Hua Qian silently returned to her dorm with the package.
Most of her roommates usually slept past midnight, so there was no sign of anyone waking up before the alarm went off.
She gathered her class textbooks and stationery, then headed out again.
This time, she decided to take the package straight to the academic area.
With more than half an hour before her 8 a.m. class, Hua Qian planned to go early to her classroom.
Entering the classroom, she habitually chose a seat near the middle.
She placed the package, books, and other items on the desk.
As if remembering something, Hua Qian took out her phone and snapped a photo of the package’s label.
Opening a blank contact, she sent the photo.
“I have received the package, thank you.”
After sending the message, she turned off her phone.
She didn’t expect the other party to see it at this hour, but she wanted to notify politely regardless.
Then she began to open the package with the small knife she’d brought from her dorm.
The tape was cut open cleanly; Hua Qian quickly pocketed the knife and opened the top of the box.
Inside, the contents left her somewhat puzzled.
“What is this…”
She carefully picked up one item with her finger.
It was a small wooden square.
On it, the purple script of Yu Jian’erheyi was engraved in red cinnabar ink.
Holding it, she felt a warm, gentle sensation spread through her palm.
Perhaps it was just a psychological effect.
Besides this, she noticed a piece of paper at the bottom of the box.
Picking it up, Hua Qian saw a neatly written list of items and usage instructions.
The first item was this small wooden piece.
“Thunderstrike Wood Protective Talisman — carry with you to ward off evil spirits.”
Ward off evil spirits?
Hua Qian was momentarily speechless.
So “protection” meant protection against that kind of thing?
Still, since she hadn’t paid for any of this, though unexpected, she had no objections.
She decided to treat it as psychological comfort.
After hanging the talisman around her neck, she glanced over the list.
There were several charms with various purposes, each wrapped in small red paper bags with tiny notes on the packaging.
Some said they could be stuck on doors, some said they drove away evil… all sorts of uses.
At that moment, those paper bags were scattered across the bottom of the box.
“A box of staplers, instructions inside the box.”
Hua Qian noticed the “stapler” that looked out of place compared to the rest of the items.
She took out the box, which had a large image of a stapler printed on it; it felt somewhat heavy.
She guessed it probably wasn’t an actual stapler inside.
Opening the package, she pulled out a long stick-like object.
At its top were two metal plates.
This, this is…Hua Qian immediately shoved it back into the box, not wanting anyone else to see it.
At the same time, she pulled out the instruction manual, which had already been slightly bent between the box and the stick.
“Electric stun baton — can release a high voltage instantaneously, capable of stunning a person.”
Hua Qian’s mouth parted slightly in surprise.
If the description was true, this would be incredibly useful.
No wonder it was disguised in stapler packaging — that’s what was inside.
Exploring that deserted mansion, the greatest danger was really encountering ill-intentioned people.
Like vagrants or criminals…
There were always many who didn’t care what had happened there, but noticing the area was deserted, they might get dark ideas.
Having a self-defense weapon was definitely important.
Even if she hadn’t received this stun baton today, Hua Qian had planned to purchase some self-defense tools.
But then there was another problem.
Sighing, she put the stun baton’s box into her backpack.
If she bought more equipment, she definitely couldn’t keep taking the subway to the haunted house like before.
Carrying so many dangerous items, she would definitely be stopped.
Her only option would be to take a taxi.
That would add quite a bit to her expenses.
Her resolve wavered for a moment but quickly strengthened again.
It was a matter of investment and return.
After considering it, the gains from visiting the haunted house would be worth the extra cost.
Besides that, she still needed to buy a new phone.
Hua Qian planned to do so right after her 8 a.m. class today.
After putting all the items into her backpack, she casually tossed the empty package box into the classroom trash can.
At the same time, students were gradually arriving in the classroom.
Looks like class was about to start.
Finishing up with the package, Hua Qian returned to her seat and checked her phone.
Noticing a red notification dot, she opened her social app.
Unexpectedly, the blank account had replied to her.
Are they starting work this early?
Hua Qian glanced at the time — just past eight in the morning.
Or maybe this blank account was actually a personal one?
But this wasn’t something she cared to consider.
Seeing that Hua Qian had received the package, the other party explained a few things.
“There should be some physical and mental protection measures inside. It’s recommended to carry them during work.”
“If you feel unwell after work, you can also let me know. I will report it, and our company will arrange personnel to assist you with relief.”
She could understand the first sentence.
After all, the talisman and charms indeed looked like mental protection.
Even if it was just psychological comfort, Hua Qian would still carry them.
And maybe they did work; ever since she returned from the haunted house, she’d felt a lingering irritation in her heart.
But after hanging the talisman, the irritability had noticeably eased.
Thinking of this, Hua Qian lifted the talisman hanging around her neck to take another look.
“Hm?”
Not sure if it was her imagination, but it seemed to have lost some of its luster compared to half an hour ago when she put it on.
She tucked it back under her collar.
The second sentence, about arranging personnel to help with discomfort, puzzled her.
What kind of company was this that they could cover that?
Judging from the protective measures they’d sent, this “relief” likely referred to mental discomfort as well.
A gesture of goodwill, Hua Qian really did have some recent mental troubles.
Seeing this, she wanted to test just how much this “relief” they mentioned could help.
“I’m fine physically, but I’ve been having frequent nightmares these past two days.”
“Could it be related to that mansion?”
She sent the message, and the other party, as if waiting closely for her reply, quickly responded.
“Understood. Your request has been reported; please wait a moment.”
“May I ask, what kind of nightmares are you having?”
Hua Qian raised her hand and touched her chin.
What kind of nightmares?
In just two days, she had three nightmares, plus the one she had while staying in the haunted house — that made four.
The frequency was indeed unusually high.
If she were to summarize all the dreams…
“I often dream of a woman pressing down on me and choking me.”
She clicked send.
The other side, who had been replying instantly, suddenly fell silent for a long time.
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