chapter 12

The dream faded away.

I opened my eyes to see the snow-white Ceiling of a hospital ward.

Xiaoran was peeling an apple beside me. Hearing movement, she helped me raise the bed. “You’re awake.”

I struggled to look around. “Where is this?”

“A Private Medical Institution-there are many follow-up matters to handle regarding this incident, so you were brought here in secret. Your family hasn’t been notified either.”

My throat moved as if I wanted to ask something, but in the end, nothing came out.

Xiaoran seemed to sense my thoughts. She lowered her head and sent a message on WeChat. A moment later, Ji Zhao came in.

Ji Zhao brought a thick Notebook. He opened it for me; inside were written records and some photos.

I recognized them at a glance. In the photos, there was a man and a woman-the woman was Meng Lier, and the man was the Vice Principal of our School.

“Meng Lier was the Vice Principal’s lover,” Ji Zhao said concisely. “She died in an accident six months ago.

“Normally, a ghost could reincarnate as usual, but Meng Lier and the Vice Principal didn’t want to be separated. Somehow, they learned about the sacrificial method of raising a corpse. So the Vice Principal hid Meng Lier’s ashes in your Dormitory’s storage room and arranged for three other innocent girls to move in. That was how the Coffin Room was formed.

“As the Tomb Owner, Meng Lier’s energy grew stronger and stronger over those hundred days. Eventually, the space of your Dormitory was completely covered by her Barrier, cut off from the outside world.

“You can think of your Dormitory as a coffin, and the entire floor as a burial chamber-in short, it’s all Meng Lier’s domain.

“Within this Barrier, both the living and the ghosts have their perception severely distorted, unconsciously ignoring all supernatural and strange occurrences.”

“That’s why…”

Ji Zhao didn’t finish.

But I understood.

That’s why, when Wu Lan died, neither Meng Lier nor any of us noticed.

Or rather, I actually did notice, but on one hand, I didn’t want to face it myself, and on the other, the Coffin Room severely affected my perception, so my brain automatically erased that memory.

“Wu Lan jumped to her death last month. The reason for her suicide was probably unrelated to the Tomb Owner; it was her own action, so the Tomb Owner didn’t notice that one of her Sacrifices had died ahead of time.

“Because the Coffin Room’s yin energy was strong enough, Wu Lan’s ghost was able to linger there. She should have realized she was already dead, but she didn’t tell anyone.

“It wasn’t until that night, when you told Wu Lan about the Tomb Owner on the Stairs, that she finally understood why she could continue living in the Dormitory as a ghost.”

I was silent for a long, long time.

Finally, using all my strength, I opened my mouth and asked, “Sister Lan, she…”

Ji Zhao and Xiaoran fell silent together.

A moment later, Ji Zhao said softly, “Soul Dispersed.”

All my strength seemed to drain away in an instant.

“Meng Lier used up all her power to launch a final attack at you. It was Wu Lan who shielded you.

“The Tomb Owner’s energy is far stronger than that of an ordinary ghost. Wu Lan’s Soul was shattered instantly.”

…

The ward was very quiet.

After a long time, the sound of suppressed sobbing broke the silence.

I covered my face, hiding my tears deep in my palms.

Xiaoran patted my shoulder and spoke softly.

“This was the ending Wu Lan chose for herself. Even if she hadn’t shielded you, she wouldn’t have been able to remain any longer.

“Coffin Opens, Living Souls Exit, Dead Souls Enter. If she wanted to continue existing as a ghost, she should have helped Meng Lier guard the Coffin Room.

“But she didn’t. She betrayed the position of the Deceased and chose to help you. From that moment, she had already chosen her own ending.

“Ruanruan, she definitely hopes that you will continue to live well.”