Reborn as the Villain's Wife, I Shine in 80s
Chapter 71 - 070 Haunted House

Chapter 71: 070 Haunted House

Aunt Zhong frowned, her eyes glistening faintly with tears: "Sangsang, it’s Auntie who let you down. Don’t be too upset for now. Let’s keep looking everywhere. Yanyan is a sensible and obedient child—perhaps he’ll come back on his own soon."

Gousheng tilted his head and spoke softly: "Auntie, don’t cry. I’ll help look for Brother Yan too. There are plenty of places he and I usually play; he might just be hiding somewhere."

Tian Sangsang sniffled hard, glanced at Gousheng, and then at Aunt Zhong: "Auntie, this isn’t your fault. It’s mine for not keeping a closer eye on Yanyan. I’ll go search again myself." In truth, while Tian Tian’s words earlier had been cruel, they weren’t without merit. If it weren’t for her own incompetence as a mother, how could Yanyan have gone missing? Ultimately, it was her own failure to properly watch over him.

Widow Meng also arrived and said, "Alright then, let’s split up to search."

In the end, Li Xiaoqin took Gousheng to the places he often played to search there, Aunt Zhong searched within the village, Widow Meng headed toward the river, Tian Guogui went to the fields, and Tian Sangsang went outside the village. It was nearing five o’clock in the afternoon by then, yet no one had gone back to cook or eat—they all continued helping her search. This touched Tian Sangsang deeply.

But as night descended, every piece of news Tian Sangsang received was the same: nothing. Her heart sank, hollow and restless once more.

Calculating the time, it must’ve been near midnight. She glanced at the window and tossed and turned, unable to sleep. She had barely eaten, only taking a few sips of water and some flatbread before falling onto the bed. Outside, the sound of cicadas droned on endlessly, their faint melodies weaving hauntingly through the dark night. No, she couldn’t remain passive. She had to take action!

Tonight, she hadn’t changed out of her clothes. Tian Sangsang resolutely got out of bed, exchanged items in her dimensional space for an old-fashioned flashlight, and quietly stepped out of her house to avoid disturbing the neighbors. She made sure to lock the courtyard door carefully.

Pressing the switch, the flashlight’s beam wasn’t particularly bright—in fact, it seemed rather dim. At such an hour in the small mountain village, nighttime offered no artificial lighting whatsoever. All was silent, shrouded in layers of darkness. A luminous full moon hung in the sky, occasionally veiled by drifting clouds that softened its glow.

In the distance, high on the mountain, faint pinpricks of light from mountaintop lanterns shimmered sporadically.

First, she walked to Tian Tian’s house and shone her flashlight inside—all was quiet; they were asleep. Not possible that Yanyan was there, nor was it likely he’d be anywhere in the village; nearly every corner had already been searched. So where had she overlooked? The thought of storming into Tian Tian’s house to exact her wrath surged within her—if she could, she’d tear their family limb from limb for what they had done! Yet as much as she knew the truth, there was nothing she could do.

Previously, she’d thought about staking out Tian Tian’s home, but each attempt proved futile. If Tian Tian’s family dared to admit their actions outright, they certainly wouldn’t venture outside at night to give her an opportunity to catch them in the act.

Suppressing the turmoil within her, Tian Sangsang turned and walked toward the outskirts of the village, guided by the faint beam of her flashlight.

The night breeze was cool, and the frogs croaking from the damp grass sent chills down her spine. Hugging her arms tightly, she began sobbing softly. What had her son eaten today? Perhaps nothing at all. The thought of him starving broke her. Without her son, she couldn’t survive. Life would be utterly devoid of meaning. And yet, the idea of marrying Biao to trade for her son was a bitter pill she couldn’t swallow.

"Sangsang..." A vague figure appeared ahead, accompanied by a deep, familiar voice.

Tian Sangsang raised her head warily and saw Li Zhengxiong also holding a flashlight. "Brother Li, you... what are you doing out here at such an hour?"

"I couldn’t sleep, so I came out to help look for Yanyan," he replied. His face slowly emerged from the dim light, becoming clearer. "I checked the mountain behind us this afternoon, but found nothing."

Tian Sangsang’s nose stung, and she inhaled deeply: "Thank you... Brother Li." To have someone still searching for her son this late at night, sharing the same resolve as she did, moved her profoundly.

Li Zhengxiong looked at her and noticed her puffy, tear-swollen eyes. In his usual straightforward tone, he remarked, "I like that... little guy. He’s adorable. I often catch myself staring at him. But whenever he sees me, he hides—seems like he’s scared of me." As he spoke, he sheepishly scratched his head.

Tian Sangsang was startled but managed a faint smile: "So... Brother Li, you stared at Yanyan because you found him cute?" She and her son had once wondered if he might be some sort of stalker. And now, such a cute son... had been lost by her.

Li Zhengxiong nodded earnestly.

Tian Sangsang, though anxious, knew her child was being hidden by Tian Tian. That meant he was at least likely safe, though Li Zhengxiong was unaware of this.

"Brother Li, it’s late now. You’ve spent all day searching, and I’m truly grateful. But you should head home—your mother must be worried about you," she said.

"I can’t sleep inside anyway; better to be out here in the fresh air," Li Zhengxiong replied dully.

"Yanyan has been hidden by someone. He’s not in mortal danger. Trust me—he will appear by tomorrow," Tian Sangsang said firmly, her eyes glinting brightly in the night.

After much persuasion, she finally managed to convince Li Zhengxiong to return home and rest.

As Tian Sangsang ventured further, the gusts began to grow stronger.

"Sss—sss—" The chilling sound of some animal slithered into her ears.

Tian Sangsang shivered and redirected her flashlight downward. On the muddy ground, a certain creature was crawling forward. Her heart leapt as she clutched her chest. After assessing the situation, she initially planned to retreat, but the creature showed no intention of pursuing her. Instead, it stayed still momentarily before continuing on its path.

What was it trying to imply?

Suddenly, Tian Sangsang changed her mind. She decided to follow it, trailing behind. The creature glanced back at her briefly, sluggishly twisting its lithe body forward without exhibiting any hostility.

Could it be... guiding her?

Within the pitch-black night, there was one person, one creature, one flashlight, and one faint beam of light.

Following the riverside trail, the creature abruptly vanished.

Tian Sangsang stopped in her tracks, lifted her flashlight, and the solitary silhouette of a quaint, dilapidated house came into view.

From the memories of the previous owner of her body, she recalled this old house had long been abandoned. Allegedly, it was once the residence of a minor landlord, but the entire family succumbed to an incurable disease. Afterward, rumors spread that haunting wails could be heard at night—suggesting the place was ghost-ridden. Tian Sangsang couldn’t help but believe such tales.

Still, this was one place that hadn’t been searched! Indeed, how had everyone overlooked this spot?

For the sake of her son, she had to go in and check.

Clutching her flashlight tightly, Tian Sangsang pushed open the door of the abandoned house. A faint creaking sound echoed ominously through the aged interior.

As expected, given how long it had been deserted, the place should have been riddled with spider webs. Yet, upon inspecting the webs behind the door, it was clear they’d been disturbed. Several brooms were leaning against the wall, and one lay discarded not far away. Steeling herself, Tian Sangsang took a deep breath and stepped toward the main hall of the old residence.

In the center of the hall stood a modest altar, its earth-god statue entombed under heavy cobwebs and dust.

(Thanks to book friends Zichu, book friend 161118051126805, Rainy Day Runaway, and Muddled2500 for their rewards. Thank you, mwah mwah mwah~)