Chapter 8: Don’t Look Back When She Calls You

Chu Pei, Chu Pei, Chu Pei…

In the misty forest, I kept chasing after his figure, but no matter how hard I ran, he remained just as distant. Growing anxious in my pursuit, a piercing light suddenly broke through the fog.

I slowly opened my eyes. The scorching sun streamed in through the window it was already early summer morning.

Hugging the thin quilt, I let out a long sigh, feeling utterly disheartened. Somehow, Chu Pei had become my remedy, effortlessly soothing the restlessness in my heart.

Having been here for over half a year, I rarely called home, mainly because it wasn’t very convenient. Sometimes when I rushed back from school, the village committee office was already closed. If I wanted to make a call, I had to wait until next time, and the office was quite far from where I lived.

So, the number of calls I made could truly be counted on one hand. During one call home, my mom answered and said everything was fine, that I shouldn’t worry. Parents are always like that no matter how things really are, they only share good news with their children.

However, she did mention that someone in town had proposed a match for me. The man’s family was well-off, and they were waiting for me to meet him during the New Year holiday.

I sighed inwardly. People say that those involved in the arts value spiritual depth and inspiration, carrying an innate pride in their bones. Unfortunately, I had inherited both this spiritual pursuit and that pride.

But my parents were traditional. I couldn’t possibly tell them that I never intended to marry just for the sake of marriage that if I couldn’t meet someone I truly loved, I’d rather stay single forever.

I couldn’t bring myself to say it, nor should I. All I could do was take one step at a time, though I knew this wasn’t something I could avoid for long. Sooner or later, I’d have to face it.

After every call with my parents, I would call Su Mo. That chatterbox would ramble on for half an hour straight.

Su Mo: “Mi Mi, did you know? Fang Qinnian broke up with that so-called department beauty! She cheated on him with some uncle in his forties. Hah, serve him right! What goes around comes around!!”

When I heard Fang Qinnian’s name again, my heart remained as still as stagnant water, unable to stir even a single ripple.

Su Mo: “That scumbag Fang has been pestering me lately, asking about you. Do you think after being utterly crushed by that department beauty, he finally remembered how good you were and wants to get back together? Mi Mi, we’ve got to stand our ground! Whatever you do, don’t soften up!!”

I rolled my eyes hard on my end: “Don’t you know me by now? There’s no chance for me and Fang Qinnian. It’s like carefully choosing a towel, only to have someone else use it first before you even get to. If they didn’t want it anymore and tossed it to you, would you take it? Especially since I have high standards when it comes to relationships.”

Su Mo: “Good! Oh, and I have some great news that I got hired by a major advertising company! I’m in the art department now, so at least what I studied is being used. I’ll treat you to a meal when you’re back.”

“Congratulations! Time really flies.”

After chatting with Su Mo for nearly an hour, the village party secretary forced a smile and said, somewhat displeased, “Teacher Lin, you’ve been on the phone for almost an hour. We need to head back now, hehe…”

I quickly said goodbye to Su Mo and hung up. Just as I stepped out of the village committee office, lightning flashed and thunder rumbled as heavy rain poured down. Although it was early summer, the temperature in the mountains was slightly cool. Feeling a chill, I hunched my shoulders.

After everyone from the village committee had left, I leaned under the eaves by the door and watched the sky gradually darken. Afraid that no one would bring me an umbrella, I could only wait for the rain to ease up before leaving.

I checked the time on my phone, it was already 7 p.m. As I looked up into the pale gray night, I saw a little girl standing under an old locust tree, staring fixedly at me.

I could vaguely make out that she was wearing a bright red cotton-padded jacket, and the grass was so tall it reached past her waist. I wondered to myself, why hadn’t this little girl gone home at this hour? And since it was early summer, wasn’t she hot in such heavy clothing?

Suddenly, an oil-paper umbrella descended from the sky. I was stunned for a long moment and took two steps back in fright. The umbrella spun twice before slowly lifting, revealing the person already standing beneath it.

Holding the umbrella, he was still dressed in a white robe from the Republican era, with his hair parted to the side. He appeared refined and elegant yet carried an aura of authority and sharpness.

He handed the umbrella to me, his pale, thin lips parting slightly as he said softly, “Madam, the rain is heavy. I’ve come to take you home.”

“Chu… Chu Pei?” This was the first time I had seen him in such a clear state of mind. I knew for certain it wasn’t a dream or an illusion I was seeing him with my own eyes.

I lowered my head and stepped under his umbrella, silently following him as we walked forward at a steady pace. A rustling in the grass caught my attention, and I stole a glance it was that snake!

That snake was indeed connected to him in some way, and those people who had been surrounded by snakes in the deep mountains that day were likely also tied to him.

“Chu Pei, are you… a demon or a ghost?”

Without looking at me, his posture ramrod straight as he gazed ahead, he replied, “Neither a demon nor an ordinary ghost. The snake is merely my Host Body. You need not fear its consciousness is my consciousness, and it will not harm you.”

I didn’t fully understand his explanation, but since he seemed unwilling to elaborate, I didn’t press further. I instinctively glanced back at the locust tree, the little girl in the red jacket was gone.

Puzzled for a moment, I assumed she must have gone home. But not long after we started walking, I suddenly heard someone calling from behind.

“Big sister, big sister…”

Was it that little girl? I wanted to turn around, but Chu Pei stopped me.
“Do not look back.”

My heart tightened, and I whispered, “Why?”

Chu Pei remained silent for a while before answering, “She is no longer among the living. If you turn back, she will latch onto you.”

A chill ran down my spine, and I stared wide-eyed at Chu Pei. How could I see such a thing? I had only heard from elders that those with extremely low Yang energy or who were down on their luck might encounter unclean entities.

“Big sister, I’m cold. Big sister, save me, save me…”

She began to cry, sounding utterly heartbroken and desperate. Even knowing she was a ghost, I couldn’t help but feel pity for her.

“Chu Pei, she’s crying so sadly.”

Chu Pei remained unmoved, not even glancing sideways as he continued walking. Perhaps sensing my concern, he explained, “That is merely her trickery. Her spirit has not dispersed, held together by Baleful energy. Dressed in red and having died unjustly, her Baleful energy is especially profound.”

“And what about you?” I blurted out without thinking, immediately regretting it.

He abruptly halted. I saw a flicker of bloodthirsty crimson in his deep, star-like eyes, and his suddenly cold, fierce demeanor made me hold my breath.

“I still have unfinished wishes. One day you will know, but not now.”

Suddenly I felt deeply sorrowful. This love felt like a gamble destined to be lost – though clearly aware the ending might lead to eternal damnation; there was no turning back.

Yet my sorrow didn’t stem from my potential eternal suffering, but from loving him beyond redemption while knowing nothing about him. Though fully conscious that humans and spirits belong to different realms, separated by the boundary of life and death, my heart remains beyond control.

I don’t even know when he will leave, or when he will return…