My Partner Always Wants to Dig My Grave - Chapter 20

Guan Yue was momentarily speechless at Song Yan’s blunt honesty, then waved her hand with a laugh.

“Just kidding, but your Professor Si’s face is truly stunning. Maybe even ghosts would take a liking to her.”

As she spoke, she leaned closer to Si Wan, studying her face for a moment. No matter how she looked at it, Si Wan’s beauty remained as breathtaking as ever.

Though her expression was indifferent, it only accentuated her ethereal, icy elegance.

Guan Yue couldn’t resist the urge to reach out and pinch Si Wan’s cheek, but just as her fingertips were about to make contact, Si Wan shifted slightly to avoid her.

Meeting Si Wan’s impassive gaze, Guan Yue didn’t seem to mind and continued with a smile.

“Still as stingy as ever, huh? Even ghosts would find you hard to tolerate.”

Guan Yue’s words were merely teasing Si Wan about her usual aloofness, but upon hearing them, Si Wan’s expression shifted subtly. For some reason, she found herself reflecting on whether her demeanor might be displeasing to Sheng Zhen.

The moment this thought crossed her mind, she was startled and immediately dismissed it as absurd.

Si Wan quickly composed herself, lowering her gaze to the hole in the ground with a thoughtful expression. After a moment’s consideration, she skillfully steered the conversation away from the topic.

“Judging by the size of this hole, only one person can pass through at a time. We still don’t know what’s down there.”

The hole was only about half the width of a person’s outstretched arms, not particularly large, but as Si Wan had pointed out, it could only accommodate one person at a time.

Hearing this, Guan Yue’s expression turned serious. She gazed at the hole with a stern look, pondering for a while before suggesting,

“Should we get a few people to dig it wider? It’s risky for just one person to go down and investigate.”

Si Wan lowered her eyes in thought for a moment, considering the idea feasible.

But just as she was about to nod in agreement, the dark clouds that had previously dispersed began to gather again in the sky, blotting out the sun that had only emerged half an hour earlier. The oppressive gloom seemed to bear down on them, evoking an overwhelming sense of dread.

Muffled thunder rumbled within the thick clouds, occasionally illuminated by flashes of white light, as if lightning might strike at any moment.

A blinding flash erupted the next instant, forcing everyone to shut their eyes against the glare. Before they could react, their ears were filled with the deafening roar of thunder, followed by the sound of something collapsing. The ground beneath their feet seemed to tremble in unison with their pounding hearts.

A sudden, piercing ringing in their ears, like a drawn-out alarm, made their heads throb with pain. As they regained their senses, they instinctively covered their ears and cautiously opened their eyes to see a charred, collapsed tree in the distance.

“The tree was struck by lightning!”

A villager watching from outside the cordoned-off area was the first to cry out in alarm, snapping the others to attention.

Soon, the villagers erupted into a clamor. Si Wan only vaguely caught a few raised voices among the noise.

“Offended…”

“The gods and spirits…”

Nian Nian instructed others to calm the villagers and persuade them to return home. Then, she hurried over to Si Wan, her face etched with worry. Clearly shaken by the sudden turn of events, she frowned deeply, though her voice remained steady as she spoke.

“Are you both alright, professors?”

Si Wan moved her hands from her ears to her temples, gently massaging to ease the headache. Only after the ringing in her ears had completely subsided did she shake her head at Nian Nian and reply.

“Don’t worry, we’re fine.”

As she spoke, she turned to check on Guan Yue’s condition, but Guan Yue had already regained her composure and was staring at the fallen tree.

Seeing that Guan Yue was unharmed, Si Wan scanned the surroundings and breathed a sigh of relief upon confirming no one was injured.

The villagers had been forcibly sent back. Nian Nian observed no casualties, then looked up at the gloomy sky where thunder rumbled ominously from the dark clouds, sending chills down everyone’s spine.

Frowning, Nian Nian seemed equally puzzled by the strange phenomenon but could only say to Si Wan and the others for now, “Professors, it looks like it’s going to rain again soon. This place isn’t safe either. Let me have someone escort you back. The village’s electrical circuits should be repaired by now.”

Si Wan’s brow furrowed slightly. She shook her head, then turned to Guan Yue as if seeking confirmation and asked, “What did you just say?”

Guan Yue, still staring at the charred tree, was taken aback by the question. Though confused, she replied, “What else could I say? I suggested finding someone to widen the entrance…”

Before Guan Yue could finish, another dull thunderclap erupted from the thick clouds, followed by a blinding flash of pale lightning that made everyone shudder.

Something flickered in Si Wan’s eyes. She grabbed Guan Yue’s arm and snapped coldly, “Stop talking. She can hear you.”

Startled by Si Wan’s sharp gaze, Guan Yue trembled and hastily nodded in agreement.

Only after Guan Yue complied did the dark clouds disperse, almost instantly restoring the bright sunshine, as if everything that had just happened was an illusion. Yet the fallen, charred tree stood as undeniable proof that it was no mere hallucination.

Si Wan released Guan Yue’s arm, her cold gaze fixed on the pitch-black cave entrance that resembled an abyss, as if trying to discern something within.

Rubbing her sore arm, Guan Yue was about to complain about Si Wan’s grip when she suddenly recalled Si Wan’s earlier words and asked in confusion, “Si Wan, what did you mean earlier? Who would hear?”

Si Wan’s expression shifted, but she didn’t answer directly, keeping her eyes on the cave entrance as she said seriously, “No matter what, we must show them respect.”

Guan Yue pondered for a moment before responding, “So you’re saying the tomb owner disagrees? Then why did they leave an opening for us to enter?”

Si Wan couldn’t answer her question, only warning her again, “Don’t speak carelessly here.”

Si Wan was usually the last person to believe in such things, so her current behavior puzzled Guan Yue deeply. However, Guan Yue knew their priorities, the most urgent matter was how to enter the tomb.

Seeing that Si Wan and Guan Yue were unwilling to leave, Nian Nian had no choice but to continue stationing guards at the site.

Just then, Song Yan approached and suggested, “Professor Si, if all else fails, we could have someone descend with a rope to investigate first. If there’s any danger, we can pull them up immediately.”

Her proposal was reasonable. After a brief consideration, Si Wan agreed, “That works.”

But the moment she agreed, she seemed to sense something unusual about the cave entrance. Just as she tried to take a closer look, a sudden gust of wind swept through, tearing green leaves from the branches and whipping up debris from the ground. Si Wan had no time to dodge, and an empty plastic water bottle struck her squarely on the head.

A sharp pain shot through her skull. Frowning, Si Wan raised her hand to touch the injured spot.

Even the slightest pressure caused a dull ache, as if someone had tapped her forehead in displeasure.

As if sensing something, Si Wan narrowed her eyes and glanced toward the cave entrance. The cold wind blowing out from it seemed almost smug, like someone gloating.

The people around her immediately expressed concern.

“Professor Si, are you alright? Are you hurt?”

Their incessant questioning felt like noisy chatter to her ears.

The howling wind cut through the air like a sharp blade, stinging her skin. Her long hair, tousled by the gusts, fluttered wildly, adding a touch of desolate loneliness to her upright figure, a sight that was impossible to look away from.

Si Wan spoke, her words deliberate, as if making a vow.

“I’ll go down. I’ll go down myself, and this time, I won’t take anyone with me.”

As her final word faded, the fierce wind instantly softened into a gentle breeze, brushing lightly past her as if someone were intimately close, whispering and chuckling.

Si Wan had phrased her words cleverly: she had agreed to go down alone, but only promised not to bring anyone this time.

Yet, how could “that person” not see through her intentions? Still, they allowed her this leeway.

Upon hearing Si Wan’s decision, Guan Yue immediately furrowed her brow and was the first to object.

“You want to go down alone? No way.”

She didn’t even bother repeating her earlier remarks about the tomb’s owner having a fondness for Si Wan. Seeing the resolve in Si Wan’s expression, she knew persuasion was futile and could only compromise.

“At the very least, let me go down with you.”

Si Wan knew Sheng Zhen would not agree. She looked at Guan Yue with a serious expression and said,

“No need. I should be fine going alone this time. Besides, I have more experience than anyone else. There’s no one more suited to go down than me.”

“But…” Guan Yue wanted to argue further, but seeing Si Wan’s determination, she knew it was hopeless.

“Next time.” Si Wan said.

This time, Guan Yue said nothing more, choosing to respect Si Wan’s decision. With a stern expression, she turned to Song Yan and said,

“Go have someone prepare the tools.”

Song Yan had even less authority to interfere with Si Wan’s decisions. Nodding in agreement, she left with the others to make preparations.

Nearby, Nian Nian glanced at Si Wan and voiced her concern uneasily.

“Professor Si, please let my people go down first to investigate. It’s too dangerous.”

The cave entrance had appeared under mysterious circumstances, and the series of events that followed had forced even those who initially dismissed such notions to become wary.

Just as the wind threatened to pick up again, Si Wan declined Nian Nian’s suggestion politely.

“Officer Nian, I appreciate your concern, but my decision is final.”

Having heard of Si Wan’s stubbornness, Nian Nian could only nod in resignation. Soon after, Guan Yue found an excuse to pull her away.

The surroundings fell into silence. Si Wan could only feel the gentle breeze brushing past her, and as her gaze swept over the charred tree not far away, a face flushed with anger suddenly flashed through her mind. Unconsciously, the corners of her lips lifted slightly, softening her expression with a touch of warmth.

Song Yan worked quickly, and the necessary tools were soon brought over.

While Si Wan was still preparing to descend, the others had already gathered around, their unspoken words of caution stuck in their throats under her sharp glance.

Guan Yue carefully inspected the tools and said to Si Wan, “This rope is long enough, but if you haven’t reached the bottom yet, give it three tugs, and we’ll pull you back up.”

Si Wan lowered her head to double-check the tightness of the rope around her waist and replied without looking up, “Don’t worry.”

Her casual tone only heightened the others’ tension.

But no one noticed how Si Wan’s grip on the rope tightened unconsciously as she stared into the pitch-black opening of the cave, letting out a quiet sigh to herself.

Even after Si Wan was lowered into the cave, their expressions remained tense.

Suddenly, the rope went slack. The person in charge was startled and immediately called out to Guan Yue, “Professor Guan, something’s wrong!”

Guan Yue stared at the neatly severed rope that had been pulled up and, without a second thought for her own composure, leaned over the opening and shouted inside, “Si Wan!”

Her voice seemed to be swallowed by the cave, and no response came from Si Wan for a long time.

Nian Nian, afraid she might fall, quickly pulled her back and coldly ordered her team, “Get ready to go down immediately.”

But just like before, a fierce gust of wind swept through, as if deliberately trying to stop them.

Deep in the dark cave, Si Wan had no idea how many meters she had descended before her feet finally touched solid ground.

Enveloped in darkness, she didn’t immediately realize that the rope behind her had been severed.

Only when the beam of her flashlight illuminated the ground did she notice a stone staircase leading downward.

As she cautiously took a step down, candles embedded in the walls suddenly flared to life around her, their flames flickering steadily in the windless air.

Seeing that the path ahead seemed endless, Si Wan hesitated for no moment and continued walking down without a second thought.

…