The Sweetness of the Seventies
Chapter 135 "Sleep Walking", Burning Paper Money_1

Chapter 135: Chapter 135 "Sleep Walking", Burning Paper Money_1

As Village Chief Qi headed to the county town, she decided to follow, taking an ox cart which could carry quite a few items. She didn’t want to add to Niu Dajun’s burden; during the New Year, his workload was busier than ever. Besides, a bicycle couldn’t carry much anyway.

He Tiantian had already made such arrangements and, although she hadn’t sent any physical items to Huo Yingjie, the letter she wrote was brimming with affection. She hoped that upon reading it, Yingjie’s heart would feel warm and sweet. The content consisted of mundane daily matters, but penned by He Tiantian, they always exuded a sense of warmth.

In addition, He Tiantian wrote that she didn’t want Yingjie to send her any more grain coupons. With his tall stature, it was a time when he needed to eat well; he couldn’t afford to go hungry. Going hungry now might affect his health later on. He Tiantian also talked about her life in Qijia Village, assuring him that she wasn’t going hungry and asking him not to worry. After writing at length across seven or eight pages, she finally stopped, carefully checked everything once more, and placed the letter in the envelope.

In the deep of the night, He Tiantian didn’t light the kerosene lamp but used the illumination from Snake King’s barrier space instead. Suddenly, she heard rustling noises outside and thought that a thief might have entered. Cautiously, she approached the window to look outside.

By the moonlight, He Tiantian could vaguely make out the figure hunching slightly and wobbling on small feet—it was Grandma Qi.

Oh dear, He Tiantian glanced at her watch; it was already past eleven, nearing midnight. Why wasn’t Grandma Qi asleep?

He Tiantian was very surprised and startled again when she heard the main gate creak. Could it be that Grandma Qi was sleepwalking?

At her advanced age, if she were sleepwalking and fell outside in the middle of the night, what would happen?

But she had heard that one must never wake a sleepwalker, as the shock could scare them to death.

He Tiantian quickly whispered, "Gurgle gurgle mew... Snake King, come out quickly, Grandma Qi is sleepwalking in the middle of the night. I have to follow her to make sure she doesn’t fall and hurt herself."

"Then follow her, what do you want me for?" Snake King asked puzzledly. "The moonlight outside is quite good; you can see clearly, can’t you?"

He Tiantian replied again, "You can help me hide my presence; I mustn’t scare Grandma Qi. It’s said that waking a sleepwalker can be fatal. You know how good Grandma Qi has been to me, so now that I know she’s out at this hour, I must follow and ensure her safety."

"Alright then," said Snake King after chanting a few words. Then he added, "I’ve already concealed your footsteps and figure, hurry and follow her."

Snake King usually spent his time not cultivating by observing the people around him.

At first, this old lady Qi did indeed have some intentions of using He Tiantian, but as time went by, her feelings became genuine. Now, whatever good things were in the house, Third Grandma Qi would save them for He Tiantian, treating her like family.

When He Tiantian was not at home, the old lady often worried about her.

Third Grandma Qi was a pitiable old woman, but also a respectable one.

He Tiantian opened the door carefully and followed quietly behind.

As Grandma Qi had bound feet, even with a walking stick, she moved slowly. Moreover, with her diminished eyesight and advanced age, sometimes, despite moonlight, Grandma Qi still couldn’t see the road clearly and walked even slower.

He Tiantian was always curious; Grandma Qi’s walking didn’t seem like sleepwalking at all!

In her past life, although He Tiantian was a woman of no exposure to the world, every household had a TV set. Some TV dramas had featured sleepwalkers who were expressionless and aimless, wandering outside. But Grandma Qi occasionally looked down at her feet and then around her. If He Tiantian hadn’t masked her presence and sound, Grandma Qi would have probably noticed her by now.

The more she thought about it, the more curious she became, and He Tiantian continued to follow.

Oh no, isn’t this the way to the livestock team?

Up ahead is that small grove; according to Third Grandma Qi, before the liberation, that place used to be a chaotic graveyard.

My goodness, could it really be... could it really be true that there are ghosts? And that they have possessed Grandma Qi?

He Tiantian was trembling with fear, her legs grew a bit wobbly.

If it was her past life, He Tiantian would have absolutely not believed in it. But she had a miraculous Snake King by her side, and after spending a long time with the Snake King, she came to know about the Human Realm, the Demon Realm, the Heavenly Dao, the Nine Heavens Profound Thunder, and how could that then... how could the rulers of the Netherworld - Yama Raja, little ghosts, Ox-Head and Horse-Face - be far behind?

"Idiot!" A voice that sounded frustrated at her lack of comprehension came from inside her head; why did he choose such a partner?

When He Tiantian heard the Snake King’s voice, she immediately stopped being scared. She wasn’t alone now; she had a snake with her. No need to fear, no need to fear!

"Why do you say that about me?" He Tiantian followed Grandma Qi up ahead, while asking the Snake King in her mind.

The Snake King had vast magical powers, and usually, when he spoke to her this way, it was because He Tiantian had made some mistake.

"There is no such thing as the Netherworld; once dead, one is just dead. There must be death for there to be life, so that life goes on endlessly," said the Snake King, "All those ghosts you people in the Human Realm talk about—they don’t exist. However, if the Human Realm had spiritual energy in the past, it indeed could nourish demons or cultivators."

"Are you sure?" He Tiantian was half-convinced, half-doubtful.

The reason for her belief was that in all her years, both in her past and present lives, she had never seen a ghost once.

The reason for her skepticism was that after she got the Snake King, she believed anything was possible!

"Hmph!" The Snake King, seeing that He Tiantian even doubted his words, said, "I won’t talk to you anymore, I’m entering the Barrier Space."

Grandma Qi entered the small grove, and He Tiantian, not wanting to appease the annoyed Snake King, followed her.

She saw Third Grandma Qi take down the basket slung over her arm and squat down. He Tiantian moved to within two meters to Third Grandma Qi’s side to get a clear look at what Grandma Qi was doing.

Third Grandma Qi’s behavior was too odd.

Suddenly "crackle" - Grandma Qi lit a match, and her other hand took out a handful of something from the basket. It didn’t look like grass; it more likely was paper, cut into a round shape, like joss paper.

So Grandma Qi came to burn paper offerings!

He Tiantian suddenly realized!

Just as He Tiantian was guessing, Grandma Qi had already set fire to the joss paper in her hand, and in the light of the fire, He Tiantian could see Grandma Qi’s expression.

Her face full of wrinkles showed an expression of both concern and devotion. She kneeled on the ground, hands clasped together, muttering words of prayer: "All kinds of ghosts and great immortals, my Girl Tian doesn’t know any better. If she has offended any of you, please, on account of my late-night offerings, forgive Girl Tian. During festivals and holidays, offerings will be made. It’s said that good is rewarded with good, and evil with evil. Girl Tian is so kind and willing to help others, always doing good deeds. I ask you all, ghosts and great immortals, please protect Girl Tian so she may be healthy and safe. If my son is still alive, then let me live a few more years, so we can see each other again..."