Chapter 2 — Going Thousand Years Later

8

I picked up the phone, left the bathroom, and told Nghi Dung all this strange story. These weird things started after my photos were spread online. I angrily complained to her, in the end, who leaked my information and made me so miserable! Nghi Dung confirmed that I must have been followed by something unclean, and advised me to go to the temple to burn incense and ask for a protective talisman. The next morning, I woke up early and went to the temple immediately. The pagoda is filled with incense and smoke, and pilgrims come and go endlessly. I wore sunglasses and a mask, blending into the crowded crowd. Amidst the noise and the bell echoing from the top of the mountain, I clearly heard the conversation between men and women, as if they were speaking right in my ear. The female voice seemed suspicious: "Is she really a lady?" The male voice was a bit cold: "Nonsense, Marquis said it was right, that's it."

“Hu hu, the lady is still as beautiful as before!”

The male voice calmed down a bit: "Okay, even though you can't compare to Madam, you're still very beautiful."

“Hehe, brother Tuong Duc is the best!”

Apparently they didn't realize their conversation could be heard by me. These two people are definitely related to the ancient man I met twice before. I pretended to accidentally turn around a few times to look for them. But there were only normal pilgrims around, and no one with an unusual appearance was seen. Where did that voice come from...? I shivered, but compared to previous times, the fear had lessened somewhat. Even though I didn't know who they were, at least I was certain that they meant me no harm—at least temporarily. I chose an empty hall to perform the ceremony. The other two were still following behind. But when I knelt on the cushion, they suddenly fell silent, appearing strangely respectful. After praying, I did not rush to leave, but quietly followed the Buddha statue and went around the back to hide. Soon, an enthusiastic voice came from outside:

"Where is the lady? Why did you disappear? Ah, that's right! There's another way behind the main hall!"

The man's voice was calm: "Quickly find it!" Immediately after that, the sound of rapid footsteps sounded, clearly they were running around the back to find me. I followed the Buddha statue, constantly changing directions, secretly playing hide-and-seek with them, causing the two of them to frantically spin around. Hearing a female voice that was almost about to cry, I suddenly felt like I... shouldn't have done that. I stopped, almost bumping into a little girl wearing Hanfu, her hair braided into two small round buns. The girl fell to the ground and looked at me with wide eyes, I was also stunned and looked back at her. Its round face was filled with panic, "It's broken! The Marquis told you not to let the lady see!" I: "?" As soon as he finished speaking, from behind the corner of the Buddha statue, a hand suddenly reached out, his wrist wrapped in a martial arts practitioner's protective belt. That hand grabbed the girl's collar, lifted her up, and pulled her behind the Buddha statue. I didn't know I was afraid of death, so I was curious to follow and see. But as soon as I returned to the corner of the palace— the Great Hall was empty. Before my eyes, there was only the scent of smoke lingering in the incense burner, gradually dissipating into the air.

10

When I got the amulet and brought it home, perhaps due to the psychological effect, I felt much more secure. For the past two days, my WeChat has been busier than ever, enough The type of friends—close friends, sisters—all come to ask about the tomb incident. Even, some MCN company somehow contacted me, insisted on signing a contract, and turned me into an internet hotgirl. I'm really tired, I just want to be a normal person! Feeling frustrated, I received a call from my date and immediately went out. When entering the elevator, the door was almost closed when someone entered from the outside. I held down the door open button, waiting for that person to come in. He was a tall guy, wearing a t-shirt and sports pants, with a well-proportioned body and a very stylish dressing style. With just one glance, a handsome and handsome aura radiates around. Although I'm not the type to be crazy about guys, I'm also a normal girl with good taste. Before I could see his face clearly, I suddenly blushed and quickly moved aside to make room, but I couldn't help but want to take a closer look. While the elevator was descending, I secretly raised my head, my eyes glanced over and then— I met his gaze. He tilted his face slightly, the corners of his lips curled slightly, his eyes held a smile, calmly looking at me. The shy smile on my lips immediately stiffened. Why… why him?! That man in ancient uniform…!

11

The small space in the elevator immediately became stuffy. I have no way back. But maybe because this time he was dressed like a normal person, no longer looking strange and out of place like in his costume, so I wasn't as scared as before. However, these people took turns following me, what did they want? I really wanted to question, but I didn't have the courage to open my mouth. You can only quietly turn your head away, as quiet as a quail. He seemed to be still looking at me, making me feel even colder. During the moment of extreme tension, I tilted my head back and smiled awkwardly twice, trying to be friendly:

“Do you cut your hair?”

He raised his eyebrows, clearly not expecting me to give up and say something like this. The smile in his eyes became even stronger, and he slowly replied:

“Madam, do you like the look of me with longer hair?”

My first reaction should have been to immediately deny the word “like”— But I naturally accepted the title “ma'am”. By the time I realized something was wrong, then— The phone rang first. I glanced at him, then pressed to accept the call.

12

I had a dinner date with a college friend who studied archeology together. The main purpose is to inquire about that ancient tomb. This call was from him, asking me what time he would arrive. Before ending, he gently advised:

“Be careful on the road.”

The echo from the phone speaker echoed in the small elevator, of course the half-human, half-ghost person next to him couldn't miss a word. For some reason, standing in front of him and talking to another man, I suddenly felt guilty. As soon as I hung up the phone, I heard his voice ringing right next to my ear:

“Do you have an appointment, ma'am?”

If you ask, then ask, it's even combined with that kind of smile that seems like nothing. I didn't dare answer a single word. My palms were sweating coldly, I tried to stabilize my heartbeat and argued in a low voice:

"I'm not your wife..."

At this time, the elevator was almost to the first floor. As soon as the door opens, I will immediately rush out. I didn't pay attention to his expression, just silently preparing for the next action. But at this moment—

“BAM”

The elevator suddenly vibrated, then suddenly went dark— I couldn't see anything anymore.

13

I screamed, my back pressed against the elevator wall, my whole body trembling. Amid the pounding heartbeat like a war drum, his low voice clearly rang out:

“He He He, you are my wife, I have been looking for you for a thousand years.”

I covered my ears tightly, my forehead was covered in cold sweat. In the dark, I couldn't determine where he was standing. Maybe it's still right in front of me—or maybe, he's everywhere.

“Hehe, can you come home with me?”

“Just step through the Shrine Gate, you will regain your memories of your past life, we will be together forever.”

His words seemed to penetrate directly into my mind, but I didn't know how to respond. I've been afraid of the dark since I was little. My aunt once teased me that in my previous life I must have died in the dark, that's why I'm so scared in this life. He probably also sensed my panic, his voice briefly stopped, then softly called out:

“Hehehe?”

Feeling that he was getting closer, I suddenly burst into tears. Without thinking anymore, I buried my head in his arms, squeezing his waist tightly as if afraid he would leave. I cried miserably, tears falling drop by drop, as if I had just suffered a huge injustice. The man didn't say anything else, just gently placed his hand on the back of my neck, slowly patting me, rhythm by rhythm, without any trouble. I never knew that this action would have such an effect on me—so magical that it would make me stop crying. Tears and snot were smeared, I carelessly wiped them all on his shirt. At the top of his head, his voice was gentler than the wind that blew away the purple petals that day:

"Okay, He He, don't cry anymore. I'm here. I'm always here."

Purple flower... I stopped, choking and stopped sobbing. Why… do I suddenly recall rows of trees filled with purple flowers in my mind—that smoky, cloud-like scene…?