177 Something Seems Wrong (2/2)

The entrance to the library was before him. Bart felt the bag of money he had prepared beforehand for the manager and nodded in satisfaction. Good, the plan was perfect.

As long as he had a warm smile and offered the generous sum at the right time, he believed the manager would make things easier for him. At this thought, his lips curled into a smile and he pushed the door slowly.

And so, he opened the door, and saw the ground covered in marbles…

-

In the library’s vast empty space under the warm lighting, columns of old bookshelves radiated with mysteriousness. The shelves rose like trees, extending to the limit of his vision. He could not see the end. But in the office area at the entrance, the tables and chairs had been pushed to the side into a careless pile. What replaced them were marbles scattered all over.

A figure sat amongst the marbles with its back to Bart. It grasped marbles and studied the situation attentively, not even noticing that Bart had entered. Then with a soft sound, the marbles suddenly started rolling even though there was no wind. They crashed against each other, producing crisp sounds. It was extremely strange.

In the eerie atmosphere, Bart felt his hair standing up. ”Excuse me,” he asked in a trembling voice after gathering his courage, ”is the library’s manager…”

”Sh!” The squatting figure raised a finger, telling him to shut up. Bart could only shut his mouth awkwardly and wait in his spot in fear.

After thinking for a long time, the person flicked the white marble in his hands. The marble left his hand but jumped dramatically on the ground! Endless clatters sounded instantly. Along the way, all black marbles were forced away and began rolling randomly. They created complex crisscrossed lines, hitting each other, but all landed inside a chalked circle in the end. None missed.

”Tsk.” It seemed like someone had made an upset sound.

”Ah, I won without meaning to again?” The manager whistled proudly and wagged his finger. ”Don’t be a sore loser. Pay up, pay up...”

There was the sound of a child’s cold humph. Then a few old collector bottle caps fell out of thin air, landing at the manager’s feet, as if saying scornfully, ”Take it!”

”Hey, you should be more polite. You don’t have the manners of a gambler.” The manager picked up the caps without looking down on it at all. ”We agreed that ten bottle caps can be exchanged for one copy written by a saint. Don’t go back on your words.”

Slam! An ancient yet thin pamphlet appeared out of nowhere and was slammed down like a fly swatter, falling onto his face—”Take it!”

”…Whatever, I won’t bother with you.” The manager took the book from his face and sighed. Then he flipped through, nodded and rolled it up carelessly before stuffing it in his pocket! He took it for himself!

This guy’s movements were so smooth and natural. He did not feel bad for taking public property at all! Bart’s eyes reddened but he pretended not to see. Instead, he made a note of this corrupted b*stard in his mind.

”When I get out, you’ll be waiting to be interrogated by the school board!” Bart thought angrily. But for some reason, he felt that the figure looked so familiar. There was something wrong…

”Was there someone asking for me?” The manager yawned and looked back lazily. His eyes lit up instantly. ”Oh, what a coincidence. I know you!” With that, the white-haired youth smiled his trademark hearty smile. ”Bart, how may I help you?”

”You—you—you…” Bart gaped at the youth, feeling like he was in another nightmare again. He could not help but yell out the name, ”Ye Qingxuan! Why is it you again?”

”Oh, you don’t know?” Ye Qingxuan chuckled in embarrassment. ”Starting today, I’m the manager of the library. How is it? Are you happy? Are you surprised?”

It felt as if a steel hammer just wacked him in the face. Bart felt his vision go black and he almost coughed up blood. ”Impossible!” He was speechless. ”Just—just you…you can…in your dreams!”

”You’ve misunderstood me. Mr. Dominic forced me to come. I had no other choice.” Ye Qingxuan sighed, his expression sad and depressed. ”Maybe it’s because I’m too attractive? Being attractive is so annoying.”

Bart’s face turned beet red. It looked as if he was going to die from holding his breath. For some reason, he felt a deep stomach ache.

What was that saying? It was like he had been cursed!