Memory Imprint

Before Xiao Ran could think it over, the woman pulled him toward the back. They passed through the front hall, where row after row of large wine jars came into view.

At a glance, there seemed to be about twelve.

A spirit tablet sat atop each jar. Xiao Ran looked at the names on them and asked, "Are these all the Li Family's ancestors?"

Puzzled, Xiao Ran followed the woman into the room at the very back. A white-haired man lay on the bed, barely clinging to life.

The room was filled with the smell of herbs and blood.

"Dad, Li Xiao is back." The woman hurried to the bedside and urged the man to open his eyes.

At the sound of her voice, the man parted his lips and struggled to reach out a hand.

Xiao Ran stepped forward and took the man's hand.

"I'm back."

At those simple words, the man only nodded. The strength in his hand faded almost at once.

The woman's face went deathly pale. She crumpled to the floor, while Great-aunt came in just then. Seeing that the man had stopped breathing, she reacted quite differently from the woman, breaking into a delighted smile. "Well, would you look at that? We made it just in time."

Then Great-aunt called to Xiao Ran, "Li Xiao, don't just stand there. Hurry and change into those clothes. Tonight's Great Avoidance depends on you."

She didn't wait for a reply, but hurried out to make preparations.

"What's the Great Avoidance? Why is Great-aunt so happy?"

Xiao Ran turned to the woman beside him, puzzled.

The woman lifted her head coldly and stared at Xiao Ran for a while before speaking. "Have you gambled yourself stupid, or has some fox spirit sucked your brains dry? On the day of