Forbidden Land – CH 076

The next day, Chen Rong had the day off, and Zhang Chao went to eat with her after class.

They chatted casually for a while, then Chen Rong changed the subject, saying, “You haven’t seen Bai Qiu recently, have you?”

Zhang Chao asked curiously, “Why do you suddenly ask that?”

Chen Rong smiled. “Because I don’t think the Bai Qiu you saw was just a hallucination.”

Zhang Chao was shocked. “Then what do you mean?”

Chen Rong said, “I can’t explain it, but someone heard about your situation and said they can tell you the answer themselves.”

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Zhang Chao asked, “Who?”

Chen Rong said, “Brother Yang.”

Zhang Chao asked, “And who is Brother Yang?”

Chen Rong said, “Brother Yang is a pastor. He’s the founder of the Hangzhou Student Pastoral District of Christianity. He’s very accomplished. He used to be a university professor, then a senior executive at Nike China, and now he’s a senior executive at some foreign company, I think. But that’s his job. Besides his job, his other identity is a pastor, preaching the great love of Christ. Everyone in the city, in Xiasha, in universities, and among Christian students knows him. Many people have heard him preach; his sermons are very high-level.”

Zhang Chao said, “Before it was a fortune teller; now it’s a pastor. What’s the difference? He must have seen something supernatural.”

Chen Rong shook her head and smiled. “Brother Yang not only understands the Bible, but he also knows a lot about science and technology. He’s quite knowledgeable about psychology; I think he has a master’s degree from some foreign university. Only a pastor who knows everything can express profound truths in the simplest language, allowing others to understand the love of Christ.”

Zhang Chao said, “Are you a Christian? I’ve never seen you pray before, even while eating.”

Chen Rong shook her head. “No, I’m not. I’m too realistic; it’s hard for me to accept a faith beyond reality. But I used to go to the Zijingang Fellowship often, experiencing the honest interaction between people there. Many of my friends are Christians.”

Zhang Chao asked, puzzled, “Then why do you say Brother Yang can answer my question?”

Chen Rong said, “Last night I met Brother Yang online. I knew he was very knowledgeable about this kind of thing and also about psychology. I asked him if people could see spirits after death. He didn’t answer me directly, but just asked what I wanted. I told him about your situation, and he said he’d encountered similar cases before. He’s been quite busy lately, but he’ll come and talk to you in person when he has time.”

Zhang Chao asked a rather disappointing question. “Does he charge money? I heard psychological counseling is charged by the hour, and it’s very expensive.”

Chen Rong frowned and said, “He’s a pastor. Whether you’re a Christian or not, he’ll kindly help you. That’s what true love is, you know? Back when we had student fellowship meetings, we didn’t have funds or a venue, and he paid for everything out of his own pocket. He’s helping you out of kindness; why would he ask for money?”

Zhang Chao nodded helplessly and said, “I understand now. I hope he can give me an answer. But so, you believe I’m not mentally ill, and what I saw wasn’t a hallucination?”

Chen Rong said, “At first, I really thought you were hallucinating, but after everything that’s happened, I can’t help but believe you.” She then smiled bitterly, “Sigh, all that psychology I studied was for nothing.”

Zhang Chao hesitated for a moment, then said, “There’s something I haven’t had a chance to tell you yet.”

Chen Rong asked, “What is it?”

Zhang Chao recounted his encounter with “Hei Qiu” the previous night to Chen Rong. Chen Rong was clearly incredulous. “A girl, walking around Nanhua Garden at night?”

Zhang Chao nodded.

Chen Rong gasped, “Nanhua Garden is pitch black at night… this is just too much.”

Zhang Chao said, “I have a feeling this isn’t as simple as it seems. Maybe it’s connected to the strange things at the School of Medicine.”

Chen Rong said, “Maybe… maybe she went there on a date with her boyfriend.”

Zhang Chao laughed. “It’s so dark; if it were a date, something lewd must have happened. Haha.”

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Chen Rong teased, “You’re pretty lewd yourself, and you have the nerve to call others that.”

Zhang Chao sighed, “I’m not getting involved anymore. Better to avoid trouble. It’ll only make things worse if I go back to the Seventh Hospital.”

Chen Rong smiled. “Now that you say that, I feel relieved.”

Zhang Chao asked, “Relieved about what?”

Chen Rong blushed and said, “What’s it to you! Humph.”

T/N: There is no Chapter 77. Next Chapter is 78.