Chapter Five: The Grove

Wu Ya hesitated slightly as she wandered through the small grove—this was the very place where she first encountered the little creature. She had no idea what species it was, but as a girl, she was naturally drawn to anything small, cute, and furry. Despite its small size and imposing demeanor, she only saw it as stubborn and aloof.

Though it looked unusual, after the initial shock, Wu Ya cautiously approached it and, having suffered no rejection or harm, inexplicably grew fond of the little being. She didn’t know whether it was a pet or wild.

She had only seen it by chance once, returning from the library late one evening under a pale moonlight. Taking a shortcut through the grove, she hurried past a few couples engrossed in their affection, intent on reaching her dormitory.

It was then that she saw the creature. Amidst the dimness, its silver-gray fur shimmered softly, casting a faint glow. This ordinary grove suddenly seemed home to a… well, a magical being.

Was it a mouse? Or a rabbit? Maybe a hybrid?

Unsure, Wu Ya stepped forward instinctively, but the sharp crackle of dry leaves underfoot startled her in the silent night. She looked around, but the strange creature had vanished.

Had she really seen it? She ran forward, searching everywhere but found nothing.

Not willing to give up, she spent the following days deliberately wandering the grove, hoping to catch another glimpse of the little creature.

***

“Hm? That girl always seems to be here these days, hesitating and looking lost. Is she searching for something?”

Xiao Xiao felt curious but didn’t think much of it; he had seen stranger things. As he passed by her, he caught snippets of her conversation with a companion.

“Last time was right here. Could it have left?”

“Maybe its owner found it and took it away?”

“Come on, something that looks both like a mouse and a rabbit—there’s no such creature.”

“Yeah, maybe it was too dark and you just misremembered.”

“No… it was silver, quite distinct… Could it be that I really misjudged?”

Xiao Xiao paused briefly. Silver… both mouse and rabbit-like… Could it be a jerboa?

So others could see it too?

He glanced back at the girl with her playful short hair curling slightly at the ends, her delicate features clouded with confusion and reluctance.

He didn’t know her, but something about her caught his attention. After a quick look, he turned away, but she lingered on his mind.

***

During an elective class, Xiao Xiao’s gaze halted—it was the same girl.

“Hey, are you interested in her?” Zhang Bo grinned slyly, nudging him.

“Who? Which one?” The others in the dorm leaned in eagerly, necks craning to see.

“Nope.” Xiao Xiao calmly withdrew his gaze, showing no embarrassment or awkwardness.

His roommates, deflated as if doused with cold water, also averted their eyes.

“Come on, don’t be shy.”

“Those girls aren’t from our department, maybe finance.”

“They’re pretty decent-looking.”

Zhang Bo and the others were a bit frustrated. Xiao Xiao usually acted like a monk—calm and detached. Maybe running a tea house back home had mellowed him into an old soul. Seeing a pretty girl, he’d just say “hmm, pretty” and that was it.

Unbearable.

They vowed to “set him straight.” Unfortunately, all they got was a disdainful look and a lofty remark:

“I’m not some beast that blindly devours whatever comes my way.”

Naturally, they ended up teasing him mercilessly.

So, when a girl actually caught Xiao Xiao’s attention, their curiosity skyrocketed. But none of the girls seemed especially stunning, so they accepted his answer—just coincidence.

***

Xiao Xiao was unaware of their thoughts. Seeing the girl again reminded him of the jerboa. He absentmindedly touched his cheek, recalling the earlier sting.

After class, he decided to head to the library—perhaps hoping to see the jerboa again. Only Zhao Luzheng joined him; Zhang Bo and Zhuge An were eager to return to their dorms and play games.

***

The trees swayed gently, light and shadow dancing among the leaves. The cool air carried the fresh scent of grass and wood.

To his surprise, Xiao Xiao saw the girl again. She hadn’t given up.

He smiled wryly at her persistence.

Then his gaze shifted—and froze.

Behind the girl, under a tree, a familiar figure appeared. It was the jerboa.

Its glossy fur shone brilliantly, its long tail hanging quietly behind.

***

But Xiao Xiao looked at the disappointed girl nearby. She was so close, yet she couldn’t see it?

Wasn’t it supposed to be visible?

Confused and a little let down, Xiao Xiao thought he had found a kindred spirit, but it was all for nothing.

“What’s wrong, Second Brother?” Zhao Luzheng turned, noticing Xiao Xiao had stopped, puzzled.

“Nothing.” Xiao Xiao shook his head, glanced once more at the jerboa, locking eyes with its crimson gaze. His heart skipped, but his expression stayed calm as he looked away and quickened his pace to catch up.

Monsters and spirits were fascinating, but if he could have a special power, he’d rather know the lottery numbers than just see ghosts.

What good was merely seeing monsters? It would be better if he could command them—to scare people or do his bidding.

He suddenly recalled the black notebook he’d found earlier. Despite studying it repeatedly, he found nothing and began to wonder if it was simply a bestiary.

With so little information, he had no choice but to set it aside for now.

***

Since he’d seen the jerboa in the grove, Xiao Xiao settled his mind and stopped searching for monsters in the library.

While reading, Zhao Luzheng suddenly bumped his arm.

“Hey, did you hear? Someone got possessed near the grove.”

“The grove?” Xiao Xiao looked up, curious.

“Just heard it. A couple got scared by something last night. They’re still in the hospital, shouting about seeing ghosts. Totally terrified…”

“Is that true? If there really were ghosts, I’d want to see them too,” Zhao Luzheng said longingly.

“Are you sure you wouldn’t end up in the hospital too?” Xiao Xiao teased, though a thoughtful expression crossed his face.

“Did they get hurt?”

“Just some scratches while running away. Not much known, but they were so shocked they could barely speak when found.”

Could it have been the jerboa? But how could it scare them so badly? From the girl’s persistence, the creature’s appearance was appealing, even if odd, not terrifying—though its gaze was a bit unsettling.

And neither he nor the girl had been harmed…

So maybe it was another monster?

Come to think of it, since Meng Zishan returned, monsters seemed more frequent.

Xiao Xiao scratched his head, puzzled about what triggered his “spiritual sight.” Usually, protagonists in novels gain such powers after injuries or seeing blood.

But he hadn’t bought anything from a street stall, nor did he have any heirlooms. How did his ability suddenly awaken?

He reviewed recent events but found no clues. He decided not to force it; whatever needed to be known would reveal itself in time.

The only consolation was that his spiritual sight showed him monsters, not ghosts.

At least monsters seemed better than ghosts, right?

He chuckled inwardly at this strange sense of relief.

Xiao Xiao shook his head in disbelief at himself.