The final two sentences

The sight of the long hair on the floor instantly drove away my drowsiness.

It brought back the whispers beneath my bed last night. Even now, remembering that woman's faint, fragmented voice sent chills through me.

I couldn't wait any longer. Lately, strange things had been happening more and more often, each more sinister than the last.

I had to find Mr. He right away. Once this was settled, I wanted to sleep for ten days or half a month.

Seeing me hurriedly getting dressed, Little Six asked in confusion:

"Where are you going? You still haven't told me where this long hair came from."

I pulled on my shoes, patted Little Six on the shoulder, and said quietly:

"Little Six, pack your things. If nothing goes wrong, we'll both quit when I get back this afternoon!"

Little Six's face turned pale. He asked in shock:

"What? Quit? Things are going great for me. Why would I quit?"

I glanced at him and said impatiently:

"Great, my ass. Keep doing this and we'll lose our lives. It's just a night-shift driving job. What's there to miss?"

Little Six threw the broom toward the door and said:

"What are you talking about? I drove taxis for five years, then coaches for five years. I told you, this time I'm going to drive buses for five years."

"Never mind whether you'll live long enough to finish those five years. Even if you do, then what? Will you get to summon Shenron?"

Little Six, who was usually good-tempered, lost his patience.

"There are plenty of bus drivers. Can't you see how easy we have it? Apart from staying up late, we earn more than everyone else and do less work. Now you're telling me you're taking me with you to quit? Are you stupid?"

Although I hadn't known Little Six very long, he was so straightforward that you could see right through him.

Things had reached this point. There was no need to hide anything anymore. I straightened up, looked at Little Six, and said seriously:

"Little Six, I've been trying to stop you ever since you wanted to take over Route 13. I'm not going to beat around the bush anymore. The truth is, countless dead souls surround our Route 13 last bus, inside and out, and there's no telling who's human and who's a ghost!"

After saying that, I pointed at the clump of long hair on the floor.

"See that? We're the only two people in this dorm, both grown men. How could there be long hair beneath my bed? Why did I spend all last night sitting beside yours? Because I heard someone talking under my bed!!! There are ghosts. Ghosts, understand? You've seen horror movies, haven't you!"

I thought telling Little Six the truth would make him see sense. Instead, the blunt fellow widened his eyes and raised his voice:

"What bullshit are you talking about? You want to quit a job this good? Have you got nothing better to do? Besides, I barely slept last night. I'm a light sleeper. I'd definitely have heard any noise in the room. What voices?"

I opened my mouth to curse at him, but thought better of it and swallowed my words.

Little Six's snores last night had been loud enough to hear from the courtyard downstairs, and he claimed he'd barely slept?!!

I was too angry to say another word. Forget it. Whether he agreed to quit or not, once Mr. He had dealt with this, I was taking him away, even if I had to tie him to an ox cart.

Seething, I didn't want to argue anymore. I left the dorm, hailed a taxi, and headed straight for Mr. He's home.

Fortunately, nothing had happened to Mr. He. He was at home, leisurely watering his flowers and feeding his birds.

Seeing him in good spirits made me happy for my own sake too. He should be more willing to help now.

Although I desperately wanted to get straight to my questions, I was afraid he would think me rude, so I asked with feigned concern:

"Mr. He, did you sleep well last night?"

Still watering his flowers, Mr. He said quietly:

"Didn't sleep a wink!"

I chuckled and said:

"Your rejuvenation really is amazing, Mr. He. You didn't sleep all night, but you still look so energetic!"

Mr. He set down his watering can and said softly:

"What rejuvenation? Who can escape the cycle of heaven's way? After reaching adulthood at eighteen, you live toward old age, and when you reach the end, you die. I live straight from old age toward youth. When I reach eighteen, it'll be my time to die too."

After saying that, Mr. He turned to look at me.

"Oh, look at those dark circles. Still worrying about that lousy Route 13 bus of yours? Didn't sleep all night?"

I didn't know why, but hearing Mr. He call the Route 13 last bus "that lousy Route 13 bus" always made me particularly happy. If Little Six heard it, though, he'd probably turn on him!

Since Mr. He had brought it up, I asked anxiously:

"Sir, please, you have to save me. Ever since I started driving that lousy Route 13 bus, I've run into something sinister every day. I haven't had a single day's peace!"

Mr. He nodded and motioned for me to sit.

"I rode that last bus once ten years ago. The driver was quite an elderly man!"

"Yes, his name is Wu Baoku. He's my team leader now. I only learned about you through him!"

Mr. He nodded and said softly:

"There isn't really any major problem with your bus. I'll teach you a method. Follow it carefully, and everything will be fine."

Hearing those words, I was overjoyed, so excited I didn't know what to do with my hands.

"Sir, please, tell me."

Mr. He smiled and said:

"Go and..."

"What kind of rhythm swings the most..."

Mr. He had barely begun when my phone rang. Without even checking who it was, I angrily jabbed the button.

"Please continue, sir. What should I do?"

"Go and take those three arch-"

"What kind of rhythm swings the most..."

That wretched ringtone sounded again.

Mr. He smiled and nodded, motioning for me to answer.

At such a crucial moment, I was about to breathe fire. I looked down. It was Bun Head.

I answered and snapped:

"What the fuck do you want? Call back later!"

I was about to hang up when Bun Head suddenly shouted on the other end.

"Don't hang up! Listen. Scorpion's father's funeral is over, and he's heading for Mr. He's place now. Hurry over, get him, and hide!"

That gave me a real fright. Scorpion's father had just died, so he was bound to be furious right now. If Old He fell into their hands again, he would be in serious trouble.

With that thought, I quickly hung up and said nervously to Mr. He:

"Scorpion's sent people again. We need to leave right away!"

Mr. He nodded calmly, but showed no sign of urgency.

I hurriedly urged him out, but he stood in the room, slowly looking around.

My palms were sweating with anxiety. I cried:

"Uncle He, let's go! Please stop looking around. Scorpion's men are coming to grab you!"

Mr. He nodded and said:

"No hurry. It's my last look!"

I wanted to pick him up and run, but didn't dare be so rash.

I waited for him to finish looking before we went downstairs together.

We jogged along while I kept wondering where I could absolutely guarantee Mr. He's safety. By chance, I hailed a taxi at the roadside and hurriedly told the driver:

"Drive. Head for city hall!"

The driver paused, then started the car.

Although I hadn't seen any of Scorpion's men, an inexplicable panic gripped me.

We hadn't even gone two blocks when the driver actually turned into a gas filling station. He looked back and said:

"Let me fill up first!"

My anger rose into my throat. My life depended on Mr. He, and he wanted to fill up at a time like this!!

I cursed furiously:

"Fuck you! Forget the fucking gas. Keep driving!"

The driver was clearly unhappy at being sworn at. He said quietly:

"Come on, what's the hurry? Filling up only takes a few minutes. Once we're back on the road, I'll speed up and make up the time."

I was so frantic I wanted to hit him. Then I saw several vans approaching from behind.

My heart jolted. Shit!!

Sure enough, a van made a sharp U-turn and stopped in front of our taxi. Seven or eight burly men in black climbed out, each carrying a machete.

Without thinking, I grabbed Mr. He and ran out.

The men in black chased after us, cursing.

I didn't know whether I was running too fast or Mr. He was running too slowly, but our steps fell out of sync and we both went sprawling.

The men in black instantly surrounded us.

As I frantically tried to think of a way out, Scorpion emerged from behind the crowd. Clutching a wooden club as thick as a wrist, he glared viciously at me and struck without a word.

The blow landed squarely on my shoulder. The pain nearly made me spit blood.

"Motherfucker, still trying to run? If you hadn't taken Mr. He away, would my father have died?"

Clutching my shoulder, I shouted back:

"Your father had a terminal illness, not some supernatural affliction! Mr. He isn't an immortal. Aren't you asking the impossible?"

Bang!

Another blow struck me, sending me rolling across the ground in pain.

"Who says he isn't an immortal? Have you ever seen a seventy-three-year-old look that young?"

Seeing that Scorpion was taking all his anger over his father's death out on me, I was just about to get up and fight him.

Suddenly, another van drove in behind him. A group climbed out, led by a big, burly bald man. It was Bun Head!

Seeing Bun Head arrive with his men, Scorpion's eyes reddened with rage. He pointed at Mr. He and me and shouted:

"Cut them down! Kill those two first!"

Realizing things had gone terribly wrong, I quickly pulled Mr. He up and ran.

Bun Head caught up and started fighting some of the men. Ignoring what was happening behind me, I held Mr. He's hand and ran desperately forward.

Just as I was about to tell Mr. He to be careful, I saw the tip of a long blade protrude from his chest!!

Blood instantly stained Mr. He's white suit red.

Behind Mr. He, Scorpion gripped the hilt, his eyes wide as he grinned viciously.

"My father's beyond saving, so I'm not letting you bastards use him either!"

Like a madman, I kicked him away, then quickly pulled out the long blade and supported Mr. He.

The blade had pierced his chest. Nothing could save him. Mr. He didn't seem to be in much pain. He merely said calmly:

"Throughout my life, I've treated and saved countless people, but I've also revealed heaven's secrets countless times. I foresaw this end three years ago..."

Watching Mr. He grow weaker and weaker, my heart turned to ashes.

"I wanted to help you, but sadly, our karmic connection is shallow. This too was ordained by heaven. Before I die, although I can no longer reveal heaven's secrets, I can give you a little guidance!"

Mr. He told me to bring my ear close. In the moment before he passed away, he spoke two sentences to me.

Of those two sentences, one showed me light, while the other sent me plunging to rock bottom.

One of them was:

"Among the people you trust most in your life, one has been lying to you all along!"