Over the past three years, there were nearly ten victims. The reason for saying “nearly” is that the final woman, who was almost strangled to death, made a noise while struggling. Fortunately, she encountered a passerby who was scared away.
That woman saw the perpetrator’s face clearly, but due to the darkness and her overwhelming fear, she could not provide a precise description, and the suspect had never been found. Before the New Year, the Public Security Bureau in Baishui City called to report a case, suspecting that it was the same perpetrator in each incident.
Thus, Li Ping’an, who was in charge of this case, took his apprentice Zhou Ying on a business trip, and they worked non-stop even over the New Year. The two of them visited various places, reviewed documents, and nearly worked themselves to death.
…
After settling Lin Yumei, Da Niu, and Er Niu into a hotel, Lin Ya went out and rented a house near a school. The rent was only 20 Yuan per month, and it included three rooms, a kitchen, a private bathroom, and a shower. Given the price in the city center, it was quite acceptable.
Lin Ya only rented it for a month, planning to earn some money this month and then move to a better place. He intended to buy two houses in the future, knowing that in twenty years, they would appreciate in value. He planned to buy one house for each of Da Niu and Er Niu, ensuring they could support themselves even if they didn’t work.
They lived in the hotel for a day and moved to the new house the next day.
“Let’s stay here for now. We’ll move to a better place later. In two months, I will send Ling Ling and Xi Xi to school to adapt for a while. Since Ling Ling has never been to school, she will study at home with Xi Xi first, and I will hire a tutor to teach them.”
“Okay.” Lin Yumei had no objections to his plan.
Lin Ya actually hoped she would voice her opinions, but seeing her cautious and compliant demeanor made him sigh inwardly. Changing her current state and helping her become an independent individual would take time. Lin Ya wished for her to be herself, rather than living solely for her two children for the rest of her life.
There was still time; they could take things slowly.
Lin Ya kept 50 Yuan for himself and gave the rest to Lin Yumei, telling her to take the two children to the department store to buy some things.
“A department store? Awesome! I want to go!” Er Niu, who was renamed Shui Xi, jumped up excitedly and rushed to her sister Shui Ling, who was admiring their room, pulling her outside.
“Sister! Let’s go! Dad wants Mom to take us to the department store!” Shui Xi’s excited face turned red as she had only seen department stores in movies shown in the countryside. Upon hearing this, Shui Ling didn’t need to be pulled; she ran out of the room.
“Is Dad not going?”
“Dad said he wants to earn money to buy us a house, so he needs to go to work! He asked Mom to take us.”
“Let’s go!”
“You can tell your mom what you want to buy. Bring back some toys or snacks, and if you see clothes or shoes you like, you can buy those too…”
“Yay!”
“Mom! Hurry up!”
Lin Yumei was pulled out the door by the two kids; she felt both helpless and happy, unable to stop smiling: “Slow down! Be careful not to fall.”
After they left, Lin Ya took his equipment and ran to his familiar old spot.
He suddenly remembered he forgot to give Zhang Run the amulet he promised earlier, so he decided to use his mobile phone to call him over.
On the phone, Zhang Run said he would be there soon before hanging up.
Lin Ya then used points to buy a book on all kinds of talisman papers. He learned how to draw talismans and set up his stall with red ink, brushes, and yellow paper, practicing on the spot.
The sun was warm, and the park near the bridge was filled with old men playing cards and chess, while some brought lounge chairs outside to enjoy the sun.
This was the first time he saw someone calculating fortunes while drawing talismans. It was quite an unusual sight.
“Young man! What kind of talisman is that you’re drawing?” An old man with a cane approached slowly, squinting at him as he smoothly completed a talisman. He praised, “Wow, not bad, it looks just like a painting.”
“Sir, this is a safety talisman, it wards off disasters and ensures peace.” Lin Ya didn’t look up but completed a few more talismans, gaining a feel for it, and continued drawing, stopping only after making a dozen or so.
“How much does it cost? Is it effective?”
“100 Yuan each; sincerity counts, right?”
“Oh! You’re robbing people! You can’t sell it like that; at this price, young man, you won’t be able to set up your stall.” The old man looked shocked, and his expression gradually turned to one of disappointment. Young people should be doing something worthwhile instead of trying to deceive others like this.
The talisman paper was quick to draw. Lin Ya skillfully folded the talisman paper into triangles, and a few into heart shapes, contemplating which foolish customer might choose that design.
“Those who want it will naturally come to buy. It’s not that serious.” Lin Ya smiled and said, showing no signs of anxiety.
The old man didn’t leave and took a seat beside Lin Ya’s stall, as if saying, I want to see which fool will come to buy.
100 Yuan was enough for one or two months of wages; it could be exchanged for food and would last half a year.
After nearly half an hour of sitting there, quite a few people passed by, but everyone was scared away by the hefty price of 100 Yuan.
The old man watched Lin Ya without speaking, his expression somewhat smug.
See? I told you, people would be frightened away.
Lin Ya stretched and noticed a car slowly stopping not far away, smiling brightly: “Looks like it’s time to start… ”
第39章 八零年代玄学大师（五）
“I said, cousin, why are you so hastily dragging me out? What’s going on?” The teenager, dressed in a vibrant, flashy outfit, was pulled out of the room by Zhang Run, looking confused and still groggy from sleep.
What annoyed him was that Zhang Run wouldn’t say what they were doing, just teasing him excitedly.
“You’ll know when we get there.” Zhang Run grinned as he pulled him into the car. The driver drove according to the address to the department store area and stopped near a park.
The teenager was clearly displeased; he had been lying comfortably at home and was dragged out of his warm bed in the cold weather without even having time for breakfast.