"Ethan, come here and drink this soup." Yuna Ji went out for a moment, then came back carrying a bowl of dark, murky broth. She handed it to me. I stared at the soup—though it smelled fragrant and had no strange taste, I couldn't help but wonder what it really was.
Rachel Lan was still sitting by the window, gazing absently downward as night fell outside.
"What are you waiting for? Drink up, Ethan," Yuna Ji said, her smile bright and unsettling. I shut my eyes, took a deep breath, and swallowed the soup in one go. My body relaxed instantly, feeling much better.
"Ethan, go take a look. It's rare to get a chance like this," Yuna Ji said mysteriously, pointing at the window.
I walked over and sat down.
"What exactly... is it?"
I hadn't finished speaking when something strange suddenly happened outside, startling me.
A sudden burst of drumming echoed, accompanied by a slow flute. Above, the stars glimmered, lighting up bit by bit—like a swarm of fireflies. The whole of Exile Town was wrapped in an eerie green glow.
Ancient music filled the air, echoing through the small town. The rhythmic drums beat steadily, and the street below erupted into chaos.
Those ghostly green lights slowly rose into the sky. The scene was oddly beautiful. Rachel Lan stared, transfixed, reaching out to touch the glowing green specks.
"Dong-dong-dong!" The urgent drumming rang out, echoing in the mist—clear, powerful, growing faster and faster.
The ghostly green lights bounced wildly, then a wave of green light surged into the room. Shadows and light intertwined. Rachel Lan, smiling with genuine joy, stood up and reached for the glowing specks, her happiness radiating.
Bathed in green light, Rachel Lan's delicate smile seemed to glow even brighter—so beautiful it stunned me.
I remembered the first time I saw her, under the moonlight—her cold, striking beauty. Tonight, she seemed like a different person. I'd never seen her smile like this before.
Right now, Rachel Lan was as excited and lively as a child, bouncing up and down.
A ringing sound, like a bell, echoed. The green lights gathered slowly in the center of the ceiling, gradually transforming into a cluster of White Paper Lanterns. Suddenly, the green glow turned yellow, lighting up the whole room.
I turned back to look at the street. Lanterns stretched in a line, hanging just below our window. We were on the third floor, with a clear view of all Exile Town.
Now, the whole of Exile Town was as bright as day. The constant, chaotic noise filled my ears; the street below was bustling, more lively than ever.
We were on the southern side street, watching the crowd—a mix of humans and ghosts—surge toward the center of Exile Town.
"Ethan, do you feel better now?"