I said that marriage is a significant life event, and the fact that he and Zong Xiao managed to come together despite their ups and downs was fate at work. Brother Jun asked if I had time to attend the wedding banquet. I replied that I’d rather not, as it wouldn’t be appropriate—I might bring bad luck with me.
Brother Jun dismissed it, saying, “That’s nonsense.”
By the time we finished work in the evening, I had also completed reading *The Mirror of Eight Mansions*, a definitive work on residential feng shui and a renowned text of the “Eight Mansions” school. It simplifies the complex relationship between dwellings and people into a few easily understandable principles. The book has remained popular since the Tang and Song dynasties and is said to be the work of Yang Yunsong, as mentioned by the ancestor Donglingzi—expounding the idea that “humans and homes support each other, resonating with heaven and earth.”
Yu Yuwei went home after work as usual, full of joy. During work hours, she fluttered around like a happy little butterfly, never seeming to tire. By the time Xie Lingyu and I packed up and returned to the neighborhood, it was already midnight, and the streets were silent.
However, as summer approached, roadside food stalls began setting up. A small restaurant near the neighborhood entrance had a large pot set up outside, fueled by a gas canister, frying spicy crayfish—the rich aroma wafting through the air, making one’s stomach rumble in anticipation…
Normally, these bustling street stalls would be lively with people drinking and cursing, but tonight, everyone ate quietly and politely. Upon closer inspection, I realized it was because the young woman from upstairs was sitting there, lost in thought. She had ordered two servings of grilled meat, a plate of peanuts, and a bottle of cheap beer—the kind only men would drink, priced at one and a half yuan.
Xie Lingyu teased, “What, are you planning to sit and admire the scenery too?” I replied, “With a beauty like you at home, why would I need to look at anything else?” She huffed, “What nonsense are you talking? Whether you look at me or not, I won’t get jealous. That melancholic young lady over there has curves in all the right places and delicate features—what she lacks is a strong, broad chest to lean on. Why are you still standing here?”
I joked, “I’m afraid she might eat me alive.”
At the neighborhood gate, two security guards were shining flashlights at the intersection. I found it odd—why were they being so diligent today? Their eyes were fixed on the road, clearly watching for the lonely young woman.
Her appearance alone was enough to stir longing in many hearts…
By Saturday, Yu Fan called again, saying the seller wanted to meet at 8:30 the next evening, still at my flower nursery, and asked if I could bring the money upfront. Since it was nighttime, I agreed without hesitation.
At noon, Xie Lingyu had me withdraw 100,000 yuan as preparation. That evening, she deliberately changed into a white dress, as if to complement the white spider lilies we might encounter.
At seven, I opened the flower shop and left Yu Yuwei in charge. After a few days, she had become quite skilled at handling customers and bargaining. I drove the Wuling van with Xie Lingyu to Yu Fan’s nursery. Several other florists’ delivery trucks were already there. When Yu Fan saw us, he said, “Come inside and take a seat. I’ll join you after I finish up.”
The so-called “inside” was just a corner of the nursery with four scattered chairs and a table. Xie Lingyu sat restlessly. By eight, Yu Fan’s phone rang, and he hurried over apologetically. “There’s been a minor delay on their end—they might be half an hour late.”
Xie Lingyu said it was fine, we could wait, and told him to tend to his business first. I echoed the sentiment. Yu Fan, full of remorse, said he hadn’t coordinated the timing well and even offered to reduce his commission fee for the trouble.
Xie Lingyu kept glancing toward the entrance, anxious about the seller’s arrival. I reassured her, “It’s only 8:15, don’t be so impatient.” She sighed, “I know, I shouldn’t be acting like this—like some impatient girl.”
I teased, “If you leave, wouldn’t the wife my grandfather arranged for me vanish too?” She snorted, “You little rascal! You’ve been cheeky these past few days, and now you’re taking liberties. Since when was I your wife? Look at yourself in the mirror—do you even qualify? You eat my food, drink my drinks, and I even do your laundry. How shameless can you be…”
I laughed, “You’re already perfect as you are.” Xie Lingyu’s pale cheeks flushed. “Why does it feel like I’m doing everything a wife should do for you?” The awkwardness lingered, making even my face heat up.
Around 8:45, Yu Fan called me outside. “Mr. Xiao, here’s the thing—they just said 100,000 might be too low. They want 150,000, or they’ll sell to someone else.” I was furious. “Boss Yu, this isn’t right. After waiting an hour, you suddenly hike the price by 50,000? Are you messing with me?”
Yu Fan quickly placated me. “It’s not up to me—don’t blame me. I’ll even waive my finder’s fee. I can’t afford to offend both sides.” I said I’d discuss it with my “older sister” and went back inside.
But Xie Lingyu was gone. I called out for her—no response. The nursery was eerily empty. I grabbed a small shovel, seized Yu Fan by the collar, and pressed the blade to his neck. “Are you trying to kill me or rob me?”
Yu Fan panicked. “I didn’t plan any of this! I don’t know where your sister went. Let’s just look for her first.” I kept a hand on him, sensing something amiss, then kicked him to the ground. “Who put you up to this?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Yu Fan stammered. I smashed a potted plant on him. “Who gave you that parasite on you? Who told you to set me up?” Bloodied and terrified, he denied everything. “What parasite? I haven’t seen anyone! Brother, I didn’t mean to harm you!”
Seeing his refusal to confess, my eyes turned murderous. The shovel went straight for his leg. Yu Fan screamed, “Stop! I’ll talk!” I threw him onto a chair and locked the nursery door.
Caught off guard by my brutality, Yu Fan confessed: “Last week, I went to the temple to pray. On my way out, an old Taoist told me I was going to die and gave me a free pill. At first, I didn’t think much of it, but by nightfall, my stomach was in agony. Later, he told me to help set a trap—to ‘exorcise evil.’ He said your sister was a ghost. I had no choice but to agree.”
I warned, “If you’re lying, I’ll ruin your life.”
Yu Fan pleaded, “I’m telling the truth! But what about the bug biting me?” I said, “Wash your face first. I’ll remove the parasite, but you’ll give me the Taoist’s contact.”
Nodding, Yu Fan cleaned his face, his head throbbing. He eyed me warily—how had this usually calm man turned into a demon?
His phone showed a frequently dialed number recently. I called—it was switched off. Yu Fan panicked. “That damned Taoist tricked me! Mr. Xiao, I was blind! You have to save me!”
I sneered, “Whether I help depends on your cooperation.” Sobbing, Yu Fan said, “I was forced into this!” I scoffed, “Serves you right.”
After multiple failed calls, by nine, the moon shone brightly, casting a beam onto the ground. Then I saw it—a gaping hole in the ceiling. That was how they took Xie Lingyu.
Yu Fan suddenly remembered, “Mr. Xiao! He mentioned something—a ‘Flying Centipede!’”
Flying Centipede Ji Ruyue—Yang Pao’s master. Had he captured Xie Lingyu by chance, or was this revenge for Yang Pao?
Searching yielded no further clues. Yu Fan groaned, “You really went all out.” I coldly retorted, “If your sister were kidnapped, wouldn’t you? Be grateful I didn’t kill you.”
Sweating, Yu Fan pressed a wet towel to his head. “I’m sorry, Mr. Xiao. Please spare me! That bug feels like it’s sucking my blood at midnight… You can have the white spider lilies for free!”
I demanded, “One thing at a time—was the seller real or made up?”
Just then, someone knocked. Yu Fan glanced at me for permission. I nodded. The door opened to two figures—one a man in all-black, even his shoes and socks, carrying something veiled in darkness.
The other was the brooding young woman from the neighborhood, now in black attire, sunglasses, and gloves, clutching a Hermès bag. “I’m here to buy flowers. Got a problem with that?”
Yu Fan, at my mercy, stammered, “Mr. Xiao already placed an order. First come, first served.”
The woman frowned. “What kind of business is this? I drove all the way here!”
I studied her—just a lonely wife, her sorrow palpable despite the shades. But her tone didn’t match her usual demeanor.
She glanced at me but didn’t recognize me as her downstairs neighbor.
The man, Ye Qingyou, smirked. “If we’re both buyers, let the highest bidder win. I’m not afraid to spend.”
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