Chapter 5. Under the Bed
The scene fell into silence for a moment.
It wasn’t that the conversation was something shameful; being discovered wouldn’t lead to any irreparable consequences. "Red Pillow" belonged to the National Supernatural Management Bureau, and all registered psychics were essentially public servants. Their entry into the village could easily be compared to undercover police investigating a case.
However, atheists currently made up the vast majority of the national population, and openly promoting the existence of ghosts and spirits would undoubtedly trigger a series of problems. No one wanted to challenge their worldview or disrupt their normal lives.
Jiang Yuqing quickly calmed herself down, eliminating various options, and asked the most likely question: “Are you a villager from Silkworm Village?”
The man stared at her for a long time before slowly nodding his head.
Jiang Yuqing asked, “What should I call you?”
“Wang Baomin.”
Jiang Yuqing let out a gentle sigh of relief. She had previously contacted the village chief of Silkworm Village, who said he would send Xiao Wang to meet them at the village entrance. It turned out this person had come all the way to the mountain, which was quite thoughtful.
Understanding this, Jiang Yuqing looked up at Wang Baomin again, feeling much more at ease. She deliberately avoided the earlier inquiry and tentatively said, “You’ve been waiting for a while, haven’t you? It must be tough in this cold weather.”
Before Wang Baomin could respond, Jiang Yan interjected.
“He just arrived; he didn’t wait.”
Jiang Yuqing’s stiff back instantly relaxed. Great! Not revealing their identities would spare them a lot of subsequent trouble, and it would be easier for her to explain when she returned. She gratefully glanced at Jiang Yan. Wang Baomin didn’t reply but instead turned on the flashlight he was holding and headed into the mountains.
Time waits for no one. After bidding farewell to Jiang Yuqing, the six of them followed closely behind Wang Baomin as they walked toward Silkworm Village.
Walking at night is quite exhausting, and with the heavy fog and steep paths, everyone focused their attention on their feet. For a long time, the only sounds were the wind and the rustling of leaves. Eventually, Cheng Guang couldn’t hold back any longer and called out to Wang Baomin, “Big brother, how much longer until we arrive?”
“Soon.”
“How soon is soon?”
“Soon.”
Cheng Guang wanted to ask again, but seeing Wang Baomin’s tone was not very pleasant, he had to give up and continued down the mountain path with his head down.
However, a few minutes later, someone who didn’t pick up on the mood tried to ask a question.
This time it was Shen Huanhuan. She was holding Shen Xiaoxiao’s hand and asked Wang Baomin, “Can I ask why the village chief wants us to enter the village at night?”
Wang Baomin stopped in his tracks and turned to look at Shen Huanhuan.
“The village hasn’t had outsiders for years, and some villagers are very resistant to unfamiliar faces. If you had come during the day, you would have been chased away before even reaching the village entrance.”
Wang Baomin’s voice was like rusty gears, raspy and making one want to clear his throat.
Cheng Guang interjected, “Got it. This is called acting first and reporting later; now that we’re in, they can’t chase us away!”
Wang Baomin smirked slightly and continued to lead the way.
The path to Silkworm Village was silent, with only one road leading there. Because the mountains were damp at night, the path was muddy, and each step seemed to swallow the heels of their shoes. Jiang Yan was wearing the hiking shoes Cheng Guang had brought, but they didn’t fit well, and she quickly fell to the back of the group.
Jiang Yan turned her head, her gaze sweeping through the white fog in the mountains, seemingly trying to see the details within the mist.
“Is there something in the fog?”
Someone suddenly asked.
Jiang Yan turned her head, “No.”
“I think so too. I just used a talisman, and it didn’t work, so there shouldn’t be anything in the fog.” Shen Huanhuan sighed. “I wonder what kind of ghost it is; I hope it hasn’t been causing trouble in the village.”
Jiang Yan replied, “I hope so too.”
Shen Xiaoxiao urged softly, “Let’s not talk about it; we can’t see the main group!”
Shen Huanhuan responded.
The three of them quickened their pace a bit. Saying “can’t see” really just meant they were a few steps behind. However, the fog was so thick that they couldn’t see anyone even two meters away.
As everyone was getting exhausted from walking, Wang Baomin finally stopped.
“We’ve arrived.”
“But where is it?” Cheng Guang sighed in relief and leaned closer to Wang Baomin. “I don’t see the village.”
Shen Huanhuan turned on her flashlight and looked around. “It’s over there.”
“Look at that stone.”
Following the beam of light, Cheng Guang saw a stone the size of a human head lying not far away, with the words “Insect Village” carved on it in red paint.
Cheng Guang read it aloud: “Insect—Village?”
Wang Baomin replied, “It’s Silkworm Village. The village hasn’t had outsiders come, so when the paint wore off, it wasn’t repainted.”
Cheng Guang nodded randomly, “That’s fine, any name is fine. Big brother, let’s hurry and take us into the village. The humidity is heavy at night, and our teacher’s knees aren’t good; how can we help you check the silkworms during the day?”
Shen Xiaoxiao also remembered their identities this time and chimed in, “Yeah, our teacher is really impressive; his health is very valuable.”
Wang Baomin, perhaps worried about the “expert’s” health, noticeably quickened his pace, and soon he led them to a two-story building at the village entrance.
He stood at the door and knocked. An old man’s voice came from inside, “Who is it?”
“It’s me, Uncle Nian.”
The door opened from the inside, revealing an elderly man in his sixties or seventies. He was hunched over, wearing a thick army-green cotton coat, and holding an oil lamp.
“So many people?” The old man coughed softly, looking at the six people behind Wang Baomin.
“Yeah, they all talk a lot and haven’t stopped since we started,” Wang Baomin said.
Cheng Guang felt he had been called out and had evidence to prove it.
The old man seemed to want to smile, but the persistent coughing suppressed his smile, leaving only a sickly expression on his face.
With the cold weather and heavy fog, he didn’t say much more and quietly said, “I am the village chief here. It’s been a long time since outsiders have come to the village. We’ve only prepared one room, which can accommodate at most three people. The rest… cough cough, Baomin, you take them home to rest quickly.”
Wang Baomin looked at the six people. “Who’s coming to my place?”
Everyone exchanged glances. After a moment, Shen Xiaoxiao asked, “Grandpa Village Chief, is there a bed in the room?”
The village chief nodded.
Shen Xiaoxiao walked over to Jiang Yan. “Sister, how about you join us?”
As she spoke, she pointed to herself and then to Shen Huanhuan.
Jiang Yan shrugged. “Sure.”
Thus, the arrangement was settled: the three girls would stay at the village chief’s house, while the three boys would stay at Wang Baomin’s.
The village chief, holding the swaying oil lamp, turned and walked toward the house. Shen Xiaoxiao hurried to follow, urging them along, “Hurry up, I’m about to fall asleep standing up!”
After the village chief led the three of them into the room, he reminded them to close the window at night since the wind could be strong, and then he left.
The room was pitch black.
Shen Xiaoxiao fumbled to turn on her flashlight and looked around the room. It was quite old; although it had been tidied up, there were cobwebs in the corners and by the lamp, and there was an unpleasant smell in the room, reminiscent of spoiled and sour meat that had been left out for too long.
“Sister, should we turn on the light?” After taking a rough look around the room, Shen Xiaoxiao asked Shen Huanhuan, “I wonder if the light above still works; the lampshade is all moldy and black.”
Shen Huanhuan shook her head. “Forget it; the old man probably doesn’t want to waste electricity. He was just using the oil lamp.”
Shen Xiaoxiao shrugged. “That oil lamp really has a vintage feel to it.”
After saying this, the three of them shone their flashlights around the room again, and not finding anything amiss, Shen Xiaoxiao yawned and sat down on the bed.
“Let’s hurry up and sleep; it’s already very late,” Shen Huanhuan said.
Shen Xiaoxiao agreed, turned off the flashlight, and crawled onto the bed, snuggling against the wall. She made space for the other two, saying, “I really can’t hold on any longer; I’m going to sleep first.”
“You all should hurry and sleep too.”
Perhaps she was truly exhausted; after settling in, Shen Xiaoxiao quickly fell silent. Shen Huanhuan helplessly approached, covered Shen Xiaoxiao with a blanket, and then turned off the live stream.
After finishing these tasks, she looked at Jiang Yan and suggested, “Can you sleep on the outer side? Xiaoxiao doesn’t sleep well and likes to kick.”
“Sure.” Jiang Yan nodded.
The two of them quickly washed up in the dark and climbed into bed one after the other.
Just as Jiang Yan lay down, a strong wind began to blow outside, causing something to be blown around, making creaking sounds. She glanced out through the gap in the curtains, and all she could see was a white blur, like snow.
It was also reminiscent of the skin tone of the twin sisters.
Shen Huanhuan was having trouble sleeping. After tossing and turning a couple of times, she pulled out her phone and, using the faint light from the screen, looked around, only to find Jiang Yan staring at her.
Unblinking, it was as if she were observing something novel.
Shen Huanhuan whispered, “What are you looking at?”
Jiang Yan replied, “Your skin tone, like snowflakes.”
Shen Huanhuan assessed Jiang Yan’s expression and softly said, “My live stream with Xiaoxiao is called 'Albinism.'” After saying this, she suddenly smiled, “I really like snow, thank you.”
Jiang Yan’s expression remained unchanged. “You’re welcome.”
Shen Huanhuan felt a bit awkward and bit her lip. “I’m glad I didn’t scare you,” she quietly asked Jiang Yan, “Are you a newly registered psychic? I haven’t seen you on the website before.”
Jiang Yan thought to herself that she had never registered and wasn’t a psychic at all, but she still replied with a soft “Mm.”
Shen Huanhuan continued, “Xiaoxiao is quite carefree. We should have discussed how to sleep, but she chose to sleep on the inside of the bed first... Next time, you can choose first.”
Jiang Yan met Shen Huanhuan’s gaze. “Isn’t the outer side easier to escape from?”
Shen Huanhuan paused for a moment, then let out a muffled laugh. “That’s true.”
After laughing, she gently urged, “Let’s hurry up and sleep; we need to investigate the energy disturbances here tomorrow. Xiaoxiao and I will try to take you along in the next few days.”
Jiang Yan thought for a moment, wanting to subtly inquire about how they would investigate, but she heard the sound of even breathing beside her. She turned her head and saw that the other person was already fast asleep.
Jiang Yan also closed her eyes and fell asleep.
Half an hour later, Jiang Yan suddenly opened her eyes.
Perhaps it was because she had slept too much during the day; she hadn’t been able to cultivate any drowsiness. Just now, she had heard the sound of water.
At first, the sound resembled a gentle stream flowing through the mountains, but as the waterway increased, the stream gradually split into countless smaller branches, eventually falling silently to the ground at a certain point.
—“Drip.”
To participate in this program, Jiang Yan had read several horror novels, and she immediately thought of the story “The Dog on the Ceiling.”
The woman, alone at home, was startled by the inexplicable sound of water at night. Trembling, she reached her hand toward the space beneath the bed. Each time, her beloved dog would gently lick her palm, and she found solace in the rhythmic sensation. However, the next morning, she discovered her dog — long since hanged, its blood drained — suspended from the ceiling.
So… could the sound of water now also be blood?
Jiang Yan's eyes slowly shifted, scanning the room. The fog outside the window had dispersed, revealing an enormous moon perched high among the branches, its cold light spilling into the room. Everything inside seemed veiled in a faint layer of gauze.
Her gaze first fell to the left. Shen Huanhuan and Shen Xiaoxiao were both on the bed, their chests rising and falling steadily—clearly still alive.
So, the sound of water wasn’t their blood.
Then… was there a "dog" hiding beneath the bed?
Jiang Yan remained silent for a moment before letting her hand drop toward the space below.
"……"
Indeed, there was.
