My Partner Always Wants to Dig My Grave - Chapter 4

Lying on the hospital bed, Si Wan took Song Yan’s phone after hearing her words. She tapped open the images in the chat history, scrolling through them one by one. Gradually, her brows furrowed, and a serious expression filled her eyes.

Since it was common for ancient tombs to be accidentally unearthed during construction, they were already accustomed to such occurrences.

However, Si Wan paused when she came across a blurry photo. It appeared to be a stone tablet, but the image was too indistinct, even when enlarged, she couldn’t make out the characters on it.

Just as she was about to swipe away, a sharp pain shot through her head. The intense ache caused her hand to loosen, and the phone dropped abruptly onto the blanket.

Fragments of memories flooded her mind, hazy and unclear, yet carrying a faint sense of familiarity that intensified her headache. Her brows drew even tighter.

“Si Wan…”

A soft, ethereal voice, like a whisper close to her ear, yet seemingly distant as if separated by countless mountains and rivers, made it impossible for her to discern the complex emotions laced within.

It wasn’t Song Yan’s voice, but there were only the two of them in the hospital room.

Who could the source of that voice be?

“Who’s there?” Si Wan called out, her gaze sweeping across the empty room as if trying to locate the origin of the sound.

The vacant ward remained occupied by just the two of them, accompanied by a chilly breeze drifting in through the window, sending shivers down their spines.

Seeing Si Wan’s unusual behavior and hearing her inexplicable question, Song Yan assumed it was a hallucination caused by the concussion from the thunderstorm a few days prior. Anxiously, she asked, “Professor Si, are you okay? Should I call a doctor?”

As she spoke, Song Yan reached for the emergency call button, but before she could press it, a hand gently grasped her wrist, stopping her.

Si Wan raised her hand to massage her temples, easing some of the pain. After calming down, she said steadily, “I’m fine.”

With that, she returned the phone to Song Yan and spoke again, her tone calm yet resolute. “Tell her we’ll prepare to go there immediately.”

Song Yan acknowledged, but just as she was about to send the message, she glanced at Si Wan with concern. “But Professor Si, your health…”

Si Wan shook her head lightly, her expression aloof and determined. “I’m discharging tomorrow.” she stated, leaving no room for argument.

As Si Wan’s student, Song Yan knew better than to press further.

…

Meanwhile, in Liu Village, the atmosphere was bustling, not due to any festival or New Year celebration, but because an ancient tomb had been unearthed. Most villagers didn’t fully grasp the significance, but they understood the talk of hidden treasures.

Although Liu Yaoyao had reported the discovery, leading to the area being cordoned off with caution tape, it did little to curb the villagers’ curiosity. They crowded around the barrier, layer upon layer, craning their necks in hopes of catching a glimpse of the so-called treasures Liu Jin had mentioned.

Yet, aside from the prominent stone tablet, all they saw were piles of excavated “scrap metal.” Disappointed at the absence of legendary gold and silver, the villager closest to Liu Jin nudged him with an elbow, gesturing with his chin as he questioned skeptically, “There’s nothing here. Are you fooling all of us?”

In the village, everyone valued their pride. Hearing someone question him, Liu Jin immediately felt indignant. But constrained by the presence of the police nearby, he could only pull the man aside and speak in a lowered voice.

“You all came too late. Now, no one’s allowed to dig or look around anymore.”

He blamed them inside and out for not arriving at the right time, insisting that missing out on the real treasures wasn’t his fault.

“That’s not it. You can’t see anything now, and you’re blaming us?”

The men who had dug with Liu Jin chimed in, not bothering to hide anything. Their tone was even tinged with a hint of pride, as if eager to show off.

Liu Jin’s expression shifted at their words. He glanced toward the police and abruptly tugged at the man’s sleeve, his voice dropping to a harsh whisper.

“Shut up!”

Though Liu Jin hadn’t had much schooling, he had at least attended a year of middle school and seen political textbooks. Even if he hadn’t paid much attention back then, he knew enough to understand the law was involved. Liu Yaoyao’s warning had been so stern that he hadn’t dared to look further into how serious the matter was, afraid the police would find out they had taken items from the site and confiscate them.

He was still hoping to sell those items for a good price to save up for his son’s wedding.

So, while he had bragged about it before, now he wished fewer people would mention it, better yet, that everyone would just keep quiet.

The man, confused by Liu Jin’s sudden outburst, frowned and asked, “Brother Jin, who are you talking to?”

Liu Jin’s brow furrowed even deeper. He raised his voice slightly, trying to warn the man not to be so conspicuous.

“I’m talking to you-”

But before he could finish, the rest of his words caught in his throat.

The villagers around them had cleared a space, and behind him stood a person whose police badge nearly blinded him, instantly deflating his bravado.

Liu Jin had no idea how much the police had overheard or whether they knew he had hidden burial artifacts. His eyes darted nervously before he put on an ingratiating smile and said, “Officer, why are you grabbing me? I swear I haven’t done anything sneaky.”

Hearing Liu Jin’s address, the police officer’s mouth twitched, but they were used to it, at least he hadn’t called him “Uncle Policeman.”

Noticing the situation, Nian Nian, who had just finished arranging personnel, exchanged a few words with Liu Yaoyao and then walked over with her to get a clearer picture.

Seeing that it was a female officer, Liu Jin stuck to his story, with no intention of handing over the items.

Through Liu Yaoyao, they already knew that several people had secretly taken a few artifacts. Nian Nian had encountered plenty like him. She wore a warm smile and asked, “What’s going on?”

She was addressing the officer holding Liu Jin, but Liu Jin, terrified of being exposed, hurriedly cut in, “Nothing’s going on! Seeing how busy you all are, I just wanted to help out, you know, do my part as a local.”

What Liu Jin didn’t realize was that they had come specifically for him, not just him, but everyone who had been involved in the digging was now being detained.

The officer holding Liu Jin showed Nian Nian a respectful look and reported truthfully, “Captain, this man has been hiding cultural relics.”

At this, Liu Jin panicked and cried out loudly.

“What nonsense are you talking about? Hand over what?! I don’t have anything!”

Yet, the more flustered he became, the more guilty he appeared. The villagers watching the scene while snacking on sunflower seeds burst into laughter.

“Old Jin, these things are from the graves, they’re terribly unlucky. Just hand them over.”

“Exactly. What if the ghosts from those graves come knocking at your door someday?”

These people, knowing they couldn’t benefit themselves, didn’t want anyone else to get their hands on that unexpected fortune either.

Liu Jin spat in disdain and shooed them away, saying, “Go on, get out of here! What do any of you know…”

He wanted to say more but suddenly stopped himself. Continuing would only dig his own grave, and he regretted ever coming here to join in the commotion.

“Ah! well, it’s about lunchtime now. I should be heading back.”

But Nian Nian wasn’t about to let him slip away so easily. She immediately stepped forward, blocking his path, her smile unwavering.

“Don’t rush off, fellow villager. Weren’t you just saying you’d play the host and help us out?”

Cornered, Liu Jin had no choice but to force a smile and reply, “If there’s anything I can do to help, just let me know.”

Nian Nian’s smile widened, cunning as a fox, as she said, “We don’t need you to play host. We just need your assistance. Please take those people over there and hand over everything you dug up from below to us, the police, for temporary custody.”

At her words, Liu Jin’s face twisted as if he’d eaten something foul, but he knew he couldn’t hide the truth any longer. Gritting his teeth, he agreed.

“Fine, but can you leave me just one piece? I was planning to save up for my son’s betrothal gifts.”

Nian Nian shook her head with a smile. Though her expression seemed gentle, her words were firm and righteous. “That’s definitely not possible.”

Defeated, Liu Jin scowled. Nearby, Liu Yaoyao couldn’t hold back a laugh but was immediately shot a glare by Liu Jin, who took the opportunity to scold her under his breath.

“It’s not that Uncle Jin wants to criticize you, but how could you side with outsiders?”

With the police present, Liu Yaoyao wasn’t afraid of him anymore. “Uncle Jin, I’ve told you, this is illegal. I’m only thinking of your son. What if you end up in jail? He wouldn’t be able to take the civil service exam then.”

Liu Jin’s face darkened, but he could only clench his jaw, refraining from cursing in front of the police.

Nian Nian nodded with a smile and said, “As an elder, I’m sure you understand better than the younger ones.”

Cornered by her words, Liu Jin had no choice but to hand over the items, no matter how unwilling he was. As he walked away with the others, his brows were tightly furrowed with worry.

Meanwhile, Liu Fang, who had been looking after her own Liu Er’gou, heard the commotion and immediately abandoned the boy to rush over. To her shock, she overheard that the police were really going to confiscate the treasures they had dug up. Slapping her thigh in panic, she exclaimed, “Oh my heavens! I’ve got to hide them quickly!”

With that, Liu Fang dashed home, not even glancing at Liu Er’gou on the bed. She grabbed the items and tried to stash them by the bedside, but no matter how she hid them, the large objects remained glaringly obvious.

Just then, there was a knock at the door.

“Anyone home? I’m with the police.”

Clutching the items, Liu Fang panicked. Her mouth moved faster than her brain as she blurted out, “No one’s here!”

The moment she said it, she knew she was done for.

Sure enough, the police entered, collected the items, and thanked her with cheerful smiles.

“You really think being a law-abiding citizen has been a great help to us. We’ll take good care of these items until the archaeological team arrives.”

Liu Fang watched as the objects were taken away and listened to their praises, forcing an awkward smile as she replied, “Hurry back to your work now. Auntie won’t keep you for a meal.”

After seeing them off, Liu Fang slammed the courtyard gate shut with a loud “bang.” She entered the inner room and saw Liu Er’gou lying on the bed, eyes rolled back and foaming at the mouth. She slapped the bedside fiercely and began cursing, “I must have been blind to ever fall for a useless good-for-nothing like you!”

No sooner had she finished her complaint and sat down with her back to him than the man on the bed sat up, his hollow eyes fixed intently on one spot. “Find… the hairpin…” His throat was so dry that his words came out fragmented and slurred, startling Liu Fang.

“What’s with this ghastly act all of a sudden? A hospital visit would cost a fortune, and I’d grudge even spending 250 to fetch Li the Miracle-worker from the east end of the village.”

But Liu Er’gou seemed not to hear her, his lips still moving as he muttered incoherently. Frowning in confusion, Liu Fang leaned closer to listen. However, as she approached, he abruptly stopped muttering and stared fearfully at the door.

“The door? What’s at the door?!” Liu Fang followed his gaze but saw nothing. Muttering a few more curses under her breath, she left the room.

Unseen by others, a chilling wind swept through the doorway, and a flash of red shadow passed by, casting an eerie and sinister atmosphere even in broad daylight.

“Correct.” The voice was ethereal, carrying an unreal quality as if drifting from the edge of the world. Crimson lips parted, issuing a command in an irresistible, bewitching tone. “Fetch this empress her hairpin.”

Her bloodless face and crimson eyes narrowed slightly as she observed the man with the condescending gaze one might reserve for an obedient dog.

…