Ji Ke noticed Tang Ning's abnormal behavior, especially the almost blood-red earlobes and tear-filled eyes, resembling someone who had been bullied.
"What's wrong?"
Just as Ji Ke was about to approach, the tightly closed door suddenly opened.
A young man with a face full of illness stood in front of the room. Despite his handsome appearance, even the bluish tint of his lips complemented his features, adding a touch of melancholy to his demeanor.
With a fist against his lips, the unfamiliar young man coughed, keeping his concerned gaze on Tang Ning. His voice was hoarse as he inquired, "Are you okay?"
Nervously, Tang Ning touched his right eye, still feeling the lingering sensation of being licked. The person before him seemed gentle, devoid of hostility, as though he wouldn't do anything harmful.
Is there a ghost in this room?
"I'm fine," Tang Ning said anxiously, rubbing his eyes. His damp gaze met Ji Lianyan's eyes, and the reflection of the red lantern appeared strangely eerie.
"Lianyan, don't just care about others. Are you okay? Haven't seen you all day," a man beside them expressed concern.
"I'm not facing any major issues, just tired today and wanted to rest a bit more. Thanks, Uncle Ji, for your concern." Ji Lianyan weakly smiled, then turned to Ji Ke, politely saying, "This time, thank you for helping me pick up the person."
As Ji Ke observed Ji Lianyan, he responded respectfully, "No problem."
Ji Lianyan's eyes drooped slightly, tiredness evident. His gaze landed on Lin Yun, and he asked, "May I know who you are?"
"I'm Lin Yun, Tang Ning's distant cousin," Lin Yun replied.
"Hello, cousin." Ji Lianyan nodded slightly. "It's already late; you can stay here tonight."
Lin Yun glanced around, then looked at his phone, still without a signal. Originally, he planned to bring Ji Lianyan back to Tang Family Village before nightfall, but various supernatural encounters delayed their arrival at Ji Family Village until late at night.
Next to the mourning hall, only three players were guarding. Knowing that three players could hold out for the first day of guarding, Lin Yun pondered whether staying here tonight would mean leaving for home no earlier than tomorrow afternoon, a night and a day enough to kill two people.
The urgency of time weighed heavily on Lin Yun as he explained, "Uncle, today Mr. Tang passed away. Tang Ning needs to rush back for the vigil. Let's simplify the wedding and complete it sooner so we can return to fulfill Mr. Tang's mourning."
"Oh my, how could Mr. Tang leave us?" Uncle Ji expressed surprise and quickly intervened, "Tang Ning and Lianyan can't get married! Marrying within three years of mourning will bring retribution!"
Allowing Tang Ning and Ji Lianyan to marry fulfilled Tang Xianheng's last wish. Lin Yun remembered how Tang Xianheng couldn't close his eyes until Tang Ning promised to fulfill his unfulfilled wish, only then did he peacefully close his eyes.
The system provided Ji Ke with a map to Ji Family Village and informed players about Ji Lianyan's astrological signs, indicating that the wedding must proceed. Even though in this world, marrying within three years of mourning would bring retribution, they had to get married.
Remaining calm and resolute, Lin Yun said, "These are feudal superstitions. We should believe in science."
Uncle Ji happily responded, "Don't believe these young people; listening to the wisdom of the elders saves you from trouble!"
A weak cough interrupted the argument between Lin Yun and Uncle Ji. Ji Lianyan covered his mouth, coughing lowly and appearing in pain. After a while, he lifted his long eyelashes, gazing gently at Tang Ning, and softly asked, "Do you want me to get married now?"
He left the decision to Tang Ning.
Tang Ning looked at Lin Yun and Ji Ke, both nodding slightly. So, Tang Ning shifted his gaze back to Ji Lianyan, saying, "Yes."
Ji Lianyan's eyes softened, and he smiled, "Let's get married tonight, okay?"
Tang Ning glanced at Lin Yun and Ji Ke, and with their approval, he nodded obediently.
"Lianyan, why are you fooling around? Your body can withstand it—" Uncle Ji anxiously scolded Ji Lianyan, but when the frail young man raised his eyes and truly opened them, the once slightly closed eyes now shone brightly. "Now, help me prepare for the wedding."
This loud statement silenced Uncle Ji.
"Sigh, I'll talk to you." Uncle Ji waved to Ji Ke, "Er Gouzi, go help your brother prepare. Oh, and this Tang Ning cousin, right? I'll show you where you'll stay tonight."
The two players left Tang Ning's side, leaving only Tang Ning and Ji Lianyan standing together.
"Do you want to come inside and sit?" Ji Lianyan invited Tang Ning.
The door was wide open, revealing the scene inside – a wooden bed, a wooden table, a wardrobe, and a half-burned candle.
Seeing the room, Tang Ning recalled the unsettling memory of being licked by a known entity just now. Considering Ji Lianyan's astrological signs and fearing ghosts, staying close to him might lead to problems, right?
Tang Ning's hesitation and inner struggle were evident on his face. Ji Lianyan, filled with regret, apologized, "I was impulsive. This place is too suitable for guests."
Tang Ning, looking at the talisman Ji Lianyan handed him, afraid the other might think he was rejecting the conditions here, said, "I was just thinking about where to sit."
Ji Lianyan entered the room, opened the wardrobe, and took out a new set of clothes. He spread the clothes on the bed, saying, "Sit here for a moment; I'll prepare a basin of hot water for you to soak your feet."
Soak feet?
Tang Ning blinked in surprise while surveying the room.
"I can tell you're tired from your posture," Ji Lianyan said gently. "I have an herbal remedy; soaking your feet in it will be very soothing."
Tang Ning hastily responded, "Sure, sure, I'm fine."
Ji Lianyan seemed physically weaker than him, so Tang Ning wanted him to be occupied and tired.
"Sit here for a while; I'll fetch water." Ji Lianyan's voice was gentle, but his attitude allowed no argument.
Tang Ning didn't dare stay alone in a B-grade instance. He quickly followed Ji Lianyan, saying, "I'll come with you."
"One person is enough to fetch water," Ji Lianyan whispered.
As Ji Lianyan was about to leave, Tang Ning hurriedly said, "But I want to go with you."
Ji Lianyan turned to look at his wife, still standing at the entrance. Her beautiful face revealed a frightened expression of being left behind. Ji Lianyan glanced at Tang Ning's hand; his fair fingers seemed like they wanted to grab his sleeve but hesitantly withdrew under his gaze. A timid voice came from her, "May I?"
A hint of a smile appeared in Ji Lianyan's eyes. "Granted."
At his permission, his wife immediately stood by his side, trying to stay close without getting too near. Her clear eyes clumsily measured the distance between them, delicately adjusting herself.
The other person emitted a unique fragrance, with a subtle sweetness, dispelling the decaying odor in the room.
Smells nice.
"Where are we going to fetch water?" Tang Ning raised his head and met Ji Lianyan's eyes. Ji Lianyan's deep eye sockets seemed to carry a story within.
"There's a well in the village." Ji Lianyan came out of the old house and walked to a grassy shed. Inside were various items, and he skillfully picked up a carrying pole for water. With two buckets swaying on the pole, Ji Lianyan walked ahead, while Tang Ning used a flashlight to illuminate the way.
The village well was close to the fields. The phone's light beam revealed abandoned farming tools in the field – horseshoe-shaped iron shovels covered in mud. Tang Ning noticed that the soil seemed to have a reddish tint, probably due to too many red lanterns hanging in the village.
"The well is right ahead," Ji Lianyan spoke in a polite tone, similar to others in the village. "Fetching water here is convenient, sorry for the inconvenience."
Tang Ning looked at Ji Lianyan, realizing that he might have misunderstood. According to the persona set for him in this instance, he should have grown up in such a village.
【You are a university student who has been studying outside and recently returned.】
The system explained Tang Ning's confusion.
【What about Ji Lianyan? He also looks like he grew up here.】
【Due to health reasons, he didn't go out for studies.】
While Tang Ning was conversing with the system, Ji Lianyan had already arrived at the well to fetch water. Tang Ning quickly approached the well to illuminate with the flashlight. The well was deep and pitch-black, even with the light, making it hard to see. As Tang Ning stared into the darkness, a strange feeling of familiarity and dissonance arose within him. He shook his phone, attempting to peer through the dark well water.
Suddenly, Tang Ning understood what felt right to him.
He saw long black hair entwined around the water bucket.
The translucent thing was black hair.
"What are you looking at?" Ji Lianyan's gentle voice came, "You almost buried half of your body in the well."
"Buried half of the body in the well."
"In the well."
Echoes reverberated in the well, causing a slight dizziness in Tang Ning's brain. He saw the black hair in the well being stirred by the water bucket, revealing a pale face—
It was his own face!
"Ah!" Tang Ning widened his eyes, his trembling hands almost losing grip on the phone. A warm hand embraced his waist, pulling him out of the well where he was about to be half-buried.
Terrified and weak, Tang Ning fell into Ji Lianyan's arms. Although Ji Lianyan was physically frail, he was tall enough to completely hold Tang Ning. Tang Ning raised his head, meeting Ji Lianyan's concerned gaze. "What's wrong with you?"
"Hair!" Tang Ning opened his mouth in confusion, trembling as he said, "In the well, I saw hair!"
Ji Lianyan, hearing this, leaned over the well, bending down to look into the water.
"There's nothing." Ji Lianyan looked for a while and then stood up, saying, "Did you see it wrong? Bending over suddenly like that can easily cause dizziness, especially for someone fatigued. You might have hallucinated due to exhaustion."
Tang Ning desperately shook his head, "No, I really saw it!" Just hair! And his face!
Summoning courage, Tang Ning used the phone to illuminate the well water again. This time, he didn't see anything.