You Look Like My Baby’s Mom - Chapter 1

Clouds rolled and surged, unveiling a vast, azure sky.

Beneath the clear sky, amidst the mist, mountains linked mountains, waters joined waters, the forests were as wide as the sea, and the greenery as deep as an abyss. All things were born of the mountain, grew on the mountain, and returned their souls and decaying bodies to the earth.

In the towering mountains, a certain beautiful, spiritually endowed peak was crowned with a cluster of drab buildings. The walls and tiles were hidden in the lush greenery, hinting at their past glory. But now, in the large temple, only a wisp of smoke drifted lazily, scattering into the fog and lingering on the mountain path.

On the path, two small figures slowly climbed upward.

Qian Ming only returned after ten years since leaving the mountain at age eighteen. He remembered the village’s annual grand ceremonies to worship the mountain god when he was a child superstitious events that made the peaceful mountain lively. Later, he focused on his studies to get out of the mountain and didn’t care about the village’s messy affairs. If it weren’t for his current desperation, treating it as a last-ditch effort, he wouldn’t have woken up before dawn to climb the mountain.

“Ming, you must sincerely ask the temple master to help you later. Be sure to kowtow properly to the Spirit Chief,” his mother muttered, two steps behind him, a stream of chatter that had started from the moment they left home.

Qian Ming scoffed internally but agreed outwardly. He had a good appearance, clean and refined, and though drenched in sweat, his expression was docile and his eyes sincere, making him look like he was taking her words to heart. Qian Ming’s mother had always been proud of her obedient and successful son. She mumbled, “Don’t worry, with the Spirit Chief here, you’ll definitely be safe!”

How would that happen? Through superstition?

Qian Ming didn’t believe it, but he had no choice. Who made him so unlucky right now that even drinking water felt like it was getting stuck in his throat?

“Mom, why is this temple built so far away?” Qian Ming asked, panting, looking up.

The grey outline of the structure lay quietly at the summit, seemingly within reach exactly as it had looked two hours ago.

“You’re too young to understand. Our Spirit Chief Mountain has been blessed by spirits for thousands of years, protecting our village with good weather. Since they are spirits, of course, they shouldn’t let us see them easily.”

“Our village worships the mountain god every year, and the Spirit Chief every ten years. The last time we worshipped the Spirit Chief was when you left for school. I remember you saw the temple master once when you were a little over ten. The master was only five years old back then…” Qian Ming’s mother recalled the past, her eyes filled with nostalgia.

Qian Ming’s already weak steps nearly gave out, and a look of horror flashed across his face.

Wait, how old?

The regret in his heart suddenly deepened. How could there be a five-year-old temple master? It sounded utterly unreliable!

It figured. Only the older, uneducated villagers believed in these messy things. He was different; he was the first college student to ever get out of their village!

This was Qian Ming’s greatest source of pride, and because of this pride, he now regretted this trip even more. He wanted to persuade his mother to go back, but he felt it would be a pity to leave without seeing it after climbing for over three hours.

He hadn’t expected this mountain to be so high! It had been three hours!

Just as he was so tired he was about to retreat, he suddenly heard his mother’s excited voice: “We see the mountain gate! The Spirit Chief sees our sincerity and is willing to meet us!”

Qian Ming looked with suspicion, only to see the drab wall at the end of the stone steps, overgrown with weeds. The dilapidated wooden door in the center was open, revealing a clean courtyard paved with stone slabs. Amidst his mother’s excited voice, Qian Ming suddenly felt a sense of being watched. He raised his head in fear, only to see a dense row squatting on the courtyard wall.

“Hamsters?”

The little fur balls on the wall huddled together, their black eyes silently watching Qian Ming.

Qian Ming’s ex-girlfriend used to keep these, so he recognized them. A wave of relief washed over him, and he laughed, “What is it?” He was actually startled by hamsters. Why would anyone keep so many hamsters on a mountain? To feed the weasels?

He scanned the cluster of hamsters on the wall with a feeling of pity.

Qian Ming’s mother took no notice. She first bowed to the old temple, chanting softly, and told Qian Ming to follow. On the wall, the hamsters’ black eyes watched the two figures’ backs and turned in unison.

The moment they stepped into the temple, the sweet scent of sandalwood was refreshing, seemingly sweeping away the fatigue from their bodies. The temple was extremely quiet they could hear the flapping wings of distant birds.

Qian Ming looked up. Directly facing the gate was an open great hall. The hall was too deep to see into, and it was draped on all sides with curtains. Only a half-person tall bronze incense burner sat heavily in the center of the hall. The entire layout bore no resemblance to the Taoist temples Qian Ming had seen before.

Qian Ming was pondering which deity this temple worshipped when a tall, slender figure emerged from behind the curtains. Grey robes, long hair. The person was serene and pure, their eyes tranquil and flat, like a handful of fine snow falling onto a withered branch.

Qian Ming’s pupils slowly dilated. He subconsciously held his breath, as if afraid to disturb the quietly burning incense.

The master of this Spirit Chief Temple was such a beautiful woman! Why had he never heard anyone mention it?

And to look like this, guarding the mountain year after year, was simply a waste of natural beauty!

“Temple Master!” Qian Ming’s mother said in surprise, “You’ve grown so much. It’s been years since I’ve seen you.”

The woman, standing with her head slightly bowed, acknowledged them. Her pale, clear eyes fell upon the dumbstruck man. Qian Ming reluctantly withdrew his gaze, subconsciously straightened his chest, but his eyes uncontrollably drifted back to the woman’s face.

The woman did not look at him her gaze merely rested on his shoulder, as if something were there.

Qian Ming didn’t think much of it. His mind was regretting the years he had wasted. If he had known there was such a beauty at home, why would he look for partners outside? Those women were all high minded, demanding this and that. The ones from home were different. They weren’t very educated, lacked experience, would do housework without being told, and were easy to appease… No, easy to communicate with!

Even if they couldn’t marry, dating would be fine. He wouldn’t lose anything. This woman was no less beautiful than the celebrities on TV, and his mother liked her, too.

The more Qian Ming thought about it, the more he felt he had a chance. He was already thinking: for her beauty, he was willing to pay ten thousand yuan as a bride price. His mother said she was alone in this temple, without support from parents down the mountain. No matter how much he gave, wouldn’t it ultimately be his? It would also show his sincerity. In this village, who else could afford such a high bride price!

He got so caught up in his suitable thoughts that he forgot why he had come. Then, a sudden cold wind whipped through the mountain, bending the trees low. The hamsters huddled on the wall squeaked excitedly.

The cold wind rushed over instantly, hitting the old door with a “bang”, and then smacked “slap” across Qian Ming’s face, knocking him back three steps until he squatted on the ground.

The scenes in his mind shattered instantly. A foul stench rushed into his nostrils, burning his face with a searing pain like sulfuric acid. For a moment, Qian Ming thought his face was disfigured and screamed in horror: “It hurts! This water is poisonous! My face!”

The woman stood expressionless, her brow slightly raised.

The white fur balls on the wall looked even more excited, squeaking and chirping randomly.

“My face! My face is ruined! My eyes! I can’t see anything! Help!!” Qian Ming shrieked wretchedly.

Qian Ming’s mother was terrified and quickly ran to grab his hand. She saw only water on his face, along with blood streaks from where he had scratched himself. The strange wind carried fine sand, which blew into Qian Ming’s eyes, making him weep profusely.

His mother’s heart settled, and she complained, “How did you become so delicate after working for a few years outside? It’s just a little water. Stop shouting. It’s embarrassing in front of the Temple Master.”

Strangely enough, after his mother scolded him, Qian Ming suddenly realized his face didn’t hurt anymore. He wiped the sand from his eyes and tentatively opened them, meeting that pair of cold, tranquil eyes.

“…”

Qian Ming belatedly felt a sense of shame. His image of rolling and screaming on the ground in front of such a beautiful woman made him incredibly embarrassed. A trace of resentment even rose in his heart. The woman just watched while he was in such pain. She must not be any good.

“Bang.”

The temple door crashed onto the ground. The hairs on Qian Ming’s back stood straight up, and he broke out in a cold sweat. He felt this place was a little eerie, and he dared not think any more messy thoughts, hiding behind his mother.

His mother was unaware of the nastiness in his heart and said anxiously, “Temple Master, has my Qian Ming been entangled by something? He’s been unlucky for the past two months. Nothing he does goes smoothly. He even falls into a pit while walking.”

“He’s my only child, and he’s obedient and sensible. He’s good at his studies and works for a big company outside. He doesn’t come back often. Could you see if someone is trying to harm him?” Qian Ming’s mother gripped Qian Ming’s shoulder protectively, wiping the dirt from his face and cursing the evil wind for daring to cause trouble at the Spirit Chief Temple.

The mountain wind slowly departed. The Spirit Chief Temple Master adjusted her sleeves. Her gaze drifted over, settling on a red plastic bag that had fallen to the ground when Qian Ming fell. Her pale eyes slightly lit up.

Qian Ming noticed the woman’s gaze and followed it to the gift he had brought.

This was also why Qian Ming had come: half a kilo of flour, a kilo of pork ribs, and three boxes of biscuits. It didn’t cost much. If she could help him, he might even give her another two hundred yuan! But he wasn’t willing to be easily fooled by this beautiful woman, so he deliberately said:

“If you can’t tell accurately, I can’t give you the things.”

The woman slowly paced around him, saying nothing. His mother, however, looked anxious and slapped him on the back, scolding, “This is the guardian appointed by the Spirit Chief. Don’t be so rude!”

The sun slowly peeked out from behind the clouds. The old tree at the entrance lowered its branches, and the emerald leaves fluttered. A drop of water fell from the tip of a leaf, hitting the moss covered stone slab.

“Pat.”

The temple instantly fell silent. Even the hamsters on the wall closed their mouths, as quiet as stones.

Qian Ming inexplicably shrank his neck. The feeling of being watched returned. It was as if countless eyes were staring at him from all directions, making him uncomfortable. The silence around him gave him goosebumps. He regretted listening to his mother and climbing the mountain, unable to suppress the fear rising from the depths of his heart.

A minute passed, which felt like an hour to Qian Ming. The woman finally returned to her original spot, her long eyelashes lowered, and she raised her hand.

The grey robe dropped, resting on her arm, revealing skin that was exceptionally fair, unlike someone who lived a life exposed to mountain wind and rain. Three copper coins rested in the woman’s palm.

“Let’s do a divination.”

Qian Ming heard the woman’s clear voice. It was surprisingly pleasant, especially since the pressure, which seemed to come from nowhere, receded like a tide the moment her words fell.

“Yes, yes, yes! Divination!” Qian Ming’s mother’s face was beaming. Her hands were nervously fluttering, and she looked around, musing, “Let’s see if it’s that friend Qian Ming dated before who is secretly harming him!”

Her son had returned not long ago, saying that things had been going badly ever since he broke up with his girlfriend. His bad luck started then. Qian Ming’s mother suspected the girl was playing tricks, especially since Qian Ming kept complaining that the girl had cheated him and wasted his time, and she even caused a scene at his company, leading to his dismissal.

“Oh?”

In front of the hall with its high roof and black tiles, the cold and detached woman in the Taoist robe hooked her lip. In that instant, sunlight filled the temple, as warm as spring.

“Since he is the one asking me, he should be the one to ask the question,” the woman said slowly, her shallow gaze sweeping over Qian Ming’s face.

“What do you want to ask?”

Under that cold gaze, Qian Ming had no other thoughts. He swallowed hard and quickly asked, “What is wrong with me?”

“You don’t need divination for that,” the woman replied leisurely. “You are plagued by an evil spirit.”

Qian Ming’s mother’s face turned ashen.

Qian Ming: “…”

An evil spirit?

What a joke. This was the twenty-first century!

He couldn’t help but let out a scoff, the mockery clearly visible on his face. The woman didn’t care what he thought. She weighed the copper coins in her hand and asked, “Do you want a reading?”

Qian Ming sneered, no longer caring about appropriateness. He felt this person was talking nonsense and her trick was too low-grade. He said, “Then tell me where the evil spirit came from!”

“Clink, clink, clink.”

The three copper coins fell to the ground. The woman lowered her head to look at them, pinching two fingers in her sleeve.

“What did you find out?” Qian Ming asked mockingly.

“Two years ago, you were in a relationship with a woman from out of town.” The moment the woman spoke, Qian Ming was stunned and instinctively looked at his mother.

The woman said quietly, “This year, you considered marriage. The girl is from Wangcheng, from a wealthy family. She didn’t ask for a bride price but required you to pay half the down payment for an apartment with her and share the mortgage after marriage. You refused, believing they were intentionally making things difficult for you.”

Qian Ming’s face darkened. He retorted without thinking, “They were intentionally making things difficult for me! The housing prices in Wangcheng are so high. Forget half the down payment, I couldn’t even afford half of half! They’re so rich, why couldn’t they just buy an apartment for us to get married? They only have one daughter. Won’t all their things be ours eventually? When they’re old, won’t they rely on me to care for them? I graduated from a famous university and will definitely have a future. They only care about small, immediate gains and don’t think about the future!”

Qian Ming’s mother opened her mouth wide. This was different from what Qian Ming had told her before. He had clearly said the girl looked down on him, was two timing him, and left him for a better man.

“You were reluctant to let go of the woman’s family wealth. To force the marriage, you intentionally got the girl pregnant. Two months later, the girl found out, and when she confronted you, you pushed her…”

From inside her grey sleeve, the woman’s fair fingertips rubbed her thumb. Her voice was like a sigh, yet not a sigh.

“You also stole her things?”

“Nonsense! She owed me that! I wasted two years of my time on her. Since she wouldn’t compensate me, I took it myself!” Qian Ming sounded tough, but his heart was pounding.

Completely accurate.

How did she know? He hadn’t told anyone about this!

How did she know?

Qian Ming was so terrified that he kept looking at his mother. His mother was equally shocked, her eyes wide, shaking her head repeatedly. “Qian Ming is not that kind of person. Why don’t you check again!”

The woman’s cold pupils drifted onto Qian Ming’s mother, and her voice was calm. “Hmm?”

Qian Ming’s mother’s heart trembled.

This was the guardian personally chosen by the spirit protecting the Spirit Chief Mountain. How could she be wrong? How could she be wrong! So the one who was wrong could only be.

Qian Ming’s mother’s legs turned weak, and she knelt on the ground. Meanwhile, Qian Ming had no time to worry about his mother. A terrified groan was lodged in his throat, a mix of terror and bewilderment as his worldview shattered. His vision was a chaotic mix of white and black, leaving only two colors. A cold wind kept blowing down his neck, as if someone was breathing behind him. He heard a faint sobbing sound in his ear. The voice kept calling him, calling him.

“Dad, Daddy.”

“Ah!!”

A scream echoed from the mountaintop. In the eyes of the beasts in the forest, the man stumbled and staggered down the mountain, frantically waving his hands in the air.

“Don’t come near me! Go away! I’m your father! Get away from me…”

Only his mother remained, slumped on the cold ground inside the temple, murmuring, “How could this be? How could this be…”

So it was her son who was in the wrong. She had even eagerly climbed the mountain to seek help. How had her son become such a person?

“Wuwuwu!” Qian Ming’s mother covered her face and wept, asking the woman pleadingly, “Can my son still be saved? Please, have mercy! He’s my only child! Please save him!”

“Do not panic.” Du Youran flicked her sleeve, bent down, and picked up the food for the next two days. Her snow white knuckles hooked the red bag. Her mood seemed to have suddenly brightened. Under Qian Ming’s mother’s hopeful gaze, she gave a low laugh, “There is no cure. There is no need to save him.”

However…

Amidst the sorrowful cries, a trace of confusion appeared in Du Youran’s eyes.

But why? It is hard for an evil spirit to form. A two month old fetus has no spiritual consciousness. How did it become an evil spirit?

Is the world down the mountain so scary?

She wanted to take a look.

Watching the woman wiping her tears and chasing after Qian Ming, Du Youran turned and carried the things.

But!

Eating was more important.

In a villa in a certain community in Wangcheng.

A phone rang, interrupting the tranquility in the room. A beautiful hand with well-defined bones answered the call. The owner’s voice was steady and gentle.

“Lili, how have you been feeling lately? Are you better?”

The person on the other end was silent for a long time. Then, a girl’s tearful voice whispered, “I’m sorry… Sister Wen, that trash Qian Ming ran back to his hometown. I plan to call the police and get back the thing he stole from you!”

“Is that so?” The woman sighed softly. “The thing doesn’t matter. Your health is what’s important.”

The girl on the other end wiped her face and spoke firmly, “How can it not matter! That was the only keepsake your grandmother left you, Sister Wen! You said you let me keep it, but you actually thought it was good for my health and told me to wear it! Who would have thought that trash would dare to come back and steal it!”

“Don’t worry, Sister Wen. I’ve booked a flight for tomorrow. That trash lives in Lingshou Village, Lian City, H Province. I’ll take the police straight to his doorstep! I’ll definitely bring the item back! I’ll even cut off that trash’s head and use it to replace the pig’s head for the opening ceremony of your next drama!”

“…”

How embarrassing for the heavens.

Wen Ci chuckled, her other hand subconsciously reaching for her neck. It was empty. A trace of sadness was hidden in her calm eyes, but her voice remained gentle.

“Okay.”