In ancient times, the main hall of a residence typically served two purposes: to honor one’s ancestors, and to receive guests.

On the wall directly ahead hung a painted scroll, flanked on either side by couplet banners. Pressed against the wall stood a long altar table, upon which rested an incense burner, candlesticks, and offerings of fruit and pastries. Before the altar table sat a square table, with high-backed chairs on either side, while the remaining space was furnished with tea stands, chairs, and stools for receiving visitors.

The four of them entered the room and took seats along the chairs and stools on the left and right sides. Each side had four chairs, yet they all chose the two closest to the door.

None of them wanted to sit too close to those two paper figures.

Beside each seat sat a small dish of mixed nuts, a dish of pastries, and a cup of tea.

The old scholar greeted them warmly: “Please help yourselves to the tea, honored guests — there is no need for ceremony.”

Bai Youwei lifted her teacup and took a small sip.

— The tea was cold, and carried a faint earthy smell of soil. It wasn’t tea at all — it tasted more like the rainwater pooling outside.

She quietly set the teacup down and had no desire to touch the nuts or pastries beside her either.

The old scholar asked, “This place is remote and desolate. You have traveled far to come here — may I ask what brings you?”

Shen Mo was direct. “We want to know how to make the Bone-Carrying Woman stop.”

Du Lai, seated across from him, stared wide-eyed. He hadn’t expected such a blunt approach to the question.

The old scholar pondered for a moment, then replied, “This old one served as an official for several decades. After retiring and returning to my hometown, I wandered the mountains and rivers for some time before settling here not long ago. I have indeed heard vague rumors about the ‘Bone-Carrying Woman,’ though the details remain unclear to me. It is already quite late today — why not rest here for the night, honored guests, and go tomorrow to ask the villagers? You may well find what you seek.”

Shen Mo glanced at Bai Youwei, then looked toward Du Lai and Fu Miaoxue. Seeing that no one had any objections, he said to the old scholar, “Then we will trouble you for the inconvenience.”

The old scholar rose and bowed once more toward the two paper figures, with the utmost reverence:

“Father, Mother — your son is taking the guests to the side rooms to rest.”

The paper figures could not speak. Painted with vivid crimson rouge and bearing festive smiles, they exuded a wordless sense of dread.

No one wanted to look at them any longer. Everyone averted their eyes and followed the old scholar out of the main hall.

……

Behind the main hall lay the owner’s private living quarters, and further beyond that, a small garden.

The garden was winding and layered with shadows of flowers — its layout carried the refined elegance of ancient garden design — yet the plants had grown far too dense and tangled. Enormous canopies spread overhead, blotting out the sky, and rather than delighting the eye, the effect pressed down on one like a weight.

The old scholar led the four of them along the covered corridor, winding and weaving until they finally arrived before a row of side rooms. He stopped, smiled gently, and said:

“This is a humble home with simple accommodations — please make yourselves at home.”

Shen Mo gave a brief “Thank you.”

The old gentleman smiled and nodded, then turned and left.

Once his weathered, aged silhouette disappeared from view, Du Lai pushed open the door of the nearest room.

The side room was under twenty square meters — it held a canopied bed, an old wooden desk, a round stool, a folding screen, and a washstand. That was already more than enough to fill the space.

Du Lai then opened the remaining rooms one by one. Every single one had identical furniture and layout. Four rooms in total — one for each of them.

“Are we really supposed to sleep separately?” Fu Miaoxue clutched Du Lai’s arm and refused to let go. “I won’t! It’s so terrifying — I can’t sleep alone tonight!”

“Two to a room then,” Shen Mo said evenly. “Stay close to each other. If anything happens in the night, it’ll be easier to look out for one another.”

Du Lai agreed.

They chose the two middle rooms and each went inside.

The rooms were dim and damp, and the bedding smelled of mildew — clearly it hadn’t been washed or aired out in a very long time.

Bai Youwei opened the dollhouse and had Cheng Weicai bring out a fresh set of bedding.

In truth, they could have simply stayed inside the dollhouse, but considering that something might happen in the night, they decided to remain in the rooms to avoid missing any clues.

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