The old man was very polite, stating his purpose and then repeatedly cupped his hands towards me.
Beside him, the old woman also pursed her lips and spoke in a hoarse voice,
"Young man, my husband and I are just travelers.
We had no intention of disturbing you, but the road back to our hometown is very long.
We only ask for your help.
If possible, we would also like a drink of water..."
Although their eyes were gray,
They looked at me with expectation as they spoke.
In the village, I had heard the elders tell stories about ghosts asking for water.
They said that some people died in a foreign land, without anyone to guide them or offer sacrifices.
They could only rely on their own memories to return home.
Ghosts like these, if lucky, might drift back to their hometown or to a temple to be absolved.
But if they were unlucky, enduring wind and rain, over time they would become lonely wandering spirits.
Gradually, they would forget everything they remembered, becoming foolish and dazed.
They could only drift with the wind, and if by chance they encountered scorching sun, they would dissipate.
To avoid such a fate, they could only beg for offerings along the way.
Asking for a drink of water was the most common way to beg for offerings.
If you gave them a drink of water, such ghosts would receive some sustenance.
They wouldn't quickly become lonely wandering spirits, drifting with the wind...
Before, I thought it was strange and incredible.
I never expected to encounter it today,
And moreover, they wanted to buy clothes from my shop.
I felt a little nervous.
But on the surface, I pretended to be calm.
Helping them would be doing a good deed, accumulating merit, and adding to my own 'lamp oil' (spiritual sustenance).
I didn't turn them away.
After steadying my emotions, I said to the old man:
"Please come in!"
With that, I opened a door and returned inside.
Upon hearing my words, the old couple showed surprise and hurried to cup their hands and bow.
"Thank you, thank you..."
I went back inside, first extinguishing the light.
Then I used a lighter to ignite a white candle.
I dripped the melted wax onto the counter.
My master once said that ghosts disliked light.
Even lamplight was not good for them; the gentle flame of a candle would not harm them.
As soon as I lit the candle, the old couple entered the room.
Their footsteps were very light, almost silent.
After entering, they supported each other and stood in a corner, far away from me...
"Old sir, old madam, all the clothes in our shop are here, please take a look!"
As I spoke, I gestured towards the coffin boxes beneath the counter.
But when the old couple heard my words, they looked embarrassed and did not move. Instead, they looked up towards the counter.
Seeing they didn't move, I also looked up.
Only then did I notice the many divine statues placed on the wall shelf, intended for sale.
I suddenly understood why the old couple had stood in the corner and dared not approach after entering the room.
It turned out they were afraid of the divine statues on the shelf.
"My apologies!"
Saying this, I quickly went to the wall shelf.
I untied the yellow cloth that was binding it and used it to cover the divine statues on the shelf.
Earlier, I had wondered why there was a curtain tied in front of these divine statues.
I had thought it was to prevent dust, but now I understood.
It was to shield them from the gods themselves...
After I covered the divine statues, the old couple showed a pale smile and repeatedly cupped their hands to me:
"Thank you for your consideration, young man..."
With that, they finally walked over.
I pointed to the funeral clothes in the glass cabinet:
"These funeral clothes are the same for men and women. Tell me which one you like, and I'll get it for you!"
The old man smiled and nodded at me:
"Good, good, we'll have a look, let us see first..."
With that, they stood by the counter and examined them.
Because I found them to be not dangerous, and my master was in the inner room.
My initial nervousness and slight apprehension had subsided into calmness.
Although they were 'dirty things' (supernatural beings), apart from lacking shadows and human warmth, they were much like ordinary people...
I went to the side, took out two cups, and put in some dried tea leaves.
I brewed two cups of hot tea and handed them over:
"Old sir, old madam, please have a drink of tea."
When the old couple saw me bringing the water, their eyes flickered, and they were very excited.
"Thank, thank you, thank you..."
They received them with trembling hands, their faces filled with emotion.
When I touched their hands, I found them to be extremely cold.
They looked at the tea in their hands, appearing impatient.
They were not afraid of the freshly boiled, scalding hot water and drank it down in one gulp.
In a flash, the old couple finished their tea and let out a long sigh.
"Ah! Such fragrant tea!"
"Yes! It's been so many years, we haven't had a sip of tea."
The old couple spoke, then carefully placed the paper cups aside.
I glanced at the tea, which had been steaming hot just moments ago.
Now it had become cold and lost its fragrance...
They drank the tea, consuming its essence.
I took a breath and then asked:
"Old sir, old madam, where are you coming from and where are you going?"
The old couple seemed to be in a good mood after drinking my tea.
However, when they heard my question, their expressions suddenly froze, revealing a look of bitterness.
Seeing the bitterness on their faces, as if they had some unspeakable secret,
I spoke again:
"I was just asking casually, please continue choosing your clothes!"
With that, I also took out a cigarette, lit it, and began to smoke.
I really didn't have much interest in knowing where they were going or where they came from.
It was truly just a casual question.
The old couple exchanged glances.
Then I heard the toothless old woman, with a wistful expression, say:
"Young man, my husband and I originally lived in a house by Nanshan.
But recently, a villain came and drove us out.
We have nowhere to go and no place to stay.
Now we are preparing to return to my maiden home in Chuan Dong..."