Chapter Thirteen: Treading on Lotus, Secret Duel

  "It's all right now, isn't it? I was worried." It was Li Yan's voice.

  I whispered: "It's all right now, Daozhang has come and gone, why didn't you come to save me just now?" As I spoke, I looked around, wanting to find Li Yan, a kind of inexplicable worry in my heart.

  "Don't make any sudden movements, or your friends will think you're acting strange. I'm not by your side right now, this is a message from afar. Just now, Qing Shan Dao Zhang told me that it's not that I didn't want to come, but I couldn't come. Last time you pleaded on my behalf and our Zheng Ling Men Zun Zhu praised me at the Zheng Ling Da Fa Hui, saying that I possess the Zheng Ling spirit, can adapt to changing circumstances, and have done well. He is currently promoting me to the sixth level of spiritual ascension, which is inseparable from us. We are nine levels in total, much stronger than half-spirit. After mastering the Night Escape method, you'll be able to find me whenever you want. Don't bother me, okay?"

  Li Yan's words were like a gentle breeze, soft and whispery, making my entire heart feel itchy, what the hell is this, human-ghost dialogue? It's clearly a KTV soft girl confessing her emotions.

  I smiled and said: "Then why can you talk to me? You haven't looked at me for so many days, not good, be careful I'll spank your butt."

  "Hmph, you're so bad, be careful I'll report you to Dao Zhang. You're always on my mind, of course I can talk to you." Li Yan's words became even more seductive, the goosebumps on my skin stood up, damn, my desire is surging.

  "What's wrong with you? Don't joke around, your hand is freezing cold, I don't dare to climb on you." I was joking on purpose, but actually it was a moment of shock, how could I have been on the back of a ghost? The back of his neck was also icy cold.

  "My heart is racing, I love the way you look so scared. I don't like it when you're all fierce and bloodthirsty, it's as if you want to devour people. Don't forget, back at the entrance of our village, didn't you give me a drop of your spiritual blood? My body is flowing with your blood, don't do anything bad, I know everything, hehe!" Li Yan's soft laughter was like a gentle brush stroking my heart, oh heavens, even if she were a ghost, I fear that my current feelings would still make me rush to her without care. My heart feels at ease, it turns out that old saying is true after all, everything has its cause and effect. Thinking back to the encounter with the drop of spiritual blood at the entrance of our village, this really is fate."

  "Don't be so reckless in the future, I'll always be by your side. Now I have to go and help the master beg for his life. Aren't you going to Nan Village? Be careful, don't make me worry." It was a gentle farewell between husband and wife, long overdue, that brought warmth to my heart. The love between humans and ghosts is indeed less selfish and more pure than some people in this world today.

  Soft words went far away, but it was discovered that a pair of old eyes stared at me in horror.

  Lao Qian stared at me with his eyes and asked, "What's wrong with you? You're going to Nan Village, are you crazy? You're frowning and smiling by yourself, these past few days I've been seeing ghosts, have you lost your soul?"

  "Honorable sir, our great supervisor, isn't it forbidden for me to think about soft little sisters?"

  "I was wrong, I've let you down. Hurry up and pack, we'll set off early tomorrow. Sunzi's head will be chopped off if he asks for leave again, his mother's hair has turned green with worry. This time, I must make him change back to being a supporting actor. Since we're going on a business trip, let's get things done first." Old Qian said gruffly while packing up.

  "I was still thinking about that 60 yuan meal allowance, I didn't want to think about Zhang Er's widow anymore." I said as I walked out the door.

  "Damn it, come pick me up on time tomorrow morning and I won't go to the company," said Old Qian.

  I took another peek inside Old Qian's house and everything seemed normal. The copper bell in my bosom also didn't ring, so I felt relieved.

  Old Qian saw me like this and said: "No sister, grass."

  Am I saying one person is not afraid?

  Lao Qian said that night I'll find someone to accompany me on the road.

  I've said enough, I have to go out early tomorrow morning, so take a good rest tonight.

  Old Qian hummed. I was actually worried about this guy, and as before, he would bump into something unclean again, and that would be a bad thing.

  Fortunately, the next morning, I heard a horn blowing downstairs, and Old Qian hurried down, looking as oily and smooth as ever, seemingly nothing had happened, and I felt relieved.

  All the way was uneventful, only Old Qian muttered to himself, "I'm telling you, that little girl's waist has gotten thinner again!"

  I gave him a white eye, focused on driving, and only said: "A widow, if she gets fat, that's the strange thing."

  Lao Qian chuckled and smiled. This guy, with a knife hanging from his neck, still wouldn't forget this matter.

  Entering the south village, a piece of scorching heat. It's really like what our teacher said in class when we were young, "Human beings can conquer nature". This is just one month, and the construction site has already become a boiling pot. The two hills that we saw before have now become a construction site, with workers busy as if they are racing against time. The original low-lying area was surrounded by thin mist and lush greenery, but now it's black soil accompanied by yellow soil, with human energy surging to the sky.

  We went straight to the home of Village Chief Zhao Cai. We have experience with this, whether it's a road or a bridge, if there isn't one we'll build one, because these are all rural areas. So actually, we have the most contact with the smallest officials in China - the village chiefs. It's very important to go visit first, and in our line of work, this is called "paying respects". If you don't do it right, you might get into trouble on someone else's turf. Generally, we'll prepare some cigarettes and wine as a gift, explain the situation, treat them like people, and basically won't cause too much trouble. We all pay by the book, so as long as they don't cause us any problems, that's fine. If there are any unpleasant matters, we'll help smooth things over.

  Zhao was over forty years old, dark and thin, with a mouthful of big yellow teeth, always smoking.

  He was very pleased and quickly shook hands with me and Old Qian, saying: "Welcome, welcome! Repairing bridges and roads is a great virtue!"

  It started well. I and Old Qian brought out cigarettes and wine. Zhao Cai pushed back, saying: "The town meeting has already begun, this is a political task, they will support you."

  Old Qian said with a sly tone: "Just consider yourself as my younger brother coming to visit your older brother, eat and drink whatever you want. When you're hungry or thirsty, just come find me."

  In one sentence, Zhao Cai's eyes narrowed into a slit. Old Qian was experienced and with one move, he made our relationship very harmonious.

  Lao Qian said: "Brother, we came to see it before, but at that time it wasn't finalized yet, so we didn't disturb you. This time it's settled, and we'll be staying at Zhang Dami's house in the southernmost part. What do you think, brother?"

  Zhao Cai frowned slightly and said: "There's something even better, can't you stay?"

  Lao Qian said: "It's close by, convenient, and besides, it's just her alone, spacious, mainly because there are no outsiders, confidential, we understand this line of work."

  Zhao Cai nodded and said: "As you wish, I won't take you there."

  I and Old Qian both shook our heads. Zhao Cai said: "Okay, if there's anything, just look for me."

  I bid farewell to Lao Qian and Zhao Cai, feeling happy and having a good start. I rushed straight to Zhang Er's widow's house. Actually, I had another thought in mind, which Lao Qian didn't know about. As Daozhang said, this is indeed a trap, and there's no escape from it - one has to face the consequences of being caught.

  Arrived at Zhang's widow's house, everything was as usual. I took a close look at the green plants in the courtyard, which were still the same, with light white mist rising from them occasionally, and I wasn't surprised. The door was still half-closed, and there was no one inside the courtyard.

  Lao Qian walked forward and knocked on the door, "Big sister, big sister, we're here."

  The door opened slightly and Zhang Er's widow came out with a smile all over her face. "Ah, you've arrived! Come in quickly and take a seat."

  I could clearly feel that she was a bit unnatural when looking at me. I knew the reason, last time we said some words, especially the last sentence, "We won't come, don't go find us", this was my implicit warning to her. The gossip tree in her courtyard is probably something even she doesn't know about, it's none of her business. But she really didn't go find us, still keeping her promise, so I kept smiling at her.

  Inside the house, the furnishings were the same as before. The portrait of her late husband still hung in the middle, with incense swirling around it.

  I bowed to Old Qian, and that was enough of a greeting. Widow Zhang Mei, who was standing aside, kept thanking us and arranging for chairs and tea to be brought over.

  I waved goodbye with Old Qian and said: "Don't be busy, sister, we're not bad, there's still time for this, it's a family affair."

  Zhang Mei also smiled and said let's hurry up and put our luggage away upstairs.

  I went upstairs with Old Qian to pack up. I glanced out of the window and saw that it was still facing the recess, but now it was bustling with workers.

  Suddenly, I faintly discovered that there was still a thin layer of white mist rising and lingering. If one wasn't careful or didn't have thoughts like mine, it would be hard to notice.

  Something's off, or something bad is going to happen. My heart skipped a beat again, what if things go awry before they even start?

  Lao Qian was urging me to hurry up and put away my luggage, and after a flurry of activity with Lao Qian, we were done.

  "Live alone in your heart, don't lean on the window." It was Li Yan's voice again, and it was really as she said, she knew everything I did.

  I really did as she said, with Old Qian in a small room each. Old Qian took the one by the window, saying it was good for the air. I said it was "flipping over the wall" (a rural slang referring to men and women having an affair). Okay. Old Qian winked at me and ignored me, quickly putting away his luggage.

  Come downstairs and discuss the rental with Zhang Mei. Old Qian blinked his eyes and said, "Big sister, I'm afraid it's a bit of trouble, but I also want to taste your cooking skills."

  "Alright, alright," Zhang Mei said with a smile. "It's been ages since my place was so lively. That's life, and that's the kind of cooking I do - just make do."

  I said on the side, "Sister Zhang, don't listen to Old Qian's nonsense. Accommodation is calculated by time period, regardless of whether we are staying here or not, it counts. Living expenses are counted as one meal at a time, you take note, I also have detailed records."

  Zhang Mei looked at me carefully, her eyes seemingly not daring to meet mine. We both understood each other's thoughts. She said: "Big brother has already spoken, so let's just focus on the matter at hand. In our village, a simple meal and some plain tea will suffice."

  Everything has been discussed and settled. It's time for dinner.

  Also, the second widow was clever and quick with her hands, and soon the kitchen was filled with a delicious aroma. Before long, she had set out a table of farmhouse dishes in the main room. The food was fragrant and beautiful, and Old Qian couldn't help but rub his hands together in excitement, saying "Now we're in luck!"

  But I sat down at the edge of the table and was shocked to find a dish in front of me, oh my god, it's actually pan-fried tofu.

  It's actually nothing special, the tofu is cut into blocks and pan-fried until golden brown on both sides, served with scallions that have been lightly cooked, a home-cooked dish that smells great.

  It's just weird that in our village, there is a custom that only when someone has died at home or when worshiping the household god, this dish is served, and it occupies the main course position. Could it be that Zhang Mei is treating us as ghosts?

  At the thought of it, I suddenly felt a chill run down my legs, and that thing hanging high up in the house seemed to have eyes that shone brightly one moment and dimly the next.

  Lao Qian didn't care, and started eating with his chopsticks. The first thing he picked up was a piece of pan-fried tofu.

  I suddenly stretched out my chopsticks and pried open Lao Qian's, saying: "So impatient, the master hasn't even moved yet."

  Zhang Mei's face stiffened, Old Qian smiled awkwardly and put down his chopsticks, looking at us with embarrassment.

  I suddenly stood up, stretched out my hand straight, picked up the pan-fried tofu in front of me, placed it on the incense table, bowed to the high-hanging frame on the wall and said: "Elder brother, you've had a hard time, all the way here, I'm disturbing you."

  My eyes flashed with anger and I stared straight at Zhang Mei.

  Zhang Mei made a turn and turned to the incense case, wanting to take out the tofu. I pressed down with one hand and said: "Sister-in-law, won't you give big brother something to fill his hunger?"

  Zhang Mei's fingertips were slightly raised, and her face was pale to the point of being scary. There were even fine beads of sweat seeping out on her forehead. Yet she said, "All who come are guests, all can stay."

  I took a closer look at Zhang Mei's feet, oh my god, her right foot was slightly raised and her left foot was firmly planted, and the direction she was facing was directly opposite the Bagua tree array in front of the house door. At this moment, the trees outside were swaying their branches, as if there were faint footsteps rushing by.

  The Taoist master had been teaching me the lotus step, and although I only learned the surface of it, at this moment, I was stepping on the tip of the lotus flower, making a turn, blocking Zhang Mei's side, firmly pressing against her flank. Zhang Mei's whole body trembled slightly, and the sweat on her forehead grew denser. Her hand, which had been resting on the edge of the plate, slowly turned red again, returning to normal. I let out a slight sigh of relief in my heart, and the copper bell in my bosom did not vibrate slightly. The first round was unknowingly completed.

  "If you don't eat, then don't eat. It's cheaper for that dead ghost." Zhang Mei smiled and covered up, wiping her forehead with her hand before returning to her original position. I stepped carefully on the tip of the lotus flower, one step at a time, back to my position.

  Lao Qian was unaware, and couldn't have imagined that in the flash of a spark, something life-threatening had occurred. With his mouth full of food, he called out to us: "Hurry up, it's getting cold, Big Sister's cooking is really good."

  I picked up a dish in the shape of a lotus flower and placed it in front of Zhang Mei, still staring into her eyes and saying: "Eat, isn't this delicious?"

  Zhang Mei's face turned white as a sheet, but she still had beads of sweat breaking out. A red face with sweat is common, but a pale face with sweat makes people feel eerie.

  Busy and flustered, nodding repeatedly. I whispered, "Don't force me." Zhang Mei's face showed pain, whispering, "Someone is forcing me."

  I pulled up a chair and sat down beside Old Qian, putting my left hand on his shoulder and saying, "Good buddy, let's eat together."

  Lao Qian didn't stop him, but was busy eating and said: "Get out of here, I'm not gay."

  Zhang Mei finally smiled and said: "Good good good, you're all good." It was inexplicable and made no sense, but I understood.

  After finishing and cleaning up, my heart is still not at peace. Tonight will be a sleepless night.