Breeze

Chapter 3 - Shadows of Past

The Unseen Presence

The early morning sun cast long shadows over Wuhan University as Yibo made his way to the campus for a lecture. The campus, with its blend of historical architecture and modern facilities, had always been a source of comfort and inspiration for him. But recently, something had started to unsettle him.

He noticed the first oddity that morning. As he walked across the university courtyard, he saw a figure by the old library. The figure was slender and wore a dark jacket-reminiscent of Xiao Zhan's style. Yibo's heart skipped a beat, and he quickened his pace, but the figure vanished as he approached.

Throughout the week, these sightings became more frequent. Yibo would catch glimpses of someone who looked remarkably like Xiao Zhan-standing by the university's historic bell tower, or appearing fleetingly in the library windows. Each time, Yibo would hurry towards the sight, only to find nothing there. His mind raced with confusion and unease.

The Classroom Encounter

One afternoon, during a break between classes, Yibo was in the university's historic teahouse. The place, with its old wooden furniture and large windows, was usually a peaceful refuge. As he sipped his tea, he saw the familiar figure again. This time, it was through the reflection of the teahouse's large window.

Yibo's heart raced as he saw the figure standing outside, partially obscured by the trees. He quickly set his cup down and rushed to the window, but the figure was gone. The teahouse was empty except for Yibo and the barista, who looked up with a puzzled expression.

Barista: "Are you alright, Mr. Wang? You looked like you saw a ghost."

Yibo (shaking his head): "Just thought I saw someone I know."

The Library Mystery

One evening, while studying in the university library, Yibo's sense of unease reached its peak. He was in the quiet reading room, absorbed in his work, when he saw the figure again-this time in one of the library's aisles. It was just a flash, but Yibo was certain he had seen someone.

He hurried to the aisle, checking each row of bookshelves. The library was quiet, save for the soft rustling of pages. Yibo began to feel a chill as if he were being watched. He shook his head, trying to dispel his growing paranoia.

Yibo (to himself): "Get a grip, Yibo. It's probably just stress."

The Final Encounter

One evening, Yibo was heading back to his dormitory, lost in thought. He decided to cut through the university's garden, a route he rarely took. As he walked, he noticed the figure again, standing near a pond illuminated by the soft glow of lanterns.

This time, Yibo stopped and watched intently. The figure was standing still, facing away from him. He took a step closer, hoping to finally clarify what he was seeing. But as he approached, the figure turned and vanished into the night, leaving Yibo alone by the pond.

Yibo (sighing, talking to himself): "It's just my imagination. Maybe I'm more tired than I thought."