Chapter Twenty-Five: The Possessed Spirit Weeps

The head of the station, Zhang, thought I was obstructing his law enforcement, so he approached me with his electric baton, his expression fierce and menacing.

Wang Ying sneered and blocked him. “He’s my man. He has nothing to do with this. You people are all in cahoots, bullying the common folk, wringing the villagers dry... If you’ve got the guts, arrest me.”

It was clear that Zhang hadn’t expected the seemingly gentle woman before him to have such backbone. He brandished the electric baton, snapping it on and off menacingly. “So now you two want to arrest me, using violence against the law? Are you trying to turn the world upside down?”

I’d already witnessed the power of a possessed corpse—this very body, when possessed by Shang Xiaoyun’s husband, had torn a husky to shreds with bare hands. If Wang Ying was truly provoked, and someone died, it would be a disaster.

Wei Qi, who had seen that scene with his own eyes, was getting anxious. He hurried over to the village chief. “Uncle, just pay back the 5,000 yuan in full, return the bedding, and let’s call it even. We’re all neighbors here.”

Perhaps the village chief thought Wei Qi’s words made sense, and given his ill-gotten money, he said to Zhang, “Director Zhang, why not just let it go?”

“Let it go? You think that’s up to you? My duty is to protect the lives and property of our town’s people,” Zhang Qi glared, putting on a show of authority. The chief fell silent. To the onlookers, it seemed the two were playing good cop and bad cop.

I quickly pulled Wang Ying aside and whispered, “Honey, you can’t do this! You’re a ghost—they’re humans. If anyone gets hurt, it’ll be bad.”

Wang Ying pursed her lips. “Dear, I hate these corrupt bullies the most. My father used to be a contractor. He couldn’t get paid and had no way but to bribe officials. When things blew up, those who took bribes were fine, but my father died a wrongful death.” As she spoke, tears streamed down her face. A ghost weeping in a body—it made my heart ache, while I marveled in silence.

This society is full of things that can’t stand the light of day, but such matters are beyond us. Up to this point, Wang Ying was still in the wrong—she shouldn’t have stolen from them. But she’s a ghost. My second uncle once said that humans have three souls and seven apertures, but ghosts have only two souls and five apertures, so sometimes they act like children. Besides, to her, this seemed a perfect chance to punish corruption.

“Don’t argue, honey. Admit your mistake. We’ll return the money and the bedding. We’ll earn money honestly, I’ll buy you the best bedding... and I’ll take you back to your family.” I had no choice but to persuade Wang Ying. If things escalated, there’d be no turning back.

She smacked her lips and grinned. “Dear, you promised to take me back to my family.”

I nodded. Of course.

Wang Ying went inside, brought out the bedding, and shoved it into the chief’s arms. Then she pulled out a wad of cash and handed it over as well. “Here, it’s all yours. If it’s not enough, my husband will make up the rest.”

The chief glanced at Zhang Qi, but before he could speak, Zhang waved his hand. “Cuff that woman.” For reasons unknown, he insisted on taking Wang Ying in.

I realized this was bad. I told Wei Qi to watch Wang Ying and walked up to Zhang Qi. “Director Zhang, please, you really can’t take my wife away.”

Zhang Qi looked at me with disdain and arrogance. “She broke the law. She must be punished. Take her away.”

At this point, I could hide the truth no longer. If I did, things would get out of hand. Taking Wang Ying away would spell disaster—no one could predict what a possessed ghost might do with a group of small-town policemen. “Director Zhang, let me be honest: my wife isn’t mentally ill. She’s not... human.” As soon as I spoke, I regretted it; some things should never be revealed.

Zhang Qi froze for a second, then burst out laughing. “Nonsense! Superstitious rubbish. You think I’ll fall for your tricks? No one escapes the law. Take her away.” If he hadn’t mentioned the law, I wouldn’t have been so angry. He had no right to speak of law, helping the chief oppress the villagers—he had no right at all.

“Buddy, I’ve said all I can. If anything happens, it’s not on me!” I was so angry, I almost wanted Wang Ying to teach him a lesson.

Two officers approached, handcuffs in hand, ready to restrain Wang Ying. She smiled calmly, holding out her hands without protest. In that moment, I changed my mind—Wang Ying must not fall into their hands. There are many folk experts out there; if her soul was separated from the body, it would be disastrous. For the first time since I’d known her, I truly considered her wellbeing.

“Cuff me. I was the one who went to the chief’s house. I took the things and the money.” With Wei Qi present, and given he was from the same village as the chief, I figured the chief wouldn’t press charges. With the money and things returned, I’d be fine.

“Get out of the way, don’t obstruct the law. The footprints at the scene were from a woman, and you’re a man. Don’t interfere.” Zhang Qi’s officers were arrogant, shoving me aside and cuffing Wang Ying.

“Officer, I’m not running. Let me speak to my husband for a moment, will you?” Wang Ying smiled sweetly, shot me a look, and led me aside. “Don’t worry, darling. These fools are no trouble at all. They’ll take me away, but I’ll make sure they bring me back just as easily.” As she spoke, she kissed my cheek.

“But... you mustn’t hurt them. They may be overbearing, but they’re not truly evil.”

“Don’t worry. But these people need a lesson, or there will be no justice in the world.”

“I’m still worried about you.” It was the truth. Seeing her in cuffs made me ache—ghost or woman, she was still a woman. Women have always been vulnerable.

“Worried about me?” Wang Ying grinned.

“Yes.”

“Wait for me. It’s just eight in the morning. By afternoon, they’ll have to send me back, tail between their legs.” She kissed my cheek again and walked straight to the police car. Watching her lonely figure, I couldn’t say how I felt inside.

Zhang Qi, seeing Wang Ying get in the car, smiled smugly and ordered his men to drive off, not even glancing back. Watching the dust rise in their wake, I was filled with anxiety—worried Wang Ying would be mistreated, or that she’d go too far punishing them. If things got out of hand, there’d be no way to end it.

The crowd dispersed, leaving only Wei Qi and me. At the door was a girl—Yingzi, the one who always accused Wei Qi of stealing her chickens. She hadn’t left and had seen the untouched chicken in our main room. It was obvious she’d guessed where it came from. Yet she didn’t scold us. Instead, she spoke anxiously, “Qi, what should we do? I have some money here. Maybe you can return it to the chief and get your brother’s wife released.”

Her gesture stunned both Wei Qi and me. He didn’t stand on ceremony, accepting her money. “Yingzi, thank you. I’ll pay you back.”

Yingzi blushed. “Forget it. Saving her is more important. If you need more, just call me.” With that, she left.

Watching her go, Wei Qi couldn’t help but sigh.

“Dachuan, what now?” Wei Qi asked, smacking his lips, holding Yingzi’s money.

I shook my head—I truly didn’t know what to do. My heart was in turmoil; I feared Wang Ying would be bullied, and I feared she’d cause havoc at the police station. With her temper, smashing up the place wasn’t impossible.

In the end, we decided to visit the village chief’s house. Whatever kind of person he was, we needed to resolve this peacefully—no one should get hurt. If things escalated, there’d be no end to it.

We took Yingzi’s money and went to the chief’s house, only to find Zhang Qi there. The police car and officers had taken Wang Ying to the station, but Zhang Qi stayed behind. The chief was preparing to slaughter a sheep, clearly to entertain Zhang Qi.

Seeing this nest of snakes and rats only enraged us more, so we stormed out without a word. Clearly, we’d have to find another way.

Back at my temporary home, Wei Qi suggested calling his cousin, who worked in family planning in town and knew the police. He thought maybe his cousin could mediate and get Wang Ying released.

Before Wei Qi could call, the village chief and Zhang Qi hurried over, their faces pale and all arrogance gone. They didn’t look for me—instead, they pulled Wei Qi aside and whispered urgently.

I have sharp ears and overheard them asking whether my wife had some illness, and muttering about her dying suddenly before reaching the station.

I felt a surge of glee. So, now who's scared? Let’s see how they explain themselves. Wang Ying had made her move. Still, I worried for her—under the blazing sun, could her soul survive being separated from the body?