Chapter 1: The Eerie Dream

Inside Apartment B601 of the “Encounter” Complex in City B, Yuan Qian’er sighed once again early in the morning, her two enormous panda eyes dark and heavy from sleeplessness. “Ugh, another dream. Can someone please save me? When will this ever end?”

“Yuan Qian’er, what’s wrong with you? Ever since you moved into the ‘Encounter’ Complex, you’ve been acting so strange—sighing and moaning every day, having those weird dreams again!” Su Qingcheng frowned as she spoke.

“Yeah, I don’t know why ever since we moved in, I’ve been dreaming every single night. And it’s always the same dream. Su Qingcheng, are you sure this ‘Encounter’ apartment is reliable? I keep feeling like something ominous is about to happen. Little Qingqing, maybe we should move out. I think if we change places, the dreams will stop.” Yuan Qian’er batted her massive panda eyes at Su Qingcheng, feigning innocence.

Su Qingcheng immediately covered her face. “Oh my heavens, don’t look at me like that! You’re going to ruin my eyesight. You should be the one to retreat with those unstoppable dark circles under your eyes. And no, I’m not agreeing to move. When I heard about this complex, I was told it’s quite supernatural—everyone who moves in has some kind of extraordinary experience. I finally got a chance to live here because someone else was moving out!”

Yuan Qian’er had said “let’s move” countless times, but never once had it actually happened. Resigned, she turned back to the bedroom to freshen up and change clothes. While busy, she called out to Qingcheng, “Su Qingcheng, you owe me big time for coming shopping with you today. I want to eat meat!”

Qingcheng shook her head in disbelief. “Yuan Qian’er, did you lack meat in your past life? Why do you want to eat meat every single day? Meat is innocent, you know? Oh, dear meats, I mourn you for three minutes!”

No sooner had she finished speaking than Yuan Qian’er hurled a slipper at her. Qingcheng quickly dodged, and the two of them playfully tumbled out the door.

The bustling street was filled with people coming and going. Yuan Qian’er wore a simple T-shirt and shorts, her hair in a high ponytail, large sunglasses shielding her eyes—her look clean and refreshing. Su Qingcheng sported a white tank top set and a bun hairstyle. The two swept through shop after shop. Suddenly, Yuan Qian’er seemed to notice something and, as if compelled by some unseen force, began walking in a certain direction. Qingcheng shouted from behind, “Hey, Yuan Qian’er, where are you going? Didn’t you say you wanted to eat meat? Hey, wait for me!”

Curiosity piqued, Qingcheng wondered what could be more enticing than meat.

The two arrived at a crowded spot where many people gathered, murmuring among themselves. Qingcheng looked and couldn’t help but sigh. “Qian’er, it’s just a street artist drawing 3D art on the pavement. What’s so special about that? Come on, come on, I’m treating you to meat!”

But Yuan Qian’er stood rooted to the spot, grabbing Qingcheng’s arm to stop her from leaving. “Qingcheng, I want to see what he’s drawing. Let’s leave afterward, okay?”

“Alright, since you say so. But what is he drawing? It looks kind of like outer space.”

“Qingcheng, do you remember the dream I always have?” Yuan Qian’er asked, her eyes fixed on the artwork, a sense of familiarity washing over her.

“Of course. You said you dreamed about a black hole that pulled you in, and someone told you that you actually belonged there!” Qingcheng’s words trailed off just as the artist finished the painting.

As everyone saw the completed artwork, a wave of awe swept through the crowd. Phones appeared, capturing every detail. The clicking of shutters echoed: “Click, snap! Click, snap!” People eagerly took photos and whispered excitedly. A passerby remarked, “Wow, look how lifelike it is! Hurry, post this on Weibo!”