Chapter 1, The Funeral Clothes Cannot Be Worn

Due to my grandfather's death, the family members were bustling about. Several times I wanted to go see my grandfather, but I was stopped. I felt helpless and guilty inside, along with a deep sense of remorse.

A sharp and anxious voice rang out: "Not good, Xiaoyang, your grandfather has taken off his funeral clothes again!"

Uncle is not at home; he has gone out to contact the funeral team to prepare for grandfather's funeral

What was originally a joyous occasion turned tragic when my grandfather passed away that night upon my return, without any prior warning

My father stared at me with wide eyes, and from his round pupils, I could see a trace of fear spreading within them

Under the dim yellow light, it appears somewhat terrifying

In our hometown, there is a custom that after an elder passes away, hot water is used to cleanse the body. On one hand, this is to ensure that the elder departs in a clean state, and on the other hand, it serves to soften the body, making it easier to change into a new burial garment

It is settled, you will not wear it, yet you still say that grandfather is unwilling to wear it. I believe you are simply too superstitious

But thinking that I had not completed the task, I could only continue. I raised my gaze and saw that my grandfather's fingernails had also grown long.

Little Yang, your grandfather is in trouble

However, if the funeral clothes are not worn, my second uncle and the others will definitely not agree

Second uncle and third uncle responded in agreement

Faced with the accusations from family members, my father could only explain patiently, while my mother wiped away her tears

Seeing me run out, with a face full of panic, they asked me: "What happened?"

I casually made my way to the place where my grandfather lived

My heart is racing wildly

Well, really, if you don't believe it, you can go see for yourselves

I arrived at my grandfather's door, and the room inside was pitch dark

Grandfather is already advanced in age, and his health has not been good in recent years. I have been slaughtering pigs for five years, and the dogs in the village tremble and lie down in fear when they see me

Second uncle and third uncle, filled with a mix of belief and doubt, rushed into the house to take a look. After they finished checking and came out, their faces were filled with joy as they said, "I really helped grandfather put on the funeral clothes properly"

Late at night, my father hurriedly ran in from outside. I was sitting in the living room and saw him drenched in cold sweat, with a look of anxiety on his face. I knew that he might have encountered some trouble.

At that moment, my heart was in ruins; this is the prelude to a resurrection.

I do not believe that my grandfather could take the life of his grandson

Then, I walked towards the bedside, pulled open the mosquito net, and was immediately startled by the scene before me, causing me to stagger back several steps.

However, just as I was halfway through washing, a violent knocking sound came from outside

I am truly terrified, with beads of cold sweat breaking out densely on my forehead, and my palms and soles are soaked with cold sweat

As I was walking out, my mother tugged at my sleeve. Being the only child in the family, I am aware of their concerns

During the Lunar New Year, I brought a pig's head home to celebrate the festival

I shook my head and said, "It's nothing, Mom"

Second Uncle and Third Uncle and their families live far away from each other

Is it true

My parents want to come up as well

Moreover, just as I was dressing my grandfather in his funeral garments, I suddenly noticed that his toenails seemed quite long and appeared to be gray in color

Before I could respond, my second and third uncles rushed into my home

It is known that the current situation is dire, and grandfather must be buried

Indeed, I have tried several times, but he just refuses to wear it. Xiaoyang, do you think your grandfather is reluctant to leave?

Grandfather's four sons divided the family early, so no one lived with him. As grandfather grew older, they took turns caring for him, with each family taking a month.

After I got dressed, I hurriedly ran outside

In the end, it was my uncle who stepped forward, and with a single roar like that of a tiger, he managed to subdue both my second and third uncles

My second uncle and third uncle, along with their families, implied in their words that my father should bear all the funeral expenses

Grandfather has a total of four sons, and my father is the youngest, who essentially has no say in the family

I have been slaughtering pigs for five years, and I have long since developed a strong constitution. Hearing them scold my father like this makes me feel somewhat uncomfortable

Finally, I came up with a twisted idea. I tore several places of the funeral clothes and forcibly dressed my grandfather in them. While doing this, my heart raced wildly.

Only the grandfather's face appeared pale, his bare body was extremely stiff, and dark purplish-red livor mortis was spread all over the corpse, giving it a rather eerie and terrifying appearance

My father's words instantly sank my heart to the bottom of the sea

Grandfather has already passed away, what other issues could arise

I held my breath and said, "Grandfather, your grandson Xiaoyang has come to dress you in your funeral clothes. If I have offended you in any way, I ask for your forgiveness for my ignorance. Had I known that my return would bring such unfortunate consequences, I would not have come back even if it meant losing my life."

The head of the household blames me, saying that I reek of blood and should not have returned during the New Year

I arrived at the door, took a deep breath, and although I am quite bold, I couldn't help but feel a bit apprehensive

Now grandfather is unwilling to wear the new funeral clothes, which sounds strange

After speaking, I knelt before my grandfather's window and bowed my head three times with great reverence

Even though they are my elders, I couldn't help but retort, "Stop shouting, I will go if I want to."

Second brother, third brother, this matter does not concern Xiao Yang either

I took a deep breath and forced myself to remain calm

Accompanied by a creaking sound, the door opened. I raised my hand to touch the switch, and after the light turned on, I saw my grandfather lying straight on the bed, his funeral clothes fallen to the floor, and the room was somewhat in disarray

I followed my distant cousin to become a pig butcher, and I have heard quite a few mysterious and ghostly tales

I also harbor doubts in my heart that my grandfather's death is related to me, and I still feel a sense of guilt deep down

I am extremely anxious; at this moment, I truly want to flee through the door

After they left, I returned home, feeling a strong sense of unease in my heart. As I took a shower, I pondered over this matter.

It seems that the second uncle and his family, who just dressed grandfather in his funeral clothes, were so frightened that they fled in a panic

Both my second uncle and third uncle are waiting for me outside

After standing up, I began to dress my grandfather in his funeral clothes. I fumbled for quite a while but could not manage to put them on.

I see that they believe, and my anxious heart has eased a little. Let them prepare the coffin, so that grandfather can enter the coffin first and then we can talk.

For some inexplicable reason, my heart couldn't help but race with a "thump-thump" sound, as if it were about to leap out of my chest at any moment

How is it possible? It is known that within a few hours after death, the body becomes extremely rigid

My name is Chen Yang. Due to poor academic performance, I dropped out of middle school and worked as a pig butcher under my distant cousin for five years

You should be quiet. He is inconsiderate, and do you not understand either? He is filled with murderous intent, which scared Dad to death. Now, if he does not attend to Dad, who will?

Your grandfather is unwilling to wear a funeral shroud

Unwilling to wear a funeral shroud

Upon seeing me relent, my second and third uncles immediately displayed expressions of joy

I picked up the burial clothes that had fallen to the ground and shook off the dust

It is said that my grandfather's death is related to me, that he was frightened to death by the bloodthirsty aura emanating from me

They pointed their fingers at my nose and scolded, "Xiao Yang, this time you must take responsibility for your grandfather's affairs. Hurry and help your grandfather put on the funeral clothes."

What are you doing? I am taking a shower

I asked him, "Dad, what happened?"

My father's words struck me like a bolt from the blue