By the time I returned to the apartment building, it was already ten o'clock. I was at the elders' home, had dinner, and asked a lot of questions. My understanding deepened.
Standing at the entrance of the building, I felt much more at ease. The lights were bright, voices filled the air—Mona Tong hadn't gone home yet. On any other day, the place would be dim and quiet, shrouded in darkness, enough to make anyone uneasy.
Sure enough, when I reached 409, Mona Tong was chatting with Rachel Lan.
"Mona, why don't you take a shower? Go to his place, and we'll talk later, okay?"
Mona Tong stood up and, as she passed by me, shot me a fierce glare.
I walked over.
"She doesn't know about your situation?"
Rachel Lan nodded.
"She's my only friend who has nothing to do with this world."
"You don't plan to tell her?"
Rachel Lan nodded again.
"That's why I rarely go out with her. It's always every ten days or so, just a simple meal. It's been like this since we were kids. But Mona has never blamed me, she's always been close to me."
I looked at Rachel Lan in surprise—she was unusually talkative today.
I understood that Rachel Lan didn't want those ghosts to see her. If, one day, something went wrong, Mona Tong could get into trouble with the ghosts, and the blame would fall on Rachel Lan.
But at this moment, Rachel Lan looked deeply troubled. I asked her a few questions, but she refused to say anything.
Back in my room, I decided to go to sleep.
"Can you really not see them, brother?"
This time, I wasn't startled. I seemed numb to it now. John Chou emerged from the wall, sat on a chair, crossed his legs, and looked at me.
"See what?"
John Chou smiled mysteriously.
"See what?" I asked, but John Chou had already left.
I started to recall carefully, feeling as if I'd forgotten something important.
Unable to remember, I closed my eyes.
Early the next morning, I was awakened by the smell of food. Yuna Ji was in the kitchen, cooking. After breakfast, I went to 409—Rachel Lan and Mona Tong were already up.
Suddenly, I saw a thick, dark cloud hovering over Mona Tong's head.
Instantly, my heart skipped a beat.
"This girl's days are numbered," John Chou stood beside me, looking as ordinary as anyone.
Suddenly, I remembered—when I first saw Mona Tong yesterday, I would have mentioned the dark cloud over her head if not for that sudden misunderstanding that distracted me.
Mona Tong left soon after—she had to go to work.
The apartment building returned to its usual state, quiet and empty. Rachel Lan sat on the bed, looking sorrowful. I walked over.
"Aren't you going to save her?"
Rachel Lan shook her head.
"Life and death are fate. I've known that for a long time, but even so, this day has come."
"Isn't she your friend? Your childhood companion. Can't you do something?"
"Heh, brother, don't be so naive."
John Chou said, walking in.
"Why? I died and you brought me back from the underworld."
"You're different, brother. That girl—she won't last three more days. Her life is nearly over."
Rachel Lan cried. I saw her break down, her sobs growing louder until she was wailing.
"Why? If we know in advance that she's doomed, why not let her stay here and get through these three days? Right, John Chou? This is your ghost domain, it shouldn't..."
"That would be changing a living person's fate—it's against the laws of heaven. Right now, I'm still suppressed by the Sanzu Force. Do you want Heaven itself to come down on me too?"
John Chou challenged me. I sucked in a cold breath—it seemed even he couldn't help.
Watching Rachel Lan cry, I couldn't bear it. I turned and walked out.
"Where does Mona Tong work? I'll guard her for these three days—there must be a way."
Rachel Lan stared at me in a daze.
"It's useless, Ethan. Mona's time is up—her life is ending naturally. Unlike you, who was killed by ghosts and had a chance."
"Still, we have to try something, right? Isn't that what you always do?"
Finally, I got Mona Tong's work address. I took Rachel Lan's car and headed straight there.
Inside, I kept thinking—there had to be a way.
The only thing I could come up with was persuading Mona Tong to stay home for three days and not go out.
Her company was in a six-story mobile office building—an export firm, I heard. Mona Tong worked as an accountant there.
I went straight to the accounting office.
"What are you doing here, Ethan Zhang?"
Mona Tong looked at me, completely bewildered.
"Mona, could you take three days off from work and rest at home?"
"Huh?" Mona tilted her head and blinked.
"What's wrong? Is it Rachel..." She suddenly grew nervous.
"No, no," I hurried to explain.
For a moment, I couldn't think of any reason.
"Actually, Miss Lan has caught something contagious. She just told me to bring you home, and I'll get you some medicine. You need to stay home for at least three days."
Mona Tong looked skeptical, stood up, and walked over to me with a sly smile.
"Ethan Zhang, what are you up to? All you men are the same."
I stammered, then called Rachel Lan and handed the phone to Mona Tong. After a long conversation, Mona's expression changed. In the end, she nodded, convinced.
I had no idea what story Rachel Lan made up over the phone.
Going to John Chou's ghost domain might be the best way to avoid disaster, but he said he's still suppressed by the Sanzu Force and Heaven—he can't take it anymore.
Mona Tong's apartment was nearby, in a mobile building. I followed her home, glancing at the dark cloud over her head from time to time. I was getting anxious.
The place was a bit messy.
"Ethan Zhang, is there something on my head? Why do you keep staring?"
"Huh? No... nothing. I just think your hairstyle is pretty cool."
I started wondering what could possibly end Mona Tong's life. She's healthy—I checked before. Then I began tidying up.
Things were piled up everywhere. My biggest worry was that she might trip and fall—I didn't dare think further.
After two hours, I finally cleaned the place thoroughly—even the dishes piled up in the kitchen were washed.
"Here, Ethan Zhang, have a drink and take a break. I'll treat you to dinner later." I turned around—Mona Tong had just come back in and handed me a bottle of soda.
"Why did you go out? What if you got hit by a car?"
"Huh? Ethan Zhang, you're the one who'd get hit, not me. I'm not a kid."
I got flustered.
"Listen, for the next three days, I'm staying at your place. You're not allowed to go out. If you need anything, I'll get it for you."
Mona Tong stopped smiling.
"Alright, it should be fine."
Two whole days passed. On the third day, Mona Tong was perfectly fine. I had her sit in front of the computer watching TV shows, and removed anything dangerous from around her.
"Ethan, I'm getting bored. I want to go out for a walk."
"No, just one more day. Hang in there."
I watched Mona Tong constantly, never letting my guard down.
These days, I've asked Rachel Lan if there's any way to know when danger will strike. But aside from the hat-like dark cloud over Mona's head, there was nothing. Once that cloud appears, you won't survive three days.
A whole day went by. It was now past eight—just over four hours left until the day was done.
I prayed nothing serious would happen.
Mona Tong was chatting happily with Rachel Lan on the phone. I kept my eyes glued to her surroundings.
"I'm telling you, Rachel, Ethan Zhang keeps staring at me all day. Is he..." Mona turned and gave a mysterious smile.
Even now, she's still thinking about that.
Suddenly, Mona Tong's phone slipped from her hand and hit the floor. I rushed over—she was clutching her chest, face pale.
"What's wrong? What's happening?"
Mona Tong opened her eyes and looked at me.
"It's the same old problem. Some medicine will fix it—it's in the cabinet, green box."
I helped her onto the sofa. She curled up in pain, clutching her chest.
I hurriedly searched and found a green box—but it was empty.
"There's no medicine."
"Oh, maybe... it's all gone. It's been two years since my last attack. I had heart surgery before."
She struggled to speak. After asking the name of the medicine, I told Rachel Lan what was happening. She was very worried and planned to rush over.
Then I dialed 120 and ran downstairs as soon as the ambulance arrived.
I thought about going to a pharmacy to buy that medicine. Luckily, I remembered there was one nearby. But when I got there, they didn't have it—the pharmacist said it was a special heart medication, only available at major hospitals.
I panicked. There weren't any hospitals nearby. I called Rachel Lan and told her, then grabbed a passerby to ask if there was a large hospital around.
Turns out, the hospital was several kilometers away. When I got back to the apartment, Mona Tong had already passed out from the pain, her face tense—but thankfully, she was still breathing. I carried her downstairs.
I floored the gas pedal—there was no time to wait for the ambulance. Getting her to the hospital myself was the best option.
Ten minutes later, I rushed into the hospital. Mona Tong was wheeled into the emergency room. I gave Rachel Lan the hospital address.
At ten o'clock, Rachel Lan arrived, stumbling in, looking exhausted. I went to support her.
"How's Mona?"
"She should be okay, she'll be fine." I stared at the red light above the emergency room door, trying to reassure her.