Girl Doesn’t Die in Fairytale Town: Chapter 15 – What is Real?
“Look, that’s Grandpa Casico’s snack shop. I occasionally use some of my wages to buy snacks there.”
Along the way, Luo Yan happily introduced the town to Hua Qiling, sharing some interesting anecdotes.
“Grandpa Casico makes the best brown sugar cakes, but you can’t eat too many, or you’ll gain weight… I’ll bring you to try them sometime!”
“Mm…”
Hua Qiling nodded in agreement, her “Eagle Eye” sweeping over the so-called snack shop.
The weathered curtain had been corroded by time into tattered rags. The signboard at the entrance had rotted into crumbling wood, creaking precariously in the gentle breeze.
Listening to Luo Yan’s description, Hua Qiling felt the eerie sensation lessen, replaced by a sense of melancholy.
This silver-haired girl seemed to be living alone in a frozen moment in time. Many of the words she used and the concepts she expressed belonged to a distant past.
What she saw and heard were scenes from centuries ago. The town she described was peaceful, tranquil, and beautiful, but in reality, it was the desolate and ruined “Ghost Town.”
However, it was worth noting that… Luo Yan had never appeared in any of the past archives of Ghost Town, and the things she spoke of were unheard of.
What puzzled Hua Qiling even more was how much Luo Yan was involved in the scene where Ling Qi had vanished amidst the shower of black petals.
These were all mysteries in Hua Qiling’s mind, but she knew that as long as she followed Luo Yan, these mysteries would be solved.
The journey from the town back to the manor wasn’t long, but due to Luo Yan’s frail constitution, they walked very slowly.
Luo Yan had naturally factored this slow pace into her calculations; they would arrive on time.
After walking for a while longer, Hua Qiling’s “Eagle Eye” saw a gloomy and oppressive manor at the end of the forest path, identical to the one she had seen countless times on the surveillance screens.
“It seems… this is the true core of Ghost Town…”
Hua Qiling’s breathing grew slightly heavier, and she couldn’t hide her nervousness.
However, Luo Yan didn’t lead her directly into the manor. Instead, she veered slightly off course and stopped in front of an inconspicuous cottage beside the manor. She skillfully took out a key and unlocked the door.
“This is where I live. It’s a bit small and cramped,” Luo Yan said apologetically.
“Sorry, Miss Hua Qiling, please wait here for a moment. I need to check on little Tini… I can’t bring guests into the manor without Mrs. Natalie’s permission.”
“I understand, I understand,” Hua Qiling nodded repeatedly.
As they approached Luo Yan’s cottage, Hua Qiling felt her tense nerves relax slightly, the oppressive feeling from the eerie manor easing somewhat.
Perhaps in this small cottage, she finally felt a touch of human warmth.
The cottage wasn’t large, but it wasn’t exactly cramped either. There was a simple dressing table on the left and a plain wooden bed on the other side.
A thin gray cloth covered the wooden bed, and a rough cotton quilt was neatly folded at the foot of the bed.
Although old and simple, it was very clean and tidy, much like its owner.
“Then… I’ll be imposing on you.”
Hua Qiling whispered, carefully stepping into Luo Yan’s room, guided by her small hand.
“After Luo Yan leaves, I should be able to re-establish contact with the Bureau…”
Just as Hua Qiling was thinking this, Luo Yan suddenly stopped and exclaimed in surprise,
“Oh, Mrs. Natalie, why are you here?”
Luo Yan seemed very nervous. She hurriedly released Hua Qiling’s hand, curtsied, and performed a proper servant’s bow.
The direction was behind Hua Qiling.
At that moment, Hua Qiling’s heart skipped a beat. She felt a strong gaze fixed on her back.
“…”
What was going on?
Mrs. Natalie, whom Luo Yan had mentioned several times, seemed to be right behind her… Was she about to meet a resident of “Ghost Town” so soon?
Countless thoughts flashed through Hua Qiling’s mind in less than a second, but she quickly composed herself.
—Regardless, the opportunity to unravel one of the many mysteries was right before her.
Hua Qiling turned slightly, mentally prepared, and said in a humble and friendly tone,
“Nice to meet you, Mrs. Natalie. It’s a pleasure.”
…But there was no response.
Hua Qiling looked up, her pupils constricting.
There was nothing in front of her, only withered trees swaying in the eerie breeze.
Could it be that Luo Yan was just joking with her?
Or… were the “townspeople” Luo Yan saw merely figments of her imagination?
“…”
Luo Yan didn’t notice Hua Qiling’s strange reaction after she turned around. Instead, she looked nervously at the blurry figure before her.
Although Luo Yan couldn’t see Mrs. Natalie’s face clearly, she could vaguely sense her gentle beauty, her lips always curved in a polite smile.
She stood gracefully, her blue eyes looking at Luo Yan, the affection in their depths evident.
Little Tini’s golden curls and lovely features were inherited from Mrs. Natalie, though this was because young little Tini hadn’t fully matured yet.
Although she resembled Mrs. Natalie, she lacked the mature charm.
“I saw you returning with a guest, so I came to take a look.”
Mrs. Natalie replied softly, her gentle voice like the first rays of morning sun, caressing Luo Yan’s ears.
“I apologize, Madam. I acted on impulse. If…”
Luo Yan quickly explained.
But before she could finish, Mrs. Natalie raised a finger to her lips, shushing her gently, and said,
“Don’t worry, Luo Yan. I didn’t say it wasn’t allowed.”
“However…” Mrs. Natalie turned slightly and looked towards Hua Qiling. “It would be impolite not to invite our dear guest into the manor, understand?”
“Can I bring Miss Hua Qiling into the manor?”
Mrs. Natalie’s suggestion surprised Luo Yan.
Hearing this, Hua Qiling shuddered. From her perspective, Luo Yan seemed to be talking to herself, casually suggesting bringing her into the gloomy manor that looked like the final boss arena.
“Of course. Etiquette, Luo Yan. We must be mindful of etiquette when treating guests.”
Although Mrs. Natalie’s gaze was on Hua Qiling, she was speaking to Luo Yan.
“Mm…”
In this situation, Luo Yan could only nod.
“Little Tini will be waking up soon. Don’t delay. Quickly bring our esteemed guest inside.”
After giving another instruction, Mrs. Natalie turned and gracefully walked away, her figure disappearing into the depths of the manor.
From beginning to end, Mrs. Natalie hadn’t said a single word directly to Hua Qiling.
“Let’s go, Miss Hua Qiling. Mrs. Natalie seems to like you very much.”
Luo Yan took Hua Qiling’s hand again and noticed she was trembling slightly, whether from nervousness or something else.
“…What’s wrong?”
Luo Yan looked up at Hua Qiling, clearly seeing the fine beads of cold sweat on her forehead.
“Nothing, nothing.”
Hua Qiling shook her head. The unsolved mysteries left her feeling lost, and she began to suspect a more terrifying truth.
…Who was seeing what was real?
Was it her, or… Luo Yan?
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