This time no one dared mention the ghostly footprints, for fear of frightening themselves. But deep down we all knew — those extra limbs were terrifying. If they weren't supernatural appendages, then they must be remnants from some gruesome murder case.

Fang Yanmeng's body trembled slightly as she stammered, "F-Fang... Fangfang, don't monopolize Zhao Qian like that! Give me some space - I was bought by him after all. If something happens to me from being scared, he'll be responsible. You wouldn't want your Zhao elder brother paying compensation would you?"

Xiao Chuchu stifled a laugh behind her hand, "You're all so timid. It's just a photograph! Let me explain - it could have been caused by light refraction and shutter lag, or perhaps magnetic anomalies combined with sudden electrical surges creating optical illusions. If ghosts truly existed in this world, who has ever actually captured one? There's no tangible evidence proving their existence. All these ghost stories are merely baseless rumors exaggerated over time. You're a third-year student, Mengmeng - how could you believe such nonsense?"

Zhao Fang shifted sideways to make space for Yanmeng, both girls settling at my sides with the blanket pulled up to cover them except for their heads peering out like two adorable little hedgehogs. Only after confirming total safety did Yanmeng whisper, "Chuchu sister, we're using this opportunity to get closer to Zhao Qian. Girls should always be a bit delicate - otherwise boys won't find us attractive. They all enjoy being the protector, so we have to give them chances to show off!"

Xiao Chuchu pouted, "You're just making excuses for your cowardice! You'll never admit you're scared and Zhao Qian gets all the sympathy."

I paid no attention to their bickering - Zhao Fen was draped over my shoulder while Zhao Fang and Fang Yanmeng nestled against either side. While I had an established intimacy with Zhao Fen, the other two were still clearly demarcated boundaries. With both girls pressed against me like this, all fear fled from my mind.

Zhao Fang did carry a faint floral scent - exactly matching what lingered on my bedsheet after she'd slept there - it was calming to the senses. But I hadn't yet noticed such fragrance on her elder sister Zhao Fen. Though Fang Yanmeng lacked that delicate perfume, she had her own comforting aroma - not particularly unique but somehow evocative and easy to imagine herself into.

Xiao Chuchu watched our four-person tangle with jealous eyes, her voice dripping with sarcasm, "Since you enjoy dramatic displays so much, I'll tell you a ghost story to give you more bonding opportunities. This actually happened to me personally - although I don't believe in ghosts myself, this incident remains inexplicable."

"Quickly then!" both Yanmeng and Zhao Fang said together, eager yet trembling.

She adopted a somber tone: "During my university days I once lived in collective dormitories. One weekend evening when all the roommates had gone out for fun, I remained alone browsing online. Later feeling lightheaded, I went to wash my face in the bathroom. When returning, there sat a girl with waist-length hair wearing an unusual long-sleeved dress at my computer.

Three strange things occurred: First, no knock was heard despite our locked door; second, as it's on the third floor with neither roof access nor ground level, climbing through windows was impossible; third, while I knew all of my roommates' friends, this girl didn't match any."

As Xiao Chuchu described "standing absolutely still with lifeless eyes," I winced inwardly - what a deliberately cruel story! Though petrified inside, I had to maintain male bravado for the three girls clinging tightly against me. They squeezed closer at tense moments until my back pressed nearly through the window curtain. The night outside was pitch black and who knew if that mysterious girl might suddenly appear? If she sat before me with those vacant eyes... I'd surely faint.

"You don't believe in ghosts but suddenly felt this wasn't a living person?" Zhao Fang asked, "Who was she?"

Fang Yanmeng added, "You're just scaring us! Tonight we'll all sleep together here - there's no way S Qian will go to the hospital. Four girls alone is too terrifying!"

Xiao Chuchu glanced at me meaningfully before continuing: "Later describing her to my roommates, none recognized her. But soon after I discovered an old forum post featuring a photo of exactly that girl! Her unusual dress was unmistakable. Reading the thread revealed she had lived in our dormitory - her boyfriend abandoned her and one night she mysteriously died at the computer... precisely where my monitor now sits!"

I chuckled nervously, breaking the tense silence, "What an awful sight! I wonder if she'll appear again when you use the restroom. Well then - better get some sleep while I leave first..."

Mid-sentence the lights flickered and went out. Strange how it knew to set the mood? A sudden flash illuminated storm clouds gathering outside. Unseasonably so, this thunderstorm was most unusual.

Holding three girls with my back to the window while Xiao Meng sat facing it suddenly gasped toward the glass, her face stricken with panic.

What an actress! Her performance was Oscar-worthy - every twitch and tremble perfectly timed!

Xiao Chuchu's voice cracked: "T-there's a hand on the window!"

Before she finished, I reflexively turned. Another flash illuminated the outside world just as a black fur-covered human-shaped handprint suddenly appeared against the glass inches from my back!

Good heavens! Just what we feared - actual ghostly hands! But the lightning's brief illumination vanished too soon for proper examination before darkness returned. The three girls in front hadn't seen it, but the eerie atmosphere paralyzed them all.

Another flash revealed nothing remained on the windowsill, as though the creature had never existed. Xiao Chuchu met my gaze with wide-eyed fear, silently begging confirmation she hadn't hallucinated.

I knew something had definitely been there - yet vanished between lightning strikes in mere seconds. My terror paradoxically cleared my mind: As a man I shouldn't cower from such things! Especially when now possessing superhuman strength!

Shaking off the three girls, I snatched up my new powerful flashlight and rushed outside.

Raindrops like marbles pelted my face as I reached the window. The beam revealed no traces of any object having rested there. Examining surrounding muddy ground, nothing suspicious appeared beyond my own footprints...

The rain intensified into sheets now, obscuring further investigation. With thunder rumbling through the dark night, even I began second-guessing myself. Better return indoors and regroup for now.