"The thing is, it started a month ago..." Mrs. Qian began, but was interrupted by a "thud" from the side.
We both turned to look at the source of the sound and saw that it was because the young Mrs. Qian had knelt for too long, and when she got up, she lost her balance and fell.
Mrs. Qian immediately became angry and picked up the teacup on the table, ready to throw it at the young Mrs. Qian.
I raised my hand and stopped Mrs. Qian's hand, "Mrs. Qian, let's continue talking about the young master's matter."
Mrs. Qian, seeing that I had intervened, had no choice but to put down the teacup and smiled apologetically, "I'm sorry, Qin girl, for embarrassing you."
I shook my head and smiled, pouring myself a cup of tea.
Mrs. Qian then continued, "It all started a month ago, on a day when our whole family was rare gathered for dinner. I lowered my head and picked up a piece of fish to hand to my son, because he loved fish the most. But unexpectedly, when I raised my head, the son beside me turned into a person I didn't know." Mrs. Qian spoke of that day with painful sobs, covering her mouth.
I waited patiently for this tortured mother to calm down, while the young Mrs. Qian stood silently next to us, ready to refill our tea at any time.
"But because my son has a uniquely shaped birthmark on his lower back, which I confirmed, the person who changed faces in front of the whole family must be my son." Mrs. Qian cried and spoke, her thick makeup blurred by tears, looking both ridiculous and pitiful.
"From then on, the nightmare began, every day waking up or without any warning, my son's face kept changing. Finally, my son couldn't bear it anymore, mentally collapsed, and kept shouting, 'Give me back my face!' And then he viciously scratched his face." I nodded and put down my tea cup. The young Mrs. Qian immediately stepped forward to pour me tea, her fingers looking a little rougher than a lady's who grew up in a wealthy household.
After pouring the tea, she quietly stepped back, I smiled at her to show my gratitude.
She was a little surprised by my friendliness and lowered her head, not returning my smile.
"At first, of course, we used the best medicine to treat his injuries, but by the second day, we would find that his face had turned into another one without any wounds. After that, although we tried every method, and even held a wedding half a month ago to celebrate, it was still ineffective." Mrs. Qian stopped here and looked at me pleadingly. "Qin girl, you must save my son!"
"So you're the bride who was married off. No wonder you're so poorly treated." I glanced at the young Mrs. Qian, who remained humble and kept her head down.
"Qin girl?" Mrs. Qian called out softly, as I had not answered her.
"I will save him, but I need time." I replied.
"No problem, as long as Qin girl can save my son's life." Mrs. Qian said excitedly. Then she asked cautiously, "Um, Qin girl, how long do you think this will take?"
Mrs. Qian wasn't exactly pleased with my answer, but she had no other choice but to trust me.
Mrs. Qian stood up and bowed respectfully to me, saying, "As long as Miss Qin can save my son's life, my family will surely offer a generous reward."
Upon seeing Mrs. Qian's gesture, the younger Mrs. Qian quickly followed suit and spoke, "Please, Miss Qin, save my husband."
"Don't worry, but I have a request. No one is allowed to enter this room without my permission during this period," I spoke up. After all, we were dealing with a demon, and it wouldn't be ideal for ordinary people to witness it, especially the faint-hearted ones who might be scared to death.
Mrs. Qian looked up at me with difficulty, "This..."
"Mrs. Qian, you should know that your son is not just sick. If someone sees something they shouldn't see and spreads it, it wouldn't be good for your son or your family," I interrupted her.
Mrs. Qian was conflicted, but what I said was true. Mortals had their taboos, and if the news of a demon haunting their home got out, the people in the city wouldn't spare them. It was human nature to unite against and kill things that scared and threatened them.
"Okay, we'll listen to Miss Qin," Mrs. Qian finally made a decision. She looked at me with determination in her heavily made-up eyes and said, "Miss Qin, I entrust my son to you."
"Rest assured, Mrs. Qian," I nodded in promise.
Afterwards, Madam Qian walked over to the bedside and looked at her son's unfamiliar face. Tears once again welled up in her eyes, "My child, don't be afraid. Mother is outside watching over you." With that, she raised her hand, gently stroked his hair while he slept, and then hurriedly left as if she was fleeing.
"There are only cruel women in the world, but no cruel mothers," I thought to myself.
I turned to the young Madam who was still standing in place. She had a pretty face, not stunning, but pleasant to look at. However, her slightly wrinkled brow and the hidden thoughts in her eyes ruined her demeanor.
"Young Madam, is there anything else?" I asked.
"Can Miss Qin really save my husband?" Young Madam asked me, not as if she was concerned but more like she was confirming something.
I smiled and replied, "Do you think Miss Qin can save him or not?"
Upon hearing my question, her pupils trembled, and she nervously asked, "What do you mean by that question, Miss?"
I sat down and poured another cup of tea. "You know what I mean," I said.
Young Madam's face turned a little ugly, but she held back and said, "If Miss Qin needs anything, please tell me. I will take my leave now."
I nodded and said, "Alright."
Young Madam then left. I looked towards the bed. It was you who had gone mad. At this moment, the one who had the least worries must be you.
At noon, there was a knock on the door. Then I heard Young Madam say, "Miss Qin, I've brought lunch."
"Come in," I replied.
I heard the door being pushed open, and Young Madam walked in with a lunchbox. She came to the table and set out the sumptuous lunch.
"Has he always slept this long?" I asked.
As Young Madam carefully arranged the dishes, she looked towards the bed and said in confusion, "This is the first time."
I nodded. Young Madam then asked me, "Should I wake my husband up for lunch?"
"No need," I said, looking at the four dishes on the table, a combination of meat and vegetables. I pointed to the bowl of clear soup and asked, "What is this soup?"