Chapter Fifty-Three: Midnight Canteen
Everyone carries a dusty memory buried deep in their hearts—a memory that shies away from the light, mostly filled with despair and pain. But because it’s so profound, it often refuses to be forgotten. Eventually, it rears its head again, whether you like it or not.
After glimpsing the school gates and the basic layout of the interior, the young girl felt her most fragile, least wanted memories bubbling back up to the surface.
She knew this place all too well—a lifetime’s worth of memories affixed to it.
Every blade of grass, every tree, from the school’s grand entrance to the slightly charred dormitory walls, everything felt familiar, precisely as it did in her recollections.
It wasn’t that she wanted to remember this place; she simply couldn’t forget. If given a choice, she’d wish she could erase every single thing about this school and the orphanage.
But why was she back here?
Wasn’t this supposed to be a task world? A vibrant, gal-pal comic book campus filled with dreams and magic?
And her world? It was crawling with jerks—old jerks leading a pack of young jerks to bully another j*rk, all for the sake of that j*rk’s kid.
She kept telling herself that the school in front of her was a fake, nothing more than a coincidence—same layout, different story.
But try as she might, that thought was as convincing as a fruit-fly wearing a cape.
“I’m back—how on earth am I back here…?”
At that moment, the girl even forgot about Lu Liangting beside her. Stiffly, she made her way to the gates, clutching the black iron lock hanging from them. In that instant, her only shred of hope was ruthlessly shattered.
Surely, coincidences couldn’t stretch so far as to echo the bloodstains on the lock?
Clink.
The black iron lock suddenly clicked open and dropped to the ground, the rusty iron gate creaked ominously as it swung open, even though there was no breeze to be found.
The girl gazed into the pitch-dark, silent campus, her eyes glazing over a bit.
Ignoring Lu Liangting’s shouts from behind, she stepped inside, off on her own little adventure.
Back there, Lu Liangting had been all for separating from her, but now, seeing her act like a moth drawn to the flame, he rushed forward, intent on following. Yet, as he reached the entrance, the massive gates slammed shut with what felt like the force of a hundred no-thank-yous.
That lock was still lying on the ground, but despite Lu Liangting pushing with all his might, those gates refused to budge.
His face darkened.
The girl—her name was Shen Shuyun—wasn’t someone he truly disliked. Sure, she had a knack for doing bizarre things without a thought to others’ feelings, and she had a slightly violent streak, but aside from that, she was decent enough.
If only she’d stop painting love hearts with red paint on his desk and dropping butcher knives while she was at it.
Then there was the fact that after he tried explaining the situation and bluntly declined her company, she didn’t leave. Instead, she glued herself to him, spouting nonsense about someone wanting to k*ll him and how he’d be safe with her around.
Eventually, after he’d said “I’m doing this task alone,” he’d had to relent and let her tag along. Who knew there’d be trouble as soon as they reached the task location?
After what happened to Xia Han, Lu Liangting had learned not to stray too far from his companions.
Quickly vaulting the gate into the school, Lu Liangting sped after Shen Shuyun, but after only a couple of steps—boom—she was gone!
Not a trace left where she had been. In ten seconds flat, she shouldn’t have made it that far!
He shone his flashlight around and spotted a figure near the canteen. Without thinking twice, he hurried closer.
He knew the deal: it wasn’t a place for loud shenanigans, and running was definitely off the table.
“Ugh, guess I’d better go check it out.”
As he passed by the dorms, Lu Liangting quickly glanced inside—ah-ha! Zhao Mingyue had arrived here before him!
“It’s already midnight; I hope nothing goes wrong.”
He rubbed his temples—never again would he take a sidekick on a task. Why? Because it was already dangerous going solo, and things could easily go south with a buddy tagging along.
These places were rife with peril; the ghosts lurking within didn’t pull punches—they’d turn you into a snack without batting an eye.
Not every task spot was like the Sunshine Apartments, where friendly ghosts lent a helping hand.
Lu Liangting cautiously advanced, keeping a keen ear out.
Unlike Zhao Mingyue, Lu Liangting quickly realized something was off once he entered the campus; it was dead silent—not a single critter chirping or chittering.
He knew better than to make any noise here—or it’d summon the BOSS—the evil ghost that had turned this school into a horror show.
Then he noticed something curious: aside from the faint, charred smell mixed with mustiness, there was a sudden, pungent odor wafting through the air.
But Lu Liangting didn’t dwell on it. He pushed through the overgrown grass, following a path to the canteen.
Five minutes later, or maybe it felt like half an hour—who’s counting?—his unease escalated. The foul odor grew stronger, rudely overpowering the traces of charred walls and moldy lessons, making him wonder if that rancid stench was creeping up behind him, too.
His feet quickened inexplicably until—whoosh!—that putrid aroma abruptly vanished, replaced by a deliciously meaty scent.
Yes, meaty! Lu Liangting could confirm his nose was in tip-top shape.
But what could possibly smell that good at twelve midnight?!
In a daze, he lifted his head and spotted a two-story building entwined by weeds, with a black door showcasing two bl**d-red characters.
“Canteen.”
The meat aroma wafted out from that very canteen.
An abandoned school, and here’s the canteen serving up a banquet at the witching hour? It sent shivers down Lu Liangting’s spine.
“Let’s check it out; I hope Shen Shuyun’s in there.”
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“Someone’s here!”
At the same moment Lu Liangting approached the canteen, Zhao Mingyue, back in Room 404, was on high alert.
Though she didn’t see Lu Liangting himself, she could see his flashlight beam—there’s no way a ghost could mimic that!
“Sister Yu, someone’s come in! Can you identify who it is?”
“Too far away to tell. But whoever it is, be cautious.”
“Uh-huh, wait… Sister Yu, do you think the visitor could be Lu Liangting?”
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Stay tuned for the next chapter!
