Morning sunlight streamed through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the small room. Wang Yifan groaned and rolled over, his body still heavy with exhaustion. Slowly, he opened his eyes, and his gaze fell on the chair beside the bed.
There it was—the ancient key wrapped in a crimson ribbon. Its metallic surface shimmered faintly, almost as if it was alive.
"So, it wasn't a dream," Yifan muttered, sitting up and rubbing his temples. He reached out to grab the key. The cold, almost icy sensation against his fingers sent a shiver up his spine.
Just as he was trying to gather his thoughts, a sharp knock sounded at the door.
"Yifan, are you awake? Someone's here to see you!" the landlady's voice called from outside, carrying a hint of curiosity and concern.
"Someone's looking for me?" Yifan frowned, quickly throwing on a jacket before heading downstairs.
As he reached the landing, his steps froze. Standing in the doorway was a woman in a red dress, her silhouette bathed in the morning light. Her long, flowing hair framed a strikingly calm face, and when she noticed him, a faint, knowing smile curled her lips.
It was her.
"You!" Yifan blurted, his voice betraying a mix of shock and frustration.
The woman raised a hand in greeting, her tone playful yet serene. "Good morning, Wang Yifan."
The landlady, standing nearby with a puzzled expression, looked between the two of them. "Yifan, do you know this young lady? She says she's a friend of yours."
"Friend?" Yifan's throat tightened as his mind scrambled for an explanation. "Uh… yes, she's… a friend. Thank you, Auntie, I'll handle it from here."
The landlady's eyebrows lifted slightly, but she didn't press further. "Alright, but don't forget to lock up if you go out."
As soon as the landlady disappeared around the corner, Yifan turned back to the red-dressed woman, his voice lowered to a harsh whisper. "What are you doing here? How did you even find me?"
The woman stepped into the small living room uninvited, her calm demeanor unshaken by his hostility.
"Why shouldn't I come?" she asked lightly, her gaze sweeping over the modest furnishings.
"You… you can't just show up like this!" Yifan stammered, shutting the door behind her. "Last night was already insane enough. I don't want any more trouble!"
The woman turned to face him, her expression cool but firm. "Trouble is already knocking on your door, Yifan. You hold the key to the boundary between worlds. Did you think you could walk away unscathed?"
Her words landed like a weight on his chest. He stared at the ancient key in his hand, its crimson ribbon now seeming more like a curse than a decoration.
"Why me?" he asked, his voice cracking with frustration. "Why did this thing choose me? I didn't ask for any of this!"
The woman's expression softened slightly, though her tone remained steady. "The key doesn't choose lightly. You were selected because you are… connected to the boundary. Whether you like it or not, you're part of this now."
Yifan sank onto the couch, burying his face in his hands. "This is insane. I'm just an ordinary guy. How am I supposed to deal with something like this?"
"By learning," she replied simply, stepping closer to him. "You're not as ordinary as you think, Wang Yifan. But if you refuse to accept your role, the consequences will find you sooner than you expect."
"Consequences?" he asked, lifting his head.
The woman nodded gravely. "The key doesn't just connect the world of the living and the dead. It also attracts those who seek its power. If you don't learn to protect yourself, you'll be an easy target—for both spirits and humans."
Yifan shuddered at the thought. The memory of the ghostly shadow from last night was still fresh in his mind.
"Can't I just… give it to someone else? Let them deal with it?" he asked hesitantly.
The woman shook her head, her gaze piercing. "The key chose you. It belongs to you. The only way it could leave you…" She paused for a moment before adding, "is if you die."
A chill ran through Yifan's spine. For a long moment, neither of them spoke. The only sound was the faint creak of the wooden floor beneath them.
"Fine," Yifan finally said, his voice laced with reluctant resolve. "If I have no other choice, then tell me what I'm supposed to do."
The woman's expression softened, and she extended her hand. "Good. My name is Li Yin. I'll guide you through this."
"Li Yin…" Yifan repeated under his breath. The name felt oddly fitting for her, though it carried a mysterious weight he couldn't quite place.
Li Yin gestured to the key in his hand. "The first step is to connect with it. The key isn't just a tool; it's alive in its own way. You need to feel its presence, its energy."
"How do I do that?" Yifan asked skeptically.
"Close your eyes. Focus," she instructed, her voice calm and firm.
With a sigh, Yifan did as he was told. He tightened his grip on the key and tried to block out the distractions around him. At first, he felt nothing but the cold metal against his palm. But slowly, a faint warmth began to spread from the key, pulsing gently like a heartbeat.
"It's… responding," Yifan murmured, his brows furrowing in concentration.
"Good," Li Yin said, her tone carrying a hint of approval. "This is the beginning. The key recognizes you, but you must prove yourself worthy of wielding its power."
Yifan opened his eyes, staring at the object in his hand with a newfound sense of awe—and dread.
"What comes next?" he asked cautiously.
Li Yin's expression grew serious. "Next, you learn how to unlock its true potential. But be warned: once you start down this path, there's no turning back."
Before Yifan could respond, a sudden chill swept through the room. The air grew heavy, and the faint scent of decay wafted in.
Li Yin's eyes narrowed, her body tensing. "It's here," she muttered.
"What's here?" Yifan asked, his heart racing.
"Something that wants the key," Li Yin replied, stepping in front of him protectively.
The shadows in the room seemed to deepen, and a low, guttural growl echoed from somewhere unseen. Yifan gripped the key tightly, realizing with a sinking feeling that his ordinary life was already slipping further and further away.
(To Be Continued)