Standing beside Shen Yihu was Chen Tutu, who was teasing Xiaoxiao. Shen Yihu stood up and said, “Let’s talk outside.” I nodded and stepped out the door.
Shen Yihu said, “I was handling a case out of town recently. No one reported anything yesterday, but someone found a headless wild boar in an old warehouse.” I nodded and replied, “I haven’t killed anyone. What do I have to fear?” Shen Yihu shook his head, “What do we do now? Miss Ji might not wake up for a while.”
I said, “First, find a sanatorium to take care of her. No matter what, I must save her.” Shen Yihu pulled out 50,000 yuan from a black bag. “You’re in a tough spot. The reward for killing Yang Pao is all yours. I have nothing else to say.”
I nodded silently.
With Meng Xiaoyu’s help, we found a lakeside sanatorium, and Ji Qianqian was temporarily sent there with dedicated care, though the monthly expenses were steep. With the 50,000 yuan from Shen Yihu, I could cover the initial costs. After completing the formalities, Ji Qianqian was admitted.
Ji Qianqian’s adopted daughter, Ji Xiaoxiao, still harbored resentment toward me—a faint, indescribable emotion in a child’s heart. Xiaoxiao got along well with Jiese. Jiese told her, “Your mother is just asleep for now. If you pray to the Bodhisattva every day and talk to her, the kind-hearted Bodhisattva will wake her up.”
Xiaoxiao clenched her teeth and nodded, promising to pray daily. Jiese entrusted her to two female practitioners living in a secluded part of the temple. When I had time, I visited Xiaoxiao and took her to see Ji Qianqian.
After two weeks of relentless work, I was gaunt and exhausted. Every day in the city felt joyless, as if fate had only bestowed suffering upon me.
Xie Lingyu called me, suggesting I restock flowers first. “If you want to find the Seven-Orifice Exquisite Heart, I won’t stop you.” It suddenly struck me—I hadn’t been home in half a month. “I’ll be right back,” I said. By the time I returned in the afternoon, Xie Lingyu told me, “There’s no perfect solution in this world. If you become a feng shui master, you’ll lose many things—love, for instance.”
I replied, “Everything feels like a dream. The sooner I wake up, the better. Where should I look for the Seven-Orifice Exquisite Heart? Can you tell me now?” Xie Lingyu smiled bitterly. “What you seek is difficult. Let fate guide you. I’ve heard it might be in southern Yunnan. Once things settle in Jiangcheng, you can go.”
In the afternoon, I took Xiao Jian and the kitten out again. Xie Lingyu, holding a black umbrella, headed to Bai Meng Flower Shop. As we left the neighborhood, I saw a young woman driving in, her face shadowed with distress, eyes brimming with tears—clearly unhappy.
The security guard called out, “Master, off to catch ghosts again?” I laughed, “How many ghosts are there in the world? Have you ever seen one?” The guard scratched his head. “No, but just because I haven’t seen one doesn’t mean they don’t exist.”
I chuckled, “Believe it when you see it.”
At Bai Meng Flower Shop, some unsold flowers had wilted. Xie Lingu tossed them out, and I called Yu Fan, the nursery owner, to order fresh stock. “Haven’t seen you in a while,” Yu Fan said. “Come early; I’ll be asleep if it’s too late.” Like me, Yu Fan was a night owl, often watering flowers at midnight.
When I arrived, Yu Fan was waiting. After loading roses into the car, he washed his hands and said, “Boss Xiao, about those white spider lilies you asked about—someone’s growing them, but they’re expensive. Tens of thousands, maybe even a hundred grand.” I said I’d think about it. Yu Fan asked, “Are you keeping a ghost child? I heard white spider lilies are needed to send them away.”
I laughed. “If I had a ghost child, I’d be rich, not broke.” Yu Fan agreed but urged me to decide quickly—rare items don’t wait.
Back at the shop, I told Xie Lingyu about the lilies. “Arrange a viewing,” she said. “It’s not ten yuan—it’s 100,000,” I reminded her. She replied, “Money isn’t an issue. White spider lilies are rare. I’d pay a million if I had to.”
Hesitating, I asked, “Are you leaving too?” Xie Lingyu stayed silent, trimming a white rose. Just then, a girl in canvas shoes, a yellow T-shirt, and green jeans knocked on the door.
“Here to buy flowers?” I asked.
The girl smiled. “Hello, boss! I’m Yu Yuwei. I saw your online ad for a female employee and came to apply. Do you really open at night?”
Xie Lingyu smiled. “I posted that ad. Yes, we’re open at night. If it’s inconvenient, no pressure.”
Yu Yuwei nodded eagerly. “No, no pressure! I’m great at cutting and arranging flowers. Plus, I live nearby—safe to go home at night.” Her dimples appeared as she spoke, her eyes bright and lively.
“Then you’re hired,” Xie Lingyu said. “2,500 a month—that’s all I can afford.” Yu Yuwei beamed. “Can I start now?” Xie Lingyu explained, “We don’t get many customers at night, mostly kids buying flowers. Don’t shoo them away. Also, no holidays except major ones. Work starts at 7 PM. Understood?”
“Understood,” Yu Yuwei said, already sweeping fallen leaves into the trash.
That night, she sold several white roses. I called Yu Fan to schedule the lily viewing—the sooner, the better. “I’ll let you know,” he said.
At midnight, Xie Lingyu said, “Xiao Qi, walk Yuwei home.” Yuwei declined. “No need! I live super close.” Xie Lingyu handed her 1,000 yuan. “Take this. Don’t starve yourself.” Yuwei accepted gratefully. “I’ll come early tomorrow.”
The next morning, Yu Fan called. The seller wanted to meet that weekend—payment on the spot if satisfied. Xie Lingyu, unusually cheerful, cooked extra dishes for dinner.
He Xiaomao, sensing her mood, ate an extra fish and paced the windowsill.
A heaviness settled in my chest—Xie Lingyu might be leaving. The Ancestor once said the path to the underworld was perilous. But everyone’s journey is different—how could I stop her?
That afternoon at the shop, Yu Yuwei sat in Brother Jun’s auto repair shop. Tieniu and Liu Jibao flirted clumsily. “Do you have a boyfriend?” Tieniu blurted. Yuwei laughed. “Can I keep that a secret?” Flustered, Tieniu grabbed a newspaper. “Let me read you the news—National Taoist Conference held in Jiangcheng… Hah! Since when do Taoists hold meetings?”
Liu Jibao snapped, “Tieniu, learn to talk!” Turning to Yuwei, he asked, “When do you get off? Let me treat you to dinner.”
Xie Lingyu teased, “So forward! Calling her ‘Yuwei’ already. Should I tell your master you’re slacking off to flirt?” Liu Jibao protested, “Auntie, don’t misunderstand! I just want to be friends…”
Yuwei stood, amused. “One asks if I have a boyfriend, the other invites me to eat.” Brother Jun emerged. “What’s going on?” Liu Jibao clammed up. Xie Lingyu grinned. “If you two buy roses for Yuwei, I’ll give you a discount…”
Tieniu grabbed a hammer to unscrew bolts, sneaking glances at Yuwei, afraid she’d mock his clumsiness. Liu Jibao fumbled with a screwdriver, equally self-conscious.
Brother Jun chuckled. “You’re poaching my business!” Xie Lingyu shot back, “Just following your lead—hunting close to home.”
We all laughed.
I opened the shop. Xiao Jian and Qingling slipped in—Qingling curled up to sleep while Xiao Jian stared longingly at the kitten.
Yuwei moved flowers outside. Liu Jibao rushed to help. “Yuwei, let me do that! This isn’t work for a girl.” Tieniu joined in. Soon, the boys had moved everything. “Thank you,” Yuwei said.
“Any other heavy lifting?” they chorused.
Brother Jun scolded, “Never seen you so eager. Maybe Boss Xiao didn’t need to hire help.” I joked, “As Mencius said, ‘All men admire beauty.’ Speaking of, where’s Zongbao?”
Brother Jun lit a cigarette. “Preparing for his wedding with Zongxiao—renovating, buying a TV, a motorcycle…”
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