Jiaozhou’s Liu Xichuan, a man in his forties, had only one son, whom he spoiled to excess. The boy grew up wayward and dissolute, eventually squandering the entire family fortune through his extravagance and dissipation. Soon after, the son fell ill. Liu Xichuan kept many mules, and the son declared, "Kill a fat mule for me to eat; my illness will surely heal."

Liu Xichuan was reluctant and intended to slaughter an old mule instead. When his son found out, he cursed loudly, and his illness worsened. Frightened and anxious, Liu Xichuan finally butchered the fat mule. The son was pleased. When the mule meat was served, he took only a single bite, then refused the rest, discarding all the remaining meat. His condition did not improve, and he soon passed away.

Liu Xichuan was heartbroken. Three or four years later, some villagers journeyed together to worship at Mount Tai. Midway up the slope, they saw a man riding a mule approaching; his appearance was strikingly similar to that of Liu’s son. Drawing nearer, they saw it was indeed him. Upon recognizing his fellow villagers, Liu’s son dismounted, bowed formally, and inquired after their well-being one by one. The villagers were greatly astonished but dared not mention the death of Master Liu. They merely asked, "What brings you here?"

Liu’s son smiled. "Nothing much, just wandering around." Then he inquired, "Where is the inn? I need lodging."

The villagers pointed out the direction. Liu’s son cupped his hands in farewell, saying, "I have urgent matters to attend to, so I must take my leave for now. I will visit the inn tomorrow." He then remounted his mule and departed. The villagers returned to the inn, thinking, "Words from a ghost cannot be wholly trusted. I wonder if he will truly show up?"

The next morning, the villagers waited at the inn. Just as promised, Liu’s son arrived, tethered his mule to a post, and came inside to chat and laugh with them. The group remarked, "Your father misses you terribly; why don't you go home for a visit?" Liu’s son looked surprised. "My father? Who is that? I have no recollection of him."

The villagers replied, "Liu Xichuan." Hearing the name, Liu’s son’s expression changed drastically. After a long pause, he said, "Very well. If he misses me, please trouble yourselves to pass a message for me: tell him I will wait for him here on the seventh day of the fourth lunar month." With that, he left abruptly. When the villagers returned home, they relayed the matter to Liu Xichuan, who wept uncontrollably. On the appointed day, Liu Xichuan went as scheduled and inquired about his son with the innkeeper.

The innkeeper said, "The last time I met Young Master Liu, I noticed a coldness in his demeanor, as if harboring ill intentions. In my humble opinion, perhaps it’s best not to meet him." Liu Xichuan, weeping, did not believe him. The innkeeper added, "I am not trying to stop you, Master, but the ways of spirits are unpredictable; I fear some misfortune. If you insist on seeing him, please hide inside the storage cabinet first. Once Young Master Liu arrives, you can observe his countenance in secret. If it seems safe, then it won't be too late to emerge."

Liu Xichuan nodded in agreement. Soon after, Liu’s son arrived and asked the innkeeper, "Has the old wretch arrived?" The keeper replied, "Not yet." Liu’s son cursed, "That old beast, why hasn't he shown up yet?" The innkeeper exclaimed, "Young man, how dare you speak so disrespectfully to your father?" Liu’s son retorted, "What father? I once entered into a business partnership with him, but the old thing harbored malice, secretly embezzling my assets. When his scheme was exposed, he became brazen and refused to return what he stole. Today, I must kill him. Hmph, he dares call himself my father?!" With that, he stormed out, muttering hatefully, "He got off easy!"

Liu Xichuan, concealed within the wooden cabinet, heard every word his son uttered. Cold sweat streamed down his back; he dared not even draw a deep breath. Only when the innkeeper called out did he emerge, returning home in utter disgrace.