Famine

Chapter 35

I know, I know. I know you hate him, I know your heart-wrenching pain. Raising a son to university isn't easy, and in your eyes, he's such a lovely child; the apron was even a Mother's Day gift from him.

But that doesn't mean he was without fault. It was just an unfortunate accident, and that doesn't mean you should seek revenge on anyone.

“Second knot!” I called to her, and respectfully offered the scripture.

With each knot she untied, she let out an even more terrifying scream, and I felt the weariness building up within me. By the fifty-first knot, I was completely exhausted; my mind was a complete blank, and I couldn't remember what the fifty-first verse was.

"Fifty-one knots!" Huang E grabbed my shoulders, using the light to dispel the chill and sleepiness. "True compassion for the poor and elderly is genuine; possessing gold and silver will not bring blessings."

She screamed again, but this time the power was much weaker. I was somewhat surprised; not only had Huang E protected me, but she had also reversed her life force and poured it into my gradually emptying body.

Her anger was naturally tinged with malice, but having spent so much time with her, I could tolerate it. Yet, it also caused waves of sharp, cutting pain. It was like drinking poison to quench thirst; we both understood that.

She argued back about ten times, trying to protect me, channel her life energy into me, and withstand the vengeful ghost. Gradually, her words became hesitant and incoherent...

"Sixty-six knots!" Yu Zheng, her face covered in tears and snot, suddenly unleashed her queenly fierceness. She grabbed her uncle's letter and read it carefully, word by word, before angrily pulling off the knots.

The three of us took turns, stammering as we continued the ceremony. I knew she had no intention of explaining the grievances, but there was nothing I could do.

Everything in this world is interconnected, and I cannot bear to watch this cause and effect go astray.

“One hundred and eight knots!” I said weakly.

But before I could recite the scriptures, her kitchen knife had already cut the knot. She breathed a foul, ghostly breath at me and pushed me to the ground.

It's over.

Holding my head, I realized I only had one regret.

"Tang Chen!" I shouted with my eyes closed.

It's strange, you can't see anything with your eyes closed, right? But I could see Tang Chen clearly, and I've never seen him so angry or furious before.

Then everything went white, and I couldn't see him anymore.

When I opened my eyes, I was still dazzled. On the clothesline hung a small golden snake, coiled up like a slipknot I had tied.

“One hundred and eight knots…” I said in a trembling voice, completing the scripture and then pulling open the little golden snake.

The vengeful ghost that had been clinging to Yu Zheng twisted and contorted, emitting an extremely sharp and terrifying scream, as if being sucked in by something, and with a whoosh, passed by me.

"...Since you're so nosy, why don't you become my son's wife!" Something yanked my ankle, and I was dragged headfirst to the third floor.

I didn't ask Yuzheng what the third floor was used for; I should have asked. Seeing the ancestral lamp, it must be a place for worshipping one's parents-in-law. But I think their parents-in-law must have gone to take refuge there.

I really don't want to describe the scene... It was like a furnace from hell had cracked open on Earth. Such a small space, crammed with so much "bad stuff," and it kept popping out.

Huang E was risking his life, and Little Golden Snake was also going all out. But how could I watch my beloved people risk their lives? I pulled out my slingshot and moonstone, and I was truly enraged. Like a madwoman, I smashed all the remaining supplies. When I calmed down, the third floor looked like it had been riddled with bullet holes.

I crawled over, holding the dying Huang E and the little golden snake, feeling empty inside.

Huang E opened one eye a crack, “…Idiot.”

"Yes, I'm an idiot," I replied meekly and numbly, wiping the blood from my elbow wound into her mouth.

"I won't die... It's not that easy!" Tears streamed down her face, dripping onto my knees. "But you... I don't know..."

"You're better off heartless, Huang'e." After saying that, I lost consciousness.

***

A few drops of water seeped into my chapped lips, carrying a pungent, spicy scent. I moved slightly, and a sharp pain shot through me. With difficulty, I opened my eyes, but I could see nothing—just complete darkness.

"Hengzhi?" It's Uncle Shi.

He tried to speak, but first coughed repeatedly. After a long while, he finally spoke, "Uncle, are you alright?"

"Yes. Silly child, silly child..." He hugged me tightly, and a few warm drops seeped into my hair. I was stunned for a moment before I realized they were tears.

It hurts so much to move... but I still secretly hugged my uncle tightly. "The compass and the peach wood sword are both broken... Uncle, are you really going to kick me out of the family?"

He shook his head vigorously, "You are my disciple... I formally accept you as my disciple. You will always be my disciple."

Suddenly, I realized that it didn't hurt that much anymore.

I thought I was going to go blind, but I didn't. I did have some scrapes and bruises, but from a medical standpoint, I'm fine.

As for the unrealistic parts... haha, let's not delve into that (turns head).

Yu Zheng got a good scolding and was taken home by his parents to recuperate. My uncle only let me go to the hospital for half a day, then carried me on the train back to Shuo.

My final exam… well, let's just say that Prince Zheng's "after-sales service" was excellent; I passed with a high score. But Tang Chen had to retake the exam. Apparently, he suddenly yelled and fainted halfway through, then fell seriously ill.

My uncle stayed with Shuo for a while and did his best to treat us. By the time summer vacation came, we had basically recovered our health.

He later told me casually that the vengeful ghost had spent all his wealth bribing unorthodox methods to become that vicious. He had already "dealt with" it all.

"...Does that include that unorthodox method?" I asked weakly.

He just smiled and didn't answer. "...I rarely get angry; this is the first time I've been this angry."

Of course I know he wasn't angry with me... but I still feel a little sorry for that unorthodox method.

When my uncle was about to return to Tainan, I was very reluctant to part with him, and I saw him off at the door with tears in my eyes. He pressed my head down, hugged me tightly again, and then said goodbye to Shuo and left.

"I feel a little uneasy... deep down," Tang Chen said sullenly, still recovering from a serious illness.

"What?" I didn't understand.

"Uncle is holding you, and you don't have any hives at all." He looked so disappointed.

I nudged him with my elbow, "You're crazy. Your uncle is an elder..." I touched my nose, "He doesn't even know how to use his spirit, yet he's willing to risk his life to rush over here."

That idiot of his, I don't know what he has to be ashamed of, even his ears turned red.

"Oh, tsk tsk," Huang E said, leaning on the railing, "flirting, huh? You're improving, you're improving..."

I took a deep breath, looked up, and clenched my fists. "But what I love most in my heart is still the desolation..."

She ran off like a wisp of smoke, losing two feathers in the process. I think she should know who her master is by now.

***

Summer vacation has begun.

I'm so glad I made it through second grade... I hope I can make it through third grade safely, and that nothing else happens.

But the old man refused to give me the divination blocks. "Girl, I don't lie."

………

But I can't spend my summer vacation in Shuo this year.

"Didn't Tang Chen invite you to spend the summer vacation there? Just go." Shuo propped his chin up and looked at me.

"...Huh?!" My hair practically stood on end. Why did I have to spend the summer at Tang Chen's house? Isn't that a bit too shameless?!

"I have my own life too," Shuo chuckled. "Su Bai invited me to stay in Tainan for a while."

...Are you saying, Uncle, your city wall only held out for such a short time?!

"He's a monk..." I pleaded, my eyes brimming with tears.

"Hengzhi, how can you be so wicked?" She narrowed one eye. "Teaching and learning go hand in hand, hehe..."

"What does it matter? An ugly daughter-in-law always has to meet her in-laws eventually..." Huang E said enthusiastically. "I wonder if they have any good-looking children..."

"Go see your mother!" I can't get angry at Shuo, but I can get angry at Huang E.

This was a truly terrifying test for me, even more horrifying than facing a vengeful ghost. I've discovered I actually prefer facing the dead and monsters.

With tears welling up in my eyes, Tang Chen and I boarded the train.

Will I really be able to graduate safely? I don't even know if I'll survive the third year.

The train started moving, embarking on another unknown journey.

(The grievance has been resolved)

(The End of Calamity II)

Wasteland III

One of them said goodbye to his mother

Uncle Shi was a great man.

This is Shuo's assessment, but I really can't find any other words to describe Uncle Shi. He is upright and dignified. He has the elegance of a monk and the heart of a martyr. Although he is not particularly handsome, I would say he is very handsome... but "handsome" seems too frivolous for him.

Therefore, I have to admit that Shuo's comments are so apt; indeed, a great man.

When he went out with his uncle, many women were attracted to him. I think being handsome sometimes refers not only to physical appearance, but also to one's temperament.

But I really didn't expect that all his close friends would be such handsome men and beautiful women. Whether it was Tang Chen's parents or Yu Zheng's parents, they were all captivating.

I had no idea that appearance could be a factor in grouping people together. As a result, I stood out from the crowd, looking particularly sallow and dull, as if I had wandered into the wrong shed.

But I don't know what Uncle Shi and Yu Zheng said to their parents; they really treated them like honored guests. It made me extremely uncomfortable.

"...Call me when you're leaving." Huang'e immediately fled, showing no loyalty whatsoever. I know they come from a good family, but their goodness is so bad that even I feel uncomfortable, and it's not simple... let alone Huang'e.

I knew they all held deep kindness and pity for me. But they probably rarely saw an orphan girl so embodying misfortune, darkness, and ugliness. Huang E occasionally flew back to tell me that both sets of parents were puzzled as to why Tang Chen and Yu Zheng, who had been childhood sweethearts, had broken up. After a semester of inexplicable pain, Tang Chen brought back such a gloomy "Taoist nun."

“…A Taoist nun?” I was speechless.

"The ox-nose said you're his apprentice," Huang'e replied seriously, then complained, "I thought your classmates were disgusting enough, but I was too naive... This place is so disgusting it's suffocating..."

Hearing Tang's mother call Hengzhi, she panicked and ran outside, only managing to fly away after hitting the window frame.

My hand is outstretched in mid-air... Huang'e, how could you leave me like this!

***

Tang's parents both have jobs during the day. Tang's father is a senior executive at a large company, and Tang's mother teaches music at a university.

Fortunately, we don't have to spend all day together, otherwise I couldn't stand it.

But Xia's mother is a full-time housewife. Tang Chen and I often run into her. She treats me really well, but Tang Chen seems a little uncomfortable. His awkwardness affects me too, and I don't know what to do.

The two families used to be on good terms, and whenever Tang Chen cooked something delicious, he would have his children deliver it to her. Tang Chen and Yu Zheng's breakup put both sets of parents in a difficult position. Then I arrived. I had a connection with Tang Chen and had even saved Yu Zheng's life (…), so they all breathed a sigh of relief and sincerely asked me to run errands for them.

That means it's right across the street, so there shouldn't be any trouble. But given my terrible interpersonal skills, it's really quite tough for me.

I'm terrible at dealing with humans, especially kind-hearted ones. I'd be perfectly fine if they were dead.

But for some reason, I really like Xia's mother (?). She often invites me to stay for meals, or when she's buying clothes for Yu Zheng, she'll buy me a set as well. I feel incredibly awkward about receiving such a favor without having done anything for her.

"What are you saying?" Xia's mother's eyes were filled with tears. "If it weren't for you taking the blame, my daughter would be gone too. This fool... No matter what these uncles and elders say, he pretends not to understand and just loves to rush into danger." She glared fiercely at Yu Zheng. "Why don't you learn from Heng Zhi, who is so quiet and composed? You're always jumping around, how can you act like a girl?"