– Hao Ning, meet Ba. Ba this one is Hao Ning, – Wu Zhe Kai placed the teapot on the table and sat down not far from the old lady. – I usually help Ba in the hospital. She has been living here for a long time.

– It's a pleasure to meet you, – Hao Ning kowtowed politely and took a seat on the opposite side of the table, in front of his new acquaintances. – I'm sorry to bother, but master Wei Huan said that you might be able to provide me with some answers…

– You don't have to apologize, child, – Ba's melodious voice wrapped Hao Ning with calmness. – Many who end up here find themselves lost. They do not accept their fate. But even though there are those, who try provide them with guidance. Life is full of mentors. Their wise advice helps to understand the meaning of many things.

The image of Temple Master instantly came to Hao Ning's mind. The youth suddenly realized that he really wanted to see the man again and apologize for being absent for so long.

– I was told that I ... – Hao Ning coughed, the words got stuck in his throat. – Well… died?

– You're not completely dead, child, – Ba shook her head, and a smile appeared on Hao Ning's lips only to vanish with her the next words. – Nor you are alive.

– I don't understand.

– You really are in The Middle World, where the restless souls are waiting for their final hour to come. No one knows either why some people would end up like ghosts here, or where they go after. We can only guess and hope that the Ten will have mercy on us. That someday they would lead us to The Heavens, not to Diyu.

– Wait... – Hao Ning hid his face in his palms. – So… this isn't a joke? Not a stupid, ridiculous, cruel deception? I am really dead, aren't I?

He exhaled sharply, took his hands away from his face, and looked in disbelief from Ba to Wu Zhe Kai and back.

– Among all the jokes that would be the worst possible, – Wu Zhe Kai smiled sadly as he poured tea into the old woman’s cup. – It's indeed true. Though the World of Ghosts resembles the Earthly dwelling place, it is not the same.

– Do you remember the last moments of your life, child? –  carefully wondered Ba. – If you do, you will believe us.

– I don't, – Hao Ning got completely pale and shook his head. He was overwhelmed with the new information. He still doubted, still clung to his fading hopes, but with each subsequent word of those two, his faith burned down like incense that was filling this room.

– Maybe I've just gone mad? – the attempt was pathetic, though...

– Death is not madness. This is but a natural part of life, – Ba put the cup on the table, reached out her hand, and griped Hao Ning's palm. – You will embrace it. Slowly, step by step, but in the end, you will.

– Your words do not help at all, – Hao Ning swallowed. – Neither they grant peace.

– No one here expects you to accept your fate this instant, – the old woman smiled affectionately, squeezing the youth’s hand with her thin fingers. – Give yourself some time. Go over what happened in your mind again, and it will become easier to embrace your fate.

– And the most effective way for you to do so, is to remember the moment of your death, – Wu Zhe Kai joined the conversation. – As soon as you remember, all doubts will disappear.

– But how am I supposed to do that? Every time I try to... my head bursts with pain!

– I have never heard of the ghosts who do not remember their last breath, – Wu Zhe Kai scratched the back of his head. – What about you, Ba?

– This is a rare thing, but not exceptional. The old lady made a sip of tea. – Usually, the souls remember things like that, however, sometimes they do not. And then the Gates help them.

– The “what”? – Hao Ning leaned forward curiously.

– I myself have never reached that place, but there is a rumor that The Gates is the border between The Earthly Dwelling and The Middle World. It is guarded by the Gatekeepers – The Guardians they are called. Some ghosts have even tried to escape through The Gates back to mortal realm. All attempts failed, of course. But still many continue trying. They say, next to The Gates The Border Between Life and Death becomes very thin. That’s why visiting that place helps to remember the last moment of your life.

– I need to get there! – Hao Ning stood up. His hands hit the table. His eyes sparkled brightly for the first time in a while. – You have to show me the way! Please!

– I'm sorry, child. I wish I could help. But I'm just repeating what I've heard. I can't lead you there.

– Oh, but how is it ...

– Though, no doubt your husband might help, – Wu Zhe Kai smiled and propped his cheek with his fist. – He has a habit of traveling across the Middle World. He must have seen The Gates at least once.

– My Husband ... – at first Hao Ning did not even understand what was meant, then he looked down in embarrassment. – You mean Master Wei? Why are you calling master Wei Huan my husband?

– You're married, so it's only natural, isn't it?

–  But we are not! – began the youth and suddenly remembered the bamboo tablet. – This, – he picked the plank up, unfolded and put it on the table, – raises as many questions as the whole situation itself.

Wu Zhe Kai and Ba carefully examined the written characters and nodded, almost at the same time.

– There is no mistake, child, – the old woman smiled. – This is the Ghost Marriage Contract. Such Marriage is an ancient ritual that parents organize if they are afraid that the soul of their unengaged child will after death wander alone forever. This is most often done for soldiers going to battle, but judging by your clothes... you are a Taoist, an apprentice of the Ten, am I right?

– Yes, you are.

– If nothing has changed since I was alive, then the Taoist training to service of gods is harsh and rigorous. Unpredictable. I think that was the reason for your parents' decision. Just in case, – Ba sighed. – Who knew that this contract would actually come into force.

– But, – Hao Ning tried not to blush, but a treacherous redness appeared on his cheeks. – I'm more than sure that my parents would have never chosen… a man.

– Oh, this is not surprising! – Zhe Kai chuckled. – I think they just misspelled Wei Huan's name.

The healer pointed at the characters.

– Look! This character is more often written in girls’ names. Huang's name must have been written into the women's list. And when your parents looked through the possible "brides", they couldn't tell the difference.

– Are you saying... that our marriage is just a mistake?

– I'm sure of that! – Wu Zhe Kai thought for a moment. – Many parents write the names of their children on such lists. Even those who have already left The Earthly Dwelling. Am I wrong, grandma?

– You have listened to me and studied well, – the old woman gently patted the young man on the cheek and smiled. – Everything is correct. However, in addition to choosing a name, parents receive a thing that belonged to the "spouse".  With this, they welcome the daughter-in-law, or the son-in-law into the house.

– What a coincidence! Such an astounding event for you and Wei Huan, – Wu Zhe Kai chuckled but there was no malice in his words, only sincere friendly banter. – I'd call it… Fate!

– Enough is enough, I got it! – Hao Ning covered his burning cheeks with his hands and shook his head. – I will have to apologize to master Wei for this terrible misfortune. How embarrassing... – the youth looked at Wu Zhe Kai. – Where did he go? Can you please tell me?

– You want to go to him? What, that instant?

– Yes! I should explain everything to him and bring my sincere apologies!

– I don't think Huan cares, – Wu Zhe Kai shrugged his shoulders, but then easily gave away the man's whereabouts. – Wei Huan often patrols the area to the north. If you go forward from the village gates, then you will immediately get to the right place. But there are…

Wu Zhe Kai flinched in surprise as Hao Ning jumped to his feet, almost turning the table upside down with his knees. The youth was clearly not going to listen to the end of the utterance. He hurriedly put on his shoes.

– Thanks a lot! – cried he from the door. – I'm so grateful to both of you! I'll be back as soon as I explain everything to master Wei!

– Hao Ning! –  yelled Zhe Kai, rushing after him. – Wait! Listen to me! I still haven't told you about...

The healer's words were drowned in the sounds of the crowd buzzing in the street. When he managed to reach the front door, Hao Ning was already far away. His flickering back quickly disappeared among the busy people.

– Already gone...  Well, what a frisk! – Wu Zhe Kai bit his lips and ruffled the top of his head. – Everything will be alright. Won't it? It surely must.

The healer threw a new glance in the direction where Hao Ning had disappeared, twitched his lips, and went back into the house. The door quietly closed behind him.

In the end, Hao Ning's Fate was in his hands.

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Wu Zhe Kai – 巫哲恺; Zhe: talented, intelligent, insightful; Kai: cheerful, joyful

Diyu – the kingdom of the dead or “hell” in Chinese mythology