Chapter 1: The Third

The night was as dark as a pot bottom that hadn't been scrubbed in hundreds of years, with storm clouds rolling, devoid of any starlight or moonshine.

Distant mountains loomed ominously in the dark, and the cold wind blew through the treetops, making a whistling sound.

At the foot of the mountain, the village town glimmered with scattered orange lights, and a courtyard a mile or two away faintly revealed a bean-sized firelight.

Zhang Xian’gu held a handful of sunflower seeds, leaning against the doorframe slowly cracking them open, spitting out the shells while saying, “Third, what are you fussing with these for? Didn’t we just fix the roof?”

"Third" was a slender boy of about twelve or thirteen, arranging an axe, carving knife, short knife, fine saw, and other tools on a rough stone table in the shabby courtyard. He took a basin of water, scooped a handful, and poured it on the whetstone, sharpening the tools while saying, “I’m making some hairpins for Sister Hua. She gave me a few of her younger brother’s books to read…”

Zhang Xian’gu stopped cracking her seeds and leaning on the doorframe, hopping over to “Third” and saying, “Stop what you’re doing for a moment!”

But "Third" did not stop, only looking up at Zhang Xian’gu briefly. She urged anxiously, “You forgot again! You're a boy! A boy!”

"Third" replied, “I remember. She helped me, gave me things, I should give something back, can’t just take without returning!”

Zhang Xian’gu scolded, “Short-lived ghost! There’s a limit to everything! Remember, you’re a boy, growing older, you can’t keep playing with young women! Sister Hua is spoken for! How can she accept things from a boy, especially hairpins! Be careful not to give yourself away, or they might drown both of you in the pond!” All the while, she rambled on to "Third" about the dangers of men and women mixing and the trouble it could bring to Sister Hua.

"Third" continued to sharpen each tool methodically, then split a carefully chosen piece of wood, clearly beginning to make hairpins, driving Zhang Xian’gu to desperation! Just as she was about to say more, "Third" set down his tools and said, “Someone’s coming.”

Zhang Xian’gu snorted dismissively, “Stop mixing things up! In the dead of night, with the sky so dark and looking like rain, and your father gone to the city, who would come to our house?” Despite saying this, she still picked up a broom to sweep the sunflower seed shells off the floor, straightened her clothes, and murmured to herself: Could it really be someone with serious business? That would be quite the profitable affair!

Their family was known for spirit mediumship. Zhang Xian’gu herself dabbled in telling ghost stories to the village women, burning some incense, chanting spells, mixing in some talisman water to make a bit of money. “Third’s” father, Zhu Shenhan, was more involved, handling chanting prayers, conducting rituals, inviting and sending off gods, performing as gods and demons at temple fairs, and competing in magic against neighboring villages. “Third,” despite his young age, was already taking on the adult responsibilities and was expected to follow in the footsteps of conjuring tricks for a living.

Such families were generally avoided by the villagers unless necessary, as their association was not eagerly sought. Thus, their home was situated a bit away from the rest of the village. To visit a witch in the middle of the night, especially when it's about to rain, one is either up to no good or has unspeakable requests for the spirits. Isn't that a big business opportunity?!

After adjusting her clothes, Zhang Xian’gu asked, “How come I didn’t hear anything? Are you sure you didn’t hear wrong? Or could it be your father returning?”

“Third” frowned, stood up straight, twisted his body in a leap to the roof, and peered out. He saw a lantern light flickering in the distance. Jumping down from the roof, he said, “Someone is coming, for sure. It’s someone from the village, walking with a lantern – it looks like Zhu Liu, and there’s someone with him, they’re drunk.”

“You always know!” scolded Zhang Xian’gu, then instructed, “Quickly put your things away, don’t mess up my business. If it's really him, it can’t be good.”

“Third” didn’t argue, promptly gathered his tools together, and said, “Mother, if they are up to no good, don’t help them harm others.”

Zhang Xian’gu replied, “I wish I could! If I had the power to curse someone to death, would I still be scrabbling around here?! Go stay in the side room!”

“Third” took his things to the side room, lit a lamp, and slowly started carving the wood. Now, Zhang Xian’gu also heard some voices and thought to herself: Third has keen ears and sharp eyes. If he says it’s Zhu Liu, it is Zhu Liu, and he’s no good. I need to be careful in dealing with him.

……………………

The visitors were indeed Zhu Liu, and true to prediction, he was drunk, with another person beside him. They staggered along, talking in turns.

The person beside him said, “Brother Liu, are you sure this is a good idea? Zhang Xian’gu might be pretty but she’s fierce. Her man might not be home, but there’s that nearly grown boy, taller than most, and he’s trouble just like her. Stirring things up with them might not end well.”

Zhu Liu stuck out his tongue: "Pah! Who shares a surname with them? Their family originally had the surname Zhu, fleeing famine years ago, and changed their surname to Zhu because we all share it. Does that make us family? Old Nine, let me tell you, her man has gotten into trouble! Heh, if we don't take advantage of this situation to play her, we'll never get the chance again!"

Old Nine asked, "What do you mean?"

"I just got back from the city. Her man went up there to swindle and cheat and has now fallen into his own trap, caught in some affair of cursing someone to death! He's locked up in jail now, looking like he's done for! Let's go scare her a bit, heh! It's your lucky day. How old is that kid of hers? Once I've had my fun, I'll let you have a taste too!"

Old Nine asked, "They're really not our kin?"

"Stop nagging! If you're not up for it, go back. I'll enjoy myself without you!"

"Don't be like that, Brother Liu. Who's unwilling? But, speaking of which, the one in the big house is about to die too, and his wife, Sister Hua, is also a..."

Zhu Liu glanced at him sidelong and sneered, "That one's actually one of our Zhu clan, now you're not squeamish? That's meat in the bowls of the Fourth Uncle and the others. They get to eat the meat, and we don't even get to sip the broth, at most catch a whiff of it. How can that compare to having Zhang Xian’gu, this piece of meat, right by our mouths?"

"Hehe. We'll do as Brother Liu says."

"Then follow me. I'll start by scaring her, saying her man is to be beheaded, but I have a way to save him, though it would require... heh heh..."

"Brother Liu, can you really?"

"Bullshit! If I don't say that, will she listen?"

"Hehe, sounds good!"

Having agreed on their plan, they approached the low-walled, thinly guarded courtyard, and Zhu Liu coughed, "Is the Witch at home?!"

Zhang Xian’gu felt uneasy as she went to open the courtyard door, asking, “Who is it?” She had already recognized it was Zhu Liu. Known in the village for his notoriety, from harassing widows to desecrating graves, and stealing chickens and garlic sprouts, a visit from Zhu Liu spelled trouble. However, considering "Third" was growing and she wanted to make him new clothes, she decided to take this chance to earn some money and thus opened the door.

As soon as the door was opened, Zhu Liu pushed his way into the yard, with Zhu Jiu closing the door behind them.

Zhang Xian’gu was first shocked, then angry, hands on her hips she scolded, “You scoundrel…”

Zhu Liu, with a sleazy smile, said, “Don’t be angry, Witch. Don’t you want to hear news about your man?” shining the lantern in Zhang Xian’gu’s face as he spoke.

By the lantern’s light, Zhang Xian’gu saw Zhu Liu’s greasy smiling face, felt a jolt inside, but smiled back, “Oh? What’s it? Something you know and I don’t?”

Zhu Liu said, “Just thought you should know, your elder brother has found himself a sweetheart outside.”

“Pah! He wishes! Where would he get the money? Who would bother with him without money?”

Zhu Liu’s expression turned serious, “Witch, you’re a smart one. No sweetheart for the elder brother, he’s gotten himself into trouble! He was in the city, casting spells for the Chen family with a master, and got caught. Now he’s in the dungeon, awaiting execution! If you care for your man’s life, agree to me, or else… hmph!”

Zhang Xian’gu’s anger grew, yet she still smiled, “Well, that requires careful consideration…”

Zhu Liu, lacking the patience for lengthy discussions, dropped the lantern and with Zhu Jiu, grabbed Zhang Xian’gu’s arms to drag her into the main house. Suddenly, someone sprang out, landing a hit on Zhu Jiu’s back, “What’s this?!”

Zhu Liu, sobered up by the shock, turned to see who it was and laughed, “Third? Grown up, huh? How about calling me ‘dad’ from now on?” He kicked Zhu Jiu, who got up and tried to grab “Third”. Zhang Xian’gu urgently yelled, “Third, run!”

Both Zhu Liu and Zhu Jiu laughed, “Can’t run, can’t run. If the Witch is sensible, he’ll be fine, and he’ll gain an extra dad!”

Zhang Xian’gu, with one hand on the clasp at her throat, said, “Don’t touch him! It’s me you want, after all. I’m no virgin maiden unfamiliar with men…”

“That’s more like it!” Zhu Liu praised.

No sooner had the words been spoken than Zhu Jiu began to scream, clutching his wrist, "A knife! A knife! The boy has a weapon!"

Zhu Liu cursed, "What are you afraid of? Grab him!"

"My hand, my hand!"

Zhu Liu was about to curse again when a flash of lightning tore through the night. He saw "Third" unapologetically raising the tool in his hand—an axe! But instead of striking at him, he aimed another blow at Zhu Jiu, who rolled away, with Third pursuing to strike again.

The sound of thunder left Zhu Liu feeling panicked, dragging Zhu Jiu as they fled, cursing as they went, "Just you wait! You’ll all be sold off!"

They ran off in a puff of smoke.

"Third" silently examined the axe under the oil lamp, its blade covered in blood, sighed, and walked outside. Zhang Xian’gu’s expression was grim, her voice hoarse as she tightened the collar of her garment, "Third, where are you going?"

"To fetch water," he paused, then added, "The axe and the ground are dirty, need washing."

"Oh, leave it, I’ll do it..."

"It’s quicker with two."

After silently finishing the task, Third tossed his thin quilt onto the bed in the main room. Zhang Xian’gu said nothing, both listening to the rain. Suddenly, Third remarked, "I’ve fixed the roof, no need to worry about leaks."

"Oh."

The night passed without words.

As Third’s breathing deepened, Zhang Xian’gu lay awake, haunted by Zhu Liu’s words about her husband being in prison, unable to sleep until dawn began to break.

Zhang Xian’gu’s sleep was restless, at one moment dreaming Zhu Liu was back, at another that her husband was indeed in prison, and finally, her worst fear materialized in her dream—during Zhu Liu’s struggle with Third, he suddenly exclaimed, "Well, well! You’re not a boy, but a girl! Heh heh…"

Zhang Xian’gu woke with a start, sitting up in bed to find it was already noon and Third was gone, which startled her. She put on her clothes, stepped out of the house, and saw Third carving wood in the courtyard. She hurried over, pulled Third up by the clothes, and looked her over, meeting Third’s puzzled gaze with an awkward, “I just wanted to see you.”

Third nodded and sat back down to continue carving.

Zhang Xian’gu, searching for conversation, asked, “What happened to the clothes you wore yesterday?”

“I was cooking, and they caught fire, burned. The food is in the pot; I’ll bring it for mother.”

“Oh, no need, I’ll get it myself. Have you eaten? It’s fine if they burned; they were getting small anyway. You’re growing fast. Tomorrow at the market I’ll buy some new fabric and make you another set. And I’ve been meaning to say, stop spending time with Sister Hua…”

Third didn’t argue, just continued to steadily carve the wood, while Zhang Xian’gu couldn’t help but ramble on, only to be interrupted by Third stopping her, “Someone’s coming.”

Zhang Xian’gu felt a pang of worry, “What? Not again…”

This time it wasn’t Zhu Liu but someone asking for Zhang Xian’gu’s help: “Brother Liu got drunk last night, slipped in the rain, and fell on a tree branch. We’re preparing for his funeral and need your help…”

Dazed, Zhang Xian’gu followed the visitor to the village, where she saw Zhu Liu laid out on a door, a sturdy branch piercing his side, emerging askew from his throat, dead.