Chapter 96 Lin Cheng’s Incident

The female educated youths quickly accepted the protective charms from Jiang Li.  Seeing this, the male educated youths also asked for charms.  “Jiang Zhiqing, do you have any more? Could you give us some?” Jiang Li twitched her mouth.

 “You men, full of masculine energy, need to be afraid of ghosts?” The male educated youths felt a little ashamed under her scorn, but they couldn’t help their fear. “Jiang Zhiqing, there’s no rule saying men can’t be afraid of ghosts.”  “Yeah, Jiang Zhiqing, ghosts are terrifyingly powerful. Even if we’re strong, we’re no match for them. If you have more charms, please give us some; otherwise, we won’t be able to sleep tonight.”

 Jiang Li understood and gave them charms as well.  Both male and female educated youths treated the charms like treasures, thanking Jiang Li profusely.  Whether they worked or not, the reassurance was comforting. Bai Ziyong, lying in bed, thought about the protective charms Jiang Li gave them, feeling like he had a full set of buffs.

  It was advantageous to have a good relationship with Jiang Li; the older educated youths hadn’t received any charms from her.

Unlike the other educated youths’ fear and anxiety, Jiang Li remained unaffected. While others worried about Sun Wenwen’s ghost, she hoped it would come so she could subdue it and prevent further harm.  However, Sun Wenwen’s ghost was smart enough to avoid Jiang Li.  Jiang Li couldn’t subdue her unless she actively sought her out.

After dinner, Jiang Li brought a large bowl of chicken soup and two chicken legs to Mu Jingxun.  Seeing the chicken legs, he immediately put one into Jiang Li’s bowl. “Jiang Zhiqing, one chicken leg is enough for me. You should eat one too; I don’t want to eat alone.”  “It’s okay, you eat both. I’m not injured; you are, and you need nutritious food to help your wounds heal.”  Mu Jingxun insisted on only eating one, urging Jiang Li to eat the other.  Ideally, he would have given both to her, but he knew she wouldn’t accept.  Jiang Li, being straightforward, ate the other leg. After eating, Jiang Li went to bed, wondering what news the production team would bring tomorrow. If Sun Wenwen harmed anyone else, Jiang Li wouldn’t stand idly by.

The next morning, the older educated youths had slept soundly, believing Jiang Li’s charms had worked.  They felt much more refreshed.  However, several families in the brigade had problems.  Many households discovered their chickens and ducks had been killed, their blood drained.  Everyone knew who was responsible.  The families were angry and scared.  During planned economy times, each household could only raise a few chickens and ducks for eggs, rarely slaughtered.  The loss was significant, causing anger and helplessness.  They couldn’t confront Sun Wenwen’s ghost.  The female educated youth was causing trouble even in death.

This news reached Jiang Li.  She frowned.  Was Sun Wenwen trying to become a malevolent spirit?  Starting with animal blood, she would eventually turn to human blood.  Ordinary ghosts were manageable, but malevolent spirits were much more difficult.  Jiang Li knew she had to subdue Sun Wenwen quickly before things escalated.

While she pondered, Bai Ziyong rushed to her. “Sister Li, Sister Li, can you help?”  Seeing his urgency, Mu Jingxun asked, “Did something happen?” Bai Ziyong didn’t hide anything from Mu Jingxun. “Brother Xun, something happened to Teacher Lin.” Mu Jingxun’s heart tightened. “What happened to Teacher Lin?” Bai Ziyong explained that his teacher’s wife had contacted him early that morning; Lin Cheng had a high fever and was pale.

 It wasn’t a common cold.  Zhang Jing, a weak woman, was panicked and sought help from Bai Ziyong and Mu Jingxun.  Bai Ziyong suspected Sun Wenwen was responsible, considering Teacher Lin had refused Sun Wenwen’s request before her death. Regardless, Jiang Li could solve the problem.  Bai Ziyong rushed to find her.

  He and Mu Jingxun briefly explained their relationship with Lin Cheng to Jiang Li, trusting her discretion.  Jiang Li already knew their connection. “Okay, let’s go to the bullpen quickly, before it’s too late,” she said, heading there discreetly with Bai Ziyong. Zhang Jing was waiting anxiously, pacing back and forth, praying for a miracle.  She was relieved to see Bai Ziyong arrive.