Feng Shui

Chapitre 34

On this auspicious day, red candles burn high.

As the saying goes, "Three thousand weak waters flow around the fingertips."

But that single osmanthus blossom in the moon palace is so beautiful.

..."

The ancient melody, accompanied by the woman's melodious voice like a nightingale's song, drifted under the soft silver light, sounding mysterious and exceptionally beautiful. In an instant, all the noisy sounds in the room ceased, leaving only the sound of the zither and the singing echoing in the garden. Everyone tilted their ears and listened attentively, holding their wine cups but forgetting to drink.

As Luo Lin searched for the song in her mind, she seemed to see a bright and gentle moon, beneath which stood a golden osmanthus tree, its branches laden with golden stamens, exuding an elegant fragrance.

"Wow, what a lively scene!"

Just as Luo Lin was deeply immersed in the melody, a cold female voice suddenly rang in her ears. The music stopped, and everyone in the garden turned to look at the source of the sound.

The newcomer was a woman wearing a fiery red cheongsam with gold carp patterns. She had short, ear-length hair and a face similar to the woman surnamed Hu from before, but with golden eyes. She crossed her arms and coldly scanned everyone in the garden, finally fixing her gaze on Luo Lin. For some reason, Luo Lin felt that the woman's eyes were filled with hatred and hostility.

"Zhu Lu, go back. Yin Xian's marriage has already been arranged, and the Mo family won't agree to it if you go back on your word." Standing beside the woman was Hu Wenyue, who had just come to pay her respects to Old Master Tong. She seemed to be trying to dissuade the woman named Zhu Lu, but the latter clearly had no intention of compromising.

"Mother, are you just going to let my sister be bullied like this? Do you think the Hu family of Huangdai Mountain is so easily bullied?" The woman named Zhu Lu pressed forward relentlessly, closing in on Luo Lin. Hands on her hips, she coldly said, "You're Luo Lin, aren't you?"

Luo Lin hadn't quite grasped what was happening, so he could only nod passively.

"Are you a man?"

Luo Lin nodded in surprise. Why would the other party ask such a strange question?

"Hmph, I knew it! How did a perfectly good boy turn into a girl? Mother, you were indeed deceived by the old man of the Luo family back then!" The fiery woman, having received Luo Lin's answer, turned to Hu Wenyue, whose face had turned deathly pale. She saw Hu Wenyue sway and almost fall. If Shang Ci hadn't stepped forward to help her, she would have been saved. However, she ungratefully pushed Shang Ci's hand away.

"You good-for-nothing Shang Ci! Your aunt used to dote on you so much, and you actually turned around and helped outsiders deceive your aunt! You..." Hu Wenyue trembled with anger, her black eyes almost spitting fire. After scolding Shang Ci, she turned around and glared angrily at the old man of the Tong family, saying sternly:

"Old Master Tong, I, Hu Wenyue, am only polite to you because you are an elder of Luoxiang Mountain, but that doesn't mean the Hu family of Huangdai Mountain is afraid of you. Today, you helped the Luo family's brat deceive Wenyue, so don't blame me for being impolite to you!"

"Mother, why waste words with them? Let's just grab this Luo brat and take him back as food!" As she spoke, Zhu Lu's fingernails, painted with gold nail polish, suddenly grew several centimeters long. She reached out to grab Luo Lin, and the surrounding crowd screamed in alarm, fleeing in an instant.

With a thud, Luo Lin was surprised to see that Old Master Tong had somehow stepped in front of him to block him. His sharp fingernails were poking into Luo Lin's chest, but strangely they slid to the side. Several fingernails made a crisp snapping sound and fell to the ground, weathering away in an instant.

"You surnamed Tong, are you determined to help him?" The young woman named Zhu Lu was far more rude than her mother, and equally powerful than Hu Wenyue.

"Zhu Lu, it's not that I'm biased, but so much time has passed, and Yin Xian is already engaged. If your Hu family goes back on their word today, the Mo family will certainly not let you off the hook. Can't you see the stakes?"

Zhu Lu sneered three times upon hearing this, saying, "We will not back out of the marriage, but we must capture that Luo fellow!" As she spoke, her short hair, which was about ear length, suddenly grew wildly to ankle length, and her golden eyes turned completely golden, with no pupils or whites visible. The sharp, white claws that had broken off her nails protruded, emitting a chilling light under the moonlight.

"Third Brother, quickly take the Luo family boy away! The restriction is about to be lifted. Take him to the palace, hurry!" The anxious shouts of Old Master Tong rang in his ears, but Luo Lin felt nothing. He simply let someone drag him away hastily. Fragments of memories swirled in his mind: a summer afternoon when he was seven, an uninvited guest in a cheongsam, her bright red dress and crimson lips—what did she say to his grandfather? Her delicate, thin lips parted and opened, uttering a melodious voice: She said…

"Grandpa Luo, my Yinxian is very fond of your Lin'er. What do you think about us becoming in-laws?" And Grandpa's reply at the time was...

"Brother, brother, what's wrong?"

Luo Lin was shocked and looked in horror at the Yan family boy standing beside her who was almost crying.

"Gui, you're Gui, aren't you!"

This time it was the boy's turn to be stunned. In an instant, a thousand expressions flashed across his face, from shock to bewilderment to ecstasy, finally culminating in tears of joy: "Lin, you finally remember me!"

Luo Lin nodded, finally remembering everything! He met Gui when he came to Luoxiang Mountain with his grandfather when he was five years old, and his grandfather passed away when he was six. On the last night, his grandfather held his hand, moved his lips, and said with infinite tenderness, "Lin, your constitution really makes my heart ache!"

"My constitution?" Little Luo Lin stared blankly at her grandfather, who was clearly ill but had a clear mind, unable to understand his words.

"Why didn't you inherit my power? You can see clearly, yet you have no ability to resist." The old man on his sickbed sighed silently, tightly holding his grandson's hand, refusing to let go until his death.

"I can see it clearly!" Luo Lin repeatedly chewed on these five words. "I can see it clearly," yes, she could see the world on the other side, but she couldn't stop herself from being dragged into that dark other side.

"I'm sorry, although Lin'er is dressed like this, she is actually a girl. My wife likes boys, so she dressed her up as a boy."

"Does Boss Hu not believe me, Luo's words?"

"What a...what a pity! Why is it a girl?" On a sweltering afternoon in the summer when she was seven, a woman carrying an oilcloth umbrella visited her home and looked at her with regret before leaving, uttering those words. That woman was Hu Wenyue from Huangdai Mountain. And that year, her grandfather, who should have already passed away, appeared at home to personally greet her. Luo Lin took a deep breath. Her grandfather was indeed worried about her until his death!

"Hey Luo, if you know what's good for you, come out here yourself. If I catch you and don't tear you to pieces, I'm not a Hu!" A sharp, cold rebuke rang in Luo Lin's ears, and he felt the boy beside him tremble.

"Hmph, you think you can just hide? Mother, you search over there, I'll search over here."

"Sister, Mother, please don't do this. Brother Luo is not a bad person."

A faint, delicate voice came from outside the dark hall. Luo Lin couldn't help but think of that timid girl who blushed easily. She always followed behind him and Gui shyly, and no matter how much he teased her, she was unwilling to leave. Her name was... Yin Xian.

"I told you long ago you couldn't escape me!" A cold voice came from behind, and the dark hall was instantly lit up. Zhu Lu, with her long black hair, bared her sharp fangs and looked down at Luo Lin and the Yan family boy who were huddled in the corner.

"Lin, hide behind me!" The young man from the Yan family bravely stepped in front of Luo Lin, his whole body trembling but still fearlessly looking at the fiery woman floating in the air.

"Hey, Yan Xiaosan, didn't you learn your lesson from me last time when you stopped me from taking this kid back? Do you want me to dig your roots out again?" Zhu Lu said, waving her hand evilly. A ball of blue flame rose from her palm and burned quietly, illuminating her pale face.

"Sister Zhu Lu, you should be lenient with people when you can. Old Master Luo has been gone for so long, why are you still pressing him so hard?" The young man from the Yan family must have been terrified, his voice trembling, but he still stubbornly stood in front of Luo Lin, trying his best to persuade the furious Zhu Lu.

"I'm pressuring them?" Zhu Lu scoffed disdainfully. "They deceived us first; they owe us, Silver Thread, an explanation, both morally and logically!"

Before the words were even finished, Zhu Lu swooped down and landed on the ground. In a moment of panic, Luo Lin threw the backpack in her hand at him. Suddenly, a bright light flashed in the hall, like lightning ripped through the sky on a summer night. Zhu Lu let out a muffled groan and fell heavily to the ground. Not only had he lost his previous imposing manner, but even his hair had returned to its ear-length. He staggered to his feet, glaring hatefully at the figure standing among the group.

"Grandpa!" Luo Lin exclaimed in surprise. After a flash of light, the person standing in the hall was none other than Luo Sifeng, Luo Lin's grandfather who should have passed away twelve years ago. He was wearing his favorite dark blue Zhongshan suit, old black-rimmed glasses, and his gray hair was still somewhat disheveled, just as it had been when he was alive. Hearing Luo Lin's call, he turned around, put his index finger to his lips in a "shh" gesture, smiled at Luo Lin, and beckoned him over.

Luo Lin, pulling the young man from the Yan family along, happily ran towards his grandfather's location. Luo Sifeng walked ahead at a leisurely pace, skillfully navigating the winding corridor and crossing the stone bridge, and soon arrived at an open space.

"Grandpa..." Luo Lin was about to ask when a loud bell suddenly rang in her ears.

Luo Sifeng gazed absently at the horizon, then turned to smile at Luo Lin. His figure gradually faded until it disappeared into the dim light.

"Grandpa..." Luo Lin rushed over to grab his grandfather's hand but only touched empty air. He felt a sudden dizziness, staggered, and fell to the ground.

"Lin, I'm leaving. Take care!" These were the last words Luo Lin heard before losing consciousness.

****

"Hey, get up, get up, you brat, why are you sleeping here again?" Someone said in Luo Lin's ear, sounding both annoyed and amused. Luo Lin felt two hands pulling at his ears.

"Stop arguing, it's a day off today, let me sleep a little longer." Luo Lin mumbled indistinctly, turning over and trying to escape the other's clutches.

“Master Hongzhi, I’m so sorry, my grandson is really outrageous.”

"Amitabha, Madam Luo, you are too kind. It is inevitable that your grandson will be a little mischievous at such a young age. It's nothing to worry about."

"Old Man Luo..." Luo Lin suddenly woke up and sat up abruptly. The morning sun shone down densely from above, its warmth falling on Luo Lin's face and body. As soon as Luo Lin moved, he felt a sharp pain in his head. Damn it, he hadn't expected the wine from last night to be so strong.

Last night's alcohol? Luo Lin was stunned. Had she been drinking last night? She must have gotten lost on her way to deliver something to her grandmother, and then, tired, just slept somewhere for the night. Where would she have gotten to drink alcohol?

"Lin, why are you always like this?" Old Madam Luo shook her head, amused as she looked at her grandson sitting on the ground looking bewildered, with several large wine jars scattered around him.

“It’s alright, Madam Luo. There are still a few jars of Osmanthus wine in the cellar. If it’s not enough, Xingkong can make more. There’s no need to blame your grandson too much.” The monk Xingkong, dressed in blue robes, said with a smile as he picked up the wine jars on the ground.

"Speaking of which, this isn't the first time. Your grandson did it when he was five years old. He drank the entire offering wine meant for the villagers. Luckily, it was vegetarian, so it didn't harm his health. Madam Luo, there's no need to worry." Monk Xingkong seemed to be suppressing a laugh, his expression somewhat distorted.

"Amitabha, I'm sorry, Master, my grandson is always causing you trouble."

"Grandma, I've brought you what you asked for." Luo Lin finally managed to interject, reaching for the backpack beside her and handing it over.

"What I asked for?" Old Madam Luo frowned in confusion. "When did I ask you to deliver anything?"

"But didn't you call home last night..."

“Speaking of which, your mother called the temple last night to ask about you. She said you received a call from an unknown number and left in a hurry. Remember to call back later to let them know you’re safe. They’ll be worried sick all night.” As she spoke, Madam Luo examined Luo Lin’s backpack, but her hand stopped abruptly.

"Lin, where did you find this?" Old Madam Luo asked in a trembling voice as she took something out of her bag.

Luo Lin reached out and took it; it was a picture frame, which had been smashed to pieces for some reason. Fortunately, the photo inside was undamaged. In the photo, Luo Sifeng, dressed in a dark blue Zhongshan suit, sat leisurely at his desk, smiling at the camera.

"Lin, will you come to play with me again next time?"

A soft murmur drifted on the wind, and Luo Lin tilted her head back. Sunlight shone on something, reflecting a dazzling light. Gold…? Golden… what is that? A delicate fragrance wafted into Luo Lin's nostrils, a faint, subtle scent. From a corner of her memory, a small figure seemed to emerge. Who was it? Why couldn't she make out their features?

“Amitabha! I hadn’t noticed it just now, but this osmanthus tree has already blossomed!” Monk Xingkong exclaimed in surprise.

Luo Lin squinted and looked over. Sure enough, it was osmanthus. The tiny golden flowers carefully unfurled their golden petals in the sunlight, and each flower seemed to be a smiling face smiling at Luo Lin.

"It was more than ten years ago. The osmanthus tree behind the temple was damaged by some wild beast. I took pity on it and planted a branch. It has never bloomed since then, but it bloomed as soon as your grandson came. Your grandson is really lucky to see it," said Monk Xingkong, smiling as he examined the osmanthus blossoms.

"Master, Master, the side hall has been robbed. The offerings brought by the villagers have been all messed up, and even the bronze cauldron in front of the door has been overturned." The little monk rushed over and anxiously described the serious situation.

“Ah, Madam Luo…” Master Hongzhi clasped his hands together apologetically.

"It's alright, Master, please go ahead if you have something to attend to. My husband's memorial service has been completed, so there's no need to worry. I thank you on his behalf." Old Madam Luo returned the greeting and watched the monks depart.

"Alright, how long are you going to sit on the ground? Hurry up and wash up, have your vegetarian meal, and then we'll go down the mountain." Old Madam Luo looked at her grandson with affection, reached out and carefully pulled the framed mirror back into her bosom.

"Hmm? Oh, okay." Luo Lin got up, straightened her clothes, and left with Old Madam Luo.

"Lin, will you come to play again next time? You definitely will! Gui is waiting for you to come back here, you definitely will, you must come back~" Gently, the wind rustled through the branches of the osmanthus tree. The boy with eyes as white as jade sat atop the tallest tree, smiling as he watched Luo Lin's departing figure...

Postscript: Part 8 is finally finished. This piece was very difficult for the author to write. On one hand, the original inspiration had long since faded, and the author could only rely on fragmented feelings and memories to complete this puzzle, inevitably resulting in a less-than-perfect feel. On the other hand, it had been a long time since Chen Ye had written anything similar to "The Night Parade of One Hundred Demons," and the writing had become somewhat rusty. I wonder if everyone is satisfied with what they've read? Please be sure to leave some comments!

"Fox-borne rain," written as "fox no giwara" in Japanese, means rain falling under the sun, or rain during a sunny day. It's said that if a fox is traveling or getting married, blue rain will fall from the sky. Perhaps due to the mountainous terrain, the folklore of our neighboring country, with whom we have many entanglements, is filled with stories about foxes, tanuki (raccoon dogs), and cranes. This is probably related to our neighbor's fondness for delicate things. In China, perhaps due to its vast territory, there are often celestial deities and Buddhas, and expansive rivers. Even the legendary gods seem very powerful. Interestingly, the Greek Sphinx, a beautiful woman with the body of a lion and wings who loved riddles, became a turbaned man in Egypt. Legends are truly fascinating!

Oh, right, thank you, City Prince!

Flower of Sylvia

Foreword: I've been incredibly busy and haven't found a suitable topic, so I'm posting something different here. It's part of a series I originally planned to write, but I put it off. This is an extra chapter, so please bear with it.

**

"Dear viewers, you are now watching the program 'Entertainment Bouncing'. Your host, Li Ke, is currently at the main entrance of Hengsen Plaza. Through the camera lens, you can see that a long line of young men and women are waiting for autographs. Ah, it's a really long line, it even extends across the street. Let's hear what these young people are thinking right now. Hello, miss, I'm Li Ke, the host of the 'Entertainment Bouncing' program from Lizheng TV. What are you thinking about right now?"

The microphone was held out to a long-haired girl who was carrying two huge supermarket bags and looked exhausted and about to fall asleep.

"Think...of a way?" The girl seemed a little nervous in front of the suddenly appearing camera and the dark metal rod, and stammered, unable to speak.

"Yeah, anything is fine. How are you feeling right now? You must be feeling something special to meet the legendary genius magician, Corinne, soon! Ah, I'm so excited too, Lico!"

"Kou...?" The girl blinked her slightly brown eyes, which were covered by thick eyelashes, and looked confused. Following the direction the host pointed, she saw a huge billboard on the massive glass facade of Hengsen Plaza. On the pure black billboard was a silver full moon and flying birds. On the left side of the billboard, in red letters, it read "Genius Descends - Magician Kou Lian's Mini Performance Show and Meet and Greet".

The girl was stunned for a moment, then let out a blood-curdling scream: "Ah ...

On Sundays, Rhodes Street is always bustling with all sorts of people. Shop windows display a dazzling array of goods, and stylish young couples affectionately enjoy ice cream, hand in hand, savoring the beauty of youth and love amidst the vibrant shopping street. Youth, sunshine, and delicious food—nothing is more enchanting than such a comfortable holiday. At this moment, in front of a shop window, a tall young man wearing a dark blue T-shirt and jeans, with a baseball cap pulled down over his head, is intently watching a television program displayed in the window. Through the clear LCD screen, a pretty long-haired girl can be seen staring at the camera with a shocked expression.

"Koulian, I had no idea you had a penchant for skipping work to stand on the street watching gossip shows." The one who uttered such vicious words was not a human, but a bird with long tail feathers perched on the young man's shoulder. It looked at its perch and its master with utter disdain, still harboring resentment over the deliberate sabotage of the tiramisu it was about to enjoy.

"Tiramisu, your sharp tongue seems to be getting more and more scathing!" The young man casually replied, unconcerned, his eyes still fixed on the television screen. The female host, who had been all smiles, seemed to have been so shocked that she suddenly lost her ability to think, her mouth agape, unable to utter a word.

"Hmm, this host really looks stupid. I wonder what connections he used to get into the TV station. What a degenerate human being!" Fifty-year-old Little Phoenix Tiramisu shook her head and expressed her opinion, her little head pressed flat against the glass window, making her face look like a vacuum-packed braised duck. Then she slipped and almost fell to the ground.

"Hey, why did you just run off without saying a word?!" Tiramisu flapped its wings and shouted angrily above the young man's head.

Found it!

Kolian pulled his baseball cap down even further, put his hands in his pockets, and strolled away leisurely, completely ignoring the noisy barking of his pet above him.

"Yu, I really made a fool of myself today!" In the kitchen, the long-haired girl said embarrassedly as she took out various items from the supermarket bag and sorted them.

"What's wrong, sister?" The boy, named Yu, looked about twelve or thirteen years old. He sat obediently to the side, watching the girl skillfully put the food into the refrigerator and start washing the vegetables. It wasn't that he didn't want to help, but his sister always found various reasons to stop him from helping with housework, and since he really couldn't help much, the boy got used to chatting with his sister to keep her company while she did housework.