“I am Zhou Linqian’s second wife, Sun Ning. I don’t know much about his first wife. He didn’t tell me much about her.”
Sun Ning's tone returned to normal, as if he were a completely different person from the one who had been acting wildly just moments before.
"But why were you so agitated just now, Madam Zhou?" Shen Muqing asked, puzzled.
"Really? You must be mistaken." She denied it and turned to leave.
Shen Muqing grabbed her; the clues now depended on her, and he couldn't let her leave so easily.
"Don't you want to know how Xiang Sui'an died?"
These words made the woman stop in her tracks. She steadied herself and smiled gently.
"I don't know Xiang Sui'an, why would I need to know?"
"To tell you the truth, Xiang Sui'an told me that she died unjustly, and she appeared in my dream asking me to seek justice for her."
Shen Muqing didn't want to lie, but she had no choice but to see what Sun Ning's expression would be.
"You might be able to fool a child with that." She clearly didn't believe Shen Muqing's words.
"You've been married to your husband for so long, don't you know how his career took off?"
After a moment, Sun Ning loosened his clenched fist and sighed.
"Tell me, what do you want to do?"
"I need to find Xiang Sui'an."
"But she's already dead."
"Since she can appear in your dreams, she must have some grudge. Maybe she's a ghost in your house now."
"Impossible. If it were in my house, I would definitely have noticed it."
Sun Ning said it with certainty, without thinking.
"Do you have the ability to see ghosts? You're just an ordinary person, you definitely can't see ghosts."
"I have a feeling she's definitely not in my house."
Shen Muqing stood there with her hands on her hips, talking for more than half an hour. Her mouth was dry, so she suggested that they go to a nearby coffee shop to talk.
"OK."
Fortunately, the area had complete facilities and everything you could need. Shen Muqing casually found a coffee shop, sat down, and continued her previous conversation with Sun Ning.
"Madam Zhou has known Zhou Linqian for so long, she should know what kind of person he is by now."
"Selfish, indifferent, and heartless."
Shen Muqing was taken aback by her answer, thinking that she must have liked Zhou Linqian to marry him.
Are you surprised?
"A little."
Sun Ning picked up her coffee, took a small sip, and then slowly began to speak.
“After we got married, we lived in that villa. I personally oversaw the renovation of the villa, so Xiang Sui’an would never be there.”
"If he's not there, where could he be? By the way, how did Xiang Sui'an die?"
Sun Ning lowered her eyes, her expression forlorn.
"I heard he died of illness; he had a serious illness and died."
Ten years ago?
"yes."
"Did he die suddenly from an illness?"
Shen Muqing pressed for details, a suspicion forming in her mind.
"I don't know. I only know that after she died, Zhou Linqian's comics suddenly became very popular, and every book he drew after that became a bestseller."
"Madam, I have a guess, would you like to hear it?"
"you say."
The two stayed in the coffee shop for a long time, until the sun set, when Shen Muqing finally left.
"It's a pleasure doing business with you!"
Sun Ning also extended his hand, "Pleasant to cooperate!"
"I'm going back now. I think Linqian will be angry if he doesn't see me next week."
She's been out for too long; we need to get back as soon as possible.
"Okay, and also take good care of yourself."
"Thanks."
Shen Muqing stood at the door, watching her back, and suddenly felt a pang of emotion, as if he were somewhat disgusted with this kind of life.
"Qingqing, you haven't spoken to me all afternoon." Cang Jin spoke from behind her. He hadn't forgotten Shen Muqing's warning that he couldn't speak to her in front of others.
"Qingqing?"
"Go home."
"good."
Sensing the unease in her voice, Cang Jin fell silent and followed her home.
As soon as she entered the house, Shen Muqing said in a muffled voice, "Cang Jin, can I hug you?"
Cang Jin didn't speak, but showed Shen Muqing his answer through his actions.
Even when he held her, Shen Muqing couldn't touch her; she could only feel a sinister, cool aura.
Why do you think people are so bad?
If he can lay a hand on his wife, with whom he shares a bed, what else is he incapable of doing?
Do you think there are more good people or bad people in the world?
"Qingqing, stop thinking about it and go to sleep."
Cang Jin held her, stroked her head and said softly, "If you can't figure it out, then don't think about it for now."
Time will tell you the answer.
"Sleep with me."
"Yes, ma'am."
The two people in the room snuggled together. Shen Muqing closed her eyes, feeling a strange emotion troubling her for some reason.
Could it be that Xiang Sui'an really appeared in her dream? And what's going on? This is the first time I've encountered a female lead who has died. How can she be saved if she's dead?
"Cang Jin, do you hate me? I've killed you in my drawing."
"I don't hate."
"Why?"
She was the mastermind behind his death, so why shouldn't I hate her?
Cang Jin remained silent for a long time, his eyes closed.
Are you lying to me?
Not answering means tacit agreement, which implies that you still hate her.
"I won't lie to you, I don't hate you, on the contrary, I love you."
"How is that possible?"
They've only known each other for a short time, yet they've already reached the point of loving each other.
"From the first moment I saw you, I knew you were mine."
If dying was for the sake of meeting her, then he was willing, without complaint.
Love at first sight?
Although Shen Muqing didn't really believe in love at first sight, she couldn't help but ask.
"Love at first sight? You could say that."
However, Cangjin felt that this word could not fully encompass the meaning, and could only provide a general description.
Am I really that good?
"You are very, very good."
"Yeah?"
Shen Muqing's face, which had been dejected for hours, suddenly broke into a smile. Was she really that good?
"Yes, in my heart you are the best and the most wonderful, irreplaceable."
"Thank you, Cang Jin, I understand."
As if she had figured things out, Shen Muqing hugged the blanket and fell asleep.
That afternoon, Sun Ning and Shen Muqing had already discussed it. She would stay home and watch Zhou Linqian's every move, while Shen Muqing would set off for the neighboring city to go to Zhou Linqian's hometown to find Xiang Sui'an.
Shen Muqing had been preparing for several days, including a peace charm, glutinous rice, garlic, and most importantly, a peach wood sword.
He spent a lot of money to buy that, so he hoped the seller hadn't ripped her off.
"Cang Jin, come closer and see if it makes you feel uncomfortable."
Shen Muqing approached him, holding a peach wood sword, but to her surprise, Cang Jin showed no signs of discomfort.
"Won't."
"What? You don't know? I bought a fake?"
"Damn, my money is gone, it hurts."
Cang Jin: "Qingqing, I'm not a ghost."
"What are you if not a ghost?"
"I am a character in your book."
That must be the reason. The more Shen Muqing thought about it, the more she felt it made sense. Logically speaking, Cang Jin might not even be considered a ghost, because he wasn't human; he was just a character.
"All right."
Shen Muqing packed all her things, preparing to set off tomorrow.
Zhou Linqian's hometown is a village in a neighboring city. He was the first person from his village to be admitted to university through the arts, and he was admitted to the most famous university in Beijing.
The child who was least favored in the village has become the most successful.
After he became famous, the villagers began to fawn over him and show him concern. Zhou Linqian was also a man of principle, and after being admitted to university, he hardly ever returned to the village.
He only came back a few times when he was renovating the old house.
Shen Muqing's goal this time is to find his hometown and locate Xiang Sui'an's soul, which, if I'm not mistaken, is suppressed there by Zhou Linqian.
"Cang Jin, you'd better protect him this time, understand?"
"My life is in your hands."
She said to Cang Jin earnestly, "You can't let me down."
"I will protect you. Even if I die, you will be fine."
Cang Jin solemnly promised that what happened last time would not happen again, and that he would stay by Shen Muqing's side every step of the way.
Although I had been guarding him closely last time, Zhou Linqian still managed to slip through my defenses.
"Okay, let's set off quickly then. If we go now, it will be evening by the time we arrive."
Nighttime is when yin energy is at its peak; if you're lucky, you might find clues.
"Um."
Cang Jin was in a battle-ready state, his eyes fixed on Shen Muqing, which sent a chill down Shen Muqing's spine.
Then Shen Muqing turned her head away speechlessly, "Please don't stare at me like that, okay?"
It made her seem like some heinous criminal, as if anyone who didn't know better would think they were her enemy, harboring a deep-seated hatred.
"No, I have to protect you." Cang Jin still had that same look in his eyes, which was sinister and terrifying.
"what ever."
She was truly impressed. After packing her things, Shen Muqing carried a large hiking backpack, which was filled with everything from small items like tissues to large items like a peach wood sword, all standing upright in the bag.
"Set off!"
In Zhoucun, a neighboring city, Shen Muqing arrived at the village entrance just as the sun was setting. Contrary to her expectations, she had thought Zhoucun was a small village.
I didn't expect this place to be so developed, like a small city. It's very bustling and lively.
Perhaps it was Zhou Linqian alone who drove the development of the village.
As soon as she entered the village, people started hawking their wares.
"Take a look, look at this! It's the egg noodles that the great cartoonist Zhou Linqian loved to eat when he was a child. Eat a bowl and you'll have the same drawing ability."
Don't miss it if you're passing by.
Although it's called a village, it has restaurants, hotels, and other establishments, and it also attracts many tourists from other places.
Seeing Shen Muqing standing hesitantly at his shop entrance, the noodle shop owner pulled her along without saying a word.
"Young lady, stop looking. My family runs a famous noodle shop in Zhoucun. The taste is absolutely amazing. Want a bowl?"
Shen Muqing saw that there were quite a few people in his shop, so he nodded.
"Alright, miss, find yourself a seat. Your noodles will be ready in a bit." The noodle shop owner had a big smile on his face, showing how enthusiastic he was about his business.
Shen Muqing looked around but couldn't see anything unusual.
While waiting for her noodles, Shen Muqing overheard the people at the next table talking about where they were going to play the next day, all of which were rather boring topics.
"Girl, your noodles are ready. Be careful, they're hot."
The noodle shop owner brought over steaming hot noodles and told Shen Muqing to eat them while they were hot.
"Boss, wait a minute, can I ask you something?"
"What does the girl want to know? There's nothing in the village that I, Liu Dajiao, don't know," Liu Dajiao said confidently, patting her chest.
"Boss, which hotel is good nearby?"
"Haha, you've come to the right person. The place across the street has great prices and a nice atmosphere. In particular, the owner is very beautiful and gentle."
No sooner had Liu Dajiao finished speaking than the young couple at the next table laughed.
"The boss has never seen you praise your wife like that."
Liu Dajiao's dark face flushed red, a deep, dark red.
"What's wrong? Can't I praise my own wife?"
"I think you made the boss angry again yesterday."
"You little rascal, finish your food and go back quickly."
Shen Muqing watched this scene with a smile on her face, her previously tense mood easing.
“Girl, I’m telling you the absolute truth. My hotel is the only one in our village, so the price is definitely the most affordable.”
Before Shen Muqing could answer, a loud voice came from across the street.
"Liu Dajiao, I'm hungry. I want noodles with chicken legs."
"Coming, honey, wait a minute."
Liu Dajiao rushed to prepare, not forgetting to say to Shen Muqing, "You've definitely made the right choice by choosing my family, young lady. You can eat first."
Although it was a very ordinary conversation, Shen Muqing felt that it was full of happiness. The two of them owned two shops, and their life together was both ordinary and blissful.
As Shen Muqing ate her noodles, she no longer needed to worry about where to stay for the night. Looking at the few pedestrians on the street, she didn't think the villagers were the obsequious and selfish people Sun Ning described. On the contrary, she felt that the people here were simple and kind.
Liu Dajiao eagerly brought noodles to the other side, beads of sweat dripping down his face. The proprietress, though complaining, still used the corner of her clothes to wipe his sweat.
He just grinned foolishly and jogged back.
"Boss, your wife is really beautiful."
Shen Muqing genuinely thought the proprietress was very beautiful; she possessed a healthy, vibrant beauty with a lot of charm.
"I've discovered that you're not only beautiful, but you also have a sweet tongue." Liu Dajiao said with pride, waving his hand, "Girl, wait here and I'll add another fried egg for you."
"Thank you, boss!"
"By the way, boss, do you know where that famous painter lives?"
"You mean Zhou Linqian? His old house was demolished and replaced with an ancestral hall. Just go down this road, turn left, and you'll see that big tree. Keep going and you'll see it soon."
Liu Dajiao spoke enthusiastically, "Ever since Lin Qian became famous, many tourists from other places have come here just to catch a glimpse of the painter's inspiration."
"It's too late today. Go tomorrow, then you can still burn incense and pray."
"Thank you, boss."
Shen Muqing quickly finished eating, picked up her bag, and headed towards the hotel.
"Girl, why are you in such a hurry? The ancestral hall is there, it's not going anywhere."
"I'm afraid there won't be any rooms available at the hotel."
"There are plenty, slow down, little girl."
Across from the noodle shop, Shen Muqing quickly checked in. The landlady, seeing that she was a girl, arranged for her to stay in the room two places away from her own.
"If you need anything, young lady, you can come to me. Don't be shy."
"Thank you, sister."
"I'm getting old, I could be your mother."
Shen Muqing smiled sweetly. The proprietress really looked young. "But you can't tell at all, she looks so young."
"You have such a sweet tongue, girl. If you have any difficulties, I'll have my husband, Lao Liu, come and help you."
"good!"
Once Shen Muqing sat on the bed in the room, she immediately washed up and went to sleep. She planned to get up in the middle of the night to explore the ancestral hall.
"Cangjin, remember to keep track of the time. Remember to wake me up when it's twelve o'clock."
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