Leaving Wanfu Hall, it was already half past three in the afternoon.
It was still early before dark, but I didn't want to waste a single moment.
I bought a bottle of mineral water from a nearby convenience store, hailed a ride-hailing car, and went directly to Nanshan Cemetery.
The originally one-hour drive took more than two hours due to traffic jams.
By the time I arrived at Nanshan Cemetery, it was already past six in the evening.
There was about half an hour left until dark.
Nanshan Cemetery was in front of me.
The gate archway was built grandly and solemnly, with white pillars and green tiles, carved with dragons and phoenixes.
It was stable and symmetrical on both sides.
On the left and right sides, there were stone carvings of couplets.
Upper couplet: Longevity as enduring as ancient turtles and cranes.
Lower couplet: Blessings nurture descendants who are virtuous and wise.
Horizontal inscription: Fortune and Longevity Fully Attained.
Behind the gate archway was a white tombstone, layer upon layer, stretching to the mountaintop.
The cemetery was very large.
Many people were coming and going, paying respects to their departed loved ones.
The cemetery was in the shade, and except for noon, it was covered in shadow for the rest of the day.
As soon as I arrived, I shivered, feeling a chill.
Coupled with being haunted by dirty things recently, I felt extremely resistant to this kind of place.
If I could, I really wouldn't want to come to such a place.
But there was no other way, so I had to brace myself and walk towards the cemetery.
Because I didn't know the exact location of Rose Supermarket, and the cemetery was large.
I was afraid that if I entered, I wouldn't be able to find the place and would waste time wandering around.
So, after arriving at the main entrance, I asked the security guard on duty:
"Uncle, where is Rose Supermarket?"
The security guard was sitting in the pavilion watching videos.
Hearing my question, he turned his head with a look of confusion:
"What supermarket are you looking for?"
"Rose Supermarket, the one that operates within your cemetery."
I said seriously.
But the security guard showed a strange expression, his face twitching, and he looked me up and down:
"Are you sure you're in the right place? This is a cemetery."
His question confused me.
Master Gu said that Rose Supermarket was located within Nanshan Cemetery.
He also clearly stated that the supermarket only opened at night.
This uncle works as a security guard here, wouldn't he know?
"Uncle, I'm in the right place. It's Nanshan Cemetery. Don't you know there's a Rose Supermarket in the cemetery?"
I asked back with suspicion.
The security guard rolled his eyes at me:
"This is a cemetery, a cemetery, a place where people are buried.
Who would be so bored as to open a supermarket in a cemetery? Selling ghosts?
I've been a security guard at Nanshan Cemetery for ten years, and I've never heard of any Rose Supermarket.
There is a convenience store at Nanshan, turn left after entering. "
After speaking, the security guard rudely closed the sliding window, muttering a few words.
It seemed like he was calling me an idiot.
He continued to rest his legs crossed, leaning back in his chair and watching the TV series on his phone.
I stood awkwardly outside the window.
A strange feeling welled up in my heart.
I even started to doubt if Master Gu had told me the wrong place?
Looking around, besides the dense tombstones, I really didn't see any buildings like houses.
Moreover, the security guard, who had worked here for ten years, didn't know about Rose Supermarket.
Does this place really exist?
I was a bit bewildered and found two cleaning ladies from the cemetery to ask.
The answers I got were all the same.
In this cemetery, apart from the convenience store at the entrance.
There were no supermarkets around, not even street stalls, let alone any supermarket within the cemetery.
The cleaning ladies kindly reminded me that it was getting dark.
It was not clean around the cemetery, and they told me not to wander around the cemetery, as I might get lost...
After speaking, the two cleaning ladies left with their small bags, going off duty.
I remained in place, looking dumbfounded.
Who should I believe now?
I left in a hurry today and forgot to keep Master Gu's phone number.
Brother Chen's phone was also turned off.
Now I couldn't even ask to confirm the address again.
If I had to go back by car to ask, then buy rice and eggs, and then go to Longgang Mountain City God Temple to sell them, I definitely wouldn't have enough time.
I covered my head, constantly recalling Master Gu's words.
However, I believed that I had not misremembered.
I could even clearly confirm that Master Gu had said it was within Nanshan Cemetery.
He also said that Rose Supermarket only started operating after dark.
He told me to hurry up and get the rice and eggs, and I must be at the temple before ten o'clock...
Could it be that the security guard and the cleaning ladies lied to me?
Did Master Gu lie to me?
Or, did they not lie to me?
Since this Rose Supermarket is located in such a large cemetery, it must have something extraordinary about it.
My brows were tightly furrowed, and my heart was very uneasy.
For a moment, I was at a loss.
Should I take a taxi back to Wanfu Hall to reconfirm the address?
Or stay and stubbornly search myself?
The sky was starting to darken, and my time was running out.
After standing still for a few minutes, I finally took a sip of mineral water and threw the bottle aside.
Making a "crunch" sound.
Biting my teeth, I decided to believe Master Gu's words.
Even if I died here in Nanshan Cemetery, I would accept it.
Thinking this, I took a deep breath.
I raised my foot and walked into the cemetery...