"Bah..."
"How old are you to be lecturing me? Ghosts and spirits, you say? Did your parents not teach you that while you can eat anything, you can't say anything you please? Are you a shaman or a feng shui master? I'm telling you, if you keep yapping at me, I'll rip your mouth apart..."
"..."
Her scolding instantly made me the center of attention. The people who had been thanking me moments before now looked at me with strange eyes, almost calling me a fraud.
"No, what I meant was..."
Before I could explain, she interrupted me again, "What do you mean? Are you trying to say this car accident was my fault? I'm telling you, no way... I spoke to Lin Lao Wu before getting in the car. You're dreaming if you think you can take advantage of me..."
With her words, others chimed in. Lin Lao Wu, the driver sitting on the ground, also looked displeased and didn't speak up to help me, as if the others were the ones who had been blinded by ghosts just now.
Seeing the crowd, who had been so grateful to me, turn their faces, I felt as if my heart had plunged into an ice river. I had good intentions, so why was it my fault?
The matter of being blinded by ghosts was neither big nor small. For it to happen in broad daylight indicated strong resentment. If I hadn't shattered the rear window, everyone would have been doomed.
"Alright, I'll pretend I said nothing. It was my mistake, I was talking nonsense. Please don't mind me..."
Good intentions can't save a stubborn soul. Some things are just meant for me to butt into, and I have no one to blame but myself for getting scolded.
When I fell silent, the others also stopped talking. Without transportation, they didn't wait around. Instead, they formed groups of three and five and walked forward together. As everyone passed me, not a single person said thank you. Instead, they showed looks of disgust, as if the rollover was my fault.
The elderly lady carrying the urn of ashes spat on the ground as she passed me, cursed me as bad luck, and then swaggered forward. Only the injured driver and I were left at the scene.
Driver Lin Lao Wu watched everyone leave, leaving only me behind, and said, "Young man, you're still too young. Some things are better left unsaid. If you speak them too easily, you'll offend people. If you provoke a haunting, it'll be terrible..."
I stared blankly at the driver, my heart a mess of emotions. I hadn't expected him to think I was meddling too.
Taking a deep breath, I gave him a cold glance and turned towards Zhang Dabiao's village, Xiaoliu Village.
By the time I reached Xiaoliu Village, where Zhang Dabiao resided, night had fallen. Families were starting to cook, and wisps of cooking smoke carrying the aroma of rice made my stomach rumble.
Just as I was about to call Zhang Dabiao to ask for his exact address, a familiar voice sounded in my ear.
"Hey, little brother, you're timing your arrival for dinner? I just got the food and drinks ready, and you're here. What perfect timing..."
Looking up, I saw Zhang Dabiao smiling at me, wearing a short-sleeved tunic and slippers. He looked nothing like a demon hunter, but rather a genuine old farmer.
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"Come on, let's go home. We'll talk about it at home." Zhang Dabiao patted my shoulder, gave me a cold glance behind me, snorted, and led me towards the west of the village.
Zhang Dabiao didn't say much along the way. He would stop every few steps, stomp his foot hard, and then continue walking.
As we passed by other people's houses, I noticed that both the old and young had looks of disgust on their faces. Some older women even spat on the ground, cursed, and then turned to slam their courtyard gates shut, as if trying to avoid a plague god.
This made me feel a hint of doubt. Had Brother Zhang offended them? Otherwise, why would they all have this attitude? Although I had doubts, I didn't ask, as everyone has their own troubles.
Zhang Dabiao seemed oblivious to this situation, as if he were used to it. I swallowed the words I had intended to ask about the reason.
After walking for more than ten minutes, almost to the westernmost edge of the village, we reached Zhang Dabiao's house. It was a standalone courtyard with two tiled rooms. Compared to other houses, it seemed a bit dilapidated but was blessedly quiet, without any commotion.
"Stop staring, your sister-in-law has already warmed the wine. Let's have a few drinks, brothers..." Zhang Dabiao nudged me and then stepped into the courtyard, loudly asking if dinner was ready, as if he didn't want anyone to know he was back.
Zhang Dabiao's wife, who looked about his age, came out from the house with a faint smile on her face. She said, "Can't you speak a little quieter? Be careful not to attract wolves."
"What are you afraid of? If one comes, I'll skin it and make a rug for my brother..."
"Little brother, this is my wife, her family name is Tian..."
I smiled awkwardly and said, "Hello, sister-in-law. I came in a hurry and brought a small gift. Please don't mind it..."
"You didn't need to bring anything. We're family. Your presence is enough. Hurry up and wash your hands... Dinner is ready. Your brother Zhang was so happy last night when he heard you were coming."
Zhang Sao took the gift, chided me slightly, and then told me to wash my hands quickly and get ready to eat.
The dishes were very rich, including stewed wild chicken with mushrooms, minced pork with fern, and stir-fried monkey legs... Six dishes were served on large plates, filling the table.
"Eat, don't be shy. Make yourself at home..."
After a couple of drinks, I felt less reserved and spoke more freely. As we talked, Zhang Dabiao asked why I arrived so late. Didn't I say I was leaving at noon? Did the car break down on the way?
The mention of this made me feel unlucky, and I recounted the car accident to Zhang Dabiao. At the end, I angrily cursed, "What kind of people are they? I saved their lives, and not only did they not thank me, but they also called me meddlesome..."
After listening to me, Zhang Dabiao put down his wine glass and stared at me blankly, his expression exceptionally serious as he said, "You came in Lin Lao Wu's car?"
I nodded and asked, "Why, do you know him?"
"How could I not? He's a driver from our village. He's been dead for over half a year. Are you sure you were in his car?"
Hearing this, I was jolted. Half the alcohol I had just drunk seemed to have sobered me up. My face turned pale as I said, "Brother Zhang, this joke isn't funny at all. I'm an Yin-Yang master, how could I not tell if he was alive or dead? Besides, there was a whole carload of people. How is that possible?"
Zhang Dabiao snorted and said, "You and I have been together for over a month. Do you think I would make such a joke with you?"
My heart tightened. Zhang Dabiao seemed easygoing, but he was actually a man of few words. In the past month in Mòlù Village, he had rarely joked with me, and if he did, it was lighthearted teasing. He never spoke carelessly about serious matters.
Although I already believed Zhang Dabiao's words, I still asked, "They were already haunted, so how could they appear in broad daylight? That doesn't conform to the laws of Yin and Yang."
"The 'haunting' you're referring to is ghosts. They are living corpses and are not afraid of sunlight because they don't know they are dead."