Chapter 71: Joyful Wedding, Mourning Cry 2
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Yan Shixun’s residence was located in the old city area of Binhai City. It was a small courtyard left to him by his master, Li Chengyun. Due to its age and the lack of occupants over the years, it bore the marks of time.
However, outside the red brick and gray tile house, lush ivy covered the walls, and many flowers that had taken root after floating in on the breeze were blooming in the courtyard. The gray stone slabs in the yard, washed by water, appeared clean and shiny, glistening in the morning sunlight.
It was a rare oasis of leisure and laziness amidst the fast-paced urban life of Binhai, known for its steel and concrete jungle.
After being awakened by Zhang Wubing’s phone call, Yan Shixun squinted his eyes against the bright sun, lost his sleepiness, and simply rolled out of bed. While casually pondering what to eat to fill his stomach in the morning, he brushed his teeth slowly.
A noisy argument erupted outside the small courtyard.
Yan Shixun lazily walked to the door, leaning his tall figure against the door frame. He was half-listening to the commotion outside while his mind was still preoccupied with the location of the next episode that Zhang Wubing had told him.
It seemed to be the elderly auntie from the neighboring house who was complaining loudly about her new tenant, accusing them of not paying the rent promptly even though they had rented the room.
It was a repetitive and fragmented series of complaints that quickly lost Yan Shixun’s interest in what was happening outside. He turned to spit out the foam from his mouth.
But at that moment, a low, resonant male voice filled with a hint of amusement pierced through from outside the courtyard.
“Yan Shixun.”
Yan Shixun’s steps came to a sudden halt. He blinked his eyes, suspecting that he might not be fully awake and had just heard a hallucination. How could he hear the voice of that guy, Ye Li, now? He was at his own home, not in the show, so how could he encounter that guy who was full of mysteries and questions?
“Yan Shixun.”
As if to confirm his doubts, another call came from outside the courtyard, laced with a hint of helplessness and playful banter, like an intimate jest between familiar acquaintances, “Since you’re awake, come out and take a look. If you don’t come and rescue me soon, I might get beaten.”
Yan Shixun: “…..?”
This was really absurd. It was indeed Ye Li!
And what was with the joke? Wasn’t the voice outside just the neighboring aunties and nearby neighbors? Did he really believe they could beat someone who didn’t even dare to reveal his identity? This was the most ridiculous joke he had ever heard.
When Yan Shixun opened the door to the courtyard with an expressionless face, he was met with the stern and handsome face of Ye Li.
The tall and imposing Ye Li was currently surrounded by a group of local aunties from the neighborhood. They were pointing fingers and gossiping, their faces filled with discontent. The neighbor auntie who had spoken earlier and whom Yan Shixun recognized was looking triumphant, accompanied by her group of old friends. They all stared at Ye Li, who appeared cornered and unable to escape.
However, Ye Li didn’t spare them a glance and kept his eyes fixed on the direction of Yan Shixun’s courtyard, focused and oblivious to all the noisy voices around him.
In Yan Shixun’s view, this scene was as ridiculous as a crane standing among chickens.
Yan Shixun：“……”
What’s going on? Had he not fully awakened yet? How could he see such a strange scene?
However, as the gate of the small courtyard was pushed open, Yan Shixun’s figure appeared in his field of vision, and there was a moment of amazement in his eyes.
Yan Shixun still had a bit of foam on the corners of his mouth that he hadn’t wiped away in time. Just having washed his face made his rosy lips look exceptionally moist, tempting one to reach out and touch, to see if the sensation was as soft and cool as imagined.
There was still some moisture on his not completely dried face. In the bright morning sunlight, his skin seemed to shimmer with a translucent and clean beauty. It was unlike the sharp distance he exuded at the Mountain God Temple, where he appeared proud and untamed, capable of cutting people, but now he seemed softer, as if one could reach out and grab him.
Ye Li’s Adam’s apple bobbed up and down. His long, slender fingers, hanging by his side, instinctively curled as if he wanted to touch something.
“You should probably explain why you’re here so early in the morning when it’s not a working time,” Yan Shixun single-handedly propped up the gate, looking at Ye Li in a dazed silence. His lips twitched, finding this situation rather strange.
Moreover, why did he feel like this person had been staring at his face? Did he not rinse off all the foam from his face when he washed it just now?
Yan Shixun raised a skeptical hand and touched his own cheek, but his fingers only encountered a slightly cool and smooth surface.
Ye Li also snapped out of it at Yan Shixun’s voice, a smile returning to his lips. “We can discuss the specific reasons later. Would you like to consider rescuing me first? Yan… Shixun?”
Yan Shixun looked at Ye Li in silence, his gaze going up and down as if to say, “You’re such a big guy, and you’re afraid of those elderly ladies next door? Are you trying to fool me again?”
Ye Li innocently replied, “Should I have fought my way out? But if you were really heartless and didn’t come to rescue me, I might have considered it.”
Yan Shixun: “……Tsk.”
Did he owe Ye Li something?
The familiar and friendly conversation between the two also attracted the attention of the neighborhood aunties. They appeared to have a close relationship, not like ordinary friends or colleagues who maintained distance and politeness. Although Yan Shixun’s tone was less than pleasant, there was an underlying familiarity that friends who could joke with each other possessed.
“Oh? You, it turns out, are a friend of Master Yan!” The leading auntie suddenly realized, and she started scolding Ye Li. “If you had said earlier that you were here to see Master Yan, I wouldn’t have wasted so much time! Hmph! Delaying my trip to the market to buy meat.”
Although he didn’t want to pay much attention to Ye Li, especially since they were not in a TV show or live broadcast right now, he felt like he had no obligation to care about Ye Li’s well-being.
But Yan Shixun still remembered the discomfort and sense of danger that Ye Li inherently brought to him. Until he fully understood Ye Li’s character, he wouldn’t gamble with someone else’s safety.
Especially considering they had been neighbors for so many years, Yan Shixun was well aware that this neighbor auntie wasn’t known for speaking nicely. Now, she had brought so many friends over, it was evident that she intended to use the age card she had previously used to her advantage.
If this woman were truly provoked…
“Mrs. Chen, aren’t you going to buy the meat?” Yan Shixun’s voice turned cold as he addressed his neighbor, “If you don’t go soon, the pork ribs your grandson wants might be sold out.”
“Did Master Yan figure that out again?” The neighbor auntie was somewhat surprised. Although she wanted to complain to Ye Li some more, she felt awkward due to the oppressive feeling Yan Shixun usually gave her. She awkwardly chuckled and dispersed from the circle that had surrounded Ye Li.
“I didn’t know he was Master Yan’s friend. I thought he was some poor guy from a remote village coming to rent my house, not even able to afford the rent. Haha, never mind, since it’s a misunderstanding, there’s nothing more to it. Master Yan, you guys chat. I won’t bother you anymore.”
From the neighbor aunt’s description and reactions, Yan Shixun finally pieced together what had just happened.
It turned out that Ye Li had come to wait outside Yan Shixun’s small courtyard early in the morning. Because the rent here was cheaper in the old city area, and youngsters often came to rent houses. So, when the neighbor aunt, who was preparing to go to the market early in the morning, saw someone standing next to Yan Shixun’s house, she naturally assumed that this person was also here to rent a house. Seeing that Ye Li didn’t look like he didn’t have money, the enthusiastic neighbor aunt casually quoted a high price.
However, Ye Li didn’t say a word throughout the whole process, not even looking at the neighbor aunt directly. This made her a bit angry but also somewhat embarrassed, thinking that Ye Li had realized she was overcharging him.
So, in her state of being upset and embarrassed, the neighbor aunt simply stopped her friends who were going out for morning exercises and to buy groceries and told them the story, painting Ye Li as someone who had no money but still came to rent a house. As a result, seven or eight aunts surrounded Ye Li, giving him a piece of their minds.
Ye Li patiently waited until Yan Shixun woke up before calling out his name.
Yan Shixun: I really want to turn around and go back to my room to continue sleeping, just pretend I didn’t hear any of this.
“Everyone, aren’t you going for morning exercises. not going to buy groceries this morning?”
Yan Shixun’s emotionless gaze scanned the aunties who were staring blankly to the side. This one look seemed to have seen through their thoughts, causing them to hurriedly disperse.
Ye Li, who had been rescued from the encirclement, smiled and walked towards Yan Shixun.
“Mrs. Chen,” Yan Shixun suddenly called out to the neighbor auntie who had already turned to leave, as if casually reminding her, he said, “Collecting scrap and selling it is fine, but make sure you clearly distinguish between what’s really scrap and what someone else needs. Taking someone else’s things incurs karmic consequences, be careful.”
The neighbor auntie’s heart trembled, “Master Yan, how do you know… Master Yan, haven’t you been away recently?”
Yan Shixun had only mentioned it in passing, considering they had been neighbors for so many years. He didn’t intend to say much more. After all, there was no specific request from the neighbor, and saying too much might bring unnecessary karma upon himself.
So he didn’t pay further attention to the neighbor auntie. Seeing that the dispute had been resolved, he was about to close the door back.
However, Ye Li acted swiftly, taking advantage of the few seconds when Yan Shixun was preparing to close the door, he slipped into the courtyard through the crack in the door.
Yan Shixun: “? What’s wrong with you? Coming uninvited?”
Ye Li, on the other hand, calmly surveyed the courtyard, and his gaze, filled with a smile, eventually landed on Yan Shixun. He said, “Well, even though I’m not here to rent a room, what they said is somewhat accurate. I don’t have a place to stay.”
Originally, Yan Shixun had been patiently listening, but he noticed that Ye Li’s words came to a halt halfway through, so he asked in confusion, “So?”
What did this have to do with him? Why was he telling him these things, seeking comfort?
“So, I came to borrow money from you. The recent events made me realize that maybe renting a place next door to your house wouldn’t be a bad idea,” Ye Li said with a smile. “Didn’t you mention hiring an assistant? I think I could apply for the position, as long as you cover my rent.”
Yan Shixun raised his hand expressionlessly and pointed to the door. “The door is over there. Walk out yourself.”
“Borrow money? I’m as broke as you are. Why would you think of me for that?” Yan Shixun chuckled. “If you want to borrow money, you should go find Zhang Wubing. I just donated all my money and emptied my bank account. Do you have some kind of misunderstanding about me?”
After returning from Wild Wolf Peak, Yan Shixun donated his entire fee from Zhang Wubing to the official organization, specifying that it should be used for the ecological restoration project on Wild Wolf Peak.
When An Nanyuan, who had now become one of Yan Shixun’s devoted fans, heard about this, he followed suit and donated his fee to the official organization. The other guests, imitating him to some extent, also donated some money.
As a result, Yan Shixun’s savings were reset. And the money he had saved up after participating in two seasons of the show dwindled once again.
—This was also one of the reasons why Yan Shixun remained poor despite all these years.
In theory, many masters who practice Feng Shui and fortune-telling can earn a lot of money simply by being available; people will come to them and willingly offer payment for their services.
However, from the moment Yan Shixun left his late master Li Chengyun, he never provided Feng Shui or fortune-telling services to anyone. He specialized in exorcism and ghost-catching. Moreover, most of the people who managed to find their way to him were already in dire straits, and he only charged them what he believed to be a fair price based on karma, never seeking to make extra money.
Even the money he did earn often went to help those who sought his assistance or others he encountered in need. As a result, over the years, Yan Shixun had never managed to save much money, just enough for his basic living expenses.
But he didn’t attach much importance to wealth.
Despite Yan Shixun’s refusal, Ye Li was not the least bit offended. Instead, he seemed as if he had anticipated this response. He strode toward the small house with long strides, leaned against the door frame, and pointed inside to a room that had clearly been empty for a long time. With a smile, he asked Yan Shixun, “If that’s the case, how about letting me stay here for a few days?”
Yan Shixun couldn’t help but chuckle at this audacious request. “You’re really not being polite at all. Do we know each other well? Why should I lend you money or let you stay here? Aren’t you an assistant director? Go find Zhang Wubing.”
“No, I’m afraid,” Ye Li replied without changing his expression. “I heard from people at Haiyun Temple that the director’s fate in attracting ghosts. I’m afraid of being affected by it if I stay near him. I feel safer staying with you.”
Yan Shixun: “……Next time you lie, try to make it more convincing. Don’t claim to be scared of ghosts while keeping a completely blank expression on your face. Thanks.”
Ye Li, having been exposed by Yan Shixun, remained unfazed and replied casually, “Well, we’ve worked together for some time. Yan Shixun, can you bear to see me being homeless? I have nowhere else to go, so I’ll just squat at your doorstep. I hope I won’t disturb the nearby residents too much. If they get scared by me at night, it’s not my fault. After all, even my one and only somewhat familiar friend refused to take me in.”
Yan Shixun couldn’t help but laugh in exasperation. “Is your shamelessness made of steel? Since when did we become friends? I must have missed that part.”
“Back when we were camping at Wild Wolf Peak, I noticed that you don’t seem to be good at cooking,” Ye Li didn’t continue arguing with Yan Shixun but instead smoothed things over and gave himself an escape route, “If the kind Mr. Yan is willing to temporarily accommodate me for a few days, I can help you with cooking. While I may not be a professional chef, I can manage, and consider it a way to pay for my accommodation, how about that?”
Yan Shixun had originally intended to continue speaking but abruptly stopped, the words stuck in his throat.
He scrutinized Ye Li suspiciously, feeling that he didn’t look like someone who could cook. No, it would be more accurate to say that he didn’t look like someone living in the mortal world at all. He lacked any trace of human aura, as if he had just returned from the Arctic.
Cooking?
Was he being fooled?
Ye Li allowed Yan Shixun to scrutinize him without a hint of discomfort and proposed with a smile, “Since you’re so curious, why not give it a try? You surely don’t want me to scare the elderly in the neighborhood.”
Yan Shixun smirked, “If you scare someone to death, how will the karma be calculated? Will it be considered an indirect cause by me? Because it sounds like if I don’t take you in, you might go out and scare people.”
Seeing that Yan Shixun was wavering, Ye Li seized the opportunity and continued, “It’s only for two days. Once the program recording starts, I’ll leave.”
With Ye Li presenting various arguments, Yan Shixun reluctantly agreed. After all, having this enigmatic and potentially dangerous individual nearby seemed safer than sending him out into the world where he could cause trouble.
If he hadn’t seen it, it would have been one thing, but since he had seen it, he couldn’t just ignore it.
“Fine.”
Yan Shixun finally relented, and the muscles that had just tensed up relaxed. He pointed to the room that had been vacant for years and said, “The room is over there. Clean it yourself; I absolutely won’t help you with the housework. If you can’t accept that, then leave.”
Ye Li didn’t give Yan Shixun time to change his mind and immediately agreed.
Only Yan Shixun, who was preparing to return to his room, felt that something was amiss.
How had he inexplicably taken in a person? Where had things gone wrong?
“Have you had breakfast? This isn’t the time for the living to have breakfast, is it?” Successfully getting himself accommodated, Ye Li sat on a stone bench in the courtyard with a good mood, keenly picking up the distant voices of street vendors selling breakfast.
So, to both ease the atmosphere and divert Yan Shixun’s thoughts from what had just happened, and to care for his digestive system, Ye Li suggested going out for breakfast.
“There really isn’t any food at home.”
Yan Shixun thought for a moment. After the last episode’s journey to the Wild Wolf Peak had ended, he had just returned to Binhai City. However, he was dragged to the Haiyun Temple by Taoist Li of the Haiyun Temple, who wanted to catch up and inquire about the situation of his master, Li Chengyun. Because he couldn’t refuse the elder, Yan Shixun had to stay at the Haiyun Temple for several days before he could find an excuse to leave when there were activities at the temple. He had only returned home yesterday, and the kitchen was empty, with nothing but water.
So he agreed to Ye Li’s suggestion and prepared to change his clothes before taking Ye Li out for breakfast.
Conveniently, there was a very delicious traditional breakfast stall nearby in Binhai City. He had been a frequent customer there ever since he started living here with his master. It had been more than a decade.
After being away from home for a while, Yan Shixun had not tasted these familiar flavors for a long time. He hadn’t thought about it, but now that it was mentioned, he did miss that taste a bit.
As Yan Shixun spoke and contemplated, Ye Li’s gaze remained fixed on him, captivated by his stunning beauty, unable to look away.
Compared to the arrogant and sharp image he had seen of Yan Shixun at Wild Wolf Peak, the Yan Shixun at home dressed in loose, casual white short sleeves and sports shorts. His hair, not yet styled, was slightly messy, scattered across his forehead, adding a touch of lazy and soft beauty.
Just like the autumn sunlight at this moment, warm yet not glaring, it was only comfortable, making people want to be surrounded by the sunlight and feel this happiness forever.
Because it was early autumn, the temperature was just right. Yan Shixun had opened the bedroom window slightly when he went to bed last night because the house had been empty for a while with poor air circulation. He was woken up this morning by Zhang Wubing’s phone call and, not fully awake yet, before he saw Ye Li outside in the yard, so he didn’t have time to close the window.
At this moment, because Yan Shixun was lost in thought and in the comfort of his own home, he didn’t pay attention to this small detail and proceeded to change his clothes in the bedroom with the window still open.
As Yan Shixun absentmindedly raised the hem of his white short-sleeved shirt with both hands, he revealed his smoothly contoured and well-built upper body.
Although his strength far exceeded that of an ordinary person, his muscles were not overly thick or unsightly, not the result of rigorous gym workouts. Instead, they were the real muscles honed through countless encounters with ghosts and battles with death over a long period of time. These muscles were built not for show but for killing ghosts, exuding a sense of strength, beauty, and explosive power.
Sitting in the yard, Ye Li, who was originally calm and composed, suddenly widened his eyes. In his long millennia of existence, his emotions were rarely so clearly displayed. Even his stern expression momentarily broke, revealing a fleeting lapse in composure.
Sunlight streamed through the window and illuminated Yan Shixun’s shoulders.
Between light and shadow, he appeared as if a sculptor had dedicated his entire life to creating the most perfect masterpiece. He possessed the hardness of iron and stone, combined with the softness and vitality of the flesh, along with the fine texture of his skin.
The perfect fusion of strength and gentleness, light and darkness, carved out the most heart-stirring creation.
Ye Li stood still, his eyes fixed on Yan Shixun through the window without blinking. In his originally dark and lifeless eyes, a fiery light ignited.
This window seemed like the divide between yin and yang. In this moment, it appeared so fragile, as if he could simply reach out and gently push it aside. Then, he could grasp Yan Shixun’s shoulder and feel the soft and delicate touch beneath his palm.
It was the warmth of a living human, the power and beauty possessed by an exorcist of the mortal realm. It made him uncontrollably want to get closer, to stay by his side, and never to let go…
“What are you thinking?”
Yan Shixun stood in front of Ye Li, blocking the sunlight that fell on him. He saw that this person seemed completely lost in thought, lost in his own world. There was not even a flicker of reaction when he waved his hand in front of him.
He raised an eyebrow, somewhat puzzled, and asked, “Didn’t you suggest going for breakfast? Did you changed your mind?”
“Well, alright. I’ll go by myself. I can save the money I would have spent on your meal.”
With that, Yan Shixun didn’t wait any longer. He simply walked past Ye Li, brushing shoulders with him, and headed towards the gate of the courtyard.
Ye Li instinctively reached out, his icy-cold hand without any warmt holding onto Yan Shixun’s wrist. His gaze remained in a contemplative state, not yet fully aware but already reacting subconsciously to Yan Shixun’s attempt to leave. He grabbed Yan Shixun’s wrist, refusing to let him go.
Several moments passed before Ye Li slowly blinked his raven-like eyelashes and suddenly came to his senses.
“Let’s go,” his gaze slid from his hand holding Yan Shixun’s wrist, and he stood up naturally, walking alongside Yan Shixun while still holding onto his wrist, unwilling to let go.
Yan Shixun gave him a wordless glance. “Let go. Are you a three-year-old kid needing to hold hand going to the toilet together?”
Ye Li showed no embarrassment and promptly released his hand, stepping within Yan Shixun’s tolerable boundaries.
……
Because this small courtyard was the house where Li Chengyun lived when he was young, decades had passed, and it had become a true old urban area. Elderly people and children lived leisurely in the area, giving it a strong atmosphere of everyday life.
After daybreak, the elderly, who had little sleep, got up early to go to the market to select their favorite fresh ingredients. The breakfast stalls by the street had also set up early, bustling with activity like busy hands kneading dough. Calls, conversations, and the sound of bicycles mixed together, creating a lively symphony that served as an alarm clock, waking up many people naturally.
Because Yan Shixun and Ye Li came out early, there weren’t too many people at the breakfast stalls, as many were still heading to work or school.
After Yan Shixun greeted the owner at the entrance, he naturally sat down in the shop and ordered breakfast for both himself and Ye Li.
Since he had nothing better to do, Yan Shixun casually chatted with Ye Li when they arrived, indirectly learning about Ye Li’s background and assessing his level of danger.
Once Yan Shixun found out that Ye Li wasn’t from Binhai City and had a preference for Central Plains cuisine, he naturally took charge of ordering, assuring Ye Li that he wouldn’t be disappointed by the traditional Binhai City breakfast.
“Although I haven’t tried it yet, I already know I won’t be disappointed,” Ye Li whispered as he watched Yan Shixun greeting the people around him as if he were familiar with everyone. His soft words were drowned out by the noisy street: “With you here, how could I possibly be disappointed…”
It was unclear whether the disappointment he referred to was regarding the breakfast Yan Shixun mentioned, the world Yan Shixun inhabited, or Yan Shixun himself.
“Mr. Yan, are you here to have a meal with your friend?” The owner, who had a respectful attitude towards Yan Shixun, wiped his hands on his apron and brought over the breakfast.
“It’s been a while since I saw Mr. Yan. Did you go help someone again? Mr. Yan, you seem quite busy; it feels like you haven’t had much time to rest.”
Yan Shixun exchanged a few words with the owner and then noticed that the shop seemed busier today. He realized that there was one less person working.
In the past, the stall was run by the husband and wife together, with one preparing food and the other handling payments and cleaning tables. Today, however, only the owner was present, making him appear particularly busy and overwhelmed.
“Where’s the boss lady? I haven’t seen her today,” Yan Shixun casually inquired, a form of social politeness.
However, the owner, who had been using his apron to wipe his hands, suddenly paused, as if Yan Shixun had touched upon a sore subject.
“Hua’er, Hua’er,” he forced a smile, which seemed strained. Though he was smiling, it looked more like he was crying. “She, She’s not feeling well today.”
Yan Shixun, who initially hadn’t paid much attention, immediately looked up from his breakfast to the owner.
The owner appeared anxious and hesitant, repeatedly wiping his hands with his apron. His apron corners were twisted with small wrinkles. He glanced at Yan Shixun, his eyes filled with both trepidation and hope.
He seemed afraid to explain further but also sought help from Yan Shixun.
Sensing something amiss, Yan Shixun furrowed his brows.
However, before Yan Shixun could ask any questions, someone else entered through the door and loudly placed an order. The owner quickly responded and hastily told Yan Shixun, “Mr. Yan, please enjoy your meal,” before hurrying over to attend to the new customer.
Watching the owner’s busy figure and his forced smile, Yan Shixun took his time to lower his head again. He calmly picked up a pair of disposable chopsticks, broke them apart, and rubbed the tiny wood splinters between them to avoid hurting his hands.
Ye Li, who was experiencing this kind of environment for the first time, had also started to taste the food. However, he glanced at Yan Shixun’s expression beside him and knew that Yan Shixun had already sensed something.
The delicious pan-fried buns were plump and round, evenly pleated, with a beautiful golden hue after being fried. They were garnished with scallions, making them look very appealing and tempting.
But as soon as Yan Shixun took a bite, he paused.
The taste was different from what he was accustomed to. Today’s pan-fried buns didn’t taste right.
It wasn’t that they were bad, but it felt as if the cook had made them half-heartedly, with a mind full of anxiety. Consequently, this state of mind had been kneaded into the dough along with the ingredients. Due to the chef’s absent-mindedness, even the proportions of the ingredients were incorrect, resulting in a dish that lacked harmony.
“There’s a taste of death in this food.”
After Yan Shixun put down his chopsticks, Ye Li also stopped eating. He lowered his gaze to the plate of pan-fried buns, and his eyes showed a hint of chill, as if he had seen through everything.
“Not feeling well? What kind of discomfort is it?” Yan Shixun snorted, not easily fooled by the owner’s excuses.
He turned to look at Ye Li beside him. “I mentioned bringing you to try the most authentic local breakfast, but it seems I misspoke today. Perhaps another day.”
“If you have urgent matters, you can leave first. I’ll wait here for the owner,” Yan Shixun’s lips curled into a smile. “I’m curious about the nature of his wife’s discomfort.”
Ye Li went along with it. “I have plenty of free time. I’ll keep you company.”
Meanwhile, the busy owner, who had been bustling around due to the increasing customer flow, occasionally cast anxious and apprehensive glances in Yan Shixun’s direction. He seemed worried that Yan Shixun would leave but also feared that Yan Shixun might discern something unusual and wanted him to depart.
As Yan Shixun and his companion slowly finished their breakfast and remained seated, waiting, the owner couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief. However, a look of concern appeared in his eyes.
After finally getting through the morning rush, the sun was now high in the sky.
The owner collected payment from one customer and quickly turned to look toward the corner where Yan Shixun was sitting.
He initially had a pleasantly surprised expression, but he hesitated, not saying what he had originally intended. Instead, he asked, “Mr. Yan, why are you still here? Was the breakfast portion not enough for you….”
“What happened to your wife?”
Yan Shixun suddenly spoke, interrupting the owner’s words. “Many years ago, I helped your wife ward off evil spirits. You should know that you can’t hide anything from me. I can figure things out.”
“Hua’er, there’s nothing wrong with Hua’er…” The owner had originally intended to make light of the situation with a laugh, but when he met Yan Shixun’s gaze, he faltered.
He seemed to be crushed by the sudden bad news, and his shoulders drooped as if his spirit had been completely deflated. The once spirited man had curled up into a small bundle, as if instinctively trying to protect himself. He hugged his head with both arms, his face contorted in pain, tears welled up in his eyes.
“Mr. Yan, I don’t know what to do,” the owner’s eyes were red, his voice trembling. “Hua’er is in a terrible state, but I can’t talk to anyone, and I’m afraid to seek help. I’m at my wit’s end, but I can’t just watch Hua’er like this. I… I…”
“Don’t worry, take your time,” Yan Shixun reached for a plastic stool nearby and placed it next to the boss, signaling him to sit down and calm down before continuing.
The owner sat down, trembling hands, and took a moment to regain his composure. However, his eyes were still red, and he looked fearful, clearly not in a good state.
“Mr. Yan, as you know, my wife and I… we come from humble backgrounds,” the owner smiled bitterly. The fear and anxiety he had before gradually subsided after seeing Yan Shixun, as if he had found a refuge and could now speak more calmly. He began to explain what had happened to their family recently.
The owner’s last name was Yang, and his full name was Yang Guang. His wife was called Yang Hua. The two of them belonged to the same ancestral lineage, but they had come to the old city of Binhai decades ago to make a living. As their household registration had some issues, they could only settle in the old city, where inspections weren’t as strict. They earned their living by running a breakfast stall.
Although their life was tough, the couple was content and happy. They seemed to have gone through hardships in their youth, and they were not afraid of hard work. Even if they had to wake up early every day, they didn’t complain. They would often respond with a smile when asked why, saying that they loved being the first to see the sun every morning. It made them feel alive.
However, in the past two weeks, Yang Guang had noticed that his wife, Yang Hua, had become increasingly paranoid. She would often wake up in the middle of the night, screaming and grabbing his hand, claiming that she saw ghosts and urging him to drive the ghosts away. But when Yang Guang looked around, there was nothing in the darkness except their furniture; there were no ghosts as she described.
After his wife had calmed down a bit, Yang Guang felt guilty for waking her up, especially considering that they needed to wake up very early to prepare their breakfast stall, and sleep time was precious. Yang Guang initially thought that his wife was just under a lot of stress. He comforted her and they went back to sleep.
However, not long after, his wife suddenly sat up in bed again, shouting in fear. She was drenched in sweat and looked terrified. She told Yang Guang that she had seen her sister in her dream, her sister who had passed away decades ago. In the dream, her sister was covered in blood and tears, saying that she was in pain and begged her to save her.
Hearing this, Yang Guang’s heart sank. But he tried to stay strong, comforting his wife and explaining that dreams were often the opposite of reality, and her sister was in a better place now.
After that day, his wife woke up in a fright every night, claiming that she had dreamt of her sister crying out to her for help. While trying to reassure his wife, Yang Guang went to Haiyun Temple to obtain a protective talisman, which he secretly hung above their bed, hoping it would ward off any unclean spirits that might be bothering his wife.
However, despite being the most effective talisman from Haiyun Temple, it had absolutely no effect.
His wife’s condition worsened. It wasn’t just at night; even during the day, she would suddenly widen her eyes, pointing at people in the street and claiming that she saw her sister standing beside them, covered in blood, with disheveled hair and silent tears, watching her.
Fear and heartache overwhelmed his wife, and her mental state quickly deteriorated. Even while standing at their breakfast stall during the day, she would suddenly stare wide-eyed and point at people in the crowd, insisting that her sister was standing next to someone, silently watching her.
Unable to find a solution, Yang Guang had no choice but to let his wife stay at home. He would rush back home as soon as he finished his work at the breakfast stall, tirelessly comforting her and reassuring her that her sister was in a better place. He told her that he went every year to offer incense and burn paper for her sister, so she shouldn’t worry.
However, Yang Guang knew deep down that he needed to find a master to help his wife with her situation.
However, Yan Shixun, who had helped them before, was not at home. He didn’t dare to approach anyone else, so he could only anxiously mull over the situation and try to come up with a solution on his own.
It wasn’t until Yan Shixun appeared at the breakfast stall.
After silently listening to the owner’s words, Yan Shixun asked coldly, “Then why didn’t you speak up earlier? If you had said this just now, I would have helped you instead of hesitating and concealing it like before. When I asked, you seemed to want to hide it from me.”
The owner gave a bitter smile, glanced around to make sure there was no one else nearby, and then leaned in closer, speaking in a hushed voice, “Mr. Yan, I didn’t dare to speak up. I was afraid, afraid that you would harm Hua’er…”
Yan Shixun raised an eyebrow, leaned back slightly, and looked at the owner with a surprised and questioning expression. “You make it sound like I’m some kind of homicidal maniac.”
“No, no, that’s not what I meant.”
The owner quickly waved his hand, hesitated for a moment, and then lowered his voice to Yan Shixun. “My wife, Hua’er, can’t be seen by anyone or exposed to sunlight now. It’s as if she’s possessed by her sister’s spirit. Because of this, the protective talismans I got from Haiyun Temple are completely ineffective. It’s like she’s treating that spirit as if it were Hua’er. So, I’m worried that you might try to exorcise the ghost and end up killing Hua’er. That’s why I didn’t dare to seek your help.”
“After the incident, I thought of you right away, but you weren’t at home at the time, and I couldn’t reach you on your phone. So I had no choice but to wait, praying that you would come back soon. But as time passed, I noticed that Hua’er’s condition was getting worse. One day, after I came back from the breakfast stall, Hua’er suddenly stopped having nightmares, and she didn’t point to the corners of our home anymore, saying that her sister was standing there watching her.”
“She asked me, ‘Sister doesn’t know how I died. Could it be that you don’t know? After all these years, you never thought about helping me? Have you forgotten what you promised when you asked me to take sister away?’ She even said that if I couldn’t fulfill what I promised her back then, she would… she would take Hua’er away as punishment for my breach of contract. That’s why I didn’t dare to seek help from other masters, and I hesitated about whether to ask for your help.”
Yan Shixun understood what had been happening in the owner’s family recently. He spoke in a calm tone, “Since it’s the spirit of a deceased person manifesting and making clear demands, you can simply fulfill those demands to send her away. You mentioned that your wife’s sister has been dead for decades? The fact that she can still linger in the mortal realm and possess the living suggests that she had unresolved grievances before her death. These lingering grievances are keeping her here.”
“What exactly did you promise her back then? Why are you so afraid of her taking your wife away and yet unwilling to seek help or fulfill your promise?”
Karma operates on its own without the need for others to intervene.
If, as the owner suggested, the current situation originated from promises the owner made to the other party decades ago, then it’s the owner’s family’s karma, and Yan Shixun won’t interfere.
Seeing Yan Shixun’s refusal, the owner became increasingly anxious. “Mr. Yan, it’s not that I don’t want to fulfill my promise; it’s just impossible now!”
“You see, both Hua’er and I come from villages to the south. Although we share the same Yang family name and ancestry, we’re from neighboring villages separated by a big mountain. Our village has been influenced by outsiders due to the road being built nearby, and many customs have changed subtly. However, Hua’er’s village is deep in the mountains, relatively isolated, and their customs remain significantly different.”
As he spoke about the past, the owner’s expression became pained, as if mere recollection caused him great distress.
“In Hua’er’s village, the preference for boys over girls was very strong, especially since Hua’er’s family had only two daughters. Life was tough in their village due to this. The clan leader even claimed that Hua’er’s family had done something wrong, angering the land god and causing them to have no sons. He said that only by sacrificing these two girls to the land god to appease its anger could their family have sons.”
“At that time, Hua’er and I were deeply in love and wanted to get married in the coming spring. I learned from the village head that since Hua’er was already an adult, their village decided to sacrifice Hua’er to the land and bring in another boy. I was anxious, so I went over the mountains to find Hua’er, hoping to take her away overnight. I also begged Hua’er’s little sister, Yang Duo, to help us by providing cover, so we could escape safely without being discovered by the villagers. Since Yang Duo was several years younger than Hua’er and not yet of age, her situation was relatively safer.”
“Yang Duo agreed, but she made a condition. She said that after I took Hua’er away and settled her outside, I would have to return to take her away too. She said she felt that the clan leader had been looking at her strangely recently, which scared her. After hearing about the village’s plans for Hua’er, she was afraid she might face the same fate and wanted to escape from the village as soon as possible.”
“I agreed to Yang Duo’s condition. That night, under the cover of darkness, I took Hua’er and left. We traveled north until we were out of the range of our village where our fellow villagers were. It wasn’t until we reached Binhai City that we dared to stop temporarily. We thought that in a big city, even if we encountered our fellow villagers trying to take us back, we could seek help from the authorities. I didn’t forget my promise to her. After settling Hua’er down, I quickly returned alone, intending to bring Yang Duo out of the village as well. But…”
The owner’s expression turned sad and sorrowful for a moment. The fear and resentment in his eyes didn’t seem directed at his wife’s sister but rather at the village from his past and the scenes he had witnessed.
“Yang Duo, she died.”
The owner spoke softly, “The little sister, who was only fourteen years old at that time, had died.”
Back then, when Yang Guang rushed back to the vicinity of the village, he refrained from entering the village due to his understanding of the village’s overly closed and traditional customs.
He hid in a dilapidated thatched hut in his own village and found an old friend he had grown up with, hoping to learn about what had happened since he left with Yang Hua.
His friend became angry and slapped Yang Guang when he heard about his escape, accusing him of causing misery to Yang Hua and their family.
Shocked, Yang Guang quickly learned from his friend what had happened in the time after he fled with Yang Hua. The villagers had soon discovered the incident.
The enraged clan leader believed it was an act of sacrilege against the land god, a sign of disrespect to the land god. What might have been appeased with a single sacrifice now required more offerings.
Under the clan leader’s orders, Yang Hua’s grandmother, mother, and her sister, the remaining three females from their family, were taken to the ancestral hall by the furious villagers.
After confessing and seeking forgiveness from their ancestors and the land god, without exception, all three women were placed in coffins and buried alive under the earth inside the ancestral hall as offerings to the land god.
Upon hearing his friend’s account, Yang Guang went mad and rushed into Yang Hua’s village, sneaking in under the cover of darkness.
However, their home was eerily quiet.
The cheerful grandmother, who used to greet him with laughter every time he visited, was gone. The house was empty. Yang Hua’s mother’s belongings were strewn in the yard, with half of them burned and reduced to ashes, emitting a foul odor.
As for Yang Duo, the little girl he had promised to rescue, she had vanished without a trace.
In the empty house, the only sound was the loud snores of a man echoing through the night, weighing heavily on Yang Guang’s heart like a leaden block.
Following the location his friend had mentioned, Yang Guang made his way to the ancestral hall. He was desperately searching, as if he couldn’t wait to grasp at any miracle within the area described by his friend, hoping to rescue Yang Hua’s family.
However, the newly turned soil had not been compacted yet, making it easy for Yang Guang to scrape it away. What was revealed beneath was three coffins tightly nailed shut, and inside, there was no sign of life.
Yang Guang wept as he desperately smashed the coffins with nearby farm tools. However, aided by the faint moonlight, all he could see inside the coffins were the lifeless bodies of Yang Duo.
She was dressed in a red bridal gown, adorned with beautiful jewelry, resembling a bride for the land god.
However, for her, all these things that a bride would find beautiful and hopeful meant suffering and death.
Her carefully styled hair and jewelry were in disarray, her clothes were stained with blood. She looked disheveled and filthy.
The inside of the coffin was covered in scratch marks made by fingernails, and Yang Duo’s ten fingers were so worn that only bones remained.
Even when Yang Guang broke open the coffin, Yang Duo remained in a desperate posture, trying to lift the lid and escape.
However, her once large and lively eyes had lost all signs of life. The beautiful and spirited eyes of the past had turned into cloudy and dim glass orbs.
Only resentment remained, still vivid.
Yang Guang cried uncontrollably. He had initially wanted to take Yang Duo’s body away, even if he couldn’t take her away while alive, he couldn’t leave her in a place she disliked, suffering.
However, the sound of Yang Guang breaking the coffin alarmed the villagers, and they came out to investigate.
Helplessly, Yang Guang had no choice but to leave on his own.
“When I returned, I didn’t want Hua’er to know about her sister’s death, but Hua’er dreamed about it. She said her sister had said goodbye to her. There was no way around it, so I had to tell Hua’er that there was a serious illness in the village, and her sister had died from it.”
The owner clutched his head in agony and told Yan Shixun, “Hua’er knows the customs of their village, so she never mentioned wanting to go back to visit her sister’s grave. I lied to her. She doesn’t know how her sister looked when she died; she only thinks her sister died peacefully in her sleep… those people! They’re uncivilized beasts!”
“Mr. Yan, tell me, how can I fulfill the agreement with Yang Duo now? I… I can’t take her out of the village.”
Tears streaming down the owner’s face.
Yan Shixun listened in silence and then came up with an idea. “Let’s go to your house together to see your wife’s condition. I’ll help you. I accept your request.”
“Which village is your wife’s hometown?” Yan Shixun asked.
“It’s Wangzi Village. Our village is on the other side of the mountain, called Jia Village.”
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