He’s never bought a birthday gift before. He hadn’t even heard of it until he ca to Beijing to study. Occasionally, classmates would give each other birthday gifts, like a greeting card or a pencil case.
He was thinking of giving those too, but since it’s his sister’s patient, he didn’t want to seem too stingy. Besides, he heard she hadn’t been to school for a long ti, so giving a pencil or pencil case might only make her feel worse.
Mrs. Qin was stumped by this. She thought long and hard but couldn’t co up with anything good to give. For the older won like her, giving so rice or flour, wrapping a plate of dumplings, or sending a couple of stead buns were more usual. Sothing else? She couldn’t really think of what.
"Go ask your dad, I’m busy," Mrs. Qin didn’t hesitate to pass the problem to Luo Anguo.
Luo Xuping had no choice but to ask Luo Anguo.
Luo Anguo was reviewing the accounts in his room. The calligraphy shop was opened, and thanks to Mr. Wu and Mr. Wei’s reputations, business was booming. Moreover, Beisitian occasionally placed so calligraphy or paintings in the shop, attracting even more custors.
Luo Anguo might not have much business acun, but he was steadfast and hardworking. Although he was a bit older, he was eager to learn, so he managed the small shop quite well.
Upon hearing Luo Xuping ask him this question, his first thought was to give them a piece of calligraphy from the shop, as it wouldn’t cost anything. Though not by famous artists, they were nice pieces, and he had signed a few short-term contracts to supply them.
Yet when he realized it was for a child, he fell silent. When had he ever given a child a birthday gift?
"Don’t kids love eating? Just buy so food for them," Luo Anguo thought aloud.
Luo Xuping widened his eyes. His sister said she can’t even have porridge now, relying on her dicine every day. Buying food didn’t seem quite right?
However, Luo Anguo’s remark reminded him that he could buy so toys!
Having found an answer, Luo Xudong didn’t linger with his father but turned around to do his howork, waiting for the next day to arrive.
Luo Xuping had never held so much money before and was afraid he might lose it, so he decided to keep it in the inside pocket of his jacket, close to his chest. That way, he wouldn’t keep worrying about it during class, and the tutoring wouldn’t be a waste of money.
The money was all given by his sister, he was very aware of that. Even the calligraphy shop his dad ran now was set up by his sister. How could he spend it recklessly!
Because he had this on his mind, even though Luo Xuping took notes diligently, he didn’t have his usual thoughtful insight and cleverness. He just wanted to choose a present after class to build a good relationship so his sister wouldn’t be disappointed.
Finally, when class was over, Luo Xuping quickly packed his backpack and dashed out, but he suddenly stopped.
Standing by the roadside, he thought that he didn’t have much ti and could only browse in one mall. So, which one would be the best?
He wasn’t sure what to buy for that person yet. He just planned to stroll around, hoping to stumble upon sothing suitable. Even if he didn’t, picking up a trinket would serve as a gift.
Estimating the ti, Luo Xuping dared not waste it and headed to the nearest mall, which would take more than ten minutes at a brisk pace.
As he was on his way, he suddenly saw a group of kids around his age surrounding soone wearing a loose black robe, with the hood up.
The person in the middle stood still, obscured by the oversized robe. The kids around varied in size, so about thirteen or fourteen, others seven or eight. Five or six of them were shouting at the person.
Luo Xuping had no ti to join in the fun, and his sister had told him not to get involved in crowds or commotion, so he quickened his pace.
The closer he got, the clearer he could hear what they were shouting.
Sothing about defeating monsters, sothing about possession by demons, sothing about the dead coming back to life to eat people—it made Luo Xuping pause.
What on earth?
Luo Xuping was too young. Though he knew he shouldn’t get involved, he couldn’t help but look over. He promptly saw a skeleton-like figure under that large robe.
It was the first ti he’d seen soone so thin, but he knew that wasn’t a ghost or a resurrected dead person, or any kind of demon. It was just a very, very thin person!
"Monster, kneel and beg for rcy, or we’ll spare your life!"
"That’s right, kneel and beg, or we’ll send you back to the underworld!"
A few of the older kids had sticks, pointing at the person in the robe and shouting, looking quite angry.
This damned monster had scared them out of their wits earlier. They wouldn’t miss the chance to gather more people and deal with him properly, for fear that he would co after them at night!
The older kids joined forces, ready to use their sticks if there was any disagreent.
The person trembled all over, unsure if it was from anger or fear. He pointed at the ones who spoke first, shouting, "I’m not a monster!"
He would only kneel to heaven, earth, and his parents. How could he kneel to these annoying people!
"The monster is still defiant. If you’re not a monster, then you’re a corpse from the cetery. In broad daylight, believe it or not, I’ll tear off your clothes and let the sun kill you!" A ten-year-old boy aid a strike at the person in the robe, but it swung through air, with the robe just fluttering. It didn’t hit the person underneath at all.
"See, I’m not lying, it’s a corpse wanting to drink blood, everyone, let’s kill it!"
The boy shouted but didn’t move first. He was a bit scared. What if it really was a ghost? He’d swung the stick hard, but not hit anything. Could there be anything under the robe, or was it just empty?
He thought that, and so did the others. Having been scared once by this person before, seeing the stick hit only empty clothing made their courage falter. If it was a ghost, no number of people would help!
"Everyone, don’t be afraid. There’s strength in numbers. Even a ghost can be beaten!" said another boy loudly, cautiously moving his foot forward, prompting others to follow suit.
Any adults passing by just thought it was a group of kids playing and paid no mind. They went about their business as usual.
As the boys exchanged glances, preparing to really act, an eerie voice suddenly sounded behind them.
"Sir, have you co out for a taste of human blood again? Kekekeke, sir, this ti you’ve set your sights on children’s blood, haven’t you? Because children’s blood is fresh."
The boys felt their scalps tingle. Turning around, they saw a face covered in blood, scread, and scampered away.
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