Chapter 75: Bauhinia

Han Yao followed Chu Susu’s pointing finger to the spot she indicated, which was that cluster of historical dolls. They stood densely packed together, their cheerful smiles on their faces suddenly taking on an especially eerie vibe.

Chu Susu wasn’t sure if it was her imagination, but she said gravely and hesitantly, “I think I just saw them move a little.”

The rain was getting heavier, almost blotting out the daylight and causing the lighting in the venue to gradually dim. Under the gloom, these realistic dolls looked even more bizarre.

And her eyes seemed to catch a faint movement.

In that moment, Chu Susu’s heart nearly leaped into her throat.

“Oh, really?”

Han Yao’s tone was utterly nonchalant, as if this wasn’t a big deal at all. “If they moved, they moved. So what?”

Chu Susu shot her an incredulous glance. Shouldn’t normal people react more strongly to a “supernatural” event like this?

“Don’t you find this scary?”

Was the other girl just exceptionally tough mentally, or was she herself too jumpy?

“It’s not that bad.”

Han Yao raised a brow, puzzled. “You’ve seen what Han Xuan can do. Are you still clinging to materialism after that? This is just a minor scene. What’s there to make a fuss about?”

The words were blunt but spot-on. Chu Susu calmed down and thought it over—fair enough. Ever since meeting Han Xuan, she’d long realized there were things in this world science couldn’t explain.

But human instinct still made her shiver, and she just wanted to get far away from those dolls that were growing more sinister and grotesque by the second.

At Chu Susu’s insistence, Han Yao stood up as well, and the two headed in the opposite direction.

The inner area of the venue had no more such realistic dolls, and the oppressive atmosphere eased a bit.

But Chu Susu’s heart was still pounding wildly. Though she’d tried her best to stay composed, anyone would be scared after something like that.

They sat down on a bench at the other end, and then she asked Han Yao, “Are you used to this sort of thing?”

“Mm.” Han Yao smiled indifferently. “I bet you’ve heard the rumors about my family.”

She didn’t specify which ones, but Chu Susu knew exactly what she meant and didn’t deny it. She blinked. “So, it’s true?”

“Part of it.” Han Yao said lightly, “My fa—Han… my father is indeed superstitious. He worships all sorts of gods and immortals, so the house is always full of incense smoke and chaos.”

“So you see Wandering Spirits often?”

Han Yao was straightforward and didn’t shy away. “Yes. I’ve been immersed in that environment since I was little. Sometimes, they even get drawn to me—especially when I’m alone.”

Chu Susu didn’t know what to say and could only muster a calm smile.

So that’s how it was. She’d been wondering earlier— she’d lived twenty-five years without ever attracting any Wandering Spirits, so why had she run into one today of all days?

Now it seemed it was probably because of the person next to her.

Han Yao drawled lazily, “Don’t worry. Look at me—I’m still alive and kicking. That should tell you they’re not that powerful.”

Since it had already happened, Chu Susu had no intention of blaming her. Throwing a tantrum wouldn’t solve anything anyway.

She was only concerned about the current situation. “Do you think this weather has anything to do with the Wandering Spirits?”

“If they had that kind of power, humans wouldn’t be the ones ruling the world.”

Chu Susu was about to ask more when she suddenly froze, her gaze flicking to somewhere nearby. A chill instantly spread through her body, her hairs standing on end.

“…Han Yao.” She called the other’s name in a low voice. “There are no dolls on this side of the venue, right?”

“Mm.”

“Then what is that?”

Chu Susu raised a feeble hand to point, staring in horror at the historical dolls that had appeared nearby out of nowhere.

They’d been at the venue entrance just moments ago, and now…

They’d somehow followed them to this side without a sound?!

Han Yao shot to her feet with a “whoosh,” decisive as ever. “Run.”

Chu Susu was dumbfounded, only now realizing why the other had worn sneakers.

For quick escapes in emergencies, huh.

“Run where?!” Her voice rose, echoing desperately through the venue. “The exit’s blocked by them!”

The sky grew even darker and more overcast.

The fluorescent lights began buzzing like they were faulty, flickering on and off. Chu Susu had no time to talk to Han Yao anymore and could only follow the sound of her footsteps.

But soon she couldn’t hear them clearly amid the chaotic clamor of countless footsteps. Clearly, the dolls were no longer holding back—they wanted to catch up.

“Find a weapon.” That was all Han Yao had time to toss out hurriedly.

Chu Susu was never one to take bullying lying down—even if the bullies might not be “human.” She was scared at first, but that quickly turned into blazing fury.

Fck, I have no grudge against you all. Even Wandering Spirits can’t just hurt people for no reason, right? Is there no law in the underworld?!

Fury rising, she spotted some props scattered nearby out of the corner of her eye.

It was a model replicating ancient Jiang City iron casting by the locals. The doll was gone, leaving just a large hammer on the ground—plastic, though.

Feeling the dolls closing in fast, Chu Susu snatched it up and swung wildly behind her without a second thought.

—Bang!

She put her full strength into it, smashing a massive hole straight into one doll’s head with a “clang.” Shards scattered across the floor.

That’s when Chu Susu realized they were made of ceramic.

So fragile, and they still tried scaring people like other Wandering Spirits?

“Woo…”

“My… head…”

The doll clutched the hole in its head, low sobs drifting through the air, full of resentment—like it was accusing her of excessive violence.

Her swing seemed to stall the dolls’ advance. The venue’s lights steadied, no more flickering.

Han Yao stood by with keen interest, showing no fear or tension, just eyeing Chu Susu’s hand gripping the hammer.

“This is a government project facility. Top-notch materials and design.” She said, “Even just the glaze cost more than this.”

Han Yao made a gesture with her fingers. She didn’t say how many zeros, but Chu Susu could imagine.

…She’d indeed forgotten about that, but self-defense was self-defense. You couldn’t just let ghosts chase you without fighting back.

And wasn’t it Han Yao who’d told her to grab a weapon?!

In the end, wasn’t she just dragged into this mess by the other girl?

Chu Susu forced a smile. “But I guess Eldest Miss Han will handle it for me, right? After all, the Jiang City government wouldn’t want tourists knowing about Wandering Spirits here.”

Otherwise, this park would never stay open.

As she spoke, the overhead lights flickered again. Chu Susu gripped the hammer tight once more, guarding against the dolls’ approach.

Not sure if her earlier smash had pissed them off, but the porcelain dolls’ faces gradually twisted into ferocious expressions, mouths pulling down as they closed in faster.

They’d clearly been drawn by Han Yao, yet now they all turned their aggression on Chu Susu. Countless dolls surrounded her, swiftly cutting off all escape routes and encircling her in the center.

The fluorescent lights “zapped” and died for good, plunging everything into permanent darkness.

“Hmph!”

Angry hums issued from the dolls’ “throats,” and like a drilled army, they stepped forward, narrowing the remaining space bit by bit.

Chu Susu soon couldn’t move, not even room to swing the hammer, trapped amid the doll horde as they raised their hands.

The nearest one bashed her head—like payback for her hammer swing!

The ceramic weight felt hefty. Chu Susu thought her skull might crack open and shut her eyes in fright.

But when the arm came down, she realized it didn’t hurt at all.

Maybe because these fake dolls were newly made and hadn’t harmed anyone yet, so they lacked strength?

The doll seemed to notice too, its expression turning more aggrieved, as if insulted.

So the innermost three or four dolls glared viciously at Chu Susu while taking turns bopping her head with their little arms. But no matter how hard they tried, it was like a tickle—she felt nothing.

She was even kinda enjoying the weird scalp massage.

Chu Susu: …

Should she pretend it hurt?

Why did she feel a bit sorry for them?

In the darkness, Han Yao stood aside like nothing was wrong, watching the absurd scene like it was a show. After a moment’s thought, she pulled out her phone and snapped a photo this way.

Flash on.

Caught off-guard mid-bop, Chu Susu got photobombed. “…Han Yao! You f*ck!”

Her hair was a mess from the dolls. She could imagine how ridiculous she looked.

But Han Yao ignored her completely, snapping a second shot, then a third…

Chu Susu suddenly wondered if they had some high school grudge.

That said, these little dolls apparently couldn’t hurt her for real, even though they were trying hard with the head-bops.

Even so, being surrounded by so many ceramic dolls in the middle made Chu Susu’s breathing a bit labored. She felt the surrounding air growing thinner and thinner, her chest feeling stuffy and uncomfortable for a moment.

She had clearly come to attend the summit. With so many people here, and it being a government project, shouldn’t the demons, ghosts, and monsters have scattered long ago? Why did she have to run into this?

She tried to reach out and push them away, but the ceramic dolls were hefty and weighty—not something one person could budge.

She wanted to call out to Han Yao for help, but the moment she opened her mouth, her voice was drowned out by the ceramic dolls’ “thump thump” stomping sounds, unable to reach Han Yao’s side at all.

Chu Susu’s heart clenched, and suddenly, an inexplicable thought arose in her mind.

If only Han Xuan were here.

Her thoughts stagnated for a second. Amid the crowding of the porcelain dolls, two words slipped from her mouth involuntarily.

“Xingxing.”

The ceramic dolls launched another assault. Chu Susu clenched her eyes shut in endurance, but the anticipated pain did not come. In that instant, the stuffy feeling in her chest suddenly vanished.

She opened her eyes in bewilderment, only to see that the doll figures who had been pressed right up against her had all retreated three zhang away, staring warily in this direction like they were facing a great enemy.

Before Chu Susu, a figure with long hair suddenly appeared.

The hair ends were slightly damp, carrying the fragrance of shampoo, as if she had just finished bathing. She was still wearing her pajamas that she hadn’t had time to change out of.

Purple-glowing mist rose in wisps.

Bright enough to illuminate the entire world.