Chapter Five: Reflections in the Mirror

The fleeting glance in the car’s mirror left me momentarily stunned. Was I seeing things? I asked myself. I wiped my eyes and looked again, more carefully this time, but now the mirror reflected nothing at all.

Seeing my odd behavior, Ah Si beside me couldn’t help but ask, “Tian, is there sand in your eyes?”

His words startled me, and in that moment of surprise, something occurred to me. There’s an old saying: “Chopsticks work in pairs to pick up rice, and two good legs pave the road ahead.” Now that both Wang Hou and our battered car—our two ‘legs’—had been lost, perhaps the so-called “Ghost-Banquet” would be unable to stir up any more trouble.

Right then, I chuckled, didn’t spare that cracked rearview mirror another glance, and replied to Ah Si, “You’re right, just a bit of sand—it’s out, and that’s that.”

As I said this, I had already decided not to delve any deeper into the matter of the Ghost-Banquet. As little Ah Si had said, I’d treat “it” as nothing more than a grain of sand. Whether it was some hallucinogen or a haunting, it was all behind us.

After all, we had more important matters at hand—there was still the poison in our bodies to deal with, the journey to Shiren Gu in southern Shandong, and my old squad leader to meet.

What’s more, on the road ahead, we would finally part ways with this battered, war-torn van. Whether Wang Hou had been possessed, poisoned, or just ill, he would have no more chances to drive this wreck. We wouldn’t be getting into any more trouble because of “him.”

With this realization, the burden in my heart vanished, and feeling a sudden lightness, I first helped Ah Si haul our luggage out of the van, and then, with Hongye’s help, we dragged the semi-conscious Wang Hou out as well. The three of us, supporting one another, struggled toward the service station’s restaurant.

Strangely enough, as soon as Wang Hou left the van—especially when he was touched by sunlight—he seemed to recover. Where before he’d been grumbling in a stupor, now he became oddly alert. His lips, which could only mumble before, began to form words.

But I can’t say his words were anything to admire.

In a daze, Wang Hou suddenly turned to Hongye, who was helping him, and slurred, “Hongye! You’re really pretty, and so understanding too. You saw I was drunk and came to help me. You’re the best girl I’ve ever met. I really like you, you know!”

Well, damn! Hearing that, I was taken aback.

I quickly turned to sneak a look at Hongye.

As expected, her face was as red as an apple.

I cheered for Wang Hou in my heart. For once, this little troublemaker had gotten smarter after his “possession!” Wasn’t this the perfect moment for a confession? I even mischievously wondered if he’d been faking it all along just to seize the opportunity.

I had to admit, if that were true, Wang Hou’s little scheme was quite clever. Whether the confession succeeded or not, it wouldn’t seem abrupt or awkward—the very least, he’d made his intentions clear.

Most importantly, his timing was impeccable. Given Hongye’s personality, even if she didn’t like what she was hearing, she couldn’t just drop a sick man, could she?

And as long as she kept holding on, Wang Hou would have his chance to take advantage.

But just as I was thinking about his “opportunity,” Wang Hou really took action.

Suddenly, Wang Hou reached out, grabbed Hongye’s shoulder, and from the stream of nonsense tumbling from his mouth, came a line both bold and direct: “Hongye! To thank you, I… I’ve got to kiss you!”

What the heck! My eyes nearly popped out of my head. Was Wang Hou possessed by a lecherous ghost? That fast?

Alarmed, I turned to look.

But what happened next left me utterly dumbfounded.

That rascal Wang Hou, mid-sentence, suddenly opened his mouth wide, drooling, and… leaned straight toward my face!

Cold sweat broke out all over me—I suddenly understood: he wasn’t awake at all! Everything he’d said just now was nothing but delirium!

Worst of all, he’d mistaken me for Hongye, and was about to plant a kiss on me.

At that critical moment, I didn’t dare support him any longer.

To avoid a scene we’d both regret for life, I decisively let go of the burden that was Wang Hou, letting his six-foot frame drop like a stone.

As I released him, Hongye alone couldn’t possibly hold up his weight.

And so, what happened next was inevitable.

With a loud thud, Wang Hou sprawled out on the ground, stirring up a cloud of dust and making the floor tremble.

Amidst the dust Wang Hou raised, Hongye and I exchanged helpless glances.

On Hongye’s face, I saw a complicated smile. Clearly, Wang Hou’s words had startled her, and caught her off guard.

I didn’t know what to say.

Still, my instincts told me this was a chance for Wang Hou and Hongye to grow closer. Even if he’d chosen the wrong target, his words had been right.

So, gritting my teeth, I decided to help out the fool who’d nearly stolen my first kiss.

With that, I forced a smile and said to Hongye, “That’s just how Wang Hou is—whenever he’s under the weather, he can’t help but speak the truth. Don’t take it to heart.”

I thought my words were loaded with meaning. At least I’d been more subtle than Wang Hou himself could have managed. With his personality, there was no telling how long it would take him to confess in a sober state. So, I’d taken it upon myself to help.

Now everything depended on Hongye’s reaction.

Hongye gave me a slight, gentle smile, and said something that left me a bit disappointed.

“Hou is a good man… Let’s help him up first.”

I never went to college, but I’ve seen enough TV dramas to know that’s what girls say when politely turning a man down. I think that’s what they call the infamous “good guy card.”

I was left speechless and didn’t know what more to say. Still, to comfort myself, I told myself Wang Hou still had a chance—after all, she hadn’t refused him outright, and she hadn’t said it to his face.

While I was lost in these thoughts, Wang Hou, who had fallen heavily, suddenly rolled over. He shook his head and muttered, “Why am I so dizzy? Huh? Why am I not in the car?”

Hearing these words, I finally felt certain—Wang Hou was fully awake at last.

Hongye moved to help him, but I pushed her gently aside, concerned. I told her to let him get up on his own.

I figured, if he could stand up by himself, he really was back to normal. Otherwise, if he gave me another scare or started singing “I Love Beijing…,” I wouldn’t be able to take it.

Under our watchful eyes, Wang Hou patted his head and, swaying a little, stood up.

Seeing him, I finally felt my heart settle back into place.

“What’s wrong with me?” Wang Hou, realizing something wasn’t right, immediately asked.

I smiled slightly, pointed to the restaurant in the service station, and replied, “Lieutenant Wang, let’s eat first. After you’ve rested, I’ll tell you all about your misadventures.”

Inside the restaurant, we found a table by the window, ordered our food, and specifically bought some water for Wang Hou—had him drink up and wash his face.

After all that, Wang Hou finally returned to normal.

Once he was completely lucid, I smiled and recounted everything about the Ghost-Banquet and his “car karaoke.”

After listening, Wang Hou looked a little embarrassed.

He stared at his hands in bewilderment and shook his head. “I can’t remember any of it! Not a thing… All I remember is seeing a fire basin. At first, there was just some smoke, and then suddenly a little boy in black jumped out. His face was so white, so white…”

As he seemed about to lose control again, Hongye, quick-witted as ever, comforted him at the perfect moment: “Hou, calm down. It’s all over. The hallucinations were just from the poisonous smoke in that fire basin. Anyone would have suffered the same. The important thing is… you must stay strong! I’m rooting for you!”

As she spoke, she even flashed her “tiger claws” at Wang Hou, playfully acting cute.

With that, Wang Hou seemed instantly reassured, finally calming down.

I realized then that Wang Hou’s “illness” had come and gone as quickly as it had struck—what mattered was the right “medicine.” Ha…

After that, we settled down and enjoyed our meal, savoring the rare chance to rest.

But during the meal, I noticed that the way Wang Hou looked at Hongye had grown even stranger—more intense.

He kept asking me in a whisper, “Tian, do you think Hongye likes me? Why else would she act cute with me?”

I didn’t know what to say. After a moment’s thought, I could only reply, “It’s not that she’s cute—it’s that you are!”

With that, I ignored him completely, burying my head in the fried pancakes I’d chosen and chewing them with gusto.

Perhaps it was the dangers we’d just survived, but all four of us ate a lot—each had a portion of fried pancakes, a cold dish, and Wang Hou even ordered an extra plate of stir-fried noodles. Only when we were stuffed did we finally call it a meal.

Afterwards, everyone chewed a black pill to suppress the parasite infection. We rested a while, then signaled to the waitress to bring us the bill.

While we waited, Wang Hou turned to me with genuine gratitude and said, “Tian, your squad leader’s medicine really is good. Ever since I took it, the bugs in my stomach haven’t acted up. It’s way better than your silly herbal powder. When we get to southern Shandong, we have to thank your squad leader properly.”

I put down my chopsticks and smiled. “I know. All the gifts for the squad leader are in the bag—two packs of ‘Beidaihe,’ his favorite cigarettes.”

At this, Ah Si chimed in, “Two packs of cigarettes? That’s not much for saving our lives!”

I shook my chopsticks and told him that’s not how it works. The bond between comrades isn’t measured by the value of gifts. Besides, these are Hebei cigarettes, the squad leader’s favorite, and hard to find in Shandong.

As we spoke, the waitress came over and handed me the bill.

I glanced at it, and instantly all thoughts of paying vanished. I leapt to my feet as if a rocket had gone off beneath me, my face blazing with anger.

I glared at the waitress and shouted, “Get your boss! What’s the meaning of this food? Why is it cooked by ghosts?!”

My outburst instantly caused a commotion!