Chapter 3: The Deceptive Female Ghost is Deceived by Others

This dragonfly is quite strong; with just a light toss from Zhang Qingtian, the rope soared high over the beam. Instantly, a cloud of dust was kicked up. Zhang Qingtian squinted his eyes, waiting for the dust to settle, and quickly tied a knot, not caring about its appearance since it wasn't his own body. He simply stretched his neck through and jumped towards the edge of the kang.

"Shut up!" Zhang Qingtian shouted loudly, and Zhang Luoshi immediately fell silent, burying her head even lower, her waist bent like a shrimp, shrinking there and not daring to move.

Just as she was about to vent her pent-up frustrations, the jailer interrupted her train of thought with a single question, "Do you really want to be reincarnated?"

What a future top scholar! It turns out to be a consumptive person

Zhang Xiaodie pushed aside the door and brought in a bundle of hemp rope that she had originally been sitting on. "Sister, what do you need the rope for this time?"

What does this mean

Get lost! Zhang Qingteng quickly realized that there was no need to be polite with this family, nor was there any need for eloquence; being tough was the only truth.

Yet Zhang Facai actually sold his own daughter for a mere two taels of silver as a bride price! He still has the audacity to make sarcastic remarks, suggesting that she should come back with a knife

Even if it means death, one must find someone to take the blame! This old fellow is nothing but a scourge in this world! Zhang Qingting feels quite justified in his actions, but little does he know that this move aligns perfectly with Zhang Qingting's usual aggressive temperament

Seeing her elder sister rummaging through the house, Zhang Xiaodie cautiously asked, "Elder sister, what are you looking for?"

Zhang Qingting lifted the quilt and sat up, looking around. Zhang Jinbao cautiously asked, "Elder sister, what are you looking for?"

Seeing that life was becoming unbearable, he finally decided to spend his savings to find a wife to bring some joy back into his life

Rope! Surely your family must have some rope? Otherwise, how did Zhang Qingting get up there?

Year after year, one strikes at snakes, yet this time, unexpectedly, one has been bitten by a snake! How bold that female ghost is, daring to harm her!

Bargaining is only permitted at the vegetable market; we do not handle it here! The time has come, please leave!

Upon seeing the underworld officials again, Zhang Qingteng first let out a sigh of relief, thinking he was finally dead, but soon he became infuriated.

You have deceived me greatly! What kind of broken family is this? How did you manage to fool me into this? Do you even know...

The terrain around Zhalanbao is open, with rolling hills and predominantly grasslands, not particularly steep, making it easy to run. Zhang Qingteng chased for a few steps but then stopped, relying on his status, watching as the figure quickly disappeared between the slopes.

No wonder that female ghost wanted to seek death; with such a broken family and such a broken marriage, anyone would not want to live!

Zhang Qingtian was so enraged that his face turned pale, with veins bulging on his forehead and his temples throbbing violently

The jailer spoke with much more firmness than yesterday, "Initially, it was you two who voluntarily exchanged souls. Now, after just one day, both of you want to seek death. Do you think the local government office is your family garden, where you can come and go as you please? Let me tell you, there is no way!"

The jailer continued: "Now I give you two a final opportunity. Either you return to your respective lives and live well, waiting for the appointed time when, without your saying a word, someone from the underworld will come to collect you. Or, you can all be cast into the realm of beasts, forced to live as pigs or dogs while retaining the memories of this life. Choose whichever you prefer, the decision is yours!"

Sister, I was just about to tell you that this beam simply cannot bear the load! Zhang Jinbao finally had the opportunity to express what he wanted to say. But what use is hindsight? Yet he feels wronged; why was Sister aware of the hanging from that crooked jujube tree in the yard before, but is now confused? Could it be that Sister doesn't truly want to die?

Alright, it has been hoisted. However, soon after, the beams and columns emitted several cracking sounds.

Zhang Jinbao was so frightened that he jumped back a step, saying, "Big... big sister... this matter has nothing to do with me!"

Sister! This absolutely cannot be hetushu.com! Not just Zhang Xiaodie, the whole family has gathered here.

Help! Zhang Facai has not improved his gambling skills over the years, but the ability to escape he developed while dodging debts has significantly advanced. After covering his head and scurrying a few times, he slipped out of the courtyard with a whoosh and then sprinted away.

Zhang Qingteng, without a moment's hesitation, hooked his foot to the side and easily stepped back onto the edge of the kang. He quickly withdrew his head from the noose and jumped down from the kang, intending to run outside.

Elder sister, this ... ...

What? That Zhang Qingting also wants to seek death? Zhang Qingtian felt a slight sense of balance in his heart

Is this it? Zhang Xiaodie pulled out a glimmering butcher's knife from the edge of the kang. This is the tool that the eldest sister uses for meals, and it is the most treasured item.

Oh? It's you again

Seeing her put down the weapon, the whole family wiped their brows in relief, feeling a sense of ease.

"Sir!" Zhang Qingtian pleaded softly, understanding the situation, "Could you perhaps make my life a little better?"

What is going on? Zhang Qingtian has not yet passed away. Looking up, it is alarming! The beam is rotten, unable to bear her weight, and has already cracked, seemingly about to collapse.

Zhang Qingtian snatched it up and rushed outside in his slippers, brandishing a gleaming butcher's knife at Zhang Facai, shouting, "You heartless old fool! How could you harm your own flesh and blood like this! I'll kill you first, then slit my own throat!"

The jailer opened the ledger of life and death in his hands and placed it before her. On the pages, a moving scene materialized: a plump sow was lying sideways in the mud, while a dozen piglets jostled eagerly to suckle.

Zhang Jinbao had just wanted to say something when he was rudely interrupted by Zhang Qingtian, "Get out! Whoever stands in my way will die with me!"

Zhang Qingtian was stunned; death can be lighter than a feather or heavier than Mount Tai. For the sake of human dignity, she quickly made the decision—to live on

"What are you still talking about? Hurry in and save the person!" Zhang Xiaodie pushed her second brother inside. In a moment of crisis, isn't it the man's duty to charge to the front? However, Zhang Jinbao clung to the door frame, unwilling to enter, fearing both the collapse of the beam and the scolding from his elder sister.

Zhang Qingteng, with a cold expression, was too lazy to waste words. He threw down the knife and walked into the room

Zhang Luo also began to hum under the eaves, "Dragonfly, it is your mother and father who are useless, causing you to suffer! But that old man, no matter how incompetent, is still your biological father, so please spare him! This raw rice has already been cooked into a meal, you..."

Zhang Qingtian immediately raised his voice by eight degrees, "Then why don't you go look for her? What do you want with me?"

Everyone has fallen silent

This entire family instantly came to a conclusion: the eldest sister of hetushu.com is not dead, but merely pretending to be dead in order to teach their father a lesson and vent her anger. Therefore, no one stepped forward to intervene; they all hid behind to watch the spectacle

With a sudden exclamation, Zhang Qingteng turned her head sharply, but it was already too late; the broken half of the beam struck her squarely on the forehead.

It is one thing for a person to seek death on their own, and quite another to be killed by an unforeseen disaster. In the face of danger, anyone who can still breathe possesses an instinct for survival

Why does he suddenly have some doubts? Zhang Qingteng immediately became alert, "Then what?"

"If you have the guts, don't come back! Let the wolves take you away!" Zhang Jinbao added from a distance, saying it in a very flattering manner to appease the elder sister, but unexpectedly, the elder sister turned the knife towards him.

Zhang Qingteng was stunned and fell straight backward. Before everything went dark, one thought remained in her mind: since it hurts so much, let her die quickly!

Sister! Be careful!

The jailer read the text beside him: "Zhang Qingting, a citizen of Beian, has committed too many sins and has taken her own life. It is determined that in her next life she shall be reborn as a beast, to atone for her wrongdoings"

What a joke! How could a dignified official of the Ninth Rank in the underworld not be able to handle two common women? If this gets out, will he still have any face left? Will he still be able to meet the ghosts?

Zhang Qingteng took the rope, stepped onto the kang, and threw it over the beam, saying, "I will hang myself!"