“Teacher Song is back!”

“Teacher Song is back!”

“Teacher Song is back!”

“…”

The echoing laughter made me feel a bit dizzy. I shook my head and said, “I’m not your Teacher Song.”

Gradually, the adults began to gather as well.

A white-haired old man rushed over. “Is that Teacher Song?”

“You have the wrong person.” I took off my hat, revealing my short hair. “I’m Song Yao’s brother. My name is Song Xiao.”

“Then when exactly will Teacher Song be back?”

The old man’s Adam’s apple bobbed. “She’s been gone for nearly a week. The children in the village have been clamoring for their teacher.”

“I came here specifically to find my sister.”

My expression turned grim. “She’s gone missing. I can’t find her anywhere.”

“Teacher Song will come back,” the old man said suddenly, his voice filled with certainty. “We all believe Teacher Song will return.”

“That’s right! Teacher Song will return!”

The adults and children spoke in one voice.

I asked doubtfully, “Did she say that herself?”

“Teacher Song leaves often, but every time, after a while, she returns to the village,” the old man said solemnly. “There has never been an exception!”

“It happens often?” I asked.

The old man nodded.

I pondered for a moment before asking, “How long was she gone last time?”

“Over a month, I think.” The old man frowned. “I can’t remember exactly. Regardless, it was nearly two months.”

“Fifty-five days! Teacher Song was gone for fifty-five days last time!”

A red-faced boy raised his hand high.

My brow furrowed. “Did she say what she was going to do?”

The old man shook his head and remained silent.

A brief silence fell between us.

Then, the old man spoke first. “Since you’re Teacher Song’s brother, you must be a college student too. Why don’t you stay in the village for now and wait for her to return?”

“During these days, I hope you can help teach the children. As the Village Chief, I thank you on behalf of all the villagers.”

The children looked up at me, their eyes full of anticipation.

I nodded and agreed.

Firstly, my heart softened at the sight of the children’s innocent smiles. Secondly, I wanted to play it by ear; my mysterious arrival here was inherently bizarre.

Sure enough, I hadn’t been in the village for even half a day before I sensed something was wrong.

There were too many strange things about this village.

For instance, the Big Black Dog at the Village Chief’s house.