Tieu Long hit Luom’s shoulder, a signal that the conversation should end soon:
- Girls guys dynamic is really complicated. Don’t think too much about it or your head will ache.
Luom snorted:
- And what about tomorrow? Are we going to go hide outside Thoi’s hedge again?
- No need!
- No need to see that “little something’s” face too?
- Also no need!
- And continue to refrain from talking to others about this too, right?
- Right! Don’t talk to anyone.
- Then what am I going to do tomorrow?
- Herding cows.
%%%%%%%%
Quy Rom remained clueless.
He was confident that Tieu Long “the idiot” remains Tieu Long “the idiot” and Luom the country bumpkin remains a country bumpkin.
He didn’t know Luom’s talent now surpasses Sherlock Holmes’ by far, while Tieu Long had became Sherlock Holmes’ teacher from who knows when.
That was why later that night, when Auntie Nam Sang worriedly checked up on him, Quy Rom continued to gloat:
-Auntie, don’t worry auntie! The hanging ghost is really mean, truly is, but before I return to the city, I will surely let it knows my talent.
- So you found a way to counter it right?
- Yes, last night I thought of 18 solutions. – Quy Rom continued to gloat – I’m just not quite sure which solution to use to avoid wasting too much…calories.
While Luom kicked Tieu Long’s foot under the table, Tac Ke Bong looked at Quy Rom with admiration:
- You thought of 18 different solutions?
- Yes!- Quy Rom casually answered – To be exact, last night I thought of 25 different solutions, but calculating back and forth, I decided to eliminate 8 solutions. This 8 solutions were too complicated, plus too costly for the house owner, while I wanted this whole thing to be free…
- What is “Pppp….ri?” – Tac Ke Bong frowned.
Quy Rom was going too far, in his excitement, he unknowingly spoke an English word.
- Well…well…- He scratched his ear, unsure of himself – Ppp….ri…is the language of Hell, meaning free, free of charge…
Fearing Tac Ke Bong has the itch to continue questioning the language in Hell, Quy Rom suddenly does something that never in his life he thought he would never do, and that was picking a large piece of meat and put it into Tac Ke Bong’s bowl, at the same time welcoming:
- Why don’t you eat!
However, Tac Ke Bong only held his rice bowl and then put it down, causing Quy Rom to grimace.
Tac Ke Bong was chewing and talking at the same time:
- Within the 18 solutions, is there one that I can learn? Something easy to learn!
- Your meaning?
- I mean I want to learn a few simple ways to eliminate ghosts. In case you are too busy studying and this hamlet has a ghost…
Quy Rom waved his hands back and forth, stopping Tac Ke Bong from expressing his wish:
- You can’t really learn! There is no simple way. This is to fight ghost, not…
Not knowing what really possesses Luom, but all of a sudden he blurted out loud, so quick that even if Tieu Long wanted to stop him, he can’t:
- I think the simplest way is to sweep the house and the front yard!
There was a feeling of Luom placing a large cabinet into Quy Rom’s mouth. In the midst of talking, Quy Rom suddenly stopped death in his track, his mouth wide open and he couldn’t close it. Fortunately for him, there wasn’t a fly that flew by at the time.
Tieu Long pinched Luom really hard on his waist, causing the kid to jump. Any other times, he would open his mouth wide to argue. However, knowing he committed a major booboo, he clamped his mouth and tried to bear the pain. He stole a glance toward Quy Rom.
Quy Rom sat still like a ground god. He then slowly turned toward Luom, his eyes bore into the young kid:
- What did you just say, Luom?
- I didn’t say anything!- Luom blinked his already darkened eyes, quietly answered, his voice sounded like a lantern almost out of oil.
Quy Rom exhaled and spoke slowly:
- Who told you sweeping the house is the simplest way to rid of ghosts?
Quy Rom lowered his voice and asked for the second time. Luom was on the verge of crying. It was almost like he just received two canes from his skinny brother.
But clearly today wasn’t his day to cry.
The person who accidentally saved him was Auntie Nam Sang. She smiled and said:
- Who doesn’t know that technique eh? Before starting the ceremony, those ghost masters always forced the house owner to sweep and clean the house. It’s akin to someone burning “paper dragons”.
Tac Ke Bong was clueless:
- “Burning paper dragons”, what does it mean mom?
- It is like this. – Auntie Nam Sang had not opened her mouth when Tieu Long enthusiastically interrupted. He wanted to steer the conversation away from Quy Rom’s suspicion –Meaning the business people roll a bunch of paper money into a bundle and lit it on fire, then they wave the bundle around places they think is bad for business or at someone who they think is bad for business…
- Ah, that’s so! – Tac Ke Bong was relieved, his face brightened – If all that’s take to eliminate ghosts was to sweep the house, then I can do it without the skinny kid helping me!
Tac Ke Bong’s statement put an end to the conversation surrounding Quy Rom and the ghost. From then on until the end of the meal, Tieu Long and Luom relaxed when they saw that Quy Rom had brightened considerably and didn’t mention anything about “sweeping the house” anymore.
Tieu Long twisted Luom earlobe when the two hid behind the pile of hay.
- That’s for speaking out of place!
- I accidentally spoke outloud. – Luom cradled his ear – It’s all because I heard brother Quy running on with his mouth, my mouth also itches!
Tieu Long widened his eyes:
-Detective Sherlock Holmes never open his mouth when it itches.
Luom contracted his neck:
- I know it’s my bad!
Tieu Long exhaled:
- Fortunately for us, your mom intervened at the right time, and the skinny kid didn’t get suspicious.
- Right, really fortunate!
Tieu Long turned serious:
- However, if you spoke out of turn again, everything will be revealed.
Luom raised his hand in the air:
- If I spoke out of line again, I swear Ha Ba will…
- Don’t blindly swear! If you accidentally mention me peeling banana or cook pig food, then Ha Ba will grab your legs, Luom.
Quy Rom’s voice suddenly rang out, and from behind the haystack, someone skinny slowly walked out.
Even if a real hanging ghost was to appear at this time, Tieu Long and Luom probably wouldn’t be as surprised.
- You…you…- Tieu Long only uttered two words and he stared at the skinny kid.
Luom was even worse. In his speechless state, the raised hand in the air could not even be lowered, it hung in the air as if it suddenly turned into a dead branch.
-Put your hand down, Luom! – Qui Rom poked the kid’s armpit – It’s me, not a prime minister, you don’t need to salute like that!
Luom lowered his hand, to be exact it dropped to his side, because he couldn’t control himself.
- Brother….brother…
-Why is it that you guys keep saying “you..you..” and “brother…brother…” as if both been inflicted with the evil wind!
- So it was you…- Tieu Long moved his jaw with difficulty, and he could only speak one more word than the last time, his voice hoarse as if his throat has an infection.
- You guys are really good!
Qui Rom was complimenting them, but Tieu Long and Luom didn’t feel elated at all. The two held their breath, waiting for the harsher words that are going to be poured on them.
However, this time, Qui Rom was truly complimenting them. He patted Tieu Long in the back:
- Excellent, chubby! I can’t believe an “idiot” like you can uncover my secret that quickly.
Slowly, Tieu Long felt his confidence returning. He rubbed his nose, cautiously glanced at the skinny kid:
- So you found out we were following you…
Qui Rom shrugged:
- When I praised you guys with my compliment, it means I didn’t know anything. Only when the kiddo Luom accidentally said something during dinner, that was when I found out.
He then nodded his head:
- I am guessing you guys followed me more than one time, right?
- Yeah…yeah…
Qui Rom patted Tieu Long’s back one more time and praised:
-The first time you knocked me 1-0. Truly outstanding, chubby!
He then sighed admiringly:
- If Lil’ Hanh found out you led me around on a circus, she will laugh at me for 3 days and 3 nights without end.
- Lil’ Hanh will not know. – Tieu Long guiltily answered.
- Why wouldn’t she! – Luom again had an itch to speak at the wrong time, no one knows when he found his voice again. – Didn’t you called sister Hanh this afternoon?
Luom’s news caused Qui Rom to feel his anger rising. He quickly turned to Tieu Long:
- You called Lil’ Hanh?
- Uhm…right..- Tieu Long hesitated. Somehow he liked using the word “Uhm” a lot today.
- What did you tell her?
- What did I tell her? – Tieu Long rubbed his cheek as if a mosquito just bit him. – I only told her you are helping someone with house chores. I told her you are working part-time to earn money.
- And what did Lil’ Hanh say?
Tieu Long’s hand unconsciously went from his cheek to behind his head. He scratched his head:
-She said you don’t need the money. She said you are helping someone else for a different reason.
Qui Rom held his breath:
- And what is the reason?
Luom again hastily jumped in:
- Because “that little something!”
Tieu Long widened his eyes:
- I’m gonna hit, Luom.
However, Qui Rom already heard the little kid. His eyes darted from one suspicious face to another:
- “That little something” is what sort of monkey business?
One more time, Luom couldn’t hold himself and stayed silent. He spoke while hurriedly distanced himself from Tieu Long’s reach:
- Not a monkey business but a girl! “That little something” is a girl!
While Tieu Long felt like crying and laughing at the same time, Qui Rom unblinkingly stared at Luom as if he wanted to use his gaze to pin the little kid to the ground. He looked for a long time as if thunder was going to strike. All of a sudden, he lowered his eyes and slowly exhaled:
- Lil’ Hanh guesses right. In that house there is a girl. Her name is Gai, and she is Thoi younger sister.
Luom jumped up and down:
- I knew it! Thoi was the rich house owner. Lil’ Gai was Ut the daughter. And you acted as the dumb house helper, is that right?
Qui Rom widened his eyes and looked at Tieu Long:
- What happened to Luom? Did he eat something he should not eat this afternoon?
- Be quiet, Luom! – Tieu Long growled – Don’t let my hands and feet do the talking.
- Ah! – Qui Rom forced a smile – He meant I was the dumb house helper in the story “The Bamboo with 100 Circles.”
- So my analogy was not incorrect then! – Luom raised his head – If you are not head over heel with Thoi’s little sister then there is no need for you to prepare food for the pigs.
- You spoke without knowing anything! – Qui Rom face reddened.
- Tieu Long also said the same thing. – Luom protruded his mouth to argue – Tieu Long even said Thoi sister is probably really pretty. If she is ugly like a ghost then you wouldn’t stick out your neck for that arrogant kid to boss around.
Qui Rom stuck out his lower lip and let out a sound:
- Even your bros Tieu Long is wrong.
- Then that girl is really ugly or…
- I’m not telling whether Gai is cute or ugly. I am just saying I’m not head over heel over her.
Luom swallowed his saliva:
- Then you went there to sweep the house, the yard, peel bananas, carry water, cook for the pigs for Thoi because you needed the money?
- I also don’t need money. – Qui Rom shrugged – Thoi didn’ t pay me anything.
Luom reached up to pick a strand of hair, his face turned grosteque:
- Then why are you helping?
Tieu Long also quickly chimed in:
- Yeah, why are you helping?
- The story goes like this. – Qui Rom sat down on the floor, his back leaned against the haystack and cleared his throat – The day Tieu Long and Tac Ke Bong busily fixed the cow pen, I pedaled my bicycle to Nga Ba market. While there, I also stopped by Mr. Sau Canh’s brick house and by chance met him there. He now rents that house for someone to put a rice grinder there…
- This invented story you told us once before. – Tac Ke Bong’s voice rang out from somewhere, interrupting – The female owner of that haunted house also carried rice over to grind at Mr. Sau Canh’s house, right? Then, Mr. Sau Canh introduced you two to each other. To be honest, you didn’t want to accept, right? However, the owner cried really hard. Moreover, Mr. Sau Canh standing nearby also kept adding good words…
Tieu Long and Luom were only slightly surprised with the appearance of Tac Ke Bong. If Qui Rom could hide behind the haystack to listen in on them and suddenly came out, then Tac Ke Bong can also do the same. Further more, the three kids suddenly disappeared, inevitably asking for Tac Ke Bong to hurriedly search for them.
Qui Rom also wasn’t surprised. He knew sooner or later Tac Ke Bong will crawl out from behind the haystack. Qui Rom was not surprised. However, he was pissed. Tac Ke Bong kept adding the question marker, “Am I right?”, as if he was a cowboy wielding a gun and raising it up every time he asked a question.
- Incorrect! – Qui Rom yelled – I wasn’t planning to tell you that story. You are good at speaking out of turn.
- Well…- Tac Ke Bong’s face turned clueless – Clearly you are…
- Nothing is clear here. – Qui Rom snorted – Let me ask you this: Is your head still on your shoulder?
- Well…well…
- “Well…well…” what! You answer me!
Tac Ke Bong dazedly touched his forehead:
- My head is right here.
Qui Rom squinted his eyes and continued:
- Except for the eyes and ears, what else is on your head?
Tac Ke Bong lowered his hand and touched his lips:
- My mouth.
- Besides your mouth, what else?
Seeing Tac Ke Bong clueless face, Qui Rom hotly continued:
- Something that comes in pair.
- Ah, my ears.
Tac Ke Bong excitedly anwered, but he suddenly stared at Qui Rom with his brown furrowed:
- Why are you asking me this?
Qui Rom smiled nonstop:
- Ah, what I want is for you to close your mouth and perch your ears to listen to me finish the story. You keep interrupting and jumping in my mouth to sit there, it’s hard for me to finish my story.
Tieu Long and Luom couldn’t contain their laughter, they laughed with Qui Rom.
Only Tac Ke Bong remained impassive.
Well not quite. He did smile, but a crooked smile.
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