Chapter 3, walk around the house three times

I was about to angrily scold and drive away Tan Dongyu, when Jiang Xiu suddenly said to me: "Let him continue to scold, scold with all his might"

I took a sharp breath, needing to hide, so that the beautiful sister would not see me, while also staying within ten meters of the rooster

There is no way out; he insists on being paid before he will leave, almost like extortion. Moreover, he cannot be hit, otherwise he will call the police and claim that he was assaulted and demands compensation. The villagers feel disgusted whenever they see him.

Suddenly, a sound came from beneath my feet; it turned out that I had bumped into the bed frame while moving. In the stillness of the night, this sound seemed particularly crisp

I looked around and felt that there was nowhere to hide, then suggested that we hide under the bed, as the most dangerous place is often the safest. He agreed, saying that it would be fine as long as we wouldn't be seen.

The rooster quietly buried its head in my arms, not making a sound, creating an atmosphere of particular silence. Coupled with the surrounding darkness and this strange occurrence, I felt a bit uneasy in my heart

Suddenly, the dogs from several households outside began to bark loudly, many dogs barking together as if they had seen a stranger, and then I heard a creaking sound.

You cannot be within ten meters of the rooster, nor can you let it see you. Find a place to hide; this is your new home, and I am not as familiar with it as you are. Be careful; if you can get through today, I will have the opportunity to help you escape. If you cannot survive the night, then ... '' He did not finish his remaining words, looking at me meaningfully.

This is truly strange

The dogs in the mountain village do not bark indiscriminately. The village is small, and one often sees familiar faces; it is only when strangers arrive that they will bark loudly

He tied a yellow ribbon around the rooster and wrote my name and birth date on it. I felt puzzled and asked what it was about, and he said I would know when the time comes

Suddenly, she spoke again

I was puzzled; they were about to celebrate a joyous occasion, yet they still casually scolded Tan Dongyu. However, Jiang Xiu wore a cheerful expression, watching as Tan Dongyu was berated.

At this moment, Jiang Xiu caught the rooster and said in a low voice: "Don't be distracted, are you thinking about that scoundrel? A repulsive scoundrel, even if dead, would not be missed by anyone. Quickly bring the wedding attire from yesterday to put on the rooster. Previously, you walked three laps with it, and during the second lap, I had already swapped your identity with that of the rooster, treating it as if the rooster received the bride price. Tonight, place the rooster in your room and then lock the door tight." Previously, you walked three laps with it, and during the second lap, I had already swapped your identity with that of the rooster, treating it as if the rooster received the bride price. Tonight, place the rooster in your room and then lock the door tight.

When I completed my third lap, I found that Tan Dongyu was no longer at my doorstep. At that moment, I suddenly felt a breath of air blowing behind my ear. It was not the wind; I was certain that someone had blown a cool breath behind my ear, as I felt not a trace of wind on my back or the back of my head

Because I have a vague feeling that my home seems to be larger than before. Originally, I could turn after taking twelve steps, but when I walked the second lap, I had to take eighteen steps to turn. By the end of one lap, I actually walked twenty more steps than the first lap

Then surely one would not dare to marry

I actually ... still really like beautiful sisters. Fortunately, lying in bed is a poultry, which can do nothing. If it were a man instead, I would truly feel jealous

A chill ran through my heart: Can it not be rough? What you are touching is not the true me, but a poultry. However, this is truly bizarre, that a rooster could be mistaken for me

Afterward, he also affixed a white double happiness character to the front door of the new house, which annoyed me somewhat. Everyone else used red, so why was mine white?

I lie beneath the bed, unsure of what to do at this moment. Given the circumstances, it seems I can only endure until dawn before leaving. There is not a sound from the bed, only the calm sound of breathing, which brings me a bit of comfort.

The sound of a door closing came from outside, indicating that Jiang Xiu also dared not stay any longer and had left. I lay here, making an effort to lower my breathing sound.

I ignored him and walked out, circling around the yard. During the first lap, I felt nothing unusual; it was just like my usual walk. However, by the time I completed the second lap, I sensed that something was amiss.

The one who came in is definitely a stranger... But that is not the reason that frightens me the most, because I have heard that dogs seem to be able to see that... Once they see it, they will bark fiercely

Bang

The main gate of the courtyard has been opened

As evening gradually approached, Tan Dongyu did not leave. It was probably the first time he encountered such a tough opponent in my family, and he was cursing with his eyes rolling. A few times, when Tan Dongyu wanted to give up and leave, Jiang Xiu would shout, "Don't go, whoever backs down today will die of smallpox on the road tomorrow"

After having lunch in a fit of anger, I heard a loud shout from outside: "Jiang Cheng, are you celebrating? Actually, you don't need to, your wife is going to have a car accident tomorrow!"

The voice sounded very familiar. I stepped outside to take a look and was instantly furious. Standing at the door was a disheveled man, a resident from the neighboring village named Tan Dongyu, who is well-known in the countryside as a good-for-nothing. He is lazy and gluttonous, initially living off his parents, and later even stole their funeral savings to indulge himself, which infuriated the elderly couple to the point of kicking him out of their home. Over the years, he has never worked; whenever there is a celebration at someone’s house, he appears to utter ominous words.

Slowly, I feel my body becoming very heavy, with each step feeling increasingly burdensome, as if I am carrying someone on my back. The key is that this person seems to be blowing cold air into my ear and behind my neck, making me shrink my neck in response

Who is it

After hiding for about two hours, I felt a deep ache all over my body. The room had a concrete floor, which made my joints particularly painful. At first, I could grit my teeth and endure it, but as time went on, the pain became unbearable. I could only move my body cautiously, trying to turn over.

Jiang Xiu sighed and said that it was indeed twelve pieces. I asked what was going on, and he said this was the gift money

I have some understanding of Taoist priests and monks, and I feel a bit envious. I have heard that Taoist priests and monks are particularly profitable nowadays, but one cannot enter the profession without a bachelor's degree, and proficiency in English is also required. People like Jiang Xiu entered the field early on, taking advantage of the favorable timing.

Husband, why are you not speaking

I let out a sigh of relief and changed to a prone position. However, at that moment, I suddenly felt something cold and soft beside me. I curiously reached out to touch it, and my heart skipped a beat.

As before, it is still walking around my house, so why would the number of steps vary in size

What era is this, that we can still see one-cent and five-cent coins

Her voice was very gentle, just as gentle as when she asked me to bow yesterday. In the end, she sighed and said to sleep. Suddenly, the sound of the light switch was heard, and the room went dark.

Suddenly, with a loud clatter, many items fell out from my sleeves and pant legs. I looked down and noticed something white and shiny. Squatting down to take a closer look, I discovered that it was all money

As the sky darkened, Jiang Xiu asked me to pick up the rooster. He spoke to me earnestly and seriously: "I know you don't believe in some things, but it is best to follow through. Your parents raised you this far, so it would be good to do this for their sake. Hold this rooster and walk around the house three times. Remember, you must not speak, you must not run, and you must not look back, understood? Remember, you also need to count how many steps you take." Remember, you must not speak, you must not run, and you must not look back, understood? Remember, you also need to count how many steps you take.

The rooster was as quiet as if it had taken a vow of silence. Then her foot was lifted, indicating that she must have gone to lie down on the bed. I felt somewhat awkward about this situation; what kind of matter was this? Originally, I should have had a beautiful wife, but now I had to hide under the bed, allowing the beautiful wife to be united in marriage with a rooster.

I hurriedly brought the groom's attire and carefully dressed the rooster in it, fearing that it might fall off. To secure the outfit, I wrapped several loops of string around the rooster's body. After that, I carried the rooster upstairs and placed it on the bed, then hid myself under the bed.

Will he be in danger

I already feel that I have encountered something strange, which house suddenly becomes large and then small

Husband

I want to look back, but I remember Jiang Xiu telling me that I cannot look back and can only endure the fear and continue moving forward

Thirty-eight plus thirty-two, then subtract fifty-eight, there are twelve dollars here

Entering the courtyard, Jiang Xiuzheng stood at my doorstep. He spoke, "Throw away the rooster, dust off your shoulders, and then come in."

I asked, "Where should I go?"

I set down the rooster, and at the moment it touched the ground, the rooster suddenly became restless, running wildly around the yard as if it had gone mad. At that moment, I patted my shoulders on both sides and then took a step forward

His name is Jiang Xiu, and he was originally my neighbor. However, his parents died early, and he lacked the strength to farm. At that time, it was my parents who shared their food with him, allowing him to survive his childhood. Later, he left the village and became a Taoist priest

It was only then that I remembered, during the third lap, Tan Dongyu suddenly disappeared. At that time, I thought he had left out of boredom. Now I realize that there was a reason for it

The number of steps in the third lap is different again, as if the house suddenly shrank. It started with twelve steps to turn, then it became eighteen steps to turn, and now... it only takes ten steps to turn. By the time I finally reached the end, I felt heavy all over; after one lap, I actually took six steps fewer than at the beginning

Someone is getting married, and he says the bride has been with someone else. Someone is holding a funeral, and he states that the whole family will die together tomorrow. Someone is hosting a full moon celebration for a child, and he claims the child will pass away within two days

It is hair

I couldn't help but swallow, and my scalp tingled. The stairs in the new house are made of wood; no matter how lightly one walks, there will always be footsteps. How is it that she walks so quietly?

Dare to marry

One cent, five cents, and ten cents, and there are quite a few of them. At this point, I was truly puzzled, raising my head to look at Jiang Xiu, hoping he could provide me with an answer

As the sun set, Tan Dongyu continued to curse, refusing to leave.

A voice suddenly sounded, and it was the voice of the beautiful sister. Then she sat down on the bed, and as she did, I immediately felt a chill rising from above, making me shiver uncontrollably. She was completely different from her former self; back then, she was not so eerie.

I finally understood how sinister the situation was and hurriedly asked him what to do now. Jiang Xiu told me to go inside first, as he smoked the tobacco leaves my father had made, shaking his head and saying: "There is no rush for the time being; that woman is currently dealing with that scoundrel. I had that scoundrel insult her earlier to provoke her anger."

I said I understood, and then I picked up the rooster and walked outside. Tan Dongyu saw me coming out with a rooster and continued to curse, saying: "Your wife is a prostitute!"

Husband, why do you feel so rough to the touch?

I guessed correctly; since the betrothal gifts have been paid, she will come to marry you tonight. Jiang Cheng, do not let the superficiality cloud your judgment. Do you still think that this woman is worthy of marriage?

The next morning, my parents went to the market and brought back a rooster. I had a casual conversation with a middle-aged man and learned about his identity.

His words sent a chill down my spine

I curled up my whole body just as the door was pushed open. Through the gap under the bed, I saw a person walking in from outside the door. The person was wearing a red dress, which was exactly the same as the red wedding gown worn by the beautiful sister. The long wedding gown covered her feet, making them invisible, but a pair of red cloth shoes was exposed.

Jiang Xiu asked me how many steps I had taken and when I started to feel something was off. I said the first lap was a total of 38 steps, the second lap 58 steps, and the third lap 32 steps, and I felt something was off starting from the second lap

I counted in confusion, and surprisingly, it was exactly 12 yuan

The breathing in the room suddenly stopped, and I cursed myself for being such a fool, anxiously looking around. Fortunately, nothing had happened; I estimated that the beautiful sister had already fallen asleep.