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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 4: A Dangerous Provocation
I didn't cry, but tears were welling up in my eyes.
Suddenly, my grandfather's tightly shut eyes opened. He raised his hand—reaching out to me. I quickly extended my hand, and he looked at Fat Noodle.
I nodded in understanding with Fat Noodle.
Our hands clasped together.
I understood my grandfather's meaning; he wanted us to be harmonious and help each other.
The more he acted this way, the more worried I became, my heart silently aching.
Suddenly, a strange light shone in my grandfather's old eyes as he gazed at Fat Noodle. He clearly uttered a profound statement: "It's not the mistake that matters; what matters is the failure to repent." I looked at Fat Noodle, who seemed to lower his head, appearing somewhat guilty. I wondered if he really had done something wrong.
He didn't dare meet my gaze. Did he really make a mistake? In any case, I felt that my grandfather's words were directed at Fat Noodle rather than me.
I was about to ask Fat Noodle if he had indeed done something wrong when my grandfather began to cough violently. Fat Noodle and I hurriedly helped him up and handed him the sputum bowl.
"No need... You two go out. I have something to discuss with Grandma Sun."
Grandma Sun!
Fat Noodle and I exchanged glances; it was just the three of us in the room—him, me, and my grandfather. There was no Grandma Sun here at all.
Grandma Sun is the Sun Widow in Grandpa's words.
I think some things are not meant for me to see, even though I have Demon Eyes; I cannot attempt to probe into Grandpa and Grandma Sun's secrets.
"Get out." I tapped Fatty's shoulder as a reminder.
Fatty took a few steps, turned back, and seemed a bit uneasy as he asked, "Is it appropriate to leave him alone?"
"There’s more than just him in this room. Do you want to take a look?"
Fatty's lips twitched, and he withdrew his gaze, sulking as he walked out.
"Is what Grandpa said true?"
I got straight to the point, which seemed to surprise Fatty. He sat down, took a moment to calm himself, and asked back, "What?"
"Did something wrong."
Fatty grabbed his hair and, suppressing his anger, shouted at me, "Why do you assume it's my fault? I think it's yours!"
Fatty may seem foolish, but he's not; he can turn the tables on me quite well.
Indeed, Grandpa's earlier words were vague and did not specify anyone. It’s hard to define who he was talking about. If Fatty hadn’t done anything wrong, it could be that I was overthinking it or that Grandpa was just rambling.
"As long as nothing's wrong, it's fine. We both don't want things to be like this with Grandpa."
"Of course, do you think I want Grandpa to leave? If he goes, you'll be the only one left. What... what am I supposed to do?"
Fatty started to cry, and I couldn't bear to watch. I forced a smile and comforted him, "Stop crying. We're men; men don't shed tears easily. If Grandpa really does leave us, I'll be here to take care of you. What do you have to worry about?"
"Thank you..."
"Don't mention it. I'm your brother; it's my duty to look after you."
Talking about feelings with Fatty felt like playing the lute to a cow. He still relied on Grandpa's indulgence, hoping that Grandpa would live forever and always protect him.
I knew he was putting on a brave face, but there was nothing I could do. It wasn't because Grandpa was old and nearing death. So at zero years old, I had to grow up quickly and take on the responsibility of setting an example.
Fatty went to sleep behind the curtain that separated our beds.
I retreated to my own space.
Lying on my bed with my hand under my head, I thought about what Grandpa said today and Fatty's various abnormal behaviors.
As I pondered, I began to feel sleepy; my eyelids grew heavy and slowly closed—then came a strange whisper. It seemed as if someone was standing in front of me, the clarity increasing as I leaned closer. It was a girl.
Her face was pale, dressed in a school uniform, her posture stiff as she faced me.
Then she slowly raised her hands, placing them at the edges of her clothing buttons, and with a powerful tear—there was a ripping sound. To my shock, what she tore wasn't her clothes but her abdomen. Colorful organs rolled out from within her belly, blood filled her mouth as she let out a cackling laugh.
This girl looked familiar; suddenly, I remembered who she was—Yin Yin!
The loud clanging startled me, making my nerves jump. I shouted "Yin Yin" and looked around in a panic. Shh—Damn, it was inside the house; the noise came from the rolling shutter door of the Funeral Home. Because of my grandfather's passing, I had asked Fatty to close the door today.
Clang, clang, someone was banging hard on the shutter door.
I was still lost in the nightmare from just moments ago, not fully awake enough to guess if it was a family member of a Night Wraith coming to seek our services. Fatty had already appeared at the doorway, his face looking grim as he said, "Brother Qi, someone is looking for you."
I shook my head, still feeling groggy, and irritably muttered to Fatty, "Can't you just tell them we’re not taking any orders right now?"
"It's Chi Zhi Ping... his daughter."
Chi Zhi Ping was a client we had served before. If there were still issues at home after the burial arrangements were completed, we had to go immediately to resolve whatever had gone wrong. This was what we called aftercare service.
There was no way to refuse this matter.
I instructed Fatty to greet her while I quickly got dressed and stepped outside in a few swift strides.
I saw Chi Xinrong with her head lowered, unable to meet the gaze of the Paper Figurines in the shop, only staring up at the dark night sky dotted with stars.
Under the pale white light of the streetlamp stood the car she had driven here.
With a flashy vehicle like that, their family lived not far from us; driving over was just showing off.
"What’s going on?"
Hearing my footsteps and my question, Chi Xinrong lifted her too-pale face. Her dark eyes were as cold as ice. She quickly glanced at me and spoke in a voice devoid of warmth, "Something happened. Please go take a look."
I went to Chi Xinrong's house.
At the Funeral Home, only Fat and Grandpa were left. I took a few steps and reminded him to keep an eye on Grandpa. He nodded repeatedly, his eyes fixed on Chi Xinrong in front of him.
I knew Fat liked this girl; she was rich and beautiful. But he should take a look in the mirror and see his own shortcomings, not to mention our family's situation. It was hard to believe that a girl like her would be interested in him.
Chi Xinrong drove herself here.
I envied her for that; getting a driver's license had always been my dream. If I could expand Ma Wu Funeral Home in the future, I would definitely buy a car specifically for handling red and white Happy Events.
Chi Xinrong didn't say much. She answered questions with one-word replies, her expression too focused. She seemed like a statue made of ice.
Sitting next to her, I felt a bit chilly.
I adjusted my collar and casually asked about the incident's background.
Sure enough, the problem stemmed from my suggestion that they go apologize.
Zuna refused to apologize to Ji Xiaoying.
Chi Zhi Ping wasn't keen on the matter either; since Zuna didn't go, he just went along with it and stayed back as well.
Not only did they not go, but Zuna also threw Ji Xiaoying's Spirit Tablet into the trash.
The deceased is gone, but the living must continue to survive. However, treating the departed like this is disrespectful, and the consequences of such disrespect are easy to imagine.
"How are they doing now?"
"Not well. Zuna has a dark bruise on her arm that's oozing pus. Something must have squeezed her. She went to the hospital, but it didn't help. She's used a lot of antibiotics, and now there are maggots inside..."
"Damn!"
Ji Xiaoying was filled with resentment.
The ghostly confrontation had calmed down; Wu Shengxiu and Zhou Xiao had gone to continue their Ghostly Marriage in the afterlife. But Zuna, not knowing her place, had provoked the undead.
"My dad... he's not doing well either. He keeps feeling like something is stuck in his throat. He went for tests, but nothing showed up. He wakes up choking in the middle of the night, as if something is crawling out of his throat."
"Got it."
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