Master Liu walked with me as we left Uncle Sun’s tomb behind us in the bright day. Soon, we caught up to Sun Sheng holding his daughter’s hand, the pair of them standing by the path like forlorn statues.

“Did you see my father’s ghost? Is he at peace?” Sun Sheng pelted at Master Liu.

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“It is done, your father’s spirit is at rest. There is no more to fear. Your family should show him respect and worship each year.” Master Liu told him.

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Sun Sheng nodded reverently.

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We walked back to the village, a party of four trailing an old master; a bloodied and scratched up boy; an exhausted, but whole girl; and her father. When we arrived at the bridge, many old men and children were together. My parents stood anxiously among them.

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My mother ran to us, seeing that we were safe. She greeted Master Liu curtly and dragged me from him. “What happened to you?” She gaped at my bloody arms and torn clothing. “What happened to Sun Yueying?” I looked at her blankly, not knowing what to say.

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Master Liu saved me from her, "Come now, the child is stunned. Let’s not make him relive the afternoon. I will tell you when we return to the house."

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My mom glared at him, taking my hand and walking with me across the bridge. None of the other villagers voiced their questions, but the murmurs and rumors began. Low voices swelled around us.

Zhao Yuan and Zhao Jie waved at me. Zhao Laohei hushed their questions before they could fly. I thought of what Master Liu had asked me to keep secret and continued walking in silence.

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“What are they talking about?” I whispered to Master Liu.

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" Xiao Chun’s mother.” He said simply.

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I made a decision to keep my mouth shut, even to Zhao Jie though he’d probably try to pry it out of me with candy. Though, with candy and ice cream, I might tell him.

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Most of the villagers split off from the crowd and returned to their respective homes. When we came upon our house the Village Head, Zhao Laohei, and Granny Hong Rong were with us.

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The Village Head stared at me for a moment and he asked, “Is Sun Yueying…is she afflicted? I need to know for the safety of the village, you understand.”

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Master Liu shook his head and told him, “The village troubles are gone for now. You do not need to know more or else the responsibility will fall to you.”

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I didn't understand that, but the Village Head seemed to. He thanked Master Liu and excused himself as we entered the house.

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Master Liu stopped Zhao Laohei at the door and whispered something in his ear. The man nodded curtly and turned to leave. My family and Granny Hong Rong clustered around the kitchen area.

“May I speak with your son and Granny Hong Rong in the spare room?” Master Liu asked my parents. My mother nodded hesitantly and my father was quiet. I went with the elders into the side room. Granny closed the door behind us.

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My mom came to the door when it closed and opened it back up ever so slightly. She looked inside at us and dared to ask. “What are you doing with my son Master Liu?”

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The master, who had begun to look exhausted as the day stretched on said, "Don't worry dear girl. I will not hurt Xiao Yong. This will help his supernatural eyes.” His eyes hardened in a way that only those with secrets could. “Don't listen at the door.” He added and closed the door on her, nearly pinching her small nose as he did.

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Master Liu’s reputation for the mystic had grown around the village. Even my mother didn’t dare to defy his orders. We listened to her footfalls fade away from the closed door.

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Master Liu didn’t say anything as he turned and came into the room. He sat down with Granny Hong Rong, leaning heavily on the chair arm as he descended. A short square table stood between them. The half empty glass of water rocked unsteadily as he leaned over it and struck conversation with the old woman.

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Granny Hong Rong brushed past his niceties and practically bellowed at the man, "Master Liu, why am I here?"

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Master Liu waved his hands and spoke with a grin on his face, "You’re older than I. Don't call me your honor. I’m embarrassed that you treat me so well."

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Granny Hong Rong nodded with a smile.

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My eyes darted between the two in confusion. How bad was their hearing? She had said no such thing. “Wha…?” I began, but was cut off.

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Master Liu continued, "I want to ask you something."

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Granny Hong Rong gazed at him curiously, "What?"

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"Do you know a man called Cui Guangjin?"

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I racked my brain desperately trying to keep up with this mad conversation between the old folk. Cui Guangjin? Who? I didn't know. No one's surname was Cui in our village.

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Granny Hong Rong’s old eyes widened for a moment, unable to hide her surprise. She asked, "How...how do you know him?"

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The master tapped his right temple just above the eye, "Do you remember the dirty thing I expelled from young Xiao Yong?” I nodded, but neither of them looked at me. The old woman didn’t react so Master Liu continued, “Later, I met him again in Xiao Chun’s house. Only, he wasn't ferocious any longer.” He tapped one of the pouches on his large sweater. “He’s been quite comfortable in my Qian Qun bag for the past two nights, but during our encounter he begged me to ask you whether you remembered his name."

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Granny Hong Rong’s old dark eyes began to tear, the droplets finding path in the wrinkles on her face. "How can it be?" She whispered.

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Master Liu sighed, "Obviously, you remember him. He spoke of you, though I will not mention what he said in present company.” He peered down his long nose at me then looked back to Granny. “It is fine that you remember him. He died thirty years ago if I am correct, but he’s been with you ever since. Am I right?”

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Granny’s face was granite beneath the steady flow of tears now dropped from her chin.  Master Liu went on, “After he saw you crying over what happened with Xiao Chun’s mother, he decided to help her. In fact, I believe he wanted to help you, though I think he did quite a bit for Xiao Chun's mother that we would not consider helpful.”

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My mind reeled. If this ghost helped Xiao Chun’s mother, then it must be evil. I clenched my fists and meant to interrupt. Master Liu ignored me and went on, “Although the ghost has a crystalline consciousness in his form, I don’t think he can distinguish good from evil any longer. The poor man has been gone from this world for too long. It is rare for a ghost to be this rash.” The last word was spoken without contempt. Master Liu looked at Granny with a kind of pitiful understanding.

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Her face crinkled with a sob and she reached into her pocket for a handkerchief. She honked her nose quite loudly at Master Liu.

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The master shook his head, ignoring her noisy tears, "Fine. As you remember him and he is clearly special to you, I expect you to heed me in dealing with this Cui Guangjin, afterwards, of course. After we resolve the issue with Xiao Chun's mother. He must be dealt with, you understand? It is not wise to let him remain a lingering ghost.”

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Granny Hong Rong nodded her great wet face and said, "Okay, I owe it to him. It has been so many years."

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Master Liu placed his hand on her knee and smiled calmly at the old woman until she regained herself. “You may go now. Xiao Chun’s mother will be dealt with within the next half moon. You should make your arrangements for Cui Guangjin’s departure.” The old woman didn’t reply in words, but looked at the old man as if he’d put down her sick cat. She strained herself out of the chair, beckoning me closer and then hoisting her weight on my shoulder. She hobbled from the room without a word.

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When the door opened my mother seized her chance and zipped inside before it shut. “Can I get you anything?” Her words were directed towards Master Liu, but she looked me up and down as if checking for cracks.

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Master Liu watched her with patience that only comes with age, but sighed loudly. “Do not take this harshly my dear, but…” Her eyes landed on him and the old man shrunk as if he were being stepped on. "I want to leave with Xiao Yong for a dozen days, perhaps a month. Could you..."

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Although Master Liu saved me, and he was a respected master, my mom looked more than worried. “Honey, come here.” She called my father. He slid from behind the closed door in seconds and looked at Master Liu. The old master was a stranger after all, what could they do if they sent me with him and he was indeed a Lao Beizi?

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Master Liu noted my parents’ silence and strove to break it. He said, "Don't worry. We will go with Zhao Laohei and Granny Hong Rong. After we have finished our duties I will send him back to home to you."

The tension slackened ever so slightly. Clearly relieved that they would know and could trust at least one of the adults. “I guess that’s not too long of a time…” My father began.

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Mom cut him off. The expression on her face was anything but happy. "We will follow your wisdom as long as it helps cure Xiao Yong's supernatural eyes."

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The adults bartered over my future for a couple minutes. The conversation had lost my interest and my mind returned to an arrangement of great importance.

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“Master Liu!” I cut in, “You owe me ice cream!” I urged.

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My mom’s mouth fell open and she was on me in an instant. Before her knuckles could rap into my brain for the disrespect I had dished whole helping to the master, the old man cut in and saved me, "Stop, stop...I owe him. Let him come with me and if you are worried, you are welcome to follow us."

Her brow furrowed and even my father looked a bit scared. She smoothed down my hair and wiped her hands on her shirt when they came off dirty. She looked at me and said, "Master Liu. No. The kid is naughty. Nonsense..."

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Master Liu smiled, "It’s not a joke. I made a promise. I have arranged to meet Zhao Laohei and his son in town for business."

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She heaved a sigh at Master Liu and bowed.

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The master and I marched out the door after mom forced me to change and wash my bloody skin. Master Liu brought me to Zhao Laohei’s house where he spoke to him in hushed tones. After a few moments Zhao Laohei nodded and said, "Master Liu, don't worry. I follow you, but my son will remain here."

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Zhao Jie and I let out a moan of despair, but Master Liu looked at Zhao Jie and Zhao Yuan, saying "Bring both of them! I will buy ice cream for us all. It’s my treat.”

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Zhao Laohei nodded hesitantly. Zhao Jie and Zhao Yuan darted out the door and we began a jig in the dirty street. The two men walked ahead of us while Zhao Jie and I danced in circles around Zhao Yuan. When we reached the small store at the end of the village Master Liu handed out an ice cream cone for each of us. We smacked our lips victoriously as some of the older kids walked past, shooting jealous darts at our small ice cream party.

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The two men spoke about the distance from our village and the town. Before we’d finished slurping down our just rewards, Zhao Laohei disappeared and reappeared driving an old tractor with a pull behind cart. “Hop in kids!” He called, so we gleefully piled into the back, sitting on bales of straw that the donkeys hadn’t gotten to yet. On the way, Zhao Jie, Zhao Yuan and I sang every song we knew and loudly. The words to ‘The Five-starred Red Flag’, ‘Let's Sway Twin Oars’, and ‘The National Anthem’ mottled and churned their way together until we were just shouting nonsense at each other. I was surprised to see Master Liu singing along with us a couple times.

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It’s too difficult to imagine the joy on our faces when we sang a mismatched rendition of ‘Stand up’, but I remember how happy we were.

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That was one of the happiest days of my childhood. Sadly though, I forgot to cherish it.

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