As soon as he heard they needed to go into the mountains to look at grave sites, Cao Yanhua’s face twisted like a bitter gourd—twist it any more severely, and bitter juice might drip out.
Luo Ren had three reasons.
First, they didn’t have much time, only 15 days left.
Second, Wan Fenghuo’s side wasn’t making much progress, and the five of them couldn’t just sit around waiting—they had to do something.
Third, based on the information they’d gathered over the past two days, “Long Town” might truly have been destroyed without a trace. In this situation, they couldn’t learn anything from the living, so they could only rely on the dead to speak.
After all, if “going up the mountain” was a local tradition passed down through generations, then those people from the town, like the old Master Wei from the private school and Miss Wei, should all be lying up in the mountains. With a bit of luck, looking at tomb inscriptions and tombstones might provide some clues.
They raised their hands to vote, and it passed unanimously, though Cao Yanhua’s hand was raised most reluctantly.
Not expecting progress in the short term, Luo Ren went to the front desk to extend their stay for two more days. While Yi Wansan was waiting, he casually picked up a tourism flyer for Tong County and read it with great interest.
There were quite a few attractions in this area. After all, it had a long history, and since Hangu Pass had been known as the “First Mighty Pass Fortress” since ancient times, its surrounding areas had all been elevated, with tourist spots labeled as “essential” and “must-visit.”
“Hey, hey, Fatty, be careful when entering the mountains,” he read from the flyer. “The Qinling mountain range has abundant wildlife, hiding wild boars, black bears… and also, the world’s richest population of pheasants, wow… Liberation might find a mate!”
Cao Yanhua responded irritably, glaring at Cao Liberation, who was excitedly jumping around in its cage: “What are you bouncing about? These mountain chickens have no culture, they’re not suitable for you.”
As he spoke, he looked curiously at the residential complex across the street: “What did my Little Shifu take Sister Hongsha to do?”
When it was time to get in the car, this question was finally answered. Mu Dai returned with several packs of yellow paper, plus incense and paper treasures.
She instructed all the way: “After we arrive, we’ll all burn incense together and pay our respects. We must approach with reverence, avoid loud noises, and whenever we walk inside, remember to say ‘excuse me’…”
Cao Yanhua listened, goosebumps rising all over his body: “Little Shifu, isn’t this too superstitious? The more you talk, the more scared I get…”
Mu Dai deliberately bared her teeth in a smile, unbuckled her seatbelt, turned around, knelt on the passenger seat, arms propped on the backrest, looking at Cao Yanhua with an ambiguous smile.
Cao Yanhua kept shrinking back: “Little… Little Shifu, don’t… you’re scaring me like that…”
Mu Dai spoke gently: “Cao Fatty, think about it. These people have been dead for over a hundred years, lying peacefully underground, enjoying their tranquility. Suddenly, you come running in, not only bringing the smell of the living, but also running around on top of their houses…”
She called it a “rooftop,” which made Luo Ren both amused and helpless.
“What’s wrong with asking you to burn some paper? It’s polite. When you visit someone’s home, you bring gifts. When your renovation disturbs neighbors, you apologize in advance for the inconvenience. How is this a superstition?”
Cao Yanhua nodded submissively: “Little Shifu is right.”
Mu Dai snorted, turned back around, and sat down. Glancing sideways, she caught Luo Ren looking at her, so she looked back proudly: “What?”
Luo Ren said, “Fasten your seatbelt for me.”
They reached the mountain entrance outside town, where the car couldn’t proceed further. Cao Liberation stayed in the car to watch it—if it went into the mountains and started “cock-a-doodle-dooing” all over the place, it would be undignified.
The group got out, each with a backpack, carrying food and water, and proceeded on foot.
The path was like a canyon trail. The mountains on both sides had tall, dense trees that blocked the sky, bringing a chilling coldness, whether from the wind or just psychological, it was hard to tell.
There were many mountain peaks, one connected to another. Mu Dai scanned with her binoculars and could vaguely see one or two tombstones hidden among the tall grass on each mountain.
This “tomb sweeping” task wasn’t small, and Mu Dai had inquired beforehand that there were no fixed burial grounds in the mountains. In other words, people were buried individually, and the height, depth, and proximity all depended on the family’s wealth and the feng shui master’s site selection at the time.
If they could work in groups, the efficiency would be higher, but before Luo Ren could suggest this idea, Cao Yanhua was already trembling: “I think we should stay one right after another, not separate. That feels safer.”
So following Mu Dai’s instructions, they first burned incense and bowed in all four directions. Even so, when they climbed the first mountain, their hearts were still pounding. They couldn’t help holding their breath, always feeling like outsiders who had entered another realm, needing to be careful everywhere.
It was a bit dark in the forest, and without discussion, the group naturally formed a division of labor. Mu Dai would help Luo Ren with the flashlight so he could see the inscriptions on the tombstones. Yan Hongsha carried the yellow paper, taking out one or two sheets each time, and Yi Wansan would help her light them and place them down. As for Cao Yanhua, his hands were almost constantly pressed together at his chest, and everywhere they went, in all directions, he kept saying “excuse me” and “please don’t mind us.”
The distribution of graves indeed showed no logic. Some were solitary graves, some had three to five graves of the same surname grouped together. Some were built with bricks and stones, some were just wooden stakes stuck in the ground with carved inscriptions serving as tombstones. After hundreds of years of wind and rain, the characters were no longer visible, the wood had rotted, and mushrooms even grew in the cracks.
They spent over two hours exploring this mountain peak, examining about twenty graves. In terms of era, some were from the Republic period, others from the late Qing Dynasty.
Taking a break and standing at a high point looking at the endless mountains in the distance, Luo Ren felt worried: this was just the first mountain peak of the first canyon they had reached, and at this speed… it was truly concerning.
Indeed, by the end of the day, they had explored four mountain peaks with basically no findings. They also encountered a grave from the late Ming Dynasty that appeared to have been robbed, with the coffin lid askew, looking quite desolate.
Though creepy, after a quick discussion, they still filled it with soil for a proper burial, considering it a good deed.
Strangely, after fixing this grave, Cao Yanhua was no longer afraid. He chattered to Yi Wansan, saying that there are gods three feet above one’s head, and if people truly had spirits after death, they would know that they weren’t bad people and would bless them.
By the time they left the canyon, it was almost dark. On the way back, Cao Yanhua held Cao Liberation, cupping a handful of millet in his hand, watching it peck steadily. He surprisingly took the initiative to suggest that this pace was too slow, and perhaps they should split into groups tomorrow.
The first day passed like this.
On the second day, they split into two groups, covering more ground, but the results were the same. Not all graves had tombstones, and most tombstones simply said “Late Father xxx” or “Deceased Wife of the xx Family.” Even with inscriptions, they couldn’t form meaningful information.
Luo Ren almost began to doubt whether his approach was correct.
During this time, he spoke with Wan Fenghuo on the phone, but there was no progress. Shen Gun, also called, seemingly carefree: “Then I won’t rush over. I’ll keep researching—these silver-eyed bats won’t fly no matter what.”
On the third day, they again found nothing. The countdown card visibly flipped to “13,” and morale in the car dropped to an extreme low.
Luo Ren said, “Let’s go back and find a restaurant for a big meal.”
Cao Yanhua perked up: “Hot pot! Little Luo Ge, on the road back, there’s a ‘Chongqing Old Hot Pot,’ I’ve been thinking about it for a long time.”
By the time they entered the restaurant, the main dining hours had passed, and they were the only customers. At a central table, a large yin-yang pot boiled, with the clear broth bubbling freshly and the red oil giving off fragrance. Sliced beef, lamb, fresh lotus root, potatoes, fresh shrimp, and tofu skin filled two tables. The steam from the hot pot rolled upward, creating a lively atmosphere.
Cao Liberation was tied to a small table corner near the door, as the restaurant owner had apologetically requested: “Please don’t let the chicken wander around. In a hot pot restaurant, it might slip and get scalded…”
This lively scene had nothing to do with it, leaving Cao Liberation somewhat melancholy.
Halfway through the meal, Yi Wansan picked up a piece of tofu skin with his chopsticks and asked Cao Yanhua, “Does Cao Liberation eat tofu skin?”
Cao Yanhua was busy rolling lamb slices in the spicy oil sauce: “It eats beans, but I don’t know about tofu skin.”
“I’ll go try it.”
He enthusiastically picked up a piece of tofu skin and walked over. Halfway there, he saw Yan Hongsha returning from the restroom, talking to the restaurant owner.
“Can you make a bowl of noodles? I want to eat noodles.”
“Sorry, young lady, our hot pot restaurant doesn’t have noodles. We used to have some for dipping in the pot, but they’re sold out…”
…
When he returned to the table, it was still lively, with steam making faces barely visible.
Cao Yanhua asked him: “How was it? Does Liberation eat tofu skin?”
“It seems… not very interested.”
It was very late when they returned to the hotel. After washing up, Cao Yanhua almost shed tears looking at the countdown card: “In another hour or two, it’ll change to ’12’.”
Yi Wansan was brushing his teeth in the bathroom, still gargling, when he suddenly glimpsed Yan Hongsha opening the door and leaving.
He quickly spat out the water, wiped his mouth, and came out to ask Mu Dai: “Where did Hongsha go?”
She went to buy things that girls need. Why do you ask about everything?”
Is that so? Yi Wansan thought it was strange. After thinking for a moment, he still opened the door and went out.
The elevator stopped on the ground floor, indicating Hongsha had gone down. Yi Wansan hesitated for a moment, then pressed the button to go down as well.
Exiting the elevator, he didn’t see anyone in the lobby. He asked at the front desk, and the receptionist pointed: “There, she went to the back kitchen.”
Yi Wansan jogged over. The kitchen door was open, and Yan Hongsha was inside, gesturing as she spoke to a chef wearing a chef’s hat.
He leaned to one side at the door to listen.
“Just a simple bowl of noodles will do, clear broth noodles with some vegetables, and please add a poached egg.”
“Young lady, this isn’t a hotel service, it’s not on the menu, you’ll have to pay extra.”
“Of course.”
After a while, there was no sound from inside. Yi Wansan peeked in and saw a clay pot placed on the stove with flames licking the bottom. The chef was washing small greens with a strainer, while Yan Hongsha sat on a small stool, hugging her knees, staring at the clay pot.
Yi Wansan ran out, suddenly turned around, ran back to the lobby, pressed the elevator button to go upstairs, and after exiting, ran to the room door, banging loudly.
Cao Yanhua opened it impatiently, complaining: “Coming in and out without taking your card.”
Yi Wansan pushed him aside, rushed to Yan Hongsha’s luggage, opened the zipper, and started searching. Mu Dai was puzzled: “Yi Wansan, what are you doing?”
He didn’t answer, checking item by item until he felt something hard in the inner layer of the bag, like a card. He quickly opened it.
Luo Ren came over, as did Cao Yanhua and Mu Dai.
Yi Wansan looked at Yan Hongsha’s ID card and, after a while, said glumly: “We’re all idiots… today is Hongsha’s birthday…”
Yan Hongsha ate in small bites, picking up and nibbling the noodles one by one. The poached egg was soft-centered; when pierced with chopsticks, the golden core flowed out, blending into the noodle soup. This feeling could truly be called happiness.
She tried to stretch the time, wanting to make this bowl of noodles last longer, dragging it out until even the chef became impatient, until the very last sip of broth was consumed.
She put the empty bowl in the sink and said, “I’m sorry for troubling you to wash the dish.”
Then she left.
Entering the elevator, pressing the floor button, she rode up in silence.
In the past, every birthday was celebrated grandly. Old Man Yan would specially reserve a private room in a big restaurant, with a table full of carefully prepared dishes. She could taste lightly or not touch a single dish with her chopsticks, but she had to eat the longevity noodles served at the end.
The simplest kind: thin noodles, green vegetables, and a poached egg. Old Man Yan would say: “These are longevity noodles, for a long life of a hundred years, you must eat them.”
The inside of the elevator was like a blurry mirror. She stood straight, staring at her reflection, then waved to it, saying: “Happy birthday.”
Exiting the elevator, the corridor was quiet. The key card opened the door with a beep.
The room was pitch black. Everyone had gone to sleep; how inconsiderate, not even waiting for her.
Yan Hongsha pouted slightly, feeling her way in the dark, stepping lightly.
Just as she took a couple of steps, she suddenly heard the scratching sound of a match being struck. A small, warm flame appeared in the darkness, gradually dispelling the blackness. She saw Mu Dai holding the match stem, carefully lighting the numbered candles on a cake.
23, that was her birthday age.
As the candles lit up, that ball of light gradually spread. Yan Hongsha saw Mu Dai, Luo Ren, and Yi Wansan, along with stacked cake boxes, paper plates, plastic knives, and birthday sparkler tubes. It felt a bit like a dream. Her vision gradually blurred, and Yan Hongsha shut her eyes tightly, then sniffled.
She saw Mu Dai smile and say: “Hongsha is a poor little thing, why didn’t you tell us it was your birthday?”
Yan Hongsha replied dryly: “Because you were all so busy…”
Suddenly, she couldn’t continue. She squatted down right there, hugging her knees and beginning to cry.
Mu Dai suddenly felt like she couldn’t hold back either and buried her face in Luo Ren’s chest, secretly shedding a couple of tears. Yi Wansan went over to help Yan Hongsha up, but she hugged his arm and continued sobbing.
Yi Wansan said: “Er Huo, don’t be too moved…”
Yan Hongsha kept crying, and Yi Wansan felt a bit helpless.
“How about this, Er Huo, let’s make a deal? We prepared in a rush and didn’t buy you a gift. If you like this arm so much, you can have it. You can use it to scratch itches and such…”
Yan Hongsha burst out laughing, pushed his arm away, sniffled, and said: “Get lost.”
Then she wiped away her tears and stood up, surrounded by everyone as they moved to the cake. She looked around and asked curiously: “Where’s Cao Fatty?”
Luo Ren jerked his chin toward the inner room: “He’s coming.”
As soon as he finished speaking, the inner room door opened, lights blazing. Cao Yanhua appeared with a solemn face, holding a bouquet—baby’s breath mixed with lilies, tulips, and irises—with Cao Liberation standing at his feet.
Yan Hongsha burst out laughing when she saw Cao Liberation. It was unclear what Cao Yanhua was thinking, but he had used transparent tape to attach a marigold to Cao Liberation’s head. Cao Liberation was rolling its eyes, looking thoroughly annoyed.
Cao Yanhua, holding the flowers, solemnly walked toward Yan Hongsha. Everyone let him take on the important task of presenting the flowers. He tried to create a red-carpet-like effect, but things didn’t go as planned: at first, only Yan Hongsha laughed, then Yi Wansan clutched the table and squatted down, Mu Dai collapsed laughing in Luo Ren’s arms, and as for Luo Ren, he had been trying hard to look away.
Well, Cao Yanhua felt awkward.
He could only say: “Sister Hongsha, it’s so late at night, we really couldn’t buy any gifts, all the stores were closed. We’ve all agreed to owe you one, which we’ll make up for.”
Yan Hongsha had almost laughed to tears. She took the flowers and said, “Okay.”
Then she made a wish. The candle flames wavered and trailed, and she kept staring at them, saying: “I hope that tomorrow we can find clues about this Long Town.”
Mu Dai was so anxious she stamped her foot: “Hongsha, are you stupid to wish for that? No, start over, wish for something about yourself, something beautiful and happy.”
Yan Hongsha was uncertain: “Do I need to start over?”
Yi Wansan said, “Start over.”
Yan Hongsha thought for a moment, then said: “I hope that many, many years from now, we can still be together, all safe and sound. Even when our hair turns white, we can still celebrate birthdays together and go out to play.”
After speaking, she lowered her head and, with a whoosh, blew out the candles in front of her.
In the distance came the sound of the midnight bells. How perfect, precise to the second, timed just right, not a moment wasted.
The next day, Cao Yanhua woke up earliest. Last night’s birthday celebration had boosted morale, and his body surged with enthusiasm to get to work—he jumped off the bed with a swoosh, even flipping the blanket of Yi Wansan, who shared the bed: “Brother San San, get up quick, time to sweep tombs!”
Before Yi Wansan could roar in protest, he darted into the living room and pulled open the curtains with a swish.
He was stunned by—overcast sky.
Behind him on the sofa, Luo Ren shielded his eyes, sat up yawning, and said: “The weather isn’t good today, it’s probably going to rain.”
…
Luo Ren’s prediction came true. The weather remained poor, as if the sky had put on a frown. They were also tense, racing against time, unconsciously spreading out more, though still on the same mountain, each person was practically checking a separate area. The signal in the mountains was poor, so the walkie-talkies came in handy. Each person had one clipped to their waist, which was quite stylish.
After midday, ink-black clouds rolled over the mountaintop, pressing heavily, almost touching the treetops. Though not to the point where you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face, it was close to nighttime darkness. The group had just finished checking half the mountain and was preparing to investigate down the other side when suddenly a bright flash of lightning cut across the sky.
Luo Ren’s voice came through the walkie-talkie: “Everyone put on rain gear. After we finish this mountain, we’re heading back. This won’t be a small rain.”
He didn’t need to say more—it was far from small, it came pouring down in an instant. Pitter-patter, raindrops hammered down like small stones on their heads. The walkie-talkies filled with howls and screams. Cao Yanhua covered his head and ran down the mountain. The wind and rain were fierce, and water blurred everything in front of him. He heard Luo Ren saying, “Take shelter under large trees. This is a heavy downpour, it won’t last long. Don’t run downhill, you’ll fall!”
Cao Yanhua panicked, couldn’t control his step, slipped, and the whole person rolled down. The other four walkie-talkies almost simultaneously transmitted the sound of him tumbling: “Aya, aya, ya, ya…”
Mu Dai and Yan Hongsha shouted.
Mu Dai called: “Cover your head, legs protect chest…”
Yan Hongsha called: “Grab something, grab something! Grab whatever you can…”
There was a dull thud, as if he had landed somewhere, but from the sound, it wasn’t too hard.
What followed was seconds of silence, strangely, even the sound of rain seemed to have lessened considerably there.
Yi Wansan tentatively called out: “Fatty?”
Luo Ren said gravely: “He might be knocked out, or he hasn’t come to his senses. Cao Yanhua, speak!”
Cao Yanhua’s scream suddenly came through: “Dog! It’s a dog!”