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墨書 Inktalez
Ziya stared in astonishment at the woman's portrait displayed on the computer screen. This image had appeared countless times in her dreams, and the way Zhou Chen had depicted her was truly chilling. The woman's disheveled hair obscured her entire face, revealing a pale complexion beneath, and her hollow eye sockets seemed filled with resentment.
"Have you seen her?" Ziya felt a chill run down her spine, her body trembling slightly as she approached the computer desk, unable to meet the gaze of the eerie image on the screen. Although it was a digital creation by Zhou Chen, it felt so lifelike.
"Yes, she blocked your vision. I was baffled when you rushed toward the car, but when I got up from under the wheels, I saw her behind you," Zhou Chen's voice was haunting, stirring a wave of sorrow within Ziya.
"She wants me dead!" Ziya's breath quickened as she recalled how close she had come to being separated from Zhou Chen forever, overwhelming sadness washing over her once more.
Zhou Chen turned to her, gently wiping away Ziya's tears. "Promise me you won't cry anymore. Crying is utterly useless. I fear girls crying more than anything else, and I dislike it too. I will always be by your side."
"Then... will everyone I dream about die?" Ziya stopped crying and looked up with swollen eyes.
"They will, but if you try hard enough, you can save them. However, it will require a lot from you..." Zhou Chen's hesitant words filled Ziya with unease.
"Just tell me! What can I do to save them?"
"Don't worry; I will always be by your side."
"Why? You can see that woman; why can't I? I still want to find out what happened to Luo Daoming!"
"As for Luo Daoming, you can look for someone named Liu... I'm sorry, Ziya. Up until now, this is all I can do to help you, but I will try my best. You must be strong; I will always be by your side. Remember, if someone asks you to take or eat something, never agree. I have to go now; it's getting late..."
"Don't leave... please..." Ziya twisted in her blankets, beads of sweat dotting her forehead as she suddenly woke up and sat up straight. The pale moonlight filtered through the sandy curtains, casting beams of light across the room. It was clear—Zhou Chen was gone, and there was no portrait. She realized she had fallen asleep on the bed without knowing when. The note on her pillow was still there; she picked it up and folded it neatly before placing it back under her pillow. Everything seemed unchanged except for the blanket covering her—she had no idea who had put it there. Wiping the cold sweat from her forehead, she faintly sensed that she was still catching her breath from anxiety, and remnants of tears lingered at the corners of her eyes. Taking a deep breath, she smoothed out her hair and lay back down in bed, the vivid scenes from earlier stubbornly etched in her memory.
The sky revealed a pale light, and with the arrival of dawn came the moment when nightmares abruptly faded away, giving way to a day filled with hope. The gentle morning breeze caressed the trees and flowers in the neighborhood, quietly waking Ziya from her slumber. She got up to wash her face and brush her teeth, then lazily shuffled into the living room in her slippers to observe the tropical fish that Liu Haoming, her father, had raised.
Zi Anqing was pleased to see her daughter awake early. Busy with her tasks, she opened the glass partition door and called out to Ziya, who was standing on the balcony, "Hey, Ziya, wash your hands and get ready for breakfast. Today, Mom will take you to the supermarket. It's been a while since we had some fun together. Let me know what you want to buy; I have plenty of money."
"Um... no, I have to go back to News Agency," Ziya murmured as she picked up a small yellow fish with her chopsticks. The sound of Liu Haoming closing the bathroom door echoed down the hallway, followed by the tired shuffling of slippers against the floor.
"You can't go. I've already told Zhang, the Chief Editor that you're taking a break for now. I'll handle things at your school," he said in an authoritative tone, his stern face appearing before Ziya.
"This is called authoritarianism! We're in a democratic age now, not like back in your time," Ziya protested loudly, deliberately putting on a serious expression.
"Hey! You little brat, you're getting more outrageous by the day! Not only are you disrespectful, but it seems your brain is also malfunctioning. I'm your father! Is this how you want to challenge me?" Liu Haoming said angrily, furrowing his brow as he sat down on the sofa with a calm yet commanding tone.
"Hello, Dad Liu! Is that enough? Hmph!" Ziya knew her father meant well, but under these circumstances, how could she turn back? Besides, everyone in the building was in a very dangerous situation right now. Saying this, she ignored how displeased Liu Haoming looked and walked into the glass partition door. Inside, she found Zi Anqing preparing mung bean porridge and mixing a small dish of side dishes.
"Anqing, I still need to go to News Agency. I can't just leave it like this," she said as she bent down to pick up some side dishes with her chopsticks.
"How does it taste? Is it salty or bland?" Zi Anqing asked cheerfully while avoiding her daughter's topic, untying her apron and hanging it on a hook on the wall.
"Anqing, I know you're the one who cares about me most. If you don't support me, I'll be heartbroken," Ziya peeked at Liu Haoming in the living room through the glass partition door. She knew that speaking in the kitchen wouldn’t be heard in the living room due to soundproofing. At that moment, she leaned against Anqing Mama, just like she used to when she would act cute with her foster mother. Her charming demeanor surprised Zi Anqing.
"Oh dear, Ziya, don’t scare me like that! You're not a child anymore; why are you acting all cutesy with your mom?" Zi Anqing looked at her daughter, who was now taller than herself. She wanted to laugh but couldn’t help recalling yesterday's scene… it made her feel uneasy.
"What did your father say?" As she spoke, Zi Anqing picked up a dish and stepped through the glass partition door into the dining area. The entire rectangular space was divided into three sections: the living room by the balcony served as the main area; in the middle was a small dining room; and further inside was the kitchen.
The dining room featured an oval dining table, surrounded by rows of chairs. Zi Anqing placed the dishes on the table and looked up at Liu Haoming, who was reading the morning newspaper.
"Honey, wash your hands before eating."
"Okay."
Liu Haoming set the newspaper down, folded it neatly, and walked to the kitchen. Ziya cast a cold glance at the two of them before sitting down despondently and picking up a bowl of mung bean porridge to eat. Breakfast ended abruptly amidst the dull clinking of bowls and chopsticks against the table. Zi Anqing cleared the table while Liu Haoming got up to change into his dress shoes, preparing to head to work.
"Ziya, you can go to the supermarket with your mom today and look around. There's no need to go to the news agency; just listen..."
"I protest." Ziya stood up, her delicate brows slightly raised, her expression complex as she looked at her parents with misty eyes.
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