Of course, these are not the things I want to talk about," Xie Yilin said. Then she changed the subject and said to me, "There are actually two things that make Mount Modu truly attractive. First, it is haunted on top. It is said that Gan Jiang Mo Ye's ghost has been lingering on the mountain without dispersing. Second, it is one of China's four major lightning areas. Thunder and lightning strike at the mountaintop all year round, creating a magnificent and bizarre scene. True locals of Mount Modu will be obsessed and intoxicated by this earth-shattering thunder and lightning."
"Haunted mountain and one of China's four major lightning areas?" Hearing Xie Yilin's words, I couldn't help but fall into deep thought.
What kind of strange place was this? Can ghosts coexist with thunderstorms? With thunderstorms present, wouldn't ghosts have nowhere to hide? But why does this mountain happen to be haunted? And it seems like there are even more powerful ghosts than just regular ones haunting it - what could be going on?
Could this mountain lead straight to the underworld gate of Jiuyou Guimen?
When I came out of Xie Yilin's dormitory, the first class was almost over. Fortunately, with Xie Yilin accompanying me this time, I didn't get scolded and finally arrived safely at my own seat. However, before my butt even warmed up on the seat, something new happened. Lu Tao came to find me.
Seeing Lu Tao reminded me of what I had promised him earlier, so I hurriedly went to ask for leave from the homeroom teacher. When the homeroom teacher saw me, he was ready to scold me right away. Luckily, Xie Yilin was sitting opposite him at his desk and she stepped in to help smooth things over for me. Finally, I managed to get permission for leave smoothly and left school with Lu Tao.
After leaving school, I asked Lu Tao to bring along his daughter Lü Longling and her household registration book as we headed towards the police station. Once there, I went straight to find He Wei.
He Wei had already taken over as director by now and was feeling quite pleased with himself. Naturally he agreed readily when I made my request; he immediately arranged for someone to take Lü Tao's family members through all necessary procedures related their household registration.
Back then it wasn't as strict getting a household registration done; if you had connections or were willing pay more money than usual you could easily get it done quickly enough.
With their new household registration book in hand,Lu Tao's family became residents of Guanshen Town.
Upon seeing this situation,I asked He Wei for further assistance: would he be able go talk directly with our school principal about accepting Lü Longling into our school? It would be best if she could join my class too.
He Wei snapped his fingers saying that this is just a small matter.He knew the principal very well since after all,this area belonged under his jurisdiction.There were many things in the school that needed his protection.
So at noon, a police car drove us directly into the campus and stopped outside the principal's office. The children in the school had an inexplicable fear of police cars, so they didn't come up to watch; they thought we were there to arrest the principal.
He Wei took us into the principal's office. After some small talk, he explained our purpose and the principal readily agreed. He immediately had someone help Lu Longling with her enrollment procedures and updated her student records.
After completing the procedures, He Wei asked if there was anything else I needed. I said no, and he nodded before saying that he had to go attend to other matters.
We hitched a ride in his police car to the street below. I noticed that Lu Longling's clothes looked shabby so I took her shopping for new clothes.
When she was with me, Lu Longling was very shy and kept her head down without looking at me directly. Her reaction made me laugh but I didn't know why she acted like that.
Although we bought new clothes for her, she refused to wear them until school started again.
I also helped buy a backpack and stationery for her before sending her back to the store where we met earlier. Before leaving, I reminded her of class registration at 2:30 pm sharp.
She nodded in agreement as I smiled then greeted Lu Tao before heading back to school myself.
Back at school, feeling tired from my morning activities; I rested my head on my desk only waking up when it was time for class preparation bell rang out loud enough throughout campus grounds signaling everyone it was time for classes soon.
The first afternoon class would be Chinese language taught by our homeroom teacher who arrived late this day causing confusion among students who were already seated waiting patiently wondering what could have happened since their usually punctual teacher wasn't present yet.
As they began discussing amongst themselves about their missing teacher's whereabouts suddenly coughing sounds echoed through the door followed by footsteps approaching closer until finally seeing their homeroom teacher walking towards them carrying books while wearing an unhappy expression on his face.
Seeing how quiet everyone became upon noticing him enter; he cleared his throat then spoke up "Alright, everyone pay attention. I want to introduce a new student to you all."
"New student?" Everyone was curious and turned their heads towards the classroom door.
"Come in," the homeroom teacher called out, then a petite figure carrying a brand-new backpack walked into the room.
It was a girl with her hair tied up in a ponytail, delicate features, sparkling eyes, rosy cheeks and slender neck. She wore a pink woolen coat on top of straight blue jeans that accentuated her long legs.
After the girl walked in, I was immediately stunned. Because I didn't expect this girl to be so outstanding. She just casually tidied up, but that graceful and delicate figure exuded a bewitching fragrance.
I was a bit dumbfounded, and at the same time, the class exploded.
Almost all of the boys' eyes immediately focused on Lv Longling's body, as if hungry wolves had seen fresh meat.
"This is our new classmate Lv Longling. Remember to help her with her studies." After the homeroom teacher finished speaking, he stepped aside and let Lv Longling introduce herself.
Lv Longling looked shy with her lips lightly bitten. She walked to the podium and scanned everyone's faces before settling her gaze on me.
I smiled at her and nodded my head.
Encouraged by me, she sweetly said: "Hello everyone, my name is Lv Longling. I used to live very far away from here but now I'm just like you guys - a local resident. Please take care of me."
Lv Longling spoke standard Mandarin Chinese. After hearing it, people in class couldn't help but discuss among themselves about what kind of person she might be and were curious about her identity.
After introducing herself, it was time for seat arrangements.
Coincidentally there happened to be an empty seat in class which was previously occupied by Wang Qinyuan; that seat has been vacant until now so naturally Lv Longling sat down there without any objections from anyone else in class.
When everyone saw this situation they couldn't help whispering: "Damn! What kind of feng shui does this seat have? Why do only beautiful girls sit here?"
"Hey hey! Do you think Wang Qinyuan looks better or does Lv Longling look better?" A few boys huddled together gossiping amongst themselves
"Well... both are good-looking in their own way but personally, I prefer Lv Longling."
"Why?" someone asked curiously.
"Don't you guys see it? She has a fairy-like aura around her. When she appeared, my eyes lit up and I felt like she was... how do I put it? Anyway, she gives off an ethereal feeling with the charm of a mountain beauty."
"Idiot! Let me explain. It's called 'a pear blossom presses the sea' - got it?"
"Yes, that's right! She is as beautiful as a pink and white pear blossom with dewdrops on its petals. This metaphor is so appropriate!