Chapter Twenty: An Unexpected Harvest (Part Two)

Qin Xiaoya suddenly seemed to remember something. She stood up and walked into the bedroom. Shortly after, she returned holding a small brocade box in her hand, which contained a delicate jade pendant. She handed it to Shi Jun, saying, “Wear this. And remember, whatever happens, don’t take it off.” This was the small jade talisman that the old immortal had given her, the very one used to create a protective barrier.

Shi Jun fiddled with the talisman in his hand and looked up to ask, “What is this?”

“Don’t worry about it. I told you to wear it, so just do as I say,” Qin Xiaoya replied in a tone of utmost seriousness. In her heart, she was making other calculations: this jade talisman was a gift from the old immortal. If any demons or evil spirits came looking for trouble while she was away, she believed the talisman would protect her son. In the past, she wouldn’t have been so anxious, but the sudden appearance of that mysterious man calling himself Brother Shi Li had stirred up memories of her past, and now she found herself worrying that her son might encounter some trouble while she was not at home.

Obeying her instructions, Shi Jun hung the jade talisman around his neck. Seeing the obvious relief on his mother’s face, he felt a multitude of doubts in his heart but said nothing. Instead, he was secretly relieved: once his mother left, she would neatly avoid the gathering of spirits at their home during the full moon. That was just as well. Even if the spirits turned the house upside down, as long as his mother didn’t know about it, it would be fine.

* * *

By the time he returned to Hu Hai’s place, it was already two in the afternoon, and he had arrived just in time for the liveliest scene—although Liu Qing could cook, her spirit body had not yet fully solidified, so she could only watch and instruct without being able to lend a hand. Chishang and Motuo, on the other hand, had never cooked before and were competing to see who could be lazier, refusing to go out to a restaurant. So, like children playing house, they scavenged the remains from the fridge and brought everything into the kitchen, where, under Liu Qing’s direction, they fussed and joked, clumsily making a mess but having a great time.

As soon as Shi Jun entered, he saw water stains all over the floor. At the center of the dining table stood Motuo’s slender short sword, with five or six chicken wings skewered along its blade. As flames danced along the sword, the wings sizzled and dripped with oil, filling the air with a tempting aroma. Motuo, his hair a disheveled mess, sat across from a chubby man in yellow whom Shi Jun didn’t recognize. Both were staring longingly at the chicken wings, their cheeks propped up as they drooled.

From the kitchen, Chishang shouted, “Big Sister Liu, the porridge you told me to make is about to dry up! Should I add water?”

Liu Qing’s voice came in a flurry of warnings, “If you need to, but no more magic! You’re too reckless—what if you flood the kitchen again?”

Hu Hai had also been carried out and was lying on the sofa with a towel ceremoniously draped around his neck, no doubt at Liu Qing’s direction to make it easier to feed him later.

Spotting Shi Jun, Motuo immediately jumped up and said, “You’re just in time! Help me check if these are ready to eat. I’m starving!”

Liu Qing and Chishang also hurried out of the kitchen, both calling out, “Come help!”

Shi Jun couldn’t help but laugh. “What are you all doing? How have you still not eaten at this hour?”

Liu Qing grinned, “These guys insisted on cooking for themselves. You see what a mess they’ve made, and it’s still not done.”

Chishang giggled, “It’s all Motuo’s fault for being so clumsy—it’s not on me!”

“Hmph, if you hadn’t caused a flood,” Motuo grumbled, “we wouldn’t have wasted so much time.”

“If your sword hadn’t almost set the kitchen on fire, I wouldn’t have had to put it out!” Chishang said smugly. Then he pointed at the chubby man in yellow, “By the way, this is my third brother, Wang Li.”

Shi Jun hadn’t expected Liu Qing and Chishang to have brought Wang Li back so smoothly. He turned to the man in yellow, who had already stood up, smiling broadly as he sized Shi Jun up.

This yellow-clad fellow looked to be in his early thirties, with a broad face and large ears, plump and genial like the Laughing Buddha. His nose was round and fleshy, his lips thick, and his small round eyes twinkled with a childlike innocence. Though not striking in appearance, he was exceedingly likable.

Before Shi Jun could say a word, Wang Li rushed forward and gave him a hearty hug, exclaiming, “You’re the great benefactor who freed my brothers and me? Finally, I get to meet you in person! Thank you so much! They all say you’re some formidable underworld constable, but you look just like an ordinary person! How interesting! Hey, are you really not going to haul us back? You have to keep your word, alright?” He gazed at Shi Jun, his voice hearty but his tone as naive as a child.

Shi Jun laughed, “I didn’t release you all on purpose, so there’s no need to thank me. As for taking you back, that depends entirely on your behavior. But don’t worry, I keep my promises.”

Wang Li tilted his head, thought for a moment, then shook it. “I knew you must be a true gentleman who does good without asking for anything in return! Still, since you gave us freedom, I must thank you properly.” With that, he extended his plump hand, revealing a small, green, leaf-shaped stone in his palm.

“What’s that?” Motuo jumped over, craning his neck curiously, but Wang Li batted him away with one hand, laughing, “You can’t look until you finish roasting those wings!”

Shi Jun had no idea what Wang Li was offering, but he felt it wasn’t quite right to accept a gift from someone he’d just met. Then he heard Chishang explain, “Sir, this is my third brother’s prized possession. He said he wanted to thank you for freeing us from the token, and since he heard you were looking for a catalyst for refining your magical artifact, he’s giving it to you.”

“That’s right—it’s something I’m very fond of. But since I owe you a debt of gratitude, of course I should give you what I treasure most,” Wang Li said earnestly. He gazed almost sorrowfully at the small stone in his palm and said with great seriousness, “You’re not allowed to refuse—otherwise I have no other way to repay you!”

Shi Jun was deeply moved; he hadn’t expected Wang Li to be so generous at their first meeting, and for a moment he didn’t know what to say. Just then, Motuo suddenly exclaimed, “Hold it! Let me see that!”

He bounded over like a monkey, staring intently at the jade talisman hanging around Shi Jun’s neck—the very one his mother had given him. Motuo cried out, “That stone you’re wearing is brimming with powerful spiritual energy! It’s the perfect material for crafting a magical artifact. Tell me, where did you find it?”

“Is that so?” Shi Jun was a little surprised, but Wang Li, lips pursed, said, “Benefactor, you don’t want my gift? Or do you think it’s not good enough?”

Shi Jun thought that Wang Li’s sincerity was genuine; to refuse too bluntly would be unkind. So, instead of answering Motuo, he turned to Wang Li and said earnestly, “There’s really no need to go to such lengths. If you truly want to thank me, just treat me as a friend from now on. I appreciate your kindness, but since you value this so much, I have no reason to take what you love.”

“No, you have to accept it!” Wang Li insisted, holding out his hand. “Otherwise, where am I supposed to find another treasure for you? I don’t even know what you’d like. Even if it’s not useful for refining a magical artifact, you can keep it as a memento!”

Chishang chimed in, “Third Brother is sincere—just accept it.”

Shi Jun hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded. “Alright, I’ll accept it. Thank you.”

Wang Li’s face broke into a wide, joyful grin.