Chapter Two

School at 8 a.m., evening self-study.

Due to staying up late reading a story on a forum yesterday, Yang Jian felt exhausted the next day at school. He yawned frequently, feeling sluggish. Whenever he tried to pay attention in class, he found himself daydreaming, and the image of the old man's photograph would randomly pop up in his mind. In a daze, he could almost feel the emptiness and lifeless, horrified eyes of that elderly man staring at him from somewhere.

A sudden start brought him back to alertness.

"Can't sleep again, that picture is seriously eerie."

"Hey, hey hey, Yang Jian, can I borrow a moment?" A head leaned in from the side, belonging to a tall and thin student.

Yang Jian wondered, "Yang Wei? What do you mean by 'borrow a moment'?"

Zhang Wei, nicknamed "Yang Wei" due to a mix-up during enrollment where his name was read as such, had carried this nickname for three years.

It was a somewhat sad story.

"Hey, don't play innocent. I've noticed you yawning all day. You must have been indulging in some 'private activities' last night," Zhang Wei said, lowering his voice while patting Yang Jian's shoulder. "If you've come across any good resources recently, share them so we can all enjoy."

Yang Jian responded, "Yeah, right. I was reading a ghost story on my phone last night, so I slept late."

"Ghost story? Speaking of ghost stories, Yang Wei, have you guys heard about the supernatural events that happened in a residential complex in the city recently?" Another student nearby joined the conversation.

"What supernatural events?" Yang Jian asked. "Why haven't I heard about this?"

Zhang Wei explained, "I know about this one. It's said that in a residential complex, overnight, over twenty people collectively hanged themselves, their bodies hanging on the window grilles like dried meat. It's truly horrifying. I actually have a picture from there, but I'm not sure if it's real or fake."

With that, he took out his phone, opened the album, and showed them a picture.

The photo was taken in the evening, and due to poor lighting in the complex, it appeared somewhat blurry. However, the outlines of human figures hanging on the window grilles were still discernible. The bodies were hanging densely in a row, and the faces of the corpses were distorted and terrifying. Especially the wide-open, fearful eyes sent shivers down one's spine, making it seem as though they had witnessed something terrifying right before their deaths.

Dozens of bodies hanging there resembled dried meat, and what was even more puzzling was that the heads were inside the window grilles while their bodies hung below. The gap of the window grilles couldn't possibly accommodate an adult's passage.

Furthermore, the heads were tilted backward, in a twisted and eerie posture.

The longer they looked at it, the more uneasy and fearful they felt. This photo, much like the one of the old man in Yang Jian's phone, was eerily evocative of emotions.

"Wow, Yang Wei, where did you get this photo? Why haven't I found it?" the other student exclaimed.

Zhang Wei smirked, "A friend of mine happened to pass by and took it. They've sealed off the place now, so you can't take pictures there anymore. If you want it, just call me 'Dad' and I'll give it to you. Also, don't call me 'Yang Wei' anymore, I've adopted an English name recently."

"What's the English name?"

"Woodger Young."

"Well, then I also have an English name, Woshi Shabi. Remember, from now on, call me by my English name when we're out."

Yang Jian added, "Both of you are in the same compulsory education system for nine years, why are you so exceptional?"

"Yang Jian, we attended supplementary classes. Something you wouldn't understand," Zhang Wei proudly declared.

"Speaking of supernatural events, I've been hearing a lot of people talk about them online recently. They make it sound so real, and some of them are too scary for me to even look at. Do you think any of these things are actually true? Could some places really be haunted?" a female classmate named Miao Xiaoshan asked as she joined the conversation.

Yang Jian answered, "Most of the stories online are fake. Unless you see it with your own eyes, I wouldn't believe in ghosts in this world. But some things are better to believe in than not. If you do come across these things, it's better to keep your distance."

"That makes sense," Miao Xiaoshan nodded.

"Quiet down, everyone."

At that moment, Mr. Wang, the teacher, walked into the classroom with a loud voice, "We've received an unexpected notice from the school. Today's evening self-study session is changed to a safety awareness lecture. During the lecture, I don't want to hear anyone talking. Let's maintain discipline. Now, please welcome Mr. Zhou Zheng, who will be delivering the lecture. Let's give him a warm round of applause."

Huh?

Yang Jian clapped his hands while feeling perplexed. Why would there be a safety lecture so late in the day?

But as Mr. Zhou Zheng walked into the classroom, Yang Jian's eyelid twitched.

The man called Zhou Zheng was wearing a gray windbreaker that enveloped him tightly. He had a mask on, even though it was quite hot outside. A badge of unknown origin hung on his chest.

What caught attention was the eerie appearance of this man. His face was extremely gaunt, almost skin and bones. One could even see the shape and contours of his facial bones. There was no extra flesh on his face due to his extreme thinness. His eyes were abnormally large, bloodshot, and seemed like they hadn't slept for days.

However, his skinny face was contrasted by a noticeably bulging belly.

As if he were carrying a beer belly filled with fat, but someone as skinny as him shouldn't have such a belly.

Unusual, strange abnormality. It generated a sense of unease.

Zhou Zheng stood at the front of the classroom, emitting an aura of darkness, exhaustion, and numbness. His body remained rigid and motionless. His bloodshot eyes slightly moved, resembling dim glass beads.

As his gaze swept over the room, everyone felt an inexplicable fear.

Yang Jian unconsciously clenched his fist, his body tensing up. He dared not meet Zhou Zheng's gaze, thinking, "This feeling is even stronger than when I saw that photograph..."

"Hello, everyone. I'm Zhou Zheng. I'm an international criminal investigator. I'm glad to be standing here alive today to give you this lecture."

Finally, Zhou Zheng spoke, his voice dry, hoarse, and grating, like glass scraping across the floor. Coupled with his emaciated face, it sent shivers down one's spine.

Alive to give us a lecture?

Yang Jian felt a shiver down his spine. This sounded odd.

But when Zhou Zheng turned around to write on the chalkboard, Yang Jian's heart skipped a beat.

This man, Zhou Zheng, was wearing a gray windbreaker that was tightly wrapped around him. He had a mask on, even

though it was sweltering outside. A badge of unknown origin hung on his chest.

But what was striking was his frightening appearance. His face was incredibly gaunt, almost like skin stretched over bones. You could even make out the shape and contours of his facial bones. His face had no extra flesh, giving it an emaciated look. His eyes seemed disproportionately large due to his gaunt appearance, and they were bloodshot, as if he hadn't slept for days.

However, beneath the gaunt face was a protruding belly.

It looked like he had a beer belly filled with fat, but someone as thin as him shouldn't have such a belly.

This abnormality sent chills down Yang Jian's spine, making him think, "This feeling is even stronger than when I looked at that photograph..."

"Hello, everyone. My name is Zhou Zheng. I'm an international criminal investigator. I'm glad to be alive and standing here to give you this lecture."

Finally, Zhou Zheng spoke. His voice was dry, hoarse, and grating, like glass scraping against the floor. Combined with his emaciated face, it sent shivers down everyone's spines.

Alive and standing here?

Yang Jian's heart raced. This statement sounded strange.

As Zhou Zheng turned to write on the blackboard, Yang Jian's eyes widened in shock.

This Zhou Zheng was dressed in a gray windbreaker that clung tightly to his body. He was wearing a mask, even though the weather was hot. A badge of unknown origin hung from his chest.

But what was truly unsettling was his eerie appearance. His face was gaunt, his skin almost clinging to his bones. You could even discern the shapes and contours of his facial bones. His face lacked any extra flesh, giving it an emaciated appearance. His eyes appeared unusually large due to his thin face, and they were bloodshot, as if he hadn't slept in days.

Yet, underneath his emaciated face was a belly that bulged out.

It was as if he had a beer belly filled with fat, but someone as skinny as him shouldn't have such a belly.

This abnormality sent shivers down Yang Jian's spine, and he thought, "This feeling is even stronger than when I looked at that photograph..."

"Hello, everyone. My name is Zhou Zheng. I'm an international criminal investigator. I'm glad to be here alive today to give you this lecture."

Finally, Zhou Zheng spoke. His voice was dry, hoarse, and grating, like glass scraping against the floor. Coupled with his emaciated face, it sent chills down everyone's spines.

Alive and giving a lecture?

Yang Jian's heart raced. This statement sounded bizarre.

As Zhou Zheng turned to write on the blackboard, Yang Jian's eyes widened in shock.

"Ghost~!"

"Ghost legends have existed since ancient times, not only in our country's history but also in the histories of various countries. While I'm not well-versed in history, and I can't speak about ancient events, I can talk about significant events in recent decades: the Louvre incident in France, the haunted villa incident in the US, the ghostly shadows incident in an island nation's parking lot, the curse of the Egyptian pharaohs incident... and the sealed-door village incident in our country."

Zhou Zheng's voice remained hoarse and grating as he continued, "Someone once said that the end of science is theology, and that statement is absolutely correct. Students, there are things you'll have to believe in now. In recent years, supernatural events in various countries have been on an explosive rise. It's no longer just a matter of one or two incidents. It's gradually evolving into a global disaster. If this situation isn't effectively controlled, the future... might have no future at all."

Everyone was surprised by these words.

Why did this safety lecture suddenly turn into a ghost story session?

And he's even claiming that the world could end.

Not only the students, but even Mr. Wang seemed stunned.

"Regarding these matters, I can't elaborate further, and I won't take questions on them. What's important is to listen to me now and remember these words in your minds. This lecture might save your lives in the future."

Zhou Zheng paused here, not continuing with his speech, and instead turned around to write on the blackboard: "Ghosts cannot be killed."

"In the near future, you may face situations you never want to encounter, such as... encountering ghosts. Although this might be disheartening, remember these words: ghosts cannot be killed. So, even in the most extreme fear, do not think about confronting those entities. Your lives are insignificant before those things, and they can take your life as easily as crushing a few ants. No, even more easily. Perhaps with a blink of an eye or a snap of their fingers, you'll be gone."

With his bloodshot eyes fixed on the audience, Zhou Zheng earnestly repeated his statement, and then turned back to write the next sentence.

"The only thing that can deal with ghosts is other ghosts."

"If ghosts can't be killed and possess extraordinary abilities, then combining these two factors, we can pose a question: how can ordinary people survive if they're targeted by ghosts? This is crucial, and I hope you all remember it. This safety lecture may one day save your lives."

Zhou Zheng paused here, not continuing with his speech, and instead turned around to write on the blackboard: "Ghosts cannot be killed."

"In the near future, you might find yourselves facing situations you never wished for—like encountering ghosts. Although this might be disheartening, remember this: ghosts cannot be killed. Therefore, even in the throes of extreme fear, do not attempt to confront those entities. Your lives are insignificant before them, and those things can end your life as easily as squashing a few ants. No, even more effortlessly. Perhaps with a blink of an eye or a snap of their fingers, you'll be gone."

With his bloodshot eyes fixed on the audience, Zhou Zheng earnestly repeated his statement, then turned back to write the next sentence.

"The only thing that can deal with ghosts is other ghosts."

"If ghosts can't be killed and possess extraordinary abilities, then considering these factors, we can pose a question: how can ordinary people survive if they're targeted by ghosts? This is crucial, and I hope you all remember it. This lecture on safety might one day save your lives."

Zhou Zheng paused there, not continuing his speech, but instead turned to write on the blackboard: "Ghosts cannot be killed."

"In the near future, you might find yourselves in situations you never wanted to be in—such as encountering ghosts. Although this might be discouraging, remember this: ghosts cannot be killed. Therefore, even in the midst of extreme fear, do not try to confront those entities. Your lives are insignificant before them, and those things can end your life as easily as squashing a few ants. No, even more effortlessly. Perhaps with a blink of an eye or a snap of their fingers, you'll be gone."

With his bloodshot eyes fixed on the audience, Zhou Zheng earnestly repeated his statement, then turned back to write the next sentence.

"The only thing that can deal with ghosts is other ghosts."

"If ghosts can't be killed and possess extraordinary abilities, then considering these factors, we can pose a question: how can ordinary people survive if

they're targeted by ghosts? This is crucial, and I hope you all remember it. This lecture on safety might one day save your lives."

Zhou Zheng paused there, not continuing his speech, but instead turned to write on the blackboard: "Ghosts cannot be killed."

"In the near future, you might find yourselves in situations you never wanted to be in—such as encountering ghosts. Although this might be discouraging, remember this: ghosts cannot be killed. Therefore, even in the midst of extreme fear, do not try to confront those entities. Your lives are insignificant before them, and those things can end your life as easily as squashing a few ants. No, even more effortlessly. Perhaps with a blink of an eye or a snap of their fingers, you'll be gone."

With his bloodshot eyes fixed on the audience, Zhou Zheng earnestly repeated his statement, then turned back to write the next sentence.

"The only thing that can deal with ghosts is other ghosts."

"If ghosts can't be killed and possess extraordinary abilities, then considering these factors, we can pose a question: how can ordinary people survive if they're targeted by ghosts? This is crucial, and I hope you all remember it. This lecture on safety might one day save your lives."

Zhou Zheng paused there, not continuing his speech, but instead turned to write on the blackboard: "Ghosts cannot be killed."

"In the near future, you might find yourselves in situations you never wanted to be in—such as encountering ghosts. Although this might be discouraging, remember this: ghosts cannot be killed. Therefore, even in the midst of extreme fear, do not try to confront those entities. Your lives are insignificant before them, and those things can end your life as easily as squashing a few ants. No, even more effortlessly. Perhaps with a blink of an eye or a snap of their fingers, you'll be gone."

With his bloodshot eyes fixed on the audience, Zhou Zheng earnestly repeated his statement, then turned back to write the next sentence.

"The only thing that can deal with ghosts is other ghosts."

"If ghosts can't be killed and possess extraordinary abilities, then considering these factors, we can pose a question: how can ordinary people survive if they're targeted by ghosts? This is crucial, and I hope you all remember it. This lecture on safety might one day save your lives."

Zhou Zheng paused there, not continuing his speech, but instead turned to write on the blackboard: "Ghosts cannot be killed."

"In the near future, you might find yourselves in situations you never wanted to be in—such as encountering ghosts. Although this might be discouraging, remember this: ghosts cannot be killed. Therefore, even in the midst of extreme fear, do not try to confront those entities. Your lives are insignificant before them, and those things can end your life as easily as squashing a few ants. No, even more effortlessly. Perhaps with a blink of an eye or a snap of their fingers, you'll be gone."

With his bloodshot eyes fixed on the audience, Zhou Zheng earnestly repeated his statement, then turned back to write the next sentence.

"The only thing that can deal with ghosts is other ghosts."

Yang Jian whispered back to Zhang Wei, "I'm not entirely sure, but I can't shake off this feeling of unease from his words."

"Could it be some kind of global catastrophe? Like what's written in novels?" Zhang Wei speculated.

"I don't think so..." Yang Jian hesitated.

While he had entertained fantasies about the existence of gods and superpowers, the idea was terrifying when it became a reality. Such things could pose a significant threat to ordinary people.

Back on the lecture stage, Zhou Zheng continued, "If ghosts can't be killed and possess extraordinary abilities, it leads to a question: how can ordinary people survive when targeted by ghosts? This is a key point to remember, and I hope you carry it with you, preferably for a lifetime."

He then wrote a fourth sentence on the board: "Understanding the patterns of ghosts."

"Every phenomenon follows patterns that can be discerned, and ghosts are no exception. Research data shows that each type of ghost has an almost fixed modus operandi and behavioral patterns. It's like a computer program—you press the power button to start the computer, click the mouse to open software. Overcome your fear, understand the patterns of ghosts, find their weaknesses. This is the only chance for an ordinary person targeted by ghosts to survive."

"Remember, if you're targeted by a ghost, apart from this strategy, you have no other means to survive. Don't harbor false hope; the terror these things bring surpasses your imagination."

Zhou Zheng repeated this last statement with solemnity.

As Zhou Zheng continued his lecture, Yang Jian's mind was racing. The content was disturbing, and the lecture seemed to have taken a drastically different direction from what was expected. The feeling of unease grew stronger, like a shadow creeping over his thoughts.

It's important to note that the text you've provided is a work of fiction. If you have any specific questions about the text or if you'd like assistance with anything else, feel free to ask.