"Help!"

Fatso's cry for help drifted over the river.

Both Xie Qiang and I turned around and saw Fatso sinking underwater.

We were surprised because Fatso knew how to swim. Even if he accidentally slipped and fell into the water, someone who was familiar with swimming wouldn't panic. They could easily resurface. So why did Fatso shout "help"?

At first, we thought Fatso was joking. Xie Qiang even commented on his impressive acting skills.

But after a few seconds, we realized something was wrong. Fatso's entire head was submerged underwater, with only his hands flailing on the surface, creating splashes.

I was suddenly alarmed. It seemed like something underwater was pulling Fatso down with force!

"This doesn't look like acting to me!" I said.

Xie Qiang glanced at me. "Then what are we waiting for? Let's save him!"

Hastily, both of us ran over. I grabbed one of Fatso's arms and forcefully lifted him out of the water.

Fatso was in a state of panic, struggling vigorously. It felt like there was a strange force in the water, resisting our efforts.

I took a deep breath and plunged into the water to see what was going on.

As I sank into the water, I widened my eyes and immediately realized what was happening.

Damn it, I thought something serious had happened, but it turned out to be water plants entangling Fatso's ankles. Look at this cowardly Fatso, crying and screaming in fear.

I helped Fatso untangle the water plants from his ankles and supported his buttocks to quickly resurface.

Xie Qiang assisted Fatso as we walked to the riverbank. Fatso's face was pale, and he knelt down weakly on the riverbank. His chest was filled with water, and he coughed violently, struggling to catch his breath.

Xie Qiang asked Fatso what happened. Fatso raised his head, his face filled with fear, and explained in a hurried manner, "There's a ghost... there's a ghost underwater..."

Xie Qiang looked at me, puzzled. I smiled and said, "You're scaring yourself, Fatso. I saw it clearly just now. It was only water plants entangling your ankles. Why are you so scared?"

Xie Qiang shrugged. "Fatso, maybe you're possessed or something. You've been acting all paranoid the whole afternoon!"

Fatso looked at the river surface with a terrified expression. Stammering, he tried to explain, "No... it's not the water plants... you have to believe me, I distinctly felt it... it was a hand... a hand tightly grabbing my ankle... it was strong, pulling me down... it was so terrifying!"

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Helplessly, Xie Qiang and I shrugged our shoulders. Seeing Fatso's appearance, he must have been really frightened.

We left the riverbank, and Fatso kept turning back to look at the river surface. However, it remained calm without any strange things appearing.

The evening sun's glow spilled over the river, creating sparkling ripples.

Swimming is an activity that consumes a lot of energy. After swimming in the river all afternoon, we were famished. When we got back home, I quickly devoured three bowls of mung bean congee, filling my stomach to the brim.

The next day at noon, Xie Qiang came to find me again and brought Fatso along. He insisted that Fatso treat us to ice cream since he had forgotten yesterday due to the fright. Today, it must be made up for.

Xie Qiang even brought a small bucket, saying that we would catch some fish and shrimp and then go to his house to eat fried small fish.

Fatso looked downcast, with an unhealthy complexion. He seemed unwilling to go with us.

I glanced at Fatso and noticed that he was dressed strangely today. It was such a hot day, and Xie Qiang and I were wearing shorts and sandals. However, Fatso was wearing long pants, covering his legs tightly.

Curiously, I asked Fatso, "What's wrong? Are you feeling cold? Isn't it too hot to wear so much?"

Fatso didn't speak and discreetly pulled me and Xie Qiang aside. He secretly rolled up his pant leg and pointed at his ankle for us to see.

"Oh, did someone beat you up? Tell Big Qiang, who did this to you?" Xie Qiang bit into his ice cream, making a crisp sound.

I saw a black mark on Fatso's right ankle that looked quite frightening.

Fatso squatted down, opened his right hand, and placed it on his ankle. "It's not from being beaten up. Look, is this a fingerprint?"

A fingerprint?!

I was surprised and squatted down to carefully examine Fatso's ankle. Indeed, there was a dark fingerprint, although the outline was not very clear. It looked like a small hand.

Of course, it could also be something else and just appeared similar to a fingerprint.

"Where did you get this?" I asked curiously.

Fatso mournfully said, "I don't know either. It wasn't there last night, but when I woke up this morning, it looked like this!"

Xie Qiang chuckled, "Did a ghost crawl to the end of your bed and grab your foot while you were asleep?"

I shook my head at Xie Qiang, asking him not to frighten Fatso anymore as he was already on the verge of tears.

I asked Fatso to think carefully if he had injured his ankle and then pressed his ankle with my hand, asking if it hurt.

Fatso said it didn't hurt and he couldn't feel anything. After thinking for a while, Fatso suddenly said, "Remember when I told you guys yesterday that something was pulling me underwater?"

I was slightly shocked. Could it be true? Was there really something underwater?

Fatso lowered his pants leg and shivered under the sun. "I said there was a ghost underwater, but you didn't believe me. Do you believe me now?"

I pursed my lips. "Are you sure that something was pulling you underwater yesterday?"

Fatso nodded vigorously. "I am absolutely sure! That thing grabbed my right ankle and wouldn't let go. Then this strange mark appeared on my ankle this morning. What the hell is going on? Brother, please help me. Am I being targeted by something dirty?"

Xie Qiang sneered, "Fatso, you're just scaring yourself. From what I can see, you accidentally injured your foot. You just didn't notice it at the time. Are you coming with us to catch fish or not? If you're scared, then don't come!"

Fatso stammered, "I... I'll wait for you at home!"

After a pause, Fatso added, "As your brother, I advise you not to go. There really is something in that river. It's evil. What if something happens to you..."

"Don't jinx us with your words," Xie Qiang said, a little annoyed.

Fatso said, "I'm genuinely worried about you guys. But if you insist on going, I can't stop you!"

Xie Qiang shook the small bucket in his hand. "Forget it, you coward. Go home and wait for us. We'll eat fish at my place later. Let's have a few drinks, and you can taste my culinary skills!"

Indeed, Fatso didn't come with us to the riverbank. Along the way, Xie Qiang kept scolding Fatso, calling him a coward. He even asked me if Fatso had some kind of mental illness, as he seemed to be acting strange and delusional.