Qin Yue dragged his tired body home. He was drenched from head to toe and water dripped around him as he walked.
He lowered his head, passing through the village. He could feel their stares but he didn't care. He was used to it already.
He could tell they were curious. But he also knew that no one would ask him what happened. They all avoided him like the plague.
His lips curled up wryly. He couldn't even blame them. If he were in their shoes, be would probably react in the same way.
After trudging his feet through the dirt road, he finally got to his house at the foot of the mountain.
The conditions here were simple and extremely isolated. Anyone else might have broken down from the solitude but only here did Qin Yue allow himself to relax.
He took off the wet clothes and squeezed the water out, changing into dry clothes. He then made himself a cup of ginger tea.
With his luck, it wouldn't be surprising to get hypothermia or pneumonia just from this alone so he had to keep warm.
Thinking of what happened today, he couldn't help but sigh. His house was the farthest from the village and directly at the foot of the mountain.
However, the only water source was at the other side of the village. He had tried digging a well before but only got mud and clay and was never able to hit water.
Today, he went to the river to wash up when he heard someone calling out for help. He rushed over and realized it was Wang Cuifen, the village chiefs daughter.
He was stunned, wondering how she could be drowning when everyone in the village was a perfect swimmer but accidents happen and his body was already moving faster than his brain.
He jumped in, struggling to push her to shore. He saw her eyes light up but when she realized who it was, her eyes widened and she scooted back.
The movement was so big that Qin Yue who was not yet steady on his legs was pushed back into the water.
He didn't panic and tried to swim to the surface but his leg was caught in something, making him unable to move. He tried to shake it off himself but to no avail.
For the first time, he felt bone deep fear. He had come close to death more than a few times but this was the first time he felt certain that if nothing happened soon, he would surely die.
He closed his eyes as his struggle faded and he sank deeper into the river.
The next time he woke up, he was lying on the shore with no one around him. Qin Yue was confused, but after so long, he had leant not to question certain things.
He checked his neck, relieved that his pendant was still intact and didn't care for anything else.
Despite having gone through all those things, he didn't believe in ghosts or gods and was certain someone had saved him.
As for why they didn't stay to claim credit, he had nothing to give and whoever it was would be ostracized by the village for getting close to him.
He said a silent thank you in his heart and pulled himself up then went home and that is how we got to the scene now.
He finished his cup of tea and his eyelids started feeling heavy. After rinsing the cup, he wrapped himself up in a warm blanket and went to sleep.
Qin Yue was a light sleeper and so when he heard countless voices from outside his door, his eyes flew open.
He sat on his bed, watching the door warily as he heard them draw closer. His hands held the blanket closer to himself and he heard the loud banging on his door.
He paused for a second before standing up to open the door. He pulled the door open and was almost hit in the face by the village chief who was about to knock again.
Seeing that he had opened the door, the village chief dropped his hand awkwardly.
"Xiao Yue"
Qin Yue ignored him and looked back at the crowd, all who looked at him with malice.
He turned back to the village head and answered in a nasal tone.
"Hmm?"
The village head Wang Laifu cleared his throat, suddenly a bit embarrassed.
Hearing Qin Yue's voice, it was obvious he has caught a cold. As for how, it was obvious.
Although he was embarrassed, the others weren't. His wife rushed forward with her hands on her lips and pointed her nose at Qin Yue.
"You jinx! It's not enough that you torture tour own family but now you even have to come and ruin my daughter."
Saying this, she exploded in loud wails.
"What did I do to deserve this? I have just this one daughter yet she has been ruined by you."
She turned to her husband, dragging him by the scruff of his neck.
"I told you not to let him stay here. Now look what has happened. Our Cuicui is threatening to commit suicide. It's all your fault."
She wailed bitterly and the villagers were led by her, pointing accusing fingers at Qin Yue.
Qin Yue's eyes had turned cold from the moment she mentioned his family.
Watching her act, a slow smile formed on his lips.
"What do you want me to do aunty?"
Li Lihiua cleaned the corner of her eyes and sniffled.
"Naturally you'll have to compensate."
Qin Yue's smile stayed on his face.
"Compensation? No problem. I'll marry Wang Cuifen. Since she's already been ruined by me, it's only natural that she becomes my wife."
Li Lihua's face turned pale and she visibly recoiled.
"Who wants you to marry her? How can you be so cruel? Haven't you done enough?"
Qin Yue lowered his eyes.
"Aunty my body is all I have. If you want compensation then I'll have no choice but do dedicate myself to her. But she must marry me first."
Li Lihiua saw that Qin Yue wasn't joking and suddenly became scared.
She had only come here to ask for benefits and didn't want her daughter to get involved with this jinx at all.
Huffing and puffing, she said a few obscure words and slipped away.
When the villagers saw that there was no more excitement to watch, they all dispersed in two's and three's leaving only Qin Yue and the village chief.
The village chief sighed deeply.
"Xiao Yue.."
Qin Yue cut him off.
"I know. It's not your fault village head, I don't blame you."
Without letting the man say anything else, he closed the door. Qin Yue looked at the small bag by his bed, reinforcing his decision.
This village was a close-knit one with most people having the same surname. Basically everyone was related to everyone in a way.
The only way to be truly accepted was either being born into the clan or marry into it. He was neither.
According to gossip, he had caused the death of both his parents and was sent to this village because his family had some ties with the village chief.
Going over his luggage again, he made up his mind. Even if it meant loosing his life, he wouldn't stay here any longer.