Chapter Forty-Six: Tending to the Household

Back at the shop, Old Liao and I collapsed in exhaustion onto the sofa. We’d encountered so many strange things recently—bizarre supernatural happenings, Brother Xiaolin’s ghostly tattoo, Ah Hao’s brother’s lingering spirit—so many mysteries demanded our answers.

“Honestly, am I a tattoo artist or a private investigator? This ghostly business is just too much,” I complained, sprawled out on the couch.

“Heh, isn’t this our line of work? When faced with the unknown, we have to uncover the causes behind them. Nothing happens in this world without reason; everything has its root,” Old Liao replied philosophically.

“But tell me, how did you know something was wrong with Xia Liang?” The way Old Liao spoke in the shop earlier had hit Xia Liang’s sore spot, and I was genuinely curious.

“Tsk, tsk. That’s just years of experience in the trade. At first glance, she has a full forehead, well-proportioned features. Every detail—her hair, suit cuffs, shirt collar—was perfectly arranged. Even her necklace and earrings were carefully selected.

“Judging by her appearance, she’s a strong woman—her life and work are meticulously organized. Yet, what’s strange is she’s on both the Honor and Shame boards at her company.” Old Liao stroked his little mustache as he explained.

“The Honor and Shame boards?”

“Sales companies use these tools to motivate employees. She’s at the top of the honor board for her outstanding performance, but she’s also on the shame board for repeated tardiness. Doesn’t that seem contradictory?”

“So that’s why!”

“And more than that, when I shook her hand, her limbs were icy, her expression exhausted, but her pulse was lively and strong. The body doesn’t lie, and that’s why I asked if her sleep was getting longer yet she couldn’t wake up refreshed.” Old Liao nodded smugly, signaling for me to pour him some water.

“You’re incredible, Old Liao. No wonder they call you the Daoist Diviner.”

“Oh, don’t flatter me. I’m a man marked by the heavens—I just want a few more years of peace,” he said, his expression dimming. “But that Xia Liang, she definitely has a problem!”

With Old Liao so certain, I started to feel more confident about the case.

“Get some rest. I guarantee Xia Liang will come looking for us tomorrow.”

…

The night passed in silence. In my dreams, my consciousness sank deeper and deeper, everything before my eyes blurry. It was as if, by instinct, I was trying to see something. I reached out my hands, groping forward, but grasped nothing.

“Hey, wake up! The sun’s high in the sky!” Old Liao shook me vigorously, shouting.

I stretched, trying to clear my head, and glanced at my watch—it was already nine in the morning.

“What’s going on? I’m still exhausted.”

“Xia Liang called just now—she’ll be here any minute,” Old Liao said, pouring himself a pot of tea and sipping it leisurely.

That news woke me up instantly. I rushed to the bathroom for a hasty wash and came out to prepare breakfast.

I fried two eggs, slapped them and some ham between slices of toast, added black pepper sauce, and took a big bite. Wiping the grease from my mouth, I asked, “What did Xia Liang say?”

Old Liao picked up a slice of toast, warmed it in the pan, and took a hearty bite as well. “She said she’s indeed had some trouble lately; she’ll explain when she gets here.”

“Vroom—Vroom—” The roar of an engine came from outside. A Porsche sports car stopped beneath our building, and out stepped a modern woman with short hair, sunglasses, and a leopard-print miniskirt, drawing stares from everyone on the street.

“Are real estate agents this rich now? That car must cost at least a million,” Old Liao said, suspicious.

“Quit guessing—finish your breakfast. She’ll be up soon.”

We hurriedly stuffed the bread into our mouths and downed our milk. Old Liao fussed with his own appearance in the mirror.

Really? We’re about to discuss ghostly business, not go on a date, but this old man is still vain. I stifled a laugh, and soon enough, the sound of high heels climbing the stairs echoed from the hallway.

Xia Liang strode in with a sway, and before we could speak, she showed us what it means to drop a bombshell.

“There’s an evil spirit in the Lijing Garden apartment I sold.”

So, she knew all about the incidents in Liu Juan’s apartment!

“But before that, what strange things have you encountered lately?” Old Liao invited her to sit and asked.

…

Xia Liang fell silent, biting her lip, as if struggling with an important decision.

“Master! I hope you can save my life!” she suddenly pleaded to Old Liao, her voice emotional.

“What exactly happened?”

“It all started three months ago,” she began.

Xia Liang was a top graduate from a prestigious university, president of the student council, and responsible for most sponsorship activities and business negotiations for her school. With her striking looks, cheerful disposition, and decisive work ethic, she was labeled a ‘strong woman’ from her college days. She started working in sales during university—hawking jewelry, running online businesses—and her natural talent made her affluent early on.

After graduation, she chose to continue in sales. Though she could have joined a bank, she was recruited by a real estate company—Anle Realty. Oddly, her training was unlike that of other agents: not rigorous scripts, endless cold calls, or constant client meetings.

Their job was strange, yet simple—they were to live for forty-nine days in properties that wouldn’t sell. Lijing Garden, Building 44, was the first assignment she received from headquarters after joining this branch.

At this point, the truth dawned on me—they were dabbling in the sinister business of ‘yin residences.’

“Anyone who lives in Lijing Garden 44 ends up with a ghost pregnancy. Why were you unharmed?” I couldn’t quite believe Xia Liang’s story.

Old Liao shot me a glare, and I realized my mistake. No matter what, we shouldn’t reveal the trade’s secrets to outsiders. I regretted my slip.

“That’s because of her fate,” Old Liao interjected. “By my calculation, seven of her eight birth characters belong to the Yang element. Such people are said to have a ‘solar fate.’ In theory, their Yang energy is overwhelming—evil spirits can’t invade. That female ghost didn’t use her body to nurture a ghost child—it makes sense.”

“When you lived there, what were the conditions? Did you just need to sleep there at night?” Old Liao pressed on.

“That’s the strangest part. The requirements for staying were very odd. During the day, there were no restrictions—I could go out as I pleased. But at night, I had to place a mirror on the bedside table, sleep facing the mirror, not turn over, and wear no jade accessories.

“Those forty-nine days in Lijing Garden 44 were a living hell. At first, it was fine, but after the second week, I’d feel someone breathing in my face at night, and hear murmured voices.

“I was terrified, too scared to open my eyes. Then, one midnight, I peeked at the mirror—and saw a woman in red clinging to my shoulder, biting my ear!”

A chill ran through me. Who wouldn’t be scared, finding an evil spirit behind them in the dead of night?

“Why didn’t you leave?” If it were me, I’d have left the very next day, never mind the consequences.

“We signed a contract… If you stay the full forty-nine days, you get a million. If you fail, you have to pay a million in penalty…”

Good heavens, that’s quite a sum. The mastermind behind this must be extraordinary. I glanced at Old Liao, hoping for some answers.

He nodded slowly. “This is most likely a method from ghost-taming arts—nurturing a house with spirits.”