Ms. Zhang looked ahead in surprise but couldn't see Li Desheng.
Seeing his wife's reaction, Li Desheng choked out, "Honey, I'm right here! Right in front of you."
He then tried to touch Ms. Zhang, but his hand passed right through her, only managing to touch Er Bao, whose Yang energy was weak.
Watching the scene, I felt a pang of emotion. Such a loving family, now separated by death.
Taking a deep breath, I spoke up to remind them, "Sister Zhang, your Yang energy is strong, so you can't see Brother Li. He's right in front of you. Say what you need to say, he can hear you. I'll relay his words."
Li Desheng looked at me with gratitude as I spoke.
Ms. Zhang seemed equally emotional. Facing the invisible Li Desheng, her eyes brimming with tears, she sobbed, "Husband, you worked so hard for this family. Even in death, you think of us, sending money back by driving. Zhang Shumei, I married the right man. But by doing this, Er Bao's health will worsen, and his lifespan may even be shortened. For the child's sake, please rest in peace! I will raise our child well, I promise..."
Although Ms. Zhang was reluctant to part with her husband, she understood that if he lingered, the living would suffer.
Li Desheng was moved by her words. With a heartbroken expression, he reached out a trembling hand to caress Ms. Zhang's face, but she remained oblivious. "Honey, you've worked hard this life..."
I stood by, like a translator, helping Li Desheng convey his thoughts. Watching the scene unfold, I was unsure whether it was heartwarming or chilling.
Beyond this, I also noticed that after their close proximity, wisps of smoke-like energy emanated from Ms. Zhang and Er Bao, and Li Desheng inhaled them into his mouth and nose. My heart skipped a beat. This must be the "human essence," what Master called "jing, qi, and shen." If it continued to drain, healthy people would become listless, their fortunes would decline, just like me. Eventually, the lamp oil would run out, and they would simply wait for death...
The now-conscious Li Desheng clearly perceived this situation. After bidding farewell, he reluctantly hugged Ms. Zhang and Er Bao, then took a few steps back. "Wife, I'm leaving. This life was worth it. If there's a next life, I'll work hard to earn money. I hope to meet you again and give you happiness..." With that, Li Desheng unwillingly opened the door and prepared to leave.
Ms. Zhang, listening to my translation, was weeping uncontrollably. She nodded repeatedly, waving her hand. Er Bao, seeing Li Desheng about to leave, kept calling "Dad" and also cried. "Er Bao, Daddy is going to work far away. Listen to your mother! Be filial to her from now on!" After saying this, he forced a smile and left the room without looking back.
Seeing Li Desheng depart, I looked at the grieving mother and son, my heart aching. But all I could do was offer, "Sister Zhang, Brother Li has left. I'll see him off. You two should get some rest..." My heart was filled with emotion, but I didn't linger. Picking up my small cloth bag, I also opened the door and left the room. Closing the door, I could still hear Ms. Zhang and Er Bao crying inside. I took a long breath and then went downstairs.
Downstairs, I found Brother Li standing in the corridor, gazing up at his own window. Seeing me descend, he withdrew his gaze and said, "Brother, escort me out."
I responded with a hum and a nod, signaling Li Desheng to follow me. According to what Master taught me, to send off a ghost, one must first find a three-way intersection. There was one just outside the residential complex.
I led Li Desheng out of the complex to this intersection. It was an old neighborhood, and the streetlights cast a dim yellow glow. Besides Li Desheng and me, there was no one else on the street. I opened my cloth bag, took out incense, candles, and joss paper, and said, "Brother Li, this is it! After I light the incense and candles, you just walk west down this path, and you can go."
Li Desheng was still lost in grief and simply nodded at me. I lit the incense and candles at the intersection, wrote Li Desheng's name on a piece of yellow paper, and burned it in the candlelight. "Brother Li, you can start your journey now."
Li Desheng smiled faintly at me. "Brother, thank you! Your girlfriend is very beautiful, I wish you both a happy union." With that, Li Desheng started walking forward. But I found it very strange. I was a single man, what girlfriend? Beautiful, where did that come from?
"Brother Li, I'm still single! I don't have a girlfriend!" I said with a wry smile.
Li Ge paused, looking at me with surprise. "The girl who called a taxi for you last time and sat in the passenger seat, wasn't she your girlfriend?"
Hearing this, my heart skipped a beat. The girl who called a taxi for me and sat in the passenger seat? I looked shocked. "That girl in the mask? We don't know each other at all!"
But Brother Li laughed heartily, giving me a meaningful look. "I saw her on my way downstairs just now. Never mind, I should be going now. You two should head home early too! Brother, thank you!" With that, Brother Li walked west without looking back. Guided by the incense smoke, he vanished from my sight after only a few steps...