Chapter 62: If Jiang Cheng Is Unhappy

After thinking for a while, I said, “There’s a bronze jar that might belong to your Guo family. Could you take a look for me?”

Xie Lingyu visibly relaxed, as if she had been secretly worrying that I might make some lewd or perverse request. It turned out I had actual business to discuss.

Guo Yingying said, “Then show it to me.” It wasn’t that I didn’t trust Guo Yingying, but the fact that a stunning female ghost had suddenly appeared was incredibly strange. I said firmly, “It’s not that I don’t trust you, but I won’t show you the bronze jar itself. However, I’ve copied the patterns and inscriptions on it—I’ll show you those.”

Guo Yingying wasn’t offended. “It’s normal for you to be cautious. You’re so handsome, I wouldn’t dare eat you, let alone deceive you.”

Though I wasn’t exactly a gentleman, the thought that Guo Yingying might be several decades old killed any appetite I might have had.

I coughed twice to clear my throat.

When I showed her the sketches I’d made, Guo Yingying examined them carefully and said, “This isn’t from the Guo family, but I’ve definitely seen this pattern before… Where was it? I can’t remember… But opening it will bring disaster.”

I nodded. “You might not know this, but I’ve already had my share of bad luck lately. I’m not afraid of worse disasters—I actually want to open it and see.”

Guo Yingying paled. “If you’re going to open it, wait until I’m far, far away.”

I asked Guo Yingying to extend her arm and pressed my fingers lightly against her skin. “Close your eyes. This might hurt a little.” Slowly, I applied pressure, making two small incisions on her arm before peeling back a patch of skin. Several black, burrowing ghost fleas leaped out, squirming in the air before I burned them with a lighter.

Once they were dead, I dusted off my hands. “All done. It was just some ordinary bugs.”

Guo Yingying was skeptical. “That’s it? It’s that simple?” I explained, “For others, it would be difficult, but not for me. When the mother flea bit you, it planted these ghost fleas in your body. Once you moved, they would torment you. Luckily, you’ve been hiding inside a paper effigy all these years, or they would’ve devoured your soul.”

Guo Yingying sighed in relief and thanked me profusely. “Thank you. If you ever face danger, I’ll come to help you.”

Only after seeing her off did I finally relax.

Xie Lingyu pinched my ear. “What were you thinking? Were you planning to… you know… with her?”

I picked up Little Rascal and said, “Sister, you already said you’re not my wife, so why do you care so much? It’s perfectly normal for me to have some dirty thoughts.”

Xie Lingyu twisted my ear harder, forcing me to beg for mercy. “Alright, alright! You’re the wife my grandfather chose for me. Please, stop twisting my ear!”

She finally let go. “I won’t tease you anymore. Did you deliver the house offerings to the ancestral master?” I nodded.

Silence settled between us. I broke it first. “Tomorrow, I’ll treat everyone to a meal. After dealing with Bai Jingde, I’ll leave. Why don’t you come with me? Running a flower shop alone in Jiangcheng isn’t safe—I’m afraid someone might bully you.”

Tears suddenly streamed down Xie Lingyu’s face. Her voice was soft. “Just go if you want. No one can bully me. Don’t worry about me. If Jiangcheng isn’t happy for me, I’ll leave too.”

She looked despondent as she added, “If we can’t stay together in Jiangcheng, then let’s forget each other in the vast world.”

—

The next morning, I woke up early to avoid the rush hour and visited Jiyuan Temple to see Ji Xiaoxiao. Monk Jiese was still in Jiangcheng, attending a Buddhist study group on the *Diamond Sutra*.

When he saw me, he clasped his hands and said, “Benefactor Xiao, you’ve finally come.”

I grinned. “Jiese, when are you returning to secular life? Let me take you to pinch some girls’ cheeks.” His face darkened. “The Buddha would scold me. Amitabha.”

Just then, his phone rang with a romantic ringtone. He answered warmly, “Alright, I’ll meet you at noon.”

After hanging up, he explained, “A friend is feeling down and asked me to comfort her.”

I laughed. “Monks having wives is normal these days. I won’t judge.” Jiese chanted “Amitabha” repeatedly before handing me a handwritten copy of the *Heart Sutra*. “The monk Xuanzang relied on this sutra to survive eighty-one hardships. I hope it helps you.”

I tucked it away carefully.

Ji Xiaoxiao woke up groggily, barely recognizing me, though her resentment had faded.

I carried her and said, “Let’s go see your mom.” She glanced at Jiese, who nodded, before agreeing. “Fine. You were a bad person that day, but maybe you’re good today.” I bought her two bottles of *Shuangwaiwai* and a bag of snacks.

I also prepared seven roses—four white and three red.

Ji Qianqian remained unconscious, no matter how much Xiaoxiao chattered beside her. “Mom, I dreamed of Guanyin last night. She said you’ll wake up soon.” I arranged the flowers in a vase and listened quietly.

At noon, I treated Jun Ge, Tie Niu, and Liu Jibao to a meal at Da Zhonghua. Xiaoxiao tugged Jun Ge’s beard and laughed. “Why don’t you shave? No wonder you can’t find a wife!”

Jun Ge chuckled. “I’ll shave when I get back and find a wife tomorrow.” We drank lightly—just a few beers—and I asked Jun Ge to look after Xie Lingyu. “No problem. No one will dare bully her,” he promised.

After lunch, I returned Xiaoxiao to the temple.

That evening, I invited Gao Mo, Zhong Li, Chen Tú Tú, and Xie Lingyu (who tagged along upon hearing there’d be several girls). Surprisingly, Jiese appeared beside Zhong Li, chanting incessantly. Zhong Li teased him playfully.

I smacked Jiese’s head. “So the ‘friend feeling down’ is Miss Zhong?”

Chen Tú Tú glared. “What’s it to you if a couple gets along? Mind your own business.” Xie Lingyu, annoyed, shot back, “A monk breaking vows is fair game for criticism.”

Tensions flared.

Gao Mo quickly mediated. “We’re just here to eat. Zhong Li’s been upset lately, so the monk’s comforting her. Don’t overthink it.”

Xie Lingyu tugged my hand. “See what happens when you meddle? Now they’re blaming you.”

Chen Tú Tú grabbed her bag, ready to leave. “Is this dinner or a setup? Xiao Qi, just because I kicked you once, you’re holding a grudge?” Gao Mo raised an eyebrow. “A kick is normal—depends where it landed. Tú Tú, where’d you kick him?”

Chen Tú Tú blushed and set her bag down. “Whatever. I’m not starving myself over this.”

Xie Lingyu eyed her guilty expression, then me, whispering, “Where did she kick you?”

I hurriedly grabbed the menu. “Let’s order. A bowl of congee for the lusty monk.” Chen Tú Tú added, “I’ll have the smashed cucumber…”

Gao Mo glanced at Zhong Li and burst out laughing. Xie Lingyu, baffled, muttered, “I haven’t dealt with people in years. Are they all insane now?”

After dinner, Zhong Li dragged Jiese to karaoke, where they duetted *The Love of the Trackers*.

Jiese hesitated before singing: *”Sister, you sit at the prow; brother walks on shore.”* Xie Lingyu giggled. “Off-key and wrong lyrics.” Zhong Li joined in: *”Our love, our passion, sways on the towline…”*

Chen Tú Tú reluctantly sang Faye Wong’s *A Hundred Years of Solitude*, sounding utterly lonely.

Gao Mo delivered a heart-wrenching rendition of *Doesn’t Matter*. I wondered who her current crush was.

Xie Lingyu swayed her head. “So many seek solace in song, only to deceive themselves.”

She ended the night with *The Deeply Devoted Lover*.

At parting, I said, “May we share this moment across the world,” and sang *Unforgettable Tonight*…

Only then did the evening carry the bittersweet taste of farewell.

—

Zhong Li had to rush back to work—an elderly man had been found dead at home after three days, and she needed to prepare the body. Jiese insisted on escorting her.

Xie Lingyu whispered, “Xiao Qi, walk Chen Tú Tú home. I’ll take in Jiangcheng’s nightscape one last time with you in it.”

I nodded glumly. “Be careful.” Chen Tú Tú, surprised I’d offer, didn’t refuse, though the walk passed in silence.

Summer had arrived, yet many hearts lingered in autumn’s twilight. Lips still damp, still searching for someone to kiss.

—

The next day, I packed Little Rascal, my jade ruler, and a few essentials, asking Jun Ge once more to watch over Xie Lingyu.

Alone, I returned to my hometown.

Xie Lingyu had said, *”If Jiangcheng isn’t happy, I’ll leave.”* I wanted to ask, *”Will you tell me where you’ll go?”*

But the question—and the hug she owed me—was lost to the wind.

On the bus, the window reflected Little Rascal’s nose and eyes, glistening with unshed tears.

He missed He Qingling.

And me? How could I not miss Xie Lingyu? But if left unspoken, perhaps it’s easier to pretend.

Three hours later, the bus reached my town. I bought a pork leg, roast chicken, half a duck, beer, and two bottles of liquor. A motorcycle taxi driver recognized me. “Long family’s grandson! Back to visit your parents? Such filial piety.”

I nodded. “Not that filial. Business is slow, so I came home for a bit.”

The driver grinned. “What business? Made a fortune?” I laughed. “Just scraping by. If I were rich, I’d drive myself.”

The driver honked at some kids darting across the road. “Buying all this meat and liquor? Definitely struck it rich.”

I chuckled but didn’t argue. Little Rascal, sniffing his hometown air, perked up despite his carsickness, drooling at passing dogs.

Mom was overjoyed to see me. “How’s business?” I lied smoothly. “Great. Hired two helpers. Just wanted to check on you and Dad.”

Dad eyed the pork leg. “This’ll last days.” He burned off the hair with hot tongs and hacked it apart with an axe. A neighbor called out, “Xiao Qi’s back? That’s one thick leg!”

Dad shouted back, “Third Brother, join us for drinks tonight!” The neighbor replied, “Deal! Bagged a rabbit at noon—ask your wife to stew it.” Dad nodded. “Done.”

While they cooked, I called Wu Zhen. “I might need to visit Bai Shui Village.”

[End of translation.]