Could it be that one's thoughts during the day manifest in their dreams at night? After all, these past two days, I have been admiring her beauty so much that it’s almost as if I’ve taken to treating her likeness like a brush in an ink wash.
However, in the next moment, standing in the courtyard, Qin Li raised her head and looked at Li Zhuiyuan, who was on the terrace. Their gazes met for the first time.
Realization dawned on Li Zhuiyuan: she was not merely a figment of his imagination; she had entered his dream. Dreams were but reflections of reality, and the way he had fixed her image in his mind had nearly become second nature. In the dream, she should not exhibit any extra movements.
But wait…
Li Zhuiyuan furrowed his brows.
Was this truly my own dream?
Is it possible that, like Qin Li below, I am also a participant here?
Or had he simply dreamed too few times to identify patterns or gain experience? He had only just started reading, focusing on introductory material.
It was much like a problem presented before him, yet he couldn’t even understand what the problem entailed.
Perhaps Qin Li could know a thing or two?
She was already looking at him; could he dare hope she might speak as well?
But now, the first floor was bustling with noise; stepping down the staircase meant crossing through a crowd. That was simply not feasible.
The terrace on the second floor wasn’t too high, but for someone of his small build, jumping down wasn’t practical either.
This likely wasn’t his dream, which stripped him of the privilege to carelessly take risks.
Li Zhuiyuan crouched down and waved to Qin Li below, motioning for her to come closer so they might whisper softly.
Yet before Qin Li could respond, he heard footsteps coming from the staircase behind him.
He turned to see four women approaching, dressed in bright-colored clothing, with heavy makeup and rosy cheeks.
They noticed Li Zhuiyuan immediately, as if they were headed straight for him.
“Little one, what are you doing here? They're about to start the feast!”
“Quick, go! The feast is starting! Hurry and take the front seats; the second batch is going to wait a long time!”
“Right, right! After the first batch is done, hurry home to sleep so you won’t miss school tomorrow.”
At weddings and funerals, when there are too many guests, they often serve in batches. Once the first batch finishes, they clean the table, reset it, and then the second batch takes their seats.
“I don’t…”
Before he could finish saying no, an elder woman grasped Li Zhuiyuan’s hand.
In that instant, he noticed his clothes had vanished, replaced by an old-fashioned blue robe, quite unfashionable yet brand new.
The old woman’s grip was strong, causing Li Zhuiyuan to stagger repeatedly as she pulled him down the stairs. He tried to pry her hand off but to no avail.
Her hands were white, an unnatural pallor without any visible creases.
A sudden awareness of his struggle seemed to grip the elder; she halted and turned slowly:
“Little one, you’re being naughty—don’t want to go?”
Her voice turned slow and eerie, and the corridor's light faded to a dim glow, leaving a scant light illuminating the old woman’s face.
Li Zhuiyuan inhaled deeply and forced a smile:
“I want to go eat. I want to eat.”
“Good little one.”
As soon as those words were spoken, the dim corridor light ignited brightly once more.
The old woman continued to hold Li Zhuiyuan’s hand as they descended, finally arriving at the ground floor.
Originally, the first floor of the ancestral home was merely a storage room; the walls were left bare, the natural gray of cement.
But now, the entire first floor was bright and festive, adorned with decorative lights and vibrant decorations.
Tables were set, each covered with red plastic sheets, holding dishes and cold dishes.
Clients were everywhere, men and women of all ages, all donned in overly bright new clothes, their faces heavily made up with noticeable rouge.
Li Zhuiyuan had a sinking feeling; he knew what they were.
Because while the tables and chairs were set up, he did not see the usual stockpile of paper figures.
As the old woman brought Li Zhuiyuan in, she released his hand and busily engaged with her own matters. Turning around, he was taken aback—his staircase was gone.
Not wanting to remain idle, he headed towards the door. The family home had several doors wide for easy flow. At this moment, the door panels were completely opened.
Thus, the first floor was practically merged with the courtyard outside.
Just as he reached the entrance, he spotted two young women bringing in a little girl. It was indeed Qin Li.
Unlike him, her attire hadn’t changed, likely because she was appropriately dressed for this occasion.
At that moment, he noticed Qin Li’s eyelashes fluttering, and her body began to tremble slightly.
Li Zhuiyuan guessed she might lash out.
The two young women holding her seemed to sense something off about Qin Li as they dropped their heads to observe her. Simultaneously, the light around them dimmed further, and the darkness seemed to expand, enveloping others nearby who ceased their chatting and cast cold looks toward their direction.
Li Zhuiyuan was now certain that this was not his dream.
Of course, it wasn't Qin Li’s dream either.
He had never heard of someone provoking an overreaction from their surroundings during a dream.
This was clearly someone else's dream; he didn’t know whose it was, but they were deeply immersed in it. Any illogical or outstanding behavior would undoubtedly disrupt them, causing them to wake.
Upon awakening, they might be irritable; perhaps they would eliminate those unexpected disruptions and resume dreaming.
Yet, no matter the scenario, Li Zhuiyuan felt it wouldn’t bode well for him.
So, he stepped forward, standing in front of Qin Li and smiled, saying:
“Little sister, I finally found you. You don’t know how long I’ve been looking for you.”
He turned to the women holding Qin Li’s hands, adding, “Thank you for helping me find my sister. She tends to wander off by herself, and it’s not safe for her here.”
He gestured toward his forehead.
“Oh, so that’s how it is.”
“She’s right here.”
The two women expressed understanding.
The creeping shadow stopped advancing but didn’t retract.
The people outside continued their activities, while those within remained fixated here.
Still not enough!
Li Zhuiyuan bit his lip, he extended his hand and grabbed Qin Li’s, and then he placed his other hand gently on her head: “Sister, be good; don’t be scared. Brother is here, and I will take good care of you.”
After speaking and doing that, Li Zhuiyuan braced himself for potential scratching or biting.
But he had to take this risk. Since Qin Li had looked up at him earlier, perhaps she could endure just a little longer this time.
They stood close together, and he could feel the girl’s hand tremble.
In his one-sided observations over the past two days, he gathered that the girl resisted all forms of external contact.
Only her grandmother could gently coax her to eat without being pushed away, yet even Granny Liu wouldn’t dare try to get too intimate with her.
However, Li Zhuiyuan felt a hint of joy as he noticed the girl’s shaking begin to subside, her breathing steadying. She didn’t push him away—she didn’t even attempt to free her hand from his grip.
Seeing the girl finally calm down, the shadows at their feet began to recede until they vanished altogether.
The previously transfixed people suddenly turned away, returning to their activities, including the two women.
Phew... temporarily safe.
Li Zhuiyuan glanced at Qin Li and softly asked, “Do you know what we should do next?”
Qin Li showed no response; she simply stared at him.
Fine, she probably didn’t know.
If it were daytime, holding her hand and having her gaze at him would’ve brought him happiness.
That feeling was akin to a perfect artwork interacting with you, resonating deeply.
But given the current atmosphere, it was hard to cultivate such sentiments.
“Please take your seats, everyone! Time to sit down!”
“Alright, sit, sit, hurry and sit!”
Someone was calling for everyone to take their places.
At this juncture, the safest choice was to blend in.
“Let’s find a place to sit,” Li Zhuiyuan said to Qin Li, leading her towards a table with only a little boy sitting at it.
Just as they were about to sit down, the boy immediately bent over, clutching the bench and shouted, “This seat is taken! My dad and mom, grandpa and grandma are coming soon. You can’t sit here!”
They had encountered someone reserving a spot ahead of time.
If it weren’t for that boy’s heavy makeup indicating he was indeed a paper figure turned child, Li Zhuiyuan would have suspected he was Huzi or Shitou.
The last time they had eaten at Big Beard's house, Huzi and Shitou had reserved seats for the brothers ahead of time, and the look and tone of this boy were almost identical.
“Little one, little one, there are two empty seats here; come sit with us, this table will fill up,” an old man in a funeral garb chimed in from the adjacent table.
“Okay, grandpa.”
Li Zhuiyuan immediately took Qin Li over to that side. After he sat down, noticing Qin Li still standing, he could only whisper, “Sit down.”
Qin Li didn’t move, standing still.
Helpless, Li Zhuiyuan reached out, grabbing her waist and applied force downward; she finally sat.
However, as soon as he made contact with her waist, he felt her begin to tremble once more.
Once he relaxed his hand, she calmed down.
Looking down at their still-linked hands... he realized this might be her maximum comfort level for physical contact.
“Little one, where are your elders?” the grandpa in funeral clothing asked.
His tone was kind, but with such heavy makeup, even the kindest demeanor appeared somewhat eerie.
Li Zhuiyuan replied, “My grandparents are in the kitchen helping; they sent me to bring my sister to eat first.”
“Oh, I see. Haha.” Then the old man turned to Qin Li, “This girl sure is pretty. How old is she?”
Qin Li ignored him.
Li Zhuiyuan understood; even if she wanted to respond, she couldn’t because she likely didn't comprehend the Nantong dialect.
Granny Liu's family lived at the ancestral home, while Aunt Liu and Uncle Qin worked for the elder, having no communication with fellow villagers whatsoever. Even when talking to him, they spoke in Mandarin; let alone Qin Li, who preferred to sit motionless at the threshold.
Fortunately, her silence remained beneficial; had she spoken Mandarin, it would only invite more curious questions, and during such a critical moment, speaking too much could lead to trouble.
“Grandpa, my sister is ten years old. She once had a fever as a child, and it wasn’t treated in time, which hurt her brain. She can’t hear well and can’t speak either.”
Li Zhuiyuan deliberately made his words loud enough for everyone at the table to hear, aiming to seal off any further inquiries about Qin Li.
“Oh, I see. Poor little one, tisk, tisk.”
“Indeed, there’s one in our team too; had a fever as a child, and the adults didn’t care, and as a result, their brains got hurt.”
“Exactly, looking after little ones requires care; otherwise, both children suffer, and when they grow up, the adults will also suffer.”
The people at the table began exchanging thoughts.
At that moment, the old man in funeral clothing asked Li Zhuiyuan again, “How old are you?”
“I’m eleven.”
Li Zhuiyuan inflated his age slightly; although Qin Li was indeed a month younger than him, he couldn’t state he was ten. The two didn’t look like twins at all, and “mother” couldn’t have them born a month apart.
It’d be an utter mess if tales emerged of a widower father with a new wife bringing a child.
That would surely fuel robust discussions, and perhaps even the neighbors would chime in.
“Are you in school?”
“I am; I'm in the fourth grade.”
“Oh, and your sister?”
“My sister isn’t in school; she just stays at home and sits around. Only today, we came out together for the feast.”
“Hmm.”
The old man ceased his inquiries and returned to his conversation with others at the table.
Finally, Li Zhuiyuan managed to find a moment of peace. He looked at Qin Li beside him and softly said, “Don’t be scared; I’m here.”
This wasn’t flattering; rather, it was a form of reassurance, implying she should steady herself and not react impulsively.
Qin Li turned her head to look back at Li Zhuiyuan.
Yet, within her eyes, he couldn’t discern any emotion.
Then, she turned away again, returning to her daze.
Li Zhuiyuan believed she could comprehend him. After all, she could feed herself… she wasn’t incapable of self-care; she even had a cleanliness obsession.
After every meal, Granny Liu would ensure everything was clean.
Leisurely, Li Zhuiyuan began to focus on the dishes at the dining table.
Currently, all that was served were cold dishes: cylindrical bowls of cold spinach, century egg and tofu, fried peanuts, and sliced salted duck eggs...
Only two were purely meat: salted pork slices and braised short ribs, but both portions were small, just enough for everyone at the table to take a couple of bites.
The braised short ribs were directly in front of him. They were cold and sweet but not greasy. The last time they had eaten at the feast, he remembered that dish vividly.
But seeing it now, he felt no appetite whatsoever. Who knew what this thing could possibly be?
Then, the sound of singing emerged.
Nearby tables turned toward that direction, and many stood up.
Li Zhuiyuan turned to look and saw a man and a woman standing in a small, open area at the center of the dining scene with an elderly gentleman playing an instrument beside them.
The man and woman were dressed in theatrical robes, their makeup more elaborate, with thick rouge extending in additional, exaggerated styles.
With the accompaniment of the elderly man’s instrument, the man began singing, after some movements, with the woman continuing thereafter.
Li Zhuiyuan recognized this was the local opera form—Tongzi Opera.
Li Weihan and Cui Guiying had once brought him to the village courtyard to watch; its vocal style was unique, loud, and somber, delivering strong emotional impact.
To outsiders, it was simply... extremely unpleasant.
Back then, he had just arrived in Nantong and was still familiarizing himself with the local dialect. While Li Weihan and Cui Guiying lost themselves in the performance, Li Zhuiyuan had found it maddeningly painful.
Now, it was the same; everyone at the table and those nearby were engrossed in the performance, while he looked back at Qin Li. Luckily, she showed no response.
As the performance continued, someone began to distribute chopsticks at each table. Another person carried vinegar and soy sauce, pouring it into the small dishes, generally six per table for two people to share.
“Come, little one, eat.” The grandfather in funeral attire picked up a piece of short rib and placed it in Li Zhuiyuan’s bowl.
“Thank you, Grandpa.”
“Eat, don’t just stare.”
“Okay, you eat too, Grandpa.”
“Hmm.”
“Woof!” “Meow!”
At that moment, Li Zhuiyuan spotted several cats and dogs trotting beneath the table, with one little dog not far from his feet.
As he picked up the short rib, he subtly threw it beneath the table when no one was looking. The nearby dog quickly grabbed it and started munching.
Following that, he continued to drop the food the grandfather in funeral attire had given him, soon gathering numerous cats and dogs under his side of the table.
Li Zhuiyuan recognized these cats and dogs well; he had seen them in the pile of paper during the day. But back then, they hadn’t been lively or as eager for food as they were now.
“Little one, you should encourage your sister to eat; she’s just sitting there, not eating at all.”
Li Zhuiyuan turned his head slightly, gesturing, “Sister, you should eat.”
To his surprise, as if on cue, Qin Li picked up the chopsticks and started to grab food, taking three bites' worth into her bowl, then bowing her head, opening her mouth.
Wait, is she really eating?
Li Zhuiyuan swiftly tugged at her hand.
Qin Li turned her head to look at him; this time, her gaze held a smidge of emotion, albeit faint—curiosity.
He hastily leaned closer to her ear; it was normal for siblings to whisper to one another:
“Don’t eat; feed the animals underneath.”
Qin Li lowered her head, glancing at the gathering cats and dogs, then stood up and took the dish from the table.
It looked like she was going to pour the entire platter down for them.
Such an act instantly drew the displeasure of the others at the table, frowning at her.
Li Zhuiyuan had to get up, grab the dish away, and return it, smiling as he gently advised, “Sister, this is for everyone to share; you can’t be greedy, not everything is yours.”
Seeing Li Zhuiyuan say this, the adults around appeared relieved, many chiming in:
“If she likes it, let her eat; it’s fine.”
“Just place the dish in front of her.”
Li Zhuiyuan shook his head persistently: “That won’t do; it doesn’t follow the rules.”
“Bang…… bang!”
Suddenly, the sound of fireworks echoed from outside, causing the nearby children to cover their ears and shout.
Firecrackers went off in sequence—more than ten—bringing an immediate darkness to the atmosphere as people froze in place, all sitting rigidly, eyes fixed ahead.
Though unsure why this was, Li Zhuiyuan quickly followed suit, glancing at Qin Li from the corner of his eye. Well... she didn't need to follow; she was experienced.
Outside, an old lady entered, flanked by a group of children.
The moment she appeared, the atmosphere felt somewhat frozen.
Through the gaps between heads, Li Zhuiyuan recognized her as the old lady he had seen in his dream at Liu Jinxia's place, who had been carried by Niu Fu.
What was she doing here?
He distinctly remembered Niu Fu left the elder’s home hunched over.
The old woman was somewhat hunched but full of vitality, perhaps too much vitality. Her eyes gleamed with a green glow, and tufts of fine hair sprouted on her face.
Moreover, it appeared that there were dark threads on her skin... resembling spontaneously sprouted whiskers.
It was as if... she had a cat's face.
The old woman walked over to the main table beneath the performance stage and smiled around.
“Today is my birthday, and I’m grateful that everyone has come to celebrate with me. Make sure to eat and drink well!”
Once she spoke, the previous dimness dispelled to colorful brightness once more.
All those who had been stiffly seated relaxed and resumed eating and chatting naturally.
Li Zhuiyuan felt relieved that he and Qin Li sat back enough, almost in a position to turn their backs on the old lady, with several tables separating them. Given their small stature, they likely wouldn’t be noticed.
But just as he reveled in this moment, he glanced back to see the old lady picking up a cup of wine and starting to toast to each table!
If he recognized her, she would certainly recognize him as well.
This must be her dream... no, Li Zhuiyuan now felt the environment could no longer simply be referred to as “a dream.” He and Qin Li were potentially caught in some peculiar realm.
Yet no matter how it was classified, he could not let her see him.
The old lady quickly moved from one table to the next, raising her glass, making a few comments, inevitably drawing closer to his table.
Li Zhuiyuan turned to Qin Li and called out loudly, “What is it? Are you missing grandma?”
Qin Li turned to look at him, her expression once again filled with confusion.
Li Zhuiyuan playfully patted beneath the table as he spoke, causing the dining table to shake slightly, sending dishes falling.
“Hey, sister! Don’t mess around! We’re in the middle of eating. You see, you’re not eating; don’t disturb everyone else!”
The confusion in Qin Li’s gaze deepened.
Li Zhuiyuan faced the others at the table, apologizing: “I’m sorry, my sister is….”
He pointed again to his forehead.
Everyone revealed understanding expressions, "She hurt her head, so whatever odd behavior is natural."
Li Zhuiyuan pulled Qin Li up and left the table, “Alright, let’s go find grandma. Oh, I can’t stand you anymore; I’m still not full!”
Then, he took Qin Li towards the door, but as they got close, he noticed a row of men dressed in old-fashioned housekeeper attire standing outside.
Some chatted, some pulled firecrackers, and while each had their tasks, they blocked the exit completely.
He could not leave this way, and from his observation of the old lady’s demeanor, it seemed she hadn’t planned a singular round of toasts. The longer he remained here, even if they played hide and seek, he could easily catch her attention.
Surveying his surroundings again, the staircase to the second floor was gone now. The only hiding area left was the northwest corner leading to the kitchen.
At this moment, sounds of cooking could be heard from there.
Li Zhuiyuan led Qin Li toward the kitchen, chatting to avoid drawing attention, “Look at you, insisting on finding grandma.”
“We finally have the chance for a banquet, and there are so many delicious dishes that I haven’t even tried yet.”
“Ah, the old hen soup is about to be served. You’ve made me miss the chicken leg!”
Sure enough, as they progressed, the nearby diners were immersed in their meals, and no shadows emerged beneath their feet; everything appeared completely normal.
Finally, Li Zhuiyuan and Qin Li stepped into the kitchen. Upon entry, he spotted a large plastic basin surrounded by a bunch of dirty plates.
Seven or eight elderly women were squatting next to the basin, using rags to wash the plates.
However, the basin didn’t hold water; instead, it was filled with sand, and they were cleaning with sand.
Nearby, a plump chef wearing an apron was skillfully frying dishes; it was evident he was an experienced hand.
Yet surrounding him were baskets filled with stacks of white paper, and his jars of seasoning held various colors instead of oil, salt, or vinegar.
There was also a large bucket filled with glue.
He first heated the glue in a pot, then poured in stacks of white paper, continually stirring while adding various colors. As he finished, they came out as appetizing-looking dishes.
Moreover, the flames that danced high above were not typical colors; they flickered green, resembling ghostly fire.
“Little one, you should go play outside instead of being a bother here!” the chef impatiently urged.
Li Zhuiyuan spoke up, “Wow, you’re so talented! The dishes you create are so tasty. I want to grow up to be a chef, and I want to learn from you!”
“Hehe.” The chef shifted his annoyance to a smile, “Study hard and be a proper person. It’s grueling to be one during summer.”
“No, I want to be a chef! Being a chef means you get to eat lots of delicious food. Plus, I’m not the sharpest; I can’t study well.”
“If you’re not good at studying, then you better learn a trade, or else you’ll starve one day.”
“You’re amazing! I’ll stay nearby and watch; I won’t be a bother.”
While the chef didn’t agree, he also didn’t push him out.
Li Zhuiyuan stood beside, complimenting him now and then, even helping to pass a plate or mixed colors.
In truth, his flattery was disingenuous since everything the chef created involved glue, paper, and paint thrown together in a pot.
Despite this, watching dish after dish complete to perfection was a strange experience.
They stood there for quite some time when someone outside called out, “The first batch has ended; the second batch is now seated!”
Soon after, a greater quantity of dirty plates was sent through, passing through the elderly women’s sandy cleansing process before being placed back in the kitchen to be refilled.
First up were cold dishes, so the cold dish chefs began their work, allowing the plump chef a moment’s rest. After he wiped away his sweat, he picked up two pieces of crispy meat from the side, eating one and offering the other to Li Zhuiyuan.
“Here, eat.”
“No, I really can’t.”
“Eat! Don’t be shy.”
“I’m already full!”
Li Zhuiyuan felt that perhaps he had exaggerated too much earlier, leading the plump chef to become overly enthusiastic.
Yet right after his second refusal, the chef’s expression abruptly changed.
Li Zhuiyuan noticed shadows creeping beneath him, gradually expanding.
The nearby cold dish chef and the washing women turned to look at him.
Apparently… it was quite rare for a child to refuse a large chunk of meat.
Li Zhuiyuan could only helplessly take the piece of meat from the chef’s hand and pop it into his mouth, chewing while displaying a shy grin, as if his earlier rejection had merely been modest: “It’s delicious! So fragrant.”
The chef broke into hearty laughter, and the shadows began to retreat while everyone else continued their tasks.
“Ah, sister! How did your shoe get damaged? You’re so careless! This is your new shoe; if we go home, what will mom say!?”
Li Zhuiyuan crouched down, pretending to fix Qin Li’s shoes. Unbeknownst to her, he stealthily spat the meat from his mouth and placed it on the ground, then took hold of Qin Li’s left ankle, lifting her foot to step on the meat.
He considered swallowing it entirely, thinking at most it would just taste like paper, nothing significant. But the problem was that as the meat entered his mouth, a strong, indescribable feeling of nausea hit him. His stomach began to spasm at the thought of consuming something that felt entirely foreign to him.
After standing up, Li Zhuiyuan began to take deep breaths, trying to shake off the intense discomfort.
Qin Li lowered her head, looking at her feet, her body trembling again.
He guessed she must find her shoes soiled.
Holding her hand, Li Zhuiyuan leaned closer and said in a tired voice, “Please, just bear with it for a moment, okay?”
Qin Li raised her head, gradually ceasing her trembling; she didn’t move her shoe away from the dirt.
Seeing her calm down this way stirred a small feeling of warmth within him.
However, that touch of warmth was short-lived. Just when he was feeling a little too comfortable, the seasoned chef produced a large chicken leg and extended it toward him.
“Come, little one, enjoy this chicken leg!”
Li Zhuiyuan was left speechless.
Without hesitation, he bit into the chicken leg next, grinning, “This chicken leg is truly delicious; what a treat.”
“Ahaha!”
“Ah, sister! Your skirt got some oil stains! You really should take care of your new clothes. No wonder mom says you’re a problem child!”
Li Zhuiyuan knelt down once more, feigning to clear Qin Li’s clothes while grabbing her right ankle. He lifted it, simultaneously removing the remaining chicken leg and the piece that he had spat out, causing her shoe to step on it.
“Ah…”
An awful taste flooded his mouth, making his head spin, and his stomach convulsed. The overwhelming feeling of nausea was so intense it nearly caused him to collapse; had he not braced himself, he truly might have ended up flat on the ground.
But by sheer will, he managed to stand upright, albeit painfully.
This food truly was not meant for the living; he couldn't even touch it.
Fortunately, the plump chef didn’t insist on more food afterward; he began preparing the hot dishes for the second batch of guests.
Once the second batch concluded, and the feast ultimately dispersed, Li Zhuiyuan felt that once he and Qin Li endured until the end, they could finally leave.
At last, he saw the chef pouring sweet dumplings in syrup from the pot.
This was a local sweet treat served at the feast, constituting the final dish—signaling the feast was over.
Li Zhuiyuan's heart leaped as he squeezed Qin Li's hand: it’s almost over!
But just then, the sound of the old lady echoed from the kitchen door:
“Thank you, esteemed chefs, for your hard work. I truly feel bad for all the trouble caused!”
Li Zhuiyuan felt his heart tighten, quickly pulling Qin Li behind the stove and crouching down, using the bulk of the stove and the chef to shield them from the kitchen door.
“Old lady, may you live long, your life as enduring as the mountains!” the plump chef greeted with a laugh.
“Ah, but don’t live so long; living longer just annoys the younger generation.”
“What nonsense! Having an elder in the household is a treasure! I hope my own dear mother lives to a hundred!”
“Your mother is blessed to have a son like you! Those of mine think I live too long, sucking the luck from my grandchildren, bringing disaster upon the household.”
“What utter nonsense! How can one speak ill of their own mother? You really have no sense!”
“Oh, let’s stop talking about them; they might not be wrong either. I’m old, and my usefulness has waned. Staying home is a waste of food, making them uncomfortable to look at.”
“No wonder none of your two sons showed up today; your daughter didn’t either?”
“Hmm, she didn’t come.”
“Isn’t that just too unreasonable? Not even showing up for your birthday is unacceptable!”
“It’s alright, it’s alright; I’ll go find them in a few days. Hehe... heh heh heh.”
The old lady’s laughter took on a shrill pitch, gradually shifting from what was previously normal to haunting, as her voice echoed from outside the stove, getting nearer and clearer; finally, it seemed to settle right above Li Zhuiyuan’s head.
Crouching on the floor, Li Zhuiyuan slowly raised his head.
Just a few centimeters from his face loomed the old lady’s features, resembling a cat’s face.
He could see the dense tufts of fur on her face, count the whiskers stretching out, and observe her long, sharp teeth jutting out beyond her lips, while her green eyes sparkled with mischief.
“Little one, there you are?”
(End of Chapter)