CHAPTER 165: 164: SUPERSTITION (THIRD UPDATE)

Ye Ling took Zhang Linong out of the house, and from the courtyard, she could see a lot of people gathered in another courtyard. She immediately recognized it as Zhang Juanzi’s home.

When she arrived with Zhang Linong at the Zhang Family’s place, she saw many villagers gathered in the courtyard. As Ye Ling approached, some people came over to greet her, but most were sizing up Zhang Linong behind her. When their gaze returned to Ye Ling, malice tinged their eyes.

Ye Ling paid no mind to them, taking a few big steps forward to stand before the coffin. Inside, Zhang Juanzi’s face was pale, and her lips were bloodless. She muttered incessantly, saying, "Mom, I feel so uncomfortable," and similar phrases.

Ye Ling felt her heart sink when she saw this. Looking at Zhang Juanzi capping lightly now and then, blood sputtered from her mouth with each cough. Her entire body couldn’t stop trembling, and with a weight the size of a child on her chest, she looked as if she were a boat about to capsize under the load.

Ye Ling took two steps back, vaguely recalling from her previous life that she had heard of someone in the village allegedly possessed. They used spiritual rituals to exorcise the demon, placing a heavy weight on the chest and hooking the nose with a weighing hook, pulling up tightly until the person stopped breathing. This was not an exorcism; it was a gruesome killing.

Thinking of Zhang Juanzi’s condition, Ye Ling couldn’t help but think it was tuberculosis.

In this day and age, for a disease to cause bloody sputum, there is nothing as severe as tuberculosis. Unfortunately, not only did Ye Ling not survive past nineteen in her previous life without this knowledge, but even then, she had never heard of tuberculosis being curable.

Looking at Zhang Juanzi in this state, if she were taken back indoors to rest, perhaps she could live another year or so. But with this torment now, she probably wouldn’t last a few days.

"You children, get out of the way quickly; don’t let the evil spirit latch onto you." Mr. Li from the village came out, shooing Ye Ling aside.

Ye Ling didn’t know Mr. Li’s name, only that when someone needed spiritual rituals, they called him. He was elderly and highly respected in the village.

"Grandpa, I know I’m just a child and don’t understand much, but Sister Juanzi is sick with tuberculosis, not possessed by an evil spirit." Ye Ling knew her words were probably useless, but she couldn’t bear to see someone driven to death like this.

"What do you know? Get to the side." Mr. Li was unhappy with being questioned, calling people over from behind him, "Hook her."

Seeing this, Ye Ling’s heart twisted again, realizing the situation played out just like she’d heard. She never imagined that the person in that story was Zhang Juanzi. Thinking about a good person being tormented like this made her feel awful.

Disregarding the curious stares around her, she took big steps toward Wang Hua, "Auntie, Sister Juanzi has tuberculosis, not an evil spirit. That’s your daughter; can you really watch her be tormented to death?"

Ye Ling raised her voice, and the person about to hook Zhang Juanzi’s nose hesitated, unsure of what to do. Looking up at Mr. Li, being from the same village made it tough for anyone to do such harm to a person by hooking through their nose.

Wang Hua sat on the ground, crying, lamenting how her healthy daughter suddenly caught a cold and, unexpectedly, started spitting blood and deteriorated. The hospital in town couldn’t treat her, suggesting she go home or visit a bigger hospital. Given the family’s conditions, they couldn’t afford the larger hospital, so they brought her back, engaging Mr. Li for spiritual help. The result was a diagnosis of possession, prompting them to follow Mr. Li’s instructions.

Though Wang Hua understood Ye Ling’s words, the family found themselves in a helpless situation, seeking alternative solutions out of desperation.

Zhang De pulled his wife up, urging Ye Ling, "Ye Family’s girl, go home. This is our family’s matter. Juanzi is possessed. Once we banish the evil spirit, she’ll be fine."

"Uncle Zhang, how can you believe this?" Ye Ling widened her eyes in disbelief.

Seeing Wang Changjiang present, she urged him, "Uncle Wang, you’re our production team’s leader. Say something, and Uncle Zhang will listen to you."

Zhang De went silent, looking at Wang Changjiang.

Wang Changjiang secretly hated Ye Ling for meddling, but with a troubled expression, he said, "Ye Ling, this concerns a life. Even as the team leader, I can’t interfere with this. They have to decide for themselves."

With that, he detached himself from the situation.

Ye Ling couldn’t help but chuckle in anger, turning her gaze to Zhang De and his wife, "Uncle, Auntie, if your conscience can rest easy for life, then just watch Sister Juanzi perish."

"How can you speak this way? I’m saving you, yet according to you, I’m harming you! Enough, enough—if that’s the case, let’s pack up and leave." Mr. Li grew upset.

Zhang De panicked, "Uncle, don’t take it to heart. She’s just a child who doesn’t know any better."

Shouting at Ye Ling, "Leave my house at once, child! Quit sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong, and go home now."

Ye Ling smirked, turning to Mr. Li, "Aren’t you afraid of ghosts knocking on your door at night, Grandpa?"

"Who are you cursing, you brat?" Mr. Li raged.

Ye Ling signaled Zhang Linong to leave, not even looking back as she heard people trying to appease Mr. Li and Wang Hua’s sobbing.

Her heart grew colder, thinking the real tears were still to come.

What kind of mother could have such a callous heart, watching her daughter be tormented? Such ignorance.

Zhang Linong had remained silent, his brow furrowed, evidently shaken by what had occurred. As they headed home, they encountered the rushing Zhao Guodong.

"Why are you back so soon? Did you manage to persuade them?" Zhao Guodong asked eagerly.

Filled with anger, Ye Ling couldn’t even be bothered to address him. She sidestepped him and continued home. Zhang Linong shook his head, "Let’s go. It’s not something we can handle."

"It’s illegal; won’t anyone do anything about it? We could call the police. We can’t just let it happen," Zhao Guodong protested, filled with frustration.

Yet he seemed drained of energy, unable to do anything.

"We can’t handle this; if we keep interfering, we won’t be able to live in this village anymore. Let’s go." Zhang Linong pulled him along.

Zhao Guodong followed Ye Ling home, crestfallen like all his strength had been sapped. Ye Ling quietly retrieved the wild vegetable dumplings from the pot, steamed another batch, while Wang Ping helped with the fire, and Zhang Linong tried to console Zhao Guodong inside the house. Rarely was the home so tranquil.

When it was time for breakfast, no one felt like eating. They each sat silently, eating a vegetable dumpling, until Ye Ling packed away the dumplings and prepared to catch the bus. Only then did the house come alive again. (To be continued. If you like this work, please consider voting for recommendations and monthly votes on Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)