When I got home, it was already nine o'clock at night. My fifth grandfather had already gone to sleep. I took a shower and went to the kitchen to cook a bowl of noodles. I hadn't eaten anything this afternoon.
After dinner, I lay down on the bed, took out my phone, and saw that Hu Tudao had sent a text message. I opened it, glanced at it, and then called Ma Dajun to tell him that I had found the right person and what needed to be prepared. I also forwarded Hu Tudao's information to him.
After finishing all that, I put down my phone and stared at the roof tiles. Although I was very tired, I wasn't sleepy at all.
As night deepened and I calmed down, my fifth grandfather's thunderous snoring reached my ears. Hearing this snoring, I suddenly felt very warm and at ease, and thus I fell into a deep sleep.
The next morning.
I was woken up by someone calling me. I opened my eyes groggily and saw my fifth grandfather standing in front of my bed.
"Changming, why do you always forget to get up?" Fifth Grandfather frowned and asked.
I glanced at the time, hurriedly sat up in bed, scratched my head awkwardly, and said, "I forgot to set the alarm."
"There's breakfast in the kitchen, eat it before you go to work." Grandpa Wu turned to leave, but then suddenly remembered something and stopped, saying, "Some naughty kid stuck a yellow piece of paper on the back of your electric scooter, I've already torn it off for you."
My expression froze. I opened my mouth but couldn't say a word. I bought this for sixty yuan, and now it's been torn up like this.
"I'm going to sell meat," said Grandpa Wu, turning and leaving.
I got up, brushed my teeth, washed my face, ate a quick bite in the kitchen, and then rode my electric scooter out the door.
When I arrived at the small shop in Liuluo Village, I went down and bought a pack of cigarettes. I wanted to know if Granny San had seen anything last night, so I asked her on purpose. But Granny San said that she closed the shop early last night and didn't know.
When I arrived at the courier station, it was just a few minutes past the clock-in time.
"Zuo Changming, what's going on these past two days? You're so late. An Lili and Xu Dalong are busy in the sorting room." Zhang Guangyin glared at me and said irritably.
I didn't say anything and just walked straight to the sorting room. If it were any other time, I would definitely have retorted a couple of times. Anyway, it's not working hours yet, so what's it to me?
Zhang Guangyin is currently looking for excuses to deduct my salary, so I'd better avoid offending him.
When I arrived at the sorting room, I glanced at the people there. Just as I had guessed, Lin Xiaoxue and Zhong Lingui were not there today. It seems that I will be the one delivering the line to Shizicun.
"Changming, why are your dark circles so big? Didn't you sleep well last night?" An Lili glanced at me and asked.
"There were too many mosquitoes last night, and I forgot to buy mosquito coils again." I made up an excuse. Actually, I slept very well last night. As for why I have such dark circles under my eyes, I think it must be related to that Ma Jiajie. She has been bothering me for two nights in a row. It would be strange if I didn't get better. Fortunately, Hu Tudao can send her away tonight. Otherwise, if she ruins a few more nights, I won't have to wait until my 24th birthday. I guess I'll be finished in a few more days.
"Changming, Station Chief Zhang said you'll be delivering Zhong Lingui's line again today. Thanks for your hard work." Feng Enbin came to my side, patted my shoulder, and said.
I nodded, squatted down, and started sorting the packages on the ground.
While sorting packages, Xu Dalong and Feng Enbin made plans to go out for drinks after get off work.
I wasn't interested in listening to their idle chatter. I decided to find someone to help me deliver the packages on Zhong Lingui's route today. This person is also from our Dafeng Village, and his nickname is Tong Liu.
Tong Liu is one of my few friends. When we were kids, hardly anyone in Dafeng Village wanted to play with me. Besides Tong Liu, there was another guy nicknamed Bao Si, but Bao Si went to work in another city. The three of us became the best of friends.
Tong Liu also works in town, but his job is relatively easy. He's an electrician in the neighborhood, earning 2,000 yuan a month, and he basically doesn't have to do any work. So it's not a big deal to ask him to deliver packages for a day.
I sorted out my packages and those from Zhong Lingui's line, then called Tong Liu, who agreed without hesitation.
After Tong Liu arrived, I asked An Lili to send the delivery information to his phone. Of course, I did this behind Zhang Guangyin's back, otherwise, given the latter's personality, he would definitely cause me trouble.
It was noon.
I finished delivering all the packages on my route, had lunch at home, and then called Tong Liu. Tong Liu said there were still a few to deliver, but he estimated he could finish in half an hour. I transferred 200 yuan to him via WeChat, but he didn't accept it and returned it to me. He even sent me a message saying that talking about money between brothers would hurt our relationship. I didn't tell him about my encounter with the ghost, since he couldn't help anyway and it would only cause me more trouble.
I called Ma Dajun to ask if he had prepared anything.
Ma Dajun replied that everything was ready and asked when Master Hu and I would be going. I said I would go to his house now and take him there with me.
After hanging up the phone, I rode my electric bike to Hu Ergou's house. I had already told him last night that I would call him after delivering the package today, but I didn't call and went straight to his house.
When I arrived at Hu Ergou's house, Hu Tudao was already waiting for me in the hall. Hu Ergou wasn't home today. Hu Tudao was carrying a side bag and was sitting on the back of my electric scooter. I took him there and headed to Ma Dajun's house.
When we arrived at the traffic light intersection, perhaps because Hu Tudao was in the car, I felt very at ease. I pointed to the place where Ma Jiajie had appeared that night and said, "Hu Tudao, I saw Ma Jiajie there the night before last."
Hu Tu glanced in that direction without a care and said, "Just a kid. Let's go to the master's house, finish our work as soon as possible, collect the red envelopes, and go home to sleep."
Seeing how confident Hu Tudao was, I didn't say anything more and continued on my way to Ma Dajun's house.
When we arrived at Ma Dajun's house, Ma Dajun was already waiting at the door. He invited us in, poured us two cups of hot tea, patted me on the shoulder, and pointed outside.
I understand what Ma Dajun means; he wants me to go outside and talk.
I followed Ma Dajun outside.
“Brother Zuo, I remember Master Hu is about fifty or sixty years old. Why did you bring a young man with you?” Ma Dajun asked me with a bitter expression.
“Uncle Ma, this young man is Master Hu’s son, named Hu Tudao. Master Hu said his son can easily handle this matter, so don’t worry.” At this point, I forced myself to speak up for Hu Tudao.
However, the fact that Hu Ergou was willing to let Hu Tudao come over proves that Hu Tudao must have some skills.
When Ma Dajun heard what I said, his expression gradually softened, and he pulled me back into the house.
When Hu Tudao saw us come in, he glanced at Ma Dajun and said, "Have you prepared what I asked you to prepare?"
Upon hearing this, Ma Dajun nodded respectfully and replied, "Master Hu, everything is ready: a pig's head, a duck, a chicken, glutinous rice, and sweet rice."
"Yes, cook the three raw ingredients first, we'll need them tonight." Hu Tudao nodded, stood with his hands behind his back, and began to look around Ma Dajun's house.
The so-called "three lives" is an industry term, referring to three living beings: chickens, ducks, and pigs.
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