Edited—

Lin Jue quickly found information about the cardboard box full of fingernail covers that had been sent to them. The express logistics had come from a remote small town in the southwest, taking three days in transit before Shen Yiqiong finally received it. The sender field on the package was empty; there was only a landline number. Lin Jue called it and actually got through, but no one answered.

If this had been an ordinary package, Lin Jue probably would have casually thrown it away and been done with it. But she always felt this matter didn’t seem so easy to finish, so she had the gatekeeper pay a bit more attention to this phone number and address.

By now, the most unbearable part of summer had mostly passed. The scorching heat was beginning to slowly fade. Shen Yiqiong’s birthday was in the latter part of the month, and it was said his family was preparing a grand coming-of-age ceremony.

The others were also preparing birthday gifts for Shen Yiqiong. Zhou Jiayu thought and thought but really couldn’t figure out what to give him. In the end, it was Lin Zhushui who gave him the idea: “The origami cranes you fold can already fly, can’t they? Just fold a few and give them to him.”

“Is it okay to just give paper cranes?” Zhou Jiayu was a bit hesitant.

“Yes.” Lin Zhushui said, “Those aren’t ordinary paper cranes. They can save your life at critical moments. With your current strength, being able to fold one in half a month would already be pretty good.” As he spoke, he casually pulled out a box from the drawer. “Using this kind of paper will be a bit faster.”

Zhou Jiayu took it and thanked Lin Zhushui.

Around mid-August, Shen Yiqiong disappeared for a few days. It was said he had gone home to have clothes custom-made.

Zhou Jiayu asked where Shen Yiqiong’s home was. Shen Yiqiong named a city. When Zhou Jiayu heard it: “Then your home is quite far from here.”

Shen Yiqiong said, “Yeah, it is pretty far. But on my birthday they’ll send a private jet to directly pick you guys up. Don’t worry about that.”

Zhou Jiayu said, “Is Sir going too?”

Shen Yiqiong scratched his head. “I asked Sir, and Sir said yes.” The weather at the end of August was still somewhat hot; it was just that this time it was Shen Yiqiong’s eighteenth coming-of-age ceremony, so Lin Zhushui was probably making an exception.

Zhou Jiayu made an “oh” sound.

After all, as the most doted-on little cub in the family, Shen Yiqiong received quite a few gifts on his birthday. Zhou Jiayu also handed Shen Yiqiong a box of origami cranes. The outside of the box was transparent. When Shen Yiqiong saw that they were paper cranes inside, he was startled: “Guan’er, y-you couldn’t possibly have feelings for me…”

Zhou Jiayu: “…Open it first and don’t overthink.”

Shen Yiqiong swallowed and reached out to lift the lid. The moment the box opened, seven or eight paper cranes inside spread their wings and began flying around Shen Yiqiong. He said excitedly, “Guan’er, you folded these?”

Zhou Jiayu nodded.

“I also learned from Sir before, but I couldn’t learn this.” Shen Yiqiong scratched his head. He was alright at feng shui, but he had no talent in the metaphysics department. Things like drawing talismans and catching ghosts were barely entry-level for him, so every time he and Zhou Jiayu encountered dirty things, they could only run for their lives.

“For you.” Zhou Jiayu curved his eyes in a smile. “Sir said these paper cranes can keep you safe if you carry them on you.”

Shen Yiqiong thanked him happily, looking like he genuinely quite liked the gift.

Soon, Shen Yiqiong’s birthday arrived. He went home a few days early, while Zhou Jiayu and Lin Jue and the others took the private jet over two days prior.

“They seem to have an auction at their house tonight.” Lin Jue was cracking melon seeds on the plane. “I’ll take you to see the sights.”

It was Zhou Jiayu’s first time attending an auction. Curious, he asked, “What do they generally auction?”

“They auction all sorts of things.” Lin Jue said, “Jade jewelry, talisman paintings. I heard there’s a finale item tonight that came from your Sir’s hands.”

When Zhou Jiayu heard this, he glanced at Lin Zhushui sitting beside him.

Lin Zhushui’s expression didn’t change, as if he hadn’t heard Lin Jue’s words.

After getting off the plane, Shen Yiqiong sent someone to directly pick them up. Actually, before seeing Shen Yiqiong’s home, Zhou Jiayu had never had a clear understanding of Shen Yiqiong’s family background. It wasn’t until he saw the magnificent building before him and the luxury cars parked around it that he truly felt Shen Yiqiong’s family was indeed not just moderately wealthy.

“Mr. Lin, this way please.” The one receiving them was Shen Yiqiong’s older brother. Surprisingly, he didn’t have the surname Shen; his surname was Wang, and his full name was Wang Feixu. He said, “I’ve already prepared a private box for you. Everyone can rest well on the second floor. The banquet and auction will both start at eight.”

Lin Jue slightly nodded. “You’re too kind.”

“Where is the kindness.” Wang Feixu smiled. “If the reception is inadequate, Father would definitely blame me. Moreover, with it being my younger brother’s birthday, Mr. Lin, Miss Lin, and everyone being willing to grace us with your presence is already giving our Wang family tremendous face.”

Everything in the private room was fully equipped. Zhou Jiayu was a bit hungry and sat on the sofa eating an apple.

“Guan’er, when the banquet starts later, just be casual. If you don’t feel like dealing with people, stick with Chaosan.” Lin Jue was afraid Zhou Jiayu lacked experience and carefully instructed him. “Generally, no one goes to bother him.”

Zhou Jiayu nodded. Actually, he was a bit curious in his heart. It was one thing that Lin Jue had a good temper, but how could there be people who dared to bother Lin Zhushui?

As a result, after the banquet started, Zhou Jiayu gained a profound understanding of the “bother” in Lin Jue’s words.

Given Lin Zhushui’s current status, ordinary people didn’t dare approach him. But unfortunately, Shen Yiqiong was the Wang family’s most doted-on youngest son. Naturally, all the big shots of the feng shui world were invited to the coming-of-age ceremony. Thus, Zhou Jiayu watched with his own eyes as a group of old men in their seventies and eighties surrounded Lin Zhushui.

Under normal circumstances, Lin Zhushui could have directly maintained a cold attitude and ignored them. But at this moment, the people surrounding him were all elderly seniors. Although his expression didn’t change much, he still had to respond slightly with his mouth.

Lin Jue was naturally no exception. The people surrounding her were no fewer than those around Lin Zhushui. Zhou Jiayu looked around and discovered that he and Shen Chaosan were actually the most idle. No one recognized him, while Shen Chaosan had a fierce appearance and didn’t like talking. Sitting there silently, his entire body emitted a “strangers keep out” aura.

Zhou Jiayu moved over next to him and began eating.

Although the people who came here weren’t here for the food, the food at the banquet was absolutely impeccable. Every dish was exquisite and delicious. Zhou Jiayu was completely satisfied.

Shen Chaosan glanced at him but didn’t say anything, continuing to maintain his silence. The area around the two of them was quite peaceful.

Before long, the birthday boy Shen Yiqiong also came down from upstairs. A small burst of murmuring arose in the crowd. Zhou Jiayu could hear them faintly discussing Shen Yiqiong.

Some people introduced in low voices that this was the Wang family’s youngest child, the most doted-on one, currently following Lin Zhushui. Others said this child probably had pretty good talent too; otherwise, how could he have caught the Lin family’s eye?

Shen Yiqiong was wearing a light gray suit. His face still had some youthfulness to it, but he lacked the casualness he had when with Zhou Jiayu. The smile hanging at the corner of his mouth was very formal. One could tell he was quite accustomed to this kind of occasion.

“Full?” Shen Chaosan suddenly asked.

Zhou Jiayu said, “Huh? No…”

Shen Chaosan suddenly smiled. He said, “You really did come here to eat.”

Zhou Jiayu said, “What else?” He didn’t know anyone here.

“Then eat a while longer. When you’re done, accompany me to the balcony for a smoke.” Shen Chaosan was a bit bored.

Zhou Jiayu said, “You’re not dealing with them?” Although Shen Chaosan looked fierce, there were actually still people trying to come over and chat. But most were glared back by him. There was one girl with rather bold courage who toughened her scalp and spoke a few sentences to Shen Chaosan, only to be dismissed by Shen Chaosan with a single “I’m going to eat now”… No wonder Lin Jue had told him to stick with Shen Chaosan.

Zhou Jiayu ate another piece of steak before going to the balcony with Shen Chaosan. Shen Chaosan handed him a cigarette. The two didn’t speak and just smoked in tacit understanding like this.

The taste of this cigarette was very mellow. Zhou Jiayu looked at the brand and discovered he had never seen it before, so he casually asked about it.

“Small brand.” Shen Chaosan said, “Made it myself for fun.”

Zhou Jiayu: “…” Alright, Lin Zhushui’s disciples really were all hidden dragons and crouching tigers.

“Why has that person been looking at you?” Shen Chaosan suddenly said.

“Who?” Zhou Jiayu didn’t understand what Shen Chaosan meant.

“There.” Shen Chaosan lifted his chin toward the bottom of the balcony.

Below the balcony was a huge blue swimming pool. Beside it were planted all sorts of beautiful greenery. People were sitting and standing, most conversing.

Zhou Jiayu followed the direction Shen Chaosan pointed and noticed a man in a white suit looking in his direction. This man’s appearance was quite handsome. Standing beside him was a woman in a red long dress. The two seemed to be in a romantic relationship; their expressions while conversing were very intimate. Yet the man took the time to glance in Zhou Jiayu’s direction several times.

“Know him?” Shen Chaosan asked.

Zhou Jiayu reflexively shook his head, but after shaking it he remembered something. He indeed didn’t know this person, but the original owner of the body might have known him. After all, the memories Jiba had passed to him weren’t complete.

“Can’t remember clearly. Maybe I’ve seen him before.” Zhou Jiayu withdrew his gaze.

Shen Chaosan made an “mm” sound and said, “Say something if there’s an issue.” He had never been good with words. After being silent a moment, he added another sentence, “You’re a good person. Everyone likes you.”

Zhou Jiayu felt a bit touched hearing this.

Although Shen Chaosan had never liked socializing, there were still acquaintances who came looking for him. Halfway through a cigarette, he was forcibly dragged inside by a young man. This person seemed to be Shen Chaosan’s friend. Shen Chaosan’s expression was quite helpless as he was dragged away. He instructed Zhou Jiayu to come over before eight, not to drink too much, and to come find him directly if there was anything he couldn’t handle.

Zhou Jiayu waved at him and watched as Shen Chaosan was also swallowed by the crowd.

Now he was the only one left idle. Zhou Jiayu propped his chin, thinking about whether he should go back inside to eat some more, when he noticed people around him casting gazes his way. Some even began trying to approach.

Without Shen Chaosan, this living Buddha, blocking in front, Zhou Jiayu inherently had an approachable appearance to begin with, plus he carried the title of Lin Zhushui’s disciple. No wonder the people around were restless.

After discovering this situation, Zhou Jiayu immediately stood up, planning to change locations. Who knew that after taking just two steps, he was blocked. The one blocking him was actually a young girl with quite a cute appearance. She said, “You’re Zhou Jiayu, right? I’ve heard of you. Are you Mr. Lin’s closed-door disciple?”

Zhou Jiayu said, “Mm… excuse me, I want to use the restroom.”

That girl opened her mouth, but her face wasn’t thick enough to say the three words “I’ll accompany you.” She could only turn around and leave resentfully.

Zhou Jiayu breathed a sigh of relief and quickly jogged all the way to the restroom, planning to find a remote corner on the first floor to hole up in after going out instead of returning to the second floor.

Just as Zhou Jiayu was thinking this, footsteps came from the doorway. Then a pair of hands landed on his shoulders. That person said, “Zhou Jiayu, how are you here!”

Zhou Jiayu was startled by this person. He turned his head and discovered it was actually that man in the white suit from the first floor who had been looking over here the whole time. Looking at Zhou Jiayu, his brows were furrowed, his expression carrying a bit of disgust: “Isn’t the word on the street that you’re dead?”

Zhou Jiayu: “…” He really had run into a former colleague.

“I also thought you were dead.” The man sized Zhou Jiayu up and down, his gaze quite unfriendly. “But looking at you, you’re doing pretty well.”

Zhou Jiayu licked his lips and said softly, “Sorry, you seem to have the wrong person.”

The man said, “Wrong person? Even if you turned to ash I wouldn’t recognize the wrong person.”

Zhou Jiayu looked at him expressionlessly.

Being looked at by Zhou Jiayu like this, the man actually smiled: “Don’t look at me like that. Could I be wrong? Who are you following now?”

Zhou Jiayu didn’t make a sound, turned around and planned to walk out, but was grabbed by the arm by the man. The man said, “Yo, not giving face?”

Zhou Jiayu turned back. “Let go. What do you want?”

The man said, “What do I want? Good resources should be shared.” He laughed. The smile itself wasn’t bad-looking; unfortunately, the evil meaning in his eyes was very thick. “I got a girlfriend. Do you know what her surname is?”

Zhou Jiayu said, “I don’t care what her surname is.”

The man said, “Tsk, you’re really hopeless. Let me tell you, her surname is Lin!”

Zhou Jiayu: “…” He suddenly had a rather bad feeling.

“Since you can mingle in this circle, you must have heard the name Lin Zhushui, right?” The man was immensely pleased with himself. “My girlfriend is his niece! Also from the Lin family!”

Zhou Jiayu suddenly didn’t know what to say. He only remembered that Lin Zhushui had quite a few nephews and nieces…

“What about you? Who did you come in with?” The man asked again, “I just saw you smoking with a man on the balcony. Could it be…” He laughed, “You found a boyfriend?”

Zhou Jiayu thought to himself that he would like to find a boyfriend, but unfortunately the other person didn’t want him. He was a bit annoyed and didn’t want to continue entangling with this person. He said, “Who I came in with is none of your damn business? Also, let me tell you, you’d better not get any ideas about that girl, or else watch your back.”

The man hadn’t expected Zhou Jiayu to dare threaten him so righteously and immediately became angry: “You even dare threaten me. If people knew about the things you did before—”

“The things I did before are afraid of being known, but the things you did before aren’t afraid of being known?” Zhou Jiayu retorted with a cold laugh. This person really treated him like mud with no temper. “If you really dare to do something, I guarantee you’ll regret it.”

The man was slightly stunned by Zhou Jiayu’s words, and his confidence dropped by thirty percent, but he was still talking tough: “You… you really think they’ll believe you if you tear everything open?”

“Then you can try.” Zhou Jiayu washed his hands clean, pulled out a paper towel and casually wiped them, looking over with slanted eyes. “Otherwise, shall we go for mutual destruction?”

The man fell silent.

Zhou Jiayu turned around and left with a cold laugh.

Jiba popped out and praised: “Wow, Guan’er, your temper is actually this big. I thought you were going to get bullied.”

Zhou Jiayu sighed and said, “If I can’t handle dirty things, that’s one thing, but people like this also want to bully me?” He remembered the scene of the man with that niece earlier and decided he should still tell Lin Jue about this matter, lest the little girl really get deceived. But speaking of which, for this person to dare deceive his way to Lin Zhushui’s side, his guts were quite big and his skills quite high. It inexplicably reminded him of that original Zhou Jiayu…

At eight o’clock, the birthday banquet reached its climax. Shen Yiqiong went on stage and said some pleasantries, even pouring a champagne tower. Then Shen Yiqiong’s father also said some things, among which he specially thanked Lin Zhushui, his earnest attitude toward Lin Zhushui overflowing.

“Guan’er.” Lin Jue didn’t know when she had snuck up to Zhou Jiayu’s side. “Are you used to it?”

Zhou Jiayu said honestly, “Not really. Too many people.” He didn’t like this kind of occasion very much.

“If you don’t like it, don’t come next time.” Lin Jue smiled. “Anyway, Yiqiong is the last one to reach adulthood. When is your birthday?”

Zhou Jiayu casually said, “Already passed, around May.”

Lin Jue said, “What date in May?”

Zhou Jiayu said, “The twelfth…” Only after saying it did he suddenly realize he seemed to have said the wrong birth date. The original owner’s birthday seemed to be in summer. But fortunately, there was nothing unusual on Lin Jue’s face. She made an “oh” sound.

Zhou Jiayu breathed a sigh of relief.

The lights dimmed. A huge six-tiered cake was pushed to the center of the hall. On it were lit candles spelling out “18.” Among the guests, the song “Happy Birthday to You” rang out. Then Shen Yiqiong blew out the candles, made a wish, and began cutting the cake.

Zhou Jiayu also received a piece. It was Lin Jue who went to get it for him. Zhou Jiayu asked Lin Jue, “You’re not eating?”

Lin Jue shook her head. “Too high in calories.”

Zhou Jiayu took a bite and curved his eyes. “Quite tasty.”

Lin Jue looked at him with a smiling expression, like she was looking at an interesting child.

After the cake came the main event—the auction. There weren’t as many participants in this auction; only a small number of people had received invitations. Naturally, Lin Zhushui wouldn’t be left out.

The second floor was the already-prepared auction venue. When Zhou Jiayu followed Lin Jue upstairs, Lin Zhushui was already seated. Zhou Jiayu sat beside Lin Zhushui and discovered that to Lin Zhushui’s right there was actually a half-drunk glass of champagne. He actually drank alcohol too…

Seemingly noticing Zhou Jiayu’s gaze, Lin Jue laughed heartily from the side and said, “Your Sir isn’t an immortal. What’s wrong with drinking? He also smokes.”

Zhou Jiayu was shocked: “Sir also smokes?”

“Yes.” Lin Zhushui responded quite calmly.

“I told you, he’s not that detached from the world.” Lin Jue said, “Yo, the things they’re auctioning today are all quite interesting.”

Only then did Zhou Jiayu look forward and discover that at some point, a row of small red characters had appeared on the display screen to the right, listing today’s auction items. Zhou Jiayu’s attention was completely drawn to the last auction item. It was a painting by Lin Zhushui, called “Ten Ghosts Night Banquet.”

Zhou Jiayu said, “This painting’s name is quite strange.”

Lin Jue smiled. “If you saw the painting, you’d find it even stranger.”

As the two were chatting, the birthday boy Shen Yiqiong also came over. He was dressed extremely finely today, completely different from his usual appearance wearing big shorts and squatting at the entrance slurping noodles with Zhou Jiayu. Now he plopped down beside Zhou Jiayu, muttering complaints that he was starving to death.

Zhou Jiayu casually handed him the fruit platter on the table. Shen Yiqiong hugged it and began gnawing.

“There are quite a few good things today.” Shen Yiqiong said, “Take a look. If there’s anything you fancy, tell me.”

Zhou Jiayu was just about to admire Shen Yiqiong’s magnanimity when this brat added: “I’ll let you look a few more times.”

Zhou Jiayu: “…” Aren’t you going to get beaten again?

The lights were adjusted to a gentle pale yellow. The host, holding a small wooden gavel, announced the auction’s commencement.

At first, what was auctioned were some jade items, porcelain, and jewelry. Zhou Jiayu wasn’t very interested until a beautiful glazed lamp was carefully placed on the auction table.

For the previous items, the host had clearly introduced their uses and origins. But for this thing, the host’s words were extremely concise: “Glazed lamp, starting price fifty million.”

This glazed lamp was extremely beautiful, in the shape of a lotus flower. The petals and stamens were vividly detailed. The lamp itself displayed a faint light blue, while the base had flowing water patterns. Looking at it from afar, it was as if a deep blue lotus flower was floating on shallow water waves.

“This lamp rather suits Jiayu.” Lin Jue smiled and said this sentence.

What use did this lamp have? Was it just a decorative item? Zhou Jiayu was thinking and saw that no one in the room was raising their paddles, as if everyone was hesitating.

“Yiqiong.” Lin Zhushui, sitting nearby, lightly opened his mouth. “Help me bid on it.”

Shen Yiqiong was currently being a melon-eating spectator. Hearing Lin Zhushui’s words, he wasn’t surprised: “Okay.” He was also quite clever, only raising his paddle when it was about to be passed in, and even cheerfully said, “This lamp is quite pretty. It’d be a shame to let it pass.”

Thus, this lamp was actually won by Shen Yiqiong at a low price—though this low price wasn’t low either.

“Won it.” Shen Yiqiong smiled. “Mission accomplished.”

“Not bad.” Lin Jue sighed. “The place your Sir is least suited to come to in his life is an auction.”

Zhou Jiayu showed a curious expression, and his doubt was answered in the next exhibit.

The next exhibit was a small jade bracelet. Lin Zhushui casually raised his paddle once, and the people around instantly erupted in commotion. Then the price of this bracelet exploded. Zhou Jiayu discovered that these people seemed like they didn’t want money, crazily beginning to raise their paddles.

“See.” Lin Jue spread her hands. “Last time, your Sir went for convenience and didn’t trouble others. As a result, the piece of jade he wanted to bid on had its price inflated several times over.”

Zhou Jiayu didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

Lin Zhushui, however, seemed already accustomed to this. He picked up his teacup and took a sip, letting the people beside him bid frantically, as if the person causing the commotion wasn’t himself at all.

This jade bracelet was finally hammered down at a price of over eighty million. Zhou Jiayu clicked his tongue in wonder. Lin Jue said, “This bracelet is worth twenty million at most… Anyone who buys above that is an idiot.” Unfortunately, there really were quite a few idiots present.

The auction items were bought one by one, and soon it reached the finale—Lin Zhushui’s “Ten Ghosts Night Banquet.”

This painting was brought up rolled up, but before it was even opened, Zhou Jiayu sensed the distinctive aura on it.

The scroll slowly unfurled, and Zhou Jiayu clearly saw what was in the painting. It was ten fierce ghosts baring their fangs and brandishing their claws, sitting on a mountain col and raising their cups to drink together. The overall color of the scroll was dark, but the appearances of the fierce ghosts in the painting were vividly lifelike, as if in the next moment they would leap out from the painting. But this wasn’t what surprised Zhou Jiayu the most. What surprised him the most was that the background of this painting seemed to be alive—clouds were drifting, stars were twinkling, and the leaves on the treetops also seemed to sway with the breeze. But if one looked carefully, one would discover that the sense of movement just now was merely an illusion…

The entire venue fell silent. Everyone’s gaze was fixed on this scroll, unable to look away for a moment. Zhou Jiayu also stared dumbfounded. He even had a feeling as if he was about to be sucked in. In the end, it was Lin Jue who slapped him, waking him up.

Lin Jue smiled but didn’t quite smile: “Although this painting is beautiful, don’t let it bewitch your mind.”

Only then did Zhou Jiayu wake as if from a dream.