The Road to the Soul’s Return is Far from Peaceful

About half an hour later, the scene in front of me suddenly changed again, turning into a sea of pink. Flowers in various shades of pink bloomed everywhere. What was even stranger was what happened next—I saw my longtime crush, my classmate Guan Yu, standing not far ahead on the roadside. She was smiling at me while taking off her clothes, one item at a time. My body felt hot all over. This was too tempting! As I thought to myself, I whispered to Big Yellow Chicken, "Slow down, just a little bit slower."

But Big Yellow Chicken didn't listen to me. It kept running at full speed. Just as Guan Yu was about to take off her bra, we ran right past her. I was so frustrated. Just a little more, just a little more, and I would have seen her mysterious feminine beauty. I felt my neck starting to involuntarily turn around. No, no, I can't look back. If I do, I'll be done for. Don't turn!

Then something even more torturous happened. Suddenly, I heard Guan Yu's voice behind me, and I could almost smell the scent of her breath as she spoke. She seductively breathed into my ear, her voice both sweet and sultry: "Darling, I'm already naked, don't you want to take a look?"

That was just my mother's naked body! That was just my mother's naked body! I can't look back! That was just my mother's naked body!!! I closed my eyes tightly, repeating that phrase in my head. The voice came again: "Just take a peek~~ Don't you like it?"

I swear, I was so close to crying. This was pure torture. She was using my youthful, virgin frustration to tempt me, and it made me feel like, "What the hell, just look and die already." With the last bit of rationality and strength I had left, I shouted, "Look at your mom! Get lost!! When I get back, I'll chase you down and make sure we have plenty of fun in a hotel!!!"

Thankfully, when I yelled, the heavy breathing stopped. I still felt shaken, unsure whether I should feel relieved or regretful. The scenery around me changed again. I was now back on the familiar streets of Longjiang County. The pedestrians around me seemed to be oblivious to my presence. I was riding on Big Yellow Chicken, speeding along the traffic lanes like I was on horseback. It was only then that I realized, Big Yellow Chicken and I were both invisible. Cars could pass right through us. This was thrilling.

I was almost there! I spotted the county hospital not far ahead. I was about to escape this nightmare. The sense of relief was incredible. After all that I had been through, I now understood many things and felt more mature. But I still didn't know what dangers awaited me in the future.

Big Yellow Chicken didn't hesitate. Its two legs kept moving as it rushed straight into the hospital and brought me to the front of my hospital room. I saw my older brother and sister asleep on the benches in the corridor. They were so concerned about me. Sigh, life really is beautiful. The brothers and sisters were waiting for me to return!

"Xiao Fei, I forgot something," came the voice of Uncle Jiu. It was unmistakable. Perhaps it was because the hospital room was right ahead, or maybe because I had let my guard down, or maybe it was just my overconfidence causing me to be struck by misfortune. After hearing Uncle Jiu's voice, I instinctively turned around.

But standing behind me wasn't Uncle Jiu. It was an old woman in white. She had a sharp, mocking smile on her face.

It's over! This time, I'm really done for!!! I saw a cloud of dark mist appear behind the old woman, with many hands reaching out to grab me.

Damn it! I've lost! Just when I thought I was almost there, I stumbled. The door was right there, and now I didn't care about anything else. I immediately jumped off Big Yellow Chicken and rushed to the door. But it seemed to be too late. The hands had already reached me and started pulling me back with all their might.

Shit! Is this how I die? My heart sank. Even if I'm going to die, it shouldn't be like this, not so suddenly, and not so close to my body. I couldn't accept it. I couldn't accept this!!

Just as the hands were pulling me into the darkness, Big Yellow Chicken suddenly crowed loudly. The hands seemed to be startled by the sound and let go of me, giving me back my freedom. The old woman saw this and rushed toward Big Yellow Chicken, opening her mouth wide to bite its neck.

The hands reached out again, but I had seized my chance. If I didn't run now, when would I? I leapt into the air, diving through the wall and straight into the room. I landed on the bed, where my unconscious body was connected to a breathing apparatus, and I quickly jumped back into it.

Everything went black. My body felt like it was falling apart. Hunger and thirst surged through me. My head felt heavy. I suddenly opened my eyes and found my father sitting by my bed, his eyes bloodshot. As soon as he saw me wake up, he hugged me. It was the first time I had ever seen my father cry. A wave of emotion rose in me, and I started crying too.

My siblings in the corridor heard me and rushed in. Looking at them, I finally felt like I had truly come back to life. Not long after, the doctor came in, and after a series of tests, they confirmed I was fine. My family finally relaxed.

I lay in bed as my father told me everything that had happened. Apparently, after I got drunk and jumped into the river, Yang Xu and Old Jia managed to fish me out just in time. I had been unconscious for a full day, and the doctor said that if I hadn't woken up, I might have become a vegetable. My grandmother had dreamed of me, and after my father followed her instructions, I finally woke up.

It felt like a dream, I thought to myself. But I knew it wasn't a dream, because the memories of the Yin Market and Uncle Jiu were so vivid in my mind. I could even clearly remember every word in the "Three Qing Book" I had seen. I asked my father what happened to Big Yellow Chicken, and he pointed to the corner of the room. "It crowed once when we brought it in, then it died."

I looked at the chicken lying peacefully in the corner. I was deeply grateful to this chicken. That gratitude stayed with me, and I never ate chicken again after that. I told my father, "This chicken saved my life. Please bury it properly."

After two weeks of observation in the hospital, I was discharged and returned home. My grandmother made me a big meal. As I ate, I silently promised myself to cherish everything from now on. After the meal, I helped my grandmother clean up the dishes. She praised me for being considerate.

That night, I dreamt of the old woman again. This time, she was dressed differently, resembling the village deity. She told me, "The grudge has been repaid, and it's not your fate to die. I won't harm you again. Now, I'm your family's guardian spirit."

When I woke up, I felt a great sense of peace. I went to the shrine to offer incense, and everything seemed to have passed.

As for school, because I woke up quickly, and I told my family not to blame Old Jia, who had taken us out for fun, they didn't press any charges. Everything had been destined. The school never found out about the incident, and Old Jia and Old Zhang were very grateful. They treated me to a drink. After getting drunk, we staggered to our afternoon classes. The girls in the studio and the Yin-Yang people came to check on me, and I was deeply moved by their concern.

Now, I truly believe in fate. Everything feels so precious now, because after seeing the souls in the Yin Market, I've decided that I'm going to be much luckier than they were. Life is truly beautiful, and the air is so fresh.

During a class at school, I saw Guan Yu again. Her figure still mesmerized me, and not seeing her naked body during my return to life was a huge regret. I decided I would confess to her, because I had sworn never to miss another chance.

But perhaps it was fate. After school, when I went to confess to her, before she could answer, her boyfriend suddenly appeared, grabbed me, and said he wanted to talk to me in the bathroom.

After a conversation that left me with a headache, I realized that life wasn't always perfect. Sigh. It seems that Guan Yu and I are fated to be strangers in this life.