Six months later, Lan Lan was transferred to the logistics group due to excellent performance, and her salary doubled. By July 1998, with a junior college diploma and her efforts, she became the logistics department manager, earning 2,500 yuan monthly. She was satisfied, able to provide a better life for her mother and sister, and had saved some money. Though she hadn’t considered resigning, fate often has unexpected plans.
Today was the millennium year 2000. Colleagues were excited and blessing this extraordinary day.
“Lan Lan, want to go to Da Jia Le?
Let’s celebrate and welcome this once-in-a-millennium year!”
Da Jia Le was the name of a dance hall.
Speaking was her colleague Zhang Li, a lively and cute Henan girl, tall, fair-skinned, with a loud, lovable personality.
“Sure, I’m free anyway. But who’s paying?” Lan Lan looked mischievously at Zhang Li.
“Our Cheng Hua is coming too, don’t worry!” Zhang Li reassured her.
Without a good dance partner, Lan Lan lost the mood to dance. The host’s voice rang out:
“Welcome everyone to the Dajiale Dance Hall, to share this moment that only comes once in a thousand years. We’re about to enter the new millennium. Let’s bless together, cheer together, and make our tomorrow even better! Now, let’s shout out our inner desires and get ready to count down… 10, 9, 8… 3, 2, 1, Yeah… A new year, a new beginning. Happy New Year to everyone!”
Lan Lan closed her eyes, hoping for her family’s health in the new year, and for her career and love to go smoothly. With this thought, she suddenly had a feeling that something would happen today.
Tired, Lan Lan and Zhang Li walked back to her rented room. Her house was next to the factory, a single room for only 120 yuan a month, in a newly developed area with poor roads.
Zhang Li lived in a dormitory where returning after midnight was prohibited, so she stayed over at Lan Lan’s place. Her boyfriend, who was drunk, was carried home by a colleague.
The nearly empty road felt cold and desolate as they approached a small bridge at the village entrance. Next to the bridge was a large banana plantation. People said spirits were seen there at dawn, making girls uneasy when passing by at night.
“Lan Lan, I’m scared!”
“Don’t scare yourself. Nothing’s going to happen.”
