The Mystical Feng Shui Files - Chapter 20 - Is the Pretty Lady Your Girlfriend?

Before I could say anything, Hu Tieming hung up the phone. I stared at it, a sudden unease creeping over me.

Who was the woman visiting Hu Tieming? Why did hearing her voice make me feel so unsettled?

I quickly calculated something in my mind, and a realization struck me. I hurriedly called Hu Tieming back.

The phone rang for a while before he picked up. “Master Jiang?” Hu Tieming sounded puzzled. I had just called him, why was I calling again?

My tone was serious. “Teacher Hu, what did the student who just visited you want?”

“Oh, you’re asking about her!” I heard Hu Tieming’s relaxed laughter. “She’s the student I mentioned to you before, the one from a poor family. She stayed in Jiang City to work during the break instead of going home. She came by to see me today and even brought a lot of fruit.”

“Where is she now?”

“I just saw her off. Why?” Hu Tieming must have sensed something off in my voice.

“Check what she brought you,” I said, already standing up. If there was something like the blood-stained fake talisman hidden in the doll at his place, I might have figured out the source of Hu Tieming’s troubles.

Director Zhao’s situation had reminded me of this possibility. Just as men might have ill intentions towards women, the reverse could also be true. However, people often don’t consider this angle.

“She brought strawberries, kiwis, a can of coffee, and a teddy bear that holds a coffee spoon and cup…”

So there was a doll involved. I just needed to know if it was made by that girl herself.

“Check if there’s anything inside the doll!” I urged.

“Let me see… It’s empty inside, and there’s no hole at the bottom. There shouldn’t be anything inside, right?”

I breathed a sigh of relief. “Alright, I understand. I’ll come by tonight to check it out.”

“Master Jiang, aren’t you being too cautious? If anyone’s a problem, it wouldn’t be this student,” he chuckled.

“Well, it’s best if there’s no problem.”

Hanging up, my unease didn’t dissipate; it only grew stronger. In our line of work, any subconscious or intuitive change is never ignored, as it could be a sign of something significant.

With my master not around, I mulled over the situation, feeling something was bound to happen. I decided to head over to Hu Tieming’s place immediately.

Just then, the bell at the door jingled, signaling a visitor.

“Why are you here again?” I frowned as I saw who it was.

Tang Lian wasn’t dressed as she had been on her previous visits. Today, she wore a t-shirt and denim shorts, her long hair tied up in a bun, giving her a fresh and vibrant look. Shi Dan was so captivated by her beauty that he was staring.

“Shi Dan!” I called out, displeased.

Shi Dan quickly averted his gaze and resumed his work, though I noticed his eyes kept drifting back to Tang Lian.

“What do you mean by ‘here again’?” Tang Lian said with a playful smile.

“My master isn’t here. Please leave,” I said, maintaining a stern expression.

“I’m not here for Master Wu.”

“Then why are you here?”

“I’m here to see you!”

“I’m busy!”

Tang Lian didn’t get upset. She glanced around the shop and didn’t seem surprised to see Shi Dan there.

“You’re not welcome here, please leave!”

“Jiang Ziwu!” Tang Lian stepped right up to me. “Forget your master’s rules for a moment. I’m not here to ask him for anything or cause trouble. I’m just here to hang out with you. Is that a problem?”

A strange feeling rose in my heart. Hang out with me? What’s so interesting about that?

“I’m busy!” I repeated. “If there’s nothing else, please leave. I have things to do!” With that, I was about to head out. “Shi Dan, I’m stepping out for a bit. If anything comes up, note it down. If not, just watch the shop!”

“Oh, got it!” Shi Dan quickly replied, his eyes darting between me and Tang Lian with curiosity, as if trying to figure something out. After hesitating for a while, he finally couldn’t hold back and asked, “Bro, is the pretty lady your girlfriend?”

My face turned red, and I glared at him. “What nonsense are you spouting? Say that again, and you’ll be practicing horse stance in the yard!”

“Oh!” Shi Dan mumbled, his voice small, not daring to speak further.

Tang Lian laughed. “What a cute little brother. I’d love to be his girlfriend, but he won’t agree. See how mean he is to me!”

I was already feeling awkward, and her words made it even worse.

Ignoring whether she was happy or not, I said sternly, “Stop talking nonsense! There’s no way that’s happening. You need to leave! I’m heading out!”

I just wanted to get her out of the shop so I could go find Hu Tieming.

But Tang Lian wouldn’t leave. I thought to myself, how can someone be so thick-skinned? No matter how much I try to get her to go, she stays put.

Fine, if you won’t leave, I will!

“Shi Dan, tell Aunt Liu I’m heading out. If anyone comes looking for me or my master, note it down and wait for us to return. Remember, if they’re surnamed Tang, don’t take the job no matter how much they offer!”

“Got it!” Shi Dan replied, scratching his head and glancing at Tang Lian.

Tang Lian still didn’t get angry and jogged out of the shop after me.

“Hey, where are you going? I’ll go with you!”

I replied irritably, “I’m going to take a bath. You coming?”

Tang Lian was momentarily speechless, her steps slowing. Finally, she stomped her foot and shouted after me, “Jiang Ziwu, just you wait!”

I ignored her and walked briskly to the main road’s taxi stand.

By now, it was already noon, and there weren’t many people waiting for a ride. The people walking around were mostly office workers from nearby, out for lunch.

It was only then that I realized it was noon and I hadn’t eaten yet.

I couldn’t help but click my tongue in annoyance. What a mess!

Even though I hadn’t seen Tang Lian for a while, why did I feel so unsettled the moment I saw her again?

Forget it, I’ll head back and eat lunch first. There’s no rush.

When I returned, Shi Dan was surprised, holding a bowl of noodles and staring blankly. “Bro? Didn’t you say you were going out?”

“Don’t eat in the shop!” I pointed at him and headed to the back. “Aunt Liu, I’ll eat before I go. Did you save me a portion?”

“I did!” Aunt Liu called loudly from the kitchen. “Sit down, I’ll serve you!”

I sat at the dining table, staring absentmindedly at the small dishes laid out.

I didn’t know what was wrong with me, but my mind was once again filled with thoughts of Tang Lian.

“Hey, what’s up, bro?” Shi Dan sat down next to me, holding his bowl, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Nothing.”

“Who was that lady earlier? She’s really pretty! Is she your girl…”

“No talking while eating!”

Shi Dan swallowed his remaining words along with the noodles.

Aunt Liu brought over a bowl of noodles and placed it in front of me. “Eat up! It’s hot, so I made cold noodles. See if you like them.”

“Thanks, Aunt Liu!” I replied. “Please, have a seat and eat with us.”

Aunt Liu looked at me with a warm smile that somehow calmed my restless mind.

“You eat, I’ll go serve myself.”

I took a bite; the balance of salty and sweet flavors, with a hint of spice and tanginess, was incredibly appetizing. Paired with the cold side dishes, it was the perfect meal for a hot summer day.

Throughout the meal, Shi Dan didn’t utter another word.

Once we finished eating, I returned to the shop and brewed some tea to refresh my palate. Shi Dan cautiously asked, “Are you mad, bro?”

By then, my irritation had faded, so I replied, “I’m not mad. Remember that woman from earlier? Her name is Tang Lian, surname Tang. If she comes back, just send her away.”

“Oh!” Shi Dan nodded.

I knew he was still curious, so I added, “Remember, you can take on any job, except for those with the surname Tang. No matter how much they offer, don’t accept.”

“Why?” Shi Dan asked.

“It’s a rule. Don’t ask why, just remember it. Got it?”

“Oh!”

“Did you get it?” I glared at him.

“Got it!”