Chapter 15: Rumors

“I am a traveler from another world. Don’t get hung up on the specifics—just treat it as a special term.” To Chu Ning, explaining the concept of transmigration was as difficult as explaining why one plus one equals two. On some level, everyone takes for granted that one plus one is two, but delving into the precise reasoning behind it is a near-impossible task for most.

Chu Ning ignored the inquisitive look in Tanya’s eyes and chose to forgo the role of instructor without mercy. He cleared his throat, preparing to give a brief account of his circumstances so Tanya could have a general understanding of him.

Renting a house is always a matter of mutual choice!

“I suppose you’ve read about the North Suburb Villa online, that so-called haunted house steeped in curses?”

“Ah, I haven’t actually heard of it,” Tanya replied, shaking her head. She truly knew nothing of the urban legends circulating in the city; tales of ghosts and the supernatural never held her interest.

Chu Ning was mildly surprised. To venture into unfamiliar territory without preparation—he couldn’t decide whether it was boldness or recklessness.

“Let me give you a quick rundown. There have been three infamous incidents in this house. But don’t worry—these are merely rumors spread by superstitious people, not to be believed.”

Chu Ning launched into a detailed recitation of the rumors he’d found online. If he weren’t living here himself, he might well have believed those sensational urban legends.

“It’s said that every previous owner of this villa met an untimely death, which is why it’s called a haunted house. But look at me—I’m standing here alive in front of you. That alone should prove these are nothing but rumors.”

Tanya felt a chill. The senior’s dark humor sent shivers down her spine. Just because something is officially stamped as a rumor doesn’t mean true events suddenly become false; the world of fiction isn’t quite so fantastical.

“The other two stories are spin-offs from the North Suburb Villa. One of them is about the owner of the house—which is me.” Chu Ning pointed to himself, sounding somewhat exasperated as he prepared to continue.

But just then, the television was interrupted by breaking news. A somber voice filled the room.

“Yesterday, a man was found hanged in his home, a radiant smile frozen on his face. Before his death, he had participated in an online survival simulation game, detailing how an unarmed man escapes from a murderer. The deceased was a hacker, and murder cannot be ruled out. No valuable clues were found at the scene. Further updates will follow in subsequent reports.

“And now, we return to your regularly scheduled program...”

“Why did you turn off the TV?” Tanya eyed Chu Ning’s abrupt action in confusion. The sound hadn’t interfered with their conversation, so why switch it off?

Chu Ning, flustered, made up an excuse. “Interrupting dramas for news reports—really out of line! Someone ought to file a complaint. What if it disturbs the mental health of underage girls? That would hardly be ideal.”

“Hey, I’m an adult, you know!” Tanya shot back at him, annoyed. There was no need for him to make sideways jabs about her watching childish dramas.

Seeing that Tanya’s attention had shifted, Chu Ning surreptitiously breathed a sigh of relief. Everything was just a little too coincidental, and he found it hard to explain the cause and effect.

“There’s a rumor online that everyone who gets too close to me, who tries to know me better, ends up dead.”

Tanya stared at him, horror-stricken, the phrases “getting close” and “mysterious deaths” echoing in her mind. She couldn’t help but fear for her own life.

“What are you thinking? They’re just rumors. Even if some things seem strange, it’s all coincidence—nothing more, nothing less.”

Chu Ning tapped Tanya on the head, interrupting her spiraling thoughts. “Think about it—if the rumors were true, we’ve been together long enough that you’d have met an untimely end by now.”

A flash of realization dawned on Tanya. If that were the case, she’d already be dead—there’d be no chance to die a second time.

“And what about the last legend concerning the North Suburb Villa?”

Chu Ning fell silent for a long moment, the atmosphere in the room thickening. His demeanor set Tanya’s nerves on edge, fear taking root in her heart.

She had a vague suspicion about the final incident—the red sofa, the phantom in the dark mirror—they could all be traced to the same event. After all, the red sofa faced a wall of full-length mirrors.

“So, you guessed it! It’s the strange encounter you had in the villa. No need for me to repeat it.”

“But don’t worry! It’s all just rumors, because—”

Before Chu Ning could offer an explanation, Tanya’s view of the world shifted. Everything faded into black and white, leaving only Chu Ning and herself in vivid color.

All sounds vanished; in the living room, only Tanya’s ragged breathing and her thundering heartbeat remained.

Her vision warped, the air temperature plummeted. Chu Ning stood utterly still, as if time itself had stopped.

Tanya stood frozen, feeling icy breath against her neck, her skin prickling with goosebumps. Using the reflection in the television screen, she spotted another “Chu Ning” behind her.

She could see clearly now—a man identical to Chu Ning stood just a fist’s distance from her back.

If there was any difference, it was in their expressions. The Chu Ning behind her wore a mocking, frivolous smile—so sharply contrasted with the solemn figure in front of her.

“Chu Ning?” Tanya’s limbs were numb with cold. She struggled to break free from the suffocating air, summoning all her strength to awaken the silent Chu Ning.

But it was futile. Chu Ning stood motionless, as unresponsive as a statue.

“Are you calling me, beautiful lady?” A flirtatious voice whispered in her ear, the breath brushing her earlobe. There was nothing romantic in this moment, despite the suggestive proximity.

A cold hand gripped her shoulder. Tanya felt her body slipping out of her own control. Even as pain flared in her shoulder, she couldn’t reclaim command of her limbs.

A grayish halo crept over her, leeching the color from her figure. Her pale dress was stained with ashen hues, her whole body turning to stone like a victim of Medusa.

Was it really all about to end? She had braved the fog-shrouded villa alone, hoping to break free from the binds of fate, only to face the unknown spirit in the mirror and be devoured, piece by piece. Was this her destiny?

Countless thoughts flitted through her mind as the light in her eyes dimmed. She shot one last, unwilling glance at the unresponsive Chu Ning, then shut her eyes in despair, awaiting the inescapable verdict of fate.