Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
The entire process went smoothly.
From the lifting of the coffin to the burial, there were no unexpected incidents.
My cousin and aunt knelt before the grave mound, finally letting out a sigh of relief.
"Finally, it's over."
The Old Man comforted us, saying, "Wang Laowu's obsession has been dealt with. The deaths of others are all a matter of karmic retribution.
"As for the son your grandmother mentioned, I have already repressed him. You can rest easy."
As he spoke, he added, "I will watch over you tonight."
Despite the Old Man's reassurances, I knew something would happen that night.
I had long suspected that the one who killed with borrowed rice was my father, not Uncle.
The face I saw that day was covered in Field Snail; although I couldn't see it clearly, I was certain it was my father.
Every time my father secretly came to see Mother, he always failed to hide the stench of fish on him.
That day when Uncle died in Grandma's Rice Jar, my father was busy trying to wipe off the mud from his feet.
But the more he wiped, the more mud there seemed to be.
When Second Uncle approached Grandma's body, it was also my father who urged Second Uncle to touch Field Snail.
So I had known all along it was my father's doing.
But I didn't tell anyone.
I didn't believe the Three Grandmothers or the Old Man.
My father's obsession is not with that barrel, nor with those Field Snails.
It is with my mother.
Even though the Old Man handled everything, I could still feel my father's presence.
That stench of fish always lingered around Mother.
In the evening, the Three Grandmothers paid a visit.
She told my father that he borrowed Lifespan, and it would disappear after tonight.
Unless he borrowed Borrowing Lifespan again.
"Field Snail Sculpting is something I taught you."
"But your wives left me no thoughts to hold onto."
"My son's clothes are buried in Pond Mud."
"He didn't even have a chance to borrow life through Sculpting."
After saying this, the Three Grandmothers left.
As she departed, she uttered one more sentence.
"Humans are scarier than ghosts."
Night fell.
The stench of fish filled the yard.
I know that Dad is gone.
Mother suddenly stood up.
She looked outside, as if she were watching something.
But there was nothing outside.
Mother cried.
"Take my lifespan."
"Husband, take my lifespan!"
The smell of rotten fish gradually faded away.
I know that Dad is gone.
He has left and will never return.
My cousin and aunt knelt by the grave all night.
Until dawn.
Suddenly, my aunt went mad.
She screamed for everyone to leave, saying they all had Field Snails.
I suspect my aunt saw Dad too.
The Old Man did not appear.
The vase and plates he had tidied up were also gone.
My cousin was very angry about my aunt's madness, but no more strange occurrences happened in the house.
My aunt was sometimes lucid and sometimes insane.
Yet, Mother miraculously regained her senses.
She decided to take me away.
To leave this cursed place.
Before we left, Mother found my cousin.
He cried and promised to take good care of my aunt.
He begged Mother and me never to return.
He would stay to guard this place and atone for our father's sins.
Ten years later, my cousin sent a large sum of money to Mother.
He said he had found bones in Wang Zhiming's coffin, along with the vase and porcelain that Old Man had taken away.
"Indeed, my father was right; it’s all about karma."
Mother sighed lightly and asked if I was afraid.
I smiled and replied, "What is there to fear? People are scarier than ghosts."
Mother smiled as well.
"Yes, people are indeed scarier than ghosts."
Mother gazed out the window, seemingly lost in thought.
"I've always hoped your father would come back, but he never did. Three Grandmothers told me he was dead, and it was all due to fate.
"So I held a grudge against your Uncle.
"Until Three Grandmothers told me that your father's spirit had returned."
I looked at Mother. "So you let him borrow rice?"
Mother shook her head. "I don't know what your father wants, but I want him back.
"But Three Grandmothers said that if your father borrows rice to kill someone, he will be haunted by vengeful spirits and can never be reborn.
"I had no choice but to let Three Grandmothers teach me how to use Field Snail Sculpting."
Suddenly, Mother fixed her gaze on me. "Han Wa, do you think I'm being cruel?"
I shook my head. "Mom, I'm not afraid of you."
Mother smiled with relief.
Comment 0 Comment Count