The next day at noon, Lin Mo had just left the cafeteria when a figure blocked his path.
Lin Xian’er.
She leaned against the corridor wall, spinning her phone in her hand, tilting her head to look at him. Today she wore a JK school uniform, looking crisp and carefree.
“Lin Mo, do you have a moment?”
Lin Mo was startled.
“What is it?”
“Come with me to the rooftop.”
With that, she turned and walked away, leaving him no chance to refuse.
Lin Mo stood there, hesitated for a moment. He followed.
He didn’t know why he followed. Maybe it was because her tone didn’t sound like she was asking—it sounded like she was informing him. Or maybe because he wanted to know what this woman really wanted.
On the rooftop, the wind was strong. Lin Xian’er leaned against the railing, looking down. Lin Mo stood beside her, also looking down. On the playground, some people were running, some were chatting—everything seemed normal.
“Lin Mo,” she suddenly spoke.
“Hm?”
“Look over there.”
She pointed to a corner of the rooftop. Lin Mo followed her finger and saw two girls sitting in the corner, very close together. One had long hair, the other short hair. The long-haired girl was caressing the short-haired girl’s face, and the short-haired girl closed her eyes, lips slightly parted. Then they kissed. (°4°||I)
Lin Mo quickly looked away. His face felt a bit hot.
“Don’t be shy,” Lin Xian’er laughed. “There are a lot of girls at this school, so this kind of thing is normal.”
Lin Mo didn’t say anything. Lin Xian’er turned to look at him.
“Lin Mo, do you have a girlfriend?”
Lin Mo was startled.
“What’s wrong?”
“Then do you have someone you like?”
Lin Mo didn’t speak. Lin Xian’er looked at him for a few seconds, then laughed.
“That means you do.”
She turned around, leaning her back against the railing, looking at the sky. The wind blew her hair, covering half her face.
“Lin Mo, I want to ask you a favor.”
“What kind of favor?”
“Pretend to be my boyfriend.”
Lin Mo was stunned.
“What?”
“I’m going home for the holiday. My family introduced me to some guy and told me to get to know him.” Lin Xian’er’s voice was very flat. “I’ve refused many times, but it didn’t help. So I want a shield.”
Lin Mo looked at her. Her expression was calm, as if talking about someone else’s business.
“Why me?” he asked.
“Because you’re suitable.” Lin Xian’er turned her head to look at him. “You’re a guy, single, decent looking, and most importantly—you owe me one.”
Lin Mo’s heart tightened.
“What?”
Lin Xian’er laughed.
“The women’s bath incident. Remember?”
Lin Mo’s scalp tingled.
“You went into the women’s bath alone and saw girls taking showers. If I hadn’t kept it secret for you, you’d have been expelled by now.”
“And when you were unconscious, I helped you put on your clothes. You agreed at the time. You owe me three favors. You still have two left. How are you planning to repay them?”
Lin Mo opened his mouth but couldn’t speak. What she said was true.
“You…” he started.
“Me what?” Lin Xian’er tilted her head. “Trying to weasel out?”
Lin Mo didn’t speak. Lin Xian’er looked at him for a few seconds, then laughed.
“Don’t worry, it won’t be for free. Three days during the holiday—food and lodging provided, round-trip tickets reimbursed. You just need to eat a few meals with me, meet some relatives, and put on an act.”
Lin Mo hesitated.
“Your family… don’t they know you have a special ability?”
Lin Xian’er shook her head. “No. They only know this school is a prestigious girls’ school; they don’t know it’s related to special abilities.”
Lin Mo was silent for a long time. The wind was strong, making his clothes flap loudly. He thought of Su Qing, of Shen Qingyue, of what happened last night. He felt his life was already messy enough and didn’t want to add more trouble. But Lin Xian’er was right—he owed her.
“How many days?” he asked.
Lin Xian’er’s eyes lit up.
“Three days. The three-day holiday.”
“When?”
“Depart after school this Friday, come back Sunday evening.”
Lin Mo thought for a moment.
“I’ll think about it.”
Lin Xian’er smiled. “Fine. But you only have one day. Give me your answer tomorrow at this time.”
She turned and left. When she reached the door, she stopped and looked back at him.
“Oh, those two girls are still over there. Don’t peek.”
She pulled the door open and walked out.
Lin Mo stood on the rooftop. The wind was strong. He glanced at the corner—the two girls were already gone. Only a pile of cigarette butts and a few empty drink bottles remained.
—
He walked down from the rooftop. His mind was a mess. Lin Xian’er wanted him to be her fake boyfriend. She used the women’s bath incident to threaten him. He didn’t want to go, but he couldn’t refuse. Because he truly owed her.
Actually, now that he knew Su Qianqian was Su Qing, many things made sense. The more he thought about the women’s bath incident that day, the more something felt off. A thought flashed through his mind, but he couldn’t catch it. He tried to think hard but couldn’t grasp it.
He shook his head. No more thinking. Too much thinking gave him a headache.
Afternoon, in the large lecture hall. Su Qianqian sat next to him, Shen Qingyue sat to his right. Lin Mo lowered his head, pretending to read. Su Qianqian’s hand reached under the table and pinched his finger.
“Lin Mo, what’s wrong? You seem distracted.”
“It’s nothing.”
Lin Mo pulled his hand back. Su Qianqian glanced at him and didn’t ask further. Shen Qingyue turned her head, looked at Lin Mo, then turned back. Her face was slightly red.
Lin Mo stared at the textbook, unable to take in a single word.
Evening, Room 406. Shen Qingyue came out of the bath, wearing her pajamas. Her hair was still wet, wrapped in a towel. She sat on the bed and looked at Lin Mo.
“Lin Mo, can you… stay tonight?”
Lin Mo looked at her. She had dark circles under her eyes, and her lips were a bit dry. Last night she had used her special ability—Time Stop. She had kissed him, let him touch her. She said she liked him. But she didn’t know what Su Qing’s hand had done under the blanket.
He really wanted to refuse, after all, the risk was too great, but then he thought of the haunting here. He suspected something, but he had no evidence. He needed to verify.
“Okay,” he said.
Su Qianqian came out of the bathroom, also in pajamas. She glanced at Lin Mo, didn’t speak, and sat down on Shen Qingyue’s other side. The three of them sat on the bed. The light was on. No one spoke.
10 PM. 11 PM. Nothing happened.
Shen Qingyue got sleepy and leaned on Lin Mo’s shoulder. Su Qianqian also got sleepy and leaned on Lin Mo’s other side.
Lin Mo didn’t sleep. He stared at the window. The curtains were drawn; he couldn’t see anything. The ghost didn’t come again tonight. The radio didn’t sound. Everything was normal. But he knew the second act hadn’t come yet.
Shen Qingyue’s breathing became light. She fell asleep.
Su Qianqian’s breathing was also light. She fell asleep.
Lin Mo closed his eyes. His mind was spinning. Lin Xian’er wanted him to be her fake boyfriend. Su Qing’s identity had been exposed, but she didn’t know he had to put on an act with her. Shen Qingyue had confessed. The ghost that looked like Lin Yuanyuan was watching from the shadows. He felt his brain was like a lump of paste—impossible to stir.
Su Qing’s hand reached over again. It touched his hand and held it. Her fingers were hot, slipping between his fingers, gripping tightly. Lin Mo didn’t move. He let her hold him. Shen Qingyue was still asleep, unaware.
Lin Mo closed his eyes. His heart was beating fast. He knew he would have to make a choice sooner or later. But he didn’t know how to choose. On his left was Su Qing, on his right was Shen Qingyue. One loved fiercely, one loved gently. One used tactics, one used true feelings. He didn’t know who to choose, or if he could choose both. But if he chose both, Su Qing might just off him.
—
He closed his eyes. Su Qing’s hand still held his, not letting go. Shen Qingyue’s face was still pressed against his shoulder, her breathing soft. He lay there like that, not daring to move, not daring to think. Waiting for dawn.