Sudden Change

Many things I cannot forget; these memories are etched into my mind like a curse.

Whenever I wake from dreams at midnight, these memories unconsciously spread through my mind, leaving me sleepless and in unbearable pain.

So, I often sit alone until one or two in the morning, sometimes even until dawn.

During this time of sleeplessness, I flip through an old photo album.

Looking at the people in the photos, I recall the thrilling experiences of the past.

These people and events happened after I stumbled into another world.

That world was full of mystery and strangeness, where all sorts of supernatural beings that ordinary people never encounter reside.

I originally wanted to bury these matters forever in the river of time, but I also felt that these things should not be forgotten.

Now, I am about to leave this world and go to another place.

On the eve of my departure, I cannot sleep, so I might as well record these events.

It all started when I was seventeen.

I vaguely remember that year, because my grades were quite good.

I was specially admitted to a local university, which made me incredibly happy at the time.

It was during a holiday that year that I returned to my hometown.

I never dreamed that this trip home would change my life.

From then on, I lived a life of hardship and rootlessness, and the direction of my life and my thoughts underwent a huge change.

My name is Li Yutong, I am seventeen years old, a poor student.

I don't have a handsome face, nor any outstanding abilities.

My family is also destitute, and there were no celestial phenomena when I was born.

Since it's summer vacation, I, like most students, embarked on the journey home.

My home is in a small village called "Lin'an Village." Because the economy is relatively backward, all the roads are unpaved.

The bumpy road was full of potholes. By the time I arrived home, it was already getting dark.

As soon as I entered the door, I saw my dog, Da Huang, and Uncle Liu's dog, Xiao Bai, engaged in the act of "Duke of Zhou's Rites"!

(Da Huang is my dog, Xiao Bai is Uncle Liu's dog)

I immediately shouted, "Hey! In broad daylight, you two are doing such filthy things here."

As soon as the words left my mouth, Da Huang and Xiao Bai instantly separated. I grabbed Da Huang and walked home.

As we walked, I said with great distress, "Don't you know our family's situation?

How expensive is dog food, don't you have any idea? What if a dog dies? Who will raise it?"

With four questions in a row, Da Huang was stunned, and then shamefully lowered its dog head.

After putting down my luggage at home, my stomach was growling with hunger, so I ran to the kitchen.

When I opened the kitchen door, I saw steaming hot dishes already prepared and placed on the table.

I called out to my dad, but after waiting for a long time, no one responded.

I walked around the yard again, but still saw no one.

I thought he must be in the back mountain. There is a hollow behind our village, and the village cemetery is also nearby.

Ever since I can remember, my dad has always gone to the back mountain for no reason.

When I asked him why he always ran to the back mountain, he would say some unreliable things to fool me.

My dad's name is Li Daorong, he is in his forties. Since my grandfather passed away, I have lived with my dad.

When I was young, I asked my dad why other children have mothers but I don't.

My dad would always say with a lonely expression that my mom left when I was very young.

Countless times I asked my dad where my mom went.

My dad said it wasn't time yet, and I would know when it was time for me to know.

In my impression, my dad is a very strange person. I don't know if it's an illusion, but his appearance seems to have hardly changed.

Logically speaking, a middle-aged man in his forties should be gaining weight, have crow's feet at the corners of his eyes, and a beer belly.

But none of that is present. Except for a slightly sallow complexion, he also eats very little.

He would often just eat a couple of bites, put down his chopsticks, say he was full, and then watch me eat with a slight smile.

I didn't think much of it at the time. I closed the kitchen door and ran straight to the back mountain...

I stumbled all the way to the back mountain, and sure enough, my dad was there.

"Dad, it's getting dark, why are you here?"

My dad looked back at me: "You're back?"

"Yeah, it's summer vacation."

"It's nothing, just looking around. You must be tired after a long day of travel, go home and eat first."

He changed the subject...

Helpless, I could only nod and follow my dad home.

During dinner, I noticed the table was a bit wobbly. I looked and saw a piece was missing from one of its legs.

A book was propping it up. It might have been there for too long, as it had become dented.

"Dad, can we get something else to prop it up?"

My dad nodded. I ran to my room and got a book, the same kind as the one under the table leg, and shoved it in without a second thought.

My dad sighed and said, "Sigh! Ah Tong, you should read these two books more."

I thought to myself, what's so good about them? Two old books, they don't even have titles.

When I opened the first page, it just said "Volume One" and "Volume Two." The paper had already turned yellow.

When I was little and curious, I did read them. They contained some spooky little stories.

There were also some messy lines that I couldn't understand at all.

Besides, I'm a university student. I've received a higher education, how could I believe in these feudal superstitions?

As usual, my dad ate only a couple of bites and said he was full.

I wolfed down my food, put down my chopsticks, and prepared to clear the table and wash the dishes.

"No need, I'll do it! You go take a bath first, it's all prepared," my dad said.

My face contorted, "Can I not take a bath? Can I just use plain water?"

My dad said with a serious expression, "No, go take it now."

"Alright, I'm going then."

Ever since I was little, my dad would find all sorts of strange herbs and unknown things for me to bathe in.

Now that I'm studying and rarely come home, I don't bathe in them as often.

When I lived with my dad before, basically every so often.

My dad would make me take one. The smell of those baths mixed with strange ingredients was truly awful.

I used to ask my dad why he always made me take these smelly baths. He said it was to strengthen the body.

At the time, I asked him, "Huh! Strengthen the body? Then why am I as skinny as a monkey, with hardly any meat on my bones?"

Then my dad would grin, holding a leather belt, and I'd obediently soak in the large wooden tub.

The next morning, as soon as I got up and was about to go to the restroom, I saw several people walking towards my house from a distance.

Leading them was a gentlemanly-looking uncle in a suit.

And an old man with white hair, wearing a somewhat worn-out Taoist robe.

The old man carried a peach wood sword on his back, his expression arrogant, his nostrils practically flaring.

Behind the old man followed a handsome young man with rosy lips and white teeth, the kind you'd call a "puppy" these days.

He had sharp eyebrows, bright eyes, and fair skin. Anyway, I definitely couldn't compare to him.

I saw the gentlemanly uncle walk towards me:

"Hello, young man. Excuse me, is this where Li Xuande lives?"

I was stunned: "Are you sure it's Li Xuande?"

The gentleman uncle smiled and nodded: "Yes, by age, he should be over eighty now."

"Are you sure you have the right person, or is it someone with the same name? My grandpa is also called Li Xuande, but he died over ten years ago!"

After hearing me, the gentleman uncle's pupils contracted sharply.

Because we were close, I saw it very clearly, even if only for an instant.

The gentleman uncle said with urgency, "Then what is your father's name?"

"My father is Li Daorong. Are you looking for him for something?"

The gentleman uncle muttered to himself, "That's right... that's right... then it's correct."

"May I ask who you are?"

"Allow me to introduce myself, my name is 'Xie Yun.' My father, 'Xie Xuanwu,' was an old friend of your grandfather's. I came today to see your grandfather, but I didn't expect him to have already passed away. Your father and I are of the same generation, you can call me Uncle Xie."

Although I didn't quite understand, I still said, "Uncle Xie, please come in."

Uncle Xie nodded and walked into my house. I quickly hurried back inside and called out, "Dad, someone's looking for you."

My dad came out of his room and asked, "Who's looking for me?"

"It was an uncle named Xie Yun."

My dad frowned slightly and said he knew, then strode out of the room to meet them.

Delayed by these people, I remembered I needed to use the restroom, and the urge to pee came in waves...

Without a word, I ran straight to the toilet, and after a while, I felt refreshed.

Then I thought about going back to hear what they had said.

When I got outside the room, they suddenly went quiet, so I curiously peeked in.

My dad said, "You go make dinner, I'll chat with your Uncle Xie."

I'm not stupid, I knew my dad wanted to send me away, so I didn't think much of it and went back to the kitchen to prepare the meal.

Just as I was about to finish cooking, Uncle Xie and his group came out, ready to leave.

I quickly went out and said, "Uncle Xie, dinner is almost ready, why don't you stay and eat before you go?"

"No, we have another place to go, it's quite far, and I'm afraid we won't make it before dark."

This was clearly an excuse, so I didn't say much more and replied:

"Alright, safe travels." Uncle Xie nodded, and the group left in strides.

I asked my dad what they came for. My dad's expression was grave as he said it might be trouble.

"Trouble? What kind of trouble?"

My dad shook his head without answering and went back into his room.

I saw him rummaging through boxes and cabinets, looking for something.

I didn't ask, because I knew he wouldn't tell me even if I did.

Just as I finished cooking and was about to go to the room to call my dad for dinner, he came out.

Then he told me, "Ah Tong, I have to go out for a bit and will be back tomorrow morning, or at the latest by tonight.

After you finish eating, go take a bath. I've already prepared it. Lock the main door when it gets dark and go to sleep."

"Where are you going? Aren't you eating?"

My dad's tone was urgent, "Time is short, no time to explain. Eat by yourself, I'm leaving now."

"Okay! Be careful when you go out."

My dad nodded and, before leaving, reminded me to lock the main door and take a bath after eating.

I did as I was told. I ate a simple meal by myself, tidied up, and then went to take a bath.

It was that same smelly water again. After soaking, I rinsed with clean water and got out.

Then I read for a while, and before I knew it, the sky was darkening.

Since I wasn't very hungry, I just had a few bites for dinner and stopped.

Then I went and locked the main door from the inside before returning to my room.

Lying on the bed, I thought about what happened today. What did Uncle Xie and his group say to my dad? Why were they looking for my grandfather?

In my fragmented memories, Grandpa was just a thin old man who carried a small wooden box everywhere he went.

He said he was running errands for people. Every time he came home, he would pick me up and rub his stubble on my face.

Because I was so young then, maybe three or four years old, I couldn't remember many things.

Then I thought about how my dad had been a recluse all these years we'd lived together.

Why was he suddenly going out? Thinking about it, I fell asleep.

It wasn't until midnight that I was woken by faint, ethereal sounds, as if calling me.

"Ah Tong Ge... Ah Tong Ge..."

I groggily woke up and listened carefully. The sound was coming from outside my front door.

I got out of bed, put on my shoes, and grabbed a flashlight, intending to go see.

I unlocked the main door and saw a person standing at my doorstep. I shone the flashlight at them.

I saw a woman in a white dress, with disheveled hair and a pale face.

It startled me. I looked closer and realized it was "Qianqian," Uncle Liu's daughter.

Trembling, I asked, "Qianqian, what are you looking for me for?"

Qianqian stood still, beckoning me: "Ah Tong Ge... come out... come out..."

I swallowed and said, "Uncle Liu said you wouldn't be back this holiday. How did you return in the middle of the night?"

Qianqian sobbed, "Ah Tong Ge... I'm in so much pain, can you come save me?"

I asked Qianqian what happened, but she just shook her head and told me to come out.

Then she stared at the stone lions at my front gate. I was scared, and with a surge of resolve, I slammed the door shut.

Then I leaned against the door, gasping for breath. I suddenly remembered the stone lions at the entrance.

My dad said Grandpa made them himself. They used to be two stone charms.

Then Grandpa carved them into a pair of stone lions, placing one on each side of the front door.

He said they were for warding off evil spirits and protecting the house, and I scoffed at the time.

Then I ran back to my room quickly, hiding under the covers and burying my head.

My legs were trembling the entire way back to my room.

I stayed like that until dawn, only then did I dare to leave my room and take a look.

I opened the front door a crack and peered out with one eye for a long time.

Seeing that no one was there, I slowly dared to open the front door fully.

I stood at the entrance, stunned for a long time, as if last night had been a dream.

Impossible, it felt so real, how could it have been a dream? I thought to myself.

I looked at the stone lions at the entrance again and was surprised to find that both of them were covered in cracks.

It looked as if a gentle touch would shatter them into countless small stones.

At that moment, I ran to Uncle Liu's house. When I reached the door, I shouted, "Uncle Liu, Uncle Liu, are you home?"

After a moment, Uncle Liu opened the door, and I hurriedly asked:

"Uncle Liu, has Qianqian come back? I think I saw her last night."

I saw that Uncle Liu's eyes were red and swollen, and he said in a dazed voice, "A'tong, Qianqian was harmed."

"How is that possible..." I froze on the spot.

Uncle Liu said hoarsely, "She came back last night and told me to save her. She said she was in so much pain."

I asked Uncle Liu, "Who harmed her? Where is she?"

"I don't know. She said she didn't recognize the place. It was so cold there. She asked me to save her.

Then this morning I tried calling her phone, but it was always busy. I only contacted her yesterday morning.

She came back last night saying she was harmed. I don't know what to do."

Hearing this, I asked Uncle Liu, "Did you call the police?"

"I did, but the police said they wouldn't consider it a missing person case for 48 hours and just brushed me off."

"A'tong, can you watch the house for me? I need to go to Qianqian's school. I need to see her alive or dead. I'm leaving now."

"Okay, I'll watch the house for you. You go ahead."

Uncle Liu got up and left immediately. He didn't return until night.

When it was completely dark, I heard knocking and someone calling my name from inside the house.

"Knock, knock, knock..."

"A'tong, I'm back." It was my dad's voice. I immediately ran out to open the door.

The moment I opened the door, I saw my dad, covered in dirt. I asked him what happened.

My dad said we'd talk later. I said okay, and then we went back to the room. My dad sat there in silence for a long time.

My dad just stared at me blankly, making me feel uncomfortable.

I suddenly remembered what happened last night and told my dad that I saw Qianqian last night.

My dad asked me what happened.

I told my dad everything from last night until today, including Uncle Liu leaving to find Qianqian and asking me to watch the house.

After listening, my dad sighed, closed his eyes, and said, "Alas! Let's go! Let's go! We'll save who we can."

I didn't understand and asked what he meant.

My dad seemed to have made a big decision and said to me, "A'tong, do you believe your dad?"

I was taken aback and replied, "Of course, you're my dad. If I don't believe you, who else can I believe?"

My dad smiled, a very happy smile. He patted my head and said, "Good son, you didn't disappoint your dad."

Then my dad's eyes sharpened, and he said very seriously:

"A'tong, you must remember every word and every letter I say from now on. You absolutely cannot forget."

Seeing how serious my dad was, I also became a little nervous and agreed, "Okay, I'll remember."

My dad nodded and said, "Your grandfather was no ordinary person, and neither am I.

Strictly speaking, we both belong to Maoshan, but some incidents caused us to leave.

As for what happened, you'll find out later.

Talking about these old matters now would just be a waste of time. You just need to remember what I say carefully.

And then do as I say, don't ask why.

Because too many things are involved, and there isn't much time left for us father and son."