Chapter 0006: Nightmare

Grandfather smiled gently and leaned down, pinching my little face, and said: "Aren't you afraid of ghosts?"

My grandfather chuckled and scolded lightly, picking up his pipe from the table

As for whether it was that ghost of the deceased Liu Quan who caused this, if it were another ghost, I might still feel some fear. However, I am not afraid of this fellow; I saw his true form last night and no longer have any feelings of fear.

To speak frankly, I have had this dream more than once; ever since I became aware of my surroundings, I have frequently experienced this dream, to the extent that the figure of that man in my dream has become my nightmare

Although I am small, I have known since childhood that my mother has had a difficult time raising me on her own while also taking care of my grandfather. Therefore, I try my best not to worry my mother about anything

I do not know if others have that kind of psychology that is both fearful and curious, but I certainly have such a mindset

While smoking and cursing, I could only make powerless resistance with my claws bared.

I hurriedly turned over and got up from the kang, glancing at the old wall clock, the hour hand already pointing to 6:30. This is bad, the bus to the village will arrive in ten minutes, if I don't get up now, I will be late.

When I returned home with my grandfather, I glanced at the old wall clock, and it was already past 2 a.m.

I revealed a pair of gap-toothed smiles and said, "How about that?"

Perhaps this is also the reason why I am not particularly afraid of ghosts, because the man in my dreams follows me like a spirit, appearing from time to time to give me a lesson

I raised two fingers and struck a pose resembling my grandfather wielding a peach wood sword.

Then the scene changed, and the man's demeanor became very cold. He arrogantly said something to me, and then we started to fight.

After running a couple of steps, I turned around to see my mother still inside the house, seemingly busy with something. I then quietly tiptoed over to my grandfather and whispered, "Thank you, Grandpa"

I did not even have a second to think, as curiosity overcame everything, and my feet involuntarily moved towards the wall of the Liu family.

In a flurry, I hurriedly put on my clothes, slung my backpack over my shoulder, and rushed outside. As I lifted the door curtain, I saw my grandfather sitting at a small table in the courtyard, leisurely drinking soy milk and eating the large meat buns my mother had made, smiling at me mischievously

Come on, let's go home and sleep. Staying up late at night will make you late for school during the day

Nightmare? Ah? No! I went to bed a bit late last night, feeling a bit tired

Little devil's cleverness

After carefully discerning the direction, I realized that the cries were actually coming from the house of Old Liu next door. A wave of excitement surged within me as I immediately recalled the sickly ghost Liu Quan from last night. Could it be that Liu Quan was up to some mischief? This is too quick to take effect.

Fortunately, at that moment, my grandfather walked in and remarked, "Boys, as they grow older, tend to sleep more. By the time one reaches my age, sleep becomes less frequent."

At the age of 7 or 8, which is precisely the age even dogs would disdain, I quickly forgot about this matter and, with a shameless grin, said: "Grandpa, how about you teach me to catch ghosts? Isn't that so much fun?"

Why is it the wall? Such things must be observed secretly. Liu Laoye's family lives next door to mine. If my grandfather catches me, won't I get beaten?

Upon hearing me mention that matter, my grandfather stood up, clasped his hands behind his back, and paced back and forth several times. Finally, he sighed deeply and said: "Child, remember this: the most treacherous beings in this world are not ghosts, but the human heart!"

After last night's experience, I have become particularly sensitive to these somewhat strange sounds, and the first thing that comes to mind in any situation is something related to ghosts

I lowered my head again, feeling a bit guilty: "I am still a little afraid"

I hurried to the edge of the table, picked up a bowl of soy milk and drank it all in one go. After wiping my mouth, I grabbed two large meat buns and ran outside

When I entered, my grandfather pulled me aside and said: "Remember, you must not mention to your mother that you went to the clinic, otherwise..."

I find myself to be naturally carefree. Just now, I encountered two ghosts upon leaving the house. I think, if it were other children, they would either be too scared to sleep or too excited to sleep. Yet here I am, my eyelids are heavy, and I feel like sleeping.

Amidst a gentle and soft whispering call, I opened my eyes to see my mother looking at me with a caring gaze

Xiao Ning, Xiao Ning, wake up, wake up, it is time to go to school

I noticed my mother's suspicious gaze, and I realized that I had let something slip. For a moment, I didn't know how to respond.

In my dream, it seemed that a man was speaking to me. The man's figure was tall and imposing, yet his face was unclear. He touched my head with a sense of authority, mixed with a hint of affection, while conversing with me

I scratched the back of my head, trying hard to remember what that man in my dream had said to me, and why I looked at him with such disdain

Moreover, during broad daylight, it is the ghosts that should fear me

The earthen walls in the countryside were originally not very high. I quietly approached the base of Liu Laoye's house wall, stepping on a large stone, and peering over the wall like a thief, cautiously looking inside.

However, I was only seven years old that year, and although I remember these words very clearly, I did not fully grasp their meaning

My mother then pointed to the old wall clock and said, "Alright, get up quickly for breakfast, or you will be late soon"

As I stumbled out the door, I suddenly heard a series of cries echoing, which sounded particularly eerie early in the morning

However, I find that I cannot recall anything at all

I did not expect my grandfather to hit me on the head with a sudden blow: "At such a young age, not studying properly, what are you learning about catching ghosts?"

What is wrong with you? Did you have a nightmare

I immediately express my surrender I will resolutely not allow my stomach to suffer due to my loose tongue

I rubbed my head and said, "Didn’t you say that I should inherit the family tradition and, like you, become a great ghost doctor in the future?"

Grandfather instantly transformed from the imposing elder exuding a fierce aura into a kind and amiable old man, leading me home with his hands behind his back

The outcome is evident without needing to say it; given my seven and a half years of age and my frail physique, how could I possibly overpower that tall and strong man? In just a few moments, I was caught and pinned down on his thigh, my pants pulled down halfway, receiving a resounding slap on my backside.

However, I looked at him with great disdain, swatting away his annoying hand and shouting something in anger

It was fine not to look, but upon seeing it, I was almost scared enough to fall off the wall.

I immediately straightened my chest and raised my head: "I am not afraid!"

Then he turned and ran wildly towards the village entrance

I stuck out my tongue and looked at my grandfather, who was puffing his beard and glaring, and I did not dare to say anything further

Grandfather smiled and said, "Otherwise, you won't be able to eat popcorn in the future"

Did you sleep late? Didn't you go to bed right after dinner? Why are you still this tired?

Grandfather's mustache and eyebrows immediately perked up: "You little rascal, I meant for you to be like me in the future, not to be like me right now! What would that make you? A little charlatan?"

My mother looked me up and down, making me genuinely feel a sense of being loved

I glanced at the village entrance, where quite a few children and adults were standing there waiting for a bus to the town. It seems that the bus has not yet arrived. Should we take this opportunity to go and see what the crying is about?

I have not mentioned this matter to my mother, as I am afraid it would worry her

I rubbed my dry eyelids and said

Having finished speaking, the old man picked up his pipe from beside the kang and walked out

I was momentarily at a loss, thinking to myself, how did this conversation about ghosts suddenly shift to matters of the heart?