I'm just past thirty, a bus driver by trade.
In fact, I'm the youngest driver in our whole company fleet.
Some people might think it's a bit pathetic for someone my age to be driving a city bus.
But honestly, I don't care. I earn my living fair and square, no stealing, no cheating. I may not have a girlfriend, but other than that, life's not bad at all.
My daily routine is simple: I take the first shift at five in the morning, bring the bus back to the depot by seven, then run another round trip in the afternoon. By half past four, I'm usually done for the day.
One man, one stomach—easy to feed, easy to please. Life is simple, and I enjoy it.
Our team leader is Old Wu, a guy from Hubei.
Nothing gets decided in the fleet without him signing off. You know that saying, "In the sky there are nine-headed birds, on the ground there are crafty Hubei men"? That fits him perfectly. Old Wu is as sly as they come—he wouldn't lift a finger if there wasn't something in it for him.
That Sunday was supposed to be my day off. I was in the middle of a great dream.
In the dream, I was actually dating Fan Bingbing. Dinner, a movie, holding hands... just when things were getting good, the entire world suddenly erupted into The Most Dazzling Folk Style, blasting like it was square-dancing hour.
At first I thought, What the hell? It's way too early for the plaza aunties to be at it.
Then I saw the puzzled look in Bingbing's eyes and snapped awake.
My phone was shrieking on the nightstand. I grabbed it and answered grumpily:
"Are you insane? Calling me at this hour?"
There was a pause, then that familiar, annoying Hubei accent floated through.
"Xiao Li, it's Big Brother Wu. You home? Stop sleeping, hurry over to the company, emergency meeting."
I groaned. Didn't matter if it was my day off—when the company called, you showed up. Rules were rules.
After a quick wash, I skipped breakfast and rushed over. By the time I got to Old Wu's office, the place was packed with drivers.
I squeezed in. Old Wu spotted me, nodded, and said:
"Alright, everyone's here. Here's the deal. Last week the city gave notice—there'll be a new bus route from our station out to the paper mill. Today we decide who's taking the wheel."
"What? The paper mill? That place is practically deserted. Who's gonna ride that bus?"
The grumbling started right away.
Old Wu's brows knitted. "Doesn't matter who rides it. Orders are orders. If you've got a problem, take it up with city hall. Stop whining here."
The room went quiet. Then he continued:
"It's just one round trip a night. Whoever takes it gets an extra 500 yuan a month."
That perked everyone up.
"Only one trip? Plus five hundred? I'll take it!"
"Me too!"
Old Wu grinned. "See? Didn't I say I look out for you guys? Think I'd let you call me 'Brother Wu' for nothing?"
The bootlickers burst into applause.
Wu's smile widened. Then, casually, he dropped the kicker:
"Only catch—it's a night shift."
The mood shifted immediately.
"Night shift? That explains it. Running a bus to the paper mill at night? Who're we hauling, ghosts?"
"Exactly. I've heard that area's haunted. People say strange things happen around Tangwazi Village."
Old Wu waved them off. "What ghosts? Don't be childish. The villagers there complained it's hard to get home after selling vegetables in town at night. This bus is for them. That's all."
"What time does it leave?" someone asked.
"Eleven p.m.," Wu said with a smile.
The paper mill's way out on the edge of town. Even with no traffic, it's an hour each way. That meant the return trip wouldn't start until midnight.
I leaned against the doorframe, yawning. No thanks, I thought. This one's not for me.
But nobody else volunteered either. Wu's face grew tight.
"What's this? You're all professional drivers, and you're scared of the dark?"
Old Li spoke up. "It's not that, Wu. We've all got families. Getting home at two or three in the morning—wakes up the kids, ruins their studies."
"Yeah, my son's in junior high. He's got exams!"
"My daughter's in high school. She's got exams too!"
"Mine's in college. Big exams coming up!"
One by one, they all found an excuse.
I was silently cursing their shamelessness when Wu's eyes landed on me. He smirked.
"Xiao Li, you're still single, aren't you? No kids at home?"
The whole room turned to look. I opened my mouth, but before I could answer, a heavy hand slapped my shoulder.
"Li, you're young, perfect time to earn some extra cash. Do it!"
Another pat on the back. "And hey, night shift means light traffic—and more young ladies taking the bus. Great opportunity!"
Before I could protest, they all laughed their way out the door, leaving just me and Wu.
Wu's wrinkled face bunched into something between a grin and a sneer.
"Xiao Li, no point refusing now. Tell you what—I'll get you another two hundred on top. Seven hundred extra every month."
I wanted to curse him out, but he shoved a set of keys into my hand before I could speak.
"Don't worry about your day shift, I'll arrange it. From now on, you take Bus 2386, parked in the northwest corner. Any issues, come to me. Big Brother Wu's got your back."
He started out the door, then turned back with a parting shot:
"Oh, and since the city notice came last week, you'll need to start tonight. Eleven sharp. Don't be late."
Just like that, I'd been drafted—without saying a single word.
I looked at the keys in my palm and sighed. Still, seven hundred more a month wasn't nothing. At least I could afford better cigarettes.
At dinner, Old Tang slid into the seat beside me, speaking in a hushed tone.
"Brother, I heard Wu's got you driving the paper mill route?"
I nodded, shoveling rice into my mouth.
Tang shook his head. "You're crazy, man. That road isn't one you want to mess with."
I laughed it off. "It's just a night shift. I've got plenty of yang energy—and I'm still a virgin. What's there to be afraid of?"
Tang gave me a look of pure exasperation. "You're new here. You don't know the history. You think those old-timers were really worried about their kids' exams?"
I frowned. "What are you saying?"
Tang leaned closer, voice low. "That paper mill line's been around before. Ten years ago, the night-shift driver drove a bus full of passengers straight into the reservoir. All of them, gone."
I froze. "Accidents happen. It's tragic, sure, but—"
"Accident? Don't kid yourself. The second driver, the third... same thing. Within six months, three different drivers, three buses full of people—every last one ended up in the water."
The smile vanished from my face.
"Why haven't I ever heard of this?"
Tang glanced around nervously. "Because the city covered it up. Paid off the families. Buried the news. But now there's a new mayor, probably someone who doesn't believe in superstition. That's why the route's opening again."
I clenched my fists. So Wu knew all along—and he dumped this on me anyway.
Tang patted my shoulder. "Look, I told you because we're friends. Maybe it was all just bad luck. But keep your eyes open, alright?"
I nodded, slipping him a fresh pack of Furong cigarettes. "Thanks, Tang. You're the only real friend I've made since joining this company."
He pushed it back. "Don't be polite. Just remember—if anything happens, come find me."
In the end, I made him take the cigarettes. A man who tells you the truth is worth keeping close.
Later, I went looking for Wu, but he was nowhere to be found.
By ten-thirty, my nerves were frayed. Still, I climbed into the driver's seat of Bus 2386. My palms were slick with sweat as I gripped the wheel.
Don't be afraid, I told myself. Nothing's gonna happen. And hell, I'm still a virgin. Ghosts can't touch me.
I started the engine and rolled toward the gate. As I passed the security booth, I happened to glance inside.
What I saw nearly made my heart stop.
The old security guard was standing at the window, eyes wide with terror—staring straight at me!