in the dark

Chapter 19

"Grandma Han, these are the two brothers I just mentioned." The little girl jumped up and down in front of an old woman and said happily.

The old woman was sitting on a small wooden stool picking beans in a basket, when she stood up tremblingly when she saw a guest coming.

Song Chan took a few glances at the layout and decoration of the house, and found that it was very simple, except for basic furniture such as tables, stools, cabinets and beds, there was only an old-fashioned TV set on the cabinet next to the wall.

"Hello, mother-in-law." Song Chan had a very good mouth, and was serious when he should be serious, a typical way of talking nonsense when meeting people and ghosts.

"Okay, sit down." The kind and slow words that only belonged to the old man came from the mouth of Granny Han, "What do you want to drink? Plain water or tea?"

The mother-in-law said gently and apologetically: "I'm just an old lady, there are no drinks that you young people like to drink at home."

"It's all right, you don't need to bother!" Song Chan blushed and stepped forward to stop him: "We're not thirsty, so you don't have to work." He moved two stools aside with a bright smile and began to help pick beans, seeing Song Nan'an Entering the door, he hurriedly greeted him to sit down.

"Hello." Song Nan'an said in a calm tone.

"Okay." Granny Han smiled and asked, "Did you pass by our town just now?"

Song Nan'an looked at Song Chan silently, motioning for him to answer.

Song Chan nodded and said: "We saw a boy fighting for a pen with Ozu on the road, we asked about the situation and found out that the pen should belong to Ozu, but then it seemed that the parents came, so we didn't bother anymore , who would have thought that the pen would fall into the boy's hand as soon as he turned his head."

"Then seeing Ozu run away crying, I couldn't bear it and wanted to chase after him to have a look."

As soon as Song Chan finished speaking, Granny Han sighed softly: "This child... oh."

Song Chan thought about it and asked: "Is it because of the family relationship...is it complicated?

Granny Han put down the beans in her hand, and embraced the silent Ozu in her arms: "It's not about family relations, it's not that complicated, but it's just patriarchal."

"Actually...it's not just Ozu's family. Every household in our town favors sons over daughters." Granny Han sighed again: "I have a close relationship with this child, she often comes to my house to play."

Song Chan asked, "Do you live alone?"

"That's right. My wife passed away a few years ago. My children live and work in a big city, and my grandson is there too. I've been alone all year round."

Song Nan'an, who was silent for a while, said suddenly: "Patriarchy is a matter of concept, and it is difficult to change the concept." These words were actually addressed to Song Chan.There is nothing wrong with wanting to help, but the older generation's ideas are extremely stubborn, how can an outsider help.

Song Chan frowned and remained silent.

Granny Han nodded slowly: "Yes, our town is like this. It is full of old people and children, and young people can't see a few. People of our generation value boys very much. In the end, my daughter's family always wants to For those who are married, it is difficult to level a bowl of water."

Hearing what Han Po said, Song Chan panicked.It turns out that I can't do anything after catching up. I'm just an outsider, so how can I take care of other people's family affairs.

Thinking of something, he touched Song Nan'an's back with his elbow, and asked, "Did you bring your pen?" He remembered that Song Nan'an often took notes on the materials, and he had seen it several times, so it should be some Very expensive fountain pen.

"Bring it." Song Nan'an replied, looking sideways at Song Chan.He knew what Song Chan wanted to do.

"Can you lend it to me?" Song Chan looked at Song Nan'an expectantly with bright eyes.

"Oh no." Song Chan thought for a while, that's not right, if his pen is so expensive, he borrowed it and gave it to Ozu, but in the end he couldn't pay it back, so what should he do, so he changed the subject: "Can you give it to me?"

The two were a little close, Song Chan waited for Song Nan'an to answer him.From his position, one can clearly see Song Nan'an's well-defined eyelashes, which are slender and thick, but they are not curled up in a feminine way, but drooping downwards, like a black net in front of his eyes. The eyes are deep and spirited.

It's a pity that he doesn't like to laugh, Song Chan sighed in his heart, if only he could smile more, such beautiful eyes.

"Yes." Song Nan'an glanced at Song Chan indifferently, and then said: "The thing owed to you has been paid off."

Song Chan was taken aback for a moment, and it took him a while to realize what the one thing he said was referring to.It's so strange, why did the topic go off track while talking?

This man is probably a fox!Waiting for him to drill into the sleeve all this time?Do you have any sympathy?Shouldn't they be helping little girls?

"No!" Song Chan's eyes widened: "These are two different things, they cannot be confused!"

"Huh?" Song Nan'an snorted softly, raised his eyebrows and looked at someone who reacted extremely fiercely.

Song Chan's heart skipped a beat.Can you stop being so weird, he is really scared.

"Do you have any sympathy?" Song Chan said boldly, lowering his voice in Song Nan'an's ear.

Ozu and Granny Han were picking beans from the basket while talking, so they didn't pay attention to them.

"Yes." Song Nan'an pursed his lips and said.

Song Chan: "..." Yes?Bar?If there is, then there is none. What kind of ghost is teasing him?

Song Chan's rambunctious nature flared up, "I don't care, it's two different things. It can't just be paid off like this."

"Well, the pen is mine." Song Nan'an emphasized lightly, then took out the mobile phone from Song Chan's jacket pocket, looked at it, and took out the wrong one, and took out another one.

Both mobile phones were held in Song Nan'an's hands, and he turned on the camera of his mobile phone.

Song Chan was so choked that he didn't know what to say, and finally had to take a step back: "Then treat it as my loan from you, and buy it back to you when the time comes."

"As you wish." Song Nan'an replied calmly without looking at him.

"Hmph." Song Chan huffed.There is no way, who made him foolishly have a good habit of not carrying a pen with him, admit it.

"where is it?"

It was inconvenient for Song Nan'an to hold the phone in his hand, so he leaned slightly to the right to signal him to take it in his pocket.

"You take it with you?" Song Chan put his hand into his pocket and touched it. It seemed that there was more than one?

"Ah."

Song Chan took out the two pens and looked them over several times. He couldn't tell whether the performance of the pens was good or bad, so he could at most talk about which one was good-looking and which one was not.But that's not important, since Song Nan'an used it himself, the performance must be guaranteed, and the only thing I have to worry about now is that I can't afford it.

"You don't need to choose." Song Nan'an said, "Two will be sent together."

"Ah... good." Song Chan replied shyly.Well, he retracted his previous thoughts. This person is not considered a fox, and he still has sympathy.

Just as Song Chan was thinking about how to talk to Ojin with a pen, Song Nan'an opened his lips and asked Han Po: "May I trouble you with something?"

As soon as the words were finished, the suspicious eyes of several people were all on Song Nan'an, including Song Chan, who often felt tired because his brain circuit couldn't keep up.

"Tell me." Granny Han is very kind. The visitor is a guest, so of course she will help anyone who can help.

Song Nan'an said very sincerely: "I want to inquire about some things in the town, and then I hope to take a few photos." But sincerity cannot conceal a strong sense of abruptness.

Could it be that people with high IQs have low EQs?

Song Chan immediately understood. When he just entered the room, he had been staring at the red ribbon, the brick kiln, and so on, so he turned his head and hurriedly smoothed things over for someone with low EQ: "We don't care about this town. I am very interested in the customs on the website. Since I have come here, I want to investigate and take some photos back. Please.”

Song Chan spoke very smoothly, explaining the purpose of their trip but did not clearly state their occupation.

After following Song Nan'an for so many days, he has already figured out the routine very clearly. In the early stage of handling the case, he needs to visit privately to obtain information and not startle the snake.

"You can ask whatever you want." Granny Han said with a smile, "I can't help you as an old lady, but after living for so many years, I still know a lot about the affairs of the town. I should know everything you want to know." Tell me a little bit."

"When we entered the door, we saw many red ribbons hung on the two evergreen trees in the yard, and a mirror was also hung in front of your gate." Song Nan'an asked in a deep voice, "Does the town really believe in these?"

Granny Han nodded slowly: "Believe it, how can you not believe it? My ancestors have believed in this for generations. If your wish is not fulfilled, as long as something happens, you will burn incense and worship Buddha." Then she lowered her voice: "Be careful with ghosts and gods." Be in awe."

"The two evergreen trees in the yard were planted by my son when he was begging for a son. Later, when my daughter-in-law became pregnant, she decided to tie a red ribbon on my little grandson's birthday every year to fulfill his wish. After so many years, the tree has grown so big."

Song Nan'an reminded: "There are words on those red ribbons."

"Yes, they wrote Buddhist scriptures and drew talismans." Granny Han paused, "Every year, I will ask local people who know this business to help us make them, and I will sincerely pay my respects."

Song Chan was surprised, and interjected: "Is there someone in the local area who specializes in this kind of thing?"

This is obviously not in line with the core values ​​of socialism. What kind of society is it now? Shouldn’t the people follow the party wholeheartedly?Of course, he only dared to slander a few words in his heart and dare not say them in the open.

"Well, they know how to look at Feng Shui and can cure many strange diseases. In short, many things that can't be solved by themselves can be solved by asking them."

After Granny Han finished speaking, Song Nan'an and Song Chan's hearts sank at the same time. It seemed that the superstition of the local people had reached a very serious level.

"What do you usually call them? Is this their profession? Make money from it?"

"Putting people, that's what they call them in private." The mother-in-law thought for a while and explained: "Occupation... shouldn't be counted, they also have serious things to do, but since we are the ones who ask them for help, of course we can't help you." I won't treat them badly, most of the time... I will still give some money."

Song Nan'an's eyes were dark, and after thinking for a moment, he asked, "Can I go and see the brick kiln in the yard?"

Han Po nodded, took Ozu by the hand and led them to the yard together.

The brick kiln is very small, and there are many sundries piled up in the cramped space, such as wooden ladders, broken tiles, and dusty tables. It seems that no one has entered it for many years, and useless things are left here. in.

Song Nan'an handed the phone to Song Chan, raised his chin towards the two evergreen trees in the yard, and ordered, "Take a picture."

Song Chan understood it, took his mobile phone and carefully took pictures of the mirror in front of the door and the red ribbon on the evergreen tree, and returned to Song Nan'an after taking pictures.

Ozu stood quietly watching them from the beginning to the end.

"This kiln must have been built 20 years ago." Granny Han seemed to be recalling: "At that time, my wife was still there, and our family relied on the small kiln to burn some bricks and tiles and sell some small money. The vegetables grown can be sold in the vegetable market from time to time, and life is still passable." She sighed: "It has been eliminated a long time ago, and every household has built a kiln several times larger than this one, which was burned overnight. More than we burned in a week."

Song Nan'an continued to ask: "Do you still remember the temperature of this kind of kiln?"

"I still remember this. After all, I have been doing it for so many years." The mother-in-law smiled, without thinking: "Over 300 degrees. It will burn for a whole day and night."

Song Nan'an nodded, and after thanking him, he didn't ask any other questions. He turned to Song Chan and said, "Take out the pen, we should go."

"Now?" Song Chan was a little dazed, his thoughts still stopped at the sentence "more than 300 degrees a day and night" that Granny Han said just now.

"What?" Song Nan'an looked at him sideways and asked, "Do you still have something to do?"

Song Chan didn't answer, at first he just wanted to help a group of Ozu, but then he figured it out, after all, he was an outsider, so it's not easy to go to other people's homes to question why boys are preferred over girls.

"No." Song Chan took out two pens, squatted in front of Ozu, and said, "Ozu, brothers are leaving soon." He raised the pen in his hand, and then asked Ozu to open his palm and Putting the pen on it, "This is a gift from me and this brother, please keep it well."

"Where are you going?" Ozu asked, curling his lips.

"Brothers are going home, well, you are obedient." Song Chan stood up, touched the little girl's shofar braids again: "Put away the pen, and study hard." Let your brother take them away! Do you hear me?"

The little girl nodded obediently.

Really didn't know what to say, Song Chan scratched his head embarrassingly, coughing, feeling that he, a person who hasn't read books very seriously, is not qualified to let others study hard, these words should come from Song Nan'an .

Song Chan said obediently; "I'm bothering mother-in-law, then we'll leave first."

"Okay, be careful." Han Po smiled and warned.

"Ah."

Granny Han hunched over and took Ozu by the hand and stood in the yard watching the two of them leave.

When the two returned to the main road, Song Chan asked curiously: "Do you suspect that the two children were burned to death in the kiln?" The two words of more than 300 degrees and one day and night have been wandering in his mind for several times. A few minutes later, he didn't know much about kiln firing before, but after listening to Han Po's explanation, he thought of the whole case and suddenly realized.

Song Nan'an nodded: "It's not doubt, it's affirmation."

"why?"

Song Nan'an didn't answer Song Chan: "Go to He Yang first."