Chen Ge's Supernatural Research Club now had four members: Wang Yicheng, who had problems with his legs; Zhang Ju, whose face was disfigured; Zhou Tu, who was looking for the Art Club; and Zhu Long, who was impulsive and prone to getting into fights.
Each member had a distinctive personality. If Chen Ge really were a school teacher, this club would certainly be quite interesting.
Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. Chen Ge wanted to extract useful information from them, but he didn't entirely intend to just use those kids.
Within his ability, Chen Ge would help these students recover their lost memories and try to bring them along when he left.
Crossing the square, the members of the Supernatural Research Club gathered together.
They looked at each other, and a rather rude word floated through everyone's minds — this club was like an orphanage. Every member was a student that no other club wanted.
"Teacher Bai, don't tell me this is everyone in our club." Zhou Tu had originally wanted to join the Art Club, and somehow ended up in this one instead. He felt like he'd been scammed.
The atmosphere was awkward. Wang Yicheng and Zhang Ju, both of whom had physical deficiencies, averted their gazes and didn't dare respond. Zhu Long, on the other hand, seemed indifferent and was actually growing more curious about the club.
"You guessed correctly, but I'd suggest you watch your tone. Give it some time and you'll realize just how lucky you are to have joined this club." Chen Ge's voice was thick with pride. "Every person in this club was personally invited by me. Everyone here is extraordinary. My club doesn't need ordinary people — only the exceptional are welcome."
Zhou Tu rolled his eyes at Chen Ge's words. If he hadn't already signed the membership application, he probably would have left right then and there.
"I know you don't believe what I'm saying yet. You doubt whether this club even has a purpose." Chen Ge's gaze swept over the students. "I'm not someone who likes to convince people with words. Once we start our club activities, I'll use facts to show you the real world."
Chen Ge's expression was serious, clearly not joking, and the students all quieted down.
"Before I show you the real world, I want to ask a question. What does the world look like to you?" Chen Ge wanted to understand these children's pasts, to see if he could find any clues in their memories.
Wang Yicheng spoke first, recounting his past once again. Next was Zhu Long, and then it was Zhang Ju's turn.
Before high school, Zhang Ju had been just an ordinary kid — study hard, get into a good university. His life trajectory had been mapped out for him, right up until the day of the college entrance exam.
That night, he and his friends went singing. A fire broke out at the karaoke venue, and Zhang Ju and his friends were trapped in the private room.
When he was rescued, both his face and scalp had been burned, leaving behind hideous scars.
Zhang Ju stayed at home for two months, receiving psychological counseling and treatment. Finally, having adjusted his mindset, he chose to face himself again and came to register at the university.
The story was quite inspirational, but Chen Ge caught something off about it.
"Do you remember anything from when you were hospitalized and receiving treatment?" Theoretically, that memory should have been a deep wound in Zhang Ju's heart, but as he recounted it, his expression didn't fluctuate at all — as though it had happened to someone else and he'd merely been an onlooker.
Zhang Ju's account of his hospitalization and treatment came in broken fragments. Chen Ge could tell the other party wasn't deliberately hiding anything — he genuinely couldn't remember.
"Zhang Ju's accident happened during the break after the college entrance exam. When Wang Yicheng told his story earlier, his memories of that final break were extremely hazy. The same was true for Zhu Long."
Chen Ge looked at the children before him, and a theory took shape in his mind. These students hadn't simply forgotten what happened during that last summer break — they had died during it.
Obsession carried all memories with it, both the sweet and the bitter, preserving everything. That was why they could remember so many things from before, yet that particular summer had been erased.
"Teacher Bai, are you feeling unwell?" Zhou Tu was a perceptive person who knew how to read expressions. He noticed that Chen Ge looked rather pale after hearing the students' stories and quickly spoke up. "Why don't we just call off today's club activity? You should go back and rest early."
"I already know about their pasts. What about you?" Chen Ge's expression returned to normal.
"I'm very ordinary. I just study, draw, eat, and sleep. I've never even been in a relationship. There's really nothing to tell." Zhou Tu spread his hands. He felt he was the most normal person in this club.
"Didn't you tell me you've been having the same dream over and over recently?"
"I have to talk about that here too?" Zhou Tu clearly didn't want to share his secret with so many people.
"I won't force you. If you feel you can share, go ahead. If not, that's fine too."
"There's nothing I can't really share…" Zhou Tu still needed Chen Ge's help to find the Art Club. In his eyes, this strange Supernatural Research Club was just a stepping stone. "I came to the school pretty early to register. Ever since I moved into the dorm, I've had the same dream every night. I dream that I'm sitting in an art studio, painting, with oil paintings covering every wall. The atmosphere is suffocating. There are twelve other people around me, and we're all painting."
"An oil painting studio? With thirteen painters inside?" Chen Ge immediately thought of the scene he'd witnessed in the Night School's laboratory building. He realized he might have truly struck gold this time. The fact that Zhou Tu could dream about the inside of the oil painting studio meant he had very likely been there before — perhaps even created a painting himself — but for some reason, he had forgotten all of it.
"Yes, and the dream keeps getting clearer, as if I actually experienced it, but I have no memory of it at all." Zhou Tu slowly lowered his head. "It's a terrible feeling. Every morning when I wake up, I grab a pen and try to recreate the dream. I attempt to draw what I saw, but I can't find any oil painting supplies, which is why I kept wanting to join the Art Club."
After hearing Zhou Tu's account, Chen Ge nodded. He pondered for a moment before speaking. "What if I told you I've seen the scene from your dream? Would you believe me?"
"You've seen it?"
"Right, in this very school!" Chen Ge was completely certain. "If you really want to go, I can take you there. But you have to agree to one condition."
"What condition?" Zhou Tu's voice shifted. Only he knew just how incredible that dream really was.
"From now on, you have to do as I say. That's the prerequisite for me taking you there."