The Tiger Bench's Sinister Whisper

In the heart of the bustling city, where the noise of life is never-ending, there lies a small, overgrown park, shrouded in shadows and whispered secrets. It is here, at the edge of the park, that the Tiger Bench stands, its wooden surface worn and splintered by time. The bench has long been a place for lovers to declare their love, a witness to countless proposals and declarations of undying affection. But not all stories that begin at the Tiger Bench end happily.

It was a crisp autumn evening when Li Wei first stumbled upon the bench. He had been searching for a quiet spot to reflect on his recent breakup when he noticed the rusted chain that was once used to secure the bench to a nearby tree. The chain was now flung carelessly across the ground, suggesting it had been tampered with.

Curiosity piqued, Li Wei approached the bench. The moment he sat down, he felt an eerie chill wrap around him. It was as if the bench itself were breathing, its wooden fibers whispering secrets left unspoken. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was not alone.

"Who are you?" Li Wei called out into the darkness, his voice echoing through the park.

A faint whisper answered, "I am the one who sits here, waiting."

Li Wei shivered but pressed on. He had heard rumors about the bench, that it was haunted by the spirit of a young couple who had met and fallen in love at the same spot, only to meet a tragic end. But the rumors had always seemed like the figments of an overactive imagination.

"I'm Li Wei," he said, "I came to hear your story."

The whisper grew louder, more insistent. "You must hear my story, for it is the key to the truth."

Li Wei leaned closer, his heart pounding with anticipation. The bench seemed to pulse with energy, and the whispers grew into a low, urgent voice.

"You see, there once was a young woman named Mei and a handsome man named Feng. They met at the Tiger Bench and fell deeply in love. But fate, in its cruel way, had other plans. Feng was involved in a dangerous business, and one fateful night, his enemies cornered him and Mei, demanding that he surrender. In a desperate bid to save her, Feng fought valiantly, but the enemies were too strong. In the chaos, Mei was shot and Feng was left to watch her die."

Li Wei's eyes filled with tears as he listened to the tragic tale. "And what happened to Feng?"

The bench's voice grew anguished. "Feng was captured and interrogated. He refused to reveal Mei's location, and as punishment, he was chained to the bench until he died. The chain was supposed to be a symbol of his eternal punishment, but it became his eternal love for Mei. Every night, he returns to the bench, seeking solace in the place where they first shared their love."

Li Wei felt a strange connection to the bench's story. It was as if the bench were reaching out to him, hoping to find someone who would listen to Mei's story and ensure that her love was not forgotten.

"How did Mei die?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Mei was found in the park, lifeless. Feng never returned. He remained chained to the bench until he, too, passed away. Since then, the bench has been a place of solace for those who have loved and lost."

Li Wei sat in silence, the story replaying in his mind. He realized that the bench was more than just a relic of the past; it was a reminder of the fragility of life and the power of love.

As he stood up to leave, the bench's whisper followed him. "Remember Mei and Feng. Remember their love. For in the end, it is the love that endures."

Li Wei nodded, feeling a sense of purpose. He knew that he would share Mei and Feng's story, that he would ensure their love would never be forgotten.

Days turned into weeks, and Li Wei's story spread like wildfire through the city. The Tiger Bench became a place of remembrance, a place where those who had lost loved ones would gather to share their own tales of love and loss.

And so, the Tiger Bench continued to stand, its wooden surface worn by the weight of countless hearts, whispering tales of love that defied death. The bench, once a place of joy and romance, had become a silent witness to the eternal love of Mei and Feng, a testament to the enduring power of the human heart.