Si Teng (Rattan) – CH 047

Chapter 47

Shan Zhigang was terrified.

Thinking back, there were some clues before the incident. For example, he kept receiving phone calls with no one answering. For example, several times while walking down the street, he felt as if someone was watching him from the shadows. When the other person knocked on the door, he even looked through the peephole. The burly man, with a full beard, yawned in his pajamas and cursed, “Don’t you know your toilet is leaking? The ceiling downstairs is soaked!”

He forgot that this was a trick he had used to deceive Zhao Jianglong. He hurried to open the door, putting on a smile, but before he could say anything, a towel soaked in medicine was slapped over him…

When he woke up, his eyes were covered with a black cloth, his mouth sealed with wide tape, and his hands and feet were tied behind his back, like a turtle lying on its back. Occasionally, his face touched the ground, and the tile felt cool. He struggled to move and touch his surroundings, roughly confirming that he had not been taken away: he was in his own bathroom.

His heart was pounding, and cold sweat began to form on his back: Was this a home invasion? A kidnapping and ransom? He’d read on the news that some criminals were so ruthless that, not content with just robbing for money, they’d kill…

He was completely bewildered and confused. He didn’t know how much time had passed before the man came in and rudely ripped the tape off his mouth. He held a knife to his throat and demanded, “What’s the computer password?”

Computer password? Wouldn’t it be more reasonable to ask for your bank card or online banking password? He recited the password in a trembling voice. The man grunted twice and sealed his mouth again.

If they were asking for the password, could it be a business competitor trying to steal company secrets? But his company was small, far from being a giant. Was it really that serious?

He struggled to move, trying to hear what was going on outside, but the speakers were turned up too loud. In his excitement, he could almost see the chubby Psy jumping up and down hysterically, his hair tossing.

“Oppa… Gangnam… style…”

***

The speakers were blaring, but Jia Guizhi seemed oblivious. She kept checking her phone, which contained a text message.

—”In southeast Guizhou, Rongbang Miao Village. Have you heard of it?”

The sender was Qin Fang.

Not far away, Zhou Wandong sat at Shan Zhigang’s computer desk, swaying wildly to the music. He wore Shan Zhigang’s Armani suit on top and Hawaiian-style beach shorts with large floral patterns on the bottom. Two watches adorned his left wrist and a bracelet with eighteen bodhi seeds on his right. His legs were propped up on the desk, one foot wearing a slipper, the other a polished leather shoe…

Zhou Wandong was indeed a reckless gangster. After confirming that Shan Zhigang’s territory was his, he acted like a usurper. His intention was to open the cabinets and rummage through them, throwing all sorts of clothes on one by one, regardless of whether they matched or not. He took them off and tossed them at his feet like rags, saying, “What’s wrong with being rich? I work so hard to earn money, so in the end, I have to spend it…”

He then opened the refrigerator and rummaged through it, opening a tube of potato chips and munching on them. Halfway through, he dumped the chips on the sofa, pouring out the crumbs, which soaked the high-end sofa fabric with grease. After all, it wasn’t his home, so he could just mess it up without feeling bad.

He still behaved in front of Jia Guizhi, but he had lost his initial overly cautious attitude. He had a catchphrase that he kept repeating:

—What’s the big deal? My head is always hanging on my belt.

Yes, no matter if she were a monster or a ghost, what was the big deal?

Jia Guizhi asked him, “Did you find it?”

“Yes,” Zhou Wandong lazily turned his mouse away from a game featuring sexy girls. “It’s not a tourist attraction, and it’s not marked on the map. But many tourists have been there, and some have written travelogues… There are hand-drawn maps. Getting there will take at least… two days.”

He gestured toward the restroom with his mouth. “Take his phone and keep in touch. It shouldn’t be a problem to keep Qin Fang away for two days. Just don’t let that Shan guy make a sound.”

When he said the word “make a sound,” he made a click gesture.

Jia Guizhi’s face turned grim. “Don’t commit murder.”

Zhou Wandong scoffed at her soft-heartedness. “Your Buddha won’t even protect you anymore. Didn’t you say you don’t believe? You’ve lost all the statues and instruments, and yet you keep saying I shouldn’t commit murder… Honestly, I don’t understand. If you hate Zhao Jianglong for having a mistress, An Man is already dead. It’s not wrong for you to pick a fight with Qin Fang, but it’s a bit… unkind, isn’t it?”

Jia Guizhi glanced at him coldly. “Pack up; it’s time to get going.”

With such a comfortable nest… Zhou Wandong was a little reluctant to leave so soon. Seeing that Jia Guizhi didn’t urge him any further, he was happy to clear out the messy, dog-like house. He occasionally chatted to himself:

—”Hey, look at this photo. It was taken in the villa. This villa is also his, right? It looks like he’s got quite a bit of money, more than just this one house…”

“Banks are so cunning these days. They’ve swindled everyone’s money into their cards, so no one hides money at home anymore. Twenty years ago, you could find money in shoe boxes, under beds, and in cabinets.”

—”I just don’t understand. Every businessman has a Guan Yu statue in his home. But Guan Yu is so blind! He doesn’t protect the poor but only helps the rich. The gap between the rich and the poor is getting wider and wider. How can we not be poor…”

There was a loud bang, and it must have been Guan Yu who had met with disaster. Jia Guizhi frowned. After all, she was an intellectual, having gone to college, and she disdained to associate with people like Zhou Wandong. Seeing him beating and smashing things, she couldn’t help but feel a little disgusted. Just as she was about to ask him to restrain himself, she heard Zhou Wandong gasp from behind.

“Fuck! Fuck! This bastard! You can’t judge a person by his appearance! My arms are covered in goosebumps… I’m so scared…”

What happened? Jia Guizhi was stunned for a moment and turned to look over.

That spot had originally been an ordinary Guan Yu shrine. Zhou Wandong had used something to smash the Guan Yu statue, but he’d used so much force that he’d smashed through the thin partition at the back. It turned out there wasn’t a wall behind it, but a space. A small, dark green lightbulb flickered, and within this erratic glow, a photograph of a woman lay.

Upon closer inspection, he discovered five small copper nails, pinned to the wall at the woman’s limbs and throat. Thin chains, like necklaces, wound around the nails and extended to the four corners of the inner shrine. Each corner held a small copper lock. In front of the photo stood an incense burner filled with rice, with burnt paper ashes beside it. But a closer look revealed that the inner shrine hadn’t been opened in years, and dust had accumulated everywhere.

No wonder Zhou Wandong gasped at first. The display looked uncanny, and at first glance, it was quite eerie.

For a second or two, neither of them spoke. After a moment, Jia Guizhi said, “What do you care? Everyone has their own dirty laundry.”

It was true. Zhou Wandong wasn’t some kind of justice warrior. He had no interest in upholding justice, nor was he curious about the secret he’d stumbled upon. He simply squinted his eyes and glanced at the photo.

She shouldn’t be called a woman. She looked only seventeen or eighteen, a schoolgirl, with straight hair, very pretty, and quite innocent.

Seven or eight criminal plots instantly flashed through Zhou Wandong’s mind. Shan Zhigang, that bastard, didn’t seem to be any good either.

***

As they ascended the stairs, Chen Yindeng was so preoccupied that she nearly slipped on the last step.

Master Cang Hong had just invited her over, saying he’d run into Si Teng on the way back and told her about the discovery of the Red Umbrella’s lair.

Chen Yindeng was quite nervous. “So what did she say?”

Temple Abbot Cang Hong said. “She didn’t say much. From what she said, she seemed quite dissatisfied with our slow progress. In the end, she decided to enter the cave tomorrow morning.”

“What was her expression when she said that?”

Why did Chen Yindeng care about Si Teng’s mood? Temple Abbot Cang Hong was puzzled. “She looked quite leisurely, wearing local clothes, leisurely, as if taking a stroll…”

Leisurely?

Chen Yindeng’s heart sank.

She remembered Qin Fang’s words.

—”Si Teng wants to find the demon. Do you think she will only pin her hopes on the Taoist sect? She has other ways. I’m not sure of the details, but it seems that they are very confident. Si Teng rushed over as soon as she received the news.”

Looking leisurely and unhurried, and even wearing local clothes and taking a stroll, did this mean that Si Teng’s progress was going smoothly?

For her, this was definitely not good news.

***

Yangbo heard Chen Yindeng enter, but he didn’t turn around, still concentrating on carving the silver plate depicting “The Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea.” The portrait of He Xiangu was almost finished, with a graceful figure and a slender waist, and a mixture of joy and anger. He hadn’t told Chen Yindeng that he had carved it based on her image, eager to surprise her once it was finished.

If this work could win an award, it would be truly meaningful. It would be his proudest work, and it would even reflect the image of his beloved. It would be a great heirloom to pass down to future generations.

Just as he was thinking, he felt a sudden weight drop on his shoulders. Chen Yindeng wrapped her arms around his waist from behind, her chin resting lightly against his shoulder. Yang Bo’s heart skipped a beat. He stopped what he was doing, smiled, and pressed his face against hers. As soon as they touched, he felt a sudden warmth and wetness. His heart sank, and he quickly stood up. “Ah’Yin, are you crying?”

She was really crying. Tears were on her eyelashes, and the faint glow from their gleaming light made Yang Bo’s heart tremble with pain. “Ah’Yin, who bullied you? Tell me.”

Chen Yindeng leaned into him. In her arms, she tilted her head to his ear and breathed, “Yangbo, let’s have a baby.”

Yangbo was startled at first, then a smile gradually crossed his face. “Really?”

It had been a while since they’d been married, and he’d mentioned having a child to Ah’Yin several times, but she’d never been interested. Even when they were in love, the mere mention of children always dampened her spirits. After so many repetitions, he began to feel a bit wary, wondering: Could it be that Ah’Yin’s mother had died giving birth to her that made her so reluctant about the subject?

Now she was taking the initiative, saying, “Let’s have a baby.”

Yangbo’s heart swelled with joy. He bent down to kiss her lips. “Ah’Yin, I’ll treat you well forever.”

Chen Yindeng chuckled. “You men, these are the only times you say nice things.”

Yangbo laughed too, unable to contain himself. He picked up Chen Yindeng and walked to the bed, flicking out the light.

The surroundings suddenly darkened. Gradually, the room was filled with the sound of a man’s heavy breathing. If one listened carefully, one would realize it was solely his.

In the darkness, Chen Yindeng expressionlessly left the bed and walked over to the table to pour herself some tea. The gurgling sound of the tea splashing on the bottom of the empty cup mixed with the rhythmic rustling of the bed behind her, creating a strange and eerie feeling.

Then, she returned to the bed with the cup in hand, took a gentle sip, and surveyed the situation from above. After a pause, she suddenly called out, “Yangbo?”

Yangbo froze, his arm supporting the bed trembling uncontrollably. His Adam’s apple bobbed slightly, and a bead of sweat trickled down his forehead. Chen Yindeng’s eyes glowed crimson as she stared directly into Yangbo’s.

“Tomorrow night, after midnight, if I’m not back, open the bottom right drawer of the cupboard.”

With that, she set the cup aside and lay back on the bed. The moment her body touched the bed, Yangbo’s entire body trembled, and he fell onto it. After a long, contented breath, he let out a long sigh.

Chen Yindeng heard him mumble, “Ah’Yin, I’ll treat you well.”