INSIDER Chapter 23

The group returned to Lu Chu’s house from the village chief’s home.

The old grandmother had already prepared dinner and was waiting for them. The meal was not particularly sumptuous. In the countryside, people usually cook just one vegetable dish per meal, enough in quantity to fill everyone up. However, for the guests, the grandmother had cooked a few extra dishes, nothing fancy, but with some meat, and the taste was quite good.

As they ate, the grandmother looked at the meat dishes on the table, then at Lu Chu. She felt a pang of sorrow for her grandson. If not for the guests, their family would only have meat during the New Year and other festivals. Life was indeed hard for the elderly woman and her grandson.

Halfway through the meal, Song Gui began chatting with the grandmother. As they talked, he asked if there was a place in the village for praying or making offerings when engaging in activities such as construction or other major events.

The grandmother nodded, “Of course, there’s quite a bit of that around here. People often like to go to Madam Wang’s to have their fortunes told, light some incense, and pray for peace. I think you all, making your movie, could go light some incense and pray for things to go smoothly.”

The group quickly agreed, having already considered doing just that.

The grandmother added, “I need to visit Madam Wang to check on my leg, so I can take you there with me.”

Before the others could respond, Lu Chu immediately asked with concern, “Grandma, what’s wrong with your leg?”

The grandmother lovingly patted Lu Chu’s head, “It’s nothing, just a bit of cold. My calf has been hurting these past few days.”

“Then we should go right away,” Lu Chu frowned, clearly worried about his grandmother’s leg.

Seeing Lu Chu’s genuine concern, Song Gui became thoughtful. Qi, as usual, remained silent, while the other three nodded in agreement.

After finishing their meal, Lu Chu washed the dishes. Then, under the grandmother’s guidance, they headed towards Madam Wang’s house.

As dusk settled, the village grew particularly quiet, with the occasional sound of chickens or dogs breaking the silence. There were only a few streetlights on the widest road in the village, and since it wasn’t completely dark yet, the lights weren’t turned on. The grandmother carried a worn-out flashlight, leading the way, “I’m old, my eyes aren’t good anymore. I need to use the flashlight even before it gets completely dark.”

Since arriving at this “round,” Lu Chu had heard about Madam Wang several times. It was said that the mad woman Wei Rong often visited Madam Wang, sitting quietly for an entire day. Lu Chu had long wanted to meet this person, and now he had the chance—of course, taking care of his grandmother’s leg was also important.

Seemingly seeing through Lu Chu’s thoughts, Song Gui slowed his pace and unconsciously walked alongside Lu Chu.

“How old are you?” Song Gui asked softly.

Lu Chu did not respond.

Song Gui, seeing that the others weren’t paying attention, leaned closer and whispered in Lu Chu’s ear, “Don’t get too attached to the people in the ’round.’ Only we players are real.”

Lu Chu paused for a moment before continuing to walk.

Song Gui walked away as if nothing had happened, leaving Lu Chu staring at his back, knowing he was referring to his genuine concern for the grandmother.

But “real”?

If only the selected players were real, then what did “Lu Chu” count as?

People like Song Gui might never pay attention to the people within the “round,” but Lu Chu was different because he was one of them.

Lu Chu continued walking, with Qi silently following behind him.

Finally, they arrived at Madam Wang’s house. The grandmother knocked on the door, “Madam Wang, are you home?”

With a creak, the wooden door opened from the inside. A young girl poked her head out, looked at the group, and then opened the door.

Madam Wang’s courtyard was very small, filled with ashes from burnt offerings, and the air was thick with the smell of incense smoke, making the atmosphere oppressive. The grandmother, clearly familiar with the place, walked to the main house and knocked on the door. After a while, a hoarse voice came from inside, “Come in.”

The grandmother entered first, followed by the rest.

Inside, the atmosphere was even more oppressive. The dim light, the heavy smell of burning incense, and the lingering smoke made the room feel stifling. Yellow silk strips with various talismans hung from the ceiling, and everyone bent down to avoid them as they walked in. Finally, they saw an old woman sitting on a prayer mat. This woman was Madam Wang. She looked very old, with rough skin, thin flesh, and a bony frame, but her eyes were unusually bright. Behind her were statues in various postures, exuding an imposing presence. In front of her was a long table with burning red candles, casting a yellow glow on her skeletal face, making it particularly eerie.

The grandmother sat opposite Madam Wang and explained that her leg had been hurting due to the cold. Madam Wang listened, slowly stood up, and went to a back room. After a while, she returned with a handful of dried garlic stalks.

Madam Wang’s voice was hoarse and slow, with a peculiar rhythm, “These are dried garlic shoots. Boil them with vinegar and use the steam to soothe your leg.”

Lu Chu quickly took the dried stalks from her and thanked her.

Madam Wang then turned to Lu Chu, studying him carefully.

The grandmother smiled, “This is my good grandson.”

Madam Wang nodded, “Very good. Come back tomorrow night.”

Lu Chu was puzzled, and the grandmother quickly explained, “Madam Wang wants to read your fortune. Many people from miles around beg for this opportunity and can’t get it. Hurry up and thank Madam Wang.”

Lu Chu smiled warmly, “Thank you.”

Madam Wang acknowledged with a hum and sat back down, asking the others, “Anything else?”

Song Gui stepped forward, “Hello, we are filming a movie here and would like to offer some incense to pray for a smooth shoot.”

Madam Wang squinted and nodded, laying out various talismans and different sizes of incense on the table, “Blessed talismans are one hundred each, ordinary ones fifty. Wooden ones double the price, inlaid with jade are ten times more, pure jade negotiable. Small incense sticks are ten yuan each, medium ones twenty, large ones fifty.”

The group fell silent.

Yang Cheng, who hadn’t spoken much along the way, couldn’t help but want to say something, but Song Gui stopped him. Song Gui smiled, “We’ll take the best incense, one for each of us.”

After offering the incense, they left Madam Wang’s house. Yang Cheng and the others discussed her, saying they thought she would be impressive, but she turned out to be just a money-grubbing charlatan.

They didn’t try to keep their voices down, and the grandmother heard them. She frowned and sternly said, “Young people, I know you’re from the city and don’t believe in these things, but even monks need incense money. You can’t expect help for free, especially from someone with real skills like Madam Wang.”

The group quickly apologized, saying they were just talking without thinking.

Seeing their sincere apologies, the grandmother softened and advised, “Look at Qi, he’s a good example, calm and steady.”

She was referring to Qi Li, also known as 7. Despite her age, the grandmother had a good memory and had already remembered all their names after just one day.

She continued, “Young people like him are reliable.”

Lu Chu wholeheartedly agreed.

——————

Back at Madam Wang’s house.

Madam Wang sat on her prayer mat, contemplating the incense offered by Song Gui and his group.

Although the doors and windows were closed, a gust of wind blew through the room, rustling the yellow silk strips. After a while, the wind stopped, and the incense sticks offered by Song Gui and his group flickered before going out, leaving only thin, curling wisps of smoke.

Madam Wang took out a fire starter with talismans drawn in cinnabar, but no matter how many times she tried, she couldn’t relight the incense.

She sighed and shook her head.

It can’t be avoided. It can’t be avoided.