Lin Zhaomian’s return home this time seemed to involve discussions with the Lin family. However, Bai Luoluo had no idea about the specifics of the discussion. However, he could tell that after this trip back, Lin Zhaomian’s mood improved significantly. Even his usually aloof expression now carried a hint of warmth.
With daily meals and drinks, Bai Luoluo found this kind of life quite pleasant. However, Wu Zusì wasn’t as cheerful as Bai Luoluo. His face remained gloomy throughout the day.
Bai Luoluo didn’t dare to ask him why he was upset. He quietly ate melon seeds and nibbled on bread, pretending to be a wall decoration.
After a few days like this, Lin Zhaomian finally mentioned that he wanted to go back.
So, the Lin family sent a car to take the three of them back. Before leaving, the head of the family, Lin Zhaomian, said meaningfully to Bai Luoluo, “Young man, you have a boundless future.”
Bai Luoluo: “…” What do you mean?
Faced with Bai Luoluo’s confused expression, Lin Zhaomian didn’t offer much explanation. He just waved and walked away.
Watching his departing figure, Bai Luoluo felt as if he had glimpsed his own miserable future. For some reason, the phrase “boundless future” from Lin Zhaomian sounded like a derogatory term.
On the way back home, Bai Luoluo and Wu Zusì made a stop at the supermarket. The reason? Lin Zhaomian suddenly expressed a desire for dumplings.
Before Bai Luoluo could react, Wu Zusì with an eager face said, “Sir, I’m the best at making dumplings. Let me make some for you.”
As soon as these words were spoken, Bai Luoluo clearly saw a momentary freeze in Lin Zhaomian’s expression.
After a brief silence, Lin Zhaomian said, “My housekeepers are off today, and there’s no one to buy groceries. You two go and get some.”
Bai Luoluo and Wu Zusì agreed, so the two of them got off the car and went to a nearby supermarket to buy flour, meat, and some vegetables.
Wu Zusì seemed a bit down when selecting vegetables. He said, “I regret it so much.”
Seeing his melancholic expression, Bai Luoluo asked, “Regret what?”
Wu Zusì sighed heavily and said, “Why didn’t I learn a cooking skill before joining Mr. Lin… I really lack foresight.”
Bai Luoluo: “…”
Wu Zusì continued, “I really had no foresight—”
Bai Luoluo didn’t know what to say, so he patted his shoulder and walked away with the groceries.
One evening, everyone gathered to eat dumplings. Bai Luoluo prepared the filling, Wu Zusì diligently kneaded the dough, while their mister took charge of enjoying the meal.
Bai Luoluo’s dumpling-making skills were learned from her mother. Each dumpling had thin skin and a generous filling, even the folds were aesthetically pleasing.
Wu Zusì, puzzled by Bai Luoluo’s skill, exclaimed, “You claim to be a swindler, yet your skills are so impressive.”
Bai Luoluo made up a story, “Back then, life conditions were tough. I had to pick wilted leaves from the market for cooking, and that’s how I honed my skills.”
Wu Zusì’s fierce expression softened a bit as he asked, “Is that true?”
Bai Luoluo replied, “No, it’s not.”
Wu Zusì exclaimed, “…,” almost smashing the cutting board in frustration.
As the dumplings boiled, Bai Luoluo asked Wu Zusì to take them out while he prepared some garlic paste. While engrossed in peeling garlic, his phone rang.
Bai Luoluo picked up the phone and saw an unfamiliar number.
“Hello,” he answered, pressing the call button. “Who is this?”
“Help! Help! There’s a ghost, save me!” came the panicked voice of a girl, clearly experiencing something terrifying.
Bai Luoluo’s expression froze, and he reassured, “Don’t be afraid. There are no ghosts in this world!”
The girl cried, “You’re lying! There is one, she’s staring at me at the door. It’s so scary, so scary!!!”
“Don’t be afraid. Where are you now? What happened?” Bai Luoluo asked, but the girl didn’t respond, just let out a more desperate cry for help before the call abruptly ended.
Bai Luoluo stared at the silent phone for a moment, then dialed back.
A mechanical female voice informed him that the call couldn’t be answered temporarily. Bai Luoluo put down the garlic and walked out.
Lin Zhoumian had already finished a plate of dumplings. Although he looked refined while eating, he had a good appetite. Bai Luoluo guessed he could eat even more after she was full.
“What about the seasoning?” Wu Zusì, seeing Bai Luoluo empty-handed, asked casually.
“I got a call,” Bai Luoluo said. “It was from a girl.”
Upon hearing this, both Wu Zusì and Lin Zhoumian, who were eating dumplings, paused.
Wu Zusì curiously asked, “A woman’s call? Could it be your ex-girlfriend?”
“No,” Bai Luoluo quickly clarified. “She said there’s a ghost on the phone. I wanted to ask her what happened, but she hung up before explaining.”
“A ghost?” Wu Zusì asked, “What kind of ghost?”
Bai Luoluo said, “How would I know?”
Wu Zusì joked, “Is it a ghost coming to collect debts from you?”
Bai Luoluo helplessly said, “Can you stop teasing me?”
Listening to their conversation, Lin Zhoumian put down his chopsticks and said, “Let me see.”
Bai Luoluo handed the phone to Lin Zhoumian, who held it in his hand, playing with it for a moment. He said, “There does seem to be a sinister aura.”
Wu Zusì finally stopped smiling.
Bai Luoluo asked, “So, the girl didn’t lie to me? But who is she? Why did she call me?”
“I don’t know about that,” Lin Zhoumian said thoughtfully. “However, this aura doesn’t seem to be a vengeful spirit.”
“Really?” Bai Luoluo asked.
Lin Zhoumian nodded and then said something that surprised both Bai Luoluo and Wu Zusì. He solemnly stated, “There are no ghosts in this world!”
Bai Luoluo was silent.
Wu Zusì was also speechless.
Lin Zhoumian put Bai Luoluo’s phone aside, seemingly oblivious to the tense atmosphere. He said, “Yin and Yang, Feng Shui, all have their reasons. I’ve been reading fortunes for many years but have never seen a ghost.”
Bai Luoluo looked at Lin Zhoumian, quietly thinking, “You can’t see things, big guy. Since you can’t see things, it’s normal not to see ghosts. And why does the big guy frown so tightly when he says the word ‘ghost’?”
Lin Zhoumian said, “The person on the other end of the phone should be fine. Try calling back later; someone might answer.”
With the situation temporarily resolved, Bai Luoluo returned to the kitchen to continue peeling garlic.
Bai Luoluo cooked three plates of dumplings, each plate containing around fifty. Together, they weighed several kilograms. He initially thought there would be some leftovers for breakfast the next day, but he clearly underestimated the appetites of Wu Zusì and Lin Zhoumian.
These two individuals ate dumplings as if they were drinking water, bowl after bowl. Bai Luoluo couldn’t handle more than thirty, so he spent the rest of the time helping them cook dumplings.
The dumplings were filled with pork and cabbage, both fresh. The plump filling could be seen through the translucent and tender white skin. Each bite was juicy, flavorful, and delicious, especially when paired with the sauce made from vinegar, chili, and garlic paste.
Bai Luoluo, watching Wu Zusì enjoy the meal so much, couldn’t help but ask, “Is it delicious?”
With a mouthful of dumplings, Wu Zusì said, “Not bad.”
Bai Luoluo looked at Lin Zhoumian, who knocked on the table and said, “If it’s not good, don’t eat it. Leave the rest to me.”
Bai Luoluo looked at Wu Zusì, who had a pitiful expression, then put down the remaining dumplings in his hand, seemingly with tears in his eyes.
The truth was, in front of food, one should never be too proud, as after being proud, all that might be left is some soup. Then Wu Zusì watched helplessly as his beloved mister ate the last dumpling.
Bai Luoluo said to the system, “Damn, his tears really seemed about to fall.”
The system replied, “It’s okay; after all, mister can’t see them anyway.”
Bai Luoluo thought, “…”, so Wu Zusì is also thinking the same way?
After finishing the meal, Bai Luoluo sat on the sofa for a moment, picked up his phone, and dialed the number he had called earlier.
After a few long tones, the call unexpectedly went through. A drowsy voice came through, “Who is it?”
Bai Luoluo said, “Hello?”
“Who is it? What’s the matter?” The person on the other end sounded a bit impatient.
“Didn’t you just call me?” Bai Luoluo inexplicably asked, “Didn’t you call me just now?”
“When did I call you? Are you crazy?” Probably annoyed at being woken up, the girl on the other end had a very bad attitude. She cursed once and hung up directly.
Bai Luoluo stared at his phone, wondering what was going on.
But before he could figure it out, another call came in, and it was the same girl’s voice. She said, “Hello, I’m sorry, I just checked my phone call records, and I did call you.”
Bai Luoluo said, “Oh…”
“Are you Zhou Zhizhi, right? Do you remember me?” The girl’s voice did sound somewhat familiar, but Bai Luoluo couldn’t recall it for a moment.
So Bai Luoluo had to say, “I’m sorry, I don’t remember.”
“I am Wang Weimin.” The girl said, “Can you remember now?”
The name triggered Bai Luoluo’s memory. After a moment of contemplation, he suddenly realized and said, “Oh, you’re the niece of Wang Yurun, right?”
Wang Weimin said, “Exactly.”
“What’s wrong? Is something happening?” Bai Luoluo remembered that she had encountered a set-up scam before. He and Wu Zusì had even followed them to expose the scam. After exchanging contact information with Wang Weimin, they had separated, and he didn’t expect to receive a call from her suddenly.
“Yeah, there’s something going on at home,” Wang Weimin said, “You… your name is Zhou Zhizhi, right? I didn’t remember it wrong. You told me back then that the scammers might have a follow-up plan?”
Bai Luoluo remembered this incident, so he answered very affirmatively. He said, “Yes, they will definitely have a follow-up. What’s wrong? Did something happen to you?”
“Yeah,” Wang Weimin said, “I encountered… something very strange.” Bai Luoluo even felt that Wang Weimin’s voice was trembling.
“Wang Weimin said, ‘It’s just… some very strange things. At first, I did think it was that scammer causing trouble, but these things have been happening a lot, and now I’m a bit… uncertain.’”
Bai Luoluo asked, “Can you tell me in detail?”
Wang Weimin replied, “It’s hard to explain over the phone. How about we try to find a time to meet in person?”
After thinking for a moment, Bai Luoluo hesitated and said, “I’m not entirely sure. Can I give you an answer later?”
Wang Weimin agreed.
During the phone call, Lin Zhoumian had been listening on the side. When Bai Luoluo hung up, Lin Zhoumian asked without waiting for Bai Luoluo to speak, “The girl just now?”
“Yes,” Bai Luoluo said, “The niece of Wang Yurun, the one who bought the compass. Do you remember?”
Lin Zhoumian asked, “The one you tracked?”
Bai Luoluo blushed a bit at the mention of tracking, and he said, “Yes.”
“What happened?” Lin Zhoumian inquired.
“It seems like she’s encountered something strange,” Bai Luoluo detailed the story of him, Wu Zusì, and Wang Weimin encountering the scammer.
After listening, Lin Zhoumian contemplated for a moment and said, “Interesting. Do you plan to meet her?”
“Yes,” Bai Luoluo felt a bit embarrassed. He said, “I used to do this, so I have some experience. Maybe I can help her. So… can I meet with her?”
Lin Zhoumian closed his eyes, not responding immediately. Just when Bai Luoluo thought he might refuse, Lin Zhoumian nodded slightly and said okay.
Bai Luoluo breathed a sigh of relief.
However, Lin Zhoumian softly added, “Don’t wander around recklessly.”
Bai Luoluo’s expression stiffened. He understood that Lin Zhoumian was warning him. Even though he seemed free in the Lin family, he was, in essence, a prisoner, having failed in his scam and been taken in by Lin Zhoumian. According to the laws of this world, a major fraudster like him would be sentenced to death. Lin Zhoumian had not sent him to prison, which was already a significant act of mercy.
Bai Luoluo said, “Okay.”
Lin Zhoumian nodded and left.
Wu Zusì, having finished washing the dishes, came out and saw Bai Luoluo in the living room. He asked, “Did the mister leave?”
Bai Luoluo said, “Yes.”
Wu Zusì said, “Why do you look a bit unhappy?”
Bai Luoluo said, “No.” He was just grieving over why the system had to give him such a body.
The system remained calm and said, “You need to think it over; you can only choose the body of a scumbag.”
Bai Luoluo said, “Can’t I find a scumbag slightly better than Zhou Zhizhi?”
The system replied, “Non-scumbags can’t be possessed, and bodies too scummy have already been sunk in cement. You have no idea. We’ve exhausted all efforts to find a suitable host.”
Bai Luoluo said, “… Comrades, you’ve worked hard?”
The system said, “The leader is not tired—”
Bai Luoluo: “…”
After Lin Zhoumian left, Bai Luoluo quickly called Wang Weimin. Wang Weimin, upon receiving Bai Luoluo’s call, visibly breathed a sigh of relief. She almost bitterly smiled and said, “I’m glad you called back; I thought you might refuse.”
Bai Luoluo said, “No, since we’ve started helping you with this, we will see it through to the end.”
Wang Weimin said, “Can we set a time to meet?”
Bai Luoluo said, “Of course.”
Although the two were not in the same province, with modern transportation, Wang Weimin suggested she would book a flight and probably arrive in Bai Luoluo’s city by tomorrow afternoon. They agreed on a location to meet in the evening.
Bai Luoluo agreed to all the arrangements.
After hanging up the phone, Bai Luoluo slept peacefully.
The next morning, Bai Luoluo casually cooked some egg fried rice and had breakfast with Wu Zusì. He initially hesitated about inviting Lin Zhoumian for a meal, but Wu Zusì assured him not to worry about Sir; he would come for a meal if he wanted to. Bai Luoluo decided not to insist.
After finishing breakfast, as Wu Zusì was heading upstairs, he asked Bai Luoluo if he would be going out today.
Bai Luoluo said, “Yes.”
“I noticed your forehead darkening and your eyes turning red. It’s a sign of a bloody disaster.” Wu Zusì casually remarked.
Bai Luoluo asked, “… Are you serious?”
Wu Zusì said, “Yes.”
Bai Luoluo complained, “Was the egg fried rice I made this morning not good?”
Wu Zusì was so infuriated by Bai Luoluo’s response that his face turned red. He angrily said, “I was serious when I told you about the bloody disaster. What does it have to do with egg fried rice? Do you think I can see through everything just because you can cook a tasty meal?”
Bai Luoluo said, “Then I won’t cook tomorrow…”
Wu Zusì’s neck veins popped up, but in the end, he didn’t say anything. He grabbed a decorative ancient mirror from the nearby table, walked over to Bai Luoluo, and stuffed it into his chest, saying, “Hold this, it can ward off the bloody disaster!”
Bai Luoluo responded, “(⊙v⊙) Okay.”
Wu Zusì helplessly waved his hand, saying, “Go, go, the sooner you leave, the sooner you’ll be back. Stay safe.”
As Bai Luoluo was about to leave, he suddenly remembered something and said somewhat embarrassed, “Can you give me some money? I don’t have a single cent on me.”
Wu Zusì pulled out a card from his pocket, handed it to Bai Luoluo, and said, “The password is six sixes. It’s not much money, but it should be enough for a meal.”
Bai Luoluo said, “Thanks, brother. You’re really a good person.”
Wu Zusì replied, “…Don’t give me the ‘good person’ card!!”
With Wu Zusì’s little mirror in his chest and the card in hand, Bai Luoluo happily left.
He arrived an hour early at the meeting place with Wang Weimin, but to his surprise, she was already there, silently looking down at her phone.
“Why so early?” Bai Luoluo thought she would come a bit later.
Wang Weimin said, “Oh, I had a friend pick me up directly. You’re here.”
Bai Luoluo nodded.
“What would you like to drink?” Wang Weimin asked.
Bai Luoluo said, “No rush.” After sitting down, he carefully observed Wang Weimin and noticed that she looked much thinner compared to before.
Her cheeks were sunken, and dark circles under her eyes were evident. Even someone like Bai Luoluo, who couldn’t read faces, could tell that she was not in good shape.
Bai Luoluo ordered a glass of water and then started the conversation, saying, “Tell me in detail. Let me see if I can help.”
Wang Weimin nodded and said, “Yes, it’s like this. You told me last time that the person who read my fortune was a fraud.”
Bai Luoluo replied, “Right, after you went back, didn’t you check the people around you?”
Wang Weimin said, “I did check, and I found that someone who had been around me for quite a while indeed had ulterior motives.”
Bai Luoluo felt a bit confused. If this person was exposed through the investigation, the scammer should be aware that their plan had been uncovered. Considering their cautious nature, they should have changed their target. So, why did Wang Weimin still encounter so many strange things?
Wang Weimin continued, “But… but I still encountered strange things.”
When Wang Weimin mentioned the strange incidents, fear was evident in her eyes. She instinctively held the cup, took a big sip of water, and then continued, “I, I keep having nightmares, dreaming of very, very terrifying things.”
Bai Luoluo asked, “For example?”
Wang Weimin said, “I dreamt that someone who looked exactly like me was living in my house.”
Bai Luoluo frowned, “Can you be more specific?”
Wang Weimin looked absent-minded and said, “I can’t explain it. I can’t explain it. I can only remember the content of these dreams clearly when I wake up… then it becomes blurry afterward.”
Bai Luoluo was having a hard time understanding, but he patiently continued to guide Wang Weimin.
At this point, Wang Weimin had completely lost the lively and vibrant demeanor she had before. When she spoke, her words were disorganized. Bai Luoluo struggled to understand what she was trying to convey.
It turned out that Wang Weimin was saying that in her dreams, she saw someone who looked exactly like herself. Initially, this person only existed in her dreams, but recently she discovered that this person had somehow infiltrated reality.
“Why would you say that?” Bai Luoluo asked. “Do you have any evidence?”
Wang Weimin said, “She left me a message.”
Bai Luoluo was puzzled.
Wang Weimin explained, “Do you know there’s an app that can record your sleep quality and what you say in your dreams?”
Bai Luoluo said, “So?”
Wang Weimin continued, “One time, after I woke up, I heard a voice in the app that was exactly like mine. That voice told me, ‘Okay, I’m here, you can leave now.’”
Bai Luoluo, seeing Wang Weimin trembling while telling the story, quickly tried to calm her down. He asked, “Have you installed any surveillance cameras at home?”
Wang Weimin nodded and said, “Yes, I have installed them. I’ve checked everything, and there’s nothing unusual. In the recordings, I… sleep very well.”
Seeing her distressed expression, Bai Luoluo tentatively suggested, “Have you considered seeing a doctor?”
Unexpectedly, Wang Weimin, who had been relatively amicable, had a drastic change in her expression at the mention of a doctor. She slammed the table and exclaimed, “Do you think I’m sick too?? Do I not know if I’m sick? Do I need you to tell me?? Do you also think I’m crazy, that there’s no such thing in this world!!!”
Her emotional reaction was so intense that it completely caught Bai Luoluo off guard.
Quickly, he clarified, “No, that’s not what I meant. I understand that some things can’t be explained scientifically for now. I just want to understand the situation, and I don’t doubt your words.”
Wang Weimin looked at Bai Luoluo suspiciously and asked, “Do you believe in ghosts?”
Bai Luoluo replied, “I don’t believe.”
Wang Weimin’s expression turned cold, ready to speak, but Bai Luoluo interrupted her, saying, “But I know someone who can help with your issue!”
Wang Weimin asked, “Who?”
Bai Luoluo explained, “Do you know a Feng Shui master…”
Wang Weimin interrupted, asking, “Feng Shui master?”
Bai Luoluo continued, “Exactly.”
Wang Weimin questioned, “What does a Feng Shui master do?”
Bai Luoluo said, “They assess good and bad luck, and distinguish between yin and yang. They can help save lives and assist the departed.”
Wang Weimin’s expression finally softened, and she asked, “Do you know a Feng Shui master?”
Bai Luoluo answered, “I know one.”
Wang Weimin inquired, “Can he help me?”
Bai Luoluo hesitated and said, “He’s a bit stubborn, and I can’t guarantee that he’ll help you. But I’ll do my best to persuade him…”
Wang Weimin expressed her gratitude, but the pressure seemed too much for her. After Bai Luoluo promised to try, she burst into tears, with her makeup smearing in the process.
Not knowing how to comfort her, Bai Luoluo silently handed her tissues. Their emotional scene drew the attention of passersby, some casting disdainful glances at Bai Luoluo, perhaps mistaking him for a heartless man abandoning the girl.
Bai Luoluo, looking innocent, finished his coffee and ordered two more cups. Finally, Wang Weimin managed to regain control of her emotions.
“Thank you,” Wang Weimin said, feeling a bit embarrassed. “I was too emotional. Mainly because my family doesn’t believe me. They think I have mental issues…”
Bai Luoluo comforted her, saying, “It’s okay. After a day of flying, you must be tired. Where’s your hotel? I’ll walk you back.”
“Thank you so much.” Wang Weimin finally showed a faint smile.
Wang Weimin’s hotel was not far from the café, just a little over ten minutes’ walk. Bai Luoluo settled the bill, and they walked back together.
After ensuring that Wang Weimin entered her room and locked the door, Bai Luoluo bid her goodnight and advised her to use the door chain and call him if anything happened.
Expressing apologies for her recent emotional state, Wang Weimin thanked Bai Luoluo. He reassured her, and then he left.
Though Wang Weimin had invited Bai Luoluo to stay, he declined. He remembered Lin Zhuomin’s warning about not wandering around carelessly.
As Bai Luoluo descended from the hotel, it was already late in the evening. The weather had turned cooler, and a light rain began to fall. The streets were deserted, giving off a somewhat desolate feeling. Bai Luoluo was about to hail a taxi when someone unexpectedly stumbled toward him, seemingly in a hurry. Thinking the person might be intoxicated, Bai Luoluo tried to avoid him. However, the person crashed forcefully into him.
Bai Luoluo looked surprised, but before he could say anything, the person turned and ran away frantically.
Bai Luoluo, with a reflexive gesture, checked his phone and the card in his pocket, finding everything still in place. He wore a bewildered expression, wondering what the person had intended.
The system, being a bit quicker-witted than Bai Luoluo, said, “Check your chest.”
Bai Luoluo lowered his head to touch his chest, feeling a hard object. Pulling it out, he discovered it was the small mirror that Wu Zusì had given him before leaving.
Bai Luoluo asked, “What’s wrong?”
The system said, “Did you notice anything different about the mirror?”
Bai Luoluo took a closer look and indeed found something unusual on the back of the mirror. The back, carved with wooden patterns, now had a small white dot in the middle, as if pierced by some sharp object.
Bai Luoluo, realizing the purpose of the person’s action just now, looked incredulous and said, “Was that person trying to kill me?” — The person must have held a long needle and stabbed towards his heart, but it was blocked by the mirror Wu Zusì had forcefully given him.
The system, being more insightful than Bai Luoluo, commented, “It seems like Wang Weimin encountered more than just an ordinary scammer.”
Bai Luoluo broke out in a cold sweat at this revelation.
Fortunately, a vacant taxi appeared at that moment. He quickly hailed it and hurriedly returned home.
When Bai Luoluo arrived home, he thought Wu Zusì should be asleep. However, the lights in the house were still on. Upon entering, he was surprised to find Lin Zhuomian sitting on the sofa.
Lin Zhuomian had earphones on, seemingly engrossed in something. Sensing Bai Luoluo’s presence, he slowly said, “Back already?”
Bai Luoluo felt a bit uneasy and replied, “Uh, yes, I’m back.”
Lin Zhuomian instructed, “Come here.”
Bai Luoluo quickly complied.
Unexpectedly, after Lin Zhuomian called him over, he patted the space beside him and said, “Sit.”
Bai Luoluo hesitated. In all honesty, he didn’t really want to sit beside Lin Zhuomian. However, since Lin Zhuomian had spoken, he didn’t dare to refuse. After some internal struggle, he sat down properly beside Lin Zhuomian.
Lin Zhuomian didn’t say anything. Suddenly, he extended his hand toward Bai Luoluo, startling him. However, he saw Lin Zhuomian pull out the small delicate mirror from his chest pocket.
Lin Zhuomian used his hand to trace the intricate carvings on the delicate back of the mirror and asked, “Did you meet her?”
Bai Luoluo said, “Yes.”
Lin Zhuomian said, “Tell me about it.”
Bai Luoluo initially thought that he would have to make an effort to persuade Lin Zhuomian to help Wang Weimin. Unexpectedly, Lin Zhuomian took the initiative to bring up the matter. Despite Lin Zhuomian’s face still lacking expression, Bai Luoluo vaguely sensed a suppressed anger.
Bai Luoluo briefly recounted what Wang Weimin had told him, emphasizing her mental state and the strange incidents she had encountered.
Lin Zhuomian held the mirror throughout, silently listening to Bai Luoluo.
After Bai Luoluo finished, Lin Zhuomian said, “I understand.”
“Sir, did Wang Weimin really encounter something dirty? How did she end up in such strange situations?” Bai Luoluo asked.
Lin Zhuomian didn’t answer directly but said slowly, “In this world, some people are more terrifying than dirty things.”
Bai Luoluo responded, “So, sir, you mean someone is causing trouble?”
Lin Zhuomian replied, “Naturally.”
Relieved that it was a human issue, Bai Luoluo said, “It’s good if it’s a person…”
Lin Zhuomian added in a calm tone, “Don’t think too much. Go to sleep.”
Bai Luoluo agreed and went upstairs. As he glanced down from the second floor, he saw Lin Zhuomian applying slight pressure with his fingers, breaking the wooden mirror and casually tossing it into the trash bin.
Not daring to linger, Bai Luoluo quickly returned to his room. After finishing his nightly routine, he lay in bed and said to the system, “System, is Lin Zhuomian angry?”
The system replied, “Seems like it.”
Bai Luoluo remarked, “Well… he is a straightforward person.”
The system remained silent and finally asked, “Are you going to snack on melon seeds?”
Bai Luoluo said, “Crack, crack, crack.”
Thus, Bai Luoluo and the system happily engaged in their melon seed cracking, until Bai Luoluo fell asleep. It must be said that being able to enjoy melon seeds mentally is truly a blissful experience, especially when you can sleep without worrying about brushing your teeth.
Bai Luoluo was a carefree person. Most individuals would likely lose sleep over the near-death experience he encountered. However, he snored peacefully through the night, without a single dream.
The next day, Bai Luoluo was summoned by Wu Zusì to prepare breakfast.
Wu Zusì said, “I want seafood congee.”
Bai Luoluo groggily got up from bed while still brushing his teeth, responding with a muffled “good, good, good.”
The seafood, purchased by Wu Zusì the day before, was exceptionally fresh. Bai Luoluo cleaned the shrimp and crabs, extracted the meat, and washed the rice before placing everything in the pot.
While Bai Luoluo was cooking, Wu Zusì stood by with a small notebook, nodding repeatedly. Bai Luoluo glanced at him and asked, “What are you looking at?”
Wu Zusì replied, “Learning, learning.”
Bai Luoluo sighed, “Let him be.”
It must be said that culinary skills are truly a matter of talent. With the same ingredients, procedures, and even seasonings, the taste can be vastly different. It makes one marvel at the fact that some things cannot be achieved through sheer effort alone.
As the seafood congee simmered in the clay pot, Wang Weimin called again. She cried softly on the phone, describing another nightmare from the previous night. It was truly terrifying, and she pleaded with Bai Luoluo to help her as soon as possible, as she felt she couldn’t endure it any longer.
Bai Luoluo reassured her, “Don’t be afraid. I already talked to my Sir about this yesterday, and he agreed to help you.”
Wang Weimin asked, “When can I meet your Sir then?”
Bai Luoluo glanced at the pot of congee and suggested, “How about this? I’ll drive over to pick you up?”
Wang Weimin eagerly agreed.
Bai Luoluo instructed Wu Zusì to turn off the heat in twenty minutes and then borrowed the car keys from him.
Wu Zusì remarked, “Are you so concerned because you’ve taken a fancy to her? Moreover, bringing her here without first asking your Sir’s opinion? “
Bai Luoluo thought it over and realized he might have been too hasty. Given Lin Zhuomian’s personality, he probably wouldn’t appreciate others coming without prior notice.
Bai Luoluo said, “I’ll check with my Sir first.”
Coincidentally, Lin Zhuomian arrived at that moment. Bai Luoluo approached him, explained his plan, and asked if it was okay to bring Wang Weimin over.
Lin Zhuomian raised his chin slightly and said, “It’s fine.”
Bai Luoluo’s face lit up with joy.
However, Lin Zhuomian added, “But she can’t have the congee.”
Bai Luoluo blinked, realizing the focus was on the congee.
Wu Zusì, still chiming in, said, “Sir is right. She can come, but no congee.”
Bai Luoluo sighed, thinking, “You two are quite a pair.”
Lin Zhaomian’s return home this time seemed to involve discussions with the Lin family. However, Bai Luoluo had no idea about the specifics of the discussion. However, he could tell that after this trip back, Lin Zhaomian’s mood improved significantly. Even his usually aloof expression now carried a hint of warmth.
With daily meals and drinks, Bai Luoluo found this kind of life quite pleasant. However, Wu Zusì wasn’t as cheerful as Bai Luoluo. His face remained gloomy throughout the day.
Bai Luoluo didn’t dare to ask him why he was upset. He quietly ate melon seeds and nibbled on bread, pretending to be a wall decoration.
After a few days like this, Lin Zhaomian finally mentioned that he wanted to go back.
So, the Lin family sent a car to take the three of them back. Before leaving, the head of the family, Lin Zhaomian, said meaningfully to Bai Luoluo, “Young man, you have a boundless future.”
Bai Luoluo: “…” What do you mean?
Faced with Bai Luoluo’s confused expression, Lin Zhaomian didn’t offer much explanation. He just waved and walked away.
Watching his departing figure, Bai Luoluo felt as if he had glimpsed his own miserable future. For some reason, the phrase “boundless future” from Lin Zhaomian sounded like a derogatory term.
On the way back home, Bai Luoluo and Wu Zusì made a stop at the supermarket. The reason? Lin Zhaomian suddenly expressed a desire for dumplings.
Before Bai Luoluo could react, Wu Zusì with an eager face said, “Sir, I’m the best at making dumplings. Let me make some for you.”
As soon as these words were spoken, Bai Luoluo clearly saw a momentary freeze in Lin Zhaomian’s expression.
After a brief silence, Lin Zhaomian said, “My housekeepers are off today, and there’s no one to buy groceries. You two go and get some.”
Bai Luoluo and Wu Zusì agreed, so the two of them got off the car and went to a nearby supermarket to buy flour, meat, and some vegetables.
Wu Zusì seemed a bit down when selecting vegetables. He said, “I regret it so much.”
Seeing his melancholic expression, Bai Luoluo asked, “Regret what?”
Wu Zusì sighed heavily and said, “Why didn’t I learn a cooking skill before joining Mr. Lin… I really lack foresight.”
Bai Luoluo: “…”
Wu Zusì continued, “I really had no foresight—”
Bai Luoluo didn’t know what to say, so he patted his shoulder and walked away with the groceries.
One evening, everyone gathered to eat dumplings. Bai Luoluo prepared the filling, Wu Zusì diligently kneaded the dough, while their mister took charge of enjoying the meal.
Bai Luoluo’s dumpling-making skills were learned from her mother. Each dumpling had thin skin and a generous filling, even the folds were aesthetically pleasing.
Wu Zusì, puzzled by Bai Luoluo’s skill, exclaimed, “You claim to be a swindler, yet your skills are so impressive.”
Bai Luoluo made up a story, “Back then, life conditions were tough. I had to pick wilted leaves from the market for cooking, and that’s how I honed my skills.”
Wu Zusì’s fierce expression softened a bit as he asked, “Is that true?”
Bai Luoluo replied, “No, it’s not.”
Wu Zusì exclaimed, “…,” almost smashing the cutting board in frustration.
As the dumplings boiled, Bai Luoluo asked Wu Zusì to take them out while he prepared some garlic paste. While engrossed in peeling garlic, his phone rang.
Bai Luoluo picked up the phone and saw an unfamiliar number.
“Hello,” he answered, pressing the call button. “Who is this?”
“Help! Help! There’s a ghost, save me!” came the panicked voice of a girl, clearly experiencing something terrifying.
Bai Luoluo’s expression froze, and he reassured, “Don’t be afraid. There are no ghosts in this world!”
The girl cried, “You’re lying! There is one, she’s staring at me at the door. It’s so scary, so scary!!!”
“Don’t be afraid. Where are you now? What happened?” Bai Luoluo asked, but the girl didn’t respond, just let out a more desperate cry for help before the call abruptly ended.
Bai Luoluo stared at the silent phone for a moment, then dialed back.
A mechanical female voice informed him that the call couldn’t be answered temporarily. Bai Luoluo put down the garlic and walked out.
Lin Zhoumian had already finished a plate of dumplings. Although he looked refined while eating, he had a good appetite. Bai Luoluo guessed he could eat even more after she was full.
“What about the seasoning?” Wu Zusì, seeing Bai Luoluo empty-handed, asked casually.
“I got a call,” Bai Luoluo said. “It was from a girl.”
Upon hearing this, both Wu Zusì and Lin Zhoumian, who were eating dumplings, paused.
Wu Zusì curiously asked, “A woman’s call? Could it be your ex-girlfriend?”
“No,” Bai Luoluo quickly clarified. “She said there’s a ghost on the phone. I wanted to ask her what happened, but she hung up before explaining.”
“A ghost?” Wu Zusì asked, “What kind of ghost?”
Bai Luoluo said, “How would I know?”
Wu Zusì joked, “Is it a ghost coming to collect debts from you?”
Bai Luoluo helplessly said, “Can you stop teasing me?”
Listening to their conversation, Lin Zhoumian put down his chopsticks and said, “Let me see.”
Bai Luoluo handed the phone to Lin Zhoumian, who held it in his hand, playing with it for a moment. He said, “There does seem to be a sinister aura.”
Wu Zusì finally stopped smiling.
Bai Luoluo asked, “So, the girl didn’t lie to me? But who is she? Why did she call me?”
“I don’t know about that,” Lin Zhoumian said thoughtfully. “However, this aura doesn’t seem to be a vengeful spirit.”
“Really?” Bai Luoluo asked.
Lin Zhoumian nodded and then said something that surprised both Bai Luoluo and Wu Zusì. He solemnly stated, “There are no ghosts in this world!”
Bai Luoluo was silent.
Wu Zusì was also speechless.
Lin Zhoumian put Bai Luoluo’s phone aside, seemingly oblivious to the tense atmosphere. He said, “Yin and Yang, Feng Shui, all have their reasons. I’ve been reading fortunes for many years but have never seen a ghost.”
Bai Luoluo looked at Lin Zhoumian, quietly thinking, “You can’t see things, big guy. Since you can’t see things, it’s normal not to see ghosts. And why does the big guy frown so tightly when he says the word ‘ghost’?”
Lin Zhoumian said, “The person on the other end of the phone should be fine. Try calling back later; someone might answer.”
With the situation temporarily resolved, Bai Luoluo returned to the kitchen to continue peeling garlic.
Bai Luoluo cooked three plates of dumplings, each plate containing around fifty. Together, they weighed several kilograms. He initially thought there would be some leftovers for breakfast the next day, but he clearly underestimated the appetites of Wu Zusì and Lin Zhoumian.
These two individuals ate dumplings as if they were drinking water, bowl after bowl. Bai Luoluo couldn’t handle more than thirty, so he spent the rest of the time helping them cook dumplings.
The dumplings were filled with pork and cabbage, both fresh. The plump filling could be seen through the translucent and tender white skin. Each bite was juicy, flavorful, and delicious, especially when paired with the sauce made from vinegar, chili, and garlic paste.
Bai Luoluo, watching Wu Zusì enjoy the meal so much, couldn’t help but ask, “Is it delicious?”
With a mouthful of dumplings, Wu Zusì said, “Not bad.”
Bai Luoluo looked at Lin Zhoumian, who knocked on the table and said, “If it’s not good, don’t eat it. Leave the rest to me.”
Bai Luoluo looked at Wu Zusì, who had a pitiful expression, then put down the remaining dumplings in his hand, seemingly with tears in his eyes.
The truth was, in front of food, one should never be too proud, as after being proud, all that might be left is some soup. Then Wu Zusì watched helplessly as his beloved mister ate the last dumpling.
Bai Luoluo said to the system, “Damn, his tears really seemed about to fall.”
The system replied, “It’s okay; after all, mister can’t see them anyway.”
Bai Luoluo thought, “…”, so Wu Zusì is also thinking the same way?
After finishing the meal, Bai Luoluo sat on the sofa for a moment, picked up his phone, and dialed the number he had called earlier.
After a few long tones, the call unexpectedly went through. A drowsy voice came through, “Who is it?”
Bai Luoluo said, “Hello?”
“Who is it? What’s the matter?” The person on the other end sounded a bit impatient.
“Didn’t you just call me?” Bai Luoluo inexplicably asked, “Didn’t you call me just now?”
“When did I call you? Are you crazy?” Probably annoyed at being woken up, the girl on the other end had a very bad attitude. She cursed once and hung up directly.
Bai Luoluo stared at his phone, wondering what was going on.
But before he could figure it out, another call came in, and it was the same girl’s voice. She said, “Hello, I’m sorry, I just checked my phone call records, and I did call you.”
Bai Luoluo said, “Oh…”
“Are you Zhou Zhizhi, right? Do you remember me?” The girl’s voice did sound somewhat familiar, but Bai Luoluo couldn’t recall it for a moment.
So Bai Luoluo had to say, “I’m sorry, I don’t remember.”
“I am Wang Weimin.” The girl said, “Can you remember now?”
The name triggered Bai Luoluo’s memory. After a moment of contemplation, he suddenly realized and said, “Oh, you’re the niece of Wang Yurun, right?”
Wang Weimin said, “Exactly.”
“What’s wrong? Is something happening?” Bai Luoluo remembered that she had encountered a set-up scam before. He and Wu Zusì had even followed them to expose the scam. After exchanging contact information with Wang Weimin, they had separated, and he didn’t expect to receive a call from her suddenly.
“Yeah, there’s something going on at home,” Wang Weimin said, “You… your name is Zhou Zhizhi, right? I didn’t remember it wrong. You told me back then that the scammers might have a follow-up plan?”
Bai Luoluo remembered this incident, so he answered very affirmatively. He said, “Yes, they will definitely have a follow-up. What’s wrong? Did something happen to you?”
“Yeah,” Wang Weimin said, “I encountered… something very strange.” Bai Luoluo even felt that Wang Weimin’s voice was trembling.
“Wang Weimin said, ‘It’s just… some very strange things. At first, I did think it was that scammer causing trouble, but these things have been happening a lot, and now I’m a bit… uncertain.’”
Bai Luoluo asked, “Can you tell me in detail?”
Wang Weimin replied, “It’s hard to explain over the phone. How about we try to find a time to meet in person?”
After thinking for a moment, Bai Luoluo hesitated and said, “I’m not entirely sure. Can I give you an answer later?”
Wang Weimin agreed.
During the phone call, Lin Zhoumian had been listening on the side. When Bai Luoluo hung up, Lin Zhoumian asked without waiting for Bai Luoluo to speak, “The girl just now?”
“Yes,” Bai Luoluo said, “The niece of Wang Yurun, the one who bought the compass. Do you remember?”
Lin Zhoumian asked, “The one you tracked?”
Bai Luoluo blushed a bit at the mention of tracking, and he said, “Yes.”
“What happened?” Lin Zhoumian inquired.
“It seems like she’s encountered something strange,” Bai Luoluo detailed the story of him, Wu Zusì, and Wang Weimin encountering the scammer.
After listening, Lin Zhoumian contemplated for a moment and said, “Interesting. Do you plan to meet her?”
“Yes,” Bai Luoluo felt a bit embarrassed. He said, “I used to do this, so I have some experience. Maybe I can help her. So… can I meet with her?”
Lin Zhoumian closed his eyes, not responding immediately. Just when Bai Luoluo thought he might refuse, Lin Zhoumian nodded slightly and said okay.
Bai Luoluo breathed a sigh of relief.
However, Lin Zhoumian softly added, “Don’t wander around recklessly.”
Bai Luoluo’s expression stiffened. He understood that Lin Zhoumian was warning him. Even though he seemed free in the Lin family, he was, in essence, a prisoner, having failed in his scam and been taken in by Lin Zhoumian. According to the laws of this world, a major fraudster like him would be sentenced to death. Lin Zhoumian had not sent him to prison, which was already a significant act of mercy.
Bai Luoluo said, “Okay.”
Lin Zhoumian nodded and left.
Wu Zusì, having finished washing the dishes, came out and saw Bai Luoluo in the living room. He asked, “Did the mister leave?”
Bai Luoluo said, “Yes.”
Wu Zusì said, “Why do you look a bit unhappy?”
Bai Luoluo said, “No.” He was just grieving over why the system had to give him such a body.
The system remained calm and said, “You need to think it over; you can only choose the body of a scumbag.”
Bai Luoluo said, “Can’t I find a scumbag slightly better than Zhou Zhizhi?”
The system replied, “Non-scumbags can’t be possessed, and bodies too scummy have already been sunk in cement. You have no idea. We’ve exhausted all efforts to find a suitable host.”
Bai Luoluo said, “… Comrades, you’ve worked hard?”
The system said, “The leader is not tired—”
Bai Luoluo: “…”
After Lin Zhoumian left, Bai Luoluo quickly called Wang Weimin. Wang Weimin, upon receiving Bai Luoluo’s call, visibly breathed a sigh of relief. She almost bitterly smiled and said, “I’m glad you called back; I thought you might refuse.”
Bai Luoluo said, “No, since we’ve started helping you with this, we will see it through to the end.”
Wang Weimin said, “Can we set a time to meet?”
Bai Luoluo said, “Of course.”
Although the two were not in the same province, with modern transportation, Wang Weimin suggested she would book a flight and probably arrive in Bai Luoluo’s city by tomorrow afternoon. They agreed on a location to meet in the evening.
Bai Luoluo agreed to all the arrangements.
After hanging up the phone, Bai Luoluo slept peacefully.
The next morning, Bai Luoluo casually cooked some egg fried rice and had breakfast with Wu Zusì. He initially hesitated about inviting Lin Zhoumian for a meal, but Wu Zusì assured him not to worry about Sir; he would come for a meal if he wanted to. Bai Luoluo decided not to insist.
After finishing breakfast, as Wu Zusì was heading upstairs, he asked Bai Luoluo if he would be going out today.
Bai Luoluo said, “Yes.”
“I noticed your forehead darkening and your eyes turning red. It’s a sign of a bloody disaster.” Wu Zusì casually remarked.
Bai Luoluo asked, “… Are you serious?”
Wu Zusì said, “Yes.”
Bai Luoluo complained, “Was the egg fried rice I made this morning not good?”
Wu Zusì was so infuriated by Bai Luoluo’s response that his face turned red. He angrily said, “I was serious when I told you about the bloody disaster. What does it have to do with egg fried rice? Do you think I can see through everything just because you can cook a tasty meal?”
Bai Luoluo said, “Then I won’t cook tomorrow…”
Wu Zusì’s neck veins popped up, but in the end, he didn’t say anything. He grabbed a decorative ancient mirror from the nearby table, walked over to Bai Luoluo, and stuffed it into his chest, saying, “Hold this, it can ward off the bloody disaster!”
Bai Luoluo responded, “(⊙v⊙) Okay.”
Wu Zusì helplessly waved his hand, saying, “Go, go, the sooner you leave, the sooner you’ll be back. Stay safe.”
As Bai Luoluo was about to leave, he suddenly remembered something and said somewhat embarrassed, “Can you give me some money? I don’t have a single cent on me.”
Wu Zusì pulled out a card from his pocket, handed it to Bai Luoluo, and said, “The password is six sixes. It’s not much money, but it should be enough for a meal.”
Bai Luoluo said, “Thanks, brother. You’re really a good person.”
Wu Zusì replied, “…Don’t give me the ‘good person’ card!!”
With Wu Zusì’s little mirror in his chest and the card in hand, Bai Luoluo happily left.
He arrived an hour early at the meeting place with Wang Weimin, but to his surprise, she was already there, silently looking down at her phone.
“Why so early?” Bai Luoluo thought she would come a bit later.
Wang Weimin said, “Oh, I had a friend pick me up directly. You’re here.”
Bai Luoluo nodded.
“What would you like to drink?” Wang Weimin asked.
Bai Luoluo said, “No rush.” After sitting down, he carefully observed Wang Weimin and noticed that she looked much thinner compared to before.
Her cheeks were sunken, and dark circles under her eyes were evident. Even someone like Bai Luoluo, who couldn’t read faces, could tell that she was not in good shape.
Bai Luoluo ordered a glass of water and then started the conversation, saying, “Tell me in detail. Let me see if I can help.”
Wang Weimin nodded and said, “Yes, it’s like this. You told me last time that the person who read my fortune was a fraud.”
Bai Luoluo replied, “Right, after you went back, didn’t you check the people around you?”
Wang Weimin said, “I did check, and I found that someone who had been around me for quite a while indeed had ulterior motives.”
Bai Luoluo felt a bit confused. If this person was exposed through the investigation, the scammer should be aware that their plan had been uncovered. Considering their cautious nature, they should have changed their target. So, why did Wang Weimin still encounter so many strange things?
Wang Weimin continued, “But… but I still encountered strange things.”
When Wang Weimin mentioned the strange incidents, fear was evident in her eyes. She instinctively held the cup, took a big sip of water, and then continued, “I, I keep having nightmares, dreaming of very, very terrifying things.”
Bai Luoluo asked, “For example?”
Wang Weimin said, “I dreamt that someone who looked exactly like me was living in my house.”
Bai Luoluo frowned, “Can you be more specific?”
Wang Weimin looked absent-minded and said, “I can’t explain it. I can’t explain it. I can only remember the content of these dreams clearly when I wake up… then it becomes blurry afterward.”
Bai Luoluo was having a hard time understanding, but he patiently continued to guide Wang Weimin.
At this point, Wang Weimin had completely lost the lively and vibrant demeanor she had before. When she spoke, her words were disorganized. Bai Luoluo struggled to understand what she was trying to convey.
It turned out that Wang Weimin was saying that in her dreams, she saw someone who looked exactly like herself. Initially, this person only existed in her dreams, but recently she discovered that this person had somehow infiltrated reality.
“Why would you say that?” Bai Luoluo asked. “Do you have any evidence?”
Wang Weimin said, “She left me a message.”
Bai Luoluo was puzzled.
Wang Weimin explained, “Do you know there’s an app that can record your sleep quality and what you say in your dreams?”
Bai Luoluo said, “So?”
Wang Weimin continued, “One time, after I woke up, I heard a voice in the app that was exactly like mine. That voice told me, ‘Okay, I’m here, you can leave now.’”
Bai Luoluo, seeing Wang Weimin trembling while telling the story, quickly tried to calm her down. He asked, “Have you installed any surveillance cameras at home?”
Wang Weimin nodded and said, “Yes, I have installed them. I’ve checked everything, and there’s nothing unusual. In the recordings, I… sleep very well.”
Seeing her distressed expression, Bai Luoluo tentatively suggested, “Have you considered seeing a doctor?”
Unexpectedly, Wang Weimin, who had been relatively amicable, had a drastic change in her expression at the mention of a doctor. She slammed the table and exclaimed, “Do you think I’m sick too?? Do I not know if I’m sick? Do I need you to tell me?? Do you also think I’m crazy, that there’s no such thing in this world!!!”
Her emotional reaction was so intense that it completely caught Bai Luoluo off guard.
Quickly, he clarified, “No, that’s not what I meant. I understand that some things can’t be explained scientifically for now. I just want to understand the situation, and I don’t doubt your words.”
Wang Weimin looked at Bai Luoluo suspiciously and asked, “Do you believe in ghosts?”
Bai Luoluo replied, “I don’t believe.”
Wang Weimin’s expression turned cold, ready to speak, but Bai Luoluo interrupted her, saying, “But I know someone who can help with your issue!”
Wang Weimin asked, “Who?”
Bai Luoluo explained, “Do you know a Feng Shui master…”
Wang Weimin interrupted, asking, “Feng Shui master?”
Bai Luoluo continued, “Exactly.”
Wang Weimin questioned, “What does a Feng Shui master do?”
Bai Luoluo said, “They assess good and bad luck, and distinguish between yin and yang. They can help save lives and assist the departed.”
Wang Weimin’s expression finally softened, and she asked, “Do you know a Feng Shui master?”
Bai Luoluo answered, “I know one.”
Wang Weimin inquired, “Can he help me?”
Bai Luoluo hesitated and said, “He’s a bit stubborn, and I can’t guarantee that he’ll help you. But I’ll do my best to persuade him…”
Wang Weimin expressed her gratitude, but the pressure seemed too much for her. After Bai Luoluo promised to try, she burst into tears, with her makeup smearing in the process.
Not knowing how to comfort her, Bai Luoluo silently handed her tissues. Their emotional scene drew the attention of passersby, some casting disdainful glances at Bai Luoluo, perhaps mistaking him for a heartless man abandoning the girl.
Bai Luoluo, looking innocent, finished his coffee and ordered two more cups. Finally, Wang Weimin managed to regain control of her emotions.
“Thank you,” Wang Weimin said, feeling a bit embarrassed. “I was too emotional. Mainly because my family doesn’t believe me. They think I have mental issues…”
Bai Luoluo comforted her, saying, “It’s okay. After a day of flying, you must be tired. Where’s your hotel? I’ll walk you back.”
“Thank you so much.” Wang Weimin finally showed a faint smile.
Wang Weimin’s hotel was not far from the café, just a little over ten minutes’ walk. Bai Luoluo settled the bill, and they walked back together.
After ensuring that Wang Weimin entered her room and locked the door, Bai Luoluo bid her goodnight and advised her to use the door chain and call him if anything happened.
Expressing apologies for her recent emotional state, Wang Weimin thanked Bai Luoluo. He reassured her, and then he left.
Though Wang Weimin had invited Bai Luoluo to stay, he declined. He remembered Lin Zhuomin’s warning about not wandering around carelessly.
As Bai Luoluo descended from the hotel, it was already late in the evening. The weather had turned cooler, and a light rain began to fall. The streets were deserted, giving off a somewhat desolate feeling. Bai Luoluo was about to hail a taxi when someone unexpectedly stumbled toward him, seemingly in a hurry. Thinking the person might be intoxicated, Bai Luoluo tried to avoid him. However, the person crashed forcefully into him.
Bai Luoluo looked surprised, but before he could say anything, the person turned and ran away frantically.
Bai Luoluo, with a reflexive gesture, checked his phone and the card in his pocket, finding everything still in place. He wore a bewildered expression, wondering what the person had intended.
The system, being a bit quicker-witted than Bai Luoluo, said, “Check your chest.”
Bai Luoluo lowered his head to touch his chest, feeling a hard object. Pulling it out, he discovered it was the small mirror that Wu Zusì had given him before leaving.
Bai Luoluo asked, “What’s wrong?”
The system said, “Did you notice anything different about the mirror?”
Bai Luoluo took a closer look and indeed found something unusual on the back of the mirror. The back, carved with wooden patterns, now had a small white dot in the middle, as if pierced by some sharp object.
Bai Luoluo, realizing the purpose of the person’s action just now, looked incredulous and said, “Was that person trying to kill me?” — The person must have held a long needle and stabbed towards his heart, but it was blocked by the mirror Wu Zusì had forcefully given him.
The system, being more insightful than Bai Luoluo, commented, “It seems like Wang Weimin encountered more than just an ordinary scammer.”
Bai Luoluo broke out in a cold sweat at this revelation.
Fortunately, a vacant taxi appeared at that moment. He quickly hailed it and hurriedly returned home.
When Bai Luoluo arrived home, he thought Wu Zusì should be asleep. However, the lights in the house were still on. Upon entering, he was surprised to find Lin Zhuomian sitting on the sofa.
Lin Zhuomian had earphones on, seemingly engrossed in something. Sensing Bai Luoluo’s presence, he slowly said, “Back already?”
Bai Luoluo felt a bit uneasy and replied, “Uh, yes, I’m back.”
Lin Zhuomian instructed, “Come here.”
Bai Luoluo quickly complied.
Unexpectedly, after Lin Zhuomian called him over, he patted the space beside him and said, “Sit.”
Bai Luoluo hesitated. In all honesty, he didn’t really want to sit beside Lin Zhuomian. However, since Lin Zhuomian had spoken, he didn’t dare to refuse. After some internal struggle, he sat down properly beside Lin Zhuomian.
Lin Zhuomian didn’t say anything. Suddenly, he extended his hand toward Bai Luoluo, startling him. However, he saw Lin Zhuomian pull out the small delicate mirror from his chest pocket.
Lin Zhuomian used his hand to trace the intricate carvings on the delicate back of the mirror and asked, “Did you meet her?”
Bai Luoluo said, “Yes.”
Lin Zhuomian said, “Tell me about it.”
Bai Luoluo initially thought that he would have to make an effort to persuade Lin Zhuomian to help Wang Weimin. Unexpectedly, Lin Zhuomian took the initiative to bring up the matter. Despite Lin Zhuomian’s face still lacking expression, Bai Luoluo vaguely sensed a suppressed anger.
Bai Luoluo briefly recounted what Wang Weimin had told him, emphasizing her mental state and the strange incidents she had encountered.
Lin Zhuomian held the mirror throughout, silently listening to Bai Luoluo.
After Bai Luoluo finished, Lin Zhuomian said, “I understand.”
“Sir, did Wang Weimin really encounter something dirty? How did she end up in such strange situations?” Bai Luoluo asked.
Lin Zhuomian didn’t answer directly but said slowly, “In this world, some people are more terrifying than dirty things.”
Bai Luoluo responded, “So, sir, you mean someone is causing trouble?”
Lin Zhuomian replied, “Naturally.”
Relieved that it was a human issue, Bai Luoluo said, “It’s good if it’s a person…”
Lin Zhuomian added in a calm tone, “Don’t think too much. Go to sleep.”
Bai Luoluo agreed and went upstairs. As he glanced down from the second floor, he saw Lin Zhuomian applying slight pressure with his fingers, breaking the wooden mirror and casually tossing it into the trash bin.
Not daring to linger, Bai Luoluo quickly returned to his room. After finishing his nightly routine, he lay in bed and said to the system, “System, is Lin Zhuomian angry?”
The system replied, “Seems like it.”
Bai Luoluo remarked, “Well… he is a straightforward person.”
The system remained silent and finally asked, “Are you going to snack on melon seeds?”
Bai Luoluo said, “Crack, crack, crack.”
Thus, Bai Luoluo and the system happily engaged in their melon seed cracking, until Bai Luoluo fell asleep. It must be said that being able to enjoy melon seeds mentally is truly a blissful experience, especially when you can sleep without worrying about brushing your teeth.
Bai Luoluo was a carefree person. Most individuals would likely lose sleep over the near-death experience he encountered. However, he snored peacefully through the night, without a single dream.
The next day, Bai Luoluo was summoned by Wu Zusì to prepare breakfast.
Wu Zusì said, “I want seafood congee.”
Bai Luoluo groggily got up from bed while still brushing his teeth, responding with a muffled “good, good, good.”
The seafood, purchased by Wu Zusì the day before, was exceptionally fresh. Bai Luoluo cleaned the shrimp and crabs, extracted the meat, and washed the rice before placing everything in the pot.
While Bai Luoluo was cooking, Wu Zusì stood by with a small notebook, nodding repeatedly. Bai Luoluo glanced at him and asked, “What are you looking at?”
Wu Zusì replied, “Learning, learning.”
Bai Luoluo sighed, “Let him be.”
It must be said that culinary skills are truly a matter of talent. With the same ingredients, procedures, and even seasonings, the taste can be vastly different. It makes one marvel at the fact that some things cannot be achieved through sheer effort alone.
As the seafood congee simmered in the clay pot, Wang Weimin called again. She cried softly on the phone, describing another nightmare from the previous night. It was truly terrifying, and she pleaded with Bai Luoluo to help her as soon as possible, as she felt she couldn’t endure it any longer.
Bai Luoluo reassured her, “Don’t be afraid. I already talked to my Sir about this yesterday, and he agreed to help you.”
Wang Weimin asked, “When can I meet your Sir then?”
Bai Luoluo glanced at the pot of congee and suggested, “How about this? I’ll drive over to pick you up?”
Wang Weimin eagerly agreed.
Bai Luoluo instructed Wu Zusì to turn off the heat in twenty minutes and then borrowed the car keys from him.
Wu Zusì remarked, “Are you so concerned because you’ve taken a fancy to her? Moreover, bringing her here without first asking your Sir’s opinion? “
Bai Luoluo thought it over and realized he might have been too hasty. Given Lin Zhuomian’s personality, he probably wouldn’t appreciate others coming without prior notice.
Bai Luoluo said, “I’ll check with my Sir first.”
Coincidentally, Lin Zhuomian arrived at that moment. Bai Luoluo approached him, explained his plan, and asked if it was okay to bring Wang Weimin over.
Lin Zhuomian raised his chin slightly and said, “It’s fine.”
Bai Luoluo’s face lit up with joy.
However, Lin Zhuomian added, “But she can’t have the congee.”
Bai Luoluo blinked, realizing the focus was on the congee.
Wu Zusì, still chiming in, said, “Sir is right. She can come, but no congee.”
Bai Luoluo sighed, thinking, “You two are quite a pair.”
