Chapter 3: The Deep Water Prison

So, he did not endure the deliberate harassment from the local thugs as usual; his purpose was to seize this opportunity to visit the Liu family.

Now, he wondered if it was truly like the situation with Granny Zeng's family.

Casually, he said, "Mr. Liu!" He spoke and then sat on the sofa, and sure enough, the room was as empty as before, as if he was shouting into a well, with echoes resonating and a chill reaching his toes.

"Ah-choo!"

Mr. Liu came out with a bowl and waved at Lu Li: "Come over and eat. I've stopped cooking, just drink whatever you like."

Ignoring him, Lu Li extended his left hand, pinched his thumb and fingers, and walked into the kitchen. He called out, "Mr. Liu, let's eat here!" Finally, he could speak normally.

After speaking, Lu Li moved a chair, and Mr. Liu, seeing his intent, followed him into the kitchen with a plate and some wine.

The two of them gathered around the stove, drinking wine with braised duck.

Lu Li's hand trembled as he held the wine glass. He was deeply shocked; although he was not well-versed in feng shui, according to the "Ge's Legacy" records... Why would such a "deep water prison" situation appear in a city, and why was the place still so lively?

Mr. Liu did not notice Lu Li's expression and took a gulp of wine. He asked, "You grew up eating other people's food, so you're an orphan?"

Mr. Liu was not from Changping, and his understanding of Lu Li was only from last year when he first gave a warning.

Lu Li suppressed his doubts: "Yes, I'm from Li Village by the Li River. I don't know who my parents are; they might not be alive anymore."

"Why do you say that?"

"According to Uncle Niu, who adopted me, I was floating down the Li River in a wooden tub. At that time, I had no identification."

"I know this. There's only one family named Niu in Li Village. I have a student named Niu Chunsheng; his grandfather was Niu the carpenter, right? But why did you take the surname Luo?"

"This is also why I think my parents might be dead. I have a bloodstain on my arm, and the characters on it look like the word 'Luo.'"

"Looks like 'Luo,' so you took it as your surname?" Mr. Liu was puzzled. "At that time, why didn't Uncle Niu directly adopt you as his son and have you take the Niu surname?"

"Because Uncle Niu already had three sons. Now, he is old, and his good craft has no heir. I originally wanted to learn, but I don't have the Niu surname. The Niu family is large and prosperous, with many sons, so it was even less necessary for me to take the Niu surname." Lu Li said with a苦笑.

"Now I understand," Mr. Liu thought about his adoption and his growing up eating other people's food, "Drink up. Let's have another toast! It seems you've had a hard life too."

Lu Li chatted with Mr. Liu while drinking, and when it seemed about time, he stood up and said, "Mr. Liu, with your current situation, from my experience, it's definitely abnormal and not an exaggeration. In our line of work, encountering such things must be dealt with. So today, I must eliminate the threat."

Mr. Liu looked at him, not understanding what he meant.

Lu Li thought for a moment: "Mr. Liu, do you know Granny Zeng from the 'Three-Degree Turn' fortune-telling alley three years ago?"

Mr. Liu had heard of Granny Zeng, known for treating children's night crying; the title of 'Fairy Mother' was exaggerated by people, but he didn't understand what it had to do with him.

Lu Li explained that Granny Zeng had a fox spirit in her house. The fox spirit, originally a beast, had a quirky temperament and a narrow mind, requiring very careful service. The granddaughter of the Zeng family, being unwise, inadvertently offended it. The fox spirit entered the girl's dreams, frightening her every night, and took pleasure in it. Seeing the granddaughter grow thinner and more frightened of the dark, Granny Zeng could not find a solution. Her son, disbelieving in the supernatural, in a fit of anger, destroyed the fox spirit's tablet.