Chapter 9: The Woman’s Corpse in the Wasteland

It turned out it really was my mother, so I went straight in.

Seeing me up so early, my mother said, “Xiaobei, why don’t you sleep a bit longer? Breakfast won’t be ready for a while!”

“I’ve slept enough. I went to bed early last night. No rush, take your time. I’ll go for a walk.” After washing up briefly, I headed toward the village entrance.

Sure enough, there was already a crowd gathered, with He Yanran among them, though I didn’t see Tan Xiao.

“Xiaobei, you’re up so early?” He Yanran came over as soon as she saw me.

I nodded and asked, “What’s going on?”

“Someone died. No one knows who it is—they just dumped the body here. In this heat, the corpse has already started to stink,” she sighed.

“Is it a man or a woman?” I asked.

“A woman. She died a horrible death.”

After hearing this, I wanted to go take a look, but she grabbed my arm. “Xiaobei, don’t go over there. Someone already threw up just now.”

“It’s fine.” Without waiting for her to say more, I squeezed through the crowd.

Since something like this had happened, the village officials were there, asking everyone to see if they recognized the deceased.

But after everyone had looked, no one knew her. They said it was likely she’d been murdered elsewhere and dumped here.

“Have the constables arrived yet?” the village chief asked the person who had called the authorities.

“They should be on their way,” the man replied.

I didn’t join in the speculation. But at that moment, someone suddenly brought up my name and said, “I heard Zhang Xiaobei came back yesterday, right? What a harbinger of trouble. He returns and something happens in our village!”

Hearing this, I turned to look at the speaker, but he didn’t see me and just kept talking. “Who knows, maybe he brought the dead woman back with him…”

He was still talking when He Yanran marched over and shouted, “Wu Yang, have you got nothing better to do? Xiaobei just got back, and you’re already slandering him!”

“How is it slander? I’m just stating the facts. How come the body wasn’t found before he came back?” Wu Yang looked at her with disdain.

“What does this have to do with him? Lots of people saw him get off the bus yesterday. What right do you have to say that?” He Yanran shot back.

“You—” Wu Yang looked as if he wanted to argue more, but when he saw me approaching, he stopped.

I sneered and turned to He Yanran. “Yanran, don’t bother arguing with dogs.” With that, I was about to leave, but before I went, I said to Wu Yang, “If you have any proof it was me, tell the constables. If not, keep your mouth shut.”

“Don’t worry, if I have proof, I’ll report you!” Wu Yang replied, clearly unconvinced.

I shrugged and walked away. Wu Yang’s attitude didn’t surprise me; we’d never gotten along since childhood, and he was always twisting things.

“Zhang Xiaobei, your work has arrived!” As I headed home, Tan Xiao suddenly appeared in front of me.

She always showed up out of nowhere, which was exasperating. “Sister, could you at least keep your distance when you appear? It’s really scary, you know. And aren’t you afraid of the daylight?”

“I’m a ghost messenger now—I’m not afraid,” she replied.

“So, what do you want me to do?” I asked, stepping around her.

“It’s that woman’s corpse over there. Go find her soul and take her to the Underworld,” Tan Xiao said.

I considered this and replied, “I didn’t get a good look at her face, and I don’t know her name. How am I supposed to find her?”

“That’s your job. But if you beg me, maybe I’ll help you look!” Tan Xiao said with a mischievous grin.

I rolled my eyes. “Do as you like. If the Underworld comes asking, I’ll just say the ghost messenger didn’t tell me.”

“Zhang Xiaobei, you’re so dull,” Tan Xiao complained.

I ignored her. There were too many things I didn’t understand, and I really wasn’t in the mood for her antics.

When I got home, my mother had already set breakfast on the table, but she was nowhere to be seen and apparently hadn’t eaten.

Where had she gone? I searched the house but couldn’t find her.

Suddenly, I remembered she and my father had gone to the cowshed last night, so I hurried outside.

At the cowshed, I saw the wooden door was unlocked. I raised my hand to push it open, but just as my hand touched the door, my mother opened it from inside, stepped out quickly, and shut the door behind her.

“Xiaobei, what are you doing here? Breakfast is ready, go eat,” she said, looking a little flustered.

Pretending not to notice, I asked, “Mom, what were you doing in there? It’s pitch dark, and you didn’t even bring a flashlight.”

“It’s nothing, just putting some things away. Come on, let’s eat,” she said, and started to lock the door.

I nodded. I knew something was wrong, but I wasn’t going to confront her about it just yet.

“Aren’t you going to call Dad for breakfast?” I asked when I saw he wasn’t home either.

“No need, we ate together this morning before he went out. I made this for you,” she said, then went out to chop firewood.

I nodded and said nothing more. Judging by how little they’d eaten last night, they probably didn’t want to eat with me for fear I’d suspect something.

“Xiaobei! Xiaobei!” As I was eating, He Yanran suddenly rushed in, calling my name.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“Wu Yang went to tell the constables you’re the only one who just came back from out of town, so they’re coming over to question you.”

“I know. It’s fine, thank you,” I said, continuing my meal.

“No need to thank me. When they come, I’ll be here to testify for you. I saw you get off the bus yesterday, and so did Second Aunt,” He Yanran insisted.

I felt it wasn’t necessary, but she meant well, so I didn’t refuse.

By the time I was nearly done eating, the constables arrived. Seeing my mother chopping firewood at the door, they asked, “Ma’am, is Zhang Xiaobei home?”

“He is. What do you want with my son?” my mother asked anxiously, recognizing the constables.

“Nothing serious, just a few questions,” one of them replied.

I got up and went out. “Are you looking for me?”

“Are you Zhang Xiaobei?” asked one of the constables.

I nodded. “Yes, I am. What is it?”

“We’re from the town constabulary. I’m Li Chuan. Did you just return from out of town yesterday?”

“Yes,” I nodded again.

Worried they wouldn’t believe me, He Yanran came up and said, “Officers, Xiaobei didn’t do anything. I saw him get off the bus yesterday, in broad daylight, with just a suitcase and a backpack.”

“You saw him yourself?” Li Chuan asked her.

“Yes, we came back together, and lots of people saw us,” she confirmed.

Li Chuan nodded. “Alright, this is just routine. Sorry to bother you.”

“It’s fine. By the way, have you identified the victim?” I asked.

“Not yet. We’ll take the body to the constabulary and see if anyone comes to claim her,” Li Chuan replied.

I thought for a moment. “If possible, could you let me know once you find out who she is?”

The constables exchanged glances, possibly finding my request odd.

I needed to ferry her soul to the Underworld, but I didn’t know her name or where her spirit was. If they could tell me, it would make my job easier.

But they didn’t seem inclined to help. “We’re not at liberty to disclose that.”

“Alright, never mind.” Seeing their reluctance, I didn’t press the matter.

Li Chuan spoke up, “If you find out who she is before we do, please let us know.”

I nodded. “Of course. If I find out, I’ll let you know.”

Hearing this, He Yanran pulled me aside. “Xiaobei, why did you say that? Now they’ll be suspicious.”

“There’s nothing to be suspicious of. They’re not stupid. I returned yesterday, and that body’s clearly been there two or three days,” I replied.

She realized I had a point and dropped the subject. When she saw me clearing the dishes, she came over to help.

Watching her, I suddenly felt as though I’d returned to childhood—no matter what I did, if she was around, she’d always help.

As I washed the dishes, I asked, “Yanran, don’t you think there’s something strange about my family?”

She paused, then quickly smiled. “No, don’t overthink things.”

Her response made me even more suspicious. I looked at her directly. “Be honest—do you know something?”

She avoided my gaze and shook her head. “No. Besides, if you don’t know about your own family, how could I?”

“Are you still going to keep things from me?” I pressed.

This time, she was silent. After a long moment, she finally said, “Xiaobei, your parents are doing everything for you. Don’t think they’re strange.”

“So? Does that mean they can hide things from me?”

“It’s not like that, it’s just—”

“Yanran, your grandmother is calling you!” Just as Yanran began to speak, my mother came in and interrupted.

I realized she’d done it on purpose. I turned back to washing the dishes.

Yanran sighed, looking at me. “I’ll go now.”