“Teng Yu” took me for a spin around the village.

I stared at the little courtyard I visited yesterday.

The weeds were gone, and there were some scattered grass roots on the ground.

The spider webs on the cracked wooden door had been thoroughly cleaned.

“What’s wrong?”

Teng Yu saw me staring intently at the wooden door and couldn't help but ask.

“I came here yesterday, and it wasn’t this clean. The door was also locked.”

Teng Yu's eyes flickered upon hearing this.

“This is an old house belonging to an elderly woman who lives alone in the village. She married into another village. Her son and husband came over this morning and did the cleaning.”

As if to validate Teng Yu’s words, the wooden door opened from the inside.

A young man with dark skin walked out, holding a hoe in his hand.

The young man showed a simple smile upon seeing me and then greeted Teng Yu.

Looking at the clean and tidy village streets, my heart sank.

After walking such a long way, I didn’t feel dizzy again.

Thinking about the strange-tasting bowl of water he gave me to drink before I fainted last night.

What was that water exactly?

We walked to the westernmost part of the village, where a large orchard was planted.

Teng Yu picked an unripe apple and handed it to me, “It’s a bit sour, give it a try.”

Staring at the small fruit in my hand, I didn’t eat it.

After hesitating for a long time, I pointed to the south side of the orchard.

There is a... cave over there.

Strangely familiar, I must have been there before.

But in my memory, I didn’t go there the last time I came to this village.

“There’s a cave over there. Can we go take a look?”

Teng Yu looked in the direction I was pointing, and the smile on his face vanished.

He expressionlessly said, “There are many poisonous insects and snakes over there, and wild boars occasionally appear. It’s very dangerous.”

“Alright.”

I nodded and didn’t press further, thinking about finding an opportunity to sneak out later.