His words hung in the air, echoing clearly through the quiet hallway.
Behind the black-framed glasses that nearly covered half his face, Yu Bai’s expression remained perfectly ordinary, as if he had merely asked whether the other man had eaten yet.
Yet the neighbor standing before him—who had clearly heard the offensive question—did not reply right away.
An eerie silence settled over them.
Seizing the moment, Yu Bai studied him carefully.
He hadn’t gotten a good look yesterday in the broken elevator. His impression then had been limited to a possible mixed-race man with blue eyes and black hair.
But now, face-to-face at such close range, he could clearly see the emotions churning in those gray-blue eyes, like the surface of a lake.
They were eyes that should have been cold—too beautiful and crystalline to belong to a human, more suited to a long, desolate winter.
Yet now they brimmed with a vivid unease.
Yu Bai’s gaze drifted lower, tracing the man’s high-bridged nose, the sharp line of his sculpted jaw, the subtle roll of his Adam’s apple, and the broad shoulders and chest beneath his shirt.
…Nice build.
Not the intimidating bulk of a bodybuilder, though.
Otherwise, he would have dragged Yan Jing along before knocking.
Compared to that exaggerated muscularity, he preferred this restrained yet powerful frame.
Half a minute ticked by.
Yu Bai’s eyes roamed over the man from head to toe, then back up again.
Still, the neighbor said nothing, letting himself be scrutinized.
What on earth was this guy thinking, getting questioned like that about whether he was even human?
As Yu Bai pondered, the silence finally broke. The neighbor inches away from him nodded—silently.
He nodded.
Yu Bai let out a calm “oh” and turned to leave.
Perfect.
Definitely not human.
Who with a shred of normalcy would let their expression shift for ages before nodding so calmly in response to a question like that?
They’d either look baffled, convinced they’d misheard, or get annoyed, thinking they’d been insulted.
With that in mind—and considering his neighbor was some kind of non-human entity—Yu Bai peeled the note off his door and scooped up the small gift from the floor before heading inside.
He couldn’t very well reject someone else’s—anyone’s—good intentions right to their face.
Then he shut the door without a backward glance.
Back in the familiar confines of his apartment, Yu Bai leaned against the door and heard his own heartbeat racing in his chest.
No further sounds came from outside.
His non-human neighbor didn’t come knocking.
Inside, Yan Jing was on the phone, relentlessly grilling his parents about the mushroom soup they’d all shared the night before.
“You two are really fine? No hallucinations or anything? Like seeing some massive fruit, or hearing explosions… No, I wasn’t drunk. I didn’t touch a drop of alcohol—I’m stone-cold sober right now!”
For an ordinary person, processing everything that had happened was a tall order.
Even Yan Jing, who had grown up playing hide-and-seek in the funeral parlor, couldn’t quite wrap his head around it.
Yu Bai was the exception.
Though disbelief stirred in his heart, he accepted the truth with remarkable speed.
Perhaps it was because his life had been packed with so many dramatic twists from childhood onward. “Becoming neighbors with a non-human” didn’t sound all that outlandish.
…
Okay, it was still pretty outlandish.
But if non-human beings existed in the world, did that mean ghosts were real too?
Yan Jing hung up the phone in defeat after a scolding from his parents and looked up to see Yu Bai leaning against the door, lost in thought.
“Little Bai, where’d you just go? Hey, where’d that ball come from? Did you dig it out of the stone lion’s mouth?”
Muttering to himself and getting no response, he waved a hand in front of Yu Bai’s face. “Hey! What’re you thinking about?”
Yu Bai snapped back to reality. “I’m wondering when Dad’s going to come visit me.”
“Huh?” Yan Jing blinked, then his eyes widened in horror. “Which dad?”
“…How many do you think I have?”
“Strictly speaking, one.” Yan Jing shuddered involuntarily. “Dude, don’t scare me like that. You’re freaking me out.”
Racking his brain through the bizarre events from the night before up to now, the ordinary human Yan Jing—with his fragile nerves—desperately hunted for a rational explanation.
“Be honest. Are you switching careers to run a haunted house or something? The crying, the watermelon, the explosion magic—they’re all just you testing the attractions, right? Tell me I’m right, or I’m bolting back home right now!”
“Nope.”
Yu Bai ruthlessly shattered his comforting delusion and made up his mind. “Don’t go home yet. You’re a witness.”
“Huh? Witness to what?”
“Everything.”
Yu Bai pulled out his phone and dialed a familiar number.
As a law-abiding citizen who had lived twenty-two years in a society grounded in materialism and the rule of law, his first instinct when faced with something like this was, of course, to call the police.
Given how bizarre the situation was—likely to get him dismissed as a prank caller if he dialed 110—Yu Bai instead rang an old acquaintance on the force.
When Li Nanxiao arrived, he carried a heavy bag of plastic takeout containers, the tangy-sweet aroma wafting out and making mouths water.
“It’s from that sweet and sour pork place I used to take you to. I got three portions—you can freeze the extras for later.”
The sharp-eyed criminal investigation captain glanced at the trash can, noting the absence of takeout boxes, then asked gently, “You haven’t eaten today?”
Yu Bai shook his head. “I was going to order delivery but forgot.”
He added quickly, “I just didn’t have time to cook today, so I thought about ordering out.”
Yan Jing swallowed hard, standing ramrod straight with an innocent expression. “Hi, Uncle Li. I haven’t eaten either.”
Uncle Li smiled faintly. “Perfect timing, then. Let’s eat it while it’s hot.”
Though Yu Bai had only one father—and he was long gone—orphanhood had brought other father figures into his life.
Like Sun Tiantian, the former black boss who had taken him in out of gratitude after surviving a close call.
Or Li Nanxiao, the current criminal investigation captain who had handled the accident back then and ever since looked after him out of sympathy.
It might seem odd at first glance.
But their names weren’t swapped.
Li Nanxiao, for all the cool edge to his name, was actually quite mild-mannered.
Once the two had polished off the three portions of sweet and sour pork and recounted the strange events of the past couple of days, Li Nanxiao’s expression remained impassive.
“You’re not joking, right?” he asked calmly.
Yu Bai replied, “I’m just afraid you’ll think I am.”
Li Nanxiao met his eyes for a long moment.
“I’ll check the kitchen first,” he said, standing. “Then we’ll head to the rooftop.”
Yan Jing let out a huge sigh of relief and whispered to Yu Bai beside him, “He buys it. Uncle Police is the real deal.”
Yu Bai wasn’t so sure. “But the kitchen’s empty now.”
They had seen the neighbor’s kitchen explode with their own eyes, only for the billowing smoke and chaos to vanish as if it had never happened.
From the window now, the neighbor’s counter held cooking oil, an iron wok, and plastic bags—all untouched. It looked like the neighbor who had blown up his kitchen had given up on trying again.
To anyone else, it just appeared as if someone had set their groceries down and left them there.
That was Li Nanxiao’s conclusion too.
“That kitchen hasn’t been used in ages. No fresh oil splatters on the walls, dust on the counter, but the sink has recent water buildup—it’s been used lately.”
He shot Yu Bai a look. “Yours is the same. You only use it for washing hands, and now you’re telling me you were planning to order out today?”
Yu Bai let out a dry laugh. “My bad, Uncle Li.”
Talk about shooting himself in the foot.
The meek-looking Yan Jing beside him jumped in to change the subject. “Don’t forget the rooftop! A watermelon that heavy has to leave marks.”
The three of them headed out together, up the stairs to their next stop.
Yan Jing racked his brain the whole way, offering evidence. “Right, right—and last night when I ate the watermelon, I spat all the seeds into that flower pot. Pretty civilized of me, huh? Haha! Those seeds were bigger than normal ones too, Uncle Li. You’ll see right away—”
He pushed open the rooftop door, and his words died in his throat, dazed.
Where the yoga ball watermelon had loomed the night before, the rooftop edge was now a thriving thicket. Sturdy dark-green vines snaked out from the old flower pot, heavy with several large watermelons.
Normal-sized large ones.
“Holy sh—”
In front of Uncle Police, Yan Jing swallowed the curse and pivoted. “Heavens!”
With utter sincerity, he exclaimed, “These weren’t here last night! They absolutely grew from the seeds I spat out—overnight! I swear!”
Li Nanxiao listened, his expression turning subtly odd.
Yu Bai quietly looked away, a touch of despair creeping in.
Even he had to admit these truths sounded utterly insane.
Even so, the dutiful captain stepped forward to inspect.
There were weight marks on the pot and the ground, and yes, a bunch of watermelons were growing there.
No oversized seeds.
As for the watermelon rinds, the ever-civilized Yan Jing had taken them downstairs and tossed them last night.
No evidence could prove the existence of that massive yoga ball watermelon.
Before leaving the rooftop, Li Nanxiao calmly said, “Watermelons aren’t suitable for growing on a rooftop. They’re too heavy and pose a serious safety hazard.”
No one knew who he was reminding.
Yu Bai made one last-ditch effort. “I didn’t plant these watermelons.”
Li Nanxiao played along perfectly. “Mm, not yours. But they’re grown pretty well.”
“Let’s go. We’ll head back to your place first.”
He turned to leave. On the old flower pot revealed in his wake were faint markings: 1205.
…left by the old grandma, the previous tenant.
Whatever. He didn’t want to explain anymore.
Yu Bai forced a pale smile and grabbed Yan Jing, who was sneaking off to pick a watermelon. Together, they hurried after Uncle Police.
“Good. Let’s head home first.”
The moon slowly climbed into the night sky.
The house was utterly quiet. The three of them sat side by side on the living room sofa.
The clock on the wall ticked steadily onward.
There was no other sound.
Li Nanxiao’s expression remained calm and patient as he waited.
Yan Jing started off looking tense, but soon his eyelids began to droop. They kept fluttering shut and snapping open, just like a kid fighting sleep in math class.
Yu Bai, meanwhile, stared vacantly at the small round ball on the coffee table.
It was a gift from his non-human neighbor in return—a smooth, grayish-white orb, incredibly light to the touch and cool against the skin. He had no idea what it was or what it did.
At least it wasn’t a bomb.
The criminal investigation captain had already given it a once-over.
He’d concluded it was most likely some postmodern minimalist decorative piece.
Yu Bai suspected it was more than that, but he couldn’t figure it out either.
The minute hand completed another full circle.
Li Nanxiao suddenly spoke up. “What time did the crying start last night?”
Yan Jing, who had been dozing off, jolted awake and rattled off his answer. “She must’ve been scared off by that slap I gave her yesterday, so she didn’t show up today!”
“…” Yu Bai had gone numb inside, resigned to his fate. “Actually, I think so too.”
“Uncle Li, it’s late. You should head home.”
With no evidence to back him up, Yu Bai decided to shelve the idea of asking the police for help, at least for now. He’d figure something else out.
“You think I’m joking around? Sorry.”
But Li Nanxiao didn’t respond.
He stared steadily at Yu Bai for a moment before saying softly, “On my way over earlier, I spotted some of Sun Tiantian’s guys downstairs.”
Yu Bai blinked. “Downstairs? A Qiang and them?”
He hadn’t left the building since coming home yesterday.
Tian Ge’s bodyguards usually didn’t enter the complex uninvited.
“No. I heard one of the elevators broke down yesterday afternoon. His men showed up that evening to guard the area and start work on replacing it.”
Li Nanxiao’s tone was matter-of-fact, laced with genuine concern.
“An elevator freefall is terrifying. It’s normal to develop post-traumatic stress afterward, where fantasies and reality start blending together.”
With that, he gently reached out and ruffled Yu Bai’s hair.
“You should’ve told me about it. Even if not me, you need to talk it out with someone—get those feelings off your chest. That’s the only way to shake off the shadows.”
Li Nanxiao smiled. “Even Sun Tiantian would do.”
Yu Bai smiled back.
“That last part didn’t sound sincere at all.”
Sun Tiantian had been under close watch by the criminal investigation team before he went straight. A good cop and a mob boss were never going to see eye to eye.
“Mm, I figured you hadn’t gone to him either.” Li Nanxiao didn’t deny it. The corner of his mouth quirked up, and he asked, “Feeling a bit better now?”
Yu Bai nodded.
Sure, Li Nanxiao had the wrong idea—thinking it was trauma-induced hallucinations—but it beat feeling like he was being toyed with.
Being cared for like this was touching, all the same.
Still, touched or not…
Yu Bai looked straight into Li Nanxiao’s eyes and said with utter sincerity, “Don’t call Doctor Chen. She’s retired.”
“…” Li Nanxiao raised an eyebrow. “Was it that obvious?”
Yu Bai sighed wistfully. “This is the second time I’ve saved Doctor Chen’s retirement from interruption lately.”
She’d only been retired for a day, after all.
“Fine, no call. It is late—I should head out.”
Li Nanxiao stood, glancing at Yan Jing, who had collapsed on the sofa, dead to the world. He looked puzzled.
“Was this kid in the faulty elevator too?”
“No.” Yu Bai hauled the man upright without missing a beat. “He ate some undercooked mushrooms and got food poisoning. Hey, wake up. You’ve got work tomorrow.”
He saw Li Nanxiao and Yan Jing downstairs.
The broken elevator already had a “Under Construction” sign on it. This increasingly neglected complex had probably never seen such prompt service for a replacement.
The three of them took the working elevator down and stepped out of the building just in time to run into someone.
A gentle night breeze stirred the air. Amid the dappled shadows of the trees, a tall, slender man approached. His slightly curly black hair fluttered across his forehead, and his gray-blue eyes held the stillness of a fragile dream.
The distinctive features were unmistakable.
Li Nanxiao, who had heard Yu Bai describe his neighbor’s appearance before, recognized him immediately. He asked quietly, “Is that him?”
In Yu Bai’s “fantasy,” there was no evidence to justify knocking on this neighbor’s door. Aside from the gift exchange—which Yu Bai had initiated first—the man hadn’t done anything at all.
But he was still the source of Yu Bai’s sense of danger in those delusions.
Out of a detective’s instinct, Li Nanxiao decided to test the waters.
Yu Bai gave a slight nod. As they passed the stranger, Li Nanxiao suddenly spoke up, greeting him casually like an old neighbor.
“Taking out the trash?”
Yu Bai watched as the non-human neighbor’s steps halted.
For some reason, he seemed different from before.
Perhaps it was the influence of the lonely night, lending the still-nameless neighbor a touch of melancholy.
Those beautiful blue eyes were the cold hue of winter.
In response to the unexpected greeting, he murmured a soft acknowledgment. There was no unease, no panic—just a hint of surprise.
A perfectly natural reaction.
Yan Jing, half-asleep, was the unnatural one. Realizing who it was, he stumbled back a step in panic and hid behind Uncle Police.
The tall, lean cop couldn’t fully shield the burly fitness coach. The scene was downright absurd.
Li Nanxiao: …
Yu Bai averted his eyes, unable to watch.
The non-human neighbor seemed perfectly normal. It was the humans who were acting weird.
Li Nanxiao clearly thought the same.
Looking a bit awkward for once, he tried to smooth things over with some warmth—and a subtle probe. “I heard you gave Little Bai a gift. It’s his first from a neighbor. He loves it. Thanks.”
As Li Nanxiao spoke, Yu Bai quietly studied tonight’s oddly different strange neighbor.
Then he saw those eyes light up suddenly, just like that first day in the elevator when their gazes had met.
Winter melted away. That trace of melancholy vanished like a firefly slipping into the forest.
The gray-blue lake reflected only the soft glow of the moon.
“No problem.” A faint smile touched his eyes. “This is my first time receiving a gift too.”
