Qian Cangyi nodded and walked toward the living room.
Why does Shi Hongye keep emphasizing that Shi Wenwei will be happy to see me? And judging from what he said earlier, Shi Haimin must have been quite unpopular as a child. Why? Lack of a father figure?
Lost in thought, Qian Cangyi reached the doorway of the living room. He heard two people talking inside.
One voice belonged to a middle-aged or elderly man.
The other—he immediately recognized—was Eagle Eye.
Why does he get to enter Yuxi Village as a "guest," while I have to return as Shi Haimin? That's seriously unfair, Qian Cangyi complained inwardly. After that brief mental grumble, he tapped on the doorframe, counting it as knocking.
"Who is it? Come in!"
Qian Cangyi stepped inside. He saw an elderly man who looked exactly like Shi Wenwei from the handbook. Sitting beside him was the man in the trench coat—Eagle Eye, the one he had met on the mysterious bus.
When Eagle Eye saw Qian Cangyi, he gave a polite smile. Shi Wenwei, however, reacted very differently—his joy was obvious, nearly rivaling Shi Xi's enthusiasm.
Strange… Qian Cangyi felt an increasing sense of unease.
Shi Wenwei gestured for Qian Cangyi to sit in the chair beside him and began fussing over him warmly, as if he had endless things to say.
"Ahem," Qian Cangyi coughed lightly, forced to change the subject. "And this guest here is…?"
"Oh, let me introduce him," Shi Wenwei said cheerfully. "This is Mr. Zhang Zi'an, a geological surveyor. He's here to conduct an inspection. According to Mr. Zhang, if our village has sufficient mineral resources, it could be developed in the future. Roads would be built, and the village might finally prosper."
Shi Wenwei's enthusiasm when introducing Eagle Eye made it clear how highly he regarded the identity Eagle Eye was playing.
"Hello," Eagle Eye said, extending his hand.
Qian Cangyi shook it. "Hello. My name is Shi Haimin."
Their eyes met. Both understood the same unspoken message.
We'll talk later.
Qian Cangyi withdrew his hand and thought, This is actually a good opportunity. Both Eagle Eye and I hold some weight in the village head's eyes. If I bring up the Death Rite and Eagle Eye follows up, we might get some useful information.
After carefully choosing his words, Qian Cangyi spoke.
"Uncle Wenwei, I came back this time to take part in the… Death Rite."
As he spoke, his eyes stayed fixed on Shi Wenwei's face.
Just moments ago, Shi Wenwei had been all smiles. Now his expression froze instantly. He turned his head slightly, looking at Qian Cangyi as if to say, Why would you bring this up now, of all times?
"The Death Rite?" Eagle Eye asked, feigning surprise. "Village Head Shi, you never mentioned anything like this to me."
"Heh…" Shi Wenwei hesitated, clearly conflicted. "It's just an ordinary village ritual. Nothing special…"
"Just an ordinary ritual?" Eagle Eye pressed. "Is it happening soon? Can I attend?"
Question after question.
Shi Wenwei's face darkened further. "Mr. Zhang, you should… go back to your room and rest first. We'll discuss the survey later."
"All right," Eagle Eye replied calmly, not pushing further. He had seen the resolve and irritation in Shi Wenwei's eyes.
If I push too hard now, it'll backfire, Eagle Eye thought. He's clearly trying to send me away so he can question 'Cangyi,' who's playing Shi Haimin. How he handles it is up to him. But after this coordinated pressure, the next time we ask about the Death Rite, Shi Wenwei will have to give us an explanation. The timing—probably tomorrow.
Eagle Eye gave Qian Cangyi a subtle look, signaling him to handle the rest himself.
"Hongye!" Shi Wenwei called out his eldest son.
"Yes!" Shi Hongye entered the living room.
"Mr. Zhang would like to rest," Shi Wenwei said, pointing at Eagle Eye. "Take him to the guest room."
"Got it, Father." Shi Hongye gestured politely for Eagle Eye to follow him.
Once Shi Hongye and Zhang Zi'an had left, Shi Wenwei slammed his hand on the table.
"What were you doing just now?! Do you have any idea what consequences that could bring?!"
With that single strike, the authority of the village head burst forth.
"I—I'm sorry…" Qian Cangyi lowered his head apologetically. But the corner of his mouth lifted ever so slightly.
"I was just too scared. I… I've been having nightmares every night. I'm running through a dark village, completely alone. It feels like something terrifying is chasing me. I'm so scared… I just keep running, running…"
His voice trembled as he explained.
But inside, his thoughts were calm and calculating.
Given how much Shi Wenwei dotes on me, showing weakness should work. Besides, it's true—I really did get dragged into all of this because of those nightmares. I'm not lying.
Hearing this, Shi Wenwei's anger vanished completely. He sighed.
"Ah… poor child."
Seizing the moment, Qian Cangyi asked, "Uncle Wenwei, the last time I participated in the blood sacrifice was when I was six. I don't remember anything about what happened—only that something was terribly frightening. Every time I think about it, my heart trembles, and all I want to do is run."
"Ah…" Shi Wenwei sighed again. He took a sip of cold tea, then gently patted Qian Cangyi's head.
"Don't worry, child. I won't let the tragedy from last time happen again."
Qian Cangyi looked up. Shi Wenwei's eyes were filled with affection—more than that of a village head toward a villager, and more than that of an ordinary elder toward a child.
"You should go back now. Take some cured meat with you—give it to your mother. You just returned; have a good meal tonight."
That was his dismissal.
"Okay," Qian Cangyi replied, not pressing further. He picked up the cured meat and left.
After stepping outside, he didn't return to his room immediately. Instead, he asked Shi Hongye which room Zhang Zi'an was staying in. Shi Hongye pointed toward the guest room.
Qian Cangyi walked over and knocked on the door. It opened quickly.
"Come in," Eagle Eye's voice came from inside.
Qian Cangyi entered and saw Eagle Eye standing with his head lowered, deep in thought.
Back on the bus, he warned me never to reveal my real identity. That advice doesn't apply to him—he already knows who I am. The question is… should I ask him directly?
He casually set the cured meat aside.
Eagle Eye walked past him, closed the door, and gestured for Qian Cangyi to sit down.