Volume 1, Chapter 25: We Must Wait Here Until Dark

It was clear that Zhang Yunling had a close relationship with the Luo family, and an even better one with Gu Ya; otherwise, Gu Ya wouldn’t have kept bringing her along all the time.

Besides, having such a girl-next-door elder sister around every day—someone like the original owner, seventeen or eighteen years old and a bit rebellious—how could he not be drawn to her? The original owner’s reputation was notoriously bad throughout the village, having mingled with people like Zhang Jun, so it was no wonder he had angered Zhang Yunling.

Because of this, Luo Bin calmed himself down and dismissed the distracting thoughts from his mind.

“It doesn’t hurt that much, Little Ling,” Luo Bin said, his tone much gentler.

Zhang Yunling carefully continued to tend to Luo Bin’s wound.

Soon, the wound was properly dressed.

“Change into clean clothes. These are too dirty and torn. I’ll take them back later to sew,” Zhang Yunling said.

“Little Ling, I can’t trouble you with that,” Gu Ya appeared from the kitchen, carrying steaming-hot dishes.

“It’s no trouble, Aunt Gu. You can have Xiao Shan come by and pick them up before dark this afternoon,” Zhang Yunling replied with a smile.

Luo Bin’s heart beat a little faster. He said nothing and stood up, heading to his room.

He changed into clean clothes; indeed, the dirty ones had several holes.

After packing a little, he returned to the main room.

Zhang Yunling took the clothes and placed them beside her.

Gu Ya didn’t say much else and busied herself with setting out bowls and chopsticks.

At that moment, Luo Feng came back into the courtyard, his clothes stained with blood.

“Hurry and change your clothes, then come eat,” Gu Ya called out.

Soon, the three of them sat down at the table along with Zhang Yunling.

During the meal, everyone stayed quiet. When it ended, Zhang Yunling took the dirty, torn clothes and left.

“Xiao Shan is really growing up. Look how quickly Little Ling has changed her opinion,” Gu Ya said, a hint of joy in her voice.

Luo Bin had noticed yesterday that Gu Ya seemed to be showing him off in front of Zhang Yunling.

“Did someone hit you?” Luo Feng interrupted Gu Ya’s words.

Gu Ya shot him a slight glare.

“It’s nothing serious. The boundaries have been clearly drawn,” Luo Bin said.

“Hmm,” Luo Feng nodded, then said, “Get some rest. Tomorrow, the drawing will take place.”

Luo Bin’s heart skipped a beat.

So soon—it was already the first day of the lunar month?

“Do you think we’ll be chosen?” Luo Bin swallowed hard and asked.

“This child...” Gu Ya sighed softly before saying, “It’s best if we’re not.”

“?”

Though doubtful, Luo Bin knew he couldn’t ask her directly.

“There’s still too much danger. The forest holds many unknowns. But if you are chosen, you have to explore. If everyone feared death, we’d all be waiting to die inside the village,” Luo Feng answered without flaw, subtly filling Luo Bin with information.

Gu Ya pursed her lips and added, “Not everyone thinks like your father, don’t let him fill your head with those things.”

Luo Feng stood and said, “I’m going to rest for a bit,” then went to his room.

“Xiao Shan, don’t listen to your father too much. As long as our family is safe, that’s what matters. There are many tall folks in the village; your father just takes things too seriously,” Gu Ya reminded Luo Bin again.

“Mm-hmm,” Luo Bin nodded.

“Keep an eye on the time. Try to visit your Little Ling early and be back before dark,” Gu Ya said once more.

Then she tidied the dishes and went into the kitchen.

The sunlight was a bit harsh. Luo Bin stood in the courtyard for a moment before going into his room.

The old clock’s hand had just passed twelve. It was still very early; the incident with Zhang Li had just happened. The meal they had was effectively an early lunch.

Lying on his bed, Luo Bin glanced at his pinky finger. The wound had healed considerably. Once the scab fell off, a new nail should grow.

The village seemed calm on the surface, but in truth, it was far from peaceful.

At least for him, he had to consider how to get through the night and where to find some lamp oil.

There was another matter on his mind.

He had pondered it earlier in the small wooden hut.

Why had the original owner died?

Footsteps sounded in the courtyard.

Luo Bin walked to the door and, through a crack, saw Gu Ya had gone back inside.

She hadn’t slept all night yesterday and, like Luo Feng, was catching up on rest.

Luo Bin also felt his mind was foggy, but now he dared not sleep, fearing he would awaken to darkness.

“Tap tap tap”—glass was being tapped.

Luo Bin turned toward the window.

The wooden slats over the glass blurred the view. He rose and approached, finally seeing someone standing outside.

His heart jumped—standing outside was Gu Yiren!

Her clothes were also somewhat dirty. Her once-beautiful face looked a bit haggard, the tear mark on her cheek making her all the more pitiful.

She gently tapped the glass and, after locking eyes with Luo Bin, nodded slightly.

His heart pounded wildly.

But then Gu Yiren turned and started walking in another direction.

Luo Bin hurried out of his room, quickly left the courtyard, and circled around to his window. Gu Yiren was already at a distance, about to disappear.

He broke into a run, chasing after her.

He soon caught up.

She walked mostly behind houses, in a hidden, inconspicuous path.

“You’ve been here before, haven’t you?” Luo Bin’s voice was low.

Until now, all Luo Bin’s deductions had been mere speculation—that Gu Yiren was connected to Xu Kaiguo and knew much about the village.

Now he was certain she knew something.

Just consider this: who else would have brought her here?

She came alone!

“Shh...” Gu Yiren gestured for silence, looking very cautious.

Luo Bin’s eyelids twitched but he said nothing.

They walked a long way until Gu Yiren stopped outside the mountain god’s temple.

The air still carried a faint scent of blood. The temple’s door was wide open. Gu Yiren stepped inside.

Luo Bin glanced around. Under normal circumstances, no one would come here. The paths on either side were empty; the small wooden hut opposite was deserted.

He followed her into the temple and couldn’t help but ask, “Why did Zhang Li tie you up? How do you know our window was open? How can you help me?”

His words rushed out—three questions at once.

Gu Yiren did not answer. She stared blankly at the statue of the mountain god, motionless.

After a long pause, she said, “We have to wait here until dark.”

“?” Luo Bin’s expression darkened, his tone growing serious, tinged with gravity.

“There’s no lamp oil here.”

“Trust me,” Gu Yiren turned her head, her face pale. “Zhang Li doesn’t trust me, Zhu Qianqian doesn’t trust me—you have to trust me.”

Luo Bin felt extremely uneasy. He glanced at the mountain god statue’s arm, then back at the village road. A chill crept into his heart.

“So, wait here until dark, then what? You won’t explain clearly, so it’s hard for me to believe you...” Luo Bin asked again.

Gu Yiren raised a finger to her lips, signaling silence. She moved to a pillar and curled up, hugging her knees, trembling slightly.

“I still have things to do later...” Luo Bin’s eyelids twitched wildly. He added, “Also, there’s no lamp oil here... You can’t wait until dark here. People will die.”

Gu Yiren ignored him. Her head drooped as if she were too exhausted, almost asleep.

Luo Bin’s brow furrowed deeply, his mind in knots. He looked once more at the barren arm of the mountain god statue.

If the village chief had returned the lamp oil taken from Zhang Li and he secretly kept a little, no one would notice. But there was nothing.

Without anything to block the evil spirits, he would be in even greater danger.

He had promised to get clothes from Zhang Yunling—had he broken that promise?

Besides, if he wasn’t home tonight, Gu Ya would worry endlessly. What would Luo Feng think?

Though the village seemed to have only four rules, it was governed by many unspoken ones. Following the lines and boundaries meant fewer troubles and safety.

But now, should he leave?

Gu Yiren must know something.

Last night, they had missed each other. Today, she was right beside him, yet he was about to give up the answers?