Chapter 008: The Red Dancing Shoes

As time passed, everything seemed as if nothing had ever happened, and everyone subconsciously avoided mentioning the name Li Hong, as if this person had never existed in this building

I nodded; this place is truly bizarre, making it hard to imagine that anyone could actually live here

It was not until the next morning when the police arrived that it was discovered that the exquisite pair of red high-heeled shoes she had been wearing, which everyone had seen, had mysteriously vanished

"Later, it was unknown who reported her, and on that very day, she was taken away and sentenced for the crime of hooliganism" Lin Qin's eyes reflected a sense of regret

To break this feng shui, it is essential to seal off the skylight, thereby preventing the wind from entering. Consequently, the so-called wind entrance in feng shui will naturally cease to exist. Additionally, it is necessary to hang a plumb bob above the skylight; in feng shui, this plumb bob is referred to as a "soul-quieting weight," used to suppress wandering souls, ensuring they never reincarnate.

Until one night, everyone was awakened by a sudden sound of footsteps

She has died

It is entirely understandable that those who had been frightened by Li Hong at that time became like startled birds.

Four people were used to restrain her, and they controlled her with ropes

She returned home in silence, and it was not until the next day that someone saw her in the courtyard

The employee Wang Manman in the factory is wearing a red dance dress and a pair of red high heels, continuously dancing in the center of the courtyard

Just listening to it makes one feel miserable. I truly cannot imagine it. But it's just dancing, isn't it? Isn't this a very normal social behavior? How did it become something associated with female ruffians, and why must it be paraded in public?

This building was completed in the 1970s, originally constructed as a dormitory for employees of the Mi City Meat Processing Plant. My parents were employees here at that time. As Lin Qin spoke, there was a hint of nostalgia in her beautiful eyes. My childhood memories are not like this; when I was young, this building was filled with laughter and joy. The intricate residential complex was an excellent playground for us children. When mealtime approached, just by the aroma, one could tell what each household was having to eat.

So I also sat down and curiously asked, "Sister Lin Qin, may I ask why this place has become so unsettled? Ever since I came in, I have been..."

I remained silent, although I felt that this behavior was excessive; had it been me, I would never have acted in such a manner

That is the sound of very sharp high heels striking the ground, sharp yet rhythmic, it sounds as if one is dancing...

"How could it be otherwise? In that era, her reputation was tarnished throughout the entire county, making it impossible for her to find work, and no one would accept her. Her family also severed ties with her," Lin Qin said.

"Why? After all, we are colleagues, so there is no need to go to such extremes." I was taken aback, feeling somewhat confused.

In the astonished gaze of everyone, water transformed into blood, continuously gushing out from her mouth and nose

Upon hearing this, I felt a sense of injustice for Li Hong. If what this master says is true, then Li Hong's situation is truly tragic

This shout startled everyone awake. After everyone came down and listened to what that person said, they looked up but saw nothing. There was no Li Hong, and there were no traces of blood on his face.

"The absence of something now does not mean it will not exist in the future," Lin Qin stated

She put on her favorite red dance dress, barefoot, and hanged herself from the skylight with a rope

In fact, I can hardly remember what she looked like; I only recall that she was very beautiful, always dressed in vibrant colors, resembling a butterfly among flowers. At that time, all of us girls aspired to become adults like her. She was always surrounded by many people, filled with laughter and joy, giving off a sunny and cheerful vibe. It was as if she were the center of the crowd; wherever she went, that place became the focal point

After all, no one can guarantee that Li Hong will not seek revenge

The subconscious rebuttal, "But Li Hong didn't retaliate either..."

But soon, more and more people saw Li Hong, and everyone began to panic

Then we can go to another place, as no one there would recognize her.

Ah, isn't this the way Brother Chicken died? ... Spitting water, spitting blood, and then dying

"Everyone is dead, is it really necessary? It's just a dance, isn't it? Outsiders don't know, but in this courtyard, everyone avoids eye contact; do they really not know?" Strangely, I felt a sense of injustice for Li Hong.

Lin Qin gave me a strange look and said, "Because this is what everyone in this courtyard has requested."

Lin Qin spoke somewhat seriously, saying, "It may sound strange to someone your age, thinking it's just dancing and nothing more, but to certain people of that era, it was considered unconventional."

Lin Qin nodded and said, "Indeed, Li Hong's death caused a stir in our institution and has completely become a cautionary tale. At that time, families with daughters would educate their children by saying, 'If you do not work hard and continue to misbehave, you will end up like Li Hong.'"

Someone sensed that something was amiss and hurried downstairs, only to see Wang Manman’s expression was extremely grim, filled with fear. Her eyes were full of resistance, and she kept opening her mouth as if to say something, but nothing came out.

The more I listen, the more confused I become, and I do not understand the connection between this and the unrest in this place

Listening to Lin Qin, I couldn't help but shiver slightly, realizing that the crux of the matter was approaching

However, what concerns me more is the mention by Lin Qin that this place is not peaceful, as this is already the second time I have heard such words since my arrival here

Forced during her lifetime, insulted after her death, she has been unable to leave due to the circumstances surrounding her demise. She has harmed no one; she merely stands there weeping, yet is bound by a soul-binding stone, condemned to never be reborn.

Later, Li Hong was thrown into a handcart and paraded through the streets, with a sign hanging from her chest that read "female thug" in red paint, making a circuit around the county town

At first, everyone thought he was just tired from working overtime and was experiencing hallucinations, so they didn't take it too seriously

She loves to dance and often organizes family dance parties at her home. Whenever night falls and the moonlight streams in from the courtyard, the location of her house is filled with melodious music and the cheerful laughter of people

Her long, lustrous black hair, which she took great pride in, was ruined by someone with scissors, and her body was covered in dirt, while passersby pointed and whispered about her

Over the course of a single night, she transformed from the center of attention to a pariah, universally despised. The factory also decided to dismiss her, as the entire county knew she was a female delinquent with a poor reputation, and retaining her would not be beneficial for the factory's standing.

Later, the factory invited a master to come over. The master said that the feng shui here is called the "entrance of the wind," but the entire residential building is blocked on all sides. The wind continuously blows in from above, yet cannot flow out, causing the soul of Li Hong to be perpetually carried down by the wind, trapped in this place and unable to escape. This is also the reason why everyone keeps seeing her.

Days passed one after another, and gradually everyone forgot about the existence of Li Hong. Until one day, an employee working late at night was returning home and discovered someone sitting in the courtyard crying. When he looked up, he saw Li Hong wearing her red dance dress, staring intently at him under the moonlight

Upon hearing this, I couldn't help but shiver, "It can't be that serious."

It seems truly unfair to others; while alive, one is forced to die, and even after death, one is subjected to relentless posthumous criticism

Strangely enough, after this change, no one really saw Li Hong again, and gradually, everyone stopped paying much attention to it

Lin Qin shook her head, saying, "At that time, to leave, one needed an official pass; otherwise, it was impossible to go out. It was not as simple as you say."

But just as she regained control, Wang Manman began to vomit incessantly. At first, she expelled the food she had eaten, but gradually it turned into water, a foul-smelling liquid.

Her dance is beautiful, her steps graceful, like a red butterfly soaring with the wind, inevitably reminding one of Li Hong

When I was halfway through speaking, I found it hard to continue, after all, they live right here, isn't it a bit uncomfortable to say such things

Isn't that forcing people to live in despair? I am also feeling somewhat angry at this moment

I was so engrossed that it wasn't until I came to my senses that I noticed Lin Qin had somehow taken a seat beside me. Our bodies were pressed closely together, and I could even feel the sensation and warmth of the black stockings on her legs.

Some wanted to stop her from continuing to dance, but her strength was surprisingly great, making it impossible to hold her back. It was as if she was determined to finish this dance no matter what.

At every family dance, she would always perform a dance for everyone

Then he noticed that it seemed like liquid was dripping onto his face. When he reached out to touch it, he found it was covered in blood, and he was so frightened that he screamed out loud

After Li Hong returned, the employees who were once familiar with her no longer dared to speak to her, fearing being implicated. Everyone avoided her.

What does the crime of hooliganism mean? As someone who has not experienced that era, I find it somewhat difficult to understand what this truly signifies

This truth, however, left me in a cold sweat; I never expected it to be for this reason

I listen and find it quite beautiful, but as I grow older and my studies become increasingly demanding, I have not felt the joys of childhood for a long time

Then someone began to curse, asking what Wang Manman was doing, but Wang Manman did not respond; she simply continued to dance leisurely.

Everything, all things, changed with a woman named Li Hong

Thus, I instinctively spoke up, "Isn't this a bit unfair? Li Hong hasn't done anything wrong, so why treat her this way? Since the issue at hand has been resolved, Li Hong will naturally leave as well"

After Li Hong's death, almost everyone spoke ill of her, believing she would seek revenge. They thought that even if the feng shui of the place was disrupted, Li Hong would still linger here, and it would be better to suppress her directly. Lin Qin took a sip of water and revealed the truth.

Lin Qin, however, was completely unconcerned. She pressed her lips together, her fingers, painted with red nail polish, caressed the sofa, "You've always felt it was eerie and terrifying, haven't you"

More and more people were awakened by the noise. They opened their doors, stepped outside, and looked towards the source of the sound

What happened to that woman named Li Hong? I asked curiously.