Sister Tang’s face indeed felt warm and flushed.
She herself knew the reason: she had gotten excited when Xiao Tudou told her that good luck was coming her way. Another reason was her embarrassment. She felt ashamed for not believing in Shui Miao and refusing to lend him money, while Shui Miao, instead of holding a grudge, had repaid her five hundred and even given her another five hundred. Because of this, she felt humiliated and thus blushed.
But Xiao Tudou told Sister Tang that her good fortune was about to arrive. Sister Tang didn’t take this sentence seriously at all.
Shui Miao noticed that Sister Tang’s complexion had indeed improved compared to before, but as for whether this could change her fortune, Shui Miao was quite skeptical.
The three arrived at Chen’s Dumpling Shop, ordered a few steamer baskets of dumplings and several bowls of porridge, and began eating with great relish along with pickled radish and soybeans.
Xiao Tudou was a regular customer and usually ate up to five yuan at most in one sitting.
Today, however, he indulged himself and ate ten yuan worth of food, yet he was surprisingly satisfied.
Sister Tang had come out looking for a job and was so tired she hadn’t eaten anything yet. She devoured three bowls of porridge and three vegetable dumplings before barely feeling full.
Sister Tang’s face was indeed feeling warm and flushed.
She knew perfectly well in her heart that this was due to excitement from Little Potato saying she would have good luck. On top of that, there was embarrassment—she hadn’t trusted Shui Miao and refused to lend him money, yet he had repaid her kindness with unexpected generosity, returning five hundred and even giving her an extra five hundred on the spot. She felt ashamed and awkward, which was why her face turned red.
But when Little Potato insisted that good fortune was just around the corner for Sister Tang, she didn’t take it to heart at all.
Shui Miao noticed that Sister Tang’s complexion did seem better than before, but he wasn’t convinced that this alone could change one’s luck.
The three of them arrived at Chen’s Bun Shop, ordered several baskets of steamed buns and a few bowls of congee, and happily ate them with pickles, dried radish, and edamame.
Little Potato was a regular customer who usually spent at most five yuan per meal.
Today, however, he indulged himself and spent ten yuan, feeling completely satisfied.
Sister Tang, who had been out job-hunting and hadn’t eaten until now, devoured three large bowls of congee and three vegetable buns, finally filling her stomach.
Shui Miao slowly savored the vegetable buns and actually detected a faint earthy spiritual energy within them.
After they finished their meal, which felt like it took a hundred thousand minutes, Shui Miao paid the bill and asked the shop owner where he bought his vegetables and why they tasted so good. Pleased by the compliment, the owner happily told Shui Miao that all the vegetables were grown by his father, who lived in a place called Jingshui Village, west of Zhonghai City.
Jingshui Village—the name immediately struck a chord with Shui Miao. Wasn’t that the village where the Lingyin Temple was located?
It seemed the feng shui of Jingshui Village was truly exceptional!
While Shui Miao was chatting with the owner, Sister Tang’s phone rang.
After answering the call, she excitedly told Shui Miao that it was Lin Qing’er on the line. Out of regard for Shui Miao, Lin Qing’er was willing to give Sister Tang another chance to resume her position as restaurant supervisor. For Sister Tang, who had been struggling to find work, this was undoubtedly fantastic news.
Little Potato’s prediction had actually come true, leaving Shui Miao utterly astonished.
After thanking Shui Miao and Little Potato, Sister Tang hurried off to hail a taxi and rushed back to the hotel to start work.
“Ding ling ling…”
No sooner had Sister Tang left than Shui Miao’s phone also rang—it was Lin Qing’er calling as well.
As soon as he answered, Lin Qing’er’s urgent voice came through: “Shui Miao, where are you? Do you have time to come to the hotel? I have something important to ask of you.”
“I have time, I’ll head over right away. But, Sister Lin, if you have a moment, could you give me a brief idea over the phone about what’s going on? Why the urgency?” Little Potato seemed reluctant to leave, but Shui Miao grabbed his arm and led him to the roadside.
Lin Qing’er was in her office, luggage already packed beside her. “It’s like this—something’s happened back home in Taiwan, and I have to return immediately. I’d like to ask you to temporarily manage the hotel for me. Of course, Huang Yatou will assist you fully. Just take charge with confidence.”
“Manage such a large hotel?!”
Shui Miao was stunned. He had been thinking of quitting, and now he was being pulled into an even more demanding role with greater responsibilities.
“Actually, it’s not as daunting as it seems. I’ve already arranged everything at the hotel—we’re just missing an administrative decision-maker. After considering all options, I believe you’re the most suitable. If your time is limited, you could just stop by the hotel once a day or even every few days!” Lin Qing’er was sincere. Based on Shui Miao’s previous efforts in reorganizing the hotel, she was confident he could manage it well.
If Sister Lin had other options, she wouldn’t be asking me like this. She has wide connections and has always treated me well—I can’t let her down. Besides, when the time comes for me to avenge my father, I might need her help. After a brief pause, Shui Miao sighed softly and said, “Alright, I’ll do my best. But if anything comes up that I can’t handle, I’ll have to call and trouble you.”
“No problem at all. Please hurry over—I need to gather the staff to make the announcement. I have a flight to catch in thirty minutes.” Lin Qing’er checked the time; she really was in a rush.
“Okay! I’ll be there in ten minutes.”
Shui Miao quickly estimated the travel time, grabbed Little Potato, and hailed a taxi.
“Brother, will we come back tonight? I grew up here—if I can’t eat the buns from this place, I won’t be able to handle it.” What Little Potato really meant was that without absorbing the earthy spiritual energy from the vegetables in the buns, he wouldn’t be able to continue his cultivation.
Shui Miao smiled and shook his head. “You’re too naive. Didn’t you see me asking the shop owner where the vegetables came from? Later, I’ll take you to stay in Jingshui Village—I guarantee you’ll have more than enough vegetables to eat.”
“Jingshui Village!”
The taxi driver suddenly chimed in: “So you guys like the vegetables from Jingshui Village? Haha, what a coincidence—I grew up there! The water and soil in Jingshui Village are excellent. The vegetables, grains, and even the chickens and ducks raised there have a superior taste compared to other places. But what you might not know is that the most famous and best thing about Jingshui Village isn’t the vegetables—it’s an ancient well that’s over a hundred years old.”
“An ancient well!”
Shui Miao’s interest was piqued. He hadn’t expected to stumble upon a clue like this mid-journey. He politely asked, “Uncle, could you tell us about the ancient well? My brother and I love hearing stories.”
“Heh, this isn’t just a story—it’s real history.” The driver uncle spoke slowly as he drove. “I heard from my grandfather that over a hundred years ago, many families lived in the village, and every household worshipped statues of the Three Pure Ones. On auspicious days, villagers would go to the Lingfeng Temple at the village entrance to offer incense. There was a highly skilled Taoist priest there named Lingfeng, who had a heart of mercy. He not only captured ghosts and subdued demons but also used talismans to heal people. The most miraculous thing was his unparalleled ability to communicate with spirits—truly one of a kind, unmatched before or since.”
“How was he unmatched?” Shui Miao asked curiously.
The uncle paused. “Let me give you an example. Back then, a down-and-out scholar wandered into our Jingshui Village. Hearing about Lingfeng Daoist’s powers, he begged the priest to help him communicate with the spirit world. Lingfeng Daoist directly took the scholar’s soul to the underworld to visit his family, inquired about the scholar’s lifespan from the judge, and even learned about his future destiny. After his soul returned, the scholar’s luck indeed turned around. He passed the imperial exams, everything went smoothly, and he eventually returned to his hometown as a minor official. He donated his life’s savings to the Lingfeng Temple to build a well. That well was incredibly mystical—it often emitted gusts of wind, sometimes with a roaring sound. At first, the villagers were afraid, but over time, they realized it wasn’t just wind—it was the legendary spiritual energy. People gradually began practicing cultivation by the well. After cultivating, they felt refreshed and energetic, rarely feeling hungry. But as time passed, no one wanted to work anymore. Without laborers, there were no harvests; without harvests, they couldn’t pay taxes; and without taxes, the officials weren’t happy. So, the officials sent people to seal the well. But several groups were scared off by the well’s roaring winds. The official in charge was a Tartar. He came to inspect it personally, then went north to bring back a shaman who used witchcraft to alter the well’s energy. Anyone who smelled it would fall ill. The official also ordered the temple destroyed and all the Taoist priests killed!”
“Those despicable Tartars!!”
Shui Miao felt a surge of hatred. Such a well had been ruined, and he assumed it must be useless now.
“Yeah! The Tartars were vile, but what could the common people do? They were powerless. It wasn’t until the Qing Dynasty fell and the Republic of China began that the villagers dug up the ancient well again. But because the shaman had tampered with it, the well no emitted spiritual energy. All these years, the well has been preserved, but fewer and fewer people care about it. Everyone just treats it as a story now.”
The driver uncle shook his head and sighed.
It was clear that the uncle deeply believed this story.
Shui Miao thought for a moment. “Uncle, do you know where those Taoist priests were buried?”
“Supposedly, they were buried in the south of the village, in an area with reeds.” The uncle shook his head. “I’m not too sure about that. Young man, you seem very interested in this—do you know about feng shui?”
So it was true! It seemed the place Sister Lin and I visited was where the Taoist priests were buried!
Shui Miao was deeply moved. He felt it might be the old Taoist priest’s spirit watching over him, allowing him to meet this driver uncle and learn these stories. “Uncle, you’re right. I do know a bit about feng shui. Not only that, I plan to fund the reconstruction of the temple. I believe it won’t be long before we meet again in Jingshui Village.”
The taxi had already arrived at the entrance of Linhai Grand Hotel. Shui Miao handed the uncle a hundred-yuan bill and told him to keep the change.
The uncle stared in shock as Shui Miao entered the hotel. As soon as Shui Miao stepped inside, he saw hundreds of employees bowing in unison and greeting, “General Manager Shui, welcome!”
“My goodness, this young man is actually the general manager! I should’ve asked for his business card—maybe I could’ve gotten some work when the temple is rebuilt, instead of driving a taxi and working myself to death.” The driver uncle was muttering to himself when a female security guard in camouflage walked over and gave him a crisp military salute. “Sorry, sir, this is not a parking area. Please leave promptly.”
“Oh, oh, oh…”
Only then did the uncle notice the many women dressed in camouflage and military-style uniforms inside and outside the hotel. Startled, he quickly drove away.
※※※
In front of all the employees, Lin Qing’er announced Shui Miao as the general manager, overseeing all department managers. He not only had the authority to hire and fire managers but could also allocate the hotel’s funds.
Lin Qing’er trusted Shui Miao one hundred percent.
From a conventional perspective, this was absolutely unbelievable, yet Lin Qing’er had done it—leaving no room for doubt.
“Alright, everyone, return to your positions and resume your duties.”
After making the announcement, Lin Qing’er turned to check the time and said to Shui Miao, “I have to go. Come with me to the airport, and later drive my car back. From now on, my car is yours.”
“But I don’t know how to drive!!” Shui Miao said sheepishly.
Lin Qing’er smiled and shook her head. “I’ve already arranged a driver for you. Let’s go.”
Beside Lin Qing’er, Wang Xiaomi saluted Shui Miao. “General Manager, Wang Xiaomi reporting for duty!”
“…”
Seeing how Lin Qing’er had infused the hotel with such a military vibe, Shui Miao felt a bit overwhelmed. But on second thought, having such a unique characteristic might not be a bad thing for the hotel.
After spending what felt like a hundred thousand minutes eating, Shui Miao paid the bill and then asked the shop owner where he bought the vegetables, curious about their excellent taste. The owner, delighted at the compliment, told Shui Miao that these vegetables were all grown by his old father, who lived in a village called Jing Shui Village on the western outskirts of Zhonghai City.
Jing Shui Village—the moment Shui Miao heard the name, his heart stirred. Wasn’t that the village where Lingyin Temple was located?
It seemed the feng shui of Jing Shui Village was indeed extraordinary!
As Shui Miao was chatting with the owner, Sister Tang’s phone suddenly rang.
After answering the call, Sister Tang excitedly told Shui Miao that it was from Lin Qing’er. Lin Qing’er, out of respect for Shui Miao, had decided to give Sister Tang another chance by letting her resume her position as restaurant hostess. For Sister Tang, who had been struggling to find work, this was undoubtedly great news.
It turned out Xiao Tudou had been right after all, and Shui Miao was astonished.
After thanking Shui Miao and Xiao Tudou, Sister Tang hurriedly ran out to hail a taxi and rushed back to the hotel to start work.
“Ding ling ling…”
No sooner had Sister Tang left than Shui Miao’s phone also rang—it was another call from Lin Qing’er.
As soon as the call connected, Lin Qing’er’s urgent voice came through, “Shui Miao, where are you? Do you have time to come to the hotel? I have an urgent matter to entrust to you.”
“I have time. I’ll come right away. But Lin Jie, if you’re free, could you first tell me over the phone what’s going on? Why are you in such a rush to call me over?” Xiao Tudou seemed a bit reluctant to leave, but Shui Miao grabbed his arm and headed out onto the street.
Lin Qing’er was sitting in her office, already with her luggage prepared. “The thing is, there’s been an emergency back home in Taiwan, and I have to go back immediately. I want to ask you to temporarily take over the management of the hotel. Of course, Huang girl will fully assist you. You can just go ahead and do whatever you need to do.”
“Manage such a big hotel!!”
Shui Miao was momentarily stunned. He himself had already wanted to quit, yet now he was being asked to take over, with an even heavier responsibility on his shoulders!
Sister Tang’s face was indeed feeling warm and flushed.
She knew perfectly well in her heart that this was due to Little Potato saying she would have good luck—it excited her. On top of that, she felt embarrassed. She hadn’t trusted Shui Miao and refused to lend him money, yet he repaid her kindness with unexpected generosity, returning 500 yuan on the spot and even giving her an extra 500. She felt ashamed and awkward, which was why her face turned red.
But when Little Potato insisted that good fortune was just around the corner for Sister Tang, she didn’t take it to heart at all.
Shui Miao noticed that Sister Tang’s complexion looked much better than before, but he wasn’t convinced that this alone could change one’s fortune.
The three of them went to Chen’s Bun Shop, ordered several baskets of steamed buns and a few bowls of congee, and ate with relish, accompanied by pickles, dried radish, and edamame.
Little Potato was a regular customer who usually spent no more than five yuan per visit.
Today, however, he indulged himself and spent ten yuan, feeling completely satisfied.
Sister Tang, who had been out job-hunting and hadn’t eaten until now, devoured three large bowls of congee and three vegetable buns, finally filling her stomach.
Shui Miao slowly savored the vegetable buns and actually detected a faint trace of earth spiritual energy within them.
After what felt like a hundred thousand minutes, Shui Miao paid the bill and asked the shop owner where he sourced his greens and why they tasted so good. Flattered by the praise, the owner happily explained that all the vegetables were grown by his father, who lived in a place called Jingshui Village on the western outskirts of Zhonghai City.
Jingshui Village—the name immediately struck a chord with Shui Miao. Wasn’t that the village where the Lingyin Temple was located?
It seemed the feng shui of Jingshui Village was truly exceptional!
While Shui Miao was chatting with the owner, Sister Tang’s phone rang.
After answering the call, she excitedly told Shui Miao that it was Lin Qing’er on the line. Out of regard for Shui Miao, Lin Qing’er was willing to give Sister Tang another chance to resume her position as restaurant supervisor. For Sister Tang, who had been struggling to find work, this was undoubtedly fantastic news.
Little Potato’s prediction had come true, much to Shui Miao’s astonishment.
After thanking Shui Miao and Little Potato, Sister Tang hurried off to hail a taxi and rush back to the hotel for work.
“Ding ling ling…”
No sooner had Sister Tang left than Shui Miao’s phone also rang—it was Lin Qing’er calling as well.
As soon as he answered, Lin Qing’er’s urgent voice came through: “Shui Miao, where are you? Do you have time to come to the hotel? There’s something important I need to entrust to you.”
“I have time, I’ll head over right away. But, Sister Lin, if you have a moment, could you give me a brief idea over the phone about what’s happened? Why the urgency?” Little Potato seemed reluctant to leave, but Shui Miao grabbed his arm and led him to the roadside.
Lin Qing’er was in her office, luggage already prepared beside her. “It’s like this—something’s come up at home in Taiwan, and I have to return immediately. I’d like you to temporarily manage the hotel for me. Of course, Huang Yatou will assist you fully. Just take charge with confidence.”
“Manage such a large hotel?!”
Shui Miao was stunned. He had been thinking of quitting, and now he was being pulled into an even more demanding role with greater responsibilities.
“Actually, it’s not as daunting as it seems. I’ve already arranged everything at the hotel; we just need an administrative decision-maker. After considering all options, I believe you’re the most suitable. If your time is limited, you could just stop by the hotel once a day or every few days!” Lin Qing’er was sincere. Based on Shui Miao’s previous efforts in reorganizing the hotel, she was confident he could manage it well.
If Sister Lin had other options, she wouldn’t be asking me like this. She has wide connections and has always treated me well—I can’t let her down. Besides, when the time comes for me to avenge my father, I might need her help. After a brief pause, Shui Miao sighed and said, “Alright, I’ll do my best. But if anything comes up that I can’t handle, I’ll have to call and trouble you.”
“No problem at all. Please hurry over—I need to gather the staff and make the announcement. I have a flight to catch in thirty minutes.” Lin Qing’er checked the time; she really was in a rush.
“Okay! I’ll be there in ten minutes.”
Shui Miao quickly estimated the travel time, grabbed Little Potato, and hailed a taxi.
“Brother, will we come back tonight? I grew up here—if I can’t eat the buns from this place, I won’t be able to handle it.” What Little Potato really meant was that without absorbing the earth spiritual energy carried by the greens in the buns, he wouldn’t be able to continue his cultivation.
Shui Miao smiled and shook his head. “You’re too naive. Didn’t you see me asking the owner where the greens come from? Later, I’ll take you to stay in Jingshui Village. I guarantee you’ll have more greens than you can eat.”
“Jingshui Village!”
The taxi driver suddenly chimed in: “So you guys like the greens from Jingshui Village? Haha, what a coincidence—I grew up there! The water and soil in Jingshui Village are excellent. The greens, grains, and even the chickens and ducks raised there taste better than those from other places. But what you might not know is that the most famous thing in Jingshui Village isn’t the vegetables—it’s an ancient well that’s over a hundred years old.”
“An ancient well!”
Shui Miao’s interest was piqued. He hadn’t expected to stumble upon a clue like this mid-journey. He politely asked, “Uncle, could you tell us about the ancient well? My brother and I love hearing stories.”
“Hehe, this isn’t just a story—it’s real history.” The driver uncle spoke slowly as he drove. “I heard from my grandfather that over a hundred years ago, many families lived in the village, and every household worshipped statues of the Three Pure Ones. On auspicious days, villagers would go to the Lingfeng Temple at the village entrance to burn incense. There was a highly skilled Taoist priest at the temple named Lingfeng, who had a heart of mercy. He not only captured ghosts and subdued demons but also used talismans to heal people. Most miraculously, his ability to communicate with spirits was unparalleled, truly one of a kind.”
“How was he one of a kind?” Shui Miao asked curiously.
The uncle paused. “Let me give you an example. Back then, a destitute scholar wandered into our Jingshui Village. Hearing of Lingfeng Taoist’s powers, he begged the priest to help him communicate with the spirits. Lingfeng Taoist directly took the scholar’s soul to the underworld to visit his family, inquired about the scholar’s lifespan from the judge, and even learned about his future destiny. After his soul returned, the scholar’s luck indeed turned around. He passed the imperial exams, succeeded in everything he did, and eventually returned to his hometown as a minor official. He donated his life’s savings to the Lingfeng Temple to build a well. That well was incredibly mystical—it often emitted gusts of wind, sometimes accompanied by roaring sounds. At first, the villagers were afraid, but over time, they realized it wasn’t wind but legendary spiritual energy emanating from the well. People gradually gathered around the well to cultivate themselves. After cultivating, they felt refreshed and no longer hungry. As time passed, however, no one was left to work the fields. Without workers, there were no harvests; without harvests, they couldn’t pay taxes; and without taxes, the officials weren’t pleased. So, the officials sent people to seal the well. But several groups came, only to be scared off by the well’s roaring winds. The official in charge was a Tartar. He came to inspect personally and then went north to bring back a shaman, who used witchcraft to alter the well’s energy. Anyone who smelled it would fall ill. The official also ordered the temple demolished and all the Taoist priests killed!”
“Those despicable Tartars!!”
Shui Miao felt a surge of hatred. Such a well had been ruined, and he assumed it must be useless now.
“Yes! The Tartars were vile, but what could the common people do? They were powerless. It wasn’t until the Qing Dynasty fell and the Republic of China began that the villagers dug out the ancient well again. But because the shaman had tampered with it, the well no emitted spiritual energy. All these years, the well has been preserved, but fewer and fewer people pay attention to it. Everyone just treats it as a story now.”
The driver uncle shook his head and sighed.
It was clear that he deeply believed this tale.
Shui Miao thought for a moment. “Uncle, do you know where those Taoist priests were buried?”
“Supposedly, they were buried in the southern part of the village, in an area with reeds.” The uncle shook his head. “I’m not too sure about that. Young man, since you’re so interested in this, do you happen to understand feng shui?”
So it was true! It seemed the place Sister Lin and I visited was indeed the burial ground of the Taoist priests!
Shui Miao was inwardly astonished. He felt this might be the old Taoist priest’s spirit watching over him, allowing him to meet this driver uncle and learn these stories. “Uncle, you’re right. I do know a bit about feng shui. Not only that, I plan to fund the reconstruction of the temple. I believe it won’t be long before we meet again in Jingshui Village.”
The taxi had already arrived at the entrance of Linhai Grand Hotel. Shui Miao handed the uncle a hundred-yuan bill and told him to keep the change.
The uncle took the money, watching in surprise as Shui Miao entered the hotel. As soon as Shui Miao stepped inside, he saw hundreds of employees bowing in unison and greeting, “General Manager Shui, welcome!”
“My goodness, this young man is actually the general manager! I should’ve asked for his business card. I could’ve gotten some work when the temple is rebuilt, instead of slaving away driving a taxi.” The driver uncle was muttering to himself when a female security guard in camouflage walked over and gave him a crisp military salute. “Sorry, sir, this is not a parking area. Please leave promptly.”
“Oh, oh, oh…”
Only then did the uncle notice the many women dressed in camouflage and military attire both inside and outside the hotel. Startled, he quickly drove away.
※※※
In front of all the employees, Lin Qing’er announced Shui Miao as the general manager, overseeing all department managers. He now had the authority to hire and fire managers and even allocate the hotel’s funds.
Lin Qing’er trusted Shui Miao one hundred percent.
From a conventional perspective, this was absolutely unbelievable, yet Lin Qing’er had done it, leaving no room for doubt.
“Alright, everyone return to your positions and resume your duties.”
After making the announcement, Lin Qing’er turned around, checked the time, and said to Shui Miao, “I have to go. Come with me to the airport, and later drive my car back. From now on, my car is yours.”
“But I don’t know how to drive!!” Shui Miao said, embarrassed.
Lin Qing’er smiled and shook her head. “I’ve already arranged a driver for you. Let’s go.”
Beside Lin Qing’er, Wang Xiaomi saluted Shui Miao: “General Manager, Wang Xiaomi reporting for duty!”
“…”
Seeing how Lin Qing’er had infused the hotel with such a military atmosphere, Shui Miao felt a bit overwhelmed. But on second thought, having such a distinctive feature might not be a bad thing for the hotel.
If Lin Jie had other options, she wouldn’t be pleading with me like this. She has great connections and has been so kind to me—I can’t let her down. In the future, when I seek revenge for my father’s death, I might even need her help. After a brief pause, Shui Miao exhaled and said, “Alright then, I’ll do my best. But if there’s anything I can’t handle, I’ll still have to call you for help.”
“No problem at all. Hurry over now—I’ll gather the staff and announce it. I have to catch my flight in thirty minutes.” Lin Qing’er checked the time; she was really in a rush.
“Alright! Ten minutes will be enough for me.”
Shui Miao estimated the travel time and quickly pulled Xiao Tudou into a taxi.
Sister Tang’s face was indeed warm and flushed.
She knew perfectly well it was due to excitement from Little Potato saying she would have good luck, mixed with embarrassment. She felt awkward and ashamed for not trusting Shui Miao and refusing to lend him money, only for him to repay her five hundred on the spot and even give her an extra five hundred. That was why her face was red.
But when Little Potato insisted that good fortune was just around the corner for Sister Tang, she didn’t take it to heart.
Shui Miao noticed Sister Tang’s complexion had improved, but he wasn’t convinced it meant her luck was about to change.
The three of them went to Chen’s Bun Shop, ordered several steamers of buns and a few bowls of congee, and happily ate them with pickles, dried radish, and edamame.
Little Potato was a regular and usually spent at most five yuan per meal.
Today, he indulged himself, spending ten yuan, and he was completely satisfied.
Sister Tang, who had been job hunting and hadn’t eaten all day, devoured three large bowls of congee and three vegetable buns, finally filling her stomach.
Shui Miao slowly savored the vegetable buns and actually detected a faint earthy spiritual energy within them.
After what felt like a hundred thousand minutes, Shui Miao paid the bill and asked the shop owner where he bought the vegetables and why they tasted so good. Flattered, the owner happily explained that the vegetables were grown by his father, who lived in a place called Jingshui Village, west of Zhonghai City.
Jingshui Village—the name struck a chord with Shui Miao. Wasn’t that the village where the Lingyin Temple was located?
It seemed the feng shui of Jingshui Village was truly exceptional!
While Shui Miao was chatting with the owner, Sister Tang’s phone rang.
After answering, she excitedly told Shui Miao that it was Lin Qing’er calling. Out of regard for Shui Miao, Lin Qing’er was willing to give Sister Tang another chance to work as a restaurant supervisor. For Sister Tang, who had been struggling to find a job, this was incredible news.
Little Potato’s prediction had come true, much to Shui Miao’s astonishment.
Sister Tang thanked Shui Miao and Little Potato, then hurried off to hail a taxi and rush back to the hotel for work.
“Ding ling ling…”
No sooner had Sister Tang left than Shui Miao’s phone also rang. It was Lin Qing’er calling.
As soon as he answered, Lin Qing’er’s urgent voice came through: “Shui Miao, where are you? Do you have time to come to the hotel? I have something important to ask of you.”
“I have time, I’ll head over right away. But, Sister Lin, if you have a moment, could you give me a brief idea of what’s going on? Why the urgency?” Little Potato seemed reluctant to leave, but Shui Miao grabbed his arm and led him to the roadside.
Lin Qing’er was in her office, luggage already packed beside her. “It’s like this—something has come up with my family in Taiwan, and I have to return immediately. I’d like you to temporarily manage the hotel for me. Of course, Huang Yatou will assist you fully. Just handle things with confidence.”
“Manage such a large hotel?!”
Shui Miao was stunned. He had been thinking of quitting, and now he was being pulled into an even heavier responsibility!
“Actually, it’s not as daunting as it seems. I’ve already arranged everything at the hotel—it’s just lacking an administrative decision-maker. After careful consideration, I believe you’re the most suitable for the role. If your time is limited, you could just stop by the hotel once a day or even every few days!” Lin Qing’er meant every word. Based on Shui Miao’s previous efforts in reorganizing the hotel, she was confident he could manage it well.
If Sister Lin had other options, she wouldn’t be asking me like this. She has wide connections and has always treated me well—I can’t let her down. Besides, I may need her help in the future when I seek revenge for my father. After a brief pause, Shui Miao sighed and said, “Alright, I’ll do my best. But if anything comes up that I can’t handle, I’ll have to call and trouble you.”
“No problem at all. Please hurry over. I need to gather the staff and make the announcement. I have a flight to catch in thirty minutes.” Lin Qing’er checked the time—she really was in a rush.
“Okay! I’ll be there in ten minutes.”
Shui Miao quickly estimated the travel time, grabbed Little Potato, and hailed a taxi.
“Brother, will we come back tonight? I grew up here—if I can’t eat these buns, I won’t be able to handle it.” What Little Potato really meant was that without absorbing the earthy spiritual energy from the vegetables in the buns, he wouldn’t be able to continue cultivating.
Shui Miao smiled and shook his head. “You’re too naive. Didn’t you see me asking the shop owner where the vegetables came from? Later, I’ll take you to stay in Jingshui Village. I guarantee you’ll have more than enough vegetables to eat.”
“Jingshui Village!”
The taxi driver suddenly chimed in: “So you guys like the vegetables from Jingshui Village? Haha, what a coincidence! I grew up there. The water and soil in Jingshui Village are excellent—the vegetables, grains, and even the chickens and ducks raised there taste better than anywhere else. But what you might not know is that the most famous thing in Jingshui Village isn’t the vegetables—it’s an ancient well that’s over a hundred years old.”
“An ancient well!”
Shui Miao’s interest was piqued. He hadn’t expected to stumble upon a clue like this mid-journey. He politely asked, “Uncle, could you tell us the story of the ancient well? My brother and I love hearing stories.”
“Heh, this isn’t just a story—it’s real history.” The driver uncle spoke slowly as he drove. “My grandfather told me that over a hundred years ago, many families lived in the village, and every household worshipped statues of the Three Pure Ones. On auspicious days, villagers would go to the Lingfeng Temple at the village entrance to burn incense. The temple was home to a highly skilled Taoist priest with a heart of mercy—Abbot Lingfeng. Not only could he exorcise ghosts and subdue demons, but he also used talismans to heal people. The most miraculous thing was his unparalleled ability to communicate with spirits—truly one of a kind, unmatched before or since.”
“How was he unmatched?” Shui Miao asked curiously.
The uncle paused. “Let me give you an example. Back then, a down-and-out scholar wandered into our Jingshui Village. Hearing of Abbot Lingfeng’s powers, he begged the abbot to help him communicate with the spirit world. The abbot directly took the scholar’s soul to the underworld to visit his family, inquired about the scholar’s lifespan from the judge, and even learned about his future destiny. After returning, the scholar’s luck indeed turned around. He passed the imperial exams, everything went smoothly, and he eventually returned to his hometown as a minor official. He donated his life’s savings to the Lingfeng Temple to build a well. That well was incredibly mystical—it often emitted gusts of wind, sometimes with a roaring sound. At first, the villagers were afraid, but over time, they realized it wasn’t just wind—it was legendary spiritual energy. People gradually gathered by the well to cultivate. After cultivating, they felt refreshed and energetic, rarely feeling hungry. But as time passed, no one worked anymore. Without workers, there were no harvests; without harvests, they couldn’t pay taxes; and without taxes, the officials weren’t happy. So, the officials sent people to seal the well. But several groups were scared off by the well’s roaring wind. The official in charge was a Tartar. He came to inspect it personally, then went north to bring back a shaman who used witchcraft to alter the well’s energy. Anyone who smelled it would fall ill. The official also ordered the temple demolished and all the Taoist priests killed!”
“Those despicable Tartars!!”
Shui Miao felt a surge of hatred. Such a well was ruined, and he assumed it must be useless now.
“Yeah! The Tartars were vile, but what could the common people do? They were powerless. It wasn’t until the Qing Dynasty fell and the Republic of China began that the villagers dug out the ancient well again. But because the shaman had tampered with it, it no emitted spiritual energy. All these years, the well has been preserved, but fewer and fewer people care about it. Everyone just treats it as a story now.”
The driver uncle shook his head and sighed.
It was clear he deeply believed this story.
Shui Miao thought for a moment. “Uncle, do you know where those Taoist priests were buried?”
“Rumor has it they were buried in the south of the village, in an area with reeds.” The uncle shook his head. “I’m not too sure about that. Young man, since you’re so interested in this, do you happen to understand feng shui?”
So it was true! It seemed the place Sister Lin and I visited was the burial ground of those Taoist priests!
Shui Miao was deeply moved. He felt it might be the old Taoist priest’s spirit watching over him, allowing him to meet this driver uncle and learn these stories. “Uncle, you’re right. I do know a bit about feng shui. Not only that, but I also plan to fund the reconstruction of the temple. I believe it won’t be long before we meet again in Jingshui Village.”
The taxi had already arrived at the entrance of Linhai Grand Hotel. Shui Miao handed the uncle a hundred yuan and told him to keep the change.
The uncle took the money, watching in shock as Shui Miao entered the hotel. As soon as Shui Miao stepped inside, he saw hundreds of employees bowing in unison and greeting, “General Manager Shui, good day!”
“My goodness, this young man is actually the general manager! I should’ve asked for his business card. I could’ve gotten some work when the temple is rebuilt, instead of driving a taxi and working myself to death.” The driver uncle was muttering to himself when a female security guard in camouflage walked over and gave him a crisp military salute. “Sorry, sir, this is not a parking area. Please leave promptly.”
“Oh, oh, oh…”
Only then did the uncle notice the many women dressed in camouflage and military attire both inside and outside the hotel. Startled, he quickly drove away.
※※※
In front of all the employees, Lin Qing’er announced Shui Miao as the general manager, overseeing all department managers. He now had the authority to hire and fire managers and even allocate the hotel’s funds.
Lin Qing’er trusted Shui Miao one hundred percent.
From a conventional perspective, this was absolutely unbelievable, yet Lin Qing’er had done it, leaving no room for doubt.
“Alright, everyone, return to your positions and resume your duties.”
After making the announcement, Lin Qing’er turned to check the time and said to Shui Miao, “I have to go. Come with me to the airport, and later drive my car back. From now on, my car is yours.”
“But I don’t know how to drive!!” Shui Miao said, embarrassed.
Lin Qing’er smiled and shook her head. “I’ve already arranged a driver for you. Let’s go.”
Beside Lin Qing’er, Wang Xiaomi saluted Shui Miao. “General Manager, Wang Xiaomi reporting for duty!”
“…”
Seeing how Lin Qing’er had infused the hotel with such a military vibe, Shui Miao felt a bit overwhelmed. But on second thought, having such a unique characteristic might not be a bad thing for the hotel.
Shui Miao smiled and shook his head. “You’re too naive, kid. Didn’t you see me asking the shop owner where the vegetables came from? Later, I’ll send you to live in Jing Shui Village. I guarantee you’ll have more vegetables than you can eat.”
“Jing Shui Village!”
The taxi driver suddenly spoke up, “So you two like the vegetables from Jing Shui Village, huh! Haha, what a coincidence—I was born and raised in Jing Shui Village. The water and soil there are great; the vegetables, grains, and even the chickens and ducks raised there all taste a notch better than elsewhere. But you might not know this—what Jing Shui Village is most famous for isn’t actually its vegetables, but rather an ancient well left over more than a hundred years ago.”
“An ancient well!”
Shui Miao’s heart stirred. He hadn’t expected to stumble upon a clue along the way. He politely asked, “Uncle, could you tell us the story about this ancient well? My younger brother and I love listening to stories.”
“Hehe, this isn’t just a story—it’s real history.” The taxi driver continued driving while slowly recounting, “I heard from my grandfather that over a hundred years ago, many families lived in the village, and every household worshipped statues of the Three Pure Ones. On auspicious days, villagers would go to Lingfeng Temple at the village entrance to burn incense. There was a Daoist priest named Lingfeng at the temple who was both highly skilled in Daoist magic and had a compassionate heart. Master Lingfeng not only exorcised ghosts and demons but also used talismans to heal people. Most miraculously, his ability to communicate with spirits was unparalleled—truly without precedent and never to be matched.”
“How was he so unique?” Shui Miao asked curiously.
Sister Tang’s face was indeed warm and flushed.
She knew perfectly well it was due to excitement from Little Potato saying her luck was about to change. On top of that, she felt awkward and somewhat ashamed. She hadn’t trusted Shui Miao enough to lend him money, yet he had repaid her kindness—not only returning the 500 yuan but giving her an extra 500 on top. The mix of embarrassment and self-reproach made her cheeks burn.
But when Little Potato insisted that good fortune was just around the corner for her, Sister Tang brushed it off without a second thought.
Shui Miao noticed that Sister Tang’s complexion did look better than before, but he remained skeptical that such a small change could truly alter one’s fate.
The three of them arrived at Chen’s Bun Shop, ordered several steamers of buns and a few bowls of congee, and happily dug in, accompanied by pickles, dried radish, and edamame.
Little Potato was a regular here; usually, he spent at most five yuan per visit.
But today, he indulged himself, spending ten yuan, and even then, he felt completely satisfied.
Sister Tang, who had been out job-hunting and hadn’t eaten all day, devoured three large bowls of congee and three vegetable buns, finally filling her empty stomach.
Shui Miao, savoring the vegetable buns slowly, detected a faint earthy spiritual energy within them.
After what felt like a hundred thousand minutes, Shui Miao settled the bill and asked the shop owner where he sourced his greens, curious why they tasted so exceptional. Flattered by the praise, the owner happily explained that all the vegetables were grown by his father, who lived in a place called Jingshui Village, west of Zhonghai City.
Jingshui Village—the name struck a chord in Shui Miao’s mind. Wasn’t that the village where the Lingyin Temple was located?
It seemed the feng shui of Jingshui Village was truly extraordinary!
As Shui Miao chatted with the owner, Sister Tang’s phone rang.
After answering, she excitedly told Shui Miao that Lin Qing’er had called. Out of regard for Shui Miao, Lin Qing’er was willing to give Sister Tang another chance, offering her the position of restaurant supervisor again. For Sister Tang, who had been struggling to find work, this was incredible news.
Little Potato’s prediction had actually come true—Shui Miao was astonished.
After thanking Shui Miao and Little Potato, Sister Tang hurried off to hail a taxi and rushed back to the hotel to start her shift.
“Ding ling ling…”
No sooner had Sister Tang left than Shui Miao’s phone also rang—it was Lin Qing’er calling as well.
As soon as he answered, Lin Qing’er’s urgent voice came through: “Shui Miao, where are you? Do you have time to come to the hotel? There’s something important I need to entrust to you.”
“I have time, I’ll head over right away. But, Sister Lin, if you have a moment, could you give me a brief idea of what’s going on? Why the urgency?” Little Potato seemed reluctant to leave, but Shui Miao took him by the arm and led him out to the street.
Lin Qing’er was in her office, luggage already packed beside her. “It’s like this—something’s come up with my family back in Taiwan, and I have to return immediately. I’d like you to temporarily manage the hotel for me. Of course, Huang Yatou will assist you fully. Just handle things with confidence.”
“Manage such a large hotel?!”
Shui Miao was stunned. He had been thinking about quitting, and now he was being pulled into an even more demanding role!
“It’s really not as daunting as it seems. I’ve already arranged everything at the hotel; we just need someone to handle administrative decisions. After careful consideration, I believe you’re the most suitable person. If your schedule is tight, you could just stop by once a day or even every few days.” Lin Qing’er meant every word—based on Shui Miao’s previous efforts in reorganizing the hotel, she was confident he could manage it well.
If Sister Lin had any other options, she wouldn’t be asking me like this. She has extensive connections and has always treated me well—I can’t let her down. Besides, when the time comes for me to avenge my father, I may need her help. After a brief pause, Shui Miao sighed softly and said, “Alright, I’ll do my best. But if anything comes up that I can’t handle, I’ll have to call and trouble you.”
“That’s not a problem. Please hurry over—I need to gather the staff to make the announcement. My flight leaves in thirty minutes.” Lin Qing’er checked the time; she really was in a rush.
“Okay! I’ll be there in ten minutes.”
After estimating the travel time, Shui Miao quickly hailed a taxi and pulled Little Potato inside.
“Brother, are we coming back tonight? I grew up here—if I can’t eat these buns, I’ll struggle.” What Little Potato really meant was that without absorbing the earthy spiritual energy from the greens in the buns, his cultivation would suffer.
Shui Miao smiled and shook his head. “You’re too naive. Didn’t you hear me ask the owner where the vegetables come from? Later, I’ll take you to stay in Jingshui Village—I guarantee you’ll have more greens than you can eat.”
“Jingshui Village!”
The taxi driver suddenly chimed in: “So you guys like the greens from Jingshui Village? Haha, what a coincidence—I grew up there! The water and soil in Jingshui Village are excellent. The vegetables, grains, even the chickens and ducks raised there taste better than anywhere else. But what you might not know is that the most famous thing in Jingshui Village isn’t the produce—it’s an ancient well that’s over a hundred years old.”
“An ancient well!”
Shui Miao’s interest was piqued; he hadn’t expected to stumble upon a clue like this mid-journey. He politely asked, “Uncle, could you tell us about the ancient well? My brother and I love hearing stories.”
“Hehe, this isn’t just a story—it’s real history.” The driver spoke slowly as he drove. “My grandfather told me that over a hundred years ago, the village was home to many families, and every household worshipped statues of the Three Pure Ones. On auspicious days, villagers would go to the Lingfeng Temple at the village entrance to burn incense. The temple was home to a highly skilled Taoist master with a heart of mercy—Abbot Lingfeng. Not only could he exorcise ghosts and subdue demons, but he also used talismans to heal people. Most miraculously, his ability to communicate with spirits was unparalleled—truly one of a kind, unmatched before or since.”
“How was he unmatched?” Shui Miao asked curiously.
The driver paused. “Let me give you an example. Back then, a destitute scholar wandered into our Jingshui Village. Hearing of Abbot Lingfeng’s powers, he begged the abbot to help him communicate with the spirit world. The abbot directly took the scholar’s soul to the underworld to visit his family, inquired with the judge about the scholar’s lifespan, and even learned about his future destiny. After returning to his body, the scholar’s luck turned around—he passed the imperial exams, everything went smoothly, and he eventually returned to his hometown as a minor official. He donated his life’s savings to the Lingfeng Temple to build a well. That well was incredibly mystical—it often emitted gusts of wind, sometimes accompanied by a roaring sound. At first, the villagers were afraid, but over time, they realized it wasn’t just wind—it was legendary spiritual energy. People gradually began meditating by the well, and after doing so, they felt refreshed and free from hunger. But as time passed, fewer people worked the fields. Without labor, there were no harvests; without harvests, they couldn’t pay taxes, and the officials above wouldn’t stand for that. So, the officials sent people to seal the well. Several groups tried, but all were scared off by the well’s roaring winds. The official in charge, a Tartar, came to inspect it personally. After his visit, he went north to bring back a shaman, who used witchcraft to alter the well’s energy. Anyone who smelled it would fall ill. The official also ordered the temple demolished and all the Taoist priests killed!”
“Those despicable Tartars!!”
Shui Miao felt a surge of hatred. Such a well had been ruined, and he assumed it was now useless.
“Yes! The Tartars were vile, but what could ordinary people do? They were powerless. It wasn’t until the Qing Dynasty fell and the Republic of China began that the villagers dug out the well again. But because of the shaman’s tampering, it no emitted spiritual energy. All these years, the well has remained, but fewer and fewer people pay attention to it. Everyone just treats it as a story now.”
The driver sighed and shook his head.
It was clear the driver deeply believed this tale.
Shui Miao thought for a moment. “Uncle, do you know where those Taoist priests were buried?”
“I heard they were buried in the southern part of the village, near a reed field.” The driver shook his head. “I’m not entirely sure, though. Young man, you seem very interested in this—do you know about feng shui?”
So it’s true. It seems the place Sister Lin and I visited was the burial ground of those Taoist priests!
Shui Miao was deeply moved, feeling as if the old Taoist master’s spirit had guided him to meet this driver and learn this story. “Uncle, you’re right—I do know a bit about feng shui. Not only that, but I plan to fund the reconstruction of the temple. I believe it won’t be long before we meet again in Jingshui Village.”
The taxi had already arrived at the entrance of Linhai Grand Hotel. Shui Miao handed the driver a hundred-yuan bill and told him to keep the change.
The driver, holding the money, watched in surprise as Shui Miao entered the hotel. As soon as Shui Miao stepped inside, he saw hundreds of employees bowing in unison and greeting, “General Manager Shui, welcome!”
“Good heavens, this young man is actually the general manager! I should’ve asked for his business card—maybe I could’ve gotten some work when the temple is rebuilt. Would’ve saved me the backbreaking labor of driving a taxi.” As the driver muttered to himself, a female security guard in camouflage walked over and gave him a crisp military salute. “Sorry, sir, this is not a parking area. Please move along quickly.”
“Oh, oh, oh…”
Only then did the driver notice the numerous women dressed in military-style camouflage uniforms both inside and outside the hotel. Startled, he quickly drove away.
※※※
In front of all the employees, Lin Qing’er announced Shui Miao as the general manager, overseeing all department heads. He now had the authority to hire and fire managers and even allocate the hotel’s funds.
Lin Qing’er trusted Shui Miao implicitly—one hundred percent.
From a conventional perspective, this was nearly unthinkable, yet Lin Qing’er had done it, leaving no room for doubt.
“Alright, everyone, return to your posts and resume your duties.”
After making the announcement, Lin Qing’er checked her watch and said to Shui Miao, “I have to go. Come with me to the airport—you can drive my car back afterward. From now on, my car is yours.”
“But I don’t know how to drive!!” Shui Miao said, embarrassed.
Lin Qing’er smiled and shook her head. “I’ve already arranged a driver for you. Let’s go.”
Beside Lin Qing’er, Wang Xiaomi saluted Shui Miao: “General Manager, Wang Xiaomi reporting for duty!”
“…”
Seeing how Lin Qing’er had infused the hotel with such a military atmosphere, Shui Miao felt a bit overwhelmed. But on second thought, having such a unique characteristic might not be a bad thing for the hotel.
“Despicable Tartar!!”
Shui Miao felt a surge of hatred. A well with such great potential had been destroyed—no doubt it was now completely ruined.
Sister Tang’s face was indeed warm and flushed.
She knew perfectly well it was due to excitement from Little Potato saying good luck was coming her way. On top of that, she felt embarrassed. She hadn’t trusted Shui Miao and refused to lend him money, yet he repaid her with kindness—returning the 500 yuan and even giving her an extra 500. She felt ashamed, which made her blush.
But when Little Potato insisted that good fortune was just around the corner for her, Sister Tang didn’t take it to heart.
Shui Miao noticed that Sister Tang’s complexion looked much better than before, but he wasn’t convinced that this alone could change one’s luck.
The three of them arrived at Chen’s Bun Shop, ordered several baskets of buns and a few bowls of congee, and happily ate them with pickles, dried radish, and edamame.
Little Potato was a regular customer and usually spent at most five yuan per visit.
Today, however, he indulged himself, spending ten yuan, and he was completely satisfied.
Sister Tang, who had been out job hunting and hadn’t eaten all day, devoured three large bowls of congee and three vegetable buns, finally filling her stomach.
Shui Miao slowly savored the vegetable buns and actually detected a faint earthy spiritual energy within them.
After what felt like a hundred thousand minutes, Shui Miao paid the bill and asked the shop owner where he bought the vegetables and why they tasted so good. Flattered, the owner happily explained that the vegetables were grown by his father, who lived in a place called Jingshui Village, west of Zhonghai City.
Jingshui Village—the name struck a chord in Shui Miao’s heart. Wasn’t that the village where the Lingyin Temple was located?
It seemed the feng shui of Jingshui Village was truly exceptional!
While Shui Miao was chatting with the owner, Sister Tang’s phone rang.
After answering, she excitedly told Shui Miao that it was Lin Qing’er calling. Out of regard for Shui Miao, Lin Qing’er was willing to give Sister Tang another chance to work as a restaurant supervisor. For Sister Tang, who had been struggling to find a job, this was incredible news.
Little Potato’s prediction had come true, much to Shui Miao’s astonishment.
After thanking Shui Miao and Little Potato, Sister Tang hurried off to hail a taxi and rushed back to the hotel for work.
“Ding ling ling…”
No sooner had Sister Tang left than Shui Miao’s phone also rang. It was Lin Qing’er calling.
As soon as he answered, Lin Qing’er’s urgent voice came through: “Shui Miao, where are you? Do you have time to come to the hotel? I have something important to ask of you.”
“I have time, I’ll head over right away. But, Sister Lin, if you have a moment, could you tell me what’s going on? Why the urgency?” Little Potato seemed reluctant to leave, but Shui Miao grabbed his arm and led him to the roadside.
Lin Qing’er was in her office, luggage packed and ready beside her. “It’s like this—something’s happened back home in Taiwan, and I need to return immediately. I’d like you to temporarily manage the hotel for me. Of course, Huang Yatou will assist you fully. Just take charge with confidence.”
“Manage such a large hotel?!”
Shui Miao was stunned. He had been thinking of quitting, and now he was being pulled into an even heavier responsibility!
“Actually, it’s not as daunting as it seems. I’ve already arranged everything at the hotel—it just needs an administrative decision-maker. After careful consideration, I believe you’re the most suitable. If your time is limited, you could just stop by once a day or even every few days!” Lin Qing’er meant every word. Based on Shui Miao’s previous efforts in reorganizing the hotel, she was confident he could manage it well.
If Sister Lin had other options, she wouldn’t be asking me like this. She has wide connections and has been so good to me—I can’t let her down. Besides, I may need her help when I seek revenge for my father someday. After a brief pause, Shui Miao sighed and said, “Alright, I’ll do my best. But if anything comes up that I can’t handle, I’ll have to call and trouble you.”
“No problem at all. Please hurry over—I need to gather the staff and make the announcement. I have a flight to catch in thirty minutes.” Lin Qing’er checked the time; she was truly in a rush.
“Okay! I’ll be there in ten minutes.”
Shui Miao quickly estimated the travel time, grabbed Little Potato, and hailed a taxi.
“Brother, are we coming back tonight? I grew up here—if I can’t eat the buns from this place, I won’t be able to handle it.” Little Potato’s underlying meaning was that without absorbing the earthy spiritual energy from the vegetables in the buns, he wouldn’t be able to continue his cultivation.
Shui Miao shook his head with a smile. “You’re too naive. Didn’t you see me asking the owner where the vegetables came from? Later, I’ll take you to stay in Jingshui Village. I guarantee you’ll have more than enough vegetables to eat.”
“Jingshui Village!”
The taxi driver suddenly chimed in: “So you guys like the vegetables from Jingshui Village? Haha, what a coincidence—I grew up there! The water and soil in Jingshui Village are excellent. The vegetables, grains, and even the chickens and ducks raised there taste better than those from other places. But what you might not know is that the most famous thing in Jingshui Village isn’t the vegetables—it’s an ancient well that’s over a hundred years old.”
“An ancient well!”
Shui Miao’s interest was piqued. He hadn’t expected to stumble upon a clue like this mid-journey. He politely asked, “Uncle, could you tell us the story of the ancient well? My brother and I love hearing stories.”
“Hehe, this isn’t just a story—it’s real history.” The driver uncle spoke slowly as he drove. “My grandfather told me that over a hundred years ago, many families lived in the village, and every household worshipped statues of the Three Pure Ones. On auspicious days, villagers would go to the Lingfeng Temple at the village entrance to offer incense. There was a highly skilled Taoist priest there named Lingfeng, who had a heart of mercy. He not only knew how to exorcise ghosts and subdue demons but also used talismans to heal people. The most miraculous thing was his unparalleled ability to communicate with spirits—truly one of a kind, unmatched before or since.”
“How was he unmatched?” Shui Miao asked curiously.
The uncle paused. “Let me give you an example. Back then, a destitute scholar wandered into our Jingshui Village. Hearing of Lingfeng Daoist’s powers, he begged the priest to help him communicate with the spirit world. Lingfeng Daoist directly took the scholar’s soul to the underworld to visit his family, inquired with the judge about the scholar’s lifespan, and even learned about his future destiny. After his soul returned, the scholar’s luck indeed turned around. He passed the imperial exams, everything went smoothly, and he eventually returned to his hometown as a minor official. He donated his life’s savings to the Lingfeng Temple to build a well. That well was incredibly mystical—it often emitted gusts of wind, sometimes accompanied by roaring sounds. At first, the villagers were afraid, but over time, they realized it wasn’t just wind—it was传说中的 spiritual energy. People gradually gathered by the well to cultivate. After cultivating, they felt refreshed and energetic, rarely feeling hungry. But as time passed, no one worked anymore. Without workers, there were no harvests; without harvests, they couldn’t pay taxes; and without taxes, the officials weren’t happy. So, the officials sent people to seal the well. But several groups were scared off by the well’s roaring winds. The official in charge was a Tartar. He came to inspect it personally, then went north to bring back a shaman who used witchcraft to alter the well’s energy. Anyone who smelled it would fall ill. The official also ordered the temple demolished and all the Taoist priests killed!”
“Those despicable Tartars!!”
Shui Miao felt a surge of hatred. Such a well was ruined, and he assumed it must be useless now.
“Yes! The Tartars were vile, but what could the common people do? They were powerless. It wasn’t until the Qing Dynasty fell and the Republic of China began that the villagers dug up the ancient well again. But because the shaman had tampered with it, the well no emitted spiritual energy. All these years, the well has been preserved, but fewer and fewer people care about it. Everyone just treats it as a story now.”
The driver uncle shook his head with a sigh.
It was clear he deeply believed this story.
Shui Miao thought for a moment. “Uncle, do you know where those Taoist priests were buried?”
“Rumor has it they were buried in the south of the village, in an area with reeds.” The uncle shook his head. “I’m not too sure about that. Young man, you seem very interested in this—do you know about feng shui?”
So it was true! It seemed the place Sister Lin and I visited was indeed the burial ground of the Taoist priests!
Shui Miao was deeply moved. He felt it might be the old Taoist’s spirit watching over him, allowing him to meet this driver uncle and learn these stories. “Uncle, you’re right. I do know a bit about feng shui. Not only that, I plan to fund the reconstruction of the temple. I believe it won’t be long before we meet again in Jingshui Village.”
The taxi had already arrived at the entrance of Linhai Grand Hotel. Shui Miao handed the uncle a hundred yuan and told him to keep the change.
The uncle took the money, watching in shock as Shui Miao entered the hotel. As soon as Shui Miao stepped inside, he saw hundreds of employees bowing in unison, greeting loudly, “Hello, General Manager Shui!”
“My goodness, this young man is actually the general manager! I should’ve asked for his business card. I could’ve gotten some work when the temple is rebuilt, instead of driving a taxi and working myself to death,” the driver uncle muttered to himself. Just then, a female security guard in camouflage approached and gave him a crisp military salute. “Sorry, sir, this is not a parking area. Please leave promptly.”
“Oh, oh, oh…”
The uncle then noticed many women dressed in camouflage and military-style uniforms inside and outside the hotel. Startled, he quickly drove away.
※※※
Lin Qing’er announced before all employees that Shui Miao would be the general manager, overseeing all department managers. He had the authority to hire and fire managers and even mobilize the hotel’s funds.
Lin Qing’er trusted Shui Miao one hundred percent.
From a conventional perspective, this was absolutely unbelievable, yet Lin Qing’er did it anyway, leaving no room for doubt.
“Alright, everyone return to your positions and resume your duties.”
After making the announcement, Lin Qing’er turned to check the time and said to Shui Miao, “I have to go. Come with me to the airport, and later drive my car back. From now on, my car is yours.”
“But I don’t know how to drive!!” Shui Miao said sheepishly.
Lin Qing’er smiled and shook her head. “I’ve already arranged a driver for you. Let’s go.”
Beside Lin Qing’er, Wang Xiaomi saluted Shui Miao. “General Manager, Wang Xiaomi reporting for duty!”
“…”
Seeing how Lin Qing’er had infused the hotel with such a military vibe, Shui Miao felt a bit overwhelmed. But on second thought, having such a unique characteristic might not be a bad thing for the hotel.
The taxi driver shook his head in lament.
It was clear that he truly believed in this story.
Shui Miao thought for a moment and asked, “Uncle, do you know where those Daoists were buried?”
“They say it was in a reed field on the southern edge of the village.” The driver shook his head. “I’m not too clear on that, young man. You seem really interested in this story—are you perhaps knowledgeable in feng shui?”
Indeed, it must have been the burial site of those Daoists—the very place he and Lin Qing’er had visited before!
Shui Miao was deeply moved. He felt it must have been the Daoist elder’s spirit watching over him from above that had led him to meet this taxi driver and learn these stories. “Uncle, you’re right—I do know a bit of feng shui. Moreover, I’m planning to fund the reconstruction of the temple. I believe we’ll meet again in Jing Shui Village before long.”
The taxi had already arrived at the entrance of Linhai Hotel. Shui Miao handed the driver a hundred yuan note and told him to keep the change.
The driver, holding the money, watched in surprise as Shui Miao entered the hotel. As soon as Shui Miao stepped inside, hundreds of employees bowed to him in unison and shouted, “General Manager Shui, good day!”
“Goodness gracious! This young man is actually the general manager? I should’ve asked him for a business card earlier. Later, when the temple is being rebuilt, I could get some work—saving me from this tiring taxi job.” As the driver was muttering to himself, a female security guard in camouflage approached and gave him a sharp military salute.
“Excuse me, sir. This is not a parking area. Please leave as soon as possible.”
“Oh… oh…”
Only then did the driver notice that there were many female guards in camouflage uniforms both inside and outside the hotel. Startled, he quickly drove off.
※※※
In front of all the employees, Lin Qing’er announced that Shui Miao would serve as general manager, overseeing all department managers. He had the authority to dismiss and appoint new managers and even to allocate the hotel’s funds.
Lin Qing’er had placed one hundred percent trust in Shui Miao.
According to normal human logic, this would be absolutely unthinkable. But Lin Qing’er did it anyway—leaving no room for doubt.
“Alright everyone, return to your posts.”
After the announcement, Lin Qing’er turned around, checked the time, and said to Shui Miao, “I have to go now. Come with me to the airport, and later, help me drive my car back. From now on, my car will be your car.”
“But I don’t know how to drive!!” Shui Miao was embarrassed.
Lin Qing’er smiled and shook her head. “I’ve already arranged a driver for you. Let’s go.”
Beside Lin Qing’er, Wang Xiaomi saluted Shui Miao. “General Manager, Officer Wang Xiaomi reporting for duty!”
“…”
Seeing how Lin Qing’er had turned the hotel into something resembling a military base, Shui Miao found it a bit overwhelming. But upon reflection, perhaps this unique style of hers might actually be a good thing.
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