Bian Pozi in Ji Jia Alley was an old widow. After her husband died many years ago, she had never remarried. She had a son. If he were still alive, he would probably be eleven or twelve years old now.
Ever since her husband's early death and her son's disappearance, Bian Pozi's mental state had become somewhat abnormal. She would sit on the steps in front of her house for days on end, watching everyone who passed by. When she saw children playing alone on the street, she would anxiously rush forward, grab the child's arm, and insist on taking them home before she would stop.
At first, people were afraid and worried for a while, fearing that her condition might worsen and lead to violent behavior. But gradually, people realized that apart from forcibly taking home children playing alone, Bian Pozi showed no other symptoms, and they let her be.
The neighbors, seeing her pitiable state, had helped her a lot over the years. During their leisure time, they often lamented Bian Pozi's misfortune: losing her husband at a young age, then her son, and now being mentally unstable. What would become of her in the future? There were so many people in the world, yet none to accompany her, none to collect her body.
But unexpectedly, just a few days ago, they saw a pair of sisters in Bian Pozi's yard. Bian Pozi said that her elder brother's family had encountered trouble, leaving only these two sisters, so they had come to seek refuge with her.
The neighbors thought the sisters had only arrived recently, but Liu Lanzi's eldest son said they had arrived months ago.
That day, the frost fell, and it got dark very early. Liu Lanzi's eldest son finished work a bit late and happened to meet a pair of sisters who were looking for Bian Pozi. According to Liu Lanzi's eldest son, the sisters were sallow and thin, with hardly any flesh on their bones. The elder sister, in particular, was like a willow catkin, easily blown away by the wind.
Liu Lanzi's eldest son pointed the way for the sisters. He was kind-hearted and waited until he saw Bian Pozi arrive at the door, then with a mixture of sadness and joy, he welcomed them in, before finally going into his own home with peace of mind.
These events, if not for the sudden appearance of two unfamiliar faces in Ji Jia Alley a few days ago, and if not for Liu Lanzi's eldest son revealing it, they would not have known anything. Oh, yes, there was one more thing: after the sisters left, Liu Lanzi's eldest son's delirium was cured.
Just over half a month ago, Liu Lanzi's eldest son suddenly developed a delirium, shouting that he had seen ghosts. Liu Lanzi had tried every method, but none worked. It wasn't until these two sisters had recovered their health and started walking around that it was revealed that his delirium was caused by the scare from these two sisters. Indeed, who wouldn't think of them as ghosts if they saw two living people enter Bian Pozi's house, yet hadn't seen them in the alley for months, as if they had vanished into thin air!
"Feng Jiu, you're back~"
Nan Shiying returned to Ji Jia Alley with Chu Zi. As they entered the alley, they bumped into Aunt Wang from the opposite house. Nan Shiying nodded shyly, shrugging her shoulders slightly, like a timid quail. In the past few days, the neighbors had all heard about the sisters' ordeal, and seeing her appearance, no one said anything harsh. Besides pity, there was also some regret.
"Auntie, are you going out!"
Chu Zi looked up and struck up a conversation with Aunt Wang.
Perhaps it was because she was still young, but she seemed somewhat carefree. However, she appeared more likable than her sister.
"Ah, yes, these days there are yamen runners all over the streets and alleys, making business difficult. The vegetables in Jilin Street are a copper coin cheaper than usual. I have nothing to do at home, so I plan to walk a bit further to buy some vegetables from Jilin Street."
Aunt Wang was a chatterbox. When Chu Zi asked casually, she would meticulously tell the story from the beginning.
Nan Shiying heard that she was going to Jilin Street and looked up slightly. Jilin Street didn't seem far from Linlong Temple.
To save a copper coin by going from here to Jilin Street near the western suburbs, Aunt Wang really didn't mind the effort, Chu Zi thought inwardly. She looked up, about to end the conversation, when she heard the person beside her say in a voice as small as a mosquito, "Aunt Wang, can you take me with you?" Perhaps fearing that Aunt Wang would refuse, she quickly added, "We sisters have come to depend on our aunt, and I haven't found work yet, so I thought, the more we can save, the better!"
"Of course, why not!" Aunt Wang clapped her hands. She was feeling bored on the road, and here someone was sending a pillow as she was dozing off. However, considering the distance, she looked her up and down and said hesitantly, "...But the road is far, and your health..."
"Don't worry, Auntie, my health has recovered, and I definitely won't hold you back."
"Look at what you're saying, Auntie didn't mean it like that. Auntie is worried that you might not be able to handle it. Well, if you think your body can handle it, then come with Auntie."
"Thank you, Auntie!"
"Sister, I..."
Nan Shiying pulled Chu Zi and said to her, "Our aunt is not home now. Go home and wait, so that our aunt doesn't worry when she comes home and can't find us."
"But sister, staying home alone is really too boring. How about..." Chu Zi rolled her eyes, "How about I go with Auntie, and you wait for Auntie at home, like this..."
Chu Zi's voice gradually weakened under Nan Shiying's gaze.
Alright, understood. Sister doesn't want her to go.
"I know!"
Chu Zi lowered her eyes and nodded sullenly.
Aunt Wang, however, cautioned her, "Xiao Die, hurry home. It's not peaceful here now. Our Ji Jia Alley is fine, but I heard that several children have gone missing in the alley next door... Bah, these damnable human traffickers deserve to die!"
As Aunt Wang spoke, her anger flared.
Every family has children. If a child is lost, it's like digging flesh from the mother's body!
Chu Zi obediently replied, "I understand, Auntie!"