Because it rained two days ago, the road was muddy, causing the bus to sway for nearly an hour before stopping near Longhu Reservoir.
Holding back the feeling of vomiting, the pale-faced Zhang Tong squeezed out of the bus, feeling quite like he was surviving a disaster.
hiss!
As soon as he got out of the car, Zhang Tong, who was only wearing a short-sleeved shirt and was blown by the unique cool breeze near the reservoir, shivered subconsciously, and the uncomfortable feeling faded away a lot.
"Did something really happen?"
Tightening his clothes, Zhang Tong looked at the sparkling reservoir under the setting sun, and a flash of understanding flashed in his heart.
You must know that the reservoir is definitely the best playground for children who grow up next to the reservoir.
In the summer evening, the warm breeze blows, which is the most suitable time to play by the reservoir. There is not a single child near the reservoir.
Let alone children, Zhang Tong didn't even see an adult.
Such a strange performance made Zhang Tong involuntarily believe that something really happened near Longhu Reservoir.
Otherwise, a good reservoir would not be so unpopular.
Scanning the entire reservoir and the village next to the reservoir, Zhang Tong discovered that the reservoir and the village were completely different worlds.
The area over the reservoir was deserted. There was only a dilapidated temple next to the reservoir, which had just been lit up.
And what about the village?
Fence walls, red brick courtyard, cows mooing and horses neighing, chickens crowing and dogs singing, smoke curling up from cooking stoves in the evening, and misty clouds at dusk, it is a scene like a rural peach orchard.
After standing there and observing for a while, Zhang Tong turned around and walked towards the reservoir.
He knew very well that villages in places like this generally had strong xenophobic sentiments, especially if something really happened.
I am not a reporter or a policeman, so I will definitely not be treated poorly by the villagers.
Under such circumstances, compared with those in the village, the watchmen next to the reservoir are undoubtedly easier to talk to.
"Is anyone there?"
The temple was unusually cold, but Zhang Tong bravely walked in and shouted loudly.
"Whose doll is it? Aren't you afraid that your father will know that you sneaked here and spank you?"
As soon as Zhang Tong finished speaking, an old voice came from the back hall of the temple, and at the same time there was the sound of clattering footsteps.
The footsteps became clearer and clearer, and an old man wearing a vest, shorts, flip-flops, and holding a leaf fan slowly walked out from behind.
Seeing Zhang Tong's unfamiliar face, the old man's face was obviously a little surprised.
"Hello, uncle, what's your surname?"
Under the dim light, Zhang Tong keenly noticed that the index finger and middle finger of the old man's right hand were yellow, which was caused by years of smoking.
So Zhang Tong quickly smiled and went up to pass the cigarette, looking like a junior.
Seeing Zhang Tong's hand, the old man's eyes lit up, and his face showed a helpful expression.
He took the cigarette, took a deep breath in front of his nose, and then held it in his mouth.
Seeing this, Zhang Tong quickly handed over the lighter.
With a snap, the flickering fire light ignited the tobacco. After the old man took a sip familiarly, he spat out a few uninhibited eye circles and said with a smile on his face:
"Young man? Are you from outside?"
"My surname is Qin, just call me Uncle Qin."
"Tell me, what are you doing here in this remote place?"
After all, Uncle Qin has matured with age. From Zhang Tong's actions, he can deduce that Zhang Tong must have something to do here.
Zhang Tong was not in a hurry. Instead of getting straight to the point, he lit one himself and said like a regular smoker:
"Uncle Qin, are you the concierge here or..."
Uncle Qin smoked a cigarette, his cloudy eyes full of memories:
"Yes, I am the concierge of the Water Ghost Temple."
"But I have only been a concierge for a year. When I was young, I worked as a concierge at a university in the city."
Water ghost temple?
Zhang Tong's heart moved and he quickly asked quietly:
"Uncle Qin? This water ghost temple is dedicated to water ghosts, right? Is this place haunted by water ghosts?"
Upon hearing this, Uncle Qin sneered: "You damn water ghost, you young people are not as good as me, an old man, who can understand clearly. Is there any scientific basis for the theory of ghosts and gods?"
Zhang Tong had a suspicious expression on his face. He somewhat didn't believe what Uncle Qin said.
The water ghost temple in capital letters is placed here, it is obviously old, but you, the concierge of the water ghost temple, tell me that the theory of gods and ghosts is unscientific?
My eyes have changed from 300 degrees myopia to normal. Is it scientific?
Seeing Zhang Tong's expression, Uncle Qin shook his head helplessly:
"I knew you wouldn't believe it. You young people...wouldn't it be nice to have a peaceful life?"
Zhang Tong was speechless, do you think I don’t want to become a powerful person in peace and stability? I am also forced to have no choice, okay?
While shaking his head and sighing, Uncle Qin took a deep sip of the cigarette that was almost burning to the root. He felt the heat coming from his fingers, and Uncle Qin frowned.
Seeing this, Zhang Tong quickly handed over another one politely, and Uncle Qin showed a helpful expression.
He held the cigarette butt against the cigarette butt and continued to smoke. Uncle Qin took a greedy sip. Under the flickering light of the fire, his face became deep and vicissitudes of life.
"Shh..."
Skillfully blowing out a smoke ring, Uncle Qin glanced at Zhang Tong sideways:
"Young man, shall I tell you a story?"
After saying that, Uncle Qin didn't care whether Zhang Tong wanted to listen or not, he just started talking to himself.
"Uncle Qin, I... was born in this village and grew up in this village."
"When I was young, my family was poor, so I felt so beautiful after eating a few roasted sweet potatoes."
"Once, I lit a fire at the east end of the village in order to roast some sweet potatoes."
"The damn wind blew the flames towards the haystack of the second uncle's house, and it burned. The fire quickly grew in intensity, and thick smoke rose into the sky."
"Immediately someone knocked on the washbasin to call the police. The whole village threw hoes from the fields and rushed back. They carried buckets and washbasins and shouted for help. Everyone ran away with water splashing everywhere. Even a few children were holding their rice bowls.
Fill the chamber pot with water and pour it."
"But it was all in vain. The haystack quickly turned into a pile of ashes."
"My second uncle and my father beat me up on the spot with bruises and bruises on my nose and face, and several half-cooked sweet potatoes were thrown into the red embers."
When listening to the old man telling stories, the most basic respect is not to be impatient, but to look attentive.
Zhang Tong was like this at this moment. Not only did he look attentive, but he also took advantage of Uncle Qin's breath to calm down and asked pretending to be serious:
"So, Uncle Qin, the purpose of telling this story is to warn us young people to keep forest fire prevention in mind and that everyone should protect the forest?"
When Uncle Qin heard this, his eyes widened and he said angrily: