Chapter 5 13 beds lived in Chapter 4
After Zheng Chuan went home for infusion, the 13th bed he used to live in is now occupied by another patient, and the 12th bed next door, which is the bed where Lin Xiaoyue used to live, is now inhabited by a girl named Lingling, in her 20s, Also heart disease.However, Lingling is lively by nature, as long as her heart is not particularly uncomfortable, she always talks and laughs, or puts the earplugs of the Walkman in her ears to listen to songs.At this moment, she leaned sleepily on the head of the bed without saying a word. When she saw Tan Xiaoying walking in, she said that I had a dream during my afternoon nap, which was terrible.
Lingling said that she dreamed that a woman came into the ward, stood in front of the bed and said to her, this is my hospital bed, can you please let me?Lingling felt strange, and opened her eyes wide to see who this woman was, but her eyes were foggy, and she couldn't see her face clearly.Lingling then moved to the inside of the bed, giving up half of the bed to this woman.She went to bed and slept next to Lingling.Lingling leaned her back against her, feeling her body was cold.Lingling frightenedly asked who you were, but the woman didn't make a sound. Lingling sat up and saw that the person sleeping next to her was a straight dead person... Lingling was startled awake, and found that half of the sheet had fallen due to the struggle in her dream. on the ground.
"This dream is too scary." Lingling said to Tan Xiaoying, "Did a patient die just now in this hospital bed?"
Tan Xiaoying was also very shocked, because she thought of Lin Xiaoyue's death. Zheng Chuan said that he found a woman sleeping on this bed when he was hospitalized here.However, facing Lingling's question, she firmly shook her head and denied it.Fortunately, Lingling asked "Did the patient die just now?" Tan Xiaoying did not lie in her denial.
This accident made Tan Xiaoying confused.Before that, although Zheng Chuan became more and more confused about Lin Xiaoyue's death, and had to believe that there might really be a soul, Tan Xiaoying always believed that this was impossible.Tan Xiaoying explained Zheng Chuan's constant receipt of emails from Lin Xiaoyue in this way——Lin Xiaoyue must have entrusted her friend to do this before her death.It is also understandable for a person to think of the precious emotions in the early years before dying and want to continue her existence in this way.
However, the dream of this new patient shook Tan Xiaoying's explanation. She felt an indescribable hallucination, and her face must have changed, otherwise, when she met Xiao Fei in the corridor, Xiao Fei would not ask her if she was not feeling well .
Tan Xiaoying walked back to the nurse's duty room, leaning against the table in a daze.At this time, Dr. Ding, who was on duty, came in and asked with concern, "What's wrong with you? I saw you walking like sleepwalking in the corridor just now."
Only then did Tan Xiaoying realize that she had really lost her composure. She collected herself and said, "Thank you, I'm fine, I'm just a little dizzy, maybe I have a cold."
"Really?" Dr. Ding put his hand on her forehead to test her temperature and said, "I don't have a fever, do you need some medicine?" At this time, Xiaofei and several other nurses returned to the duty room. Then he called out, "Doctor Ding, when will you eat your wedding candy?"
Where did Dr. Ding come from when he said this?Xiaofei said: "I saw you sitting in a coffee shop with a girl very affectionately yesterday, you must be in love." Dr. Ding said: "Don't guess, they are just friends. He changed the subject and said:" Xiaoying is sick, why don't you care about it. "
While everyone turned their attention to Tan Xiaoying, Dr. Ding left quickly, Xiaofei's quick tongue was the most overwhelming for him.Before leaving, he glanced at Tan Xiaoying, his eyes were full of concern, and Tan Xiaoying's heart felt like an electric shock.
Dr. Ding is 32 years old and still single. The advantage of this is that he has made rapid progress in medical skills and became the deputy chief doctor last year.He has broad shoulders and long legs, very masculine, and it is natural for girls to come to him often, but he always claims to be ordinary friends, and has not considered marriage and starting a family.
Tan Xiaoying has a good impression of Dr. Ding, she never teases him, and he is always polite to her. "Could you please show me the hospital records of Bed 21?" he said.If it was for another nurse, he would say: "Quickly, get me the hospitalization record for bed 21, girl, hurry up."
How the subtle respect between them came about, Tan Xiaoying couldn't find the reason.Until one day, Dr. Ding examined a young female patient with Tan Xiaoying as an assistant. When she saw the young female patient take off her clothes in front of Dr. Ding, she suddenly had a very unpleasant feeling.From that moment on, she realized that she had fallen in love with Dr. Ding a little bit.Since then, she has often been at a loss in front of him. As long as it is not necessary for work, she always slips away from his side.Finally, one time, Dr. Ding asked her to go to the bar at night, and she went, but within an hour, she ran out alone. She felt dizzy from the feasting and feasting inside.What was even more unbearable was that Dr. Ding quickly put his hand on her skirt-wearing thigh, and it was useless for her to stop her.At that time, they sat side by side in a corner of the bar, the lights were dim, and Tan Xiaoying felt a little like being kidnapped by a man.This is not the kind of romantic, hesitating dating of men and women, this is a place where instinctive desires are exposed.She stood up resolutely and said that I was leaving, and without waiting for a response from the other party, she rushed out of the bar without looking back.Later, Dr. Ding called her to say sorry, he said he was a little out of control after drinking, and asked her to understand.The matter passed in this way, and they no longer had the opportunity to interact alone.
However, Tan Xiaoying had doubts about her decisive departure at that time, after all, it was a kind of impolite behavior.Also, is this how men and women interact?She asked Xiao Fei about this, and Xiao Fei said it depends on whether I am happy or not.This ambiguous answer did not resolve her doubts.The worst thing was that she felt that Dr. Ding was still paying attention to her. She had a bad complexion just now, and he noticed it immediately. He was worried that she was sick, and his inquiry moved her.
At night, thinking of the dream of the girl named Lingling in the 12th bed, Tan Xiaoying was puzzled. Somehow she thought of consulting Dr. Ding, who might be able to help her with his knowledge.Of course, she still had an inexplicable reason for doing this. She couldn't explain why she wanted to find him, but her heart was beating a little.When she was in contact with Lu Lu, she never felt this way, but she still decided that it would be better to talk to him on the phone. She called Dr. Ding's home.
"Hello, Dr. Ding? Excuse me." She said timidly into the microphone, "There is something quite mysterious, and I want to ask you for advice."
"Oh, what's the matter?" Dr. Ding's voice was very enthusiastic, and there was no shadow left by the unhappiness of the previous meeting. "Don't ask for advice, I will do my best to help you."
Tan Xiaoying was at a loss for words for a moment, she didn't know where to start with this confusing matter.Dr. Ding asked strangely on the other end of the phone: "What's wrong with you? Where are you?"
"I'm at home," she said.
Dr. Ding smiled on the phone: "What are you doing talking on the phone upstairs and downstairs? Why don't you come to my house on the next floor?"
Dr. Ding's home is very spacious, but things are messy, which is a common problem in single men's homes.After Tan Xiaoying entered the room, she instinctively chose the single sofa to sit down.She didn't sit on the couch, maybe it was the shadow left by sitting side by side with Dr. Ding in the bar before.Of course, her choice at this moment has not been thought through, which shows that even the slightest traumatic memory can penetrate into human behavior.
Dr. Ding was very happy about her arrival, but obviously a little surprised.He sat down opposite Tan Xiaoying, and listened to her talk about the confusion brought about by the dream of the 12-bed patient from a distance.
"It's nothing." Dr. Ding said after listening to her, "Patients all have a fear of death after entering the hospital. This kind of dream of the 12-bed patient is just a kind of fear in the subconscious."
"But, how did she know that a female patient died in the hospital bed where she lived?" Tan Xiaoying asked.
"This is just her guess." Dr. Ding said, "It is impossible for her to know about Lin Xiaoyue's death here as you said. She just had a thought, um, someone died in this hospital bed, right? This kind of flash And the thoughts of the past will also enter the dream."
"Oh." Tan Xiaoying nodded suspiciously.
"Besides, this patient named Lingling has a sexual consciousness in this dream." Dr. Ding met Tan Xiaoying's eyes when she spoke, and she quickly turned her eyes away.
Dr. Ding continued: "According to my observation, this girl is passionately in love, because her boyfriend once got into her bed when he came to visit her, and was seen by the nurse during the ward rounds. However, in recent days, her boyfriend once She has never been to the hospital, so she just had this dream of someone crowding into the bed."
"However, what she dreamed was a woman, and after falling asleep, she found that it was a cold dead person." Tan Xiaoying did not agree with Dr. Ding's analysis.
"Dreams are deformed." Dr. Ding said, "The dreamer must have sexual needs, but they can't get them, so the dream object is misplaced."
Originally, Tan Xiaoying came to consult Dr. Ding with fear and confusion, because Lingling's dream indicated that Lin Xiaoyue's soul was haunting everywhere.She just hasn't told Dr. Ding what happened to Zheng Chuan, she thinks everything will be more complicated.Unexpectedly, Dr. Ding explained this bizarre dream with "sexual needs". Although it is normal for a doctor to analyze people's sex from dreams, Tan Xiaoying still felt a little uncomfortable hearing it.
"Sex is a normal need of every healthy person." Dr. Ding is still making use of the topic. "If you suppress it, it will be reflected in the form of dreams. Therefore, satisfying sexual needs is good for people's health..."
"Okay, I'm leaving." Tan Xiaoying interrupted him.
"Are you a little nervous?" Dr. Ding looked at her and said, "I know you have a deep impression on Lin Xiaoyue who died in the hospital last year, so this kind of thing happened in the ward where she lived, which makes you think wildly. In fact, who believes that there is such a thing as a soul?" What about things? Relax, I'll pour you some water."
Dr. Ding went into the kitchen to pour water without waiting for Tan Xiaoying to accept.Tan Xiaoying was a bit in a dilemma. She sat on the sofa and scanned the room slowly, and suddenly saw a woman's underwear on the coat rack. She was a little curious, and just walked over to take a closer look. Dr. Ding was holding two glasses Coke came out.
"That's the clothes of one of my girlfriends." Dr. Ding discovered Tan Xiaoying's observation, and explained generously, "She sometimes lives with me."
"Are you getting married soon?" Tan Xiaoying asked casually.
"Why do you want to get married?" Dr. Ding asked back. He handed Tan Xiaoying a glass of Coke. She was feeling thirsty and drank it up quickly.
"Actually, girls don't need to think about getting married early." Dr. Ding sat down and said, "Just live according to your own wishes. The important thing is to be happy."
Tan Xiaoying couldn't respond to this kind of conversation, and what she was thinking about was still Lin Xiaoyue walking into the ward.But her thoughts were quickly interrupted, and she felt hot all over, and her cheeks began to heat up.She moved on the sofa, resting her forehead with her hands.
"Are you uncomfortable?" Dr. Ding said, "Go and lie down on my bed."
Tan Xiaoying didn't answer, her face was flushed.When Dr. Ding helped her up, she followed him to the bed involuntarily.
She was lying on the bed, fuzzy, just feeling the fire of desire burning in her heart.She turned to look into the room, and Dr. Ding disappeared, and there was the sound of water splashing in the bathroom.At this moment, a sudden flash of reason made her realize what was going to happen. She struggled to get out of bed, stumbled to the door, opened it and walked out.She walked upstairs and returned to her home, took a cold shower, and then leaned against the head of the bed in a daze for a while, only to wake up slowly.
It was very clear that something had been drugged in the Coke she drank.Why did Dr. Ding do this?She covered her face and began to cry.Originally, she had a good impression of Dr. Ding, but he ruined everything when they got along with each other twice.
This is a world of efficiency.He saw sex in her, and he didn't want to waste time outside of it.Or, he has lost the ability to talk about love, because love is the slowest and most inefficient thing in the world.Therefore, people use alcohol, crazy music, blurred lights, and mysterious drugs to speed up the process of sexual intercourse.
It was late at night, so Tan Xiaoying called Xiaofei.She was so bored that she wanted to chat with Xiao Fei.Unfortunately, Xiaofei was on the night shift. She said that there was a patient to be rescued and she couldn't talk to her.
Tan Xiaoying put down the phone and was about to go to bed when there was a knock on the door.Did Dr. Ding come upstairs to find her?No, he is a person who doesn't care about everything. If the girl he is chasing avoids him for a little bit, he will stop pestering him. He has no intention of wasting time.
"Who is it?" Tan Xiaoying asked.
"It's me, Old Qin."
It's Uncle Qin who is in charge of the mortuary. What is he doing looking for her?Tan Xiaoying opened the door.
Uncle Qin came in and said, "Lu Lu stole my cat."
Tan Xiaoying was extremely astonished.During her association with Lu Lu, Lu Lu often came to the hospital and became familiar with everyone in the hospital.He helped nurses push patients and chatted with cleaners.Once when helping a nurse push the deceased to the mortuary, he also met Uncle Qin.Later, when he came to the hospital to wait for Tan Xiaoying to get off work, he went to drink at Uncle Qin's when he was bored. He said it was exciting to drink in the mortuary.Unexpectedly, after Tan Xiaoying broke up with him, he would still run around in the hospital, but why did he steal Uncle Qin's cat?
Uncle Qin is a lonely old man. For the convenience of work, he lives next door to Taiping, and rarely contacts with people.He was short, with sunken cheeks, and a taciturn look, and Lu somehow became associated with him.
Uncle Qin said that he always thought Lu Lu was a good boy.When he came tonight, it was just dark, and Uncle Qin said that you came to accompany Nurse Xiaoying again, but he said no, I came to see you.He also brought a bottle of wine to Uncle Qin.Uncle Qin asked him to drink. Uncle Qin was very happy to have someone to accompany him in this deserted place.While drinking, a dead man was sent over from the surgical ward, and Lu Lu and Uncle Qin went to the next room to settle the body.They continued to drink afterward.However, after Lu Lu left, Uncle Qin found that the cat he was feeding was missing, and the cat cage in the corner of the room was also gone. He remembered that when Lu Lu saw the white cat lying by the door while drinking, he said he wanted to The cat's words.Uncle Qin did not agree to give it to him.Unexpectedly, he took the cat away while Uncle Qin was not paying attention.
"That cat has been with me for several years." Uncle Qin said, "What does he want that cat to do?"
Tan Xiaoying was very annoyed by Lu Lu's behavior, but she didn't fully believe that Lu Lu would do this.She said that I will ask Lu Lu tomorrow. If he really took the cat away, I will definitely ask him to bring it back to you.However, could it be that the cat ran away by itself?Uncle Qin said no, because the cat cage was also gone, so Lu Lu had to take it away.
After Uncle Qin left, Tan Xiaoying closed the door, feeling that Lu Lu's behavior was very strange, let alone stealing a cat, just running to the hospital to drink with Uncle Qin is enough to make people feel incredible.
At this time, there was a cold smell in the house that lingered for a long time, as if Uncle Qin stayed here.Tan Xiaoying hurried into the bedroom, closed the door and sat on the bed in a daze.She regretted her association with Lu Lu. Such a weird person almost made her lose face in the hospital.
She picked up the phone and dialed the land cell phone.
"Hey, let me tell you, don't come to the hospital again, okay?" Tan Xiaoying said angrily, "Hurry up and send Uncle Qin's cat back to him, you will almost become a ghost!"
"Hey," Lu Lu pretended to be crazy and smiled silly on the phone, "What kind of cat, I don't know. Maybe the cat ran into the freezer in the morgue. Hey, it's frozen into an ice cat."
"You are talking nonsense!" Tan Xiaoying had never been so angry before, "Hurry up and send the cat back, or you will become a ghost!"
After Tan Xiaoying put down the phone, she cried sadly.Why is her life so bad, she met two men, the knowledgeable and the ignorant are both bad guys, bad guys!She cursed in her heart, pervert!
Tan Xiaoying slept very restlessly that night, and woke up when there was any movement outside the building.She tried to find someone to talk to, but there was no one to talk to.She thought of Lin Xiaoyue, a kind and wise woman. When she was hospitalized last year, her ward became the place where Tan Xiaoying talked.But now, she doesn't even have such a confidant she met by chance.
It was after midnight, and she looked at the ceiling without any sleepiness.
In the morning, after Zheng Chuan finished washing, he went downstairs to the dining room for breakfast.The maid Gou Ma has returned from the countryside, which makes his life much more convenient.
He sat down at the table.Milk, eggs, porridge, and some kind of cake.Gou Ma said cheerfully to him, this is a sweet potato pancake, she brought it from the countryside, let Zheng Chuan taste it.
During Zheng Chuan's meal, Gou's mother went upstairs to clean up the room. She saw a lot of infusion bottles in Zheng Chuan's room, and when she went downstairs, she asked Zheng Chuan why he was still infusion.Zheng Chuan said that it was hyperlipidemia, and the infusion "cleaned the blood", which was not really a disease.
Gou Ma looked at Zheng Chuan's face and remained silent for a while.Zheng Chuan asked her what was wrong, and she said that your Yintang is dark, is it bewitched?
"Really?" Zheng Chuan asked, touching his forehead.Although he doesn't really believe in folk sayings like bewitching evil spirits, he does believe that a shiny forehead is a sign of good luck.On the contrary, it is always bad if Yintang is dark.
Gou Ma is a serious person.She asked Zheng Chuan if he had dreamed of a dead person recently, had he ever been to a funeral home to attend someone else's funeral, or if he always felt that someone was following him when he walked at night, but when he looked back, there was no one there?
Zheng Chuan denied them one by one.Mommy Gou said you should be careful, and go to Huiling Temple to burn incense when you have time.
At this moment, the doorbell rang, and Mother Gou was taken aback.Zheng Chuan said to open the door, it was the nurse who gave me the infusion.
After Tan Xiaoying entered the room, she greeted Gou Mama and went upstairs.Zheng Chuan was about to go upstairs when Gou's mother held him back and whispered in his ear, "Keep the window open during the infusion, so as not to bring the evil spirits from the hospital into the house."
Zheng Chuan felt that Gou's mother was unreasonable, so he gave her a hard look, and she was so frightened that she kept saying that she pretended that I hadn't said this, and walked away knowingly.
After Zheng Chuan went upstairs to infuse the liquid, he closed his eyes and thought about what Gou Mama said about his Yintang being dark, which has always been a sign of ghosts and evil spirits in folklore.Gou's mother has been working as a maid in his house for several years, and she always said that his face is a blessing, and he thought she would only say compliments, but unexpectedly, when something evil happened, she would spot it at a glance.
For the past two days, Zheng Chuan had been having a hard time distinguishing the real from the fake with that pale woman, because after he fainted from fright, Gao Wei came out but saw nothing.At that time, the basis for his firm belief that it was not a hallucination was that the comb and mirror he had brought from the office disappeared.But Gao Wei called him the next day and said that these two things were found again, in the drawer of the study desk.Although in his memory, these two things were placed on the coffee table in the living room before going to bed, but Gao Wei recalled that he went to the study before going to bed, and it is not ruled out that he brought them in by himself.
Human memory is a very unreliable thing.Sometimes, the things that have just passed are so vague when recalled; on the contrary, some things that have been forgotten a long time ago are suddenly recalled clearly.This is the mystery of the structure of the human brain.
The room was unusually quiet. After Zheng Chuan withdrew his thoughts, he realized that Tan Xiaoying was a little strange today. After infusing him with fluid, she sat on the sofa by the window without saying a word, and did not look for books or newspapers, just like a puppet. .
"Xiaoying," Zheng Chuan called, "is there anything wrong?"
"No, it's nothing." Tan Xiaoying even tried her best to smile as she concealed the shadow caused by last night's unlucky incident.
"Oh, that's good." Zheng Chuan said reassuringly.
"Do you need to use a computer?" Tan Xiaoying glanced at the laptop on the bookcase, Zheng Chuan often used it to pass the time during infusion.
Unexpectedly, Zheng Chuan said that there is no need to use a computer today.
"Don't you see if there are any new emails?" Tan Xiaoying saw the computer and thought of Lin Xiaoyue's emails recalling the past. Now she has a desire to read it. It is a life and emotion that is very strange to her. An inexplicable temptation.
"I've already read it." Zheng Chuan's answer surprised Tan Xiaoying, "The new email came last night."
"Oh, can I have a look?" Tan Xiaoying blurted out this request, as if she couldn't wait.
Zheng Chuan didn't speak, but just gestured for her to hold the computer.Tan Xiaoying put the laptop beside him.
Zheng Chuan opened the mailbox, called out the latest email and said to her, "Look. I recall many things only after reading."
Tan Xiaoying leaned over to the computer.
Email Name: Past Events (6)
Remember that concert?At the end of summer and the beginning of autumn, the moonlight that night was so silvery that it made the wilderness a little unreal.A total of 7 of us, 3 girls and 4 boys, gathered on the drying dam of your production team.It was an unforgettable educated youth concert, violin, erhu, flute, and the singing voices of several of us girls.The seven of us all went to the countryside together, in the same commune, but separated by several miles.This evening we had a dinner at your place of residence. We caught a large pot of eels and a large pot of rice wine. When we clinked glasses, we felt a little sad and heroic.
It was late at night, and no one wanted to leave.That concert was premeditated, because the musicians brought their guys, and you took your violin off the wall.We walked out of your house and walked through the bamboo forest to the sun dam.The moonlight was pouring down like rain, and we were all a little intoxicated.
There is a big haystack on the drying dam, and we compete to express ourselves beside the haystack.First the instrumental ensemble, followed by your violin solo "Blessed Lovers", a beautiful overture, a soul-stirring love theme, classmates answering each other, crying ghosts throwing themselves into graves, and butterflies flying together... Playing the piano against the moonlight, you must have forgotten the reality Because we saw the wet light in your eyes after playing the piano.Alas, that bitter and sweet youth can only be experienced once. After waking up, the phantom of the butterfly you saw in the moonlight also disappeared.
Where did our singing go on that distant moonlit night?We sang "Katyusha" and "Evening on the outskirts of Moscow."After midnight, everyone was sleepy and had to find a place to sleep.After discussion, everyone decided that the house you live in will be for 3 girls, and 4 boys will sleep in the hay hut next to the cattle pen of the production team.
Back in your hut, the three of us girls squeezed into the only bed, chatting for a while before falling asleep.But I couldn't sleep, looking at the moonlight outside the window, I quietly slipped out of bed and walked out of the house.When I came to the dam, there was no one there, and the big haystack looked very lonely under the moonlight.When I went to the haystack, I saw you sitting here alone.
At that moment, we looked at each other without speaking, as if we knew each other would appear there.It was a long time before you said that the moon had all fallen into the sky.I said that this is called star shifting, and people are getting old like this.You laughed and said that a girl like me will not grow old.I said that aging is a natural law, but you said that Chang'e on the moon has never aged.
What a long moonlit night it was.Looking at the white mist flying over the field, we talked one after another, from the village to the school and then to childhood, our topic and time retrograde, you still remember the childhood nursery rhyme: "The moon walks, I Let’s go too, I’ll make soju for the moon.” I said that I also remembered a few nursery rhymes called “The moon shines brightly, burn incense with sesame seeds, burn Miss Ma to death, and Miss Yao to death”.We all laughed out loud, rocking back and forth by the haystack.
Before dawn, you fell asleep by the haystack, thinking that someone would appear after dawn, I don't know what to do.I had to leave the haystack and go back to the house, and as I went I threw my coat over you, for the moon was down and the cold was rising over the fields.
Since then, that moonlit night has never appeared again.
After Tan Xiaoying finished reading this email, she was immersed in the moonlight for a long time.She silently sat back by the window, feeling like crying.That kind of moonlight had never been seen in her life, and she felt a longing and a pain of missing.She was a little dazed, until Zheng Chuan asked her to add liquid, she didn't remember her duty sitting here.
She walked to the bed and said to Zheng Chuan while adding liquid, "From Lin Xiaoyue's email, you were so romantic at that time."
"Is that called romance?" Zheng Chuan said, "We seemed to be ignorant at that time, and there were many taboos in society..."
"Why is there no taboo at all now?" Tan Xiaoying asked with a little regret.
"Do you still like taboos?" Zheng Chuan asked back.
Tan Xiaoying said that she couldn't explain the problem clearly, she just felt that the things she saw in the email were better than the current things.
At this moment, the phone in the house rang.When Zheng Chuan picked up the phone, it was Xiaofei, a nurse from the hospital, who wanted to talk to Tan Xiaoying.
Tan Xiaoying took the phone, and Xiaofei's voice sounded urgently: "The patient on the 12th bed asked to change the ward. She said that she always dreamed that a woman came to compete with her for the bed. She suspected that someone died in this ward, so she asked to change the ward." Change a ward. She is your patient, I don't know if I should change her room."
"Oh," Tan Xiaoying was a little at a loss, "Let's talk about it when I get back to the hospital in the afternoon."
This call brought Tan Xiaoying back to reality, especially after reading Lin Xiaoyue's email, she suddenly felt as if her soul was flying.
"Did something happen to the ward where Lin Xiaoyue lived?" Zheng Chuan asked.
Xiaofei's voice on the phone was too loud, Zheng Chuan must have heard something, Tan Xiaoying had no choice but to nod to admit.
"Lin Xiaoyue." Zheng Chuan called with a sigh.
The magazine office is located on the 9th floor of the Cultural Building.At 3 o'clock in the afternoon, there was no one in the corridor, and the doors of the offices were locked.If it wasn't for the "Magazine" logo that stood out at the entrance of the building, Zheng Chuan would have suspected that he had gone to the wrong place.
This is where Lin Xiaoyue worked before her death.Zheng Chuan made up his mind to visit here because he wanted to find out the origin of those mysterious emails.Tan Xiaoying analyzed it for him, and someone must be sending these emails for Lin Xiaoyue.Of course, this idea is now being more and more doubted, Lin Xiaoyue's shadow is wandering around Zheng Chuan, he must take it seriously.At least by coming to the magazine, you can learn a lot about Lin Xiaoyue.
In the middle of the corridor, Zheng Chuan finally saw an open door. He opened the door. It was a large room with seven or eight desks, but he didn't see a single person.Strange, is this magazine performing an empty city plan?He walked in and stopped by a desk by the window, and saw an opened letter from a reader on the desk, and the envelope was written "to Mr. Lin Xiaoyue from the magazine".
Zheng Chuan looked at the envelope in shock, Lin Xiaoyue, is she still sitting here working?Zheng Chuan looked around the empty office, feeling a little nervous.He sat down, picked up the letter from the reader under the envelope, and began to read.
Teacher Lin Xiaoyue:
I really like the "Xiaoyue Mailbox" column hosted by you.I am a girl in her 20s who works in Fangcheng Building.Some time ago, a girl died in the underground parking lot of the building. She was strangled to death.At that time, I glanced at the corpse among the crowd of people talking, but I didn't see her face clearly.As a result, I started having nightmares that night.When I went to work the next day, I pulled the car into the parking lot, and my palms were cold from fear.The parking lot is large and dimly lit. Several times I saw a girl standing next to a pillar, but when I approached, there was no one there.When I got into the elevator, I was also scared if there was no one inside, because the dead girl worked in this building, and I always felt that I would meet her in the elevator... Teacher Lin Xiaoyue, I am full of fear every day now, how did all this happen? What's going on?I'm not a very timid girl, but this time I just glanced at the corpse, how could I not get rid of my fear for a long time?I hope to get your guidance, or, should I see a psychiatrist?In short, only your help can make me overcome my fear, thank you!
Your loyal reader? Yao Jingjing
Seeing the letter from the staff of Fangcheng Building here, Zheng Chuan felt strange.There are more than 20 companies, large and small, living in the building. It is not known which company this girl named "Jingjing" belongs to.It seems that like Zheng Chuan, she is being entangled by the figure of the dead, and she is asking for help from Lin Xiaoyue who is also dead... Zheng Chuan felt confused.The entire magazine office was empty, and the spacious office became unreal to him.
Zheng Chuan sat at the desk, he looked out the window, from here he could see the bustling street, which made him believe that he was in a real environment.
"Are you here?" A soft female voice sounded behind him.
Zheng Chuan turned his head suddenly, and a girl with long hair stood in front of him.She was about 25 years old, with a comb in her hand, and her hair was wet and fell on her shoulders, as if she had just washed her hair.
The girl was also taken aback, and took half a step back and asked, "Who are you looking for?"
"I, I'm looking for Lin Xiaoyue." Zheng Chuan blurted out an answer.Why hadn't he heard the girl come in?He stared at the comb in her hand, unable to guess who she was.
"Lin Xiaoyue?" The girl took another half step back, "Who are you? She has been dead for more than a year, and you still don't know?"
Zheng Chuan hurriedly handed over his business card and said, "I'm Lin Xiaoyue's middle school classmate. We went to the countryside together to work as educated youths. We haven't contacted each other for many years."
The girl looked at his business card, and the nervous expression on her face disappeared.She smiled embarrassedly and said, "I almost mistook the person. I am the editor here, and my name is Yan Hong."
"Why do you go to work alone?" Zheng Chuan asked puzzled.
Yan Hong said that the magazine implemented a half-day shift system, and the editors worked on manuscripts at home in the afternoon. It was her turn to be on duty this afternoon, and she just went to the shower to wash her hair.Because an author said that he would send a manuscript, when she returned to the office, she almost recognized Zheng Chuan as the author.She went on to introduce the circumstances of Lin Xiaoyue's death last year, similar to what Zheng Chuan already knew.
"Lin Xiaoyue is really our good elder sister." Yan Hong finally said, "The column 'Xiaoyue Mailbox' hosted by her is very popular with readers. After her death, we did not change the name of this column, but I did the specific work. By the way, I have a letter from a reader here, written by someone in your Fangcheng Building. It is really a very grand office building, but the underground parking lot is really a bit gloomy. I went to the site to see it, it is too big, and the lighting Not enough, especially after people died there, it feels a bit chilly to enter. We are going to appeal in the publications, change the environment there, increase lights and patrol personnel, what do you think?"
Zheng Chuan said it was a good suggestion.The underground parking lot is indeed a bit darker, and the laneway leading to the elevator is full of twists and turns, which makes people feel a little nervous.In addition, the murder case that happened there has never been solved. If the truth of the case is revealed, the fear of everyone walking there will be much relieved.
Zheng Chuan was chatting casually with the female editor, but she didn't expect that she knew more about the situation than he did.She said that the magazine is a women's publication, and of course it is very concerned about the murder of women.On the day of the incident, she went to the scene and learned that the deceased Cui Juan was a cashier of a medical equipment company. When she went to pick up the car in the underground parking lot that day, she was strangled to death with a rope from behind.Judging from the identity of the deceased, the police believed that there was a possibility of robbery, and a handbag of the deceased was robbed.But people in her unit recalled that there was no company money in the bag, at most there was a little pocket money of her own and a mobile phone.After understanding, the social relationship of the deceased is very simple, and he has not yet had a boyfriend.However, one of her female companions recalled that the deceased had met a man in his 40s in the elevator of the office building more than half a year ago, and later had occasional contacts, but now he cannot find that man.Yan Hong said, you also work in that building, if you have any clues, please provide them to our publication, and we will contact the police in time.
There was a "buzz" in Zheng Chuan's head, because when Yan Hong mentioned that the deceased had met a man in his 40s in the elevator, he glanced at him while talking, which made him feel uncomfortable.He hastened to declare that he never knew this girl. There were people coming and going in the office building, and people generally only knew people from the company.He said that he didn't come here to talk about this murder case, but to know about Lin Xiaoyue's situation—is she dead?If dead, who is emailing him for her?
Yan Hong's eyes widened when Zheng Chuan told about the email.She thought for a while and said, "You can't be resurrected after death. Someone must be sending you an email for her. But no one in our editorial department will do this kind of thing, because Lin Xiaoyue never talked about you before she was alive. We don't have anyone here. People know about you and her early years."
Because he had just washed his hair, Yan Hong combed his long wet hair with a comb while talking to Zheng Chuan, which reminded Zheng Chuan of the person who asked him to meet in the office.午夜12点，约他见面的人（是林晓月还是替她发邮件的人不得而知）坐在他的办公室里，一定也是刚洗了头，她一边梳头一边等待，离开时便将梳子和小圆镜遗忘在沙发上了。
鄢红感觉到郑川一直在看她，便不好意思地停止了梳头，她把长发甩到脑后说：“你收到林晓月的电子邮件挺奇怪的，我尽可能替你了解了解，看看她生前是否委托了什么人做这件事。”
郑川表示感谢，便告辞出门。鄢红挺客气地要送他下楼，郑川只好接受了。进了电梯，鄢红说方城大厦地下停车场遇害的那个女孩，你如果有什么线索也请告诉我们。郑川点头答应，心里却总是别扭。他不想和这种麻烦的事有什么牵连。
到了楼下的露天停车场，郑川打开车门后便感到里面像烤箱一样。在这炎热的夏季，露天停车场真是不能停车。他开了车内的空调，站在旁边等着车内的温度降下来。
看着这辆银灰色的宝马轿车，鄢红说：“郑总，你来时怎么没停到地下停车场去？”
郑川说：“我现在对地下停车场也有点恐惧了，就像给你们写信的读者一样，进了地下停车场总有点莫名的紧张。”
鄢红说看来确实要将崔娟的死亡真相搞清楚，不然地下停车场快成恐怖场所了。
郑川点头称是，同时再次向她告辞。“你回办公室去吧。”他说，“我等车内凉下来就走。”
鄢红对他点点头，嫣然一笑，说了句“你慢走”，便扭身向楼口走去。望着她的背影，郑川才突然意识到这是个魅力十足的女人。在这之前，由于谈论的事情都很紧张，他竟对谈话对象有点忽视。现在，望着她背影的曲线，他的心里一下子热了起来。那柔软的腰肢、浑圆的臀部和文雅的面容、含蓄的眼神融合在一起，构成了一个足以让他心旌摇曳的女人。她的手里还捏着梳子，头发湿湿地披在背上和肩上，这会是午夜12点坐在他办公室的女人吗？
郑川一厢情愿地笑了笑。
现在，郑川再想到曾经出现的那个脸色惨白的女人时，他可以确信那不是林晓月而是崔娟了。如果世上真有魂灵存在，林晓月不会以那种狰狞的面目出现，而只有被人从背后勒死的人，才有那样惨白的脸色，牙齿咬在嘴唇外面，这应该是她死时的形象。郑川竭力回忆发生在地下停车场那可怕的一幕，那个叫崔娟的女孩蜷缩在地上，他没看清楚她的面容，因为她的头发遮住了大半个面孔。
但是，死去的崔娟找他干什么呢？虽同在一幢写字楼里，但他们互不认识，没有交往，按理说魂灵是不会向陌生人投梦，更不会半夜三更出现在陌生人房里的。难道，他们在电梯里认识过。半年前，死者在电梯里结识过一个40多岁的男人，那会是他吗？
郑川胆战心惊地回忆起半年前自己是否有这样的经历。之所以胆战心惊，是他很快想到自己确实在电梯里结识过一个女孩，20来岁，穿着红色羽绒服，前面敞开着，里面是一件很薄的贴身小衫，丰满的胸部十分诱人。她说她叫娜娜，是从外面来这写字楼里办事的。难道她隐瞒了自己的真实姓名和身份？当时，电梯里就他们两人，郑川和她闲聊，并送给她自己的名片。当天晚上，这女孩就打电话给他，请他去了一家酒吧。自认为已是情场老手的郑川对此事心领神会，和娜娜坐在酒吧里，她说她正在读大学，同时在外面打工挣学费，现在正为下半学年的学费发愁呢。郑川不失时机地递给她一个信封，里面是5000块钱，说是替她解解难。接下来，他们顺理成章地去酒店开房，第二天分手时，他已经兴趣全无，不过多了一次艳遇的记录使他满足。他知道身体中的热情消退是短暂的，如果再遇到动心的对象，他又会激情再燃，他自嘲男人真是贪婪的动物。
现在的问题是，娜娜就是崔娟吗？This is unlikely.崔娟是与他在同一幢写字楼里的职员，一般说来不会在身边之地惹出绯闻。再有，娜娜的形象面容他记得清清楚楚，而后来从没有在电梯里遇见过她，这说明她真不是这楼里的人。如此分析过后，郑川的心里踏实了一些。
郑川是在离开杂志社后想到这些的。他一边想一边开着车，以至于在一个路口差点闯了红灯。现在已是下午4点半钟，离公司下班还有一个小时，他决定去公司看看。虽说这段时间他病休名正言顺，但久了不去公司露面会减弱他这个老总的重要性。
郑川将车开进了方城大厦地下停车场，他东弯西转地找到了自己的车位，泊好车走出来后，看见有工人正搭着梯子在屋顶装灯。也许是对这幽暗环境的意见太多了，管理方正在增加照明设施吧。他走到车场的角落，沿着窄窄的巷道向电梯门走去。
仿佛是老天故意要刺激郑川的神经似的，电梯门口正站着一个女孩，又是20来岁的年龄，穿着牛仔裤和黑色的紧身T恤衫。
电梯门打开之后，他俩一前一后走进去。他按下17楼的按钮，女孩按下的按钮是18楼，铁门关闭，电梯上行。
18楼是什么公司呢？郑川似乎就没有了解过。这妮子倒是蛮漂亮的，郑川看了一眼她的侧面，感到视觉受到了刺激。狭小的电梯空间里，她身上、头发上的青春气息直往他鼻孔里钻。近几年来，郑川对这种幽兰似的气息越来越敏感，这是否表明他已进入生命的恐慌阶段了呢？48岁，中年将去，老年在望，在这绝望的生命单行道上，他想借用女孩的青春作救命稻草吗？
然而，他再不能在电梯里认识女孩了，他警告自己说，别想勾引她，或许她就是要找你的鬼魂也说不定。他专心地看着逐渐升高的楼层指示灯。17楼到了，门开时他一步跨了出去然后本能地回头望了一眼，在电梯门关上的一刹那，他猛然发现那女孩的脸色很苍白，这使他感到后怕。
郑川推开公司的玻璃门走了进去。快到下班时间了，长长的走廊上不断有人进出，他们见到郑川都停下来招呼道
“郑总，身体好些了吗？”
“郑总，这个时候还赶到公司来有什么指示？”
“郑总，你病了还来公司操心？”
郑川含糊其辞地应答着这些问候或者恭维话。他来到总经理办公室，门是锁着的，高苇到哪里去了呢？他用钥匙开了门，看见高苇的办公桌上堆着不少文件资料。国有企业就是这样，文件资料总是多得让人头痛。他开了侧门，走进自己的办公室。这时，技术部的老曾跟了进来，他的妻子在纺织厂下岗了，想在本公司为她找一份活干。
郑川皱了皱眉头，说研究研究再定。这种事他一般不会轻易同意，但也不立即拒绝，不过老曾是技术部的业务骨干，所以解决他的困难还不能太马虎。
老曾感谢了几句正要离去，郑川叫住他问道：“18楼住着什么公司你知道吗？”
老曾对郑川的提问有点迷惑，他指了指天花板说：“就是楼上啊？住着3家莫名其妙的小公司。”
“为啥说莫名其妙？”郑川追问道。
“你听我讲，这3家公司是这样的。”老曾扳着指头说，“一家是卖防盗报警器的公司，就是安装在门上窗上一碰就响的那些小玩意儿；一家是专给人取名字的公司，人名产品名什么都取，还兼给房地产商看风水；还有一家是墓陵公司，专卖坟墓的，说是生意不错。”
“哦，知道了。”郑川说道，“我只是随便了解一下左邻右舍的情况。”
老曾走后，郑川坐在沙发上点燃一支烟，他无端地将刚才电梯里的女人与墓陵公司联系在一起，但是，卖墓陵的女孩就一定是脸色苍白的吗？他为自己的无理推测笑了笑。
他的身子在沙发上移动了一下，突然，他的手摸到了一个硬硬的东西，他侧身一看，又是梳子和镜子，这两件曾经出现在这里的东西，被他带到高苇家里去了，现在怎么又出现在这里呢？他拿起小圆镜，看着背面那张林晓月早年的照片，觉得头脑一阵阵发晕。
郑川拿起电话，拨通了高苇的手机。
“喂，你在哪里呢？”他有点不高兴地问道。
高苇说她和何林副总经理去省上开了一个节约能源方面的工作会议，现在刚刚散会。
“哦。”郑川的火气消退了一些，他原以为高苇逛商场去了。
“有什么事吗？”高苇在电话上小心翼翼地问。
“我正在办公室。”郑川说，“那梳子和镜子怎么又回到这里来了？”
高苇说，是她从家里带过来的。那天夜里，这两件东西消失后，第二天她又在写字桌的抽屉里发现了。这事带来的后果是，她每天夜里都听见书房里有动静，像是有人翻弄书桌似的，她又不敢半夜起来察看。于是，只好将这两件东西带回办公室来了。她说她又不敢扔掉这东西，不带回办公室来怎么办？谢天谢地，这两件东西拿走之后，她晚上睡觉再没听见任何动静了。
郑川放下电话以后，在办公室里来回踱着步子。他想到自从收到林晓月的邮件后，只要他回复邮件要求见面，对方都接受了并主动提出见面地点。第一次是高苇背着他做的这事，她代他去慧灵寺见面，当然见不到对方，但慧灵寺里却有女人的声音叫他的名字；第二次，他直接提出见面，对方也同意了，见面地点选在他的办公室，但他自己又因为是半夜时间见面，走到电梯口也没敢上楼来，结果对方将这梳子和镜子留在了这里。如此看来，对方是并不怕和他见面的了，既然如此，他必须鼓起勇气见对方一面才行，否则这事永远是个谜。
郑川果断地打开了办公桌上的电脑，他决定再约对方一次，这次不论发生什么情况他都一定要赴约了。他打开邮箱，给对方写了一封简短的邮件。
邮件名：郑川给林晓月
我已经收到6封你发来的关于回忆往事的邮件了，我想和你见面，前两次我没有赴约是因为另有原因，这次我一定赴约，行吗？请回函。
郑川轻点了一下鼠标，邮件很快就发送成功。他长出一口气，为这种快刀斩乱麻的方式感到爽快。
他设想着，前来赴约的会是林晓月吗？Certainly not.他的眼前闪过鄢红披着湿发手拿梳子的情景，这个林晓月生前的同事最有可能是发邮件的人。郑川想像着和她见面的场景，如果这样，那就一点儿也不可怕了。
公司里的人都已下班，办公室外面一片沉静，郑川却一点儿也不知道。
郑川走出办公室的时候，公司里已经空无一人。他的办公室没人敢随便进来，所以大家下班时也没人提醒他。郑川望了一眼已经显得有些幽暗的走廊，两旁的办公室都已门窗紧闭。他想方便一下再下楼，便沿着走廊拐了一个弯，进了角落里的厕所。走出厕所时，女厕所里突然响起“哗”的一声水箱放水的声音。由于四周异常寂静，这声音吓了他一跳。他想，公司里还有哪位女士没有下班呢？
他走到洗手池边洗手，然后又在原地站了好一会儿，女厕所里竟没有人出来。一般说来，放水冲厕之后人也就很快出来了，郑川感到有点蹊跷。他联想到高苇曾在女厕里看见厕位的隔板那边有一只白色高跟鞋，而当时也是公司下班后到处都无人之际。想到这事郑川感到毛骨悚然。
他迅速离开了厕所，他不能老站在那里，如果女厕里真走出一个什么人来，其形象他将无法想像。
来到电梯门口，他伸手按下按钮，已停在底层的电梯悄然启动，一级一级地闪着灯升上来接他。然而，到17楼时并没有停下。片刻过后，电梯下行，到17楼“哗”的一声开了门，里面已站着一个干瘦的老头子，是从18楼进电梯的。
郑川走进电梯，电梯门缓缓关上。他望了一眼楼层按钮，老头子是到一楼，他按下了负一楼地下停车场的按钮。The elevator goes down.
老头子个子不高，筋骨凸现。18楼住着墓陵公司，这干瘦的老头子应该是这家墓陵公司的人了。这不是郑川的偏见，因为在这现代化的写字楼里，如果不是墓陵公司，谁会雇用这老头子做员工呢？
郑川望着这老头子脖子上的青筋，好几次想问他是哪家公司的，可话到嘴边又咽了下去，因为这毕竟是不太礼貌的行为。他想到来公司时与他同乘电梯到18楼的那个女孩，脸色也是不太好，看来这墓陵公司在他的楼上总让人心里有点别扭。
郑川回到家时，天已快黑了。进门便看见苟妈站在凳子上擦窗户，他说道：“你站那样高干什么，小心跌倒！”苟妈说刘英打电话回来说，在外地的考察快结束了，估计两天后就要回家，不赶快打扫卫生怎么行？他的妻子刘英是一个爱干净的人，平时总爱用手到处摸摸，发现一点灰尘也会叫嚷的。
郑川不再说话，直接向楼上的卧室走去。苟妈说你吃晚饭了吗？他回头说吃过了。在路上用了餐再回家，这是他的习惯。要是刘英在家，这样也减少了和她面对面的机会。这是他们经过无数次吵闹之后达成的平衡，谁也别管谁，和平共处。因为到了他们这种年纪，离婚对谁来说都没有脸面，在美国读书的儿子也不会赞成父母离异。
这个晚上，郑川一直在等待回复的邮件。他守着电脑，每隔一会儿便看看邮箱，一直没有新邮件出现。他想着上次提出见面时，几个小时后便来了回复。
晚上9点他的手机响过一次，是建筑公司的罗总打来的，约郑川去一个好玩的地方。郑川知道，所谓“好玩”，不过是那里有很多女人罢了。并且，罗总请他去玩，还不是冲着他公司下一次工程招标的事。这罗总也还是旧脑筋，玩什么玩呢，不如直接说钱来得爽快。郑川在电话上谢绝了他的邀请。罗总说你最近怎么了，很久不出来玩了。郑川说他患了高血脂正在输液，以后再说吧。
其实，输液仅仅是托词，让郑川生活变化的，完全是林晓月的那些邮件。一方面，那些往事的回忆使他长时间地陷在过往的年少时光里不能自拔；另一方面，邮件的神秘性质又让他想方设法想找出真相。
现在，关键的时候到了，只要对方约定见面时间、地点，他就是死一次也要前往见面。上次的邮件说过，她就是林晓月，是崔娟告诉她他的邮箱的。从这话来看，完全是两个死者在地下相逢，从而发生了现在的一切。可是，这可能吗？郑川决定用见面来验证这一切。
可是，一直等到凌晨1点，邮箱里仍然没有回邮出现，郑川只好关了电脑上床睡觉。也不知睡了多久，郑川听见了隐隐的门铃声，他立即翻身下床，打开卧室门，门铃声很响地传来。凌晨时分，谁会来按门铃呢？郑川的心“怦怦”跳着，突然明白过来，是林晓月来了，她收到他的邮件后并未回复，而是直接登门拜访来了。
郑川下了一死的决心下楼去开门，果然是林晓月，她还是当知青时的样子，穿着月白色小衫和青色长裤。她说我来了，便进屋坐在客厅沙发上。郑川手忙脚乱地给她倒水，她伸出雪白的手挡开水杯说，我不喝水。郑川说你总要喝点什么吧，她说喝你的血好吗？郑川头发都快立起来了，林晓月笑了笑说，你是个没良心的家伙，到现在也舍不得给我一点你的血，其实，我的口味还挑剔着呢。
郑川赶紧说你的邮件我反复看了，我一直很珍惜那些难忘的时光。郑川这样说有讨好的意思，因为林晓月隐隐的敌对情绪让他很害怕。
林晓月说，你记不记得过去我已无所谓了，但是你不该勒死崔娟。我在地下认识了这个新来的女孩，她说你在电梯里认识了她以后，接着又在地下停车场勒死了她，这让我很为你伤心，你不该这样做。
郑川急了，赶紧声明崔娟的死与他无关，他当时只是现场的一个目击者而已。林晓月也不与他争辩，而是从衣袋里拿出一条细长的麻绳放在小方桌上说，你看看这个东西吧，是你的吗？
正在这时，客厅里的灯光闪了一下，仿佛要停电似的。与此同时，室内升起一股烟雾，而林晓月已经无影无踪了。
郑川环顾四周喊道，你在哪里？你来听我解释，崔娟绝对不是我勒死的！他心里急成一团，双手挥舞着喊叫，直到将他自己从梦中叫醒。他喘着气从床上坐起来，看见被子也被他掀到了地上。
郑川看了看钟，凌晨2点15分，看来他睡下不久就开始做这个噩梦了。这梦是什么意思呢？难道林晓月收到他的邮件后真的到他家来了？郑川胆战心惊地下了床，他轻轻地开了卧室门，伸头往漆黑的走廊上望了一眼，外面没有一点儿声息。刘英不在家，女佣苟妈住在楼下，这楼上现在全是空房间，刘英的房间，他儿子的房间，书房，还有一间会客室……整个楼上都没有人，郑川开了走廊的灯，他要到楼下客厅去看看。刚才，在梦中，林晓月就是和他在那里见面的。
郑川扶着楼梯栏杆一阶一阶往下走，他为自己的行为感到可笑，但又不能忍住下去看看的冲动。有时，人的一种没有道理的举动也许有更深的意义，谁说得清呢？
令人恐惧的场面出现了，当郑川来到楼下的客厅，打开雪亮的吊灯，在沙发旁的小方桌上，一条细长的麻绳正静静地躺在桌上，它似乎散发着寒气，郑川看见它时不禁倒退了几步。
这就是刚才梦中林晓月放在那里的麻绳吗？这绳索勒死了崔娟，它的每一丝纤维中都含着怨毒！郑川不可遏制地大叫起来，客厅侧面的房门开了，苟妈神色紧张地跑了出来。
“出什么事了？”苟妈对穿着睡衣的郑川问道，她的声音也在发抖。
“那，那是什么？”郑川指着小方桌上的细绳问道。
苟妈走过去拿起了细绳，莫名其妙地说：“一根绳子呗，怎么把你吓成这样？”
“它是哪来的？”郑川的惊恐一点没减。
“这，我就记不得了。”苟妈疑惑地说，“我白天打扫过房子，是不是我放在那里的，我没有印象了。只是，这有什么可怕呢？”
“是的，不可怕，不可怕。”郑川喃喃地一边说一边向楼上走去，留下苟妈莫名其妙地站在客厅里。
第二天上午，郑川在输液时一直守着身边的手提电脑，邮箱里仍然没有回邮，这是对方第一次没有响应他提出见面的建议。难道，昨夜梦中的见面就算数了吗？
谭小影递给郑川一杯水，她充满同情地看着这个病人。郑川的目光和她对视了一下，觉得她的眼圈有点发黑。
“你昨晚也没睡好吗？”郑川问道，同时有点害怕，她可千万别说也梦见了林晓月。
“我昨晚值了整夜的班。”谭小影说，“有一个女人有点奇怪，半夜过后坐在走廊的长椅上，手中翻看着杂志，也不知她是不是陪伴病人的家属。我路过她身边时她正咳嗽，捂着嘴的纸巾上全是血。我回到值班室对医生讲了，可出来找她时，她就不见了。”
高苇近来有一种与世隔绝的感觉。梧桐巷9号，这个老旧的住宅区隐蔽在一条浓阴蔽日的小巷里，使她每天下班回家后就像一条鱼游进石缝里一样无影无踪。
与世隔绝的感觉还来源于她与人群的疏远。今天在公司里，她去各部门发送一份公司文件时，各办公室的人就像没看见她走进来似的。他们装着埋头工作的样子，其实是以此表示对她的冷淡。郑川病休才10多天，这些人便似乎忘了她作为总经理秘书的身份。想到郑川坐在办公室的时候，这些人见到郑川和她时毕恭毕敬的样子。dog!高苇在心里骂道。这一天，只有办公室的张叶在走廊上招呼了她，使她觉得女人之间的一种理解。
中午，吃了公司提供的免费盒饭以后，高苇便上24楼时装公司去找周玫玩。在那里，她即使不买衣服也是一种享受。尤其是穿行在展销大厅的模特儿之间，这些塑料制成的模特儿因穿上各式时装而显得栩栩如生。观赏之中，周玫突然让高苇站在模特儿中间，说你不要动，眼睛也不要眨，呵，简直和模特儿一模一样，让人分不清真假了。高苇僵硬地站在那里模仿着，觉得很好玩，一下子将心里的烦恼冲淡了。
可是，下班后回到家里，高苇备感冷清寂寞，这套新租来的房子显得空旷。她约过周玫来玩，她说你将房子让给我后怎么不来看看我？周玫说一定来，但这两天不行，下班后也不断有客户来订货。
高苇斜躺在沙发上，给张骏打了个电话。“喂，你晚上有时间吗？”她问道。
张骏的回答让她失望。这个和她有过一夜情的小子总是上夜班。他说白天有时间，这不是空话吗，白天高苇可要上班。世界就是这样阴差阳错，高苇觉得现在事事都和她过不去。
郑川也不到她这里来了。不过，她也并不希望他来。刚搬家时郑川来住过一夜，可是夜半惊魂让人后怕。郑川说他在书房看见了鬼魂，高苇并不相信，那是他自己近来神魂颠倒，人在这种阴气很重的时候会看见一些别人看不见的东西，高苇小时候听大人讲过这个道理。郑川走后的第二天晚上，高苇一个人睡下后也听见书房有动静。第三天，她将郑川带来的梳子和镜子送回了他的办公室，从此房子里平安无事，高苇由此相信