"Han Ji" didn't ask, leaving me fretting helplessly.
After waiting for a long time, Mrs. Shimada had finished speaking. The director's side remained silent for several seconds before Bian Sijun swallowed and spoke stiffly.
"Mrs. Shimada said... she said there used to be a stream here. There was a small waterfall up on the mountain that flowed all the way down here. She also said... said there shouldn't be a gap here. The water in the pond seeps into the ground..."
Thunk—
A soft sound suddenly echoed through the woods, like bamboo tapping against bamboo.
The wind blew through the trees, making the leaves rustle. Snow shook loose from the branches and fell in soft cascades. Flurries danced through the air, obscuring my vision.
Thunk—
The sound rang out again.
Panicked shouts came from up ahead. People were yelling about something; some stood frozen in place, while others had already run off.
Bian Sijun grabbed "Han Ji's" hand and said in alarm, "There's a ghost! They said there's a ghost!"
She hadn't kept her voice down, and the people nearby heard her at once.
The shouting grew louder. More people looked over, shining their lights this way.
I couldn't understand what they were saying. Bian Sijun seemed too frightened to translate again.
"Han Ji" didn't leave the woods. She stood where she was without moving.
Her gaze swept around, lingering briefly on Nantian and the Shimada family, just as before.
Thunk—
"Come over here!" Nantian's voice rose above the crowd and reached my ears clearly. I vaguely saw him turn to say something to the director. The director turned around too and shouted something.
Only then did "Han Ji" lead the trembling Bian Sijun over.
Bian Sijun was resisting with all her might, but she couldn't muster enough strength.
When