Chapter 24: The Overbearing Village Chief

Hearing the curses outside, I suddenly remembered the chicken stewing in Wang Ying’s pot. Could it be that this mischievous girl stole the chicken from the village woman’s house and slaughtered it? If that were the case, trouble would be brewing—this village woman’s mouth was notorious for stirring things up.

Fortunately, Wang Ying and I lived on the other side, away from Wei Qi. If we were caught red-handed, there would be no easy explanation.

“Sister, what’s happening?” Having spoken to her before, I smiled at the girl.

“That damned Wei Qi, he must have stolen my chicken! I lost two more last night.” She strode over, kicked Wei Qi’s door open with a loud thud, and marched straight inside. “Wei Qi, get out here!”

“Who’s that? So early in the morning…” The door remained shut, Wei Qi’s drowsy voice floated out. Clearly, he hadn’t woken up yet. Well, after drinking almost a pound and a half of white liquor alone, it’s a miracle he’s conscious at all.

“Don’t play dead, Wei Qi. Did you steal my chicken and eat it?” The girl wouldn’t relent, barging in and pushing open the bedroom door.

Wei Qi sprawled on the bed, limbs splayed, wearing nothing but his underwear. His large belly formed a mound, protruding like Mount Fuji. Upon seeing a woman enter, he grabbed the bedsheet and hastily covered himself.

The village woman, bold and unrestrained, didn’t care that I was present or that Wei Qi was nearly naked. She walked over and tugged at his sheet. “What’s there to be afraid of? Nothing worth hiding!”

Before this woman, Wei Qi was like a bashful girl, covering his vital parts with both hands and grinning sheepishly. “Yingzi, don’t be like this. Everything’s showing!”

Yingzi laughed. “Showing? You’re worried about that? Now tell me—did you steal my chicken and cook it?”

Wei Qi looked aggrieved, insisting he hadn’t eaten her chicken, saying that he’d been drinking with me last night, nearly dead drunk, then went straight to bed and just woke up.

Yingzi searched inside and outside his room but found nothing suspicious, and finally said, “Wei Qi, today we’re even. Remember that year when you saw me pee in the wheat field?” With that, she turned and left. As she turned, I clearly saw a blush rise on her cheeks.

Wei Qi sat there, face full of bitterness and helplessness. “Biao, saying that—wasn’t that something only seven- or eight-year-olds would do?”

But in my eyes, Yingzi was anything but naive. She was hinting at something. Ever since that day when she cursed in the street, it had seemed unusual; normally, a girl wouldn’t act that way. Judging by today, she must have feelings for Wei Qi. Her antics were just a way to catch his attention.

“Uncle Qi, I think this girl likes you,” I said with a smile.

“Stop it, a tomboy like her—who would like her?” Wei Qi shook his head, acting indifferent, then suddenly muttered, “I wonder how Shang Xiaoyun is doing?”

“Uncle Qi, you’d better think carefully. Shang Xiaoyun is over forty; men at forty are like blooming flowers, but women—well, it’s a different story.” I knew Wei Qi was interested in Shang Xiaoyun, but their age gap was so wide that it seemed impossible.

“You’re such a busybody. I just asked how Shang Xiaoyun was doing, and you start gossiping. Nonsense. Forget about me, let’s talk about you. How was last night? Did you enjoy yourself?” He started off serious, but the last question turned lewd in an instant.

Looking at his lascivious expression, I almost wished he’d end up with Shang Xiaoyun—an older woman like her could tame him for sure. But my gut told me they had no chance.

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I gave him a sidelong glance and told him honestly that nothing happened last night. He didn’t believe me, and I said he could believe whatever he wanted. I urged him to hurry up and wash so we could go to my temporary home for chicken soup.

Wei Qi’s face lit up at the mention of chicken soup, grinning as he said Wang Ying must have stolen the chicken from Yingzi’s house. He spoke with a sly delight. I was worried; I’d only been in the village for a day, and already new bedding, money, and a rooster had ended up in my house. If I stayed a year, would we rob the whole village? I needed to talk to Wang Ying and make sure she didn’t steal from others.

On the way, I shared this thought with Wei Qi, saying we should earn money honestly by arranging ghost marriages, rather than letting Wang Ying take risks. She was a ghost, not a human, and her thinking was quite different now, so I needed to guide her.

Wei Qi smacked his lips and said everything was fate—losses, just like birth, aging, sickness, and death, were part of one’s destiny, inevitably ordained, so I shouldn’t fuss too much. But I insisted; a gentleman pursues wealth by proper means, and Wang Ying absolutely couldn’t continue this.

Wei Qi agreed, suggesting we open a joint business in town, a Yin-Yang Hall, handling affairs for the dead and earning some money honestly. I knew my second uncle sent me here to learn from Wei Qi, and aside from stopping Wang Ying from stealing, I was willing to do anything.

When Wei Qi and I returned to my temporary home, Wang Ying had already served the chicken soup. The white meat, golden broth, green coriander, and clear scallions looked appetizing indeed. Seeing this sumptuous soup, I thought Wang Ying must have been a clever girl when she was alive, given her cooking skills.

Wei Qi heaped praise on Wang Ying’s chicken soup, inviting her to join us. Wang Ying smiled and said she didn’t need to eat; it would be a waste and bad for her body. That made me realize she didn’t need food—my blood was enough.

As we were feasting, the door opened and a few people walked in. At the head was a man of about forty, followed by three police officers in peaked caps.

Seeing them, Wei Qi stood up with a smile and addressed the forty-something man, “Uncle Village Chief, what brings you…”

The man smacked his lips and forced a bitter smile. “Nephew, there’s big trouble. A thief came last night—my house was robbed.” As he spoke, his eyes swept around, searching. When he saw Wang Ying and me, his gaze lingered.

My heart skipped. This must be about the stolen bedding or money—something Wang Ying took last night.

“Uncle, what was stolen?” Wei Qi glanced at me, and from his expression, I could tell he had guessed the truth.

“Money, what else! Five thousand yuan, meant for buying a hand tractor, gone.” He stared at me intently, probably because he didn’t recognize me and was beginning to suspect.

“Uncle Village Chief, this is my friend, here for a ghost wedding—a newlywed visiting.” Wei Qi hurried to explain as the man looked at me. From his words, I understood this was the village chief. His fat face, big belly, and domineering air showed he was spoiled by the villagers.

“Nephew, sorry. The police are here; we have to search every house and check footprints left behind.” He wore a self-satisfied, arrogant smirk. I was annoyed—if even a village chief could be so arrogant, imagine if he held higher office!

“Don’t bother. I went to your house—not only took your money, but borrowed your bedding too.” At that moment, Wang Ying stepped forward.

“You?” The man looked at Wang Ying, then laughed, eyes fixed on her with a vulgar, lewd air. “Miss, don’t joke. We’re just going through the motions.”

Wang Ying sneered. “Village Chief, I’m not joking. I did go to your house last night. While wandering around, I saw your lights on late, so I went in. I saw someone delivering gifts; you were selling homestead plots illegally, and someone gave you five thousand yuan, which you stuffed under your pillow. I took it. Then I went to your son’s room and took a quilt.” The female ghost recounted everything plainly. My doubts vanished—the truth was revealed.

The man’s face alternated red and pale, then he forced a smile. “Don’t joke like that, don’t joke. Director Zhang, let’s check the next house.” From his evasive look, I understood Wang Ying was telling the truth. Last night’s money had been ill-gotten.

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“It’s not a joke—it’s true. Look, here’s your newlywed son and daughter-in-law’s quilt.” Wang Ying brought out the bedding. The villagers, who had gathered to watch, erupted in an uproar. Their discussion wasn’t about the quilt, but about the five thousand yuan and the illegal land sale.

The village chief snapped back to attention, his face darkening as he shouted at Wang Ying, “Who are you? Slandering me with talk of illegal land sales—clearly you’re an outsider and a thief. Director Zhang, arrest her!”

Director Zhang, shifty-eyed and crafty, had often drunk with the chief, so naturally he sided with him. Prompted, he quickly ordered two officers, “Since we’ve caught her with stolen goods, take her to the station and investigate—give the people an answer.”

The two young officers, following orders, pulled out handcuffs to arrest Wang Ying. I hurriedly stopped them. “Guys, let’s talk. She’s not well—mentally ill. We’ll return the money and bedding.” At this point, no one would believe we hadn’t stolen anything. I had to do this; if Wang Ying were arrested, given her temperament as a female ghost, there was no telling what disaster might ensue.

“Who are you?” Director Zhang asked arrogantly. In truth, all small-town bureaucrats have the same attitude, always thinking themselves above the common folk.

“I’m Wang Dachuan, she’s my wife. She’s mentally ill. Please show mercy—we’ll return the money soon.” Even I felt I was groveling.

“Did you go to the chief’s house last night?” Director Zhang demanded sternly.

“No, I didn’t.”

“If not, step aside. Don’t obstruct law enforcement, or you’ll be arrested for that too.”

Seeing no room for negotiation, I looked to Wei Qi for help. Wei Qi approached the village chief, smiling, and offered him a cigarette. “Uncle, these two are friends. His wife’s not well, accidentally entered your house last night. Let her return the money and things—please let them off for her sake.”

The chief glanced sidelong and sneered. “Wei Qi, your superstitious tricks I ignore, but bringing thieves into the village is your fault. For the sake of our family connection, I’ll let you off, but if you shelter criminals, I can’t save you.”

“Uncle, don’t say that. What do you mean by ‘superstitious tricks’? If you put it that way, I won’t bother anymore. But if something serious happens, don’t come to me.”

The chief sneered again. “Wei Qi, are you threatening me?”

Wei Qi sneered back. “Village Chief, I wouldn’t dare and don’t care to threaten you. I just want to warn you—if you ignore my advice, you’ll get what’s coming to you.”

Wei Qi’s words made the chief even angrier, his face darkening like an eggplant after autumn frost. He growled, “Director Zhang, arrest them!”

I knew Wang Ying absolutely couldn’t be taken away. My concern wasn’t for her, but for those who might try to arrest her. These people were ordinary mortals, no match for a ghost possessing a corpse; a single misstep could result in a fatal disaster. I hurriedly blocked Director Zhang. “Director Zhang, please don’t use force. Don’t arrest her.”

“Arrest him first, for obstructing law enforcement.” Director Zhang said, grabbing an electric baton from the car, pressing the button so it crackled menacingly.