Chapter 13: “Holiday”

It's been another week since the final test. Now the students are enjoying their holiday until New Year. Most students have already planned their long vacation and other things. Shen Xiaofan is not different, she had promised Wei Xiu to see the Christmas tree at the center of town during Christmas eve, which is around next week. She couldn't wait to spend her first Christmas eve with her lover.

"Fan… Xiaofan!", Song Ehuang tried to call Shen Xiaofan but she didn't respond. Song Ehuang tickled Shen Xiaofan and finally got her attention, "What are you spacing out about?",

"It's… nothing. What's up?",

"Well, Emily Chen and I are planning to go to Hangzhou. Do you want to join in?",

Shen Xiaofan was thinking for a moment, then she replied, "When is it?",

"Before Christmas eve, we're staying for three days.",

"Ah, I'm sorry I pass… I have an appointment on Christmas eve.",

While Shen Xiaofan tidied up her books, Song Ehuang and Emily Chen looked at each other. Then, Emily Chen looked at how Wei Xiu smiled strangely at Shen Xiaofan, something's definitely up…

"Xiaofan, can I… talk to you for a sec? Just the two of us.", Emily Chen looked at Wei Xiu, her eyes saying that Wei Xiu can't go.

Shen Xiaofan knew what she meant, she looked at Wei Xiu and smiled.

"I'll be quick.", Shen Xiaofan said inside her heart.

Wei Xiu restrained her smile and nodded her head. Emily Chen pulled Shen Xiaofan outside the hallway, then she pinned Shen Xiaofan on the wall, "Xiaofan, be honest… are you… doing something with Wei Xiu next week?",

"Yeah, I promised her that we could see the Christmas tree at the center of town together.",

"I see… but you do know that means you're going 'alone', right?",

Shen Xiaofan furrowed her eyebrows and moved Emily Chen's hand away, "I'm going with Wei Xiu, I'm not exactly alone.",

"Then, tell me. What would happen if someone tried to kidnap you?",

"That's…", Shen Xiaofan couldn't say anything, Wei Xiu might be strong and can protect her from other ghosts, but what about humans?

"You're right…",

"Look. It's not like I don't want you and her to get along. But you should remember that you two are living in a different world… okay?", Emily Chen patted Shen Xiaofan's shoulder empathetically. Shen Xiaofan could only force a smile and nodded her head.

"Then, are you coming with us?", Emily Chen asked once again.

"Yeah, sure.",

"Great!", Emily Chen hugged Shen Xiaofan from the side, then the two of them entered the classroom again. They saw that Song Ehuang was standing beside Shen Xiaofan's seat the whole time. Sometimes, ever since Wei Xiu came into her life, Shen Xiaofan often forgot to spend her time with Song Ehuang and others. She should tell Wei Xiu about the plan…

"Sorry, I'm going with them.", Shen Xiaofan said inside her heart where Wei Xiu is the only one who could hear it. Wei Xiu already expected this to happen, it must be Emily Chen who encourages her to cancel the plan. In their relationship, other than the world they live in, people like Emily Chen also become their obstacles. Yet, what else can she say? Shen Xiaofan is still a human and it's normal for her to spend more time with a fellow human. But this feeling of possessiveness kept crawling deep inside her, sometimes she wished that Shen Xiaofan would die sooner. At the same time, if Shen Xiaofan did die sooner, she might cry and blame herself for being unable to protect her from danger. These mixed feelings kept pushing against each other, trying to prove which one does she wants.

"Sure, we can always come next time.", Wei Xiu said casually, the reason why she wanted to visit the Christmas tree together with Shen Xiaofan, is because she wanted to be like other lovers, and make a pact to be together forever under the Christmas tree, after that…

Wei Xiu stopped thinking for a second and covered her face in embarrassment. Shen Xiaofan is still 16 years old! How could she think of sleeping with her!

Wei Xiu felt relieved that she's a ghost, if she's still alive, then she might get herself into jail. Anyway, it means she gets to enjoy a vacation to Hangzhou together with Shen Xiaofan, so it does not really matter.

Shen Xiaofan saw Wei Xiu cover her face just now, she's already used to seeing Wei Xiu act like this whenever she thinks of something dirty or embarrassing. So, Shen Xiaofan just ignored her, she knew that she must be thinking of something strange again. Wei Xiu could hear Shen Xiaofan's thoughts, she curved her lips a bit and pretended to be angry.

"What did you say?",

"Nothing.", Shen Xiaofan answered inside her heart, also, she had already gotten used to talking to Wei Xiu like this in public.

Emily Chen looked at the two humans and ghosts interacting in public. Emily Chen couldn't figure out what Shen Xiaofan was saying to Wei Xiu. But she got a hunch that it's definitely something private. She just hoped that Shen Xiaofan didn't put herself into unknown danger.

…

...

A week later, Shen Xiaofan went to the bus stop to gather with Emily Chen and Song Ehuang. Wei Xiu followed Shen Xiaofan and for some reason, she was reminded of how she died here.

"Xiaofan, look this is the place where I died.", Wei Xiu said while pointing to the roads.

Shen Xiaofan didn't know how to respond, she scratched her cheek and said, "I'm sorry…(?)",

Soon, Emily Chen had arrived at the bus stop. She greeted both Wei Xiu and Shen Xiaofan, "Where's Ehuang?",

"Not here yet. She's usually late, probably waking up late.",

"Well, I guess we can just wait here.", Emily Chen sat next to Shen Xiaofan, she looked at Wei Xiu who stood across the roads and asked, "Is that a place where you died?",

"Yes, how did you know?",

"I was just guessing because you usually stand close to Xiaofan, but now you just stood there for no reason.",

Shen Xiaofan whispered to Emily Chen, "She's just bragging about it.",

Emily Chen whispered back, "That's awful.",

Wei Xiu couldn't hear what the two are whispering about, so she gets mad and separates them, "Don't talk about me behind my back.",

"Xiaofan is just confused why did you brag about how you died? Shouldn't that be a sensitive topic?",

"It is? Oh, sorry... I didn't know.", Wei Xiu held Shen Xiaofan's hand and apologized, "Sorry, I don't realize that I have troubled you.",

"No, it's fine... I was just... confused.", Shen Xiaofan pulled her hand away and feeling awkward.

Once again, Emily Chen could sense something is up between these two, but she can't figure out what. Is it because they're oddly close? She had no idea…

A few minutes later, a dark blue BMW car stopped at the bus stop. The window was slowly slitted down and it was actually Song Ehuang with her mother.

"Get in, guys.",

Emily Chen was surprised, "I thought we're going to ride a bus?",

"With all those belongings? I don't think so, sweetheart. Get in, come on.", Song Ehuang got out of the car and opened the car's luggage. Shen Xiaofan and Emily Chen placed their belongings and get inside the car. Wei Xiu also got inside the car, she almost sat on Shen Xiaofan's lap. Fortunately, Shen Xiaofan already glared at her and motioned with her eyes to tell her to sit at the back. Wei Xiu reluctantly sat at the back and pouted,

"You young guys are not respecting your elders.", Wei Xiu said.

Emily Chen turned her head to face Wei Xiu and saw her pouting. She turned back to Shen Xiaofan and whispered, "What's wrong with her?",

"She wanted to sit here.", Shen Xiaofan whispered back.

"She's a ghost, is there a difference between sitting here and there?",

"I don't know. Should I gave my seat?",

"There's Song Ehuang's mother, she might be confused by your strange behavior.",

"I see.",

Shen Xiaofan tilted her head to Wei Xiu and communicated through her heart, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have glared at you… I was just afraid that Emily Chen might find out about us.",

Wei Xiu nodded but her pouts didn't seem to cease, she's waiting for Shen Xiaofan to spoil her as she did during her parent's anniversary. Shen Xiaofan was such a sweet and passionate girl, Wei Xiu couldn't help but take advantage of her. On the other hand, Shen Xiaofan also knew that Wei Xiu was just pretending to be sad. She knew that she wanted her to spoil her, so she indulged with her,

"Fine, I'll take you somewhere just the two of us in Hangzhou.", Shen Xiaofan said quietly.

"Promise?", Wei Xiu finally looked at her.

"Promise.",

Emily Chen heard a faint voice and whispered, "What did you promise?",

"I promised her to take her somewhere in Hangzhou.",

"Oh, great. I thought you're going to sell your soul to her.", Emily Chen let out a relieved sigh. Shen Xiaofan chuckled and shook her head, "Don't worry, I won't."

With such promise, Wei Xiu who was pouting now smiled back. She even casually talked with Shen Xiaofan and Emily Chen. As for Song Ehuang, who sat in the front can only add one or two words. For some reason, she had a feeling that this trip will be an extraordinary one.