The birth of an actor

Chapter 5 Dirty Things

Anxin's brows furrowed instantly.

It's not that I feel He Xiuqiong didn't listen to me, but rather that this didn't happen in my previous life.

He couldn't quite recall his memories of his previous life because it was so long ago. He only vaguely remembered He Xiuqiong asking him if he wanted to be an actor. After he refused, she left the pasture after negotiating the rental of horses with his uncle.

After that, the two never crossed paths again.

He couldn't even remember if Fan Bing had come in his previous life.

But now, he has encountered her again and given her his warning, telling her that the amulet she was wearing around her neck had the smell of a Southeast Asian ghost and would easily attract evil spirits. Ironically, his words came true.

In my past life... this definitely didn't happen.

After He Xiuqiong left, he happily spent half a summer vacation at his uncle's house, then went back to visit his grandfather for half a month before going directly to Yanjing University.

All was calm.

But why is it "wrong" this time?

Could it be because I, like a butterfly, flapped my wings?
He was somewhat puzzled, and even felt a sense of unease that was beyond his control. But ultimately, when Uncle Meng asked him if he could see things, it was his duty as a disciple of a medium. According to the old rules, he had to go and take a look at whatever others asked of him, regardless of their status.

So he asked directly:
What's wrong with her?

Upon hearing this, Guide Meng's face showed a mixture of unease and something strange:
"I don't know the specifics. I received a call this morning saying that I'm suffering from an evil illness."

"Who told you?"

"That's what Director He said himself."

An Xin was taken aback, then seemed to understand something, and said directly:

"Is the person conscious now?"

"Yes, she just called me and came to find you. She said she stayed in Chifeng last night, and then... it seems she attracted some evil spirits. She asked you what to do and if you could go and check on her."

"Row."

Without much hesitation, he agreed immediately, then looked at Na Shun:
"Are you going back? Or coming with me?"

"me and you togather!"

Na Shun's eyes lit up at this moment, clearly showing great interest in this kind of thing:
"Let's ride the bike home first, then we'll go over there. Is that enough time?"

"There's enough time."

Anxin nodded:
"If someone can stay awake during the day, they're probably nothing special. They're probably just shameless and easy to deal with. Let's go then."

With that, he got back on the motorcycle and said to Guide Meng:
"You two come with us, we'll put the things back, and then we'll leave together."

"it is good."

Without further ado, Guide Meng got back into the car.

Inside the Prado, the driver looked at the motorcycle in front of him and asked with some curiosity:

"Brother Meng, this kid is perceptive?"

"Probably. I heard Batu mention that he's quite famous in his hometown, he's some kind of... little reincarnation."

"What do you mean?"

"We don't know. But he seems to be quite capable. The reason this kid comes here every summer vacation is to avoid people. It's said that... whenever he's home, no matter if someone in the family has a serious illness or a minor ailment, they'll go to him. I don't know the specifics."

The driver remained silent, but a hint of curiosity also flashed in his eyes.

On the motorcycle, Na Shun was also shouting at the top of his lungs:
"Don't worry, maybe we'll see a ghost in a little while, just like in the zombie movies starring Lam Ching-ying."

Anxinxin, you really have a wild imagination.

But... how should I put it?

It's indescribable.

Even though he has "seen" many things that cannot be explained by science since he was a child, he still cannot give a definite explanation when others ask him what a "ghost" looks like, whether in his past life or now.

The reason is simple: it's just not visible.

Firstly, it is seen but not seen.

Both are imperceptible when seen.

So there's really no way to explain this. All he can say is, "Come on, you're seeing ghosts in broad daylight, are you crazy?"

Then, to prevent Na Shun from becoming curious again, he deliberately cut off his friend's conversation.

The motorcycle sped along, and in about ten minutes, they spotted the yurt. Batu heard the motorcycle, came out, saw two children, and then turned and went back.

Upon arriving at the yurt, Anxin got out of the car, and the Land Cruiser followed.

Batu was still a little puzzled when he heard his son's loud voice:

"Dad, Anxin is going to see Director He from yesterday. I'm going with him."

Batu was taken aback and subconsciously looked at Anxin.

Anxin knew what her uncle was worried about, and nodded with a smile:
"Nothing much, just going to take a look."

"I see... Okay then, just relax. If I tell you not to talk, then don't talk. If I tell you to do something, then do it, understand?"

"Know it."

Na Shun chuckled and agreed, while Guide Meng got out of the car, walked over to Batu, offered him a cigarette, and said:

"I don't know the specifics, but Director He called me early this morning, saying that she seemed to have offended something and specifically wanted to see An Xin..."

"Hmm, it's alright, let Anxin take a look."

Batu was clearly aware of Anxin's situation and didn't say much, only giving a word of advice as the two children got into the car:
Be careful.

"Ah."

Anxin nodded in agreement and got into the car with Na Shun, who looked excited.

The domineering driver turned around and drove away. Sitting in the passenger seat, Guide Meng turned to ask:

"Don't worry, do I need anything prepared for you? An altar? An incense burner? Or something else?"

"No need, let's go check the situation first."

After Anxin finished speaking, she stopped talking, leaned back in her chair, and closed her eyes.

Seeing this, everyone in the car, including Na Shun, dared not speak.

In the midst of this silence, the Prado drove all the way to the Chifeng Hotel.

This is the best hotel in Chifeng, mainly used for administrative receptions. It's understandable that He Xiuqiong and her group chose to stay here. After all, they are Taiwanese compatriots, and in this day and age, they receive high-level treatment wherever they go.

However, when An Xin got off the car and discovered that the film crew was staying at the Chifeng Hotel, she showed a strange and surprised expression.

Will living in this place attract bad luck?

But he didn't say much and just followed Guide Meng inside.

The hotel lobby exudes a traditional executive style. After looking around with peace of mind, I shifted my gaze from the mountain-guarding stone on the east side of the hotel and had a general idea of ​​what was going on.

Then, they followed their guide, Meng, into the elevator.

Na Shun looked at the tidy elevator lobby with curiosity in his eyes.

After all, this seems to be the only place in Chifeng with an elevator. Although he has ridden in it before, every time he steps into the elevator and feels that slight weightlessness, it is a novel experience.

With a "ding-dong," the elevator arrived at the third floor. Guide Meng led Anxin to a room and knocked on the door.

"Coming."

Fan Bing's voice came from inside. Then, when the door opened, the girl saw An Xin and her eyes lit up with intense curiosity.

However, she did not stop her, but quickly made way for her.

An Xin then realized that He Xiuqiong was staying in a suite, the kind with a small living room. And almost everyone who had come to her uncle's house for dinner the day before was still in the small living room, including He Xiuqiong.

However... unlike her rosy complexion yesterday, she was now wrapped in a blanket, sitting on the sofa, shivering.

His face was extremely pale.

Upon seeing An Xin arrive, her lips trembled as she tried to say something. But An Xin waved her hand and turned to look at the others:
"Does anyone remember the way you came back last night?"

"..."

"..."

"..."

Everyone was stunned.

No one expected that his first words would be this.

Guide Meng was also somewhat puzzled.

It ended yesterday afternoon after I got back, didn't it?
Did this group go out again tonight?
At this moment, a middle-aged man sitting on the sofa said in a thick Taiwanese accent:
"We didn't go out last night."

Hearing this, An Xin shook her head slightly:
"Just because you didn't go out doesn't mean others didn't. Who went out with Director He yesterday? What time did they come back? Do they remember the way back?"

As he spoke, Fan Bing unconsciously raised her hand:

"I... vaguely remember."

The moment she opened her mouth, everyone's eyes were drawn to her.

The girl seemed a little timid, but still met Anxin's gaze and said:
"Last night... Director He was a bit hungry, so he called me out for a late-night snack. He said he wanted to try the lamb skewers here... When we went out... it was around nine o'clock. We walked around for a long time and found that many restaurants were closed. Luckily, we found a barbecue vendor with a pushcart on the side of the road, so... we bought some and came back."

Na Shun was taken aback.

Selling barbecue from a pushcart?
This deal...it's so strange.

Upon hearing this, An Xin seemed to have already sensed it and immediately said:
"You're right not to eat."

"!"

The girl's eyes widened instantly:
How did you know I hadn't eaten?

But Anxin ignored her and instead asked:
Do you still remember the way?

"……perhaps."

"it is good."

He nodded again and walked directly towards He Xiuqiong.

The people next to him quickly made way for him.

He sat on the sofa and said to He Xiuqiong, who was still shivering:
"How many times did you vomit?"

As he spoke, he grabbed the short-haired woman's wrist, squinted, and began to take her pulse.

"I...I don't remember very clearly..."

"The vomit was reddish and smelled terrible, right?"

"……Um."

"Did you poop?"

"……No."

"Feeling cold all over, weak, and had nightmares all night?"

"It's not a dream..."

He Xiuqiong shook her head weakly:

“I can clearly remember what I was doing… but I couldn’t control it. It’s like… I’m not myself… I’m so cold… I… I was alone in my room… spinning around all night…”

The more she spoke, the more her voice trembled.
"I remember everything... but I can't wake up... and I can't control myself..."

"Hmm, it's okay. Okay, relax."

Seeing that she was trembling more and more violently, Anxin stopped her from speaking and removed her hand from her pulse.

Then, amidst the curious and puzzled gazes of the crowd, he turned to look at Guide Meng:
"Uncle Meng, go and contact a second-in-command. Tell him that a spirit has been summoned by a monk, and ask to use your esteemed place to send it off. We'll bring in reinforcements, but the temple won't be involved in any karma. If it's alright, go tonight."

Meng, the guide, is a local from Chifeng. Although he doesn't quite understand what An Xin is saying, he knows how to contact this group of people.

So he nodded:
Okay. Shall we talk about the cost?

"Tell them what I said: they won't haggle over the price."

"Okay, I'll go right away."

"Ah."

After giving a reassuring reply, An Xin turned to look at He Xiuqiong and extended her hand:

Give me the thing around your neck.

He Xiuqiong, who had been trembling just moments before, suddenly seemed to remember something and quickly pulled a Buddhist amulet from around her neck, still trembling.

Anxin looked disgusted, but still took it and casually threw it into the trash can next to the coffee table.

When everyone saw him throw a Buddha amulet into the trash can, a strange look appeared on their faces again.

Even the middle-aged man who had just said he hadn't gone out asked:
Should we go to the hospital now?

"At most, the hospital will diagnose you with food poisoning... but it won't help."

His words were like a pillar of support; although they had only been there for a few minutes, everyone seemed less panicked.

He Xiuqiong continued to shiver in the blanket, while An Xin looked at Na Shun and asked:

Do you have any money in your pocket?

"I brought some. Not much, just five yuan."

"This……"

An Xin thought for a moment, then looked at He Xiuqiong:
Where is your wallet?

"I have money here."

The middle-aged man spoke again, but An Xin shook her head and continued to look at He Xiuqiong.

The mature woman pointed tremblingly towards the bedroom and said directly to Na Shun:
"Go get it."

Na Shun nodded, went into the bedroom, and quickly took out a wallet.

“This journey is long, and it must have been tiring for you, Lao Xian’er. So, go and buy… three bottles. Three bottles of baijiu, three packs of soft red plum liquor. Then go and get a piece of red cloth about the size of two red scarves and some scissors. Come back after you’ve bought everything.”

"Uh... ok."

Na Shun took the old man's bill and left the room.

After he left, An Xin's gaze finally fell on Fan Bing. After looking her over for a moment, she looked away, took off the only thing she wore that could be considered "decoration"—a Buddhist rosary—from her wrist, and handed it to He Xiuqiong.
"Put it on."

The trembling older woman quickly took it and put it on her wrist.

Then, An Xin said to Fan Bing:

“Come with me for a bit and show me the place where you bought the barbecue last night. The rest of you… if you’re worried about Director He, you can stay here with her. Don’t worry, it’s daytime now, and besides, with my Buddhist prayer beads and that protective stone in the hotel lobby, nothing evil can get in or out. Keep an eye on her, I’ll be right back.”

He stood up and said to Fan Bing, who was still somewhat dazed:
"gone."

"Huh?...Oh, okay."

Fan Bing didn't hesitate any longer and quickly followed him.

The two left the room and walked towards the elevator.

Na Shun just went down, so the elevator hasn't come up yet.

After pressing the down arrow key with peace of mind, he suddenly turned his head, looked Fan Bing up and down twice, and said:
"Tell me about it."

"……what?"

Fan Bing was taken aback and asked in confusion:
"say what?"

"Tell me why you don't eat the barbecue from that street stall."

Anxin's gaze was calm, yet it seemed to see right through the girl's heart as he stared into her eyes and asked.

(End of this chapter)