On a rare night off, the moonlight poured softly through the curtains, bathing Wen Zhujou as she curled up lazily on the sofa. She stared blankly at the flickering TV screen, having just endured a horror flick titled Awakening to Ghosts—a pathetic jumble of cheap jump scares and clichéd storylines. She rubbed her throbbing temples, switched off the TV, and sank deeper into the cushions. A thin sliver of moonlight sliced through the partially closed curtains, leaving a pale streak on the floor.Sleep was washing over her when—Bang!Her eyes snapped open, heart hammering, fingernails digging unconsciously into her palm. Muffled footsteps and drunken mumbling echoed from outside, culminating in the heavy slam of her neighbor's door. Silence returned, broken only by the sound of her own shallow breaths.She stared at the dancing shadows on the ceiling, annoyance creeping in. This was the third time this week that the drunkard next door had shattered her peace. She turned over, trying desperately to summon sleep, but the haunting image from the film—a ghastly pale face with hollow eyes and a grotesque grin—flashed uninvited into her mind.
Three seconds later, she abruptly threw back the covers and flicked on the bedside lamp.Warm yellow light chased away the darkness but did nothing for the chill crawling up her spine. She spent the rest of the night drifting between uneasy sleep and restless wakefulness, imagining icy fingers hovering inches from her throat. Only as dawn broke did exhaustion finally claim her.The shrill ringtone pierced the midday quiet. Wen Zhujou groggily reached out, fumbling to answer. Her friend Zhong Lili's voice crackled through the line amidst background noise: "I'll call you back later!"The call disconnected abruptly.Wen Zhujou glared at her phone, annoyed by the pointless interruption. Abandoning sleep entirely, she shuffled into the bathroom, where her reflection greeted her with pale skin, dark circles beneath tired eyes, and disheveled hair cascading over her shoulders.She had barely squeezed toothpaste onto her brush when her phone buzzed again. Zhong Lili's excited chatter filled her ears: "Miss Reporter, stay cooped up and you'll grow mushrooms! 'Overtime' bar tonight—I'm dragging you out.""To meet a ghost?" Wen Zhujou mumbled through foam, half-joking, "I've had enough practice after last night."Zhong snorted loudly, "No, a man! Alive and hot!""Free?""For looking only!" Zhong dissolved into laughter.Wen Zhujou sighed, washed her face, and briefly stared at her landlord's apathetic reply on WeChat. She hovered over the "not renewing lease" option, finally tapping send with quiet determination.The city lights of Nanwu awakened with the night. Wen Zhujou wrapped her camel-colored coat tightly around herself, weaving through the bustling nightlife street to reach "Overtime." Zhong Lili was already waiting outside, lips curled mischievously. "Rumor says the boss here is scandalously handsome."As they stepped inside, Wen Zhujou froze.Unlike its stern exterior, the bar swayed softly to mellow jazz. A bartender effortlessly twirled a silver shaker, and a smoky-voiced singer crooned seductively on stage. Settling into a secluded corner, Wen Zhujou ordered a gin and tonic, the clink of ice cubes accompanying Zhong's incessant gossip.
"Tang Yan! Remember the guy who had a crush on you in high school?"Before Wen Zhujou could reply, a sudden shout ripped through the air: "Brother Yan!"She looked up sharply.At the bar stood a tall figure dressed entirely in black, his casual jacket unzipped, revealing a loose white tee. Leaning effortlessly against the counter, his chiseled features illuminated sharply beneath the ambient lighting, a cigarette held loosely between slender fingers. His quiet laughter caused his Adam's apple to bob gently, creating an image both lazy and dangerously alluring.Zhong inhaled sharply, disbelief coloring her voice: "Wait, that's Tang Yan?"Memories crashed into Wen Zhujou with startling clarity. Six years ago, in the pouring rain, he had gripped her wrist tightly, eyes dark and unreadable. "What are you running from, Zhujou?" She'd wrenched herself free, disappearing into the storm without looking back.Now, facing him again, time seemed cruelly merciful—he stood perfectly poised on the edge of darkness and light, untouched by the years.Her fingers tightened involuntarily around her glass.Suddenly, chaos erupted nearby. A server stumbled, his tray spilling drinks directly onto her shoulder, soaking her sweater in cold, bitter liquid.
Standing abruptly, Wen Zhujou froze when her gaze collided with his.Tang Yan was watching her intently.His dark eyes simmered like the ocean before a storm. In one fluid motion, he shrugged off his jacket, draping it protectively around her, the cool fragrance of cedar instantly enveloping her. Wen Zhujou hastily pulled the jacket away, lifting her gaze to meet his piercing stare.Tang Yan crushed out his unlit cigarette, his voice dangerously soft:"We need to talk."