Secrets in the Mist

　　"You… you're going to stay at Axiu's house?"

　　Headman Zhang was completely stunned when Li said that. 

　　He hurriedly asked in a low voice, "Is there something wrong with my hospitality? Axiu's house is so small, you…"

　　"No, Headman, your hospitality has been very generous. But we want to experience the rural lifestyle, and your hospitality has been too good. It doesn't feel like we're really in the countryside."

　　Of course, this was a lie that couldn't even be considered half-truth. 

　　In fact, who could be fooled by this flimsy excuse of "experiencing rural life"? 

　　The Headman had clearly offered them a place to stay because of some misunderstanding, but now they could only pretend to be innocent.

　　Seeing that Li insisted, Headman suddenly looked enlightened and said, "Oh, I see, I see."

　　"You, what do you mean?"

　　"I understand. However, Mr. Li, you must remember one thing." 

　　Headman Zhang looked unusually serious as he said to Li: 

　　"Please remember this. Axiu, if she mentions anything about ghosts or the disappearance of some people in the village, don't believe her. It's just nonsense. Yes, there have been a few people who mysteriously disappeared within a month after Bing's death anniversary, but it's just a coincidence."

　　"Coincidence?"

　　"People nowadays want to go to the city to make a living. Many people think that there's no future in staying in the village, especially young people. 

　　They go to the city to work and seek opportunities, thinking that the city is paved with gold. As for why they all chose Bing's death anniversary, I think they probably wanted to attribute everything to the rumors of ghosts. 

　　That way, the villagers wouldn't know that they actually went to the city. Otherwise, if they're found by those nagging villagers in the city, it'll be a lot of trouble."

　　This logic was very weak.

　　Li felt even more that the Headman was deliberately concealing something.

　　"In short… please, Mr. Li, don't believe anything Axiu says," Headman Zhang said solemnly. "She had a very close relationship with Bing, that's why she's like this."

　　After leaving the Headman's house, Li became even more certain that the Headman knew something but wouldn't tell him.

　　And Axiu… was she also hiding something?

　　As they approached Axiu's house, he suddenly noticed a young man wearing glasses walking towards Axiu's house. 

　　When he noticed Li and the others, he immediately frowned.

　　"You… are you the four outsiders from the city?" The young man wearing glasses, Liang, said unhappily: "What are you doing here?"

　　After all, the Headman had greeted them, so out of respect for the Headman, he only maintained a rather cold attitude.

　　Luo also recognized Liang. 

　　He had seen this person this morning.

　　When Axiu was hitting Ling, Liang had also tried to stop her.

　　"I remember you…" Luo thought for a moment and said, "You're called… ,"

　　"Liang." He answered coldly: "My father is the only doctor in the village, and he has a close relationship with the Headman's family. I don't know what the Headman is thinking, but A Wu told me, he said that you're definitely not good people! I advise you to leave early. Ghosts and all that are nonsense, don't even think about digging up news!"

　　At this point, he suddenly remembered something and asked: 

　　"Wait… you're all carrying luggage… going to Axiu's house? You're going to stay at her place?"

　　"Yes." Li replied.

　　Liang was instantly furious. 

　　He forgot the Headman's warning and roared: 

　　"Who do you think you are! You dare to go and stay with Axiu? You dare!"

　　"What's your attitude?" Luo was also annoyed: "What if we dare? Who is Axiu to you, do you have any right to care?"

　　"She's my fiancée!" Liang took three steps in two, grabbed Li's collar and said, "Get out of this village right now! If you dare to step into this village again, I'll cripple you!"

　　"The son of a doctor, you should have some compassion, right?" 

　　Li remained calm and said: "Mr. Liang, please let go. We'll leave after a month, we won't cause you any trouble."

　　"Go to hell!" Liang was furious. 

　　He was about to punch Li, but Li grabbed his fist and said, "Mr. Liang, please don't force me!"

　　During this month, they were not allowed to leave Youshui Village even for a step. 

　　Therefore, they had to act tough!

　　If they softened now, it would be troublesome if the villagers united to drive them away in the future.

　　"You…" Liang was about to say something more, but then he suddenly saw two people running towards Li from behind, so he let go of his hand and shouted: "A Wu, A Su!"

　　The two people who came were Wu and Su from the Headman's family.

　　"What are you doing? Liang?" Su had seen Liang about to attack Li earlier, so she rushed forward to stop him: "This… this is not good, Liang…"

　　"Su, you and I have grown up together with Axiu, tell me, can I just let those people with unknown origins stay at Axiu's house? You know how I feel about Axiu!"

　　Su nodded and said, "I know, that's why I came to have a look." 

　　Then she turned to Li and said: "Mr. Li, Mr. Luo, Mr. Qin, and Ms. Ye… you should leave. Look, no one in the village welcomes you…"

　　"Who said that? I welcome them."

　　A familiar voice came, and everyone turned to the same person—Axiu.

　　She looked coldly at Liang and said, "Liang, you've grown bold. Who is your fiancée? Who are you going to cripple?"

　　"A… Axiu, listen to me, those four people are definitely up to no good…"

　　"They're better than you!" Axiu didn't even look at him, she went straight to Li and said: "Mr. Li, don't mind him, come with me."

　　Liang, who could no longer bear it, immediately grabbed Axiu's hand and said, "Axiu! What do you mean?!"

　　"This is what I mean. I'm not your fiancée, and I'm not going to marry you! How you treated Sister Bing, I remember it clearly!"