That night, Fang Yuan slept uncomfortably. Tao Bing'er buried her head in her arms like an ostrich, refusing to emerge, trembling intermittently. The trembling spread like an infectious disease, resonating within Fang Yuan.
Fang Yuan could clearly sense Tao Bing'er's fear. She was, in fact, afraid too, but she was naturally calmer than Tao Bing'er. She had experienced so many terrifying events in recent days that she had become somewhat numb.
She drifted between sleep and wakefulness, finally making it to dawn. While Fang Yuan was still trying to figure out how to get up without disturbing Tao Bing'er, Tao Bing'er suddenly jumped out of bed, ignoring everyone, and silently gathered her clothes with a sullen face. Her eyes were red and puffy, her hair uncombed and tangled, and she looked haggard.
Tao Bing'er must have not rested well yesterday. She was in a terrible mood, even though she usually took great care of her appearance.
What was she packing clothes for? Was she leaving Girls' Dorm 441?
Perhaps, leaving was a good option for her.
Though Fang Yuan was reluctant to leave Tao Bing'er, she didn't want to stop her. The atmosphere in the girls' dormitory was somewhat oppressive; no one spoke, no one wanted to. At this moment, anything she said would seem pale and hypocritical.
Fang Yuan walked over to help Tao Bing'er pack her clothes. But she stopped, stood there, motionless, and looked at Fang Yuan coldly, as if she were a stranger.
Fang Yuan felt flustered by that cold gaze, feeling a surge of inexplicable irritation, but she had no place to vent.
Why did she see herself that way?
She refused Fang Yuan's help. To put it another way, she was actually rejecting Fang Yuan's friendship.
Her eyes told Fang Yuan that she had already treated Fang Yuan like a stranger with whom she had no prior contact.
This wasn't just towards Fang Yuan; it was the same with Xu Zhaodi as well.
Xu Zhaodi had hoped to break the oppressive atmosphere by gently greeting her, "Tao Bing'er, where are you going? Can I take you there?"
Tao Bing'er didn't answer, instead looking at her the same way she'd looked at Fang Yuan.
—Warning, indifference, rejection.
—That was the message her eyes conveyed.
Fang Yuan and Xu Zhaodi stood frozen beside her, speechless, waiting for a long moment before finally walking away silently.
After Fang Yuan and Xu Zhaodi left, Tao Bing'er resumed packing her clothes. She remained silent the entire time.
She didn't even turn around, carrying her travel bag and leaving alone.
She left Girls' Dormitory 441.
She left Nanjiang Medical College.
Fang Yuan stood on the balcony, watching Tao Bing'er, stumbling in the morning breeze, slowly walk out of the campus and out of her sight. She walked slowly, her movements sluggish, each step staggering. She looked nothing like a young woman, more like an ailing old woman. Was her bag too heavy, or was she burdened by too much worry? Fang Yuan felt a sense of emptiness in her heart, as if something had been lost. Her eyes were sore, and warm, crystal-clear liquid welled up in her eyes.
Tao Bing'er had left like that. She seemed to want to sever all ties with Girls' Dorm 441, hence her indifference towards Fang Yuan and Xu Zhaodi. After this separation, I wonder if we'll ever meet again.
Even if we do, we'll be strangers, never returning to the close intimacy we had when they first arrived at Girls' Dorm 441.
I hope, I hope time will be kind, and the universe will be compassionate, protecting her and ensuring she lives a peaceful, happy life. Fang Yuan wished Tao Bing'er well in her heart.
It's better to forget each other than to support each other through thick and thin.
Though this saying is cruel, it holds true meaning. Only then did Fang Yuan understand the true meaning of this ancient saying.
She didn't blame Tao Bing'er for her avoidance. Everyone has their own way of thinking and their own choices. Life is just like that; you can only force yourself; there's no reason to force others to make the same choices as you.
Fang Yuan had long understood that the most important thing in life is to accept reality, no matter how cruel it may be.
Only by accepting and facing reality can you live with strength. This is a harsh era, an era of lost faith. Everyone is busy chasing fame and fortune, and no one cares about your feelings.
Fang Yuan wiped away her tears and turned to look at Xu Zhaodi beside her.
Xu Zhaodi, too, had a sorrowful expression on her face. She stared blankly in the direction where Tao Bing'er had disappeared, a sense of loss and melancholy.
"I've always thought of her and Qin Yanping as my sisters." Xu Zhaodi sighed, noticing Fang Yuan's gaze.
Fang Yuan patted her shoulder, wanting to offer some words of comfort, but she didn't know how to begin. Xu Zhaodi suddenly remembered something. "Oh no! Tao Bing'er is so weak. Could she fall ill on the way?"
Fang Yuan then realized that letting Tao Bing'er leave so quietly and alone wasn't right. At the very least, they should have told the school. If anything happened to Tao Bing'er, they would be undeniably to blame.
"How about this? You go chase Tao Bing'er, and I'll go find Teacher Qin to see if she has any solutions."
The two hurried out. Xu Zhaodi ran to the medical school gate, while Fang Yuan ran to the faculty dormitory to find Qin Yue. As they left the dormitory hall, Fang Yuan deliberately glanced back. Su Ya was still lying on the bed, reading intently, seemingly unconcerned with what had just happened.
Why was Su Ya like this?
Fang Yuan muttered to herself, feeling that Su Ya was too aloof. After all, living in the same dormitory was a rare fate. Tao Bing'er was so pitiful, yet she remained indifferent. It was truly heartless.
Five minutes later, Fang Yuan ran to Qin Yue's dormitory, told her that Tao Bing'er had run away, grabbed her, and ran.
Qin Yue and Fang Yuan walked and talked along the road, breathless. By the time they reached the medical school gate, Qin Yue had a general understanding of what had happened.
Xu Zhaodi was still standing by the gate, calling out to the two of them.
The two hurried over to her, and Fang Yuan asked, "Where's Tao Bing'er?"
Xu Zhaodi pointed to a bus that had just started. "She's on it."
The bus drove past the three of them, and Tao Bing'er was sitting there, her eyes glazed over, oblivious to them.
Xu Zhaodi asked, "What should we do?"
Fang Yuan had no idea. "Should we take a taxi and chase her?"
Qin Yue thought for a moment and waved her hand. "Forget it. I don't think even if we catch her, she'll pay any attention to us. Why don't we go back? I'll look for her student file and notify her family. She's old enough and from Nanjiang, so she should be fine."
"What about her student status? Will it be revoked?" Fang Yuan was worried Tao Bing'er wouldn't return.
Qin Yue wasn't worried. "No, I'll talk to the school and treat it as a leave of absence."
It seemed like the only way.
Qin Yue found Tao Bing'er's family's phone number and notified them. Still worried, Fang Yuan asked for the number and called again that evening.
It was Tao Bing'er's father who answered the phone. He told her that Tao Bing'er had returned home safely and told her not to worry. Only then did she feel relieved.
Qin Yanping died. With Tao Bing'er gone, the girls' dormitory 441 suddenly felt much quieter. Fang Yuan, distraught and unhappy, took a few days off from the library and spent every day with Xu Zhaodi.
Xu Zhaodi was her only good friend now.
In fact, Xu Zhaodi needed her company. The two were inseparable, yet seldom spoke. Most of the time, they sat in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. They slept during class and stared blankly after class. Both seemed a bit lost, completely transformed.
Evening self-study had long been postponed. Qin Yue, knowing they were upset, didn't question them. The other teachers, on the other hand, minded their own business, finishing their own classes and not bothering to bother with them. At night, they didn't go out, but sat in their dorm together, surfing the internet, chatting, playing games, and just passing the time.
These past few days, things had been peaceful, with nothing unusual happening. Even Su Ya had become much more docile, changing her habits. She attended classes on time and returned to her dorm after class. She no longer appeared so elusive, and occasionally joined the two of them. Of course, she remained aloof, and even when they walked together, she had little to say, like a moving shadow.
Chapter 7: The Ghost of the Pen Fairy 8
About three or four days later, on the weekend, Fang Yuan suddenly felt like visiting Tao Bing'er. She talked to Xu Zhaodi, and she readily agreed. They found Qin Yue, asked her for Tao Bing'er's home address, and after buying some fruit and snacks, they went to visit her together.
Asking around, they easily found Tao Bing'er's home. It was located in the south of the city, in the urban-rural fringe. Although a bit remote, it had plenty of open space and a beautiful environment, unlike the crowded and run-down city center. To their surprise, Tao Bing'er's family was quite well-off, and her residence was a magnificent villa.
The villa isn't large, consisting of two floors, each just over 100 square meters. Yet, nestled against the backdrop of mountains and water, it's beautifully designed, blending seamlessly into its surroundings. It's situated beside the beautiful and tranquil Elephant Lake, whose crystal-clear waters are so bright they reflect your reflection. Nearby lies a lush forest. Entering the villa, one is greeted by a meticulously manicured, lush lawn, dotted with several osmanthus trees in full bloom. Clusters of osmanthus flowers, like tiny yellow elves hiding beneath their broad leaves, compete for beauty. The gentle breeze carries the fragrance, enveloping the senses.
The two rang the doorbell. Soon, the door opened and a haggard-looking middle-aged man emerged, his voice hoarse. "Who are you looking for?"
"We're looking for Tao Bing'er."
The man's expression instantly darkened. "Who are you?"
"We're Tao Bing'er's classmates, and we've come to visit her." Fang Yuan, trying to dispel the man's doubts, waved her hand, letting him see the gift she held.
"You're here to see Tao Bing'er?" the man's tone was a little strange. "You're here to see Tao Bing'er at this hour?"
A sense of foreboding washed over Fang Yuan. "Yes, what's wrong, uncle? Is she sick?"
"Who said she's sick? She's not!" the man said, his voice etched with anger.
"No, what's wrong with her? Uncle, don't be angry. We're her good friends, and we really want to know how she's doing." Fang Yuan spoke earnestly, her face sincere.
The middle-aged man's expression softened slightly. He stared at the two of them for a long moment before heaving a long sigh. "It seems you really don't know. Tao Bing'er...she's dead..."
Dead?!
Tao Bing'er dead?!
Fang Yuan was stunned, in disbelief. Her grip loosened, and the gift she was holding fell to the ground, with several red apples tumbling out.
The wind started to blow, a gentle breeze, not strong, but cold. It chilled the trees and plants near the villa, shaking off the withered leaves and shavings.
This autumn was truly cold.
Fang Yuan shrank back, coming to her senses. "Uncle, what did you say? Tao Bing'er's dead?"
"Yes, she's dead!" the middle-aged man repeated, tears glistening in his eyes. "She died two days ago."
"How did she die?"
"She hid at home alone and turned on the gas, poisoning herself. What a fool! How could she be so desperate?" the middle-aged man said, his expression sorrowful.
It turned out that the middle-aged man was Tao Bing'er's father. He pulled Fang Yuan and Xu Zhaodi aside, rambling on about many things. Tao Bing'er's death had been a profound blow to him, and he just wanted someone to talk to.
He said Tao Bing'er's life story was pitiful. Her mother, disdaining his poverty, left home when she was very young and never returned. So, he made a painful decision to go into business. Business is like a battlefield; one wrong move can lead to a complete loss. So, he was so busy with his business that he had no time to care for Tao Bing'er, so he sent her to live with her grandmother in the countryside.
Tao Bing'er didn't return to Nanjiang City to be with him until she was in her teens. Even so, he couldn't find time for her. Over the years, his business had grown, and the demands of his attention had become so numerous that he simply couldn't spare the time. He had considered finding her a stepmother, but Tao Bing'er was reluctant and strongly opposed it, so he had no choice but to go along with her.
That night, when Tao Bing'er returned home, he saw that she was merely upset and not seriously ill, so he didn't take it seriously. Furthermore, the company had something urgent that needed his attention, so he left her alone at home and returned to work. He never imagined that Tao Bing'er's mental state would be so devastated, so fragile, that she would end her life in such a foolish way.
One only appreciates things when they are lost.
After Tao Bing'er's death, he truly realized how much he had lost. If life had given him another chance, he would have chosen to live an ordinary family life with his daughter rather than neglecting family affection in this busy life. Devastated by this blow, he hastily closed his company, sold off his assets, and prepared to leave this heartbroken city.
No wonder Tao Bing'er loved pranks and playing tricks on others; it turned out she simply wanted attention. For someone who had lost her mother's love at a young age and lacked the affection of her father, no amount of material possessions could satisfy the spiritual emptiness she felt.
Fang Yuan now understood why Tao Bing'er had left Girls' Dormitory 441. She had always been a lonely and weak girl. She had finally found a close friend like Qin Yanping, a kindred spirit, only to watch her commit suicide. It was like falling from a cloud of happiness onto hard concrete. How could she possibly bear it? She had only sought solace in the Ouija boarding game, but that hope was ultimately shattered, leaving her spiritually destitute.
But she wouldn't have gone to such extremes and chosen such a foolish path as suicide. Even ants try to survive, and she was still young. How could she be so hopeless?
Fang Yuan was suspicious. "Uncle, are you sure Tao Bing'er committed suicide? And not for some other reason?"
Tao Bing'er's father nodded. "I'm certain it was suicide. The police have concluded the same. This villa has an anti-theft system that works day and night. The footage from that night shows no one else entering the villa except Tao Bing'er and me."
Another suicide!
Cheng Li committed suicide, Xu Yan committed suicide, Wan Hai committed suicide, Qin Yanping committed suicide, and now Tao Bing'er has. Why are there so many suicides?
Furthermore, the reasons for their suicides are so far-fetched and inexplicable.
Could there really be some mysterious force manipulating these people's behavior, forcing them to commit suicide?
If such a mysterious force truly exists, what is its motive?
Will it force her to commit suicide as well?
The more Fang Yuan thought about it, the more terrified she became. A chill rose from the soles of her feet, spreading throughout her body, chilling every pore.
"Fang Yuan, what's wrong? Did you catch a cold?" Xu Zhaodi noticed Fang Yuan shivering.
"It's okay. I think we should leave." Fang Yuan jumped a few times, distracting herself and warming herself up.
"Well, uncle, we're leaving now. Take care of yourself." Xu Zhaodi took Fang Yuan's hand and turned to leave.
After they had walked a little over ten meters, Tao Bing'er's father seemed to remember something and called out to them.
"Wait."
"Uncle, what else do you want to say?"
"There's something I find very strange." Tao Bing'er's father hesitated, then paused for a moment before finally speaking. "When I left the villa the other day, I saw a very strange person nearby."
"A very strange person?"
"Yes, a very strange person. He was wearing a black trench coat and had a thin face. The strangest thing about him was his eyes; they seemed blue, like a cat's." Tao Bing'er's father thought for a moment, then shook his head. "Never mind, it's just a strange look. Bing'er committed suicide, after all, so no one else is to blame."
Fang Yuan was horrified and almost cried out. Black trench coat, thin face, blue eyes—wasn't that Teacher Xiao Jing?
Teacher Xiao Jing, what was he doing here? He and Tao Bing'er had never interacted with each other.
Fang Yuan finally regained consciousness. She pursed her lips, holding back for a long moment before swallowing the words "Xiao Jing." She didn't want to cause any more trouble here. If Tao Bing'er's father were to learn that the strange figure he had seen was a teacher at their school, there was no telling what would happen.
She had always trusted Xiao Jing, believing him to be knowledgeable and perceptive. Despite his serious illness, he remained resilient and resilient. She had once considered him a role model, and there was no way she could connect him to these suicides.
When leaving Tao Bing'er's house, Fang Yuan discovered that the lawns at the villa were not as lush as they had appeared. There was a heavy tinge of earthy gray—the color of withering. Even the few osmanthus trees looked decrepit, their roots tangled and their bark peeling. The lovely, elf-like yellow blossoms were actually fading, broken, and falling at the slightest breeze.