I entered the courtyard and noticed that our houses, mine left and hers right, were separated by a wall.
My memory of this place was blurry but I was still hit with a strong case of deja vu.
Wu Su entered her side of the house and said offhandedly,
Your place is on that side. Follow me to my side of the house.
I nodded and followed her into the bedroom.
I looked down and saw that she was wearing house slippers.
Should I remove my shoes?
I asked.
Nah. Don’t worry about it, I don’t really care about that.
She flipped through a few cabinets by the table and took out a key ring.
My bedroom’s on the left. Ever since my father died, we never stepped into the right room again.
I looked on patiently as she tried different keys to open the door.
My mom died early. Father and Grandfather rarely receive guests so this side feels cold and cheerless,
she continued.
Wu Su entered the bedroom, walked to the window curtains and drew them, allowing light to shine through.
I stepped in and was instantly startled by a statue of Lord Guan against the wall. The candles beside it were made of plastic and lit up by electricity.
They weren’t turned on and were covered in a layer of dust. Time had warped even the looks of Lord Guan.
He had a knife in one hand and a book in another.
I’ve seen both the book and knife, but his half-studious, half-armed look seemed odd to me.
Why is he holding a book?
I asked.
No idea, but Dad prayed to him. I asked him about it and the general idea is that the knife is a subduing force. I don’t remember what he said about the book, though.
She squatted down to search the cabinets.
While I wasn’t a firm believer in Buddhism and the like, Granny’s words were scary. I clasped my hands together and tried to pray.
Just as I bent down, Wu Su rose, causing us to collide.
What are you doing?
she asked, rubbing her head.
I answered,
I was about to pray when you got up.
Why do you even believe my father’s words?
she said exasperatedly, massaging her head as she handed me a coverless book.
You seem to be a smart young man, don’t associate yourself with scammers like my father.
Don’t say that about your father. He’s a priest after all, no?
She snorted.
A priest who told fortune? He’s a scammer. People know me as the daughter of a scammer, not as the daughter of a priest.
What’s this book then?
It was clear that she felt very strongly against this so I changed the topic.
The source of his abilities,
she answered.
Have you read it?
No. It’s the tradition that guys inherit it instead of girls. This instruction ended when it reached my generation.
I flipped to the first page and was surprised that the old beliefs weren’t much different from Wu Su’s idea.
This book is…
A book full of men-only bullsht. Even if I had a son, I would never allow him to touch a book like this.
So you don’t want this?
I asked.
The tradition will die if I just leave it lying around, you can take it,
she said graciously.
I think you misunderstood your father. Let’s see if I can set some things right,
I suggested.
I don’t understand.
Why?
I asked.
Father brainwashed your grandmother? Or did you get brainwashed, too? You haven’t even seen him but you’re acting like a fanatic. Is he really that charming?
Wu Su questioned.
Can I ask why you seem to have such a bad impression of your dad?
His work was… unsavory and unsuccessful. What kind of grown man still needs support from his parents? Even Grandfather had a proper job! My father deserved death for being such a failure.
That’s exactly what I wanted to talk about, your dad and grandfather’s job. They’re fortune-telling priests, not scammers.
How did my dad manage to brainwash you?
She shook her head in disbelief.
Take this book and go. Just read it but don’t take the words to heart. I would hate for you to become as useless as them.
Wait. I have proof. Give me a moment, I’ll find it,
I said, fishing the mini pouch from my back pocket.
As I was searching for the newspaper cutting, Wu Su said,
That’s your grandmother’s wallet, isn’t it?
I couldn’t find what I was looking for.
You might not be able to prove anything,
she continued.
No, no, no. Granny said that your father’s words came true. Your dad even read my father’s fortune and predicted that he would earn a different type of money. What do you know? My father went overseas to work!
Don’t be silly. Your father and my father were classmates. They chat about everything. My father probably heard about your dad’s plan to travel abroad, and shared it with your grandmother.
They were classmates?
I repeated.
Six years in elementary school, three in junior high, and another three in senior high. They went their separate ways just before university.
That’s a long time,
I commented.
It looks like you’re not aware of our arranged marriage then,
she added.
I was stunned.
Excuse me?
Forget it. I like you as much as I did my father right now,
she informed me bluntly.
Your grandfather read Granny’s fortune and got her lifespan right. He spoke of science and technology too… it was all accurate,
I insisted.
Your brain is completely gone. Just take this cursed book and go. Good luck to you,
she said with finality.
I… I just wanna say… I…
I was at a loss.
Wu Su gestured toward the exit.
