Chapter 36 The Four Seasons Train (13)
Zhu Ming hurried over to the peculiar small lamp-like objects by the front window, unique to carriage 1. She flipped the switch.
“Look at this. We thought they were cameras or lights. Now we know every carriage is monitored, but these are only in carriages 1 and 60, so they’re most likely lights. And they’re connected to the carriage. If we can turn them on, we can use the interior lights to illuminate the outside!”
These lights were connected to the carriage’s electrical system, part of the train itself. Only they could illuminate the tunnel.
One last problem: there was a switch, but it didn’t work.
After their discussion, she guessed the lights were meant to help them determine the inner curve of the tracks at night. But they wouldn’t turn on. Could they be… out of power? Zhu Ming paused. “Holy crap, could that be it?”
She immediately checked for any removable parts and found a small panel that slid open, revealing a charging port.
Zhu Ming was both exasperated and amused. Such an obvious solution, yet they were out of power. She flipped off the train owner. “You’re hilarious.”
The train owner, holding his dog, coughed delicately. “Do you know the consequences of turning them on? I’m not telling you.”
Wenren Tu walked over and examined the lights. “I see. The train has prepared tools for us to verify the route. There are two sets of lights. We can try turning on one set first.”
Everything was ready, except for a charging cable. All eyes turned to the little border collie. The train owner remained silent, holding the dog tighter.
During the sixth autumn cycle, the border collie vendor, sensing its owner’s distress, pushed its cart through the carriages dejectedly. Zhu Ming and the others spent all their remaining food coupons, purchasing ample food, water, charging cables, watches, and other supplies, and informed carriage 60 to be prepared.
As night fell, ushering in a cold winter, the daytime ghosts vanished. Zhu Ming connected a charging cable to one of the lights. Four and a half minutes into the “night,” carriage 1 and carriage 60 simultaneously switched on their left lights.
Hum—
A bright yellow beam pierced the darkness, reaching towards the other end. The darkness recoiled, boiling and churning. When the two beams met, the occupants of carriage 1 could finally see carriage 60.
The left beam shone outwards. The train was curving to the left. The route map showed a clockwise direction, but the train was moving counterclockwise!
Sizzle, sizzle, crackle—pop.
After barely three minutes, sparks flew from the light, and it burned out, the bright yellow beam dissipating like liquid into the darkness.
The train owner, holding his dog, closed his eyes, his expression serene. The border collie licked his face.
The train entered the sixth round of winter. A pure, tranquil white landscape stretched before them. Zhu Ming went to the engine compartment, enjoying the view from the best vantage point.
“You were very thoughtful, preparing two sets of lights. Too bad we won’t need the other one.”
The train owner: “…”
Zhu Ming asked again, “What happens if the train reverses?”
The man opened his eyes, adjusted his cap, which had almost fallen off, and said, “I can’t recall. Old age, you know. My memory isn’t what it used to be.”
If not for the perilous train and the dwindling lifespans, this world was truly beautiful. Spring, vibrant with life and blooming flowers; summer, lush and green; autumn, a sea of gold and crimson; winter, a pristine white wonderland.
Perhaps only at this moment did the passengers have the time to appreciate the beauty of the four seasons.
The train entered the seventh round of spring. Legs and Wenren Tu leaned out the windows, waving at the participants on the ground beside the tracks. “Want to get back on? Don’t miss this chance! There’s only one opportunity when we return!”
Just before the end of spring, Jia-jie, with the help of others, jumped off the train. Tu Wei from carriage 60 also jumped. Without assistance, it would be difficult for Jia-jie to climb back on.
She watched as the train entered the tunnel, then, after the calculated time, pulled the left track switch lever.
The train passed through summer and entered autumn. At the end of autumn, just before entering the tunnel, Legs jumped off, sprinted to the tunnel entrance, and pulled the left lever. The moment she completed her task, the train plunged into darkness.
Worried about Legs being alone, Wenren Tu had also jumped off.
The Four Seasons Train, number 999. Carriage 1 passenger: Zhu Ming. Carriage 60 passenger: Yin Yu.
This darkness felt longer than any previous tunnel. Bathed in the warm, orange glow of the engine compartment lights, Zhu Ming closed her eyes, dozing.
After some time, the train owner suddenly spoke. “Do you know my precious dog’s name?”
Zhu Ming: “…”
He continued, his voice rambling, “Dou Dou. Seems like a lot of dogs are called Dou Dou. I couldn’t think of anything else. He was so small when I found him, his eyes like two little black beans. I raised him, watched him grow stronger, then older… Zhu Ming, is it? How old are you this year?”
Zhu Ming: “…”
Without waiting for an answer, he continued, “Judging by your temper, you’ve never had a pet. Some people just aren’t suited to having pets. Irresponsible and hypocritical. Just buy a stuffed animal and put it on your bed. No need to clean up poop, no need to feed it, no furniture destroyed. But they don’t. They put in minimal effort, then expect their pets to be as smart and obedient as humans. And they’re irresponsible. They abandon their unwanted puppies in the freezing cold. Dou Dou was lucky. He was the prettiest of the litter, and the most resilient. He survived until I found him.”
“My Dou Dou is my precious baby. Why can humans live so long, but Dou Dou can’t?” He held the dog’s paw, swinging it gently. “I’m a lonely old man. I’ve been insulted, beaten, had my land stolen. Dou Dou was the only one who treated me well. Sometimes, looking at those heartless bastards, I just want them to die. Humans are worse than dogs. In this era, the more selfish you are, the better you live. You should be more selfish, young lady. People like you should live longer.”
Zhu Ming opened her eyes, her voice cold. “What does that have to do with me? Or you, for that matter?”
The train owner: “…” Had today’s youth lost all empathy?
Silence returned to the carriage. Zhu Ming checked her watch. If her calculations were correct, the train had reached the midpoint of the diagonal tunnel.
Suddenly, the usually placid train owner lunged to the side. There was a hidden door next to the driver’s seat! Zhu Ming’s eyes widened, and she jumped up, trying to stop him. She missed the slippery man but grabbed the dog’s leg. He had already opened the door!
Darkness poured in through the gap like water. The train owner, protected by his absolute defense, was unharmed. He stepped through the doorway, about to jump.
Holding the large dog would be difficult. With a sharp tug, Zhu Ming pulled the dog from his arms and jumped onto the control panel, holding the dog by the scruff of its neck. “Close the door!” she yelled.
The train owner, stuck halfway through the doorway, darkness flowing over his body, looked back at Dou Dou.
Dou Dou barked furiously and tried to bite Zhu Ming, who shoved her hand into its mouth. Its teeth pierced her palm, blood mingling with dog saliva. Zhu Ming looked coldly at the train owner. “I’ll say it again. Close the door. Unless you want to abandon him.”
The train owner blinked, then retracted his foot and closed the door, smiling. “You’re so cruel.”
Zhu Ming smiled back, her smile cold. “Not as cruel as you.”
He might be pathetic, he might be miserable, he might have a thousand reasons to hurt others, but so what? He could hurt others, and others could fight back. Those were the rules of the game. He had accepted them; there was no point in complaining.
The darkness that had spilled into the engine compartment was thick, the dim lights struggling to dispel it.
Zhu Ming, holding the dog, squatted on the control panel, using it as leverage against its owner. “From what you said, you were a real person, weren’t you?”
The train owner swiveled idly in his chair. “What else would I be? Surprised?”
Zhu Ming continued her interrogation. “What is this Dark Realm? Why are you NPCs? Who brought you here? What gave you your powers?”
The train owner opened a bag of plain potato chips, eating some himself and offering some to the dog. “Don’t ask. I can’t tell you. Hey, hey! Don’t hurt Dou Dou! He also has absolute defense! He’s not a good hostage!”
Zhu Ming loosened her grip on the dog’s neck but didn’t let go. Even if she couldn’t harm Dou Dou, as long as it was in the carriage, the train owner couldn’t do anything.
The darkness on the floor finally dissipated. Zhu Ming picked up the ropes and tied the train owner up again, securely this time. He sat in his swivel chair, Dou Dou jumping onto his lap, licking his face.
He asked, “Who in this world loves Daddy the most?”
Dou Dou: “Woof!”
He asked again, “Who in this world does Daddy love the most?”
Dou Dou: “Woof, woof!”
…
This darkness felt longer than any previous tunnel, but they finally saw the light at the end. No matter which track it was on, the train continued to move. This was life, time, the symbol of everything irreversible.
The train burst into a vibrant spring, life returning to the world. Jia-jie and Tu Wei climbed back on board. From this moment on, the train was officially moving in reverse.
New sprouts emerged from the earth. They entered a cold, desolate winter. Leaves returned to the branches. They entered a fruitful autumn. Green replaced yellow. Summer returned. And finally, they arrived back at the starting point.
“Attention passengers! Welcome to the Four Seasons Train, number 999! It has been our pleasure to serve you on this journey. Please observe proper train etiquette:
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No fighting or loud noises in the carriages!
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Please fasten your seatbelts!
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Keep your train ticket safe! Lost tickets will not be replaced! Lost tickets will not be replaced! Repeat, lost tickets will not be replaced!”
Not only Jia-jie, Tu Wei, Legs, and Wenren Tu, but several other participants also climbed back onto the train during the reverse spring cycle.
“I’m pressing the ‘Accelerate’ button after the next spring cycle,” Zhu Ming said, her fingers twitching. “I’m not curious, I just don’t want to miss anything.”
Wenren Tu scoffed. “Sure! By the way, that Tu Wei woman is pretty mysterious with her mask. They seem organized, not simple at all.”
Zhu Ming narrowed her eyes, looking out the window. “I can’t help you there. She doesn’t talk. Even the ghost who copied her memories refused to say anything.”
Wenren Tu raised an eyebrow. “Why don’t you try luring her to the real world? We can set a trap and capture her.”
Zhu Ming was puzzled. “How am I supposed to lure her?”
Wenren Tu, exasperated, said, “Seduce her!”
Zhu Ming stared at her, dumbfounded. “Are you crazy?! You told me not to fall into the same trap twice!”
Wenren Tu poked her forehead. “I’m telling you to seduce her, not to rekindle your old flame! She played with your feelings. Don’t you want revenge? We can lure her to the real world… and then bam! Revenge is sweet!”
The plan seemed sound, but Zhu Ming doubted Yin Yu would fall for it.
The topic made her uncomfortable. She averted her gaze. “She already said she doesn’t love me. Don’t even think about it.”
But Wenren Tu wasn’t convinced. She analyzed the situation carefully. “That was seven years ago! You’re much more charming now! Even if it’s not love, lust can cloud judgment! She might be tempted. I saw the way Yin Yu looked at you. There’s hope!”
Thud!
Zhu Ming and Wenren Tu immediately stopped talking, turning towards the source of the sound. Jia-jie quickly bent down, picking up a water bottle, and wiped the mouth of the bottle as if it had been an accident.
“Ahem.” Zhu Ming glared at Wenren Tu. “Stop giving me bad ideas! We were fighting to the death just now! If I suddenly changed my attitude, even Yin Yu wouldn’t be stupid enough to believe me.”
Wenren Tu muttered, “Your attitude wasn’t that firm to begin with…”
Zhu Ming smiled and covered Wenren Tu’s mouth, changing the subject. “I suspect she already knew you were from the Paranormal Affairs Bureau. Why else would she avoid appearing in the real world all these years, only meeting me in instances? She’s afraid of being caught.”
Wenren Tu removed Zhu Ming’s hand from her mouth and considered it. “That’s possible. I’ll go find her and threaten her.”
“No need. I’m here.” Yin Yu’s head appeared in the window. “Hello there, everyone.”
Everyone: “…”
Zhu Ming and Wenren Tu quickly looked away, pretending nothing had happened, their faces burning with embarrassment. God knows how much Yin Yu had overheard.
Yin Yu climbed into carriage 1. “Why are you all looking at me like that? The moment of victory is approaching, and Tu Wei and I are all alone back there. How lonely.”
Zhu Ming’s temples throbbed just hearing her voice. “We’ve already reversed the train. Why didn’t you just stay in your carriage? What are you doing here?”
Yin Yu replied, “Don’t be angry. I just came to chat. Oh, isn’t this Qing Jia? What a coincidence. You’re here too.”
Jia-jie whirled around, her face as pale as a ghost. “Why is Yin Yu here?!”
Zhu Ming was surprised. “You know each other?”
Jia-jie looked at Zhu Ming frantically, unclear if she was asking her or someone else. “Why didn’t you tell me she was here?! Are you working with her?!”
Zhu Ming and Wenren Tu exchanged glances. “We didn’t not tell you. It’s a coincidence.” They just hadn’t mentioned Yin Yu’s name in carriage 1.
Besides, they had been fighting on the roof of the train. It wasn’t their fault Jia-jie hadn’t noticed.
Jia-jie looked at Yin Yu, shrinking back, her glasses almost falling off her face. “I didn’t tell anyone about you! Really! I didn’t say anything!”
Yin Yu raised a hand dismissively. “I know. There’s no need to be afraid of me. I have to be on my best behavior in front of a Paranormal Affairs Bureau employee. I wouldn’t want to antagonize them.”
Whether or not Jia-jie believed her, Zhu Ming and Wenren Tu remained skeptical. Jia-jie’s lips trembled for a moment, then she collapsed onto the seat, closing her eyes, pretending to faint.
Zhu Ming: “…”
She had wanted to ask Jia-jie about Yin Yu, but it seemed that wasn’t happening. And Jia-jie, your fainting act is terrible. Try actually fainting next time.
Jia-jie might have fainted, but Wenren Tu hadn’t. She glared at Yin Yu, her fingers twitching towards the blade at Zhu Ming’s waist.
Zhu Ming placed a hand over hers. “It’s useless. She has a companion.”
A companion whose abilities were unknown, but powerful enough to clear an entire carriage of ghosts on their own. And Yin Yu herself was strong. They had no chance against them both.
“There’s no need for more conflict,” Zhu Ming said, looking at Yin Yu. “Do you dare meet me in the real world?”
Yin Yu chuckled softly. “The timing isn’t right yet. Perhaps when you’re a little stronger, I’ll consider it.”
Zhu Ming stared at her for a moment, then turned to look out the window.
After passing through the next spring cycle, no longer waiting for the remaining participants outside, Zhu Ming pressed the “Accelerate” button.
The train lurched forward, then sped up, hurtling through the seasons at breakneck speed. The one hour and fifty minute daytime cycles were compressed into four minutes, the ten-minute nights into less than thirty seconds. The scenery outside blurred into streaks of color. At this speed, there was no turning back.
Zhu Ming’s eyes ached. She cupped her hands around her eyes like binoculars. Wenren Tu yelled, “Damn! If you had pressed that button while the train was moving forward, we would have been dead in a matter of minutes!”
They all looked at the train owner and Dou Dou, sitting in the swivel chair.
The man and the dog aged rapidly. His hair turned gray, hers coarse. Wrinkles appeared on his face, her eyes clouded. They were hurtling towards death.
Too old to stand, Dou Dou feebly licked the man’s hand.
He looked down at her and asked, “Dou Dou, who in this world loves Daddy the most?”
“Woof!”
…
When the train owner finally died, his body old and hunched, no trace of his former youthful handsomeness, the train screeched to a halt, forever stopped in a perpetual spring.
Their invitations vibrated simultaneously. Opening them, they saw a dazzling display of fireworks and a message: Congratulations! You have completed the mission ahead of schedule! The instance is closing! Please tear your invitation to leave this world!
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