"Brother Xiao Yuan, Run Sheng, I must be seeing things, otherwise how could I see two people sitting on the platform in front of the Zhou Yong’s house."
Tan Wenbin rubbed his eyes forcefully, then continued to look.
The more he looked, the more he hunched over, his whole body gradually shrinking backward, silently placing Run Sheng in front of himself to protect him.
Seemingly feeling it was still insufficient, he attempted to shrink even further behind the boy.
When he lowered his head, he noticed the boy was looking at him.
With a sense of being caught red-handed, Tan Wenbin immediately straightened his chest and began to strut forward with small steps, eventually taking his place back alongside Run Sheng, although his calves were still shaking.
He had a relatively strong tolerance towards things like corpses, after all, his family had taught him, but his family’s knowledge was not in metaphysical studies.
Li Zhiyuan remained silent. After glancing at Tan Wenbin, he once again picked up the Compass.
The Compass showed that everything was normal, without even the slightest pull.
Although they were a distance away, there should have been some reaction, because Feng Shui sites are difficult in their many changes if you say they are difficult, and simple if you say they are simple. Wherever an evil spirit stands, there is the location of ominous energy.
The village chief came over, got out of the car, and asked, "Marquis Runsheng, haven’t you found it yet?"
Run Sheng looked at Li Zhiyuan.
Li Zhiyuan said softly, "Soon."
Run Sheng immediately replied, "We already have a clue, it’ll be soon. Don’t worry, Chief."
"Really?" The village chief sighed with relief, "Then hurry and find it, pull it out, don’t scare anyone else. Some people in the village who saw it got a fever as soon as they went home, and they have been getting IVs in the clinic these past few days."
Li Zhiyuan: "Zhou Yong."
Run Sheng asked, "Chief, where did Zhou Yong go?"
"Zhou? Zhou should be watching cards being played right now, what’s up?"
"He still watches card games?"
"He likes to stand and watch others play; he never plays himself."
"There’s always a stop to the farm work in the fields, and there’s not always work to be done setting up nets in the river to catch fish. When he has nothing else to do, Zhou will go watch others play cards. People, no matter how hard life gets, still need to find some happiness for themselves, who wants to keep a mournful face all day."
"About Zhou, how to put it, no one else is quite like him."
"I heard he d a bridge?"
"Yes, he d that bridge. There wasn’t much need to build a bridge there initially, and not many people cross it, but he insisted on donating to build it, saying it was for acquiring virtue and blessings for his wife and children.
I couldn’t dissuade him, so we gathered some resources from the village, and with his contribution, that bridge was built. I imagine that as the roads are extended, eventually more people might cross that bridge."
"I don’t understand why he did it."
"It’s right if you don’t understand. Zhou is a good person, and he’s popular in the village, but ever since his wife and child got sick, he’s become somewhat distracted. Except for when he watches card games, he can be peaceful, but if you talk to him too much any other time, he’ll start leading the conversation into some nonsensical directions, as if he’s been bewitched by someone.
In principle, donating money to build bridges is a good thing, but I advised him at that time. I said: Zhou, with this money, you could either rebuild your house with bricks and tiles, or buy something nice for your wife and child to eat, wear, and enjoy. Our village doesn’t lack that bridge, and your family could really use that money to live more comfortably.
Heh, but he wouldn’t listen, said if the village wouldn’t agree to build it he’d find his own construction team. Marquis Runsheng, you tell me, what could I do?
These past few days, I’ve been troubled by this. I had kindly helped his family apply for social welfare and there were some subsidies, but with his donation to build the bridge, lo and behold, he got me roasted on the spit.
Damn it...sigh, let’s drop it. Marquis Runsheng, give me a heads-up when you pull it out. After the work is done, we’ll set up a little celebration at my place for you and your grandfather, and the village will give a red envelope."
"Mhm, you go ahead with your tasks, Chief."
After the village chief left, the mother and daughter on the small platform were still there.
Li Zhiyuan took strides towards Zhou Yong’s house, to verify his speculation.
Seeing this, Run Sheng naturally stepped in front of Xiao Yuan again.
Tan Wenbin stood still for a few seconds, still with his head half-lowered, he quickly followed. Though he didn’t dare to walk side by side with Run Sheng anymore, he managed to walk in front of Xiao Yuan.
The closer they got, the clearer the mother and daughter on the small platform appeared.
The woman was sitting on a bench with the girl nestling in her arms, both mother and daughter laughing and chatting, seemingly very heartwarming.
Tan Wenbin began to sweat profusely, occasionally raising his head quickly to glance, and then immediately lowering it again.
In his mind, all he could see was the image of the girl curled up in the rice vat and the woman lying in the cotton wadding.
As they approached the entrance of the house, Li Zhiyuan stopped in his tracks.
Finally, Li Zhiyuan stopped.
"Brother Binbin, go ahead and walk forward."
Tan Wenbin wrapped his arms around himself and continued to walk forward with his head down. When he arrived in front of the platform, he stopped and looked at the house, finding it empty. The mother and daughter who had been there before had disappeared.
"There’s no one..." Tan Wenbin turned around, his face full of confusion.
Li Zhiyuan gestured for him to come back. Tan Wenbin sprinted back.
When he looked at the platform again, hey, the mother and daughter had reappeared there.
"Brother Runsheng, you go forward."
Run Sheng walked forward, reaching the spot where Binbin had stopped, and turned to look at the platform.
From behind, Li Zhiyuan and Tan Wenbin saw Run Sheng raise his hand awkwardly and wave towards the platform.
"Can Run Sheng see them?"