Song Yu had read countless stories about ghost taxis.
There were all kinds of versions.
But he had never seen one like today’s.
The taxi had seemed supernatural, with an eerie green glow flickering beneath the darkening sky. But in the next instant, it dissolved into a flash of green light, and two figures appeared before everyone.
One was a middle-aged man who looked quite honest and simple; the other was Chen Tianhua, Deputy Director of the Special Affairs Bureau.
He glanced around, then fixed his gaze on Song Yu’s shop.
“It’s Uncle Chen.”
Xia Ling exclaimed in delight.
Uncle Chen was no ordinary Ghost Tamer. Now that he was here, they would be safe.
“Is the taxi his ability to command ghost creatures?”
Song Yu stared at the honest-looking middle-aged man, astonished.
Xia Ling nodded. “It should be. I’ve heard about it, but I’m low-ranking, and even many Ghost Tamers sent out on missions haven’t seen it.”
Song Yu didn’t stop them. He opened the door and let the two men in.
“Xiao Ling, are you all right?”
Chen Tianhua asked hurriedly.
“I’m fine, Uncle Chen. What’s going on with the alarm? Has a major supernatural incident really broken out?”
Chen Tianhua’s expression was grave. He nodded. “Yes, and it’s already been upgraded to Grade A, Level Two. I came to rescue you. Given the situation, ordinary Ghost Tamers can no longer get involved.”
Song Yu glanced at the computer and said quietly, “Actually, just as you were parking, the supernatural incident had already been upgraded to Grade C, Level One. It’s affected not only Xinchun District, but neighboring Antai District as well.”
“What?”
Everyone cried out in unison.
“Take out your phones and connect to the Wi-Fi in my shop. The password is six sixes. Then you’ll understand.”
Everyone looked a little bewildered.
But they followed his instructions on instinct.
“It really is a Grade C, Level One supernatural incident. The other side must be a Peak Red-Robed Ghost with a domain.”
Chen Tianhua spoke gravely.
The others also saw the latest notice released by the Special Affairs Bureau.
“Wait, Boss Song, how does your shop have a signal?”
Xia Ling seemed to realize something and asked in surprise.
“I don’t know, but my shop is protected by a magical artifact, so this supernatural incident hasn’t affected it.”
“What kind of magical artifact is that powerful?” Xia Ling blurted out.
“Xiao Ling.” Chen Tianhua furrowed his brows.
Xia Ling quickly fell silent and shrank back.
Song Yu didn’t mind. “Of course it’s an ancestral magical artifact. Don’t look at me—I need it to stay alive, so I’m not selling it.”
Chen Tianhua said, “Xiao Ling didn’t know any better and asked without thinking. Please forgive her, Boss Song. It seems you’re blessed with great fortune to have awakened an ancestral magical artifact. We’ve seen many cases where old family heirlooms suddenly displayed special abilities during the Supernatural Revival.”
Song Yu was surprised, but only waved a hand.
No one else could take it from him, so he had no need to be so nervous.
“The initial invasions by ghost creatures and demon creatures caused enormous casualties, and humanity suffered greatly. Some of those old family heirlooms really were powerful. They helped us immensely.”
Chen Tianhua gazed outside and spoke slowly, as if explaining it to Song Yu.
Song Yu didn’t dwell on it. “Xia Ling, you seem to have used up a lot of energy. How about a cup of soy milk to replenish yourself?”
After speaking, Song Yu seemed to think of something and hurried over to the Small Menu Board that had been brought inside earlier.
With a few quick strokes, he added several more lines under today’s offerings.
『Tea Egg: 5 points』
『Steamed Buns: 15 points』
『Big Plate Chicken: 80 points』
『Hot-and-sour cabbage: 30 points』
Xia Ling hurried over to take a look, and was immediately surprised.
“Boss Song, the Steamed Buns cost 15 points now?”
Song Yu replied, “Of course. These are pork and cabbage buns. If they were pure pork buns, they’d cost at least 20 points. As a friendly reminder, don’t compare any of this shop’s dishes to ordinary food prices. Some foods may look simple, but they’re actually very complicated to make.”
Xia Ling didn’t quite understand, but could only nod repeatedly to show she understood.
“Boss Song, just give me a Tea Egg.”
Song Yu said, “Sure.”
“Big bro, why does your shop take points as payment? How many points is one yuan?”
The young man Xia Ling had rescued asked in amazement, as if he had discovered a whole new world.
“Read the sign.”
Song Yu pointed at the Small Menu Board, then went to get Xia Ling her Tea Egg.
Chen Tianhua stared at the Small Menu Board, deep in thought.
“Exchange ghost creatures for points? One Vengeful Soul can only afford two Tea Eggs? This is insane!”
The young man glanced at it and shouted in shock.
But he quickly shut his mouth.
The person who had rescued him and these two newcomers were clearly no ordinary people.
What kind of shop had he walked into?
Was it one of those legendary shops that seemed utterly ordinary, but secretly gathered experts unknown to the public?
He grew excited.
Chen Tianhua and the middle-aged man were both studying what was written on the Small Menu Board.
Their gazes met, each harboring their own thoughts.
Song Yu soon returned.
Xia Ling eagerly began eating her Tea Egg.
Chen Tianhua mused, “Boss Song, could you tell us what effects these new foods have?”
Song Yu felt awkward. He didn’t know himself, but his face wore a faint smile. “You’ll have to find out for yourselves. I’m just a cook.”
Just a cook?
The people from the Special Affairs Bureau weren’t entirely convinced.
But they didn’t call him out.
After Xia Ling finished eating, she seemed to be in much higher spirits.
“Let’s go. I’ll take you back to the bureau. With a Grade C, Level One supernatural incident, even if it’s only Grade C, I need to direct things in person.”
Song Yu hurriedly called out, “Wait, what about him if you leave?”
Chen Tianhua and the other two looked at the young man.
The young man looked completely dumbfounded.
“Why don’t you take me to the Special Affairs Bureau too? I feel like I’ll die the moment I step outside.”
Chen Tianhua thought it over, looking somewhat helpless.
He couldn’t turn a blind eye to an ordinary person’s life being in danger.
“I’ll stay here. You go back first,” the honest-looking middle-aged man said.
Chen Tianhua replied, “If you stay, we can’t go back either.”
Xia Ling said, “Uncle Chen, since there’s a signal here, you can direct things from here. Once they get here, you can go out and meet them.”
Chen Tianhua looked at Song Yu.
“Have you ever seen a shop chase away customers for making phone calls?” Song Yu said with a shrug.
“Thank you.”
Chen Tianhua nodded.
Then he took out his Gourd.
“There are two Evil Ghosts here. Old Sun and I will take one each. I’ll get him a membership while I’m at it.”
The honest-looking middle-aged man smiled. “Then I won’t be shy about taking advantage of you.”
“It’s only an Evil Ghost,” Chen Tianhua said.
Song Yu was always quick when signing people up for memberships; he got it done in no time.
He asked warmly, “What would you two like to eat?”
Chen Tianhua said, “A cup of soy milk and a Steamed Bun, please.”
Old Sun said, “I’ll have a cup of soy milk, a Tea Egg, and a Steamed Bun too.”
“You got it.”
Song Yu soon brought the two men their food.
Old Sun slowly ate the food in front of him.
But when he finished the Steamed Bun, the two men turned toward each other almost simultaneously.
They were astonished, shocked, and delighted.