Anyway, Bai Xinghua's actions really touched me. It was obvious that she was thinking ahead for me. She probably thought that in the future, she and her people would have to fight, and I would inevitably have to participate in the battle. In order to protect me, she specially made this exorcism sachet for me.
Actually, at this point in time, she didn't need to do this at all because not only did the book on raising insects contain information about insect-raising techniques but also many methods of breaking curses. I had carefully studied those methods and memorized them by heart so if I were to encounter a skilled member of the Gu clan in the future, I believed that I wouldn't be too disadvantaged.
Of course, I still accepted Bai Xinghua's intentions which showed that I held a special place in her heart and that she cared about me.
When leaving her house, several times I wanted to explain about the book on raising insects but ultimately stopped myself from doing so. It seemed fine as it was since she was an expert on insect-raising; giving her possession of the book meant it could be put into good use without my needing it back.
Upon returning home my parents asked what Bai Xinghua said or if we did anything while there. Irritated yet amused by their questioning again (I replied), "It's almost my birthday soon and sister-in-law celebrated early with me! Excitedly hugging/kissing/touching each other...what more do you want?"
"Ahh? You little rascal! You've grown some guts haven't you?!" My mother couldn't even speak properly out of anger before grabbing a broomstick ready to hit me until my father intervened saying "Are you crazy? If they really did something like that would they tell us?"
"Right! This brat is just messing around with us! He's getting bolder and even dares to play around with his own mother. He's asking for trouble!" My mother was laughing at how I had fooled her.
I smirked, quickly escaping back into my room to read. With a natural talent for learning and an awakened spiritual sense, I was progressing by leaps and bounds compared to before. In just half a day, I managed to finish everything that would have taken me half a semester previously.
To test myself on what I learned, I did some of the after-class exercises which proved easy as pie; so much so that later on, instead of doing simple problems, I specifically sought out difficult ones from the exercises book and wrote down my solutions in the margins.
Before long it was already evening without me realizing it. After dinner ended another day passed by.
The next day was Monday again whereupon riding my bike towards school under good weather but bad luck - upon entering campus - ran into someone whom I absolutely didn't want to meet.
Xie Yilin, this fairy, was holding a book and walking while muttering to herself. She looked quite focused. I didn't even know she had already graduated and become a teacher, why was she still reading?
When I saw her, I instinctively turned the car to the side to avoid her.
However, things didn't go as planned. When I turned the corner, I hit the low wall of a flower bed and made a scraping sound.
The noise caught Xie Yilin's attention. She looked up and saw me. Her eyes lit up immediately as she bounced over to block my way.
I ignored her and continued turning aside but she moved her foot again to block me.
"What are you doing?!" In the end, I almost collided with her and couldn't help but stop and shout at her.
"Liu YiHeng, did all your years of education go in vain? Don't you know how to greet your teacher?" Xie Yilin asked proudly while looking at me with satisfaction on her face.
Damn it! You want me to greet you with that attitude? Just kill me now!
"Hello Teacher," in the end, I weakly greeted her. Women should be given some leeway after all.
"Not bad," she smiled slightly while looking at me from head-to-toe for a long time before suddenly asking: "What did you say to me that night? You said that I was performing soul-calling rituals or dancing soul-calling dances? How do you know these things? Are you a feng shui master?"
"I have nothing more to say." After glaring at her once more, I retreated several meters back saying: "Just talk without coming closer; keep your distance from me. If you come any closer again then even if jump into Yellow River it won't wash away."
"You can make sure that doesn't happen by answering my question honestly. If you satisfy me, I'll let you go." Xie Yilin deliberately walked towards me as she spoke, scaring me into quickly putting my car in front of her and drawing a line between us.
At this time, there were many students and teachers passing by us. They all looked at me with strange eyes which made me feel very uncomfortable. In the end, I had no choice but to stare at Xie Yilin saying: "I am a ghost hunter; is that answer enough for you?"
"Really?" Xie Yilin's eyes lit up and she anxiously came forward grabbing my car asking: "Besides hunting ghosts, do you know how to call souls? Do you know how to chase spirits or communicate with them? Can you help me with something?"
"You want me to find your boyfriend's soul don't you?" I asked while looking at her.
She was stunned for a moment before nodding her head.
"I didn't realize that you were so devoted. Are memories of your boyfriend still haunting you like this?" I asked somewhat amusedly.
Upon hearing my words, she fell silent and stopped talking. After a moment though, she turned around and walked away without another word.
Seeing this situation, I knew that my words just now were a bit too much. So I pushed the cart and caught up with her, saying to her: "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to mock you. Actually, I respect your feelings for your boyfriend. However, I think it's not a good idea to try to bring him back from the dead because humans and ghosts have different paths. If you really care about him, then burn more paper money for him and recite more sutras to help him pass on peacefully. That's what's best for him."
"You don't understand," Xie Yilin looked at me and said: "I want to bring him back so that I can apologize to him."
"What do you mean?" I asked in confusion.
"He died because of me," Xie Yilin said as tears flowed down her cheeks. Then she choked up and continued: "He was a very honest person who treated me well and seriously. At first we were very happy together; we often walked hand in hand along the road below Mount Modu until late at night while talking about many things. But over time, I started feeling bored with our relationship and would often pick fights with him for no reason. The day he died, when he tried to chase after me after our argument, he wouldn't have been hit by the car if he had avoided it like usual. It's all my fault; I feel so guilty and miserable... Can you understand how I feel?"
"Wait a minute! Your feelings are beyond my control right now; there is only one thing that matters - are you sure that mountain is Mount Modu? Do you know where Mount Modu is?" With shock written all over my face, I grabbed Xie Yilin's arm tightly as if seeking confirmation.