Chapter 10: 10

Chapter 10 - Striking back (1)

The scene in her bizarre dream coincidentally overlapped with the scenes where “she” was strangled to death by the gangsters in the extras of the novel.

With the exception of the presence of Lin Yize.

In the novel, “Lin Xi” asked for it herself and the incident seemed to unbeknownst to Lin Yize.

If that was the case, why did she see Lin Yize in her dream? He was smiling in her dream but on him was a look more vicious that she had ever seen.

Fear crept back all over her again when she recalled the look on Lin Yize.

***

Over on one side, watching Lin Xi with her head twisted and staring straight out the window, her eyes couldn’t open any wider, Zhang Cui felt her heart sank.

She recalled her daughter’s worries before they took off and she, too, became anxious reflexively.

-- Lin Xi was a very smart child. She just might be able to memorize the way back.

Zhang Cui’s eyes rolled round and she said, “Xiao Xi, we are still hours away. Aren’t you tired staring out the window like that? Maybe you should take a nap.”

Lin Xi turned her head after she heard Zhang Cui’s words and closed her eyes docilely.

Zhang Cui gave a satisfactory smile when she saw that.

What she didn’t know what that Lin Xi didn’t need to try to memorize the route – when she found out that they were going to take her to the village, she had already memorized the route between here and there, including certain specific spots like restaurant, rest areas, and motels.

Then Lin Xi fell asleep for real.

By the time they arrived at the Zhang Village and Lin Xi was woken up from the bumpy road, it was already noon time.

Zhang Cui had the chauffeur drove all the way up to the front of Zhang Qiang’s house.

“We are here. Let’s get out,” said Zhang Cui.

“Here?”

“Yes.” Seeing the dubious look on Lin Xi, Zhang Cui felt a guilty conscience all of a sudden. She laughed dryly and then went on to explain, “This is actually not one of the Zhang’s properties. Our old house had been vacant for too long and was too old and dirty to be live in.

“This is the house of a relative of ours. We will be staying here for a little while.”

Lin Xi looked at the not so big house in front of them. The house hadn’t been maintained in a long time and it was old and decrepit. It felt like it could “demolish” itself at any given moment. There was another small house next to them. Half of its roof had already collapsed. There were garbage and other random items piled up in front of it. It was easy to tell that it was ancient.

-- So this places wasn’t old and dirty?

Thought Lin Xi to herself. She seemed to have an idea now where Lin Anxin got her awful acting skills from.

“Let’s go.”

“Oh,” said Lin Xi as she followed Zhang Cui into the yard.

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As soon as they walked inside, they detected a scent so revolting that it could make one gag. It was a totally different smell from the those coming from the farmlands on their way there.

At this moment, a topless man with messy hair and smelling like alcohol limbed out.

“Aunty Cui, you are here.”

Zhang Cui frowned when she saw the man in his current state but she didn’t let that bother her for too long. She pulled Lin Xi in front of him and said, “Qiang-zi. It had been so many years. You look just how I remember you.”

Having said that, she introduced Lin Xi to him officially. “This is Lin Xi, my granddaughter.”

“Xiao Xi, this is your Uncle Qiang. Call him Uncle Qiang.”

“… …”

Lin Xi’s lips were taught. She didn’t address him. She looked down and nodded expressionlessly.

“Aunty Cui, your granddaughter seems a little shy,” said Zhang Qiang.

“Perhaps because we have just arrived and she is still trying to familiarize herself,” explained Zhang Cui.

Zhang Qiang pursed his lips a little. “You need to be a little bit more outgoing to be loveable here.”

Zhang Cui smiled dryly, “She’ll get better over time.”

Zhang Qiang lowered his head and took another look at Lin Xi. He didn’t say anything else but showed Zhang Cui and Lin Xi into the house.

Inside of the house smelled even more pungent than the outside.

“Have some water, Aunty Cui.” Zhang Qiang placed two bowls of water in front of Zhang Cui and Lin Xi.

Looking at the layer of brownish-yellow direct and the white, cotton-like particles that floated on top of the water. Tried as she might, Zhang Cui was not able to drink from that.

It was fine when she was living there before. Now that she had lived in the city for a few years; she could no longer tolerate this.

“It’s fine. I’m not that thirsty.” Zhang Cui declined him stiffly. “Perhaps you can show us to our room so we can drop off our luggage first.”

Zhang Qiang nodded and took Zhang Cui and Lin Xi into room next to them. The only thing between this room and the house outside was an old curtain.

“You can stay here. The other rooms had stuff inside of them.”

Half of this room, too, were cluttered with random stuff. There was a plank that was covered in dust and cobwebs. It was probably a bed.

“This room is quite bright. It just needs a little cleaning.” Nobody knew whether she was talking to Zhang Qiang or Lin Xi.

As long as I don’t feel awkward, then it will be someone else how feels awkward?

Lin Xi didn’t say anything.

Zhang Qiang left with a bottle of alcohol and Zhang Cui started cleaning up.

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