The witch sighed when she saw my brother's embarrassed state, shaking her head repeatedly.

"When the red-clothed encounters water, they die a miserable death and become vengeful spirits."

"You reap what you sow. Your sins are too heavy. Old lady like me can't save you!"

My mother spoke a bunch of kind words and took out two thick stacks of banknotes from her pocket before the witch eased up.

"Avenging spirits are the most difficult to appease. There are generally two ways to resolve them."

"The first is to get rid of her and let her resentment dissipate. The second is to hide, to elude the ghost for seven days without being found."

"After a person dies, their soul can only exist in the mortal realm for seven days. After the first seven days, they will be taken to the underworld, and you'll be safe."

My mother immediately said, "We must get rid of her! Let her spirit scatter!"

The witch shook her head, "She is a vengeful spirit who died a miserable death and has no blood relation to you. You can only wait until she comes to you, then you'll lose the opportunity."

What does it mean to have no blood relation?

My sister, isn't she part of our family?

I looked at my mother and brother's expressions, but they had no reaction, accepting this fact.

"On the first night, she couldn't wait and came knocking at the door. It's enough to see how cruel she is. I'm old and can't fight such a vengeful spirit."

My mother's face immediately changed, but she held back and didn't explode, "So how do we hide? Should we move to another place?"

"You need to hide in this house for seven days to get rid of her. She died here, and her soul moved elsewhere. After seven days, if her soul isn't hooked, then it'll be endless suffering!"

The witch gave each of us talismans and a bottle of clear oil.

"Her belongings from when she was alive can cover your scent. Wear her clothes, burn her belongings into ashes, mix them with oil, and apply the mixture to exposed areas. That way, you can deceive her eyes."

My sister's clothes were already burned by my mother, and the ashes were scattered into the pond, leaving nothing behind.

"Don't keep the belongings of the dead in the house. I burned hers a long time ago!"

"Sigh, then we can only try the last resort and use the things she used."

Naturally, my mother wasn't satisfied with this outcome. "Are there any other methods? Any way to ensure the safety of me and my son?!"

The witch paused briefly and shook her head.

My mother's expression of respect immediately changed.

She snatched back the two stacks of money she had given to the witch and took out one bill, slapping it into the witch's hand as if showing charity.

"Useless old hag! I thought you could get rid of that dead girl, but it turns out you're useless! You don't know anything! No wonder the villagers worship you like a deity!"

"Don't bother me, you're just swindling an old person. Consider this money as my fee for coming all the way here in the middle of the night."

The witch didn't react much to this humiliation. She held the two bills in her hand and suddenly turned around when she reached the courtyard gate.

"It's late, and I didn't bring a flashlight. Can I borrow yours?"

My mother rolled her eyes impatiently and ignored her, saying, "You deceive and swindle! You'll be punished by the heavens sooner or later!"

I ran out with the flashlight in my hand, still holding the talisman and oil, and said, "I'm sorry for making you come here in vain."

"I can't take your things for nothing. Here, take them back. My sister and I have a good relationship; she won't harm me."

The witch only took the flashlight from my hand, saying, "Vengeful spirits are jealous and narrow-minded, delighting in the suffering of others."