The photograph was a class picture. Old-fashioned wooden student benches were arranged in a tiered fashion with long wooden tables, and the students stood on them, arranged in rows above and below.
Among them.
His father had also marked two students in red circles on the screenshot. One male and one female. The male bore a strong resemblance to Zhang Wei, about seven or eight parts similar. Even if his father hadn't said anything, Zhang Wei could tell it was him.
Involuntarily.
Zhang Wei looked at the girl marked with a red circle. She had above-average looks, with long, straight black hair cascading down her shoulders. It was important to note that back then, there weren't as many magical makeup techniques as there are now. Girls were all natural-faced, and their looks could be considered beautiful.
"She's a bit less attractive than Mom, but if she were dressed up a bit now, she'd definitely be a great beauty."
Looking at the girl in the photo, Zhang Wei gave his evaluation. At the same time, he noticed that although it was a group photo, at the moment it was taken, her gaze wasn't directed at the camera in front. Instead, it was captured looking towards a male student, precisely his father in his youth.
Instantly.
Although he didn't believe his father's words, Zhang Wei could see that this woman was indeed interested in his father.
"How about that? Didn't I lie to you? That girl in the photo is the one I told you about. Your mother knows about this too. It's a shame the technology back then wasn't good. Although plastic surgery was somewhat popular in Hong Kong and abroad, the technology wasn't mature. She came from a wealthy family, and something went wrong during the procedure. That's why I go to pay respects at her grave every year."
His father spoke.
Zhang Wei was surprised and sighed a little.
"I wouldn't have guessed you had such an experience, Dad. Anyway, are you sure you're not coming back for the summer vacation?"
"Yes, we're going to the Maldives. Since you've somehow gotten so much money recently, I'm retiring early. That's all, your mother is calling me for a sauna."
With that.
Zhang Wei's father didn't say much more, hung up the phone, and happily followed Zhang Wei's mother, hand in hand, to the sauna.
On the way.
His mother didn't forget to ask:
"What did you talk about with your son?"
"We talked about He Juan."
"Hmm? He Juan? Why did you suddenly mention her? Speaking of which, her death anniversary is coming up soon. Are you going to pay respects to her this year?"
"Yes, of course, I have to. She died because of me, to some extent."
"Then after we go to the Maldives, we'll come back and pay respects to He Juan."
In her words.
His mother seemed to know He Juan as well, murmuring:
"If she hadn't died back then and lived until now, she would definitely be very happy. After all, cosmetic surgery technology is so much better than before."
"Indeed, with the cosmetic surgery technology in that country over there nowadays, she would definitely like it."
...
On the other side.
At Xiamen City University, in Zhang Wei's dormitory.
After finishing his call with his father, Zhang Wei wasn't idle. Thinking about going to Sakura Country, he sent messages to Qiu Xiaolin and Lu Lianxue. Since Yu Xiaoqi said that accommodation and food were all covered, bringing more companions shouldn't be a problem.
Afterwards.
After some inquiries, Qiu Xiaolin and the others decided not to go to Sakura Country with Zhang Wei. Although Akihabara was there and they wanted to go, they still refused. Upon learning that Zhang Wei's strength had reached the level of a top Ghost King, they felt immense pressure and wanted to improve their strength as soon as possible.
【Zhang Wei】: Then you all be careful. Remember to always carry the protective talismans I gave you.
Zhang Wei replied to their messages.
Immediately after.
He logged into the Wei Dao Si forum and clicked on the international section. Since he had decided to go to Sakura Country and heard that there were many ghosts there recently, he couldn't just sit back and do nothing. He needed to understand more. He planned to finish reading the Wei Dao Si forum and then check the international ghost hunter forums.
And just as Yu Xiaoqi had said, sure enough, as soon as he clicked on the international section, the first post he saw was about Sakura Country.
【You might not believe this, but I went to Sakura Country for tourism, to the red-light district, and before I could enjoy myself downstairs, I peed myself. I encountered a Hundred Ghost Night Parade.】
Looking at the post date, it was published three days ago.
Seeing this.
Zhang Wei muttered to himself:
"It seems that the class representative wasn't wrong. The situation seems to be even more unfavorable. A Hundred Ghost Night Parade could happen in Tokyo, Sakura Country. Although it's a place for enjoyment, there should be quite a few ghost hunters there too. How could a Hundred Ghost Night Parade happen?"
Zhang Wei had some understanding of the Hundred Ghost Night Parade. The ghosts of Sakura Country admired strength and were fond of forming cliques. Once they gained power, they loved to lead their ghost subordinates on rampages. This was most prevalent in ancient Sakura Country, with the most famous being the Hundred Ghost Night Parade of the Sliding Ghost and the Hundred Ghost Night Parade of Shuten-doji.
And at the same time.
Being able to have a Hundred Ghost Night Parade indicated the presence of a powerful ghost, at least at the Ghost King level, otherwise, how could it command a region of ghosts?
Subsequently.
Zhang Wei logged into the international forum again and found quite a few posts about Sakura Country, all posted by foreign ghost hunters, some from Sakura Country and some from other countries.
【Who said Sadako was weak? I went there. I originally planned to reenact the content of the Asian movie 'Sadako's Passionate Battle with the Ghost Hunter,' but I almost died there.】
【When you encounter Sadako, don't think about sealing her through the TV, trapping Sadako with the TV, and then doing whatever you want. It doesn't work! Don't ask why, just ask because I've personally tested it!】
【I can't anymore, this is hilarious. So the Kappa in Sakura Country really have that receding hairline look.】
【I went to Sakura Country, and the toilet Hanako cured my years of constipation. I was scared to death.】
【……】
Looking at each post, all of which were recently published, with the last one even being posted today, Zhang Wei's eyes gleamed:
"It seems that ghosts are rampant in Sakura Country. They really need me to reap some benefits."
In his words.
Zhang Wei decided to go to Sakura Country with the class representative.
"While traveling in Sakura Country, I can also earn system points. It seems this summer vacation won't be boring."
...
Time flew by.
In the following ten days or so, as he was going to Sakura Country for summer vacation, Zhang Wei spent most of his time accompanying Qiu Xiaolin and Lu Lianxue, in addition to preparing his thesis. The Demon God's Heart glowed every day, and Zhang Wei actively used it, making him shine brightly in the hotels of Great Xia.
Soon.
Amidst the joyous and carefree times, Zhang Wei welcomed the arrival of his university summer vacation.
Today.
On the morning of the fourth day of summer vacation.
At the security check entrance of Xiamen City Airport, Zhang Wei said goodbye to Lu Lianxue and Qiu Xiaolin.
"Xiao Wei Zi, I heard that supernatural events in Sakura Country are becoming more frequent. Don't just focus on playing; pay attention to your safety, okay? You can only be defeated by us, not by others. Not even female ghosts."
"Zhang Wei, your strength is very strong now, but Sakura Country also has some powerful ghosts. You can't let your guard down."
Facing their words, Zhang Wei rubbed their heads.
"Okay, okay, don't worry. I'm not just going to Sakura Country for tourism this time; I'm going for the ghosts."
At this moment, Li Junfei, who had come to see Zhang Wei off, also spoke.
"Class monitor, Xiaolin, you don't need to worry about Brother Wei. With Brother Wei's situation, I think you should be more worried about the ghosts in Sakura Country, haha."
In his words.
Li Junfei gave Zhang Wei a knowing glance.
Afterwards.
After a few more exchanges, Zhang Wei passed through security with Yu Xiaoqi and boarded the plane, heading to Sakura Country.
...