Happy Little Farmer
Chapter 787

Chapter 787: Chapter 787

Yang Fan quickly sipped a bit of tea and prepared to set out for work right away.

Once Zhou Yingnan’s goods were delivered, Sanping’s matter would be settled.

But Zhou Yingnan stopped him, "Don’t rush off yet; drink some more. In a bit, I’ll cook a big pot of bone soup for everyone."

"I’ll pass on the meal. It’s still early, and if I finish up quickly, I’ve got other things to handle." Yang Fan politely declined Zhou Yingnan’s enthusiastic hospitality.

Zhou Yingnan furrowed her brows slightly, "I see. But, if your task isn’t particularly urgent, could you wait a moment? I have a small matter I’d like to consult you about. I heard from my granduncle that you’ve got methods for ghost hunting, is that true?"

Only then did Yang Fan realize Zhou Yingnan had something else on her mind.

"I know a bit, but honestly, I’m not very skilled," Yang Fan said.

After the events on Li Mountain, Yang Fan had discovered his abilities were still rather lacking.

Small problems didn’t come his way, and big issues he couldn’t handle.

Zhou Yingnan’s expression carried a hint of humility as she smiled and said, "Boss Yang, don’t be so modest. What you did on Li Mountain became such a big deal that, judging from my granduncle’s tone, he practically regards you and your master as deities."

"I feel this matter shouldn’t be a big deal—probably just some mischievous things up in the mountains. I’m curious, for things like this, how do you usually charge?"

"Well, why don’t you first explain exactly what’s happening. If it turns out to be relatively simple, I won’t charge you. We’ve got plenty of opportunities to work together in the future, so I’ll help out as a favor this time," Yang Fan replied.

"But if it turns out to be something trickier, you’ll have to forgive me for charging a business partner. I’d need to collect some kind of fee."

Zhou Yingnan nodded and smiled, "That’s fair. Doing work without charge wouldn’t make sense either."

"It’s like this—actually, I don’t know what it is. But every night, there’s always something throwing stuff at my windows. I’ve replaced the glass in my three rooms at least ten times now. The woman selling glass down the mountain even advised me to stockpile some, and I really did. So now I have a decent stash."

"Just that?" Yang Fan asked.

If it was only that straightforward, it didn’t sound particularly complicated.

Maybe it was some monkeys.

Certain species of monkeys are quite irritating and love playing pranks; their malice toward humans is significant.

Zhou Yingnan shook her head, "Not just that. When I’m inside the house at night, it’s generally fine. But when I step into the courtyard, I always have the feeling that countless eyes are staring at me. The sensation is overwhelming, just like how close we are now, with you staring straight at me."

"Sometimes, I catch glimpses of something like shadows on the glass, but when I turn to look, it instantly disappears. I’ve never gotten a clear look, but the feeling is so strong—like there’s a malicious woman crouched by the window, plotting how to kill me."

Fan Sisi suddenly hugged herself, pressing closer to Yang Fan’s side.

"Fanzi, my back is freezing; my hair is standing on end," she said.

Yang Fan gently patted Fan Sisi’s smooth thigh. "Don’t worry, it might not be anything like that," he reassured her.

After calming Fan Sisi down, he continued asking, "How often does this happen?"

"It’s been happening more and more frequently lately," Zhou Yingnan said. "I’ve been living here in the mountains for three years now. Initially, I wasn’t used to the environment and felt scared at night, but back then, nothing ever happened. Now I’m adjusted, even daring to go down the mountain to pick things from caves late at night, but suddenly, all this starts happening."

Yun Miaoyi exclaimed in shock, "Miss Zhou, you dare to go into caves in this deep forest at night? You’re seriously impressive!"

"Honestly, you just get used to it," Zhou Yingnan replied with a faint smile. "But I haven’t gone in a while—I’m afraid I won’t be able to deal with whatever’s in there and could end up being killed inside."

Yang Fan thoughtfully mulled over the things Zhou Yingnan had mentioned. He asked in a serious tone, "So you feel the sensation is very strong, but you’ve never actually seen anything?"

"That’s right."

Yang Fan pondered for a moment before asking further, "And have you noticed any footprints or similar traces? You’ve lived here for three years now, so you should be pretty familiar with the surroundings. Has anything seemed out of place in the courtyard or the mountains when you look around in the mornings? Shouldn’t you be able to detect something unusual?"

Yang Fan still leaned toward the possibility of it being some kind of animal.

The sense of being watched, as described by Zhou Yingnan, was likely just an illusion.

Look at Fan Sisi’s reaction—it said it all.

Just hearing a few details had her feeling cold and jumpy.

Living alone in this kind of place at night, Zhou Yingnan probably got spooked by small movements and her imagination took over.

Zhou Yingnan shook her head firmly. "Nothing at all."

"You’re guessing it’s something, right? At first, I thought the same. I figured it might be monkeys or something similar. But there aren’t any footprints, and the things outside are untouched. To be sure, I even set out food specifically, but over several nights, the same disturbances occurred, and the food remained perfectly intact—not a bite taken."

"That’s bizarre. Then what could it be?" Yang Fan’s theory was disproved, leaving him equally perplexed.

Could it really be some kind of mountain monster?

"What’s being used to hit the windows?" Yang Fan asked.

"Hold on, this is the crucial part I need to show you." Zhou Yingnan stood up and entered one of the smaller wooden huts.

A moment later, she returned, carrying a glass jar.

As soon as they saw the jar, both Fan Sisi and Yun Miaoyi jumped up in fright, screaming as they threw themselves into Yang Fan’s arms.

Wang Daqiang also flinched, startled. Seeing the commotion on Yang Fan’s side, he took a deep breath, sat upright, and forced himself to keep his gaze fixed on the glass jar in Zhou Yingnan’s hands.

Yang Fan patted Fan Sisi and Yun Miaoyi’s backs soothingly. "Haven’t you ever seen these candies?" he asked.

"What...candies?" Fan Sisi asked, confused.

Yun Miaoyi curled her graceful body closer, saying, "I think I’ve seen candies like that before—they’re called eye candies or something. But these don’t seem to be candies; they’re much bigger. Look, there are things attached to them."

"Maybe it’s just something similar," Yang Fan said. "But I’m certain it’s not real eyes."

Just as Yun Miaoyi and Fan Sisi began to relax, Zhou Yingnan said, "They’re real."

"Whoa, seriously? Real?"

Yun Miaoyi cried out again, her earlier calm evaporating.

"Yes, real," Zhou Yingnan confirmed. "That’s why I feel something’s off about this whole thing."

"Don’t be scared. Even if they’re real eyes, they’re just eyes. Haven’t you eaten food like that before? It tastes good," Yang Fan comforted them, though the two women were so frightened their eyes seemed to lose focus.

"Fanzi, stop talking about it! You’re scaring me—and grossing me out!" Fan Sisi cried, pressing her hand firmly over Yang Fan’s mouth while burying her head against his chest.