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墨書 Inktalez
Xin Yi stood in the empty living room, the light filtering in from a neighbor's balcony, casting a warm golden hue on the floor like scattered gold leaf. He hadn’t turned on the lights and was still holding a small cake he had bought for Song Bunan. It took him about three seconds to realize that no one was home, and his first instinct was to call Song Bunan to ask where he had gone, but he was met with the cold reminder that the number was out of service.
He considered calling Song Buxian instead but ultimately refrained from pressing the green call button. Song Buxian was strict with his younger brother and had a stubborn temperament; if he found out that Song Bunan was out late while he was away on business, he would likely rush back immediately to scold him.
After composing a text message for Song Bunan, Xin Yi placed the cake in the fridge and hesitated at the door, contemplating whether to wait here or head home to await news from Song Bunan. According to Song Buxian, his younger brother had a lively personality; although he could be a bit foolish, he was straightforward and lacked any ulterior motives. Since their parents had entrusted Xin Yi with his brother's upbringing, he had always adhered to the principle of being lenient with himself while strict with his brother, ensuring that Bunan never stayed out late.
"Of course, ever since he started college, he's become quite rebellious," Xin Yi recalled a time when they had gone out for drinks. He remembered how Song Buxian had complained while shaking his glass: "He just started his second year and is already asking if he can date. Before I could even respond, he sent me screenshots of our parents' chat as if it were an order. They’re both so young yet already talking about dating while warning him to be safe—if it’s not safe, then don’t date at all!"
"Has he found someone?" Xin Yi asked curiously as he listened to his friend vent without intending to chime in. He watched as Song Buxian looked up at him with an expression that mixed helplessness and mockery. "Honestly, I'm not mad about him asking that question; I’m more annoyed because my mom told me earlier that he had a crush in his freshman year but got rejected for being 'too weak.' The girl likes strong, tall guys—he doesn’t fit any of those criteria. He was so heartbroken that he posted on social media about wanting to work out. It’s hilarious."
Xin Yi understood that beautiful girls on campus were often drawn to tall and athletic boys, which made him curious about Song Buxian's younger brother, who was often described as "weak and small." After all, looking at Song Buxian, it was clear that their family had decent meals; while not overweight, he certainly wasn’t slim either.
What surprised Xin Yi even more was how this frail-looking boy managed to capture his attention and even stir feelings within him again. The boy often unconsciously acted cute around him, gazing with eyes full of affection. Xin Yi knew this feeling might just be a child's infatuation due to his kindness towards him, yet he couldn’t bury his own feelings any longer—especially since they were now evident enough for Song Buxian to tease him about.
Their chat interface lingered on a message from Song Buxian: "My brother mentioned back in middle school that he could have feelings for boys too. After our parents and I did some research online together and reluctantly accepted it, we told him: liking someone is just liking someone; gender is merely an additional option that can be there or not. But I still hope you consider it carefully because he might not understand your feelings."
Meanwhile, engrossed in food at the table, Song Bunan didn’t lift his head. At that moment, he felt that diverting his attention elsewhere would be the greatest disrespect to Uncle Meng and the delicious spread before him. Having not tasted such delightful food in ages, he completely disregarded the doctor's numerous warnings; instead of feeling guilty, he felt nothing but joy.
Once every plate was emptied except for some broth and garnishes, Song Bunan rubbed his full belly contentedly against the chair's backrest and sighed happily while exclaiming how delicious everything was.
Next to him, Xiao Mei slowly wiped his mouth and took out a set of keys from his pocket, placing them on the table. Curious but too stuffed to move much, Song Bunan squinted at them: "What’s this?"
The keys were more ornate than usual; their handles featured intricate cut-out designs that obscured their exact pattern. Leaning back in his chair like Song Bunan, Xiao Mei softly said, "I mentioned wanting to tell you something earlier; now that we’re full, let’s have a proper chat."
Xiao Mei suggested they walk while talking. As they left the small room together, Song Bunan remained silent and simply followed beside Xiao Mei as he began expressing everything on his mind. The topic seemed difficult for Xiao Mei to broach; despite sharing many details around it without getting straight to the point, Song Bunan learned a lot from these casual remarks.
The person writing in the Black Notebook appeared very objective; whether narrating or explaining things felt like reading an instruction manual where people engaged in bizarre activities for seemingly trivial reasons—making him think there might be something off about them.
However, amidst Xiao Mei's casual chatter were some points that aligned with what was written in the notebook. With an additional perspective added into the mix, things became clearer for Song Bunan as he began to understand some choices made by those involved. From these conversations, he vaguely sensed what Xiao Mei wanted him to help with.
As they entered the garden filled with blooming roses exuding a faint fragrance enveloping them both, Song Bunan focused on Xiao Mei's back. Just as Xiao Mei prepared to continue speaking casually, Song Bunan interrupted: "Xiao Mei, I think I’ve figured out what you need my help with."
The young boy turned around and stared intently at him without speaking further. The slight furrow of his brow and eyes filled with anxiety made Song Bunan feel nervous too; clearing his throat to avoid Xiao Mei's gaze, he focused on a peony with red streaks against its white petals as he spoke slowly:
"You’re staying at Dragon Garden as a guard because your master disappeared inside it; this place holds significant meaning for you. The approaching date is your eighteenth birthday—the same time your master mentioned something would happen at Gathering Yin Land. To uncover the secrets within this house requires my ability to make it 'come alive,' but this assistance carries risks and uncertainties; you’re worried I might refuse."
Seeing Xiao Mei remain silent prompted Song Bunan to continue: "You handed me the Black Notebook so I could read what’s recorded about Dragon Garden within it. Some of it is your continuation—how you captured ghosts and locked them in an empty room on the first floor as preparation for that day’s arrival. Although I don’t fully understand these matters, I consider you a friend and will definitely help."
He chose not to disclose what he'd seen in the notebook regarding someone named Xuanqin who mentioned having two apprentices; given what Xiao Mei had shared about events surrounding this matter, it seemed likely that he knew one of those apprentices. Revealing such details would only harm those two individuals. Choosing instead to assist Xiao Mei stemmed not only from genuine friendship but also from a desire to investigate his own affliction further. If whatever lurked behind originated from Dragon Garden and there was a connection between them and this house's secrets could be uncovered—it would surely be beneficial.
As they exchanged thoughts back and forth regarding how to arrange future matters effectively—Xiao Mei’s birthday coinciding perfectly with next weekend while himself returning to work on Monday—they managed to establish most of their plans.
When they finally strolled around the yard until feeling drowsy, Xiao Mei remarked that it was already past eleven o'clock at night and suggested they tidy up before heading off to bed. As they walked back inside, Song Bunan felt an unsettling sense of having forgotten something important but couldn’t recall what it was no matter how hard he tried until sitting down in the guest room and pulling out his phone only to find it had somehow powered off—then suddenly everything he'd forgotten crashed back into his mind.
He had forgotten that Xin Yi would come over tonight to bring him dinner, and his phone being turned off meant he had no reminders at all.
As he rushed out of the guest room to find Xiao Mei and ask if he had a charger, he noticed that the yard outside looked completely different from when he had entered the house. The once lush trees and blooming flowers were now shrouded in a faint mist, and even the path beneath his feet had become worn and dilapidated. Turning to look around, he saw no sign of light in any direction.
Standing in the yard, Song Bunan seemed to grasp the gravity of the situation, but his urgency to get his phone charged and turned on prevented him from thinking too deeply. He quickly turned back and re-entered the house.
Inside, he realized that the lights had also gone out at some point, and with that, the mist began to seep into the room, filling his vision and obscuring his surroundings. Gripping his phone tightly, Song Bunan took a deep breath and followed his memory to the bedside. He fumbled around until he found his bag, then turned and sat down on the bed.
He had encountered this kind of situation in his dreams before.
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