My Wandering Swordsman

Ruan Tang jogged up to me and grabbed my arm: "Ji Xiaosong, let me finish."

I stopped and looked back at her impatiently.

"I'm really not kidding you," Ruan Tang's expression suddenly turned serious, her big eyes staring at me. "Think carefully, didn't your aunt also come to Hengdian?"

I froze for a moment.

That reminded me.

My aunt did come to Hengdian, but that was several years ago. She worked as an extra there for a while before returning to her hometown and getting married.

"So what?" I frowned. "Lots of people have been to Hengdian, not everyone has three moles, right?"

Ruan Tang pouted: "Have you seen your aunt with your own eyes whether she has three moles?"

"you--"

I was speechless, choked by her words.

"That settles it," Ruan Tang shrugged. "You haven't seen it, and your dad never told you, so how do you know?"

I opened my mouth, but found myself speechless.

But deep down I still felt it was impossible.

I grew up with my aunt, and while I wouldn't say I know her very well, I do know what kind of person she is. If she really had any secrets, she couldn't possibly keep them completely hidden.

Moreover, if she really had something to do with her two fathers' imprisonment, why would she marry my uncle and live a peaceful life?

This is not reasonable.

"Alright, stop guessing," I shook my head. "Let's put Auntie's situation aside for now and think of another way."

Seeing my firm stance, Ruan Tang didn't insist any further. She just pursed her lips and muttered under her breath, "Anyway, I feel like something's not right."

I didn't reply, but my mind was a jumbled mess. Two fathers, two clues, the same goal—what was hidden behind all this?

I always feel that the answer is right in front of me, but I just can't grasp it.

Over the next few days, Ruan Tang and I got busy with our own things again.

I continued working as an extra on the film set, keeping an eye out for any suspicious people. Ruan Tang, on the other hand, remained the same, constantly peeking over walls and watching pornographic DVDs, acting like a dead pig that doesn't fear boiling water.

But the woman with three moles never appeared.

That night, as I was returning to my rented room after work, I saw a familiar figure as I passed the alleyway.

Aunt.

She stood at the alley entrance, wearing a dark blue trench coat and carrying a plastic bag. When she saw me, she smiled and said, "Xiaosong, I brought you some food."

I was stunned.

"Auntie? What brings you here?"

My aunt shoved a plastic bag into my hand: "What, not welcome?"

"No, that's not what I meant," I quickly waved my hand, "It's just... why did you suddenly come? You didn't even tell me beforehand."

My aunt smiled but didn't reply, though her eyes seemed a little unfocused.

I stared at her, and a feeling I couldn't quite describe suddenly welled up inside me.

Ruan Tang's words inexplicably popped into my head.

I shook my head, suppressing the jumbled thoughts, and took the plastic bag: "Let's go inside, it's cold outside."

My aunt nodded and followed me into the rented room.

The room was a mess, with clothes piled on the bed and several empty beer bottles on the floor. My aunt frowned, said nothing, and started cleaning up herself.

I sat on the edge of the bed, watching her busy herself, and suddenly felt a little uneasy.

My aunt is truly wonderful to me.

From childhood to adulthood, she took care of me like a mother. My father went to jail, and my mother passed away early. If it weren't for my aunt sending me money and calling me every now and then, I probably wouldn't have made it through.

But now, I'm starting to doubt her.

Am I such a terrible person?

"Xiaosong," her aunt suddenly spoke, her voice very soft, "how have you been doing in Hengdian lately?"

"It's alright," I replied casually. "Just an extra, enough to make a little money, not enough to starve."

My aunt stopped what she was doing, turned around and looked at me, her eyes holding something I couldn't understand.

"Xiaosong, I've heard some things about your father."

My heart tightened, and I remained silent.

"What's his reason for asking you to come to Hengdian?" Auntie asked casually, as if it were just a casual question.

But my heart skipped a beat.

How did my aunt know that my dad sent me to Hengdian?

She knew that my father was in jail, but I haven't told anyone the specific details.

"Auntie," I stared at her, my voice a little hoarse, "how did you know my dad sent me to Hengdian?"

My aunt's expression stiffened for a moment, then she smiled: "I guessed it. Your father always has his reasons for doing things."

I stared at her, feeling like something was off.

But I can't quite put my finger on it.

Seeing that I didn't speak, my aunt sighed, walked over, and patted my shoulder: "Xiaosong, there are some things you may not know yet. But remember, your aunt will never harm you."

I looked up at her and suddenly realized that there was so much hidden in her eyes.

"Auntie, do you know something?"

My aunt didn't answer, she just smiled and said, "Eat the dumplings in the bag while they're hot, they won't taste good when they're cold."

After saying that, she turned and walked out.

I sat on the edge of the bed, staring at her departing figure, my mind a jumbled mess.

Ruan Tang's words echoed in my ears once again.

Does your aunt have three moles on her body? Have you seen them with your own eyes?

I jumped up and chased after him.

But the alley was deserted; there was no sign of my aunt anywhere.

I stood there, stunned, for a long time.

My phone suddenly rang.

It was Ruan Tang who called.

"Ji Xiaosong, come quick!" Her voice was urgent. "I've discovered a huge secret!"

"What secret?"

"I've found the woman with three moles!"

My heart skipped a beat: "Where?"

"The film crew!" Ruan Tang gasped for breath. "Come quickly! I'm waiting for you here. Don't tell anyone!"

The phone hangs up.

I held my phone, my palms sweating. My aunt's look, Ruan Tang's call—everything felt like an invisible hand pushing me forward.

I took a deep breath, started running towards the film crew.

This time, I'm determined to get to the bottom of this.