After Marrying the Evil God - Chapter 35

“So, does this mean the rat might have been sent by Liu Yi’s friend? Why would they send a rat over?” Xie Chouzhuang didn’t know much about such things.

In the Northeast, it was quite common; the “Five Great Immortals” of the Chuma tradition refer to the Fox, Weasel, Hedgehog, Snake, and Rat. Among them, the Rat Immortal—originally a rat—is also known as “Fourth Master Grey.” He is a symbol of wisdom, capable of divination and foreseeing the future. He is even regarded as a deity who attracts wealth, specializing in hoarding grain and digging tunnels, always repaying those who show him kindness.

However, there is another saying: rats steal grain and gnaw through property. In Feng Shui, they are seen as a symbol of leaking fortune. Having rats in the home is often thought to lead to financial loss.

The situation at Liu Yi’s house looked like the second case, no matter how you sliced it.

After all, in the Northeast Chuma culture, enshrining an Immortal involves very specific etiquette.

First, there must be an altar, usually placed in a clean, quiet corner of a room. The altar table is best if it is square, sturdy, and stable.

The offerings are crucial. Generally, liquor is prepared—typically Baijiu—because alcohol is traditionally believed to bridge the gap between the Yin and Yang worlds. Meat is also included, such as a chicken; it is usually a whole chicken with beautiful, intact plumage, symbolizing respect for the Immortal. Fruits like apples (symbolizing peace) and oranges (symbolizing auspiciousness) are also displayed, usually in odd numbers like three or five. Steamed buns are common as well, required to be homemade, plump, and aesthetically pleasing.

During worship, incense is a vital medium. It is usually lit once in the morning and once in the evening, with three sticks used each time to represent the three powers: Heaven, Earth, and Man. One must be sincere, have clean hands, and ensure no offense is given to the Immortal during the process; both speech and behavior must be respectful.

Furthermore, there should be a spirit tablet or a portrait of the Immortal. The name and title of the Immortal must be clearly written on the tablet, and portraits must be kept clean and tidy.

A setup like the one at Liu Yi’s house—stuffing a rat inside and placing it in the home—looked more like the work of someone with a personal vendetta.

Xie Chouzhuang immediately picked up his phone and dialed Liu Yi’s number.

After a few rings, the other end was quickly picked up, followed by a series of clinking sounds, like the crisp yet chaotic clashing of metal.

“Hello, who is this?” a slightly confused voice came through the receiver—it was Liu Yi’s familiar tone.

“It’s me.”

“Mr. Xie?” Liu Yi’s voice sounded nervous. “Is there something else wrong with my house?”

“No. Who gave you the vase in the living room?”

“The vase? That was a gift from Lili’s older cousin. She said having a vase in the living room is auspicious and brings good luck to the household. Why? Is there something wrong with it?”

“The vase itself is fine. I just questioned the little ghost; the rat was sent along with the vase.

“Placing a vase in the living room does indeed have a good meaning. The word for vase is a homophone for peace, so a vase symbolizes safety. The shape of the vase in your home small mouth and large belly is similar to traditional wealth-gathering vessels. It implies the ability to absorb blessings and riches, allowing wealth and luck to overflow in the home.

“However, adding a rat to the vase completely changes the meaning. It’s like having a hole in a cornucopia; no matter how much you put in, it all leaks out. The more you earn, the more you lose,” Xie Chouzhuang explained simply.

That distant cousin probably possessed some knowledge of the occult. But where did she catch that rat? To make a rat stay perfectly still and obedient in a vase during the day was quite a rare feat.

“What? Why would Lili’s cousin suddenly do such a thing? They have a great relationship!” Liu Yi was stunned by Xie Chouzhuang’s explanation.

“You can know a person’s face but not their heart. You two should be careful. I’ve solved it for you once, but there’s no guarantee there won’t be a second time. It’s best to stay vigilant.” Xie Chouzhuang offered the warning out of kindness; after all, Liu Yi was his first client, and he wanted to handle things thoroughly.

“Okay, Mr. Xie. I understand. Thank you.” Liu Yi thanked him politely and hung up the phone, his teeth gritted in anger.

Had Xie Chouzhuang not reminded him, he wouldn’t have noticed. But with this prompt, Liu Yi realized his recent luck had indeed been quite abysmal.

As for great wealth, there hadn’t been a trace of it. Instead, small amounts of money were flowing out like a bursting dam. His supervisor had already promised him a promotion and a raise, with a bright future seemingly right before his eyes. Who could have guessed that a mistake would crop up in the important project he was managing, nearly ruining everything?

His wife hadn’t been spared either. She was on the verge of a promotion at her company. Yet, at that crucial juncture, she accidentally broke her leg and was forced to recuperate in a hospital bed. Naturally, the opportunity for promotion went to her competitor.

That wasn’t all. This hospitalization had already cost tens of thousands of yuan. Combined with the full 100,000 yuan swindled by that so-called “Celestial Master,” this string of blows and losses was truly no small amount for an ordinary family like theirs.

Looking at Lili’s distant cousin, her relationship with her parents-in-law, her own child, and her husband had been practically irreconcilable before the two of them got married.

Her parents-in-law were constantly difficult, her husband was unfaithful, and their child was extremely rebellious, causing trouble all day long. Her already chaotic life had been a total mess.

Furthermore, this cousin later lost her job and was forced to become a full-time housewife. From then on, she was busy from dawn till dusk, looking haggard and unkempt. Yet even so, every time she went out, she had to force herself to maintain a glamorous appearance in front of everyone.

Thinking carefully, too many details simply didn’t stand up to scrutiny. Liu Yi suddenly recalled their wedding; at the time, that cousin had persistently urged Lili to get pregnant quickly, quit her job, and return home to focus entirely on being a wife and mother.

He remembered clearly that he had stated they were currently in the rising phase of their careers and had no plans for children for the time being. At that exact moment, he thought he had noticed the cousin looking somewhat displeased.

Normally, Liu Yi often saw netizens post comments like: “Never easily let outsiders know you are living a satisfying life, otherwise they will truly become jealous.”

At first, he only viewed those words as jokes for post-dinner conversation. Who would have thought that something similar would actually happen to him?

Ever since they got married, Lili’s cousin had suddenly started a small business and come into money. Her relationship with her husband, child, and in-laws also began to improve. At the time, Lili was still happy for her. If it really was because of this vase, Liu Yi felt a chill run through his body, not daring to think any further.