Chapter 007: The Nightmare Talisman Takes Effect

Scene 1: Uncle-Nephew Conversation

"Uncle, has Xu Sumei left?" Lu Yuan stood by the window of his county town apartment, watching sparse streetlights below.

Lu Chuanhe squatted on his doorstep, cigarette ember glowing in the darkness: "Gone. She's ranting through the village to ruin your reputation. Boy, did you really strike gold?"

"Joined a reliable construction crew." Lu Yuan traced the gilded letters on his property deed. "Transferred 100,000 to your account. Keep an eye on my old house."

Scene 2: Backfired Rumors

Xu Sumei's bloated figure trudged along Qilipu Village's dirt roads, spittle flying: "That Lu brat got my Weiwei pregnant and fled!"

Villagers' reactions stunned her:

Blacksmith Wang spat: "Last month I saw you bossing Lu Yuan to haul chicken feed!"

Widow Li sneered while hanging pickles: "Compensation? Is your daughter made of gold?"

Scene 3: Mother-Daughter Confrontation

"Mom, maybe let it go..." Liu Weiwei shrunk in a peeling jujube-wood chair, fraying sweater hem twisting in her fingers.

Clang! Xu smashed an enamel mug on the cracked dining table: "We're confronting him in town tomorrow!"

(First occurrence of "妈宝女/Mama's Girl" noted: refers to women overly dependent on maternal decisions)

Scene 4: Talisman Activation

At 10 PM, Lu Yuan stared at the yellow talisman: "System, use Nightmare Talisman on Xu Sumei."

As Xu tossed on her hard bed, an icy draft gripped her neck—

A blood-robed specter pressed close, feed residue clinging to its purple-strangled neck and lolling tongue.

"Ahhh—!"

Screams startled hens in the yard, wings flapping amid barking dogs.

Scene 5: Dawn Farce

Morning mist lingered as Xu Sumei slumped disheveled on the village millstone, chicken dung staining her pants: "Ghosts...debt collectors..."

Old Zhang hauling manure shook his head: "Karma's a bitch."