"Today we have excellent roasted lamb and roasted bear paw..."
The waiter's smile widened, his eyes gleaming faintly, as he saw the young man.
It was as if he had seen a walking ingot of silver.
"Fourth Young Master, this way please. The private room has been reserved for you."
The young man nodded and followed.
His steps were even quicker than the waiter's, his familiarity with the layout of the restaurant evident.
As the two ascended the stairs,
some of the diners on the first floor withdrew their gazes and continued their conversation.
Some were humans, others were ghosts.
But all interacted and conversed without issue, a picture of harmony.
In the private room on the second floor.
"The usual."
The young man sat down casually at the table and tossed something with a flash of silver.
The waiter caught it, his eyes crinkling with delight as he looked at the broken silver in his hand.
"Certainly, Fourth Young Master, please wait a moment!"
The waiter scurried away.
Before long, various dishes were brought in one after another, filling the table.
The young man drank his wine and ate his food.
Occasionally, he would gaze out of the second-floor window at the street.
Before he knew it, he had cleared his plate.
The young man wiped his mouth and left without lingering.
He leisurely descended from the second floor to the counter on the first.
The waiter immediately handed him a thick, substantial, yet elegant food box.
The box was adorned with the beautiful characters 'Feng Xiang Restaurant'.
"Fourth Young Master, your take-away."
The young man took the box, glanced at it, and then placed a silver ingot on the counter with satisfaction.
Just as he was about to leave, another person arrived outside Feng Xiang Restaurant.
The newcomer was tall and slender, his long hair tied up with a jade crown. He wore a dark robe embroidered with delicate cloud patterns.
A white jade pendant hung from his waist.
He had a refined appearance and clean eyes.
His steps were light, his robes fluttering.
"Brother Sixi!"
Upon seeing the young man at the counter, Lou Yangzi's face lit up with joy.
Que Sixi turned around, smiling broadly.
"Brother Lou, where have you been? I finished eating without seeing you."
Lou Yangzi gestured to the tea leaves in his hand, "My father has been fond of tea lately, so I went to find some."
Then, as if remembering something, he beckoned the waiter.
"Did the kitchen have any new pastries today? Please pack two portions for Brother Sixi to take away."
The waiter hesitated, "Young Master... those were ordered by the third young lady early this morning..."
Lou Yangzi: "It's alright, I'll speak to my third sister."
"Yes, I'll go right away."
The waiter darted into the kitchen and found the person making the pastries.
After some instructions, they were packed.
Que Sixi watched him go in and said with a smile, "How could I impose..."
Though he said this, he showed no sign of refusal.
"It's nothing valuable, but the pastries are quite good. Your sister-in-law will likely enjoy them."
Lou Yangzi said, his gaze sweeping across the first-floor hall.
"This food box is quite heavy, Brother Sixi. Would you like some help?"
Que Sixi waved his hand dismissively, "It's just a small thing, I can carry it myself."
He then sighed with a touch of nostalgia, "It's been half a year since I came, and Bai Di City is still as lively as ever."
Since the Heavenly Gate closed
and the various immortal cultivation sects declined, ghosts gradually became more prominent.
The Underworld, seeing the human world frequently disturbed by malevolent spirits, granted them simple defensive techniques, allowing humans to protect themselves.
As humans researched and developed over generations,
their cultivation arts gradually grew stronger. Several prominent families joined forces to establish the current Bai Di City.
This is also the only city in the current era where humans and ghosts coexist.
Here, humans and ghosts conduct business, trade, and form friendships... it is commonplace.
As far as Que Sixi knew, the Lou family was one of the founding families.
Why Lou Yangzi, as the legitimate son of the Lou family, did not inherit the family business but instead managed its enterprises,
remained a mystery to many.
However, to Que Sixi,
family and legitimate son... it all meant the same.
As long as he and Little Golden Fish had food and entertainment, they had nothing to worry about.
Even if Bai Di City were to be overturned one day, it would be of no concern to him.
At most, he and Little Golden Fish would simply find another place.
...
As the two spoke, the waiter emerged with the packed pastries.
Que Sixi took the pastries and sniffed them, a faint fragrance mixed with a hint of sourness.
His eyes lit up, "Thank you, Brother Lou!"
After bidding farewell to Lou Yangzi, Que Sixi walked out, carrying the take-away boxes in each hand.
Not long after he left, several figures among the diners on the first floor stood up.
They placed money on their tables and then quickly followed him.
"..."
Lou Yangzi watched this scene, pondered for a moment, and then called a small ghost to follow them from a distance to observe the situation.
In Bai Di City,
you can be human, or you can be a ghost.
You can contract humans, or you can contract ghosts.
Under the protection of the major families, a harmonious atmosphere prevails.
This freedom and ease naturally attract many people and ghosts.
Some come to settle and do business, others come out of curiosity to visit...
With people and ghosts coming and going, Bai Di City is bustling with activity.
However, some problems have arisen.
On the surface, contracts are made willingly.
But in reality, if someone desires something, they will find various ways to make the other party submit.
As for reporting the matter afterward...
Once contracted, what is there to report?
Of course, if someone specifically hired investigators, the truth could be uncovered.
But generally, unless it's a major incident or involves an important mission, no one would investigate every single case.
Everyone maintains a superficial peace.
...
Meanwhile, a group followed Que Sixi out of the restaurant.
Recalling the conversation between Lou Yangzi and Que Sixi, they seemed to be acquaintances.
Someone worried, "This ghost knows the owner of that restaurant. Will it cause trouble?"
The leader scoffed, "He's just a diner. If he stops coming one day, who will care? At worst, we can leave Bai Di City and not let the Lou family see us."
Another person beside him chimed in, "What Lou family? In fact, the owner of that restaurant doesn't have much real power or ability. The true heir of the Lou family must be the second son."
"Tsk tsk... so this restaurant owner is a discarded piece?"
"He's the eldest son, yet his aptitude is mediocre. It's said he only knows a little bit of cultivation art."
As they spoke, Que Sixi, carrying the food boxes, made a turn ahead.
They stopped talking and quickly followed.
After a few turns, they arrived at an alley.
"Where's the ghost?"
The alley was empty, with no sign of any ghosts.
"Are you looking for me?"
A sinister voice echoed from behind the group.
The leader, an old man, knew something was wrong.
...
A short while later, Que Sixi emerged from the alley, carrying his food boxes, unharmed.
He leisurely strolled towards his home.
Thinking of Little Golden Fish, his mood instantly brightened.
Not far away, a small ghost waited for a moment before cautiously approaching the alley.
Peeking inside, he saw several tall, burly figures lying on the ground.
He shivered all over and scurried back to the restaurant.
"So that's how it is... as expected of Brother Sixi."
Upon hearing the small ghost's report, Lou Yangzi felt relieved.
Brother Sixi's strength seemed ordinary... it was likely a disguise.
...
(PS: Que Sixi, the second disciple of Jiang Lin in his ascension lifetime. Later, to protect his beloved Little Golden Fish, his physical body died, and his soul transformed into a ghost.
Lou Yangzi: A person from the era of ghost cultivation. Previously brought into the small world left by Jiang Lin by Que Sixi to live.
Ahem... this chapter was indeed started when the sky was still white. As I wrote, the sky turned dark.)
...