I felt that there was no way out and I could only do what grandpa said.
However, grandma's words on the other end of the phone were like a bolt from the blue.
"Xiao Cui is dead."
"What?"
"Just last night, she was hanged in costume from the crooked neck tree at the entrance of the village."
It's like I was struck by lightning. How could this happen? Is it because I delayed for too long and something unexpected happened?
Yes, more than ten days have passed since my grandfather told me to marry Xiaocui in his suicide note, and I have already missed the opportunity.
Grandma did not blame me, but said in a trembling voice: "It's too late, this is my life."
It seems that I can't complete this thing that grandpa told me. What will happen if I can't complete it? Will I die?
For a moment, I felt like I was falling into an ice cave, until my grandma called me on the other end of the phone.
"Child, child..."
I came to my senses and didn't know what to say, so I comforted my grandma and hung up the phone.
This series of changes made me overwhelmed, and I didn't dare to hesitate any more.
I returned to the house where Zhang Sangui taught me how to tattoo. I didn’t stay too long. Someone immediately made a sign in front of the door and hung it up.
There are two big red characters written on the signboard - Thorn Soul.
There are a few lines of small words below - dispelling diseases and calming the house, exorcising evil spirits and attracting wealth.
I also made an LED light box and placed it at the door.
I decided not to think too much and just follow my grandfather's instructions step by step. Some things really shouldn't be rushed.
However, my signboard was erected, and my reputation as a soul stabbing master was also hung up, but no customer came to my door for several days in a row.
Maybe it's a signboard issue.
Maybe many people don't know what Soul Thorn does.
In addition, the location of this street is really remote, and there are not many people on the street in front of the door all day long.
I regretted it a bit and thought about finding a new store with a good location, but after pinching the little money I had left in my pocket, I gave up the idea.
It happened that in the afternoon, an old man in his sixties came to the door. He was the landlord of this house.
This old man was thin and skinny, with narrowed eyes. As soon as he came in, he asked me where was the old man with a hunchback from before? I knew he was talking about Zhang Sangui.
I told him that Zhang Sangui had sublet the house to me and I would pay the rent in the future.
The old man stretched out his hand directly to me: "There are still three days until the rent expires. Come on, renew the rent first."
I was stunned because I had no money now. The little money I brought with me was very little after finishing the door sign and light box, and eating was almost a problem.
This old man showed no mercy and simply said he would get out if he had no money.
I kept smiling and said nice things, hoping he would give me a few days of grace.
The old man agreed, but asked me to write him an IOU.