A Guest in a Ghost House Chapter 82 The Previous Lover 6

The child refused to take one more step toward the Ghost House. I asked him to wait for me, then rushed inside. Fortunately, people were still there, including Xiao Lingdang. I excitedly told her about the child and the skin he wore. Xiao Lingdang jumped up immediately, and the other women all appeared to be very happy.

I did not mention having met Wu Ting. I thought it better to wait to discuss that event until after we finished with the matter of Xiao Lingdang`s skin.

I was afraid that spending too long in the Ghost House would cause the child to leave, but fortunately, when we rushed outside, he was waiting where I had left him.

Xiao Lingdang was definitely the most excited member of our group. She quickly rushed over to the child. Understandably, the sight of a ghost rushing to take his skin startled him, and he jumped back immediately. Xiao Lingdang looked at me with sorrow.

I stepped forward and said to the child, "The skin you are wearing now is hers. Can you please give it back to her? Don't worry, I'll help you find your own skin."

The child took another step back, looked at Xiao Lingdang and me, and then shook his head.

Before we arrived, we had discussed what to do if the child refused to hand over the skin. However, the child showed a cleverness that I didn't expect. Until I helped him find his skin, he would hold onto Xiao Lingdang's as a bargaining tool so that I couldn't break my promise. However, he gave me Xiao Pang and Little Thin, perhaps as a way to prove that I could trust him too.

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Although Xiao Lingdang was in a hurry, she was understanding. I continued to try to bargain with the child, but Xiao Lingdang simply agreed with his demands. I had no other choice but to go along with them. The child, seemingly pleased that things had gone his way, told us his address and then left in a hurry.

Sister Hua and I scolded Xiao Lingdang for giving up so easily during the negotiation, and once we arrived at the Ghost House, she left to pout. I found Yan'er and returned Xiao Pang and Little Thin, who she was delighted to see.

I then told everyone about Wu Ting's story. Yan'er reacted calmly, but the long shirted person seemed embarrassed. I knew right away that the long shirted person was connected to Wu Ting somehow. I didn't know the details, but I knew he was responsible for our meeting.

Yan'er looked at the long shirted person and was about to speak but decided to remain silent.

Sister Hua seemed happy at least, not only because I'd found Xiao Pang and Little Thin but because I'd also helped Xiao Lingdang find her skin. She said, "The matter has been handled by little Wu. But, alas--"

Sister Hua had not finished speaking when the long shirted person's face flushed red. She hesitated, then looked over at Yan'er for reassurance. Gritting his teeth, the long shirted person said, "I told you I would handle it."

Although the long shirted person hadn`t yet handled the matter of the killing doll and Wu Ting, from Wu Ting's words, I knew that the long shirted person had looked for her. He was also somehow responsible for Wu Ting's ghost not harassing me tonight. The long shirted person must have had some abilities, so I was actually relieved to hear his angry insistence that he would handle things.

I didn`t stay in the Ghost House for long. I said goodbye to Sister Hua, then left. The street out front was empty, as usual. There were only dim lights on by the roadside. I walked slowly, deliberately avoiding the night market stalls--I had no choice; I was still in debt to the barbecue stall boss.

Just as I felt pleased that the boss hadn't seen me, I saw Wu Ting standing in the shadows near a street lamp, still dripping water and looking straight at me. However, I realized that I wasn't as scared of her as I had been before. I couldn't believe it.

Walking within two meters of Wu Ting, I smiled and said, "So, Wu Ting, did you have a reason to come find me?" I spoke lightheartedly, but as I waited for Wu Ting's response, and stood there under her unmoving gaze, I began to feel frightened again.

Finally, she opened her mouth.

"Did you have to get involved?"

I vaguely wondered how she found me and who might have told her I was here, but I felt that was a concern for another time.

"No, I am not getting involved," I lied.

Wu Ting laughed horribly, then she looked me coldly in the eyes and said, "Oh, hah, hah, hah. It's hot. Let's go to the gym for a swim." Then she immediately disappeared.

I knew the gymnasium had a swimming pool. In our small county, there was only one gymnasium. I'd never been to the pool there because the entry fee was too expensive. However, now I worried what would happen if I didn't go.

I returned to the Ghost House immediately and discussed the matter with Sister Hua. She smiled and didn't say anything other than that I was permitted to take time off from work to go. I felt like she had something more to say, but she just went back to her work.

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At noon the next day, I went to the gym. I was the only guest there. When I entered the pool area, I saw the lifeguard yawning at his post. By the time I had changed clothes in the locker room and come back out to the pool, he had fallen asleep.

"Hey. Hey!" I tried to wake him, but the lifeguard didn't stir. I walked over to the pool and prepared to get in.

Just as I was about to stick my feet into the water, I saw a head with long hair floating on the water out of the corner of my eye. I pretended I didn't see it, but as I moved away from the pool and walked to the chair where I'd set my things, I felt my knees turn to jelly.

I had that big lunch, after all. I should probably stay out of the water a little longer…

I slowly looked at the pool out of the corner of my eye. The woman watched me with her eyes just above the water level. They crinkled with glee at my fear before disappearing with a splash of chlorinated water and stringy hair.

My heart trembled a little. The water in the pool was so clear that I could almost see to the end, yet I didn't see anyone under its surface.

I sat firmly on my chair away from the edge of the pool until I saw Lulu and Xiao Lingdang walk up with the thin boy.

"Brother, have you caught any fish?" Xiao Lingdang asked teasingly.

"I suspect he's too lazy even for that," Lulu said with a smirk. Really, Lulu?

"Har, har," I chuckled dryly. I turned my attention to Xiao Lingdang and the young boy. Xiao Lingdang was telling him the story of Wu Jian. When she finished, they both turned to me confidently.

"We want to help you!" said Xiao Lingdang as the boy nodded. I looked at them both for a moment before simply shaking my head. Although the boy tried to put on a brave face, he couldn't hide the fear in his eyes.

With the others here, I felt comfortable getting into the pool. The water was a nice temperature, although my back still felt a slight chill. As I moved around the pool, I looked below the water carefully. After nearly half an hour of "swimming," I realized I hadn't even gotten my hair wet. I gave up on bravery and went to the edge to rest for a while.

Gradually, other people began to show up. Soon the entire swimming pool was full of people. I sat nearby noticing how many of the guests here were beautiful women. It must be because this is such an expensive gym, I thought as I tried not to stare.

People came and left while I stayed at the pool. I noticed the lifeguard looking at me disdainfully, but I didn't care. The pool closed at 9:30. I had bought a ticket. I was staying until 9:30. And I have to figure out how to stay after the pool closes…

I figured whatever I was here to do would happen at night.

As it got later, the number of people left in the pool became fewer and fewer. Besides me, there were only a few teenagers playing some game at the other end of the pool. The broadcasted announcements shut off, and I expected the lifeguard to come over soon to tell us to leave. However, I soon realized he had disappeared.

Feeling vaguely worried that something was wrong, I told the children that they had to leave the pool. I was clearly just another guest though, so they ignored me and continued to play.

I sat anxiously in a chair on the side of the pool, looking at the people in the pool and then over to the dressing room. The lights in the gym were still on, but the locker room was dark.

If this had to do with Wu Ting, there would be clues.

Chapter end