某天獨自到酒樓吃飯，看見差不多所有餐桌都坐滿客人，只有兩張有空位：一張坐有一家三口，應該是父母和兒子，正溫馨地共享晚餐；另一張坐有一個中年漢，旁邊空位放了數份餐具，不斷地在喃喃自語。
原本不想打擾人家天倫之樂，但是總覺得那名中年漢陰陽怪氣，想起「養鬼仔」的傳說來（傳聞養鬼仔的人在用饍時，會在餐桌預留位置和餐具給鬼仔，旁人看不見鬼仔，只看見一個空位和多餘的餐具）；愈想愈慌，於是選擇坐在那家人旁邊。
我向那家人的父親禮貌地問可否坐下，他微笑地點頭表示可以，於是我便坐下了。
在等待侍應奉餐期間，為打發時間便與那家人寒暄數句。雖則只是同桌的食客，但也總算言談甚歡；只不過眼角總不免盯梢鄰桌的中年漢，看見他一直低頭細語，心中不禁毛骨悚然。
談着談着人有三急，於是到廁所去。怎知偏偏又撞到那個中年漢，只得躲進廁格內。
其間，又聽到他在喃喃自語：
「怎麼你們還沒到？我等你們好久了，再不來我自己吃完便離開。說來奇怪，鄰桌的那個男人又是一個人在自言自語，但我又不見他用免提手機呢…不知他是否精神有問題，還是…」
我向那家人的父親禮貌地問可否坐下，他微笑地點頭表示可以，於是我便坐下了。
在等待侍應奉餐期間，為打發時間便與那家人寒暄數句。雖則只是同桌的食客，但也總算言談甚歡；只不過眼角總不免盯梢鄰桌的中年漢，看見他一直低頭細語，心中不禁毛骨悚然。
談着談着人有三急，於是到廁所去。怎知偏偏又撞到那個中年漢，只得躲進廁格內。
其間，又聽到他在喃喃自語：
「怎麼你們還沒到？我等你們好久了，再不來我自己吃完便離開。說來奇怪，鄰桌的那個男人又是一個人在自言自語，但我又不見他用免提手機呢…不知他是否精神有問題，還是…」
I
went to a restaurant alone for dinner one day, and found that almost
all tables were occupied, only two of which were available: one with a
family of parents and child enjoying their meal lovely, and the other
with a middle-aged man who kept mumbling and staring at the empty seats
next to him.
I originally did not want to disturb the family from having their family fun; however, I felt that the middle-aged man was somewhat creepy, which made me to associate him with the legend of "fostering infant ghosts" prevalent in Southeast Asia (It is rumored that those who fostered infant ghosts will reserve an empty seat and a set of unused tableware next to him when dining.) I became more frightened when thinking of that legend, so I chose to sit beside the family.
I politely asked the father whether I could sit in the table, and he smiled and nodded.
While waiting for the servant to serve me the meal, I chatted with the family in order to kill time. Though we did not know each other, our conversation was quite enjoyable. Nonetheless, I stayed on alert of the middle-aged man who sat behind me. He still lowered his head and kept mumbling, which horrified me to a certain extent.
A moment later, I had to go to toilet for relieving myself, and unfortunately I met him again.
I hid in a toilet cubicle and heard him mumbling again.
"Why are you so late? I've been waiting for you long. I'll finish my meal and leave if you don't arrive. Strangely, the man sat behind me kept talking to himself all the while, but I have not noticed that he is using a hand-free mobile phone. Maybe he is insane, or..."
I originally did not want to disturb the family from having their family fun; however, I felt that the middle-aged man was somewhat creepy, which made me to associate him with the legend of "fostering infant ghosts" prevalent in Southeast Asia (It is rumored that those who fostered infant ghosts will reserve an empty seat and a set of unused tableware next to him when dining.) I became more frightened when thinking of that legend, so I chose to sit beside the family.
I politely asked the father whether I could sit in the table, and he smiled and nodded.
While waiting for the servant to serve me the meal, I chatted with the family in order to kill time. Though we did not know each other, our conversation was quite enjoyable. Nonetheless, I stayed on alert of the middle-aged man who sat behind me. He still lowered his head and kept mumbling, which horrified me to a certain extent.
A moment later, I had to go to toilet for relieving myself, and unfortunately I met him again.
I hid in a toilet cubicle and heard him mumbling again.
"Why are you so late? I've been waiting for you long. I'll finish my meal and leave if you don't arrive. Strangely, the man sat behind me kept talking to himself all the while, but I have not noticed that he is using a hand-free mobile phone. Maybe he is insane, or..."
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