My emotions did not fluctuate much. I simply sat beside them and listened quietly, even lighting a cigarette.
Old Wang, on the other hand, could not stay calm:
"Th-that was your mother? Your mother came back to h-harm you?"
Xiao Hong nodded, her eyes red.
"Since the beginning of the month, she has come looking for me every few days.
I've dreamed of her several times already.
At first, I thought they were just dreams and ignored her.
But the last two times, she not only said she wanted me to get married, but that she wanted me to marry that tuberculosis ghost who died last year.
Lin Erniu from the neighboring village, the one who once offered a bride price to marry me.
She also said she had accepted the betrothal gifts this time—ten boxes of gold ingots.
In a few days, she would take me over there to get married.
I said I'd burn them for her and begged her to stop haunting me.
But she refused. She said I had harmed her, so she wanted me dead. She didn't want to see me living well.
A few days ago, I-I found a fortune-teller at the night market outside the industrial park.
After looking at me, h-he said he would take me to his home to perform a ritual.
I followed him there, but once we got to his house...
H-he started getting handsy with me. I was so scared that I ran away...
These past few days, I-I haven't known what to do.
I've been anxious every day. At night, I don't dare sleep because I'm afraid of seeing my mom again.
So, President Wang, my livestreaming performance has been terrible these past few days."
Hearing this, I frowned.
These Old Southern Daoists were ruining our reputation.