When they reached the intersection, Song Zheng didn't know which way to go, so he got out of the car to ask for directions.
"Hello, ma'am, I'd like to ask how to get to Simazi's house." Song Zheng looked very trustworthy, and in the past, when they went out to investigate cases, he was usually the one to ask passersby for directions.
But this time the results weren't very good.
The old woman, who had been smiling just moments before, immediately got up and went inside when she heard him say he was going to Simazi's house, carrying her basket and ignoring him.
Song Zheng was turned away and felt a little confused, but he didn't suspect anything. However, it was strange that he asked three or four people in a row and got the same answer.
Finally, just as another person heard Simazi's name and tried to leave, Song Zheng showed his police ID.
The person being asked for directions, "..."
He finally revealed the reason that everyone was reluctant to discuss.
Back in the car, Song Zheng explained, " Simazi's family has been running a coffin shop for generations. The year they first opened, five people died in town. After that, people would die every time the family changed hands. Although they were all accidents and not related to anything, the townspeople started to be superstitious after it happened so many times."
Jiang Nuo responded with an "Oh," and said, "That is indeed quite unlucky."
Following the direction the man had pointed out, we drove for a while longer, almost to the edge of the ancient town, before finally seeing the wooden sign that Madam Wang had mentioned.
The coffin shop finally came into their view.
As dusk fell, under the dim glow of the setting sun, a dilapidated yet spacious wooden house stood quietly at the end of the road, backed by green mountains, with the words "coffin shop" painted in black on a wooden sign.
A bleak evening breeze blew by, causing the white cloth hanging in front of the coffin shop to flutter, making it appear even more desolate and eerie.
Song Zheng suddenly felt a chill run through his body. "Are we going to have to stay here tonight?"
"Of course!" Jiang Nuo had already turned on her flashlight and was shoving it at his chin to scare him. "Driving on mountain roads late at night, you might encounter ghosts."
Song Zheng: "..."
It's a lie! It's definitely all a lie!
He parked the car, and the three of them got out and walked to the coffin shop. A thin young man was sitting on the high threshold.
Seeing that someone was coming, the boy stood up to observe them, then looked at the car they had driven in before letting them into the house.
As they entered, the three brushed past the boy, and Jiang Nuo noticed a large blue birthmark on the right side of the boy's face.
He looked away, his expression unchanged.
Simazi sat in the main room smoking a pipe, the smell of which mixed with the strong aroma of pine oil, making it pungent.
Si Yan wore a minty-scented mask, which was bearable enough, but she still clung to Jiang Nuo's arm, gently inhaling his scent.
"Hello, we were sent by General Manager Wang to pick up the goods." Song Zheng maintained his professional demeanor, but his entire aura changed the moment he entered, making him look like a struggling laborer. Neither the two actors nor the policeman gave themselves away.
Simazi observed for a while, then spoke in a hoarse voice from his withered lips, "Where's Wang Laoliu? Why the sudden change of personnel?"
"Sigh, our boss Wang is really unlucky. He got into a car accident out of nowhere, and now is exactly the time when he needs more money."
"We're all just following Mr. Wang's lead, hoping to make a fortune with this new batch of goods."
After answering, Song Zheng secretly observed Simazi's expression and, sure enough, a hint of gloom appeared on his face. He then took a few more puffs of his cigarette.
"The new supplies are still up the mountain. You'll come with me to move them tomorrow. Stay indoors tonight, and remember, don't touch the coffin."
" A Wu, take them to their room."
The boy heard the call and came over, quietly leading them forward.
The room that Simazi arranged for them was the same one that Wang Laoliu and his Madam Wang used to stay in when they came, regardless of whether there was enough room for three people.
The room was in the inner room, and you had to cross the courtyard in the middle. As Jiang Nuo passed by, she noticed that the courtyard was full of coffins, some painted and some unpainted, all placed together. There were also many paper equestrian figures for sale. The eerie atmosphere became more and more pronounced.
"Who is Simazi to you?" Jiang Nuo asked him, very curious.
A Wu's voice was calm, "Father."
"Oh... then why doesn't your father let us touch the coffin? What will happen if we do?"
A Wu frowned, seemingly finding Jiang Nuo a bit annoying, but he couldn't refuse to answer the guest's question.
"Aren't you afraid that if you touch it, you'll end up living there?" he said, his tone laced with intimidation.
Jiang Nuo replied seriously, "That's good too. It's clean and spacious, just right for one person to sleep in."
A Wu: "..."
When the group arrived at the room door, A Wu took the initiative to push it open. The room wasn't exactly clean; although there wasn't any visible dirt, it felt damp overall, and the smell of pine resin and incense ash was still strong, making people feel uncomfortable.
Just as they finished putting down their luggage, Simazi came over again, his gloomy eyes watching them enter the house before he stepped inside himself.
It will get dark soon, don't go out at night.
Song Zheng responded with a "hey," lit a cigarette for Simazi, and said, "Don't worry, big brother, I absolutely won't touch anything I shouldn't."
Jiang Nuo stood to the side, silently echoing her thoughts.
He won't touch me, but I will.
Suddenly poked in the waist by Si Yan, Jiang Nuo looked up and realized that Simazi was actually planning to close the door and lock them inside.
Jiang Nuo quickly stepped forward and approached Simazi through the window, asking, "Brother, I'm quite thirsty after the journey. Do you have any water to drink?"
Simazi was patted on the shoulder, and took a half step back in displeasure, raising his unshaven chin and pointing at the coffee table in the room.
Jiang Nuo seemed embarrassed and withdrew his hand, saying, "I'm fine now, thank you, brother."
A Wu went with his father, and the people in the house only relaxed after watching the two leave.
Jiang Nuo fiddled with the keys in her hand. "He's so afraid of us going into the yard, there's definitely something fishy going on. Let's go check it out tonight."
Si Yan nodded, then noticed Song Zheng's expression was complicated. "What do you want to say?"
"Why do we have to act at night? Can't we wait until tomorrow when we're moving the goods?"
Jiang Nuo chuckled, "Because ghosts are most active in the latter half of the night."
Alright, Song Zheng understands now. If ghosts don't come looking for you, you have to go out of your way to encounter them.
Song Zheng clutched the gun he had secretly brought, a strange sense of dread creeping into his heart.