I cleaned up the things on the floor, dragged my heavy steps back to my little room, took my newest clothes, took a shower, and then quietly lay down on the bed.
If nothing unexpected happens, I can say goodbye to this world tomorrow night. There's only one day left. What should I do?
I want to ask for leave tomorrow. I've been working here for over three years, and this is the first time I've asked for leave. I typed out a text message on my phone and sent it to my boss, Huang Haitao.
After putting down my phone, I kept thinking about what I should do with this last day. I still have 130,000 yuan in my account, and I plan to leave the money for my great-uncle's retirement. Yes, I'll go back tomorrow, pay my respects at his grave, visit my parents again, and then have a nice meal with my great-uncle.
As for the fact that I'm going to be killed by something evil, I don't plan to tell my fifth grandfather. He raised me for over ten years and is my only family in this world. Although I can't be there for him in his final moments, I hope he can live a good life. I'll leave him a letter and send a delayed message to Tong Liu on my phone, asking him to look after my fifth grandfather when he can, since he's my only concern now.
Having figured all this out, I was getting ready to go to sleep when suddenly my phone received a text message from Hu Ergou, telling me not to tell anyone about what happened tonight. I replied "I understand," then opened WeChat and transferred two thousand yuan to Hu Tudao's WeChat account, telling him it was their fee for the job and some medical compensation.
Normally, if I transfer money to Hu Tudao, he almost always accepts it instantly. But this time, he didn't accept it and returned it to me. I know that Hu Ergou must have made him do this.
I put down my phone, slowly closed my eyes, and then fell into a deep sleep.
the next day.
I woke up naturally just as dawn was breaking. I slept so soundly last night that I couldn't remember the last time I had such a comfortable sleep.
After I got up and washed up, I rode my electric bike out of the courier station. Huang Haitao had approved my leave request last night. I went to the town street and bought a lot of fruit, snacks, some vegetables, and a few bottles of Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor). I filled both back boxes and the back seat of my electric bike, spending more than a thousand yuan. This was the first time I had spent so much money on things, but I didn't feel any heartache at the time.
I returned to Dafeng Village and distributed the snacks to the village children. Watching their happy backs, I felt very satisfied. I gave each household two or three pounds of fruit. The villagers were curious about what happy event I had that led to the distribution of fruit. I forced a smile and told them that I had received a bonus at work and thanked them for their continued care. I felt I couldn't repay them, so I bought some fruit to express my gratitude.
Actually, every year during the Spring Festival, I would give red envelopes to the children in the village, not much, just five or ten yuan.
After distributing the fruit and snacks, I returned home. It was exactly eight o'clock. My fifth grandfather was still selling pork at the village committee. He wouldn't be back until midnight. I planned to go to my grandfather's grave first. I found some incense and paper money at home, took the offerings I had bought, and headed towards my grandfather's grave.
After crossing a stream, walking along the edge of the rice paddies, climbing a small hill, and walking down fifty meters, I arrived at my grandfather's grave.
Opposite my grandfather's grave is a huge, deep pit. It was originally intended to be a pond or reservoir, but for some reason, construction was stopped halfway through. Now it is overgrown with weeds and extremely desolate.
Actually, I also come to offer incense to my grandfather every year during Qingming or Double Ninth Festival, but now is not the right time. But there's no other way, I'm going to die tonight.
I placed the offerings in front of my grandfather's grave, burned incense, offered wine, and paid my respects. Then I sat down in front of his grave and told him about my recent life. I slowly recounted my experiences to my grandfather, my dearest relative who had passed away more than ten years ago. I didn't hide anything from him and told him everything about how I had been haunted by evil spirits.
As I spoke, I laughed, and then I couldn't hold back my tears any longer. They streamed down my cheeks and slowly fell to the ground. My grandfather risked his life to make sure I lived, but I failed him. But I really had no choice. If I had a choice, who wouldn't want to live a good life? Who wouldn't want to go out and see the world?
I stood at my grandfather's grave and talked for over an hour before packing up and heading home.
On the way back, I visited my parents' graves again. They are buried in Fozishan, which is not very far, but it still takes about half an hour to walk up the mountain.
When I arrived at my parents' graves, it was already eleven o'clock. It was June in the lunar calendar, and my parents' graves were overgrown with weeds. I cleared a space, placed the offerings on it, and then began to clear away the weeds one by one.
The place where my parents are buried is called a mass grave by the villagers. During the day, very few people come here. It is surrounded by graves that no one visits. I don't know why my grandfather buried them here. Every year when I come to pay my respects during Qingming or Double Ninth Festival, there is no one on this hill.
"Mom and Dad, I've come to see you. This may be the last time I visit you," I said softly as I pulled weeds.
I have never actually called my parents "Mom and Dad".
I don't know what I said to my parents. Every time I come over, I just casually tell them about my experiences over the years.
After all, I have no memory of my parents at all. The things I know about them and what they look like are all from my grandfather and other people in the village.
I cleared away all the weeds around me, which took more than an hour. Although I was covered in sweat, I didn't feel tired at all. I just felt a little bitter. Perhaps from now on, my parents' graves will become lonely graves like the surrounding graves, and no one will ever come to pay their respects again.
After kowtowing three times at my parents' graves, I started packing my things to go home.
I got home after 5 p.m.
I went into the kitchen to start cooking. In our rural area, we usually eat in the evening. My fifth grandfather wasn't home at this time. I guessed he was either playing chess with someone in the village or picking vegetables in the fields. But he would definitely be back before dark. I just needed to cook the food and wait for him.
I got busy and, after more than an hour, I finally finished cooking. It was a very lavish meal, with five dishes and a soup. My family usually only eats this well during Chinese New Year or other holidays, but today was an exception.
I washed the iron pot and wiped the stove clean. I was about to call my fifth grandfather, but before I could take out my phone, I heard the gate open. I took off my apron and went out, just in time to see my fifth grandfather carrying some vegetables as he walked in.
"Fifth Grandpa, come and eat." I waved to my fifth grandpa.
"Hey, Changming, you've prepared so much delicious food?" Fifth Grandfather walked over and glanced at the table full of dishes, surprised.
A bitter feeling flashed through my heart, but I quickly calmed down, put on a smile, and gave that excuse again, saying, "The station gave out bonuses, so we're having extra dishes tonight. Let's have a good meal together, you and me. I also bought you a few bottles of wine."
"Good, good, good." Upon hearing that there was wine, Fifth Grandfather's aged face beamed like a chrysanthemum.
Fifth Grandpa threw down the vegetables he was holding, washed his hands, sat down in the dining chair, and eagerly picked up a bottle of Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor), opened it, and took a big gulp. "Ah, that feels good."
I shook my head, picked up my chopsticks and was about to pick up some food when my phone rang. I took it out and saw that it was Hu Ergou calling.
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