As a university student, Yun Jianyue had worked a summer job for half the break. By September 1st, it was time to return to campus for registration.
A senior now, she had one final semester of classes before needing to find an internship placement. Next May, she'd be back on campus working with her thesis advisor to revise and defend her dissertation.
A University buzzed at its gates. Bright-eyed, excited freshmen mingled with the trudging, world-weary figures of sophomore, junior, and senior students returning for another year.
Fate seemed to enjoy coincidences. As Yun Jianyue lugged her suitcase towards the main gate, a familiar figure emerged from a car parked nearby.
"Senior!" Zhou Benxin spotted her from a distance and yelled, waving enthusiastically, drawing curious glances from passersby.
He dashed towards her, suitcase rattling behind him. From the driver's seat stepped a woman who looked to be in her late twenties. She wore a bohemian maxi dress, her long hair swept up gracefully, radiating an air of quiet intelligence. There was a distinct familial resemblance in the eyes.
She followed Zhou Benxin at a more measured pace.
"Hello," she offered, extending a hand with a warm smile. "I'm Zhou Ruyan, Benxin's older sister. I heard all about what happened with our grandmother last term. Thank you so much for your help."
Yun Jianyue shook her hand firmly. "It's really nothing. He is my junior, after all," she replied politely.
Zhou Ruyan smiled back, gracious. "Running into you like this is fortunate. Please, allow Benxin and me to treat you to lunch as a small token of appreciation."
Yun Jianyue didn't refuse. Aunt Yun had taught her well about the nuances of social graces and obligations.
They registered for the semester, dropped their luggage off at their respective dorm rooms, and met for lunch at a mid-range Chinese restaurant chosen by Zhou Ruyan—nicely appointed, not overly extravagant, but clearly chosen with care. Zhou Ruyan had already ordered a couple of dishes and passed Yun Jianyue the tablet menu. "I wasn't sure about your preferences. Please add anything you'd like."
Yun Jianyue selected two more favorites without hesitation.
Over the meal, conversation flowed, much of it centered around Zhou Benxin's antics and misadventures at university. The seemingly serene and elegant Zhou Ruyan listened, her expression developing a fixed smile that didn't quite reach her eyes as she learned of her brother's occasional boneheadedness. Under the table, her hand surreptitiously found Zhou Benxin's waist and pinched hard.
True sisterhood: regardless of inherent temperament, the revelation of a younger brother's idiocy universally warranted physical retribution.
As lunch concluded, it was time for Zhou Ruyan to begin the drive back to B City. Before leaving, she fixed Zhou Benxin with a serious look, lowering her voice slightly.
"Mom and Dad made me remind you, again: You absolutely cannot go to Chongguang Mountain before your 24th birthday. Understood?"
Zhou Benxin waved a hand dismissively, his expression bordering on exasperated. "I know, I know! You guys have been telling me this since I was a kid! Like I could possibly forget!"
Satisfied, Zhou Ruyan exchanged contact information with Yun Jianyue, bid them farewell, and drove off.
Walking back onto campus together, Yun Jianyue's curiosity got the better of her. "Why does your family forbid you from going to Chongguang Mountain?"
Chongguang Mountain was a famous tourist spot in the province, renowned for its Taoist temple said to be highly efficacious, attracting pilgrims and visitors from far and wide. It was a provincial landmark.
Zhou Benxin shrugged, clearly unimpressed by the restriction. "Dunno. It's just something they've always said. Probably just some superstitious family taboo." He dismissed it entirely. Just a tourist spot. What the hell is so special about that place?
The National Day holiday became a whirlwind of minor spirit disturbances, ghosts and minor monsters cropping up everywhere. Yun Jianyue found herself constantly on the move alongside Si Wuming.
The upside was that her role primarily involved observing his efficient dispatching of problems, a strange sort of busy idleness.
Relief washed over her when classes resumed. Only after working did she truly appreciate the sheer, unadulterated bliss of being a student. Campus was paradise on Earth. Period.
No sooner had she settled back in than the university debate team called. They'd organized a friendly intercollegiate competition and urgently needed her participation. Considering her impending graduation and dwindling chances for club activities, Yun Jianyue immediately agreed.
During the event, she also formally stepped down from her positions within the team, helping to elect the new captains. The new captain was a formidable female orator, the undisputed backbone of the current team. The new vice-captain was Zhou Benxin, popular and well-respected, his election a clear mandate.
During strategy sessions, however, Zhou Benxin seemed perpetually out of focus, zoning out repeatedly.
"Hey! Did you get that argument down? Remember the counterpoint we discussed?"
Watching him drift off for the umpteenth time, Yun Jianyue finally jabbed him sharply in the ribs.
Jolted back to reality by the pain, Zhou Benxin blinked owlishly before nodding hurriedly. "Uh-huh. Got it."
The new captain smoothly intervened to wrap things up. "Alright then. We'll meet back here at the main gate tomorrow at 1:30 PM sharp. We'll split into groups for taxis to the venue."
It was a half-hour drive from A University to the host school. Their match started at 2:30 PM, giving them ample time.
As the group dispersed, Yun Jianyue pulled Zhou Benxin aside. "Seriously, what's up with you these past few days? You seem completely out of it." She scanned him discreetly – no trace of ghostly energy. Didn't seem like an external supernatural influence.
Zhou Benxin shook his head, rubbing his temples wearily. "I'm not sure. Been having weird dreams. Maybe just run-down, nerves shot or something."
"Not sleeping well?" Yun Jianyue observed his tired eyes. "Try some melatonin tonight then." Sensing she wouldn't get a clearer answer, she released him. "Get some rest."
The next afternoon at 1:30 PM, the seven debaters assembled by the university gates. Four piled into the first taxi, leaving the new captain, Yun Jianyue, and a still-disoriented Zhou Benxin waiting for the second vehicle.
They stood chatting by the curb when, without warning, Zhou Benxin stumbled. One moment he was shifting his weight, the next he lurched forward violently, losing his balance completely.
He tumbled off the pavement directly into the road.
At the exact same moment, a car came screeching around the bend, speeding wildly!
"LOOK OUT!" the new captain screamed, hands flying to her mouth.
Zhou Benxin seemed mentally paralyzed. He stared blankly at the rapidly approaching vehicle, making no move to escape.
It happened in a heartbeat. At the critical moment, Yun Jianyue lunged. Her hand snatched the back of Zhou Benxin's collar, yanking him bodily backward onto the sidewalk just as the speeding car roared past his former position.
The car showed no sign of slowing, apparently unaware or unconcerned about nearly hitting a pedestrian. It sped off without a backward glance, leaving behind a shaken silence punctuated by the new captain's ragged breathing.
The two women hurried to help a pale, trembling Zhou Benxin to his feet on the safety of the pavement.
Yun Jianyue stared him down, her voice low and fierce with residual adrenaline. "What the hell is going on with you?" If her reflexes had been a fraction slower, Zhou Benxin would already be joining Lu Changxue in the afterlife!