Chapter 12: “Study Group”

It's been a week since Shen Xiaofan and Wei Xiu are going out. So far, their interactions are not so different than when they were still friends. Except, Wei Xiu often held Shen Xiaofan's hand, kissed her, or entered the bathroom together. Shen Xiaofan was embarrassed at first, later, she finally got used to it and let Wei Xiu stay in the bathroom while she took a bath.

"Xiaofan, there will be a final test soon, can I go to your house and study together?", Song Ehuang said during their lunches. Emily Chen also nodded and said, "I'm also lacking in physics and math, could I join in as well?",

Shen Xiaofan, who had just finished her lunch box wiped her mouth and nodded, "Sure, just come. My parents are busy as usual. So, there will be just me and aunty Liu.",

"Ah, it's been a while since I went to your house. Is the swing at the plum tree still available?", Song Ehuang asked while expecting Shen Xiaofan's answer. Shen Xiaofan smiled wryly and bopped Song Ehuang's head, "I thought you want to study together?",

Emily Chen chuckled at the two of them, then her eyes landed on Shen Xiaofan, she noticed that Wei Xiu isn't with her today,

"It's rare not to see your stalker today.",

Shen Xiaofan knew what Emily Chen meant and answered honestly, "She said she wanted to visit her friend today.",

Emily Chen pondered for a second and had an idea who it was. It's probably Luo Bojing, the old man ghost at the library. The three of them continue to discuss the study group. When the school was finally over, Shen Xiaofan hurriedly helped around the house to tidy up a bit. When she was in the middle of wiping the window, Wei Xiu suddenly showed up before her and surprised her.

"Did you miss me?",

Shen Xiaofan smiled wryly and nodded, "I did. How's your visit, Ah-Xiu?",

Wei Xiu placed her arms around Shen Xiaofan's neck and kissed her forehead, "It was as good as always. But...",

"But what? Did something unpleasant happened?",

"No, it's just... you're not there and I miss you very much.",

Shen Xiaofan smiled and touched Wei Xiu's nose, "Then next time do bring me to see your friend.",

"You're not scared?",

"You're here with me what should I'm afraid of?",

Wei Xiu smiled happily and placed her chin on Shen Xiaofan's forehead, "You're right.", Shen Xiaofan let Wei Xiu hug herself, then she continued cleaning around. Wei Xiu noticed that Shen Xiaofan is busier than usual, "Is someone coming today?",

"Yes. Emily and Ehuang are going to visit for a study group.",

"Ah, yes, of course! My Xiaofan is so smart, muach!", Wei Xiu teased Shen Xiaofan and kissed her cheek. Shen Xiaofan knew that Wei Xiu is just teasing her, so she laughed as well, "Anyway, don't stick around me too much today lest Emily Chen found out about… us.",

Right, they have been dating in secret. There is not a single human who knew that Shen Xiaofan is dating Wei Xiu, and the only soul who knew was only Luo Bojing, Wei Xiu's best friend. Soon after Shen Xiaofan had finished cleaning, Song Ehuang and Emily Chen came. They brought snacks and drinks from the convenience store,

"Let's have girls talk!",

Shen Xiaofan bopped Song Ehuang's head again, "Study first.",

"Yes, yes. My wife is so violent against me ah, I demand divorce!", Song Ehuang said while pretending to be miserable. Emily Chen who was beside her couldn't hold her laughter, "Damn, Ehuang. You're too much!",

Shen Xiaofan also pretended to be troubled and propped her chin, "Yes, my wife here is indeed a problem. Perhaps it's time we signed the divorce contract.",

"Oh, please stop.", Emily Chen laughed so much that even when the two had finished joking around, she's still having problems holding her laughter; apparently the jokes are still funny to her. The three headed to the living room and began to study together. An hour later, the doorbell rang, Shen Xiaofan was surprised to get other guests at this time. She trotted to the door and found out it was Hou Yang.

"Xiaofan, can we study together? I'm bad at English language, so perhaps you could teach me again.",

Wei Xiu who was beside Shen Xiaofan could hear Hou Yang's thoughts, then she whispered to Shen Xiaofan, "He's lying. He's just bored at home and wanted to play in your house.",

Shen Xiaofan chuckled and nodded, Hou Yang was confused,

"Is there something funny?",

"No, it's just thinking of the past. You're always coming here before the final exam, in the end, we didn't study but played on the swing in the backyard.",

"Hahaha, yeah, is it still available?",

"It sure does.",

"Then, let's go!",

Hou Yang was about to rush inside the house, luckily, Shen Xiaofan blocked his way and motioning her hand to stop, "There are Emily and Ehuang inside, we're studying together.",

"Ah, alright, I'll help around.",

"That would help.",

Shen Xiaofan led Hou Yang to the living room. Emily Chen and Song Ehuang were surprised to see Hou Yang arrive at this hour.

"Hou Yang, don't you know that it's inappropriate for a boy to intrude a girl's house at this hour?",

"It's already a tradition for me to come here before the final exam. You're the one who's intruding here.",

"Alright guys, let's just study together. I forgot what's this formula again!", Emily Chen said in exasperation. Shen Xiaofan was happy that her house, which used to be as quiet as a graveyard, now becomes lively thanks to her friends.

"Aww.", Wei Xiu hugged Shen Xiaofan from behind while patting her head, "You also have me.",

Shen Xiaofan nodded and sat next to Emily Chen, "This formula is like this.",

"Oh, I get it, it's easier to understand when you're explaining it. Thanks, Xiaofan.", Emily Chen smiled and continued to study.

Song Ehuang who was studying reluctantly now is chatting around with Hou Yang. Shen Xiaofan reminded them of the purpose of being here, and they both mentioned the swing at the same time. Shen Xiaofan slapped her forehead while Emily Chen and Wei Xiu laughed at her. In the end, Shen Xiaofan couldn't help but get angry and forced Song Ehuang and Hou Yang to study. They were both scared of Shen Xiaofan when she's angry, so they studied obediently.

After 2 hours of studying, they took a break. Shen Xiaofan's caretaker serves them with orange juice and Castella cake. The four ate the Castella and chatted about many things.

"Can I play with the swing?",

"Ah, me too!",

The two had already gone to the backyard before Shen Xiaofan said anything. Emily Chen leaned on the table and smiled, "They're like a bunch of kids.",

"Well, we are... anyway, let's go to the backyard lest they destroyed the swing.",

"Ahaha, you're right.",

In the end, the four of them played in the backyard until night. Shen Xiaofan still had the fireworks from weeks ago, so she lit the fireworks along with everyone.

"Is everyone available for scary stories?", Song Ehuang asked.

"Hmm… I have one.", Emily Chen said.

Once Emily Chen's fireworks had been extinguished, she threw them in a bucket filled with water, and began to tell the scary stories.

"This one I tell… is from my personal experience from working with my father as a ghost hunter back in America.",

Song Ehuang and Hou Yang were surprised, they looked at each other, then at Shen Xiaofan. Shen Xiaofan somehow could read their thoughts and shrugged. Emily Chen sighed and showed one of her talismans, "Believe me now?",

"What is that?", Hou Yang asked.

"It's called Fu, usually for keeping away ghosts.", Song Ehuang explained, she knew about occult stuff like this because she loves them.

Meanwhile, Wei Xiu somehow has her own trauma with the talisman. She immediately hides behind Shen Xiaofan. Emily Chen put her talisman away and continued to tell the story,

"Back then, our client was a nurse at the hospital. She claimed that she often hears a woman's voice echoing through the hospital's hallway. But whenever she checked on it, there was no one there. Since she's an optimist, she thought it was one of the female patients who were at labor, so she headed to the delivery room. And then…", Emily Chen stopped, the atmosphere suddenly became stifling, making everyone at present also feel the adrenaline rush.

"Then, what?", Hou Yang asked.

"It turned out it was really a female patient at labor.",

Song Ehuang and Hou Yang immediately felt annoyed and said, "Bah, I thought it was a ghost!",

"I'm not finished yet.", Emily Chen looked at Shen Xiaofan, "Xiaofan, are you okay with stuff like this?",

Shen Xiaofan nodded, with Wei Xiu by her side, somehow she became more courageous to handle this kind of stuff. After getting the answer, Emily Chen continued, "Then the nurse helped out the woman at labor. She pressed the bell beside the bed and helped the woman to breathe. The woman was able to calm down and thanked the nurse. The nurse smiled and asked for her name, the woman claimed to be a patient named Iona. Later, a few nurses came and asked what happened. The nurse explained to them about the situation, however, they were bewildered by her. They claimed that a patient named Iona had already passed away during the labor. Her body was too weak to deliver the baby, so both of them died in this room.",

"Well, that's really scary… but did you manage to catch the ghost?", Shen Xiaofan asked,

"Yes, my father had caught the ghost and throw it somewhere, where they won't bother other people.",

For some reason, Shen Xiaofan suddenly guarded Wei Xiu who had been hiding behind her. Emily Chen knew what Shen Xiaofan is thinking, then she said,

"I won't arbitrarily arrest a harmless ghost unless they do something to bother people. Don't worry about it.",

"Ah, speaking of which, is your ghost still here, Xiaofan?", Song Ehuang asked.

Hou Yang who had been listening was confused, "What do you guys mean? What ghosts?",

Song Ehuang explained to Hou Yang that there is a female ghost who had been following Shen Xiaofan. However, this ghost claimed to be a guardian spirit and had been protecting Shen Xiaofan from other bad ghosts. Hou Yang nodded his head, somehow this is hard to believe. Moreover, why didn't Shen Xiaofan tell him? Isn't he her childhood friend? Why is he the only one left out?

Wei Xiu could hear his thoughts and whispered to Shen Xiaofan, "Your childhood friend is feeling left out.", Shen Xiaofan was surprised, it is her fault for not telling Hou Yang about this matter, so she took off her bracelet and put it on Hou Yang's hand. Hou Yang was surprised and blushed a bit, he asked, "What's this?",

Shen Xiaofan didn't see his blush and said casually, "It's a bracelet that allows you to see ghosts, now look at behind me, is there someone behind me?",

Wei Xiu forgot to cover her figure and let Hou Yang accidentally see her. Hou Yang was shocked and scared, he immediately took off the bracelet and returned it to Shen Xiaofan,

"Y-you're really being followed.",

"Yes, however, she's not a bad person… she had been protecting me quietly before I got this bracelet.",

"A-are you okay with being followed by her?",

Shen Xiaofan looked at Wei Xiu, then she smiled, "Yes, thanks to her… I'm not that lonely anymore.",

Wei Xiu also returned the smile at Shen Xiaofan, her smile was very beautiful and somehow a bit coquettish. Emily Chen, who can see ghosts without any media, felt that there's something strange. However, she couldn't tell what it was. After telling the ghost stories, Emily Chen, Song Ehuang, and Hou Yang went home. However, before Emily Chen went, she advised Shen Xiaofan not to get closer to Wei Xiu lest something unpredictable might happen. Shen Xiaofan nodded but didn't take it to heart,

"Don't worry, I know my own measures.",

"That's great. Then, I'll see you at Monday.",

"See you.",

After everyone is gone, the house once again becomes quiet. Shen Xiaofan helped the caretaker to clean the room. She looked at Wei Xiu who's sitting on the couch while reading a magazine on the table. She really does love magazines. Wei Xiu realized that Shen Xiaofan was staring at her, so she smiled and asked sweetly, "What's wrong, dear?",

Shen Xiaofan was surprised and blushed a bit, "N-nothing. I was just thinking you really do love the magazine.",

"Yes, but I love you more than the magazines.", Wei Xiu suddenly hugged Shen Xiaofan from the side and whispered, "What should I do?",

Shen Xiaofan felt that the mood was quite strange, so she broke free and fled to the kitchen. Wei Xiu had no problem with Shen Xiaofan running away from her, instead, she laughed at her. Shen Xiaofan felt like she's a hamster being chased by a big cat. A big Persian cat…