When I was a child, my grandfather killed the old sow that had been raised at home for 18 years. My grandmother was so angry that she stamped her feet. She said, “The old sow was pregnant with piglets in her belly. What did you kill the old sow for? I think you’ve gone crazy!”
My grandfather said with a gloomy face, “If we don’t kill the old sow, it will become a spirit.”
01
My grandfather cut open the old sow’s belly and took out seven or eight piglets from it. The piglets were still alive and shivering from the cold.
My grandfather said with a gloomy face, “Quickly take the piglets into the house to raise. They can survive.”
My grandmother glared at my grandfather and said angrily, “We don’t even have a lactating ewe at home. What are we going to feed the piglets with? Even if the old sow was going to become a spirit, you could have waited until it gave birth to the piglets and raised them up before killing it. What’s the rush for?”
My grandfather frowned and said unhappily, “Stop talking nonsense. Quickly take the piglets into the house. Last night, I had a dream. My father said that the sow at home was going to become a spirit and must be killed. He also said that he was craving pork and would come back to eat it at midnight tonight.”
My grandmother was stunned for a few seconds, with fear in her eyes. She said, “Old man, your father has been dead for ten years. How can he come back to eat pork? He’s already dead!”
My grandfather sighed and said helplessly, “That’s what my father said in the dream. He also said that he missed Xiaofuzi and wanted Xiaofuzi to offer him a toast.”
As soon as my grandfather finished speaking, my grandmother protected me behind her and said, “No way. Your father has been dead for ten years. He’s a dead person. Living people and dead people can’t eat at the same table. It will shorten our lifespan. Old man, whether this dream is true or false, you go to the back mountain quickly to invite Blind Chen and ask him to do a divination.”
My grandfather said helplessly, “I consulted Blind Chen early this morning. Blind Chen said that when my father was on his deathbed, he wanted to have a bite of pork, but he couldn’t speak, and thus left with regret. Over all these years, he has been thinking about this bite of pork and also been thinking about Xiaofuzi. When he passed away, he didn’t see Xiaofuzi in his final glance.”
When my great – grandfather passed away, the room was full of people. My grandmother was afraid that I would be scared, so she locked me in the west room and didn’t let me go to see my great – grandfather.
My grandmother’s eyes were full of panic. She said fearfully, “Is my father coming back to take Xiaofuzi away? I heard the old people in the village say that dead people all have obsessions. If the obsession is too deep, they will do evil.”
My grandfather said, “No way. After my father eats a bite of pork and drinks the wine offered by Xiaofuzi, he will leave on his own.”
My grandmother said fearfully, “What if my father doesn’t leave?”
My grandfather said, “No way. Blind Chen said that my father was a good person when he was alive. This time he comes back just to fulfill his wish. When he has no regrets, he will leave.”
My grandmother sighed, with worry in her eyes.
My grandfather said, “Don’t just stand there. Quickly take the piglets into the house.”
After saying this, my grandfather looked at me again and said, “Xiaofuzi, you go and boil some hot water. We’ll cook the meat later.”
My grandmother said, “My father is already dead. Does he still eat cooked meat?”
My grandfather shook his head and said, “We’ll eat the cooked meat. Father eats raw meat and raw rice.”
My grandmother sighed and said, “What kind of thing is this?”
After saying this, my grandmother carried the piglets into the house.
I was boiling water in the storeroom. Soon, I boiled the water.
My grandfather divided the pork into dozens of pieces, big and small. He took two pieces of pork and handed them to me, saying, “Put them in the pot and cook.”
I nodded and took the pork.
I put the pork in the pot to cook. Soon, I could smell the aroma of the cooked pork.
My grandfather said, “Old woman, bring a bowl of raw rice and a bottle of white wine.”
My grandmother took the raw rice and white wine from the storeroom and put them on the table. She said, “Old man, it’s almost midnight. I’m still worried about Xiaofuzi. I’m afraid he’ll be scared out of his wits. My father has been dead for ten years. He might have turned into something terrifying.”
02
My grandfather frowned and said, “Old woman, I don’t have any good solutions either. Blind Chen said that as long as we fulfill my father’s wish, he will leave and won’t haunt our family. If we don’t fulfill his wish, our family won’t have a peaceful life in the future, and our descendants will have their lifespans shortened.”
My grandmother sighed and said, “My father died of illness and suffered a lot before he died. I’m afraid he has hatred.”
My grandfather was stunned for a few seconds and said, “What hatred?”
My grandmother said, “Hatred that you didn’t spend money on his treatment.”
As soon as my grandmother finished speaking, my grandfather’s face changed. He said angrily, “What do you mean by not spending money on treatment? The doctor in the town said there was no hope and asked us to take him home to prepare for the end. It’s not that I didn’t want to treat him.”
My grandmother pouted and said, “Since he died of illness, he probably has hatred in his heart. I’m afraid my father will harm our family.”
My grandfather said, “No way. My father was a good person when he was alive.”
My grandmother sighed and didn’t say anything.
Seeing that my grandmother didn’t speak, my grandfather said again, “Don’t keep sighing all the time. I asked Blind Chen. Blind Chen said it’s okay. After my father eats the pork and drinks Xiaofuzi’s wine, he will definitely leave.”
After saying this, my grandfather looked at me and said, “Xiaofuzi, don’t be afraid of your great – grandfather. Your great – grandfather was very good to you when he was alive.”
I nodded, “I’m not afraid.”
When my great – grandfather was alive, he was very good to me and often bought me sugar balls.
My grandfather moved the whole pig’s head to the table and said, “My father loved to eat pig’s head meat when he was alive. Tonight, let him eat his fill.”
My grandmother frowned and said, “Old man, it’s almost midnight. My father will be here soon.”
My grandfather nodded and said, “I cut off the threshold. My father can come in.”
As soon as my grandfather finished speaking, I smelled a terrible stench.
The stench was floating from the gate of the courtyard.
I subconsciously looked towards the gate of the courtyard and saw a figure standing there. The figure had its back to the moonlight, and I couldn’t see the face clearly, but I could see the outline of the figure.
It was very thin, like a mummy.
The figure just stood at the gate of the courtyard, motionless, exuding an eerie feeling.
My grandmother protected me behind her and whispered, “Old man, who is standing at the gate? Is it my father?”
My grandfather squinted his eyes, stretched his neck, and stared carefully at the gate of the courtyard. He said, “It’s too far away to see clearly, but the figure looks like my father.”
My grandmother whispered, “Why is my father standing at the gate and not moving? It looks really creepy.”
My grandfather whispered, “Don’t worry. I heard Blind Chen say that dead people have no souls and react slowly. My father is probably looking for his soul.”
As soon as my grandfather finished speaking, the figure at the gate of the courtyard moved. It stiffly took steps and entered the courtyard.
By the light of the moon, I could see my great – grandfather’s face. His face was ashen, his eyes were dull, and he looked lifeless.
He walked stiffly and made no sound when walking.
The closer my great – grandfather was to me, the stronger the terrible stench became.
I subconsciously stepped back and hid behind my grandmother.
My great – grandfather stopped in front of the dining table and stared at the pig’s head on the table, expressionless.
I didn’t know if he was happy or angry.
My grandfather summoned up his courage and said, “Father, sit down and eat.”
As soon as my grandfather finished speaking, my great – grandfather turned his head and glanced at my grandfather. The look in his eyes was cold, like the look of a stranger.
03
Just this one glance scared my grandfather into sweating. His forehead was covered with sweat.
My grandfather forced a few dry laughs and said, “Father, eat.”
My great – grandfather stiffly sat on the stool and reached out to grab the whole pig’s head and eat it raw.
The way my great – grandfather ate the pig’s head was terrifying. His mouth opened wide, as if he wanted to swallow the whole pig’s head.
My grandmother leaned close to my grandfather and whispered, “Old man, why does my father look like a starving ghost? Will this one pig’s head be enough for him to eat?”
My grandfather whispered, “Have you forgotten? My father was starved to death. Before he died, he couldn’t even open his mouth, let alone eat anything. He didn’t even drink a sip of water.”
My grandmother frowned and whispered, “Take out some more pork. I’m afraid it’s not enough.”
My grandfather nodded, “Okay.”
My grandfather went into the storeroom and took out another two catties of raw pork.
My grandfather put the two catties of raw pork in front of my great – grandfather and whispered, “Father, I know you’ve been craving pork. There’s enough pork. Eat as much as you can.”
My great – grandfather seemed not to hear what my grandfather said. He was wolfing down the raw pig’s head meat, and even chewed and swallowed the pig bones.
My grandmother frowned, with fear in her eyes. She whispered, “Old man, look at my father’s teeth. They’re sharp and thin. Why do I remember that when my father died, he didn’t have a single tooth? What’s going on with these teeth? I heard that when a person grows teeth after death, they’re an evil ghost and will eat their descendants.”
My grandfather was stunned for a few seconds. He bent down and stared carefully at my great – grandfather’s teeth.
My great – grandfather’s teeth were black, sharp and thin, and there were many of them.
If bitten by them, the bone could be bitten off.
My grandfather’s eyes were full of fear. He whispered, “No way. Blind Chen said that my father will leave after fulfilling his wish and won’t harm anyone.”
My grandmother whispered, “Old man, I’m panicking. The way my father eats pork is too scary!”
As soon as my grandmother finished speaking, my great – grandfather stopped for a moment. His cloudy eyes slowly turned, and finally his gaze fell on my grandmother. The look in his eyes was gloomy.
It was as if he was sizing up my grandmother.
My grandmother was stunned for a few seconds and didn’t even dare to breathe.
My great – grandfather withdrew his gaze. His face and teeth were covered with pig blood, looking terrifying.
He continued to eat the pork in big mouthfuls, making strange “uh – uh – uh” sounds in his mouth, and his body twitched.
My grandmother whispered, “Old man, why do I feel that my father can understand what we’re saying?”
My grandfather’s eyes were full of fear. He whispered, “No way. My father is already dead. He can’t understand.”
As soon as my grandfather finished speaking, my great – grandfather ate the whole raw pig’s head clean. Then he turned his gaze to the two catties of pork.
He picked up the pork and stuffed it into his mouth, swallowing the two catties of pork in a few bites.
There was no more raw pork on the table.
My great – grandfather stared at me with a gloomy look, making my scalp tingle.
My grandfather was anxious and said, “Quickly get some raw pork for father.”
My great – grandfather stared straight at me, making my back feel cold.
My grandmother quickly took out raw pork from the storeroom and threw it on the table.
My great – grandfather glanced at the raw pork, picked it up, and started eating it in big mouthfuls.
My grandmother said fearfully, “Old man, my father is not right. The way he looked at Xiaofuzi just now clearly showed that he wanted to eat Xiaofuzi.”
My grandfather frowned and said, “How much raw pork is left in the storeroom?”
04
My grandmother said, “There are still two hundred catties of pork.”
My grandfather said, “These pork should be enough for my father to eat his fill. He’ll be okay after he’s full.”
My grandmother was so anxious that she stamped her feet. She said, “Old man, go and ask Blind Chen again. I’m afraid something will happen.”
My grandfather said, “No way. Since my father has entered the courtyard, as descendants, we must serve him in the courtyard. If we leave, my father will get angry.”
My grandmother sighed, with helplessness in her eyes. She whispered, “There’s nothing we can do for now. I’ll cut a few more catties of raw pork.”
My grandmother went into the storeroom and brought out another five catties of raw pork.
My great – grandfather lowered his head and ate the raw pork. He seemed like a starving ghost and couldn’t get enough.
Soon, he finished the five catties of raw pork.
My grandmother brought another ten catties of raw pork, glistening with oil.
My great – grandfather opened his big mouth and ate the raw pork in big mouthfuls.
My grandmother whispered, “Old man, there are only thirty catties of pork left in the storeroom. It’s not even dawn yet, and it seems that my father is still not full.”
My grandfather said, “Yeah, this old sow weighs at least three hundred catties. My father can really eat.”
As soon as my grandfather finished speaking, my great – grandfather ate the raw pork in his hand clean. Without raw pork, my great – grandfather stared straight at me with a gloomy look.
My grandmother said, “Old man, quickly bring that thirty – catties of pork.”
My grandfather quickly ran into the storeroom and took out the raw pork.
My grandfather threw the raw pork in front of my great – grandfather, but my great – grandfather didn’t react at all. He still stared straight at me.
I was so scared that I hid behind my grandmother. The way my great – grandfather looked at me was too strange and gloomy. I was afraid.
My grandmother said fearfully, “Old man, what’s wrong with my father? Why doesn’t he eat the raw pork anymore?”
My grandfather said, “Xiaofuzi, your great – grandfather is waiting for you to offer him a toast. Quickly offer your great – grandfather a toast.”
My grandfather pulled me out from behind my grandmother and asked me to offer my great – grandfather a toast.
My great – grandfather kept staring at me. There were red blood threads hanging from his teeth, like a man – eating evil ghost.
I subconsciously stepped back and whispered, “Grandpa, I’m afraid.”
My grandfather tightly grasped my arm and said, “Xiaofuzi, don’t be afraid. Be obedient. Quickly offer your great – grandfather a toast. After your great – grandfather drinks the wine, he’ll leave.”
I summoned up my courage, picked up the wine bottle, and poured a glass of white wine.
I held the white wine and handed it to my great – grandfather, whispering, “Great – grandfather, drink the wine.”
My great – grandfather’s eyes moved. He made strange “uh – uh – uh” sounds in his mouth. He stiffly raised his hand and grabbed the wine glass in my hand. I was so scared that I quickly let go.
My great – grandfather stared at me with a gloomy look. His expression was very stiff. His mouth slowly moved, and a strange sound came from his throat, “Xiaofuzi, do you miss your great – grandfather?”
The sound from my great – grandfather’s throat made my hair stand on end.
My grandfather was also startled. His hand suddenly trembled.
My grandmother quickly protected me behind her and whispered, “Old man, my father has been dead for ten years. How can he speak?”
My grandfather was so anxious that he stamped his feet. He said, “When a dead person asks a question, it’s a very bad omen. My father wants to take our family’s lives!”
My grandmother said fearfully, “This… What should we do? Can we not answer?”
My grandfather said, “No. Xiaofuzi, quickly answer. Say you don’t miss him and ask your great – grandfather to leave quickly.”
As soon as my grandfather finished speaking, my great – grandfather stared at my grandfather with a gloomy look, full of hatred and shouted, “You beast! You want to drive me away? I’ll take you all to die with me.”
05
When my great – grandfather said this, his face was ferocious and looked terrifying.
My grandfather was so scared that he was stunned and didn’t speak for a long time.
My great – grandfather stiffly stood up, slowly walked in front of me, bent down, and a magnified face appeared in front of me. My great – grandfather’s face was black and gray, without a trace of blood, like dry tree bark.
My great – grandfather asked in a gloomy voice, “Xiaofuzi, do you miss your great – grandfather?”
I tightly grasped my grandmother’s clothes and stared at my grandmother. What should I answer?
My grandmother shook her head at me, indicating that I shouldn’t make a sound.
But my great – grandfather still stared at me intently and asked, “Xiaofuzi, do you miss your great – grandfather?”
My grandmother shook her head at me, indicating that I shouldn’t make a sound.
I turned my face away and didn’t look at my great – grandfather.
My great – grandfather coughed dryly twice. It was obvious that he was unhappy. He walked towards the west room with a gloomy face, leaving the white wine on the table untouched.
The west room was where my great – grandfather lived when he was alive.
Soon, my great – grandfather entered the west room.
My grandmother whispered, “Old man, why did my father enter the west room? He didn’t drink the white wine on the table either.”
My grandfather sighed and whispered, “Wait until dawn, and I’ll go ask Blind Chen.”
My grandmother said fearfully, “My father has been dead for ten years. It’s so creepy for him to live in the west room. Drive him away quickly.”
My grandfather said, “I also want to send my father away, but how? Just bear with it for now.”
After saying this, my grandfather carefully walked to the door of the west room and closed the door.
My grandfather said, “Let’s go into the house first.”
The few of us entered the house.
My grandmother said fearfully, “There’s a dead person living in the west room. How can we live like this?”
My grandfather whispered, “Bear with it for now. Blind Chen said my father will leave.”
Early the next morning, as soon as it was light, my grandfather went to the back mountain.
Only my grandmother and I were left in the courtyard.
My grandmother whispered, “Don’t go to the west room. Stay away from it.”
I nodded, “Got it.”
I hid in the east room and didn’t even dare to go out.
There was no sound from the west room.
Nor did I see my great – grandfather.
It was almost noon when my grandfather hurried back, and he also drove back a sow.
My grandmother asked anxiously, “Old man, why did you bring back a sow? What did Blind Chen say?”
My grandfather whispered, “Blind Chen said my father doesn’t want to leave. We must send him away tonight. If we can’t send him away, we’ll all die.”
My grandmother asked fearfully, “How do we send him away?”
My grandfather said, “Let my father eat and drink his fill, and then lead him to the graveyard.”
My grandmother was stunned for a few seconds and said, “How do we lead him?”
My grandfather sighed and whispered, “I’ve dug a grave pit in the back mountain. When my father has eaten enough raw pork tonight, let Xiaofuzi offer him a drink. Xiaofuzi takes the wine and walks towards the graveyard in the back mountain, leading my father there.”
My grandmother said, “No way. Xiaofuzi is too young. He doesn’t have the courage.”
My grandfather said, “This is the only way for now. I’ve told the villagers. They’re all waiting in the graveyard. It’s okay. Blind Chen is also waiting in the graveyard. We’re sure to send my father away.”
My grandmother said with a worried look, “My father has been dead for ten years. He’s a ghost. Ghosts can deceive people. I’m afraid Xiaofuzi will be deceived by my father. No, this method is too dangerous.”
My grandfather said, “It’s okay. I got a lucky bag from Blind Chen. If Xiaofuzi hangs the lucky bag on his body, he won’t be bewitched by the ghost.”
06
My grandfather took out the lucky bag from his pocket and handed it to me.
I hung the lucky bag around my neck. It had a smell of dry wood.
My grandfather said, “Xiaofuzi, don’t be afraid. Everyone will be there tonight.”
I nodded, “Got it.”
I felt that a pair of gloomy eyes were staring at me. I subconsciously looked towards the west room and saw my great – grandfather’s face pressed against the glass of the west room. His eyes were slowly turning, exuding an evil aura.
I was startled. I didn’t know if my great – grandfather had heard what my grandfather said just now.
My grandfather said, “Xiaofuzi, come with me. I’ll show you the way.”
I nodded, “Okay.”
My grandfather led me out of the courtyard. He said, “After leaving the courtyard, walk east. When you reach the old pagoda tree at the entrance of the village, then walk west.”
My grandfather and I walked to the old pagoda tree at the entrance of the village. Then my grandfather led me to walk west.
My grandfather said as we walked, “Walk west. You have to cross a bridge. At night, there will be wind on the bridge, and it’s very cold. You have to steady your steps and don’t fall into the river.”
I nodded, “Remembered.”
My grandfather led me across the bridge and then said, “After crossing the bridge, walk east. Follow this mountain – climbing path and keep going.”
I said, “Remembered.”
My grandfather patted the tree trunk with his hand and said, “Xiaofuzi, there are several paths on this mountain. I’m afraid you won’t remember, so I specially hung a red cloth on the tree. Don’t go the wrong way.”
I reached out and touched the red cloth, nodding, “Remembered.”
My grandfather led me up the mountain. After walking for half an hour, we reached the halfway up the mountain.
I saw a two – meter – deep pit.
My grandfather said, “Xiaofuzi, tonight when you lead your great – grandfather here, throw the wine in your hand into the pit. Then you don’t have to worry about the rest.”
I nodded, “Got it.”
My grandfather sighed and said, “Get familiar with it again. Remember, never lose the lucky bag around your neck.”
I said, “Got it.”
I walked around the mountain twice and remembered the way.
As it was getting dark, my grandfather led me back home.
But as soon as we entered the courtyard, we saw my great – grandfather lying on the sow, drinking raw pig blood.
The sow was already dead. My great – grandfather was covered in blood, looking terrifying.
My grandfather said, “Old woman, what’s going on?”
My grandmother said anxiously, “I don’t know either. I was cooking in the storeroom and heard the sow in the courtyard cry. When I ran to the courtyard, I saw my father bite the sow to death.”
My grandfather was stunned for a few seconds and said, “My father is probably hungry.”
In a blink of an eye, it was already dark.
My great – grandfather seemed not to hear us. He was lying on the sow, drinking blood in big mouthfuls.
After drinking the blood, he bit the sow’s meat. His fingernails were sharp and long. He used his fingernails to cut open the sow’s belly, buried his head in the sow’s belly, and ate the raw pork, making strange “uh – uh – uh” sounds in his mouth.
The way my great – grandfather ate the raw pork was really creepy. I felt a chill down my spine.
My grandmother whispered, “Old man, what should we do?”
My grandfather said, “Keep your voice down. If father wants to eat, let him eat. After he’s full, let Xiaofuzi offer him a toast.”
My grandmother looked worried and whispered, “It’s so dark. I’m afraid something will happen to Xiaofuzi.”
My grandfather said, “It won’t. I’ve already told Xiaofuzi what to do.”
My grandmother walked up to me and whispered, “Xiaofuzi, later when you lead your great – grandfather along the mountain path, no matter what your great – grandfather says, don’t answer him. And don’t lose the lucky bag. Remember?”
07
I nodded, “Remembered.”
My great – grandfather kept eating the raw pork. He stopped after eating more than half of the pig.
My great – grandfather stared at me with a gloomy look, his eyes exuding an evil aura.
My grandfather said nervously, “Xiaofuzi, your great – grandfather is waiting for you to offer him a toast.”
I picked up the wine bottle on the table and said loudly, “Great – grandfather, I’m offering you a toast.”
I held the wine bottle and slowly walked towards the gate of the courtyard. My great – grandfather stared straight at me, making my scalp tingle. He walked stiffly and followed me.
My hand holding the wine bottle was shaking. I had a dead person following me behind.
My grandmother looked at me with full of worry in her eyes. She was about to speak when my grandfather covered her mouth.
My grandfather motioned for me to hold the wine bottle steady.
I followed my grandfather’s instructions. After leaving the courtyard gate, I walked east.
My great – grandfather followed me.
I subconsciously looked back and saw that my great – grandfather’s face was ashen. There was a strange smile on his lips, as if he was scheming something. It looked creepy.
I quickened my pace and walked to the old pagoda tree at the entrance of the village.
But my great – grandfather walked very slowly. He walked forward leisurely. I could only wait for him under the old pagoda tree.
After my great – grandfather caught up, as soon as I was about to walk west, my great – grandfather spoke. His voice was strange and gloomy, “Xiaofuzi, wait for me. Don’t walk west. The west is the way for ghosts. You have to walk east.”
I was stunned for a few seconds. My great – grandfather was lying to me. He wanted to harm me.
The way my great – grandfather looked at me was full of calculation. The way he smiled was very evil and sinister.
I didn’t listen to my great – grandfather and still walked west. Every step I took, my great – grandfather called my name, as if he was calling my soul, “Xiaofuzi… Xiaofuzi… Come back quickly…”
The wind on the bridge was very cold. I knew I was on the right way.
My great – grandfather followed me and said pitifully, “Xiaofuzi, you’ve been deceived. Your grandfather wants you to lead me to the underworld and leave your life there.”
I didn’t believe my great – grandfather. He was lying to me.
Seeing that I didn’t speak, my great – grandfather said again, “This is the Naihe Bridge. The cold wind on the bridge is very cold. If you don’t believe me, look down. There are all fierce ghosts and lonely souls under the bridge.”
I subconsciously looked under the bridge. There were really ghosts under the bridge.
And there was more than one.
Their faces were ferocious, their death postures were extremely tragic, and they were opening their mouths to cry for injustice. It was very creepy.
I was so scared that I broke out in a cold sweat on my back.
My great – grandfather said in an ethereal voice, “Xiaofuzi, turn back quickly. The west is the Ghost Gate. You have to take the east path. The east is the way for the living. The west is the bridge for ghosts. Come back quickly…”
My great – grandfather kept persuading me to turn back and take another path.
I rubbed my eyes hard. When I looked at the bridge again, there was nothing under the bridge.
I looked up and saw my great – grandfather’s magnified face. He was staring at me viciously. His face was gray, looking like a dead person.
I was so scared that my scalp went numb. I quickly crossed the bridge.
I waited for my great – grandfather at the bridgehead.
My great – grandfather walked slowly. He took stiff steps.
After he crossed the bridge, I saw the red cloth again. I held the wine and walked along the path up the mountain. My great – grandfather followed me.
My great – grandfather said in a gloomy voice, “Xiaofuzi, this is not the way up the mountain. Stop quickly.”
I didn’t believe my great – grandfather and continued walking up the mountain. But after walking a few steps, my great – grandfather disappeared.
I looked back. There was not even a shadow behind me.
I was so scared that I broke out in a cold sweat. Where was my great – grandfather?
08
I walked back two steps, but still didn’t see my great – grandfather.
This was really too strange.
My grandfather said that as long as I held the wine in my hand, my great – grandfather would follow me all the way.
Where was he?
I subconsciously touched my neck. The lucky bag was gone.
I was instantly scared out of my wits. I lowered my head and carefully looked for the lucky bag, but I couldn’t find it at all.
Where did my lucky bag go?
I clearly saw the lucky bag when I crossed the bridge just now.
The mountain was very quiet, with gusts of cold wind blowing, making my scalp tingle.
I turned my head and saw my great – grandfather standing behind me, staring at me with a gloomy look.
My grandfather said that I couldn’t lose the lucky bag. Now that the lucky bag was lost, I was afraid that my great – grandfather would harm me.
I was almost scared to death. I desperately ran down the mountain. My great – grandfather showed a strange smile and chased after me.
I was tripped by a branch and fell to the ground. The wine bottle in my hand was also broken, and the wine spilled all over the ground.
I shouted loudly, “Help! Help!”
I got up from the ground and desperately ran down the mountain.
My great – grandfather followed me.
I was very scared. My legs were weak. My great – grandfather’s strange cries came from behind, “Uh – uh – uh～”
I was so scared that I broke out in a cold sweat.
I clearly remembered that the way down the mountain was very close. Why had I been running for so long and still not reached the foot of the mountain?
The footsteps behind me were getting closer.
I was so anxious that I stamped my feet. I turned my head and saw my great – grandfather. His face was ashen, staring straight at me. There was a strange smile on his face, and he was slowly approaching me.
I desperately ran and shouted loudly, “Help!”
My voice echoed throughout the mountain.
I didn’t know how long I had been running. I was covered in sweat and fell to the ground, gasping for breath.
I saw a figure in the forest. My great – grandfather was still chasing me.
I really couldn’t run anymore.
I was so scared that I was shaking all over and cried out loudly, “Help… Help…”
My great – grandfather came out of the forest. He grinned at me, showing a mouthful of black teeth.
It was like I was trapped in a ghostly loop. I couldn’t find the way down the mountain at all.
My grandfather said that when encountering a ghostly loop, bite your finger and smear the blood on your eyelids.
I gritted my teeth, bit my finger, and smeared the blood on my eyelids.
The moment the blood was smeared on my eyelids, I felt my body tremble. I saw my great – grandfather standing in front of me, drooling, staring straight at me. I still held the wine bottle in my hand, and the lucky bag was still hanging around my neck.
What I saw just now were all illusions.
Seeing that I was awake, my great – grandfather said in a gloomy voice, “Xiaofuzi, come down the mountain with me. It’s dangerous on the mountain.”
I was stunned for a few seconds and clenched the hand holding the wine bottle again.
I held the wine bottle and continued walking up the mountain. My great – grandfather followed me. The look in his eyes was full of hatred. He said in a gloomy voice, “It’s dangerous on the mountain. Come back quickly. Your grandfather is lying to you. He wants to use your life to trap me.”
I didn’t believe my great – grandfather and continued walking up the mountain.
My great – grandfather suddenly stopped and let out a shrill ghost cry, “Come back! Come back!”
I continued walking up the mountain. When I reached the halfway up the mountain, I saw the deep pit. I threw the wine bottle into the deep pit. With a “bang”, the wine bottle broke.
I turned my head to look at my great – grandfather. He stared at me with a gloomy look, showing no intention of entering the grave pit at all.
I looked around again. There were no villagers at all.
I was instantly scared out of my wits.
My great – grandfather said in a gloomy voice, “Xiaofuzi, you’ve been deceived. Come down the mountain with me quickly.”
As my great – grandfather said this, he slowly approached me.
09
I was instantly panicked. Where had the villagers gone?
Why didn’t my great – grandfather enter the grave pit?
Was my grandfather really lying to me?
Just as I was feeling confused, my great – grandfather approached me little by little and reached out to grab me.
I quickly stepped back a few steps, keeping a distance of two meters from my great – grandfather.
My great – grandfather grinned and said wickedly, “You can’t escape. None of you can escape.”
I desperately ran up the mountain. My great – grandfather’s strange cries came from behind. He was still chasing me.
I ran almost half of the mountain, but still didn’t see the villagers.
I made a big detour and finally ran to the foot of the mountain. I saw two red cloths on the tree at the foot of the mountain.
I had taken the wrong path on the mountain.
Who had hung an extra red cloth?
I didn’t have time to think much and ran towards home.
There was only my grandmother at home.
My grandmother asked anxiously, “Xiaofuzi, why are you the only one coming back? Where are your grandfather and the others?”
I said, “Someone is deliberately trying to harm our family. There are two red cloths hanging on the tree at the foot of the mountain, which made me take the wrong path on the mountain. I almost got eaten by my great – grandfather. The lucky bag around my neck was completely useless, and I was almost deceived by my great – grandfather.”
My grandmother was stunned for a few seconds and said, “Impossible. This lucky bag was given by Blind Chen. It can’t be useless.”
I said, “It really didn’t work.”
My grandmother frowned and said, “This is really strange. We’ll talk about this when your grandfather comes back.”
As soon as my grandmother finished speaking, we heard the sound of the courtyard gate being knocked.
My great – grandfather’s voice came from the gate of the courtyard, “Xiaofuzi, open the door quickly. I’ve come to drink. I’ll leave after drinking.”
My great – grandfather chased after me again.
My great – grandfather’s voice was cold and evil.
I said, “Grandma, my great – grandfather has chased after me again. What should we do?”
My grandmother said, “He can’t get in. There’s a threshold in our courtyard.”
I said, “Wasn’t the threshold cut off?”
When I entered the courtyard just now, I didn’t see the threshold at all.
My grandmother was stunned for a few seconds, then forced a couple of dry laughs and said, “I forgot. It’s okay. Your great – grandfather can’t get in. The gate is locked.”
As soon as my grandmother finished speaking, I felt my hair stand on end.
I was in a hurry when I entered the courtyard just now and didn’t close the courtyard gate at all.
Since I entered the house, my grandmother hadn’t gone out of the house, so she couldn’t have closed the door. Why did she say the door was closed?
Seeing that I didn’t speak, my grandmother smiled again and said, “Xiaofuzi, don’t worry about this. Go to the earthen kang and sleep first. We’ll talk about this when your grandfather comes back.”
After saying this, my grandmother pulled me towards the earthen kang.
I desperately stepped back and said, “I won’t go.”
Seeing that I didn’t go to the earthen kang, my grandmother got very angry and said, “Xiaofuzi, be obedient. Go to the earthen kang quickly.”
My grandmother dragged me towards the earthen kang. I felt a sharp pain in my arm. When I looked down, I saw that my grandmother had very long fingernails on her hand, and the fingernails had dug into my flesh.
My grandmother’s fingernails were black. I looked up and saw my grandmother’s face like a dead person. Her face was pale and covered with corpse spots.
What she was trying to pull me onto was not an earthen kang at all, but a two – meter – deep grave pit.
I was so scared that I shouted, “Help… Help!”
My grandmother’s eyes rolled twice, and she said in a gloomy voice, “Xiaofuzi, don’t shout. Don’t call your great – grandfather here. Go to the earthen kang quickly.”
My grandmother desperately dragged me towards the grave pit. I shouted loudly, “Help… Help!”
My shouts brought my grandfather. His face looked very ugly, covered with corpse spots.
Why were both my grandfather and grandmother dead?
10
My grandmother shouted to my grandfather, “Old man, come and help quickly. Xiaofuzi is not obedient and doesn’t want to go with us.”
My grandfather’s face was ferocious. He tightly grasped my arm and said in a gloomy voice, “Xiaofuzi, go to the earthen kang quickly and come with us.”
I shouted loudly, “This is not an earthen kang. This is a grave pit. You want to kill me!”
My grandfather and grandmother looked at each other, with a strange look in their eyes.
My grandmother said with an evil laugh, “Xiaofuzi, you’re confused. This is clearly an earthen kang.”
My grandfather echoed, “Yes, it’s an earthen kang. Go to the earthen kang quickly.”
My grandfather tightly grasped my arm and dragged me towards the deep pit. My grandmother was behind me, desperately pushing me, trying to push me into the deep pit.
I cried loudly, “Help… Help!”
As soon as I finished speaking, I saw a light in the distance. My great – grandfather was holding a lantern in his hand, and the lantern emitted a yellow light.
My grandfather’s eyes widened in fear, and he said, “My father is coming. Take Xiaofuzi away quickly. Don’t let my father eat Xiaofuzi.”
My grandmother said in a gloomy voice, “Xiaofuzi, come with us quickly! Your great – grandfather wants to eat you.”
My great – grandfather’s face was ashen. He was carrying the lantern and walking towards us.
My great – grandfather muttered, “Xiaofuzi, come here quickly. Your grandfather and grandmother are already dead. They want to take you away. Come back quickly.”
My grandfather tightly grasped my arm and shouted, “Xiaofuzi, come with us quickly. Your great – grandfather died ten years ago!”
My great – grandfather was illuminated by the lantern, and his whole body was yellow. He squinted his eyes and said in a gloomy voice, “Xiaofuzi, wake up quickly. Your grandfather and grandmother are dead. Their donkey – cart fell off the cliff, and both of them died. Xiaofuzi, wake up. They’re lying to you.”
As soon as my great – grandfather finished speaking, I felt a headache.
I suddenly woke up. Three days ago, there was a heavy snowfall in the village. My grandfather and grandmother were driving a donkey – cart to the town to sell pork. On the way back, the donkey – cart fell off the cliff, and my grandfather and grandmother were both killed.
I turned my head to look at my grandfather and grandmother. Their faces were pale, their eyes were scarlet, and their bodies were covered with corpse spots. They were staring straight at me.
I subconsciously stepped back two steps and shouted loudly, “You lied to me. You both died three days ago.”
My grandfather’s face became distorted, and he said angrily, “Xiaofuzi, come here quickly. We’ll be a family reunion.”
My grandmother’s face also became distorted, and she screamed, “Xiaofuzi, come here quickly.”
I suddenly broke free from my grandfather and ran towards my great – grandfather.
The lantern in my great – grandfather’s hand illuminated the way.
My great – grandfather’s face returned to normal, and he said, “Xiaofuzi, let’s go quickly. Get away from the Ghost Gate.”
My great – grandfather led me and ran down the mountain.
I heard my grandfather’s roar from behind, “Xiaofuzi, come back quickly. Come back quickly.”
I subconsciously looked back. My grandfather and grandmother were both chasing me. Their expressions were terrifying and ferocious.
When we ran to the foot of the mountain, I saw a river, and there was a boat in the river.
My great – grandfather led me onto the boat and said, “Xiaofuzi, I finally got you on the boat.”
I said, “Great – grandfather, there are no oars.”
As soon as I finished speaking, the boat started to row by itself and floated in the river.
I turned my head to look at the back mountain. I saw my grandfather and grandmother standing by the river, staring at me viciously.
That look made me scared.
I felt very dizzy, and my eyelids were very heavy.
I closed my eyes.
When I opened my eyes again, I saw my great – grandfather.
My great – grandfather was smoking a long – stemmed pipe and said, “Xiaofuzi, you finally woke up. You almost got your life taken by your grandfather and grandmother.”
I looked up and saw two coffins in the courtyard. My grandfather and grandmother were in the coffins.
I was so scared that I broke out in a cold sweat.
My great – grandfather said, “Your grandfather and grandmother were worried that you would suffer alone in the world, so they wanted to take you with them.”
My great – grandfather touched my head, made arrangements for my grandfather and grandmother’s funerals, and buried them in the ancestral grave.
I kowtowed to my grandfather and grandmother, and then went down the mountain with my great – grandfather.
My great – grandfather tied a red string on my hand. Since then, I’ve never dreamed of my grandfather and grandmother again.
– The End –
