For two consecutive days, Ma Laosan's wife had come to our house. Each time, she left behind just one sentence, but it was enough to instill unprecedented fear in everyone.
If this continued, we wouldn't die at her hands—we'd be scared to death first.
That night, no one in the family slept, except for me, a three-year-old, who snoozed soundly.
The next morning, Grandpa made a decision. He told my father to head to Thirty-Mile Village and seek out an old spirit medium named Granny Liu, who might be able to help us resolve the strange things happening at home.
But there was a problem—this Granny Liu was known for charging a hefty fee. Her minimum rate was one hundred yuan per consultation, and she demanded fine wine and good cigarettes as offerings.
To people nowadays, a hundred yuan is just the cost of a decent meal. But back then, an average worker earned barely a yuan a day. For our family, it was no small sum.
But no amount of money could compare to the life of a grandchild—especially when it seemed that Ma Laosan's wife might pose a threat to our entire family.
So, my father set off at dawn, dark circles under his eyes, with money and gifts in hand.
Granny Liu was notoriously difficult to persuade. After much pleading, she finally agreed to come—but only by donkey cart. My father had no choice but to spend a few more yuan to hire one and bring her to our home.
She was in her sixties, feet bound small, and carried a long smoking pipe. She always spoke with her head held high, as though she looked down on everyone.
Even Grandpa treated her with the utmost respect. Word was, she had powerful skills—she never failed when helping others with spiritual matters.
Granny Liu took a puff of her pipe and snorted, "Where's the child? Bring him out so I can have a look."
At her words, Grandpa quickly had my mother bring me out from the house.
Granny Liu merely glanced at me—and that one glance made her expression change drastically, as though she had seen something utterly terrifying.
With a loud thump, she dropped to her knees right in front of me, trembling all over.
"In the name of the disciple Liu from Thirty-Mile Village, who has worshipped spirit patrons for forty years—I beg forgiveness for disturbing your divine presence!"
As she spoke, she kowtowed to me several times.
Everyone in my family was utterly stunned.
After all the trouble of bringing Granny Liu here, why was she now kneeling and bowing to a three-year-old?
Oblivious to the significance, I just giggled. To my young mind, it was funny to see an old woman bowing to me.
Even after kowtowing, Granny Liu remained kneeling.
Grandpa quickly stepped forward to help her up. "You're being too polite—why bow to a little child? Please, stand up."
"I dare not rise unless the spirit permits," she replied, not even daring to look me in the eye.
Grandpa glanced at me and said, "Miss, would you be kind enough to let Granny Liu stand?"
"Go ahead," I said.
As if receiving a royal pardon, Granny Liu stood, visibly nervous, and backed away.
My mother, still dazed, took me back inside.
Only after I was out of sight did Granny Liu breathe a deep sigh of relief. She gave Grandpa and my father a reproachful look.
"You have such a powerful spirit residing here, yet you still went and called me? That's just making a fool of me."
"What spirit?" Grandpa asked, confused. "We've never set up an altar, nor do we know any spirit patrons. What are you talking about?"
Granny Liu gave a wry smile. "Your grandson is carrying an immensely powerful spirit—far stronger than any I've ever encountered. My humble skills are nothing in comparison. Honestly, I should leave before I embarrass myself further."
"But he's just a three-year-old child! He doesn't know anything! That's why we invited you," my father said, worried.
Granny Liu furrowed her brows, clearly doubtful. After a moment of thought, she asked, "May I see the child again?"
"Of course. I'll call him out—"
"No!" Granny Liu interrupted. "Let me go in. I wouldn't dare disturb the spirit."
And so she shuffled into the room on her bound feet.
When she saw me again, her attitude was even more reverent, her wrinkled face blooming into a respectful smile.
"Divine One, please allow this humble disciple to inspect further—I mean no offense."
She extended a hand and placed it gently on my crown. Closing her eyes, she began to mutter incantations under her breath. Then her body started to tremble.
Moments later, her eyes flew open. She stumbled back several steps and once again knelt, giving me three loud kowtows.
"Forgive me, O Immortal! I meant no disrespect!"
Frightened, she quickly exited the room.
My father and Grandpa followed.
Once outside, Granny Liu reached into her clothes and took out the hundred yuan my father had given her, then added another hundred of her own and handed it back to him.
"My good man, take this money."
Grandpa was startled. "What's this about, Granny Liu? Are you saying you won't help us anymore?"
"It's not that I won't help—it's that I don't dare take your money. To serve such a divine being is a blessing I could never repay. How could I accept payment? Please, consider this money my humble offering instead."
All her previous arrogance was gone.
Pressed by Grandpa, Granny Liu finally explained. From the moment she first saw me, she had sensed an intense spiritual energy. At first, she thought our family were spirit mediums like herself. But upon closer inspection, she discovered that a powerful spiritual entity was dwelling within me—a spirit at least a thousand years old.
This spirit had clearly suffered a severe injury and remained dormant within my body.
As someone who worked closely with spirits, Granny Liu fully understood the immense power of the being I hosted.
She didn't just refuse payment—she solemnly vowed to take full responsibility for any trouble our family faced from now on. Even if it cost her life, she would ensure my safety.
Only then did my family finally begin to understand why, ever since I was born, foxes and weasels had come to our doorstep to bow before me.