That night.
No one got much sleep. Everyone felt vaguely uneasy.
The next day.
The sun rose.
Dogs barked and roosters crowed, and the village came alive.
The old man pulled out the butcher knife and led the big rooster away. As soon as he opened the door, he saw the village chief hurrying over, shouting as he came, "Old Liu, quick... Something happened at Ma Er's Family!"
"What?"
Before long.
At the eastern end of the village, at Ma Er's Family.
A group of villagers with some standing, including the old man, gathered inside the house and stared at Ma Er, who lay on the bed, already lifeless.
Ma Er was sixty years old.
His family had only celebrated his birthday last week.
Who would have thought he would die in bed today? His face was filled with terror, and his eyes were wide open, as if he had seen something unbelievable before he died.
"What happened?"
Old Liu lit a cigarette and said in shock, "This death doesn't look right."
"Did you call the police?"
"We did."
"The police will be here soon."
Beside him, Ma Er's son choked up as he said, "Just the day before yesterday, I told Dad that I'd take him out to relax in a few days. He said he wanted to go to Cui Lake. He used to fish there all the time and wanted to see it again..."
"I never thought..."
"My condolences." The village chief patted Ma Er's son on the shoulder.
He gave Old Liu a meaningful look.
"What is it?"
Old Liu asked, puzzled.
The two of them went outside. The village chief suddenly lowered his voice and said, "Don't stay at home for the next few days. Go into the city with your son and daughter-in-law and