When Xiao Mei asked about fatty and Xing Man Tian, Xiao Bei’s facial expression froze as he felt a sudden burst of dejection.
“They……They……They are no longer in this world……”
“Oh……I’m sorry……I……It’s not intentional……”
“It’s fine, let’s continue eating.” Xiao Bei lowered his head and continuously stuffed his mouth with food as if by putting efforts in eating, he would be able to forget everything that had happened before.
Afterward, the original joyous atmosphere became awkward. None started any conversation as everyone had their heads lowered and were now immersed in eating. The table was quiet. But eventually, the awkwardly quiet atmosphere did not linger on for long. During the time when they were returning the bowls and chopsticks, Yang Chen took the initiative to break the silence.
“Xiao Bei, I’m really sorry. If I had known earlier, then……”
“It’s alright, don’t mention it. Oh, yes, when are you guys going back? What are your plans? I feel that the situation isn’t that simple.” Following that, Xiao Bei narrated one more time about his past experience in the ancient tomb to Yang Chen and the rest. As Qiu Yu’s group was the first to leave, they wouldn’t be able to tell Yang Chen whatever that had happened afterward.
Looking at Xiao Bei’s lifeless and gloomy expression, Yang Chen puzzledly asked, “What about you? Are you not coming with us? I know that now for the moment you are unable to agree, but……”
“That’s enough, I have already made my decision. You also know my character and for many years it has not changed. Even if the matter is extremely difficult, regardless of how many will try to stop me, it would not change my thoughts and decision, moreover, ” Xiao Bei broke off and shot a glance outside the window before continuing, “I still got some things to take care of here. You guys do no need to bother about me. Once I have settled my matters here, I will then go back to look for you guys.”
“No!” Yang Chen’s tone became extremely firm. “How can I be at ease leaving you by yourself here. According to what you had said, you are currently still in danger! I will never repeat my previous mistake. If you are not coming with us, then I will stay here with you!”
“I don’t want to implicate you guys, really, I’m worried that you guys would get involved in this matter. Though none of us could control this matter’s outcome, I can only assure you that I will do my best to look out for my own safety. You are my best brother, so like you, I also don’t wish to see you get injured. Do you understand?” Xiao Bei sighed. He noticed that he had been sighing quite frequently nowadays. This matter had been overwhelming him, causing him to feel like he was unable to breathe.
Xiao Bei suddenly recalled fatty’s words. Perhaps, death is the best choice to free oneself.
“You’re back.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, the real you is back. You have turned back to the past Xiao Bei and is no longer the Xiao Bei that was polluted by the society where his whole body was giving off a foul stench of a city resident.”
“Hēhē.”
Xiao Bei smiled, “That’s why now I’m much more determined, isn’t it?”
“You go back with him.”
Uncle Qia, without knowing when, came over and suddenly spoke.
Xiao Bei looked at Uncle Qia in confusion. What is Uncle Qia thinking of? Why will he want me to go back? However, Xiao Bei knew that what Uncle Qia said was not without basis. For Uncle Qia to tell him to return, there must be a reason. The reason why Xiao Bei wanted to stay was only for the sake of finding the culprit that was hiding in the dark.
Outside became windy.
Suddenly, Uncle Qia without any sign weakly fell to the ground.
“Uncle Qia, what’s wrong?!” Xiao Bei with a single step stood in front of Uncle Qia and supported his body. Yang Chen squatted down and with a single look at Uncle Qia’s complexion, he solemnly spoke, “He’s poisoned!”
“Poisoned?!” This news was like a thunder from a clear sky which struck Xiao Bei’s mind blank. How, why did this happen? Could it be that the culprit behind the scene had already taken action?
That’s right, it must be like this. These thoughts were what was running in Xiao Bei’s mind. This was because Uncle Qia was this village’s only doctor. Once he fell, it would be easier for the culprit behind the scene to carry out his plans!
Xiao Bei and Yang Chen, together supported Uncle Qia into his bedroom and laid him on his bed.
“Please, nothing must happen to you ah.” Xiao Bei clasped his hands together and softly prayed. However, praying was useless as he knew in this heart that he had to quickly uncover the truth. Only by doing this would he be able to save those people around him.
After Xiao Bei had prayed for 5 to 6 minutes, he then allowed Yang Chen to take care of Uncle Qia while he went out.
Xiao Bei arrived outside and found Qiu Yu. They both softly conversed for a moment before he once again returned to the bedside. His face was filled with worries as he looked at Uncle Qia who was lying on the bed without moving like he was sleeping. If it wasn’t because there was still a weak heart beat, there wouldn’t be any difference between Uncle Qia’s body and a recently dead person’s body.
Xiao Bei suddenly thought of a question. When was he poisoned? Why did Uncle Qia unexpectedly want him to go back? Xiao Bei probed Uncle Qia’s body for a while and in Uncle Qia’s shirt pocket, he found a small plastic bag.
Inside was the seed of that poisonous plant.
Are there problems regarding this seed? Uncle Qia would not always carry it but now he had brought it along to come find him. It must be related to this seed. Xiao Bei’s mind was operating at lightning speed as he tried to find any tiny clues.
This kind of thing would definitely not cause people to fall under suspended animation and Uncle Qia should not have been poisoned by this kind of toxic. After further consideration, Xiao Bei recalled that mysterious plant’s seed would release a highly toxic poison the moment it sprouts. Afterward, it would ‘revive’ the deceased and turn it into a zombie that would randomly attack. With this village’s current technology, it isn’t enough to help search for any information regarding this plant. Was the reason why Uncle Qia wanted him to go back was for him to investigate on where the plant had come from? The more Xiao Bei thought about it, the more he felt that his guess was correct.
Hence, Xiao Bei decided to return with Yang Chen and the rest.
“Uncle Qia, I’m sorry. Villagers, I’m sorry. It’s all my fault, I had brought bad luck to this village. I will definitely account for this case. Please bless me.” After Xiao Bei had finished silently contemplating, he helped Uncle Qia changed his clothes. As for Yang Chen and the rest, they were outside waiting for him.
Xiao Bei did not inform the villagers about Uncle Qia being unconscious. He did not dare because he did not want to gamble on whether the culprit behind the scene knew of Uncle Qia’s current condition. By concealing this fact for a period of time, perhaps this would cause that person to give up on laying his hands on this place and followed him to leave. However, while Xiao Bei was helping Uncle Qia to change his clothes, another small bag fell to the ground.
This small bag was made of silk and was this village’s unique sachet. Uncle Qia’s one was embroidered with jade green bamboo. This was in line with Uncle Qia’s character of liking plants. Xiao Bei knew that the people living here liked to wear this kind of bag but here was the suspicion.
Undoubtedly, just now when he was probing Uncle Qia’s body, he did not find it ah. So as to settle this suspicion, Xiao Bei carefully pulled open the string that had sealed the opening of the bag. Inside was only some soil-like things. Why did Uncle Qia put these things inside?
Following along from where the sachet had landed, Xiao Bei looked up and noticed that the sachet was pinned within the cuff of Uncle Qia’s sleeve. No wonder he did not find or feel it when he was probing Uncle Qia’s body. These things inside the sachet must have been extremely important. But what’s so special about the soil? Xiao Bei refastened the bag and carried along on this body.
After he quietly left the house, Xiao Bei went to Mi Yi and told her to take good care of Uncle Qia. In the past, it was Mi Yi, this innocent young lady, that saved him. Thus, together with Uncle Qia, their relationship was the best in this village. However, for the sake of not letting his young lady’s pure heart to be polluted, Xiao Bei and Uncle Qia never told her anything. Till now, she was still ignorant of the situation. Xiao Bei weaved a reason, saying that Uncle Qia had come down with a serious illness. He also consoled her, telling her that he had the method to cure Uncle Qia. The reason for not telling everyone was that he was afraid that this would cause them to panic. What’s more, recently, the village was no longer peaceful.
Xiao Bei had told her this was because he trusts that she would not breathe a word about this.
This seventeen-eighteen-year-old young lady fiercely nodded her head and replied, “I will. Even if you didn’t say, I will still take good care of Uncle Qia. At that time, if there wasn’t Uncle Qia, I might not even be here. Please rest assured and leave. You must also be careful, Uncle Qia will be here awaiting your return!”
“You too, the current situation inside the village isn’t that stable. That’s it, I will first go and pack my bag.” Xiao Bei scratched his head and thought for a moment before his expression turned solemn as he added another sentence in a soft voice, “Also, be careful of the black cat.”
