Zhou Da Fa chuckled, revealing a large gold tooth. "I heard there's a particularly skilled master on Jiangdu's old street, not only incredibly capable but also very young. Meeting him today, I see the rumors are true."
Yu Dao Hen looked at Zhou Da Fa, thinking that the man certainly knew how to flatter. Seeing Yu Dao Hen remain silent, Zhou Da Fa touched his receding hairline. "Actually, I'm here mainly to ask the master for help with catching ghosts."
Yu Dao Hen glanced at Zhou Xin Si beside him, then back at Zhou Da Fa. "You don't look like something that happened recently."
Zhou Da Fa chuckled again. Yu Dao Hen continued, "Although you appear weak and lifeless now, the dark energy on your forehead has been there for some time. Your current state, however, seems to have appeared only recently."
The two looked at Yu Dao Hen in surprise. Zhou Xin Si nodded to Zhou Da Fa, who then sighed and explained the whole story.
Three years ago, the fast-food industry was booming. Many seized the opportunity and transformed into millionaires overnight. Zhou Da Fa was one of them.
Zhou Da Fa's parents had passed away when he was very young, leaving him and his sister, Zhou Xin Si, to rely on each other. Out of necessity, he brought his sister to the big city to make a living. By his thirties, he was still penniless. It was three years ago that Zhou Da Fa seized the opportunity in the fast-food industry, becoming a millionaire and owning over ten Western restaurants.
With his career successful, Zhou Da Fa felt it was time to settle down. That's when he met Yang Xiao Man, the goddess of his heart. Although Yang Xiao Man was twelve years younger than Zhou Da Fa, she loved him dearly.
No matter how late Zhou Da Fa returned home, Yang Xiao Man would personally cook and wait for him to eat.
They had agreed to hold their wedding the following month. Everything was planned, but on the wedding day, the car picking up the bride was involved in a head-on collision with a large truck. Despite rescue efforts, she tragically passed away.
Zhou Da Fa was devastated. Friends, hearing of his plight, recommended he try raising ghosts. Reluctantly, Zhou Da Fa asked a friend who knew a master capable of performing such rituals, named Zhong Wei. Following the master's instructions, Zhou Da Fa prepared a bedroom in his home, placing Yang Xiao Man's ashes in the south-facing position and burning three sticks of incense daily.
That night, when Zhou Da Fa went to check the room, he indeed saw Yang Xiao Man's spirit. Although it was a spirit, Zhou Da Fa could clearly feel her presence, as if she hadn't died.
Before leaving, the master instructed Zhou Da Fa that the room must never be exposed to sunlight, and no man other than himself was allowed to enter.
Thus, Zhou Da Fa continued this for two years. It was about half a month ago that a ghost suddenly appeared in his home. Zhou Da Fa usually only interacted with Yang Xiao Man once or twice a month, allowing her to absorb a bit of his yang energy.
However, after the ghost arrived, it began forcing Yang Xiao Man to absorb his yang energy for it, threatening to harm Zhou Da Fa if she refused. Fearing for Zhou Da Fa's safety, Yang Xiao Man began absorbing a little of his yang energy for the ghost daily.
Upon hearing this, Yu Dao Hen became curious. "Zhong Wei, his surname... he must be from Hebei. Legend has it that the ancestors of the Hebei family were ghosts, and his family has been helping people raise ghosts for generations. In the past, if someone died and the family couldn't bear to let their soul go to the underworld, they would invite someone to perform rituals to keep the deceased's spirit at home."
"As times changed, this practice has completely declined. The most well-known now is raising 'little ghosts'."
Yu Dao Hen looked at Zhou Da Fa and asked, "Have you seen what that ghost looks like?"
Zhou Da Fa shook his head. "No, but Xiao Man told me. It has a large belly, its umbilical cord is protruding, its eyes are wide open, and its eyeballs have separated from their sockets."
Hearing this, Yu Dao Hen's brow furrowed. If he wasn't mistaken, it was likely a "chan gui" (产鬼), a ghost born from a pregnant woman who died during childbirth, a double tragedy. Such ghosts harbored immense resentment, especially the unborn fetus.
Seeing Yu Dao Hen remain silent, Zhou Da Fa knelt down with a thud, his voice choked with emotion. "Master Yu, I beg you to help me. I don't fear death, but I cannot bear for Xiao Man's spirit to be scattered."
Yu Dao Hen sighed. Zhou Xin Si helped Zhou Da Fa up and looked at Yu Dao Hen. "If you are willing to help, I will give you one of our Western restaurants."
Yu Dao Hen looked at Zhou Xin Si. He had to admit the offer was tempting. He waved his hand. "My rule is, if you can drink the 'invitation tea,' I will help. If you can't, then don't blame me for being unable to assist." As he spoke, he walked towards a drawer on the wall.
He took a piece of apricot leaf from the drawer and placed it in a teacup. He then poured hot water over it, and the leaf immediately turned a blackish-purple. Zhou Da Fa picked up the teacup, a hint of surprise on his face, as he couldn't feel any warmth from it.
Without caring if it was hot, he drank it down in one gulp. Yu Dao Hen refilled the teacup, and Zhou Da Fa again picked it up and drank it in one go.
"Alright, I'll take this case," Yu Dao Hen nodded.
Zhou Da Fa's heart leaped with joy. He quickly nodded. "Thank you, Master Yu. As my sister mentioned earlier, I will give you one of our Western restaurants."
Yu Dao Hen did not refuse. If Old Man Xu had this Western restaurant, he could settle down in Jiangdu and wouldn't have to travel so much. Yu Dao Hen would also be able to protect them.
He took a yellow talisman from the drawer, recited an incantation, and the talisman began to burn. Yu Dao Hen threw the burning talisman into the cup, filled it with water, and had Zhou Da Fa drink it.
Zhou Da Fa held his breath and finished the talisman water in one gulp, feeling a warm current flow through his body. Seeing the talisman water consumed, Yu Dao Hen said, "I've replenished some of your yang energy. Come to my shop tomorrow morning. As for the value of that Western restaurant, I will compensate you gradually."
Zhou Da Fa quickly waved his hands. "For me, the amount of money earned is irrelevant. As long as my sister and Xiao Man are safe, that is enough."
After a few more casual remarks, Zhou Da Fa said he was worried about Yang Xiao Man and left. Zhou Xin Si handed Yu Dao Hen a business card.
As Zhou Da Fa was about to leave, Yu Dao Hen shook his head. "Humans and ghosts have separate paths, Boss Zhou. It's time to let go."
Zhou Da Fa rubbed the back of his head and chuckled good-naturedly. "In my life, I've only loved one woman. I won't marry anyone else."
With that, he walked towards his car, followed by Zhou Xin Si. The sound of tires screeching on the ground filled the air as the car drove away.
Yu Dao Hen watched the receding car, sighing and shaking his head. With Zhou Da Fa's wealth, he could easily find someone better. He could simply hide and be done with it, but he was afraid for Yang Xiao Man. If he continued like this, he would surely die within three days.
Perhaps one day, someone will truly die for you. That person is likely the one who stays with you until the very end.
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Author's Note:
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