On the way back to the hotel, I happened to meet another guest named Li Meijuan, who claimed to be looking for her sister who went missing more than twenty years ago.

As she spoke, she handed me a photo and asked me to contact her if I had any clues.

In the photo, it was clearly the woman recorded in my father's notebook - Li Lijuan.

I asked her why she was certain that the person she was looking for was here. Li Meijuan said she saw a person in a travel brochure who looked very similar to her sister and found out that the girl was from Haokou Village.

"Unfortunately..." Li Meijuan lit a cigarette, "I've been searching for three days but haven't found her."

"Why don't you ask the villagers?"

Li Meijuan glanced at me, her expression extremely unnatural.

She obviously wanted to say something, but after looking around, she snuffed out the cigarette and walked briskly towards the hotel.

I mimicked her actions and looked around, only to see the villagers in the fields enthusiastically waving at me.

When I got back to my room, a piece of paper was stuffed in the door gap.

It read - Someone is watching.

This reminded me of what Li Wen said.

They are listening.

Someone is watching.

Could it be... has someone been monitoring my actions all along?

I searched the room thoroughly but found nothing suspicious.

At that moment, there was a knock on the door. I quickly stuffed the paper into my pocket before opening the door.

Li Jin stood at the door with a smile, "Mr. Fang, I heard you fell into the water. My wife specially made some ginger soup."

After saying that, he handed me a bowl of steaming soup.

I couldn't help but feel amazed at the speed of information flow in this village and the hospitality of the hosts.

But after I finished drinking the ginger soup, Li Jin did not leave. Instead, he squinted and said, "Mr. Fang, it's best not to get close to that place again, you might get possessed."

"Possessed?"

"There is a legend in our village that those who die violently cannot be reincarnated. They will turn into vengeful spirits and wait for an opportunity to possess someone. Once possessed by a vengeful spirit, it will kill everyone in the village." Li Jin pointed to the dark painting on the wall, "And this painting can protect us from possession."

His eerie tone sent a shiver down my spine.

The next second, Li Jin said, "It's just a legend, but as they say 'When in Rome, do as the Romans do', Mr. Fang should respect our village's traditions."

I swallowed and asked, "What if someone insists on getting close?"

Li Jin's friendly expression instantly turned cold, "Perhaps... they will die."

After saying that, he smiled and wished me good night.

Listening to the sound of his footsteps going downstairs, my heart gradually sank to the bottom.