Book 4: Chapter 21: Snowy Handprint

Book 4: Chapter 21: Snowy Handprint

From what the police gathered, the townsfolk were all talking about the vixen hauntings, the traumatized women and the body that appeared out of nowhere. There were no further clues, and in this scenic mountain area, there were no hospitals to preserve the body or do an autopsy. They could only do a basic examination of the scene before sending the corpse to City As public hospital. There they could investigate further.

Therefore, Matsui Iwane, Matsui Noriko and Matsui Shigenoris corpse were sent back to the city. They all checked into the public hospital, but one went into the luxury ward for treatment while another rested quietly in the morgue. A pretty young Japanese wife had to both take care of her father-in-law and arrange her husbands posthumous affairs, earning the sympathetic tears of many kindhearted Chinese folk.

However, no one noticed that there was worship within her respectful attitude towards her father-in-law. Also, when no one was watching in the morgue, she put the tooth of some animal in her deceased husbands mouth.

..

When midnight came around, the hospital gradually grew quiet. A nurse walked along the hallway in the emergency ward, heading straight for the bathroom at the end.

The pitter-patter of her footsteps reverberated, making the space seem even emptier. However, the nurse didnt mind it. She was accustomed to this place. Whenever someone walked in the silence, this sort of noise would always be present. She no longer felt uneasy or frightened while working.

She kicked the bathroom door. It usually swung open easily but this time it didnt open. She kicked a little harder but the door didnt move at all. She hesitated, afraid of germs on the door handle. She could only use a paper towel to grab the handle and give it a hard push. However, the door remained unmoving like a wall.

Did someone lock it from the inside? Thinking of this, she knocked briefly on the doors patterned glass. Is someone inside? She felt she had only lightly knocked a few times, but the crisp sound seemed to shatter the night. Her voice also seemed a little abrupt, making her feel inexplicably nervous.

Is the door broken? She mumbled quietly, a little annoyed. But right as she was about to leave, a blurry figure flashed by behind the patterned glass. She was about to speak and tell the person inside to open up when the figure vanished.

Were her eyes playing tricks? Or was it

She started getting a little scared. There were always such legends in hospitals. People normally didnt think too much of them and treated them as jokes. However, things couldnt help bursting forth at this time.

The door suddenly creaked open. Since her hand was still on the handle, she was almost knocked over. Looking up, it turned out to be that pretty Japanese woman. She wasnt a resident of the ward, but since she was a foreigner and also especially beautiful, the staff had some impression of her as she performed Japanese prayers for her deceased husband in the nearby morgue.

The nurse didnt understand why a resident in the luxury ward needed to use the restroom in the emergency ward. Was it because she couldnt bear being apart from her deceased husband, and went to visit him again? But according to Chinese customs, it wasnt good to keep exchanging glances with the deceased. It seems she would have to give her some guidance.

She was thinking kindhearted thoughts when she finally looked up to see the Japanese woman smiling at her.

She smiled so prettily, so sweetly. Although it made her seem very likeable, it didnt fit her current status as a new widow. Furthermore, her complexion wasnt quite right. Perhaps it was a trick of the light, but her face was covered in layers of shadow. It looked

!@#&*()^*()_ The Japanese woman spoke in a gentle tenor, but the nurse couldnt understand her. She merely responded with a puzzled huh?

But the Japanese women didnt plan on explaining. She merely looked at the empty hallway behind the nurse before suddenly giving a respectful bow. Then, she gestured an invitation towards whatever was behind the nurse.

What did this mean? Was there someone behind her?!

The nurses confusion turned to fright, and she felt her scalp turning numb. She turned around in horror.

The hallway had previously been quiet yet clear. At this moment however, a thick layer of fog suddenly drifted in, making the surroundings dark and murky. Within the fog, something seemed to be moving, making it roil like water while a thudding sound came from within.

The sound gave off a quaking feeling that struck the heart like a hammer. The nurse was scared stiff and could only stand there staring ahead of her.

Thud.thudthud

The sound was getting closer and closer. Gradually, an upright ash-colored figure with a weird posture rushed out!

It was still wrapped in a body bag which covered it like clothing, concealing its limbs. On the zipper in the middle hung a tag that identified the deceaseds identity. It swayed along with its jumping movement, as though waving at someone.

What about you, Ah Zhan?

Sis Wang also says there havent been any movements near the house. Ruan Zhan fiddled with the chopsticks as he stared out the window.

Focus a little, were having a meeting! Ruan Zhans mind seemed to be wandering so Wan Li drew his attention. You promised to help Sis Wang move back to the village with her family. Wouldnt she get in trouble for exceeding the birth quota? Did you use your spirit summoning spell to threaten that old lady?

I wont use spells against good people. Ruan Zhan said earnestly. I merely showed her some illusions, did some fortunetelling and Elder Yan spoke up in support as well. You should know that his words have a lot of weight in the village.

Helping Sis Wang is the right thing to do. Wan Li continued eating. The organic food in the mountain village suited his tastes well. You actually didnt need to use such an exchange of benefits. Just give her some money to watch the house for you. Now you have to figure out how to help her return without getting punished.

She also hates that evil spirit a lot. Although shes timid, she really wants to get revenge for Lazy Three. He wasnt a successful person, but he was a kind and lenient boss. Speaking of this, Ruan Zhan recalled Sis Wang being frightened the ghost would track her down, but still agreed to the task after some hesitation. Of course she also didnt forget to ask for compensation. He couldnt help but smile.

Xiao Xia snuck a glance at him from the side, and hurriedly turned away at the sight.

Buddy! Was there a need to display his lady-killer techniques this early in the morning?!

She almost started drooling. Who would have thought Yue Xiao Xia was a lecher.

Speaking of which, you are pretty lazy. Youre unwilling to cultivate. Otherwise, if we had Yang Mu Yous little flying crane surveillance system, we just need to give that old Matsui fellow a prick, fold a few cranes and let them do all the work. Xiao Xia wouldnt have to worry about her insider classmate being in danger. You also wouldnt have to scurry around the suburbs and city. Wan Li smiled as he spoke. He was just as charming as Ruan Zhan but he had a different air. As for the pricking part, well just leave that to good old Yue Xiao Xia. Did you see how ruthless she was when drawing her own blood? She might send that old fellow to see the king of hell with a cut! Haha!

Xiao Xia was successfully angered, but her heavily bandaged arm was still hurting and she didnt have the energy to bicker with Wan Li. She just rolled her eyes at him. You can piss me off all you want, I wont bicker with you. But you best not make it a habit. Otherwise, when my wounds healed up, Ill beat you until you tremble when you see me. Stinking man!

See, Xiao Xia seems to have become more and more violent! Youve led her astray. Wan Li said to Ruan Zhan.

Ruan Zhan didnt speak. He didnt even dare glance at Xiao Xia. He was deeply afraid the sloppy-looking yet astute Wan Li might discover his inner secret.

Xiao Xia however was worried Ruan Zhan had heard her yelling at the two Yuki-Onna I had my eye on this man first! This made it hard for her to act naturally around him, affecting her plans.

Having hung out together for many days engraved him deeper into her heart. She had planned on inconspicuously taking this man down and bringing him home to use. She had even figured out her strategy and lines. This is called farming villages surrounding the city. However, she realized she was a dog that barked, but couldnt bite. Especially when faced with a man with nowhere to sink her teeth in.

Whats wrong with pinhole cameras? Ruan Zhan responded.

Yesterday he had secretly avoided surveillance and returned to the city. He spent the afternoon videotaping and also soothing Sis Wang. He also had to pose as a small peddler and rent out the basement in the western building next door as his warehouse. This made it easy for Sis Wang to go in and observe.

The love motels basement was definitely the root of this matter. Therefore, that filthy window was the best place to observe.

Careful not to get discovered by that hidden thing watching us. Xiao Xia spoke up.

Seeing Ruan Zhan running around made her worry!

Relax. That stupid thing doesnt know about Ah Zhans various carapace shedding methods. Its still crouching outside, stupidly waiting!

Arent we also just waiting? Xiao Xias impetuous nature made her unable to remain calm.

Well let them do all the work. We can just act as the oriole. Ruan Zhan said comfortingly.

After a day of testing, he was now completely at ease. They could leave whenever they wanted and return the same way without alerting anyone.