Sister's Home 3

Xu Si stood before the wooden door, which exuded an air of antiquity, and raised her hand to give a gentle knock.

The door creaked open slowly, revealing the dim light within. An elderly woman with gray hair appeared before her, surveying Xu Si with a scrutinizing gaze.

"Excuse me, is this Granny Li's home? I am Xu Si. We spoke over the phone, and I’ve come to pay you a visit," Xu Si said politely.

The old woman nodded slightly and stepped aside to let her in. The interior was filled with a musty, aged scent, and yellowed, vintage photographs hung on the walls. Xu Si’s gaze was drawn to one particular photo of a young woman with a vibrant, playful look in her eyes.

"Granny, is this a photo of you when you were young? It’s truly beautiful," Xu Si said, looking up with a smile.

The old woman walked slowly to the photo, touched it gently, and said in a low voice, "That is my younger sister. A pity, she left us far too soon."

Xu Si’s heart tightened, not knowing how to respond. The old woman turned toward her, her expression growing complex. "Girl, have you truly decided to learn about the Sister Drum? Some things are better left unknown."

Xu Si nodded firmly. "Granny, I am a researcher of folklore. I am deeply interested in the culture behind the Sister Drum and hope you can tell me about it."

The old woman sighed, sat slowly in a rocking chair, and began: "The Sister Drum is a sinister thing. Long ago, in a remote village, there was a sister who, to save her people, voluntarily allowed herself to be fashioned into the Sister Drum. But ever since, whenever the drum sounds, strange things happen."

Xu Si pressed further, "What kind of strange things? And where is the Sister Drum now?"

The old woman remained silent for a moment before saying, "The Sister Drum was taken by a collector and later passed through many hands to a mysterious place. As for the strange events, girl, if you truly intend to seek it out, there are rules you must keep in mind..."

Rule One: The Museum's Taboo

Xu Si arrived at a local museum renowned for its collection of folklore artifacts. It was said that someone had once briefly seen the Sister Drum on display there. The museum's entrance was grand and solemn. Xu Si walked into the spacious, bright hall and approached the front desk to inquire about the drum.

The staff member’s expression shifted slightly. "The Sister Drum? That’s a cursed object. We displayed it once, but later... in any case, stop asking."

Xu Si did not give up. She searched throughout the museum for clues. Finally, in a secluded corner, she found an introductory placard about the Sister Drum.

Just as she leaned in to look closely, a cold voice whispered in her ear: "Do not remain in the West Wing of the museum after 17:00, especially in the gallery that once housed the Sister Drum."

Xu Si turned abruptly, but found no one behind her. Startled, she checked her watch; it was nearly 16:30. She quickened her pace, intending to leave the West Wing. While passing a gallery, she couldn't help but glance inside and saw a massive drum sitting in the center. Though it looked different from what she had imagined, a sudden, inexplicable chill washed over her.

As she turned to leave, the gallery door slammed shut. Xu Si rushed to pull it, but it would not budge. The lights began to flicker, and a blurred figure appeared before her—a woman in ragged clothes with long hair obscuring her face.

Xu Si backed away in terror as the woman’s voice drifted toward her: "After 17:00, don't even think of leaving..."

Desperately trying to stay calm, Xu Si remembered the rule. She closed her eyes and repeated to herself, "This is not real. This is a hallucination caused by breaking the rule."

When she opened her eyes again, the figure had vanished, and the door opened slowly. Xu Si dashed out, leaving the West Wing before 17:00.

Rule Two: The Collector’s Warning

Through extensive inquiries, Xu Si obtained the address of a collector who had once owned the Sister Drum. She arrived at a luxurious villa and rang the bell. A middle-aged man in ornate clothing opened the door, his eyes sharp and guarded.

After Xu Si explained her purpose, the man frowned. "The Sister Drum? That thing is too malevolent; I got rid of it long ago. But if you insist on finding it, there are things you must know."

The man invited her in, poured her tea, and continued: "Those who come into contact with the Sister Drum become tainted with an aura that attracts unclean things. If you find a black cat suddenly appearing around you, and it stares at you intently, never attempt to pet it, nor follow it. The appearance of a black cat often signals that danger is coming."

Xu Si nodded solemnly. The man added, "Also, do not casually tell the legends of the Sister Drum to others at night—especially in a room with a mirror. Never mention it. A friend of mine once didn't believe in such things and told the story to a mirror at night; a twisted face appeared in the glass, and he went insane from that day on."

After leaving the villa, the sky had turned dark. Walking down the dim street, Xu Si felt as if a pair of eyes were watching her from behind. Suddenly, a black cat darted out from a nearby alley, stopped in front of her, and stared unblinkingly.

Remembering the warning, Xu Si suppressed her fear, ignored the cat, and kept walking. The cat let out a few meows behind her before turning and running away.

Rule Three: The Secret of the Ancient Village

Following her leads, Xu Si arrived at a remote, ancient village, said to be the birthplace of the Sister Drum legend. The houses were built of stone and wood, and the paths were narrow and winding. As she entered, the villagers cast strange looks her way.

She asked an old man sitting by a doorway about the drum. His expression changed drastically, and he waved her off. "Girl, leave quickly. Don't ask about the Sister Drum here. It will bring disaster upon the village."

Xu Si did not give up. She searched the village until she found a dilapidated temple at the edge of the woods. The door was ajar. Pushing it open, she entered to find a space thick with dust, featuring a worn statue in the center. Beside the statue lay a tattered drum. Though it was in ruins, Xu Si felt certain this was the Sister Drum she had been seeking.

Just as she moved to examine it, a young villager rushed in and pulled her toward the exit. "Are you trying to get yourself killed? You cannot touch that drum. We have a rule: on the night of the full moon on the fifteenth of the eighth lunar month, one must never go near this temple. That is when the drum's power is at its peak, and evil spirits roam. Leave at once!"

Xu Si was dragged out of the village. Filled with doubt and frustration, she decided to find a place to stay nearby and return after the fifteenth to uncover the truth.

Rule Four: The Strange Incident at the Inn

Xu Si stayed at a small inn near the village. The room was small and simply furnished. As she lay in bed, reflecting on the events of the past few days, she drifted into a restless sleep.

In the middle of the night, she was jolted awake by a strange sound—something like weeping, mixed with the rhythmic beating of a drum. She sat up to find the room filled with a faint mist. Looking around vigilantly, she saw a blurred figure in the mirror: a woman in white, her eyes filled with sorrow.

Recalling the collector's warning, she dared not look directly into the mirror. She closed her eyes and whispered to herself, "This is a hallucination. This is a hallucination caused by breaking the rule."

When she opened her eyes again, the figure had vanished, and the mist had dissipated.

The next day, Xu Si found the innkeeper. The man turned pale and said, "Girl, you really should leave. Too many strange things have happened in the villages around here. Just go, and be done with it."

Xu Si did not leave. She was determined to uncover the truth behind the Sister Drum.