Chapter Twenty-Six: The Suspect

After the fat man spoke, Chen Qingshan nodded and said, “When you put it that way, it’s not impossible. You have to remember, that fool was easily tricked by Chen Stone’s brother with a cornbread. I bet others have done the same. So, it’s entirely possible the child in that fool’s belly isn’t Chen Stone’s. If so, Chen Stone is a real piece of work—he buried his dead child on the feng shui spot. If it really is his child, his family could soar from sparrow to phoenix, couldn’t they?”

The fat man replied, “Looks like that’s the case. I knew I couldn’t have been mistaken. Tell me, has anyone in your village suddenly become rich and successful these years? I reckon that dead child is the source of all their misfortune.”

Chen Qingshan and I exchanged glances. Truth be told, nobody in Fudigou has suddenly become prosperous. There’s no one particularly outstanding here. I scratched my head and said to the fat man, “If you ask who’s doing best in Fudigou, it’s probably the village chief.”

No sooner had I spoken than Chen Qingshan kicked me playfully and cursed, “What nonsense! How’s that even considered prosperous?”

“Enough arguing,” the fat man said, sprawling on a chair. “The old man says leave it alone for now. What do you think we should do? Let me be clear, this is your family’s business, not mine. You sort it out yourselves, and once everything’s settled, I’ll do my part.”

“It’s strange, really. Third Uncle isn’t usually like this, but this time he’s unusually stubborn. I’ll try persuading him again. If it doesn’t work, we can always settle things quietly at night. I’ve heard people say the night brings heavy yin energy, but with your skills, I doubt that’s a problem,” Chen Qingshan said to the fat man with a smile.

“That’s true, but why should I do it at night? I’m doing you a favor, not charging a penny for labor, and you want me sneaking around like a thief? If the old man catches me, I’ll be in real trouble,” the fat man replied.

Chen Qingshan could only sigh and go again to persuade Third Grandpa. I hadn’t said much all this while; no matter how busy these past days were, I kept remembering what my eldest brother said—he wanted to use the confusion to find my father’s murderer, and he’d made it clear the killer was someone versed in the mystical arts of yin-yang and the five elements.

At that moment, one name leapt to mind: Chen Stone. Honestly, after living in Fudigou for over ten years, I had no idea there was a feng shui spot here, or that beneath it lay a dragon head stele. Yet Chen Stone, who always seemed simple-minded, knew all about it. Could he be hiding his true capabilities?

But even as I suspected Chen Stone, I realized I might just be getting paranoid from recent events. Anyone behaving oddly seemed a potential murderer to me— even Third Grandpa, who was acting out of character today.

After we left the village committee, Chen Qingshan went to plead again with Third Grandpa. This time, the old man was truly strange—so obstinate he seemed to be relying on his age as authority. He even dragged the family’s grand armchair outside and sat in front of Han Xue’s room. No matter what Chen Qingshan said, he wouldn’t budge. Han Xue and I walked over, and I said, “Third Grandpa, I’m an outsider. I can’t interfere with your family’s feng shui spot. Han Xue can also avoid staying in this room for now, but surely you’ll let her in to collect her things?”

Han Xue packed up hurriedly. It was almost comical—she had nowhere left to stay. But it worked out well; I could naturally invite her to stay at my house in my room, while I made do with the sofa. My room was messy, so my mother and Han Xue began tidying up together. I planned to visit my eldest brother once more to report progress. Though running back and forth was tiring, I enjoyed it—just as I was about to leave, I saw Chen Stone’s youngest brother, Chen Sankui, loitering outside my gate, peering repeatedly into the yard.

“Sankui, do you need something? Come in if you do,” I called. Seeing him reminded me of that girl who had braved danger alone.

Sankui glanced around nervously, as if afraid of being seen. He entered my yard like a thief, grabbed my arm, and pulled me into the bathroom. I was startled. “What are you doing?”

Fumbling, Sankui took a scrap of paper from his pocket and handed it to me. “The girl told me to give you this.”

My heart skipped a beat. I knew exactly who he meant. Hastily, I slipped the note into my pocket. Though anxious, I kept a calm face, handed Sankui a cigarette, and lit it for him. Smiling, I asked, “So you’re a postman now? Didn’t you say the girl was your cousin?”

Sankui replied bitterly, “Cousin, my foot. She’s just someone the old man bought.”

“Yet you dare deliver her message to me? Aren’t you afraid she’s asking for help?” I asked.

“If you try to help her, I’ll kill you!” Sankui snapped, his eyes full of ignorant malice.

“I wouldn’t dream of it. We’re from the same village. Of course I’ll help you. But why sneak her note to me?” I asked.

“When there was no woman, there was none. Now that there is, the old man won’t let me have her. He’ll give her to my brothers, not me. We’re all bachelors—why should they get her? The girl said if I did as she asked, she’d be with me,” Sankui said, dragging hard on his cigarette until only the stub remained. He tossed it into the pit and said, “Enough talk. I have to go before I’m found out.”

After Sankui left, I couldn’t help but smile. The girl was clever, using this tactic to sow discord. It made sense—she had to be smart to get here and survive among thieves. I quickly took out the note. In neat handwriting, it read: “Chen Stone is making a move.”

Just those five words. No details, only that Chen Stone was up to something. The note deepened my suspicions about him; it seemed my brother’s plan was starting to bear fruit. The suspicion surrounding Chen Stone grew stronger in my mind.

Imitating the spy dramas on TV, I burned the note, then told the others I was heading out and rode my scooter to my brother’s house. Though I now had some intelligence, my mind was muddled and in need of his guidance. Besides, my brother held a special place in my heart—I always felt he was wiser than anyone, able to see things more clearly.

I’d gone back and forth so many times I was getting irritated with myself. My brother, however, was patient. He never left his little courtyard, so I always found him there. Honestly, sometimes he seemed almost dull—no friends, no conversation, no hobbies, living like a robot.

First, I told him about the feng shui spot, then about my online friend, and finally about the note. “It seems Chen Stone is highly suspicious. He buried his dead child at the feng shui spot, showing he knows about feng shui. Now, my friend noticed his strange behavior. If he’s making a move now, isn’t that just what you wanted?”

My brother pondered, brows furrowed. I watched him, and after a while he nodded, “Well done. Your analysis is spot-on. Chen Stone is indeed suspicious. Keep following up. Actually, you can do more than I can in this case. Yezi, when I came back and openly raised the flag to retrieve bodies from the Twelve Ghost Cave, I was forcing them to reveal themselves. But I can’t live in the village, only here in Sanlitun. Do you know why?”

“Because it’s closer to the Twelve Ghost Cave?” I replied. Honestly, I’d always thought his move was for convenience.

My brother shook his head, “If I’m too close, they’ll be more guarded and harder to catch. If I stay farther away, they’re more likely to slip up.”

“Brilliant!” I said. I felt genuinely happy—my brother rarely talked so much, and rarer still, he praised me for doing well.

“Go back now. Don’t visit so frequently, or they’ll notice. Call if you need anything. And be careful,” he said.

I nodded and left his house.