Chapter 54

As evening fell over Hulu Village, a heavy gloom enveloped the place. △

The population of Hulu Village was very small, with only about a hundred households, all of whom were native to the village. No one had come from outside, and no one had left, thinking the outside world was better.

Although Chen Lao Da was usually very domineering, the village was quite stable under his management. With mountains, water, and farmland surrounding the village, people could easily achieve self-sufficiency.

Despite the living conditions being far behind those of the outside world, there were no cases of hunger or homelessness.

However, it was said that the village was not originally called Hulu Village. It was named after the Hulu River that ran through it, and because the name "Hulu" was easy to remember, it gradually became known as Hulu Village.

"Kuizui, tell us, how did Chen Lao Da's daughter-in-law die?"

In the fields on the west side of the village, six or seven middle-aged men in their thirties were sitting together, chatting and joking. Among them was Zhao Kuizui, who had run to inform Chen Lao Da that morning.

"How did she die?"

Zhao Kuizui's expression suddenly became exaggerated, and he repeatedly gestured with his mud-stained hands:

"If I tell you, you'll be scared to death! It was so terrifying. The body was standing straight in the middle of the river, with a completely deformed face. The expression was like... like... like..."

"Like what? Don't take so long to breathe!"

"Like a ghost!"

Zhao Kuizui suddenly raised his voice, which startled the others, who all cursed him:

"You damn fool, can't you stop being so dramatic? You almost scared us to death!"

"Haha, I told you all that you'd be scared, but you didn't believe me and insisted I tell you!"

After saying this, Zhao Kuizui leisurely put a cigarette in his mouth, lit it, and started smoking.

As for the other middle-aged men listening to the story, they began to voice their opinions:

"Do you think that woman was killed by Chen Lao Da? I don't believe such a beautiful woman would just commit suicide."

"You know nothing. Do you think that girl was happy living with Chen Lao Da? If you had a foolish wife who only drooled, would you be happy?"

"Get lost, don't drag me into this. Even if she wasn't happy with Chen Lao Da's son, she could have just left him. Why commit suicide?"

"How could she leave? I heard Chen Lao Da spent this much to get her. If it were you, would you let her go just like that?"

The villager who spoke then held up two fingers and continued:

"Besides, Chen Lao Da's son is a fool. Which girl in the village would want to marry him? I don't think this is a simple matter."

"But what a pity for that girl. She was really beautiful, and her figure was great..."

Zhao Kuizui, while smoking, looked at the others with a mocking expression and chuckled:

"Hehe, not to say anything about you guys."

"What's wrong with us?"

"Acting like you know everything, just spouting nonsense."

"You know everything, so tell us what really happened!"

When Zhao Kuizui said this, the other villagers were immediately upset. Of course, they also wanted to hear what Zhao Kuizui had to say, as he was known for his fast mouth and had the most gossip in Hulu Village, most of which was true.

Zhao Kuizui slowly stood up, stretching, and said:

"Chen Lao Da's son not only has a mental problem but is also very violent. At home, he dares to hit everyone except Chen Lao Da, including his mother, let alone his wife.

After the girl married into the family, she had to serve the foolish son and was beaten every day. She also didn't get any kindness from her mother-in-law."

"Why didn't she run away? Why stay in such a situation?"

"Run? How? Chen Lao Da's people are everywhere in the village. If he orders you to chase her, will you refuse?

Do you want to lose your land? Do you want to stop fishing?"

Zhao Kuizui's words made the villager clench his fists, but it was true. Chen Lao Da controlled all the land and fishing boats in Hulu Village, so no one dared to cross him.

Of course, Chen Lao Da wasn't completely unreasonable. Otherwise, he wouldn't have bought a wife from outside but would have forced a marriage within the village.

"I think we shouldn't talk about this. Chen Lao Da is still angry. If he hears us discussing it, we'll all be in trouble.

I'm done working, I'm going home. It might rain again soon."

After saying this, Zhao Kuizui took his sickle and quickly left, leaving the other villagers looking at each other.

"This isn't like Zhao Kuizui. He usually talks the most."

"Yeah, he must know something and is scared..."

On his way home, Zhao Kuizui felt an indescribable unease, as if something bad was about to happen. Not only was his chest tight, but his mind was filled with the image of the dead woman.

"Wrongdoings have their origins. Even if you really become a ghost, don't come after me. It was all the fault of Chen Lao Da's family..."

As he muttered to himself, Zhao Kuizui quickened his pace, even falling several times due to his fear.

Meanwhile, at Chen Lao Da's house.

Earlier, Chen Lao Da had already asked Hu Daniu, who was in charge of weddings and funerals in the village, to buy a coffin for his dead daughter-in-law and hang white silk at home.

In Hulu Village, there were rules for such matters. The family must keep vigil for seven days, and burn paper money at midnight every day.

However, Chen Lao Da's family did not follow these rules.

"Keep vigil for that cheap woman? How cheap am I!"

Chen Lao Da's wife, ignoring his objections, removed the white silk from the door.

"Regardless, Xiaoli is still our Chen family's daughter-in-law. If we don't follow the rules, how will the villagers see us? Won't it confirm all the rumors outside?"

"I don't care! She's just a cheap woman. Why do you care so much? Are you involved with her, always calling me 'father-in-law'?"

"Why are you dragging me into this!"

Chen Lao Da was very angry with his wife, but her anger was understandable. After all, Xiaoli was not an easy person, but the strange events of the day made him somewhat uneasy.

"Alright, it's over. She's dead, and that's the end of it. Even if we don't keep vigil, we should still follow the rules and keep her for seven days..."