SES Chapter 209 Part 1

Chapter 209

Night fell, and fog rolled in.

Mu Dai and the others took down the tents in the thick mist, packed their backpacks, and bagged any trash that couldn’t be broken down. Flashlight beams swayed and overlapped in the fog. It was only then that Cao Yanhua remembered he wanted a photo with the tree-stump pot. He jogged over, squatted down, straightened his back, and flashed a wide grin, showing a textbook set of eight teeth.

Yi Wan San took out his phone and snapped a picture for him. Cao Yanhua trotted back happily to check the result—

“Where am I?” he asked.

“In the fog. Go find yourself,” someone replied.

Yan Hongsha said, “Yi Wan San’s photography skills are terrible. Doesn’t even know you need lighting at night. I’ll do it.”

She held her phone in one hand and a flashlight in the other, the beam shining like a searchlight straight into Cao Yanhua’s face. Facing the blinding light, Cao Yanhua bravely forced his eyes wide open…

When they checked the photo, the entire image was pitch black except for one glowing, oversized face. Calling it ghost-like would probably offend actual ghosts.

Cao Yanhua was speechless. After a moment, he muttered, “I really can’t be bothered to complain about you two…”

Yan Hongsha even offered advice: “Just Photoshop the two pictures together.”

Mu Dai couldn’t help laughing. Not long after, Luo Ren came over with his backpack, counted heads, and had everyone stand in position and secure their ropes.

All the flashlights were switched off. The sound of silver-eyed bats beating their wooden wings spiraled up into the air.

Once you’ve done something once, the second time is easier. This time, the walk wasn’t nearly as tense as before. They even chatted occasionally. Mu Dai acted like a careful little team leader—kicking aside loose stones underfoot, then reminding those behind her:

“—It’s slippery here, go slow.”

“—There’s a pit ahead, watch your step.”

Yan Hongsha suddenly had an idea. “Mu Dai, let’s build a house here.”

She grew more and more excited. “The path is so winding—Mr. Shen got dizzy after walking just a short stretch in daylight. Regular people would never make it in. We could build a house here and use it as a vacation spot. Next time we come, we’ll bring food, drinks, a grill, a solar generator, speakers—we can even sing!”

Cao Yanhua thought it sounded great. “We could bring a computer too, and project movies. Project them right onto the fog—huge screen, amazing effect!”

Once the ideas started flowing, they couldn’t be stopped: a vegetable garden with scallions and peppers, seventy-two plum-blossom poles to practice on anytime. The fortune-teller listened with envy and asked, “Can I come play too?”

“Sure, sure!” Cao Yanhua said grandly, like he owned the whole mountain.

“Can I bring friends too?”

“Well…” Cao Yanhua thought for a moment. “They’ll need to pass a character assessment. Regular people aren’t allowed in.”

Walking at the very back, Luo Ren nearly laughed out loud.

Even so, these childlike, idyllic fantasies still stirred something in him.

Anything was possible—as long as they made it through these final seventeen days, crossed that last chasm.

They returned to Madam Meihua Jiuniang’s mansion with more than two hours left before dawn.

Seventeen days remained. Grit your teeth, fight it out, and it will be over.

Mu Dai lit the incense and candles in the mourning hall, put her mourning clothes back on, and stood vigil from then until dawn with Cao Yanhua.

The fortune-teller occupied Zheng Mingshan’s room, found pen and paper, and carefully transcribed—word by word—the photographed materials on his phone. He had promised Mu Dai that when he left Fog Town, he would destroy all related information and never tell anyone this secret.

Life was truly exhausting. The fortune-teller felt a sour ache in his chest. Why did there have to be so many secrets to keep? Last time was the same—it had even turned into a so-called “possession,” with the person inhabiting his friend’s body telling him, “I don’t agree to you writing this. Not a single word.”

It made one sigh over fate’s cruel irony: if you’re going to let me know, why not let me write it?

Luo Ren pushed the door open. The past couple of days in the mountains had been relatively light work for him, more like recuperation, and his injuries had healed well.

He asked the fortune-teller, “We’re leaving at daybreak. Will you be… okay here?”

Of course not. There was so much information to整理, and he still planned to search for related material online.

Luo Ren didn’t push him. “There’s no solid news about Long Town yet anyway. I’ll take the others toward Hangu Pass first. You can follow in a day or two and meet up with us.”

Time slipped by quickly. As soon as the sky began to lighten, everyone packed up and set off.

Cao Yanhua got into the car and flipped the countdown calendar to “17.” Staring at the black number, his palms grew slightly sweaty, filled with an eager, ready-for-battle energy.

Mu Dai got in last, handing the mansion keys to the fortune-teller, with many things to remind him of.

“You’re not staying for free. When you’re tired of researching, at least come out and clean a bit—especially my master’s memorial hall.”

“Got it, got it. Balance work and rest—I understand.”

“And one more thing…” Mu Dai lowered her voice. “There are certain taboos you still need to mind. My master has only passed her first seven days; the mourning period isn’t over yet. Senior Brother marked the date on the calendar—when that day comes, you should avoid the place.”

“No need, no need.” The fortune-teller grinned broadly. “I’d love for her to come back. If she does, I even want to interview her. In my heart, your master was an extraordinary person…”

Mu Dai stared at him, stunned. After a pause, she resolutely shoved the keys into his hand. “Bye.”

She turned to leave, then suddenly stepped back.

Smiling sweetly, she said, “Those seven wooden pieces—I won’t give them to you. But if you call me something nice and promise to take good care of it, I can leave the silver-eyed bat with you to keep you company…”

The fortune-teller’s eyes flew open. In the next instant, he hugged Mu Dai with overwhelming enthusiasm. “Little Pocket, you’re just unbearably adorable!”

“Unbearably”—that catchphrase had really spread to everyone.

Inside the Hummer, all eyes instantly turned to Luo Ren.

He remained calm. “Why are you all looking at me? This is a perfectly pure relationship. A hug isn’t going to make me lose a piece of flesh. Do I look like the type to get jealous over something so pointless?”

Cao Yanhua praised him. “Brother Luo is magnanimous!”

Yi Wan San added, “Confident!”

Yan Hongsha said, “Exactly. That’s how it should be—mutual trust between partners.”

Qingmu had once told Luo Ren many Japanese folklore stories. Some were quite cute—harmless, malicious thoughts turning into little round stones that rolled under an enemy’s feet, making them slip and fall flat on their face, front teeth flying.

Those little stones would then grab the teeth and scurry back, cheering, “Revenge! Revenge!”

He didn’t want the fortune-teller’s teeth—but a good fall would be perfectly appropriate.

Leaving Fog Town was a magical experience. As they drove, the fog gradually thinned and dispersed. Yan Hongsha rolled down the window, watching intently, murmuring nonstop, “It’s clearing… oh, even more now… look back, it’s still like a big lump of fog back there, but here it’s gone…”

Yi Wan San tugged her sleeve and shushed her.

When she turned around, Mu Dai was already asleep, leaning against the passenger seat. Cao Yanhua was asleep too, slumped against Yi Wan San’s shoulder, who was pushing his head away in mild disgust. Those two had kept vigil all night—they were utterly exhausted.

Yan Hongsha quickly rolled the window back up. When they later opened breakfast packets, they ate in tiny bites, moving as quietly as possible.

She even knelt on the back seat to peer at Cao Jiefang in its cage, mouthing silently, Jiefang, don’t make noise, everyone’s sleeping…

Cao Jiefang shot her a sideways glance, as if saying: I only call out when there’s something worth seeing. Who calls all day for no reason?

By the time the phone rang, Mu Dai had slept deeply for a long while. She opened her eyes groggily as the car pulled over.

They were in a lively small county town. By the roadside, Yi Wan San opened the door and jogged off to buy water. With the window cracked open, noon sunlight mixed with the local dialect poured into the car. After listening for a bit, Mu Dai said, “That’s Sichuan dialect.”

Luo Ren smiled. “We’re in Sichuan already. Been driving nearly six hours.”