Mrs. Funnell’s face was filled with sorrow. She squatted down, gently brushing her fingertips over the bloodstain on the ground, her voice hoarse. “It’s been three years, and the color of these bloodstains hasn’t faded at all. I still remember clearly what happened that morning.”
She spoke with vulnerability and sorrow, “It was a gloomy morning. I made his favorite pancakes, urged him to pack up and go to class early. When I brought him sheep’s milk and pancakes, he suddenly—”
She fell silent for a moment, trembling as she continued, “Suddenly started swelling. His body became like a balloon, and then, in front of me, grotesquely burst open. The room was covered in his bloodstains—everywhere—all said he was cursed. It was his disloyalty to the gods that brought this curse upon him.” She suddenly looked at Shen Lin, almost grimly, “Don’t you think so?”
Shen Lin said, “If that was your child, I believe he wouldn’t do that.”
“I’ve always revered the gods,” Mrs. Funnell said, “but the gods have abandoned us, abandoned this town. Benson and those outsiders have polluted the town. They’ve made a mess of everything! We didn’t have such bloodline divisions before. Everyone was the same! But since outsiders came here, everything has changed! They made you homeless! Made children like you have no place to go!”
Mrs. Funnell became more and more agitated. The veins on her face were clearly stretched on her thin skin. She suddenly coughed, making huge sounds like an old bellows coughing continuously from her throat.
“Are you okay?” Shen Lin asked with concern, gently patting Mrs. Funnell’s back.
Mrs. Funnell shook her head.
Lisa said, “Mrs. Funnell, you should rest.”
“I’m fine,” Mrs. Funnell looked at Shen Lin, “call your friends out. I’ve known since the first day you lived here. You’re bold; none of them dare to stay here, saying there’s a curse. I brought pancakes for you.”
“Thank you,” Shen Lin said.
Mrs. Funnell stroked Shen Lin’s soft short hair, her eyes gentle. “You’re a good kid.”
Shen Lin lowered his eyes, suppressing the gleam in his emerald pupils.
The others came out from the shadows. Mrs. Funnell looked at them and said, “All young people.”
“Finding a job is too difficult,” Bai’er sat on the ground, saying, “No one wants me when they know we’re from George Street. They say we have a disease.”
Others: “…” It was clear that this was acting.
Nana also said, “I used to have a lover who lived on Wells Street. Once he knew I was from George Street, he didn’t want to be with me anymore. He even looked at me with disgust, calling me a dirty rat. I hate those people.”
“Poor kids,” Mrs. Funnell gently hugged Nana, “it’s all the fault of the outsiders.”
Outsiders: “…”
Mrs. Funnell picked up the basket, took out the pancakes, and distributed them to everyone. “I hope you like them.”
Everyone happily ate the pancakes. The still warm pancakes brought warmth to their hearts. Bai’er even whispered to Freud, “Is it not good to deceive her like this?”
Freud didn’t say anything, took a bite of the pancake, and after a while, said, “This is a game; we have to win this game.”
Mrs. Funnell asked them, “Is it cold here at night?”
Everyone nodded.
Mrs. Funnell looked at them affectionately. “I’ll bring you some blankets later.”
“No need to trouble yourself,” Shen Lin said.
Mrs. Funnell said, “I’ll be back soon. Let Lisa stay with you.”
Lisa held Shen Lin and said, “Whatever Mrs. Funnell wants to do, she will definitely do it. Just let her be.”
The others didn’t stop her.
After Mrs. Funnell left, Lisa looked at Shen Lin with jealousy. “Your charm is really something. Mrs. Funnell has never shown such tenderness in these years. Well, although she has always been a gentle person, she never shows it to outsiders because she is a leader.”
Floyd asked, “Is Mrs. Funnell the lady who organizes George Street and Hassan Street to receive supplies equally and advocates for the elimination of bloodline classifications? I saw her giving a speech in town today.”
Lisa nodded. “She is a great lady. She says she will spend the rest of her life pursuing equality.”
Shen Lin asked, “How did you end up here with Mrs. Funnell?”
“I saw you living here and was worried that Mrs. Funnell would drive you away,” Lisa said. “This place has special meaning to her.” She paused, snorted softly, “But I didn’t expect your charm to be so great! You actually persuaded Mrs. Funnell!”
When she showed a proud expression, Shen Lin couldn’t help but think of Lilia. He smiled and said, “Today, I met a lady, and I feel like you two would get along well.”
Lisa said, “I get along well with everyone. I’m the most likable flower seller. When you have money, come find me to buy flowers, okay?”
“You can now,” Shen Lin took out the money he had scraped together from Cain and said, “How much for a lily?”
“Hello, sir. A lily is only one copper coin, and if you buy five, I’ll give you an extra one for free.”
“Thank you. I’ll take all of these, six in total.” Shen Lin took out five copper coins and handed them to her. Lisa accepted them with surprise.
She cherished the copper coins, putting them in a small wallet, as if talking to herself and talking to Shen Lin, “This year is not optimistic. I have to save more money to buy winter food for Mrs. Annie. Winter comes quickly to Moon Sinking Village. Tomorrow, the town will count the supplies, but I heard—” She looked up at Shen Lin, her violet eyes dark, “The outsiders haven’t come yet, and the messenger hasn’t shown up either. In three days, it will be the sacrificial day held once every ten years. Everyone says if the ceremony is not held on time, everyone— including Moon Sinking Village and outsiders—will be punished by the gods.”
“What kind of punishment?”
“I don’t know,” Lisa propped her chin up, casually tidying the empty flower basket. “I heard that ten years ago, it caused some people to get sick, and some died.”
Silence fell over Shen Ling.
Lisa continued, “But in Benson’s eyes, it’s just the inferior nature of the lower-class people’s blood showing. He never cares about the deaths in the town. He’s a very hypocritical guy, can’t you see? Actually, the person who desires life outside the town the most is him. However, he’s unwilling to give up the power he has here and lacks the courage to resist the curse. By the way,”
Lisa was unusually talkative tonight, as if she had completely opened her heart to Shen Ling. Perhaps it was because Shen Ling had bought the last lily from her basket.
She said, “Have you ever seen what people who want to leave here look like? They’re like zombies meeting the sun in stories. Once they step out of the Moon-sinking Town’s borders, their whole bodies will burn, their skin quickly decaying. It’s too terrifying. I dare not see a second person like that. No one dares to leave here.”
Shen Ling asked, “Is this the curse?”
“Yes, this is the curse. Actually, outsiders can’t stay here for too long either. According to Mrs. Annie, the first batch of outsiders who came here experienced abnormalities after living here for a month. Have you seen that messenger, sir? He often goes to Mrs. Lena’s tavern to drink. I heard that he was initially a tall, handsome gentleman, even teaching the etiquette of outsiders. But he turned into what he is now. It’s all because of the curse.”
“Do the gods not love us? Why do they give us so many curses?”
“They do love us. This is protection for us. It’s just… I agree with Mrs. Fornell’s idea. We have abandoned the gods, and we need redemption.”
“How do we redeem ourselves?” Shen Ling asked.
Lisa fell silent, just looking at Shen Ling. Her eyes were too profound, and she suddenly smiled, saying, “If I knew, I wouldn’t be a poor flower girl. I might be standing in the cathedral, proclaiming my doctrine to everyone now.”
Shen Ling also smiled, “If that day comes, please be the first to invite me.”
“God,” Lisa held up her face, an action that made her look more like Lilia, “you are too charming! Handsome and smart. Chatting with you is so pleasant; I unconsciously talked so much.”
She blinked at Shen Ling, naturally took out the last piece of roasted pancake from Mrs. Fornell’s food basket, and placed it in her own basket. “Is it okay?”
“Of course.”
“Thank you for your generosity.” She carried the basket. Gracefully curtsied to Shen Ling, “Mrs. Fornell is coming. I saw her shadow from the window, Mac, I’m going back. Otherwise, Landlady Mrs. Annie will nag at me again.”
“I’ll escort you, Princess.” Shen Ling said.
“Thank you, Knight.” Lisa, surprised and proud, let Shen Ling hold her other arm. The two walked to the door, and when they opened it, they just saw Mrs. Fornell walking over with a blanket.
Mrs. Fornell asked, “Lisa, are you leaving?”
“Yes, it’s too late.”
“Be safe on the road.”
“Rest assured, no one is more familiar with this place than I am.”
Shen Ling let go of Lisa’s arm, took the blanket from Mrs. Fornell, and Lisa took the opportunity to leave.
Mrs. Fornell followed Shen Ling into the room, helping them tidy up the room. She still wore a cold expression that wasn’t easy to smile, but there was an undisguised softness and loneliness in her expression.
Shen Ling couldn’t help but say, “Mrs. Fornell, the pancakes are delicious. Can we have your pancakes again tomorrow?”
“Of course.” The taut features of Mrs. Fornell gradually softened, and she smiled kindly, patting Shen Ling’s soft short hair—she liked this kind of gesture. In a soft voice, she said, “Good child, I’m glad you all liked the pancakes I made.”
