Chen Family Village.
Because the liquor from Chen Family Village had been selling well lately, every household in the village was busy brewing rice wine.
Third Uncle-Grandpa, who had a gap-toothed grin, crouched in front of the wine jar. He removed his own head, held it in his hands, and suspended it above the wine jar. White liquid dripped steadily from the severed neck.
"Hehehe, drink more, drink more, hehehe..."
Third Uncle-Grandpa grinned, his yellowing teeth looking even more yellow in the lamplight.
When it seemed about right, Third Uncle-Grandpa put his head back on his neck and twisted it twice from side to side. But in that brief instant—
Splash!
Water sprayed up from inside the wine jar, as though something had crashed into it.
He lowered his head and saw a brown, furry head floating in the milky wine.
The furry head slowly lifted.
"Hey! You old thing, I knew you were a monster!"
Furry Face rose from the wine jar and swung his club, knocking Third Uncle-Grandpa's head flying.
Third Uncle-Grandpa's head flew out through the doorway and rolled several times across the ground, screaming as it went.
"That lunatic is back again!"
"Everyone, hide quickly!!!"
"Ahhhhhhh!!!"
The instant Third Uncle-Grandpa's shrieks rang out, the village erupted with the rapid banging of doors being slammed shut.
Jiang You had already arrived at the ancestral hall.
When she pushed open the door, she saw Chen Meiyu sitting quietly in a chair. The little monster with all kinds of branch-like growths covering its back was curled peacefully on her lap, like a docile kitten.
When it saw Jiang You, its eyes visibly brightened, and it let out an excited cry.
"Li—"
"Li—"
Chen Meiyu stroked the little monster's head. "All right, be quiet. Go watch over A Nan. Don't