NOVEL ONLINE FREE 31: Grave Visiting Day
A month had passed since Qingming Festival. During the plum rain season, business was slow for both temple fairs and funeral goods shops.
The antiquely decorated shop, situated at the foot of the temple fair mountain, exuded the scent of burning sandalwood as soon as one alighted from the vehicle.
Yuan Xiaoning looked up at the signboard, which read: “Liu Laoxian’s Paper Craft Shop.”
An elderly man with a white beard sat at the shop entrance, observing them with an enigmatic expression, emanating an air of otherworldly wisdom.
“What would you like to buy, esteemed customers?” he asked.
“Some items for grave offerings,” Zhang Shengkang replied.
Zhang Shanshan squeezed in and inquired, “I read online reviews saying your incense allows people to see those they’re paying respects to, as if they’re still alive. Is that true?”
Liu Laoxian stroked his white beard mysteriously: “Regarding that, wouldn’t it be best for the customer to experience it firsthand?”
He reached back and grabbed an incense stick from the stall.
Yuan Xiaoning thought to herself that this man must have real skills, always keeping incense at hand for customers to try for free.
Zhang Shanshan quickly stepped aside: “Not me, it’s her. I’m not the one paying respects to my parents.”
She finally found an opportunity to subtly attack Bai Ling, who couldn’t easily object.
However, Bai Ling paid no attention. Having died once herself, she wasn’t concerned about jokes related to life and death.
“So burning incense allows one to see deceased relatives?” she eyed the incense stick with interest. “That’s quite a special little design.”
Yuan Xiaoning nearby pursed her lips, thinking there was nothing mystical about it. Seeing deceased relatives after burning incense could only mean two things.
Either the incense ingredients were questionable, and inhaling the smoke was like taking drugs. Or it had nothing to do with the incense, and the old man himself had the ability to create illusions.
Liu Laoxian, who had always maintained a friendly demeanor, approached Bai Ling with the incense: “Young lady, let me ask you a few questions. What did your family members you want to pay respects to look like, they…”
He met Bai Ling’s crimson gaze and suddenly froze, unable to continue his sentence.
A few seconds later, Liu Laoxian came to his senses, his white beard trembling slightly.
“I’d like to buy some items, for use,” Bai Ling spoke up, “Just the regular ones will do.”
“Certainly, certainly.” Liu Laoxian wiped his sweat and turned to go into the shop to find items.
Zhang Shanshan watched in confusion and couldn’t help asking, “Did you see them just now, your deceased relatives?”
“No, but,” Bai Ling smirked, “I saw relatives who are about to pass away.”
“That’s quite inauspicious.”
No one except Yuan Xiaoning could understand the deeper meaning of her words.
Soon, Liu Laoxian brought out various items. Besides the basic “Heavenly Bank” notes, there were all sorts of paper crafts, even including a paper house.
“There are many more varieties inside the shop,” he asked Bai Ling, “Would you like to choose some more?”
Bai Ling gestured to Zhang Shengkang: “Uncle Zhang, why don’t you pick?”
After all, they’re for your use, so choose according to your preference.
“Right, that’s correct,” Zhang Shanshan said righteously, “My dad’s paying for it, let him choose.”
Zhang Shengkang was taken aback but found it reasonable, so he walked inside: “In that case, I’ll choose some for my brother and sister-in-law.”
He went in, and Zhang Shanshan followed to join the excitement, leaving only Yuan Xiaoning and Bai Ling outside.
“What’s going on?” Yuan Xiaoning asked quietly.
“Nothing much, can’t you guess?” Bai Ling replied coolly, “Mental type, illusions, early stage of Level 3.”
“Level 3, that’s quite skillful.”
A moment later, Zhang Shengkang came out carrying packed bags, with Zhang Shanshan following behind, muttering:
“It’s just paying respects to two people, why buy so much?”
“It’s not just two people… never mind, let’s go quickly.”
No need to linger in a funeral shop, it’s inauspicious.
As they were leaving, Liu Laoxian bid farewell to Bai Ling. She merely acknowledged with a glance before turning to leave.
Yuan Xiaoning waved to Liu Laoxian on her behalf: “Goodbye, old sir.”
It was almost noon, and if they hurried, they could make it back for lunch.
The car drove off with the four of them, while Liu Laoxian stood at the shop entrance for a while longer, wiping cold sweat.
Nothing much had happened, just a simple mental pressure, but in those few seconds, he could clearly feel the vast difference in power.
“So, the rumors were true.”
In the circle of high-level ability users in Tianhai City, there had been a recent rumor about an extremely high-level mental ability user in the city, with a cold personality and bad temper, very difficult to get along with. However, she reportedly had an adorable, busty wife with an amiable and polite disposition.
After standing for a while, Liu Laoxian brought the signboard at the entrance back inside, preparing to rest for a few days.
“Tianhai City is about to see some changes.”
After all, purchasing funeral goods only had one purpose.
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After returning home, everyone became rather silent. Zhang Shengkang tried to discuss the next day’s schedule, and seeing Bai Ling had no objections, he had nothing more to say.
Zhang Shanshan was sent back to her room early to prevent her from talking too much and spoiling things.
Yuan Xiaoning did the same, returning to her room after dinner to play mobile games and clear daily tasks, or chat with her roommates.
With such an important event tomorrow, surely there was no need for mugwort tonight?
Indeed, there wasn’t. When Bai Ling came back to sleep, her expression was ice-cold, and Yuan Xiaoning didn’t dare speak.
Better to just sleep. Ning Ning could finally have a dry night’s rest.
Zzzz
Splash splash splash splash—!
Sunday morning, past eight o’clock, and the sky was still dark. Dark clouds covered the entire sky, and torrential rain had been pouring since early morning.
Zhang Shengkang looked at the dark clouds outside, his face as black as the sky.
Didn’t his niece say the weather forecast was good for today? How…
“Uncle Zhang, it’s raining heavily outside,” Bai Ling had somehow appeared behind him, speaking softly, “Should we postpone the plans?”
“No, no need.” Zhang Shengkang reflexively refused.
The time had been set with Mr. Gray, and he might already be in position. How could they postpone?
Realizing his response sounded odd, he added, “Burials, grave visits, and paying respects are all very particular about auspicious times. The previously set time cannot be changed casually, otherwise it would be a great taboo.”
“Oh,” Bai Ling looked as if she had learned something new, “I see. Shall we go then?”
“Yes, yes, let’s go.”
Zhang Shengkang didn’t indulge his daughter’s whims today, forcibly locking her in her room. He drove alone, taking Bai Ling and Yuan Xiaoning to the cemetery.
“The rain is too heavy today, so I won’t let Shanshan come along,” he specifically explained, “Let’s go early and return early.”
“Alright.” Bai Ling smiled enigmatically.
In the passenger seat, Zhang Shanshan sat there with a blank expression, as if sleepwalking.
But in Zhang Shengkang’s view, the passenger seat was empty.
Controlling the vision of ordinary people was something Bai Ling had mastered seven years ago.