The squatting old man slowly stood up. When he straightened up, Li suddenly felt that his back didn't seem as hunched as before.
"Huh?"
The old man patted his waist and thought to himself, this Liu is really effective. He hadn't even started talking properly, just entered her house, and already felt much more relaxed.
He didn't stay any longer and walked straight inside.
"Cui Hou, you and Xiao Yuan Hou go have your meal," she said.
After giving the instructions, she also followed them into the inner room. Liu Jin Xia had poor eyesight and needed to help record things during the conversation.
"Yuan Hou Ge Ge, let's go and continue eating, shall we?"
"Okay."
Li Zhui Yuan responded. Although the discomfort on his body hadn't faded yet, he still tried to take a step forward.
With the first step down, Li Zhui Yuan felt that the frequency of the cool feeling on his head had slowed down, and the icy touch on his left face gradually faded.
But with the second step, he suddenly found that the coolness hadn't disappeared. The coldness on his left face reappeared, and it seemed like there was a piece of ice on his right shoulder.
When he took the third step, the coldness on his left face disappeared again, shifting to his left shoulder, while the coldness on his right shoulder remained.
As Li Zhui Yuan took the fourth step, before his foot even landed, the coldness on both shoulders suddenly intensified.
"Phew..."
Li Zhui Yuan trembled and took a deep breath, slowly retracting his foot. The coldness on his shoulders returned to its previous level.
He couldn't see anything, but he could imagine that there was an old lady squatting in front of him just now. Her right hand was on his left face, and her left hand was stroking his head, saying:
"This little boy, he's so cute."
When he walked forward, the old lady changed her posture as well, with both hands gradually sliding down to his shoulders. It was a motion of using his back as a support.
If he continued to walk forward, she would climb up.
She wanted him to carry her on his back!
...
The dimly lit room on the first floor was Liu Jin Xia's office.
The room was large, but once inside, it felt very cramped.
One wooden box after another was stacked around, taking up seven or eighty percent of the space. They were filled with all kinds of magical instruments, scriptures, and statues.
If you opened a few boxes, you could see Lao Jun and Buddha with their arms around each other's shoulders, and also see Guan Yin Bodhisattva with not a child but a cross Jesus under her seat.
In her early years, Liu Jin Xia had also held dreams and responded to the call of the new era, wanting to integrate the strengths of various schools to blaze a trail of her own.
Unfortunately, the backward market around Shi Nan Town couldn't accept such trendy things.
Liu Jin Xia had no choice but to accept her fate and return to the traditional image of a fortune-telling blind woman.
Therefore, the only things in use in this room were a black lacquer wooden table, a few benches, and two white candles.
Liu Jin Xia wiped her eyes with a handkerchief. The smoke from the candles made her eyes uncomfortable. It seemed that these candles would have to be removed in the future.
At this time, the old man sitting opposite also finished his statement, looking at Liu Jin Xia with respect.
After coming here, not only did his hunched back feel much more comfortable, but his mind also became clear, and he could speak more fluently.
The old man's surname was Niu, and his name was Niu Fu. He was from Shi Gang Town next door, and he came here today to handle the (medieval birthday) for his old mother.
Yesterday, his brother Niu Rui had also been here for the same thing, and Liu Jin Xia had received him before going to Li Wei Han's house.
The Niu family had three siblings, plus a younger sister, and their father had passed away early. It was their mother who raised them as a widow.
Now, they themselves were all over fifty years old and had become grandparents.
Half a year ago, their mother passed away.
But since the funeral, the three siblings in the Niu family had been having problems at home one after another, either getting sick or having accidents.
At first, everyone didn't pay much attention, but as the frequency increased and the problems became more serious, they started to worry.
A while ago, Niu Rui's son fell into a ditch while riding his bike home from work, breaking several ribs. He almost lost his life if it weren't for passers-by discovering him in time; Niu Fu's hunchback also became more and more severe, even more exaggerated than that of old hunchbacks in the village who were in their seventies and eighties. He hadn't had a hunchback at all half a year ago.
Moreover, the three siblings would occasionally dream about their mother, so they suspected that their mother's attachment hadn't disappeared and wanted to hold a (medieval birthday) for her, burn a blood sutra, drive away evil spirits, and seek peace.
However, there was now a conflict between the two brothers. As the younger brother, Niu Rui wanted to hold the (medieval birthday) at his own home, but as the elder brother, Niu Fu didn't allow it and insisted that it must be held at his home.
Outsiders might think that the two brothers were quite filial, competing to hold the (medieval birthday) for their mother, as if they were vying to show their filial piety.
Liu Jin Xia obviously didn't believe it. Her eyesight was getting worse, but her heart was getting clearer.
Among the people she received, those like Li Wei Han were a minority. Most of them had done something wrong, as the old saying goes, those who have done something wrong always fear ghost knocks at the door.
However, Liu Jin Xia wouldn't ask too many questions, just said indifferently:
"Don't tell me that your younger sister also wants to hold it?"
"Yes, she does too."
Liu Jin Xia raised her eyebrows.
According to the current village rules, after a daughter is married, she is considered a guest. She can visit her parents' home a few times a year, and during the New Year, she can bring her husband back for a visit, just to save face. If the parents are ill, if the daughter can serve by the bedside and send them off in the end, she would be praised as a filial daughter by neighbors and relatives.
Since the daughter didn't inherit the family property, she only needed to make an appearance and exert a little effort in her parents' old age and funeral affairs, without having to pay money.
But this Niu family's younger sister actually wanted to hold a (medieval birthday) for her mother... which seemed very inconsistent with the rules. No matter how filial she was, it wasn't the right way to express it. If there were no sons in the family and only sisters, it could be considered differently, but she had two elder brothers.
Liu Jin Xia lowered her eyelids and said:
"This is also easy to handle. Since you all want to be the host, then all of you be the host. Borrow a piece of land from the public dam in your village, set up three (sacrificial tables), prepare three (birthday gifts), and burn three blood sutras."
Niu Fu was stunned for a moment and asked, "Is... is this possible?"
Liu Jin Xia nodded, "Yes, it's possible. Hold it together in one place, and your mother won't have to be busy separately. Your brother Rui Hou has already given me the (birth dates and times) of his family members yesterday. You give me yours today, and then notify your younger sister to send hers over in the next two days. I can open the (guidance) for you."
Originally, one event would bring in one portion of money, but now one event would bring in three portions of money. Liu Jin Xia would make a profit.
Niu Fu hesitated for a moment, and finally nodded, "Then it's settled. I'll go back and tell them, and hold it together."
"Okay, after you send me all the (birth dates and times), I'll set a specific date for you."
"Be quick," Niu Fu urged, "We need to do it as soon as possible."
"I understand," Liu Jin Xia nodded, signaling him not to worry, and then got up to see him off.
As soon as Niu Fu's butt left the bench, he seemed to think of something and sat back down, saying, "There's one more thing. When holding the (medieval birthday), we need to invite Aunt Liu to sit in the (Zhai Shi)."
Zhai Shi is a religious ceremony, and sitting in the (Zuo Zhai) means inviting someone with the right connections to accompany and suppress the (Zhen) (array), to prevent little ghosts from causing trouble.
As for what "having the right connections" really means, it's up to individual interpretation. If there's really no one, a butcher can also go sit.
Li San Jiang, because his family had a paper (Zha) business, was (De Ren) (default) to sit in the (Zhai) every time he sent paper to someone's house. He could not only get a free meal but also receive a red envelope with money from the host family.
But this "default" cost was low, and the red envelope money was thin. However, if someone really asked, that was another price.
Niu Fu immediately added, "We also want to invite Uncle San Jiang from your village."
Liu Jin Xia swallowed a mouthful of saliva and didn't agree directly, but said:
"I'll go and talk to Uncle San Jiang, but I don't know if he's available. You give me the (birth dates and times) first, and I'll set the date for you. This can't be delayed."
"Okay, okay."
Then, Niu Fu took out a cloth bag from his pocket, unfolded it layer by layer, and inside were a stack of worn-out large unity bills.
He licked his fingertips and started counting the money.
Liu Jin Xia received the first payment but pushed away the second one, saying, "The matter of sitting in the (Zuo Zhai) will be discussed after I talk to Uncle San Jiang. There's no need to rush this, it's the rule."
"This..." Niu Fu obviously didn't want to, "Why don't we just settle it now?"
Liu Jin Xia said firmly, "Before the matter is clear, there's no need to rush the money. This is the rule."
"Okay, then I'll trouble Aunt Liu. I won't go to Uncle San Jiang, just wait for your news."
"Okay."
Niu Fu opened the door himself and walked out.
Li Ju Xiang went to support her old mother and asked in confusion, "Mom, what's wrong?"
This deal was worth more than the income of the past season, and Li Ju Xiang didn't understand why her mother, who loved money, was hesitating this time, and it didn't seem like she was bargaining for a higher price.
Liu Jin Xia said in a low voice, "They are all rural households, not rich or noble. They are so easy to talk to and give money so readily, which can only mean one thing."
"What's that?"
"Disaster aversion by spending money."
"Mom, are you saying?"
"Xiang Hou, tell me, in this world, which mother would cause trouble for her own children after she has passed away?"
"You have a point."
"Even more incomprehensible is, how many sons and daughters, when their lives are unstable, would suspect that their mother in the ground is causing trouble for them?
Unless they have done something inhumane."
"Mom, what about this deal?"
"Forget it, let's wait and see what Uncle San Jiang says. If he thinks it's okay to go, then we'll go and earn all this money. Sigh, they are giving too much."
"What if Uncle San Jiang says not to go? Can you bear to give up?"
"Money that can't be spent safely, what's the point of earning it?"
"You're right. Uncle San Jiang's skills are reliable, and with him there, we can feel more at ease."
"His skills..." Liu Jin Xia frowned, seeming to find it hard to evaluate, but still affirmed, "With him there, we do feel more secure."
...
"Yuan Hou Ge Ge?"
Seeing Li Zhui Yuan standing still, Cui Cui reached out to hold his hand.
The moment they made contact, Li Zhui Yuan felt the icy coldness on his left shoulder disappear. At the same time, he noticed Cui Cui shiver and her hand tremble as she let go.
"Cui Cui, back away!"
"Huh?"
"Stay away from me!"
Although she didn't know why, Cui Cui still obediently let go and took several steps back.
"Cui Cui, stand there and don't move, don't come close to me."
"Okay..."
Yuan Hou Ge Ge's sudden attitude made Cui Cui think of the times when she was rejected. A mist of water had already risen in her eyes, and her little nose was sniffing.
Li Zhui Yuan had a feeling that when Cui Cui touched him just now, the old lady who was originally placing both hands on his shoulders had taken one hand off to grab towards Cui Cui.
After Cui Cui backed away, the old lady returned to her previous posture.
"Aunt Liu, I'm leaving now!" Niu Fu's voice came from inside, sounding much more energetic than before.
He walked into the hall, glanced at the two children who were still inside, didn't make any indication, and walked towards the door.
"Grandpa..." Li Zhui Yuan pointed his finger at the washbasin on the shelf next to him, "Wash your hands."
Cui Cui wiped her eyes with the back of her hand and said with a smile, "Grandpa, wash your hands before going out to get rid of the bad luck."
After speaking, Cui Cui lowered her head and looked at her toes. Did Yuan Hou Ge Ge also think her family was unlucky?
She was used to it and wouldn't think it was a big deal, but for some reason, she was very sensitive today.
"Oh, okay, then I'll wash," Niu Fu收回 (Shou Hui) (retracted) his foot that was about to step out of the threshold, turned and walked to the washbasin, and started washing his hands.
As he washed, Li Zhui Yuan felt the icy coldness on his shoulders gradually fade away, and he felt a sense of relief as well as some weakness.
Niu Fu's back also visibly became hunched again.
Li Ju Xiang supported Liu Jin Xia and came out, saying, "I'll see you off."
"No need to be polite, I'm leaving, see you later."
Niu Fu washed his hands, wanted to pick up the cloth on the shelf to dry his hands, but found it was out of reach, so he just shook his hands, put his hands behind his waist, and slowly stepped over the threshold sideways.
Li Ju Xiang looked puzzled, feeling something was wrong, but couldn't tell what it was.
She walked to the washbasin and wanted to change the water, but when she saw the situation in the basin, her expression froze:
The banana leaves in the basin had become extremely thin strips, and even if someone deliberately tore them by hand, they couldn't be torn so thin and neat.
Most importantly, the water in the basin had turned black!
Li Ju Xiang quickly walked to her mother's side and whispered to her.
Liu Jin Xia looked at her daughter in surprise, then looked outside.
At this moment, Niu Fu had just stepped over the threshold and walked to the yard;
Li Zhui Yuan had also finally recovered from his weakness. He walked to Liu Jin Xia and pointed at Niu Fu's back, saying to Liu Jin Xia:
"Grandma, there's something on his back..."
"Shh!"
Liu Jin Xia immediately covered the child's mouth with both hands.
The smell of these hands was really too strong, and Li Zhui Yuan's eyes were almost流泪 (Liu Lei) (tearing up).
Niu Fu's body paused outside, half-turned, and glanced back with a deep look, then continued to walk out.
It wasn't until Niu Fu had walked out of the yard and gone far that Liu Jin Xia released her hands covering the child's mouth.
"Child, now, speak."
Li Zhui Yuan took several deep breaths and said, "Grandma, is there something on that grandpa's back?"
Liu Jin Xia brought her face close to Li Zhui Yuan's and asked in a low voice, "Xiao Yuan Hou, did you see something?"
Li Zhui Yuan shook his head.
He really didn't see anything, only had a feeling.
Liu Jin Xia frowned and asked, "Xiao Yuan Hou, did Uncle San Jiang go to your house last night?"
"Grandma, I was asleep and didn't know."
"Ha ha."
Liu Jin Xia smiled and nodded, not continuing to ask, but said earnestly, "Xiao Yuan Hou, remember one thing from grandma."
"Grandma, please tell me."
"Some things, even if you see them, you must never show it in front of them. If they know you can see them, they might... cling to you."
Is that so?
Li Zhui Yuan nodded vigorously, "Grandma, I remember."
"Okay, go and have dinner with Xiao Cui Hou."
"Okay, grandma."
Li Zhui Yuan walked to Cui Cui, who looked at him in confusion.
"Cui Cui, let's go eat."
"Okay, hehe."
The little girl's face showed a smile again.
After the two children went into the kitchen, Liu Jin Xia sat on a chair in the hall with a solemn expression.
"Mom?" Li Ju Xiang was still holding the washbasin in her hand, "Can Xiao Yuan Hou really see it?"
"Sometimes, to see something, you don't necessarily have to use your eyes."
"How is this possible?"
"This probably needs to ask Uncle San Jiang. Who knows what means he used to mess around."
"Alas, I hope the child will be okay. I really like this child."
"Yo." Liu Jin Xia looked at her daughter with a smile, "What, have you taken a liking to him, want to take him as a son-in-law?"
"Mom, don't make such jokes. I can't have such thoughts. He is Lan Hou's son."
Liu Jin Xia didn't scold her daughter for "degrading herself" this time, but comforted her, "Lan Hou that girl, was also smart from a young age, and her son is even more precocious. So, he's really not suitable to be a son-in-law."
"Mom, what are you saying? Being smart is a bad thing now?"
"The girl, you don't understand.
Have you ever seen a child who was possessed by a dirty thing and fell into a coma yesterday, and today can hold hands and play as if nothing happened?
Do you think he doesn't know what happened at the big bearded man's house? Do you believe what he said, that he was asleep last night and knew nothing?
Hehe, just now, he saw something unclean here, and now he can calmly sit over there and continue eating.
This child is not just smart, he can quickly figure out what's going on with him and adjust himself.
Even with such... ghost-seeing matters.
It's just that he is still young now and has a bit of childishness;
When he grows up, living with such a person would be really boring, because he can see right through you with just one look. You would have no secrets in front of him.
You can't even act coquettish or throw a tantrum with him, because he stands higher than you, looking down at you from all angles.
Cold and impersonal."
"Mom, how can you say such things about a child? I think Xiao Yuan Hou is really good, polite and well-behaved."
"That's because he is like that to everyone, just like his mother when she was young."
"Mom..."
"As for that, didn't his mother also get divorced?"
"You..."
"Go find Uncle San Jiang then."
"Okay, okay."
Liu Jin Xia waved her hand, "If that Uncle San Jiang dawdles, ask him, if he really causes trouble for Han Hou's favorite grandson, does he still want Han Hou to take care of him in his old age?"
Li Ju Xiang quickly poured the dirty water from the basin, rode her tricycle, and set off. She really didn't want to listen to her mother talk about these things anymore.
Liu Jin Xia extinguished the cigarette in her hand, yawned, and slowly walked towards the kitchen.
The two children had already finished eating, and Liu Jin Xia saw her usually spoiled granddaughter taking the initiative to clean up the table and wipe the table,
constantly saying, "Yuan Hou Ge Ge, put it down, I do these chores every day."
It made Liu Jin Xia laugh.
Perhaps because it was related to her own old-age care, Li San Jiang didn't dawdle at all this time and came over early on Li Ju Xiang's tricycle.
Liu Jin Xia had Li Ju Xiang take the two children upstairs to watch TV, and then led Li San Jiang into her office.
"Wow, Liu (Xia Zi) (blind woman), your place is really cramped," Li San Jiang patted the high stacks of wooden boxes around, "If someone didn't know, they would think you just came back from Guangdong to stock up on goods and are planning to switch to the wholesale business."
"No time for nonsense."
Liu Jin Xia told Li San Jiang everything that happened today, including the(Niu family's medieval birthday).
Li San Jiang's eyes widened, and he asked, "How could that Xiao Yuan Hou see it?"
Liu Jin Xia took a deep breath, clenched her fists, and finally endured her anger, retorting, "You ask me?"
Li San Jiang took out a cigarette, threw one to Liu Jin Xia, and held one himself, sniffing it thoughtfully.
Liu Jin Xia picked up the cigarette, knocked the filter end against the table, and asked, "What good deed did you do last night?"
"Accumulating virtue."
"You..."
Liu Jin Xia licked her lips and asked, "The big bearded man and his son were found in the fish pond today. Did you lead that dead man there?"
Li San Jiang didn't speak.
"How did you lead him there?" Liu Jin Xia continued to probe, and then, as if thinking of a terrible possibility, her voice volume increased, scolding, "You this damned old man, did you make Xiao Yuan Hou lead the corpse?"
"Cough cough..."
Li San Jiang cleared his throat, "Liu (Xia Zi) (blind woman), lend me a light."
Liu Jin Xia threw the matchbox directly at him: "You really did that!"
"Crackle..."
Li San Jiang averted his gaze and started smoking.
Liu Jin Xia left her chair, walked around the table, and stood in front of Li San Jiang, spitting (Tuo Mo Xing Zi) (spittle) directly onto the old man's face:
"Living people walk the (Yang Lu) (path of the living), and the dead walk the (Yin Lu) (path of the dead). You made Xiao Yuan Hou lead the corpse, which is making this child walk the (Yin Lu) (path of the dead), (Zhan Ran) (contract) ghost Qi. Do you know that he might have been made by you to be able to (Zou Yin) (walk in the) (Yin) (netherworld)?"
"Walk in the" (Zou Yin) (netherworld)?" Li San Jiang was stunned for a moment, then as if he had heard a great joke, "Ha ha, what nonsense, how could it be so easy to walk in the" (Zou Yin) (netherworld) like that!"
"Ha... ha ha ha." Liu (Xia Zi) (blind woman) let out a cold laugh.
Li San Jiang stood up abruptly here, "If it were really that easy to walk in the" (Zou Yin) (netherworld), you Liu (Xia Zi) (blind woman) wouldn't have to be a fraud in this business for decades, and you wouldn't have to do this kind of trickery!"
"Walk in the" (Zou Yin) (netherworld), some places call it '' (Mo Xia) (feeling in the dark), (Xia Shen) (descending spirit), which refers to the ability to go from the (Yang Jian) (world of the living) to the (Yin Jian) (netherworld). To put it simply, it means being able to see things not of the (Yang Jian) (world of the living).
People come to find a (Shen Po) (female shaman) like Liu (Xia Zi) (blind woman), just for the image they create of being able to communicate with gods and ghosts. But among them, ninety-nine percent don't have this ability. Anyway, she, Liu (Xia Zi) (blind woman), doesn't have it.
Liu Jin Xia calmed her breathing and said, "This child is smart and meticulous."
Upon hearing this, Li San Jiang swallowed a mouthful of saliva, and a picture from last night suddenly (Fu Xian Zai Hai Nan Li) (floated in his mind). Xiao Yuan Hou pointed at the river and said, "Not waiting for her?"
"Snap!"
Li San Jiang sat back down abruptly, his expression full of doubt. He suddenly realized that what Liu Jin Xia said seemed to be right.
"People's parents are in the capital, with capital household registration, and the child is smart, able to handle anything with ease, with a bright future guaranteed. But you did this.
Not to mention the impact of always seeing those dirty things on daily life, just look at you, this lonely old man, even your funeral has to be taken care of by a trustworthy Han Hou.
As for me, hehe, let's not even talk about it.
Anyone who gets involved in this path will more or less be affected by the five(Bi) (drawbacks) and three (Que) (deficiencies). You are creating karma, I say, what were you thinking at the time?"
Li San Jiang didn't retort, his brows wrinkling into a "川" (Chuan) (meaning a frown).
Seeing this, Liu Jin Xia stopped her sarcasm and said, "Fortunately, the child's situation is not serious now. I think he can only vaguely sense some dirty things and hasn't really started to walk in the阴" (Zou Yin) (netherworld). It can still be redeemed, it can still be pulled back."
Li San Jiang said with determination, "Then I will cut it off for him!"
"How to cut it off?"
"There's generally no such thing as sitting in the (Huo Zhai) (living Zhai) (ritual). Because sitting in the Zhai for the dead during funerals is to prevent dirty things from causing trouble, and sitting in the Zhai for the living is equivalent to transferring the other person's bad luck onto oneself. No one is willing to do that.
As for the so-called (Chu Jia) (leaving home), it means temporarily cutting ties with the family, severing karma, and after a while, one can still return."
Li San Jiang looked at Liu Jin Xia and asked, "Do you think it's feasible?"
Liu Jin Xia nodded, "Since you're willing to pay such a price, it will definitely work."
She had considered finding Li San Jiang to learn some real skills when she first started in this business, but in the end, she didn't because she found Li San Jiang a bit unreliable.
If you say he has no skills, he always seems to have some means when encountering problems; but if you say he has skills, he often makes things messy and unclear, just like this time.
But there's one thing Liu Jin Xia can be sure of, and that is that this old man has an indescribable quality about him.
When she first got married, she heard her father-in-law say that during the Republic of China, Li San Jiang was conscripted three times, and all the people conscripted with him disappeared without a trace, but he, Li San Jiang, always managed to escape with all his limbs intact.
Despite engaging in such taboo businesses, he remained free from illness and disaster, and it's even a bit of a stretch to say he's a lonely old man because, unlike her, he has never been married, and his life has always been very comfortable and carefree.
There are countless reasons why he should have died long ago, but he is still hale and hearty, with a ruddy complexion and full of energy. Liu Jin Xia, who is a whole generation younger than him, feels that she will probably pass away before him.
This act of sitting in the活斋 (Huo Zhai) (living Zhai) (ritual) for a living person, transferring bad luck, requires that you have the fortune to bear it. Undoubtedly, Li San Jiang does have it, and he has an overflow of it.
Li San Jiang stood up, threw the cigarette butt on the ground and stepped on it, preparing to leave, when he was stopped by Liu Jin Xia:
"I say, Uncle San Jiang."
"Hmm?"
"Uncle San Jiang, I was too concerned about the child's matter just now, and my tone was a bit sharp. I'm sorry."
Li San Jiang glanced at Liu Jin Xia and said, "What do you want to say?"
Liu Jin Xia put on a smiling face, "Since you're going to do this, sitting in the Zhai for one child is doing it, and sitting in the Zhai for two children is just an extra effort. I'll send my Xiao Cui Hou to your place too, so she can keep Xiao Yuan Hou company. What do you think?"
"Sure enough, nothing good comes out of your mouth."
Li San Jiang walked out without looking back. He was willing to sit in the (Huo Zhai) (living Zhai) (ritual) for Xiao Yuan Hou for two reasons: one was that he was responsible for this matter, and the other was for Han Hou's old-age care.
He had lived a carefree life, and it was not a loss to make some sacrifices to ensure this, much more cost-effective than those old people who toil for their children for most of their lives.
But sitting in the Zhai for Liu (Xia Zi) (blind woman)'s family, Li San Jiang felt that if he dared to do it today, he would have to prepare for a sudden death tomorrow!
"Xiao Yuan Hou, come, Grandpa will take you home!"
"Coming, Grandpa."
Li San Jiang held Li Zhui Yuan's hand and left Liu Jin Xia's house. On the way, he said, "Xiao Yuan Hou, let's discuss something."
"Grandpa, what is it?"
"Your family has many children now, and it's crowded when sleeping. Grandpa's place has spacious rooms, and I live alone and feel lonely. How about you come and live with Grandpa for a while and keep Grandpa company?"
"Grandpa..."
"Hmm?"
"Is something wrong with me?"
"Uh..." Li San Jiang finally felt today that a child being too smart is not necessarily a good thing, "Don't worry, Xiao Yuan Hou, Grandpa will solve the problem for you, don't be afraid."
"It's okay, Grandpa, I can get used to it."
"Hurry up and spit, this is not something to get used to!"
"Pfft, pfft, pfft."
...
When Li Zhui Yuan was sent back by Li San Jiang, Ying Zi was playing hopscotch with two sisters in the yard.
Two benches were placed four meters apart, with a rubber band stretched between their legs.
"Little rubber ball, banana pear, Malan blooms twenty-one. Two five six, two five seven, two eight two nine thirty-one..."
"Ying Hou ah, your grandpa and grandma are back, right?" Li San Jiang shouted and asked.
"Ah, Grandpa, Yuan Zi," Ying Zi and the others noticed them, "Grandpa, Grandma."
"Okay."
Li San Jiang let go of Li Zhui Yuan's hand and went in, seeing Li Wei Han and Cui Gui Ying.
The old couple thought Li San Jiang was here for the "statement" matter and hurriedly reported the situation.
After listening, Li San Jiang nodded and comforted them, saying, "Alright, the matter with the big bearded man's family is settled now, and there shouldn't be any more entanglements."
Li Wei Han asked worriedly, "Uncle, has that little Huang Ying been taken care of?"
Li San Jiang's eyelids twitched. Take care of her, how to take care of her, take a shovel and dig under the big bearded man's fish pond, and ask if she's still there?
Logically speaking, a newly dead person shouldn't be that fierce, and the fact that she could chase to their home after her death was already very strange.
However, whether that little Huang Ying was avenged and then dissipated, or whether she was still hiding in the fish pond and staring at the old house of the big bearded man's family as an evil spirit, Li San Jiang didn't plan to delve into it further.
"She won't bother your family anymore. Remember the date and do a sacrifice for her next year, just as a formality."
"Okay, Uncle, we'll keep that in mind."
"Alright, but there's another matter I need to tell you."
Li San Jiang explained the issue with Li Zhui Yuan, but omitted his own improper operation, after all, one has to save some face.
Cui Gui Ying was so scared that her lips turned pale again: "Heaven, why isn't it over yet?"
Li Wei Han was much calmer and said to his wife, "The most dangerous hurdle has passed, this is nothing now. Uncle has a solution, let's do as he says. You go and pack some clothes and luggage for Xiao Yuan Hou."
Li San Jiang waved his hand, "Going to my place is not like going to prison. You can come to visit, and you can bring the things over tomorrow. It won't be too long, at most half a month. Just think of it as me raising a child and enjoying the joy of being a grandfather, hehe."
Li San Jiang's relaxed tone made Cui Gui Ying feel much more at ease. She wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and said, "That's really troubling Uncle San Jiang."
"Ah, don't say that, we're family, family. Alright, set up a table, light a pair of candles, and pour three bowls of wine. Let's go through the motions of the(Chu Jia) (leaving home) ceremony."
The(Chu Jia) (leaving home) ceremony was simple. A table with candles was placed in the yard. Li San Jiang chanted some words while holding Li Zhui Yuan and walked around the table three times. Finally, he had Li Zhui Yuan pick up the three bowls of yellow rice wine one by one, pouring one towards the sky, one over himself, and the last one towards the family standing inside the door.
The biggest rule during the ceremony was that Li Wei Han, Cui Gui Ying, and all the brothers and sisters could only stand inside the threshold and couldn't come out or make a sound to disturb.
After the ceremony.
"Alright, Han Hou, see you tomorrow," Li San Jiang waved his hand, "I'll take the child home first."
With that, Li San Jiang carried Li Zhui Yuan on his back and walked out of the yard.
Li Zhui Yuan, being carried, turned his body and maintained a smile, waving goodbye to his family as if he were just visiting a relative.
Inside the threshold, Li Wei Han put his arm around Cui Gui Ying's shoulder, his gaze fixed on himself. Pan Zi, Lei Zi, Hu Zi, Shi Tou, and the others, although required to be silent, were all covering their mouths while squeezing their heads out from beside their grandparents to watch him.
At this moment, the sun was setting in the west, and the warm orange light shone down, casting a soft glow on everything in sight.
Li Zhui Yuan suddenly felt a sense of dizziness in his heart. He had an intuition that this scene would forever remain deep in his heart and would often be recalled in the future.
It was like flipping through that... old yellowed photograph.