The car sped along the highway, and just as Xiao Shu predicted, the delay at checkpoints cost us no less than two hours. A journey that should have taken four hours at full speed stretched to nine. We encountered roadblocks and police almost every few dozen kilometers. Helplessly, Xiao Shu and I had to take turns driving. During the first half of the night, he slept while I drove; in the latter half, I slept while he took the wheel.

We reached Miao Village just as dawn was breaking. We parked the car by the gravel road, the same spot we used last time. Parked right next to us were Old He’s car and a yellow Xiangcheng taxi, both empty and deserted. It seemed Old He had successfully delivered Hua Gu. And Wang Jue, just as Xiao Shu had suggested, had sped straight to Miao Village after commandeering the vehicle.

“What was Hua Jinlan’s objective here?” I asked Xiao Shu, pondering what kind of lingering resentment a dead soul could harbor to drive such horrifying acts after possessing someone.

“If I knew, I would have rushed ahead to stop it. Let’s go into the village and see. This is my first time here; you’re more familiar with the place, lead the way,” Xiao Shu replied.

It was another return to a familiar place. I led Xiao Shu to the village entrance, recalling the day Wang Jue and I encountered the young Communist Cadre squad demanding toll money at this very spot. Wang Jue had placated them with candy, and they had led us to Hua Jinlan’s house. Now, with things drastically changed, a wave of bitterness washed over me.

The village was much the same—people threshing grain, drying goods, feeding pigs, each busy with their tasks. There was no sign that a demon serial killer had disturbed them, making me seriously doubt whether Hua Jinlan had truly returned. Xiao Shu pointed out that there was no rule stating a killer must attack everyone they meet; Wang Jue hadn't harmed the two or three pedestrians he passed on his way out of Building No. 2. Whoever Hua Jinlan intended to kill, she knew precisely.

Talking as we walked, we soon arrived at Hua Gu’s house. I suspected Old He would almost certainly be inside. Indeed, the first thing I saw upon entering was Old He. He was sitting on a stool by the side of the main hall, taking small sips from a gaiwan tea cup. Sitting in the very center of the hall was an elderly woman with snow-white hair.

Seeing our benefactor, I walked straight forward, knelt down with a thud, and performed the full three kowtows, striking the ground forcefully for the old woman.

“You’ve returned!” the grandmother said, squinting at me with a gentle smile.

This action startled both Old He and Xiao Shu.

“Xiaoyu, what are you doing?” Old He asked, confused.

“Grandmother is Sister’s life-saving benefactor. I should have come to thank her long ago, but I was delayed by recent events, so I beg your forgiveness now by kowtowing,” I explained.

The grandmother smiled, came down from her seat to help me up, and said, “It’s alright. Grandmother knew you were in trouble and didn't mean to make you wait. It’s good that Sister is safe. Hua Gu told me about Doctor Wang; matters of the heart are always unpredictable, don't take it too seriously.”

The moment I heard Wang Jue’s name, I became instantly emotional, tears flowing uncontrollably. They had no idea what had just happened. I could only choke back my sobs and recount everything that occurred after Hua Gu and Old He had left, including seeing Hua Jinlan’s mother in the villa. The grandmother’s brow furrowed deeply, Old He’s face turned pale, and Hua Gu quietly emerged from the inner room, standing by to listen; after hearing the story, her eyes also filled with tears, and the atmosphere grew intensely grave.