deltrittennovels #579 - Meet Wang Lina again, tears well up in my eyes
#579 - Meet Wang Lina again, tears well up in my eyes
Chen Xiang lightly stroked her short hair, dyed with a few strands of light brown, revealing a helpless smile, the fine lines at the corners of her eyes showing the kind of tolerance and care unique to elders.
“Oh dear, I'm really sorry…” Her voice was gentle with a hint of apology, “The child has grown up, and in this situation, besides nagging a few more times, I have no other way.”
Tang Yin stood in a corner of the cafeteria, watching Chen Xiang's slightly tired expression, and thought to himself: This is probably the last bit of dignity of a strict mother. Adolescence and rebellion are indeed an eternal and incomprehensible problem.
Xia Hui suddenly turned around, her dark eyes sparkling with cunning. Today, she was wearing a beige knitted cardigan, which made her look much gentler. “Tang Yin, come here, come here.” She beckoned to Tang Yin.
Tang Yin walked to Xia Hui's side, and could smell the faint scent of gardenias on her. Xia Hui lowered her voice, but her eyes were filled with exploration and vigilance: “Could it be that you are from the underworld? Did you escape here because you were being chased? If you are caught, will you have to sacrifice a limb as an apology?”
Tang Yin was stunned for a moment, then smiled wryly and responded in a low voice: “Oh, of course not. Cutting off fingers is just a joke, I won't use these things to cause trouble for everyone.”
“...That's good...” Xia Hui breathed a sigh of relief, but her eyes still held a hint of suspicion.
I'm being suspected again.
Tang Yin sighed in his heart, it seems that he still has to be more low-key. After all, he didn't come here to play.
It would be bad if he didn't find out anything and was restricted from freedom like the last reincarnation.
“...In short, I can do any odd jobs, please feel free to order me.” Tang Yin lowered his head slightly, pretending to be respectful. The broken hair on his forehead slightly covered his eyes, and no one could see the deep meaning flashing in his eyes.
Chen Xiang tidied up the beige trench coat draped over the back of the chair and said softly, “Ah, um, it doesn't matter. Anyway, the matter has been decided by the higher-ups, but, has the accommodation been arranged?”
What? Tang Yin was shocked in his heart, he originally thought that this matter had been properly arranged by them.
“Then I'll go and say hello to everyone, who should I ask about this matter?” Tang Yin asked tentatively.
“Basically, Rong Po is in charge of matters concerning the land...” Chen Xiang's words were interrupted by Xia Hui.
“It's the old woman from before, her house is in a small house we passed by while driving.” Xia Hui added, her slender fingers pointing out the window.
Tang Yin recalled that Zhao Gang had borrowed the dormitory key from Rong Po before, it seems that this old woman has an extraordinary status in Wuyin Village, like a landlord.
“Could she be nearby, for example, visiting Hualu?” Tang Yin tried to ask.
“Oh dear, what's wrong with Hualu?” Chen Xiang was shocked when she heard this.
“She accidentally fell and hit her head just now...” Xia Hui quickly explained.
Tang Yin felt that it was better to let Xia Hui explain this matter, while he turned around and prepared to open the door of the village cafeteria, wanting to see the situation outside the square.
Just as he reached out to touch the doorknob, the door was pulled open from the outside. The face standing outside the door made Tang Yin's heart skip a beat, and he almost blurted out the name engraved in his memory.
Wang Lina.
She was still the same as he remembered, with long black hair draped over her shoulders, and fair skin that was almost transparent in the sunlight. It was just that her eyes, which were always smiling, were now as calm as a pool of stagnant water, making it impossible to see any emotion.
Memories flooded in like a tide, and the scene of that rainy night kept flashing in Tang Yin's mind.
The incredible phenomenon of death regression, is this wonderful phenomenon allowing them to reunite? Tang Yin didn't know whether he should think so, but his heart couldn't calm down.
Forcing himself to suppress the surging emotions, Tang Yin squeezed out a decent smile, “Nice to meet you.” He heard his voice was steady, as if he was really greeting a stranger.
However.
“That.”
Wang Lina only said these simple three words, and tears rolled down from her eyes like broken pearls. Today, she was wearing a light blue dress, and the hem of her dress swayed gently with her slight trembling.
“Oh dear? Is there sand in my eyes?” She said in a calm and almost eerie tone, but tears poured out uncontrollably, sliding down her fair cheeks and gathering into crystal water droplets at her chin.
“W-What's going on, that, that, Aunt Chen Xiang! Sorry, can you give me a handkerchief!?” Wang Lina's voice was full of confusion, as if she didn't understand her sudden loss of control. Her slender fingers wiped her face helplessly, but she couldn't stop the endless tears.
Chen Xiang quickly rummaged through her bag, “Oh dear, what's wrong? Here's a handkerchief.” She handed over a light pink handkerchief, her eyes filled with concern.
“I don't know either, are they not cooking tear gas here?” Wang Lina took the handkerchief and tried to ease the awkward atmosphere with a joke.
“Could it be that the marinated beast meat made for the reporters has expired.” Chen Xiang cooperated with her joke and said softly.
“It's nothing, it's nothing, just kidding! How should I say it, it should be because I've reached menopause!?” Wang Lina squeezed out a smile, but the smile looked particularly bitter against the backdrop of tears.
“Haha, Wang Lina, you are still young.” Chen Xiang said gently.
“Ah haha... Um, sorry, I made you laugh.” Wang Lina wiped her tears with a handkerchief, her eyes were already red from crying, but her voice still maintained a cheerful and lively tone, as if the previous gaffe was just an illusion.
“You are the young man who moved to Wuyin Village today...” She used a stranger's address, which made Tang Yin's heart clench again. Why did she suddenly cry? Could it be that her body also remembers something?
“Um. Do I look that scary?” Tang Yin said casually, trying to ease the faint awkwardness in the air.
“No, no, no, no! You look very good! How should I say it, this should be a, mysterious phenomenon.” Wang Lina waved her hands repeatedly, her long hair swaying gently with the movement, glowing softly in the sunlight.
“Ah, I am Wang Lina, a student on vacation back in my hometown, my first impression of you may be a bit bad, please give me your advice.” She bowed deeply, her black hair falling like a waterfall.
Looking at her respectful appearance, Tang Yin's heart sank. As expected, she didn't remember him at all. Those shared memories, those promises, those smiles and tears, were all that he was left to remember.
Tang Yin stood on the mountain road, recalling his death when he got lost while riding his bike, and the incredible regression phenomenon. The cool mountain breeze brushed his cheeks, carrying the moist smell of soil, this real touch made him have to admit that even if it violated common sense, all of this did happen.
He touched his temples, trying to sort out his chaotic thoughts. He couldn't make any reasonable explanation for this supernatural phenomenon. Perhaps, death regression is triggered by his death? In that case, it makes sense that only he retains the memory of the last time...
But on second thought, can he really draw such a simple conclusion?
Tang Yin looked up at the darkening sky, his thoughts becoming more and more chaotic. Even if others also retained the memory of the last time, it seems perfectly reasonable. Moreover, his own memory is fragmented, and many important things are suddenly remembered at critical moments.
Maybe, although others have almost completely forgotten what happened, there are still some subtle fragments of emotion left in the depths of their hearts? Just like Wang Lina's sudden tears when she saw him...
Tang Yin shook his head abruptly, stopping himself from continuing to think wildly.
The tragic ending has not yet happened, but he is thinking of seeking her comfort, this is just his wishful thinking.
If there is really fate, it is not too late to pursue her again after everything is over. After all, love built on death, despair, and the suspension bridge effect is better left in novels.
After casually exchanging greetings with Wang Lina, Tang Yin looked at his watch and realized that time was running out, and he had to find a place to live as soon as possible. Thinking of the previous plan, he decided to go to Hualu's house first.
The light of dusk sprinkled on the wooden hut through the gaps in the leaves, making the whole house appear quiet and empty. Tang Yin stood in front of the door, hesitated for a moment, and then gently knocked on the wooden door.
“Who is it?”
It was Xiaomei's clear voice coming from inside the door. Tang Yin was not sure if she could understand his words, but he still tried to answer: “I am Tang Yin from before.”
“Who was it before?” Xiaomei's innocent voice was full of doubt.
“No, ah... That, I am Tang Yin, is Po Po here?”
“Not here.”
Hearing this answer, Tang Yin sighed, it seems that he made a wasted trip. “I see, then goodbye.” He turned around to leave.
“Um, ah, that... Brother, Tang Yin brother?” Xiaomei suddenly called out to him again, but the address was still not right.
Just then, a timid voice sounded: “P-Please wait.”
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Tang Yin turned around and saw Hualu standing at the door, she was wearing a light purple dress, and her slender figure looked particularly weak in the twilight. The sunlight flowed on her light brown hair, plating her with a layer of gentle light.
Since he met Hualu, then wait and see.
...
The wooden door creaked open, and in the twilight, Hualu's slender figure appeared at the door. She lowered her head, her long hair covering half of her face, and her voice was so soft that it was almost blown away by the mountain wind: “...Sorry to keep you waiting. May I ask, is there anything I can do for you?”
Tang Yin noticed that her fingers were unconsciously twisting the corners of her skirt, it seems that she is an easily nervous girl. He softened his tone and said: “I am here to find Rong Po, I thought she came here to see you just now.”
Hualu raised her head, revealing a pair of clear eyes: “I haven't met her yet.”
“I see, then I will take my leave first.” Tang Yin turned to leave.
“No, that, may I ask what you are looking for Rong Po for?” Hualu suddenly raised her voice, and then shrank her shoulders as if she was frightened by her own voice.
“Oh, it's nothing, I'm going to live here, but I don't have a place to live yet.” Tang Yin answered truthfully.
“Live here?” Hualu's eyes widened slightly.
“...Yes, so I want to discuss it with her.”
“Oh oh oh.” Hualu echoed repeatedly, her tone carrying some kind of inexplicable meaning.
Tang Yin was wondering what her reaction meant, when he heard her continue to say: “However, you don't have a place to live, this won't do.”
“Um.”
Hualu's expression suddenly became serious: “Because, when the evening mist rises, the mad feast will come.”
Her voice carried a trace of imperceptible trembling: “For the people of Baifeng Village, the rising mist is a very ominous thing. According to local customs, when the mist rises, you must first wash your body, close the door and stay indoors alone, and sleep until dawn.”
Purification, taboos, dream pillows... these words flashed through Tang Yin's mind.
“...It really is an interesting custom.” Tang Yin squeezed out a smile. If he didn't know the tragedy that was about to happen, perhaps he would really be interested in these ancient customs.
“...That, I don't know if it counts as meddling, I know the location of an empty room.” Hualu suddenly said, her voice carrying a bit of hesitation.
“Eh.” Before Tang Yin could ask or decline, Hualu had already turned around and shouted into the house: “Xiaomei, go play by yourself.”
Then she quickly walked into the room and took out an old key with verdigris on it. Without waiting for Tang Yin to ask or decline, she took the lead and walked out of the hut.
Tang Yin had no choice but to follow her.
The setting sun stretched the shadows of the two people very long, Hualu walked in front, her long hair swaying gently with her steps. She walked through the cobblestone square and walked down the hillside.
Suddenly, her foot slipped, and the whole person lunged forward. Tang Yin subconsciously reached out to help, but it was still a step too late.
“It hurts...” Hualu rubbed her knee and stood up, the hem of her skirt stained with some dirt.
“Indeed...” Tang Yin looked at her with some worry.
Before they walked far, Hualu tripped again. She seemed to be used to this situation: “...I often fall and hurt my head, I'm used to pain and such.”
“That won't do, wearing something like that, you better not walk on the grass.” Tang Yin looked at her thin dress and couldn't help but remind her.
This girl is more reckless than he imagined.
“This is also the responsibility of the Hua family.” She said in a calm tone, as if stating a very ordinary fact.
“Is that so?” Tang Yin tilted his head curiously.
“Spiders are the maids of the sleeping quarters.” Hualu suddenly said such a sentence.
“...”
Tang Yin was stunned. It was the first time he heard this term, maids of the sleeping quarters... referring to maids in the bedroom? This title sounds somewhat ambiguous.
After all, this is a closed mountain village that is not so influenced by the outside world, are there really some vulgar customs?
He shook his head, trying to shake off those indecent associations in his mind.