The night wind was fierce, and I was already feeling uncomfortable all over. Staring at the Yellow-Paged Ghost before me, I was certain he was Old Man Rivers—exactly the same as the Old Man Rivers I saw in my dream.
"Were you the one who visited me in my dream?"
I asked, and Old Man Rivers sighed helplessly, nodding his head.
"There was no other way, miss. I went outside looking for help, asked many ghosts, but none could find a way to save my son Evan. Just recently, when I was out, a ghost told me that in a few days a young lady would come who could save your son. I was skeptical, but I never expected you would actually show up."
I curled my lips and glanced back over my shoulder.
"Was it a guy who looked a bit handsome, with a half-smile on his face?"
Old Man Rivers nodded.
"And there was a stunning ghostly lady in a red dress."
I could basically confirm it now—it was John Chou and Isabelle Frost, the siblings. I really didn’t understand these two; they always kept things to themselves. Why couldn’t they just tell me everything from the start? Then I wouldn’t be running around like a headless chicken.
But there was no point in getting angry now. All I could do was listen to Old Man Rivers and find out what was really going on here.
"Sigh, young lady, the reason our Rivers family fell from grace, and why this place ended up like this, is all because of Evan. If he hadn't come back, things might've been fine. But every time he returns, disaster strikes. We used to be able to cross the mountain behind us to reach the neighboring county, but because of Evan, the whole mountain collapsed. Now, we have to take a detour ten times longer to reach another county. Over time, this place completely declined, and what was once lush forest is now bare, nothing left at all."
I looked at Old Man Rivers, puzzled.
"Weren't you the one who drove your son away in anger?"
I sighed helplessly. In that dream, I saw Old Man Rivers really went too far at the guest banquet. After all, it's his own son—no matter what, family shame shouldn't be aired in public. Evan Zhao probably cares about his reputation, so he left in anger that very night.
Seeing Old Man Rivers so heartbroken, I could only respond helplessly.
"Honestly, with a kid like yours—if I had a child who was lazy and greedy like that, I'd have kicked him out long ago. Yet you still let him eat, drink, and play every day."
Old Man Rivers nodded, then took something from his hand and placed it in mine. Instantly, my consciousness blurred, but I could clearly see Evan Zhao's memories.
Just like I saw in my dream, Evan Zhao ran off that night. He wandered, stopping and starting, and soon pulled out the leftover roast chicken from the banquet, along with a large jug of wine. After eating and drinking his fill, he swaggered down the winding path.
Evan Zhao felt no remorse for his actions. Instead, he kept cursing along the way, fueled by the wine, directly swearing at Old Man Rivers.
"Old bastard, it’s all your fault. You’ve beaten me since I was a kid, always hitting first and asking questions later, trying to make me obey. Well, screw that! I’ll be lazy and idle, I won’t give you a grandchild, so what? Let me tell you, I’m not coming back—if I do, I’m your grandson."
I stared at Evan Zhao in surprise. Though he was drunk, his face showed real pain. It seemed he'd endured his father's oppressive upbringing for years, and now, finally, he couldn't take it anymore—he really meant never to go home again.
He kept walking, but before he was halfway, Evan Zhao collapsed in the grass by a tree, snoring away. In the distance, the clustered lights of the county town could be seen.
Early the next morning, Evan Zhao woke shivering in the fog, sneezing. He immediately gulped down some wine, felt warmer, and went right back to sleep. I was shocked—this guy really was the laziest of the lazy. Watching his slothfulness made me angry; I'd always worked for everything I had. His laziness was beyond words.
"Hey, isn’t this the Rivers family’s young master?"
A passerby noticed Evan Zhao. He woke up startled, his stomach rumbling.
"Got anything to eat?"
Evan Zhao reached out for food from the passerby, who reluctantly handed over some dry rations. After eating, Evan grinned cheekily and said:
"When you get back, ask my old man for money. Just say you gave me something to eat when I was starving."
As the sun rose, Evan Zhao set off again. The person heading back to town shook his head helplessly and called out:
"Young Master Zhao, I won’t go bother your father. He’s always been good to the townsfolk. I remember yesterday was his birthday, and here you are sneaking out today. You should really just go back."
Evan Zhao sneered.
"If my old man asks, just tell him I’m not coming back this time."
Evan Zhao kept cursing as he walked, blaming Old Man Rivers for everything. Watching him randomly kick at trees as he went, it was clear he was all talk—a spoiled brat who only knew how to make trouble.
Evan wandered for half a day. By noon, he was hungry again, but he could barely walk a few hundred meters before needing another rest. He had plenty of money, but there was nowhere to buy food around here. He begged every passerby for something to eat, but had no luck—nobody paid him any mind.
He finally made it to the county town as the sun was setting. What took others a morning took him all day. As soon as he arrived, Evan Zhao seemed revived and went straight into a restaurant.
"Ah, Young Master Zhao, you’re here! Waiter, bring out the best food and wine!"
Evan Zhao walked in and the owner greeted him personally. Evan didn’t waste words, slammed down some money, and the owner grinned widely, pocketing it at once. Soon, a table full of dishes was served. Evan threw himself into a chair, grabbed some wine, and started drinking, finally looking satisfied.
It was as if all his discomfort vanished. In no time, Evan was sharing tables, inviting nearby diners to join him in drinking games. The restaurant quickly grew lively. Evan was generous, spending freely. Many in the county knew this young master—his father owned land and orchards in Fallen Hollow, and every harvest the fruit was crisp and sweet. People came from all over to buy them when they were ripe.
I couldn’t see a single redeeming quality in Evan Zhao. He didn’t care about flattery—he only cared about his own pleasure. But everyone else just saw him as an easy mark.
He drank until late at night, staggering out after vomiting most of the food he’d eaten. Evan wandered into the Blue Lotus Brothel, and sure enough, the madam and a crowd of girls rushed over to welcome him. Seeing him so drunk he could only grin stupidly, they helped him undress and bathe—more than a dozen women tending to him, and he was so happy he looked ready to float away.