Chapter 5 – The “infertile” spirit of Fu Sinian couldn’t help but want to ask, “????” (2)
The mansion was located in Fushui Bay. It was far from the city with crisp air. The surrounding was very serene.
Yu Duo lived in a three-story mansion. An older maid and the chauffeur stayed in a small building next to the mansion; Aunty Lian stayed on the first floor; and second floor was guest rooms. Hers and Fu Sinian’s master bedroom was on the third floor. Altogether there were about 10 or so rooms, the mansion was so quiet right now that one would be able to hear if a needle was to fall on the floor.
The quiet surrounding gave Yu Duo a creepy feeling.
Even though Fu Sinian had been dead for over a month and the 7th day had come and gone, he was just buried today.
(T/N: Chinese people believe that the spirit of the dead ones will visit on the 7th day after their death.)
Sure, it sounds superstitious, but could one blame her? Her being here was the product of metaphysics, and what if she wasn’t the only one?
She felt uneasy and didn’t want to go downstairs.
But then she thought about all the food in the kitchen. Yu Duo couldn’t wait any longer and finally summoned up her courage, walked outside of the bedroom, and started descending the stairs one step at a time.
When she reached the second floor, she could already see Fu Sinian’s portrait that was still in the living room.
Even though the shrine had already been removed, Fu Sinian’s portrait remained where it was. In front of the portrait, there were a few, lit traditional candles. The entire living room was pitch black except for the few candles illuminating some dim light.
Dimly lit by candles, Fu Sinian’s portrait was eerie.
(T/N: I had earlier called it a “funeral service” where the MC cried for 3 days straight and passed out a few times. The correct translation should be a shrine that the family of the deceased set up at home with a picture in the middle like the one below.)
Picture: Shrine for mourning at home for a period of time after someone has passed away.
Yu Duo felt her knees weakened, and her hand that’s resting on the banister started to sweat.
As the saying goes: If you have nothing to hide, you wouldn’t even have to worry about ghosts knocking on your door in the middle of the night.
But Yu Duo had hid a lot! She had been pretending to be a dodder-like woman for three long years. Now she was revealing her true self right after his death. What if Fu Sinian came back from the other side and wanted to set the record straight with her?
The more she thought about it, the creepier she felt. Scenes after scenes from scary movies that she had watched in the past to kill time flashed pass her mind. Yu Duo wanted to go back into her room and hide.
So what if she has to starve for one night?
You just bear it and make it through.
GRUMBLE—
Yu Duo put her hand over her stomach and stared straight ahead.
But she was so hungry. She wanted to bear it and make it through, but her stomach said otherwise.
If she didn’t get something in her, she probably wouldn’t be able to sleep.
GRRUUUMMMMBLE—
Yu Duo gave up fright and continued headed downstairs.
For the sake of not working up Aunty Lian on the first floor, Yu Duo walked on her tiptoes slowly, one step at a time, making no sound at all as she walked.
When she was walking in front of Fu Sinian’s portrait, even her calves were trembling. She dared not look even a little bit sideways; she didn’t want to make eye contact with Fu Sinian’s portrait inadvertently!
Finally, she made it across the living room and into the kitchen. She opened up the refrigerator and pulled out a sandwich and an apple and walked back out of the kitchen stealthy like she was a cat burglar instead of the owner of the house. When she reached the dividing line between the kitchen and the living room, she took a deep breath, mustered up enough courage, and walked in front of Fu Sinian’s shrine with her eyes closed.
WHOOSSHHH—
A chilled wind coming from nowhere made the candles flickered like they were about to go out.