She was trapped between the bookshelf and his chest, unable to move forward…
Ren Siyi asked in surprise, "What do you mean? What do you mean by 'no different from being dead'?"
Li Er said mysteriously, "Heaven's secrets cannot be revealed."
"…"
Ren Siyi pulled out her phone. "Just name your price."
She was rich now, after all.
"It's not about taking your money." Li Er leisurely gathered his tarot cards, not bothering to organize them properly, and tossed them haphazardly into his dirty old schoolbag. "In this world, some things transcend the scope of what ordinary people can comprehend. Knowing about them would only do you harm."
"Do all you fortune-tellers have to speak in riddles?" Ren Siyi said, somewhat exasperated, crossing her arms. "Since you can't say anything, why did you bother rushing over here? Let me tell you, if you don't explain clearly today, you won't get a single cent from me."
Li Er rubbed his messy short hair and said dejectedly, "Damn, making a living these days is really tough."
"Since you've come this far, just say it outright."
"Transfer me 50 first, so you can't back out."
"What if I transfer it and you still don't tell me?"
"Then I wouldn't get the remaining 50 either, would I?"
She thought about it—that made sense. So she transferred the money to Li Er. "Alright, talk."
Li Er confirmed the payment had arrived, sat up a little straighter, and lowered his voice. "Have you ever heard of bats that can suck a person dry?"
"Yeah, I saw it on a science channel when I was a kid. They were called vampire bats or something. I had nightmares for days after watching it. Bats used to fly around in the evenings in our village—scared me to death."
Li Er listened patiently until she finished, then spoke again. "No need to be afraid. Vampire bats are found in Central and South America. There are none in China."
"I figured that out later."
"China may not have vampire bats, but that doesn't mean there aren't other things. For example…" He paused thoughtfully and murmured two words, "Mosquitoes."
This was already the second time he'd mentioned "mosquitoes." Ren Siyi furrowed her brows, looking at his inscrutable expression. "You really do like mosquitoes, huh. No wonder you're called Dragonfly Immortal Venerable—because dragonflies eat mosquitoes, right?"
Li Er smiled. "Right."
"So, vampire bats, mosquitoes, dragonflies—what do any of these have to do with my dad's disappearance?" Ren Siyi was losing patience.
"The mosquito I'm talking about isn't the kind of mosquito you're thinking of."
"Refund, refund, refund!" Ren Siyi no longer wanted to hear him speak in riddles. She reached out to grab his phone.
"Hey, hey, hey!" Li Er quickly raised his phone high. "I'm afraid telling you will scare you."
"I've been scared my whole life!" Ren Siyi shot him a contemptuous look. "Do you know our village is haunted? I saw my grandma get possessed by a ghost with my own eyes. What could possibly scare me?"
"Wow, you've seen something as crazy as ghost possession? Then your dad turning into a vampire—that small matter should be pretty easy for you to accept, right?" Li Er spoke quickly, then curled his lips into a sweet smile.
"…"
Ren Siyi blinked. He blinked too. The two stared at each other.
Getting fooled once is an accident; getting fooled twice is just stupidity!
She really couldn't believe she could be this stupid, actually trusting this charlatan again!
Ren Siyi suppressed her anger, resisting the urge to smack him over the head with her bag.
"Vampire? Your mom's the one who turned into a vampire!"
She stood up and stormed off furiously.
Behind her, Li Er shouted, "Hey! You still haven't transferred the other fifty!"
Ren Siyi: "Keep waiting!"
After the girl had walked far away, an old man with white hair at the next table slowly set down his vertical-format classical Chinese book, walked over to Li Er, and respectfully addressed him, "Little Master Uncle, is it really alright to let a human with such precious blood live in that Great Mosquito's house?"
"If it were an ordinary little mosquito, I wouldn't be at ease." Li Er let out a cold laugh. "But that one… his sense of discretion needs no worry."
A glint of excitement appeared in the old man's eyes. "If this bait can really help us lure out the Great Mosquito and eliminate it, then Little Master Uncle, you'll have earned a great merit."
"Merit or not, it doesn't matter." Li Er walked over to the vending machine and bought a bottle of iced cola. "I just want the world to be a little quieter."
…
Before she knew it, she'd stayed at the library until evening. She rushed back as fast as she could, and Shen Shen was already dining in the main dining room.
He held silver cutlery, elegantly cutting into a bloody steak.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I'm late for my shift!" Ren Siyi apologized profusely.
Hopefully he wouldn't deduct her pay.
Shen Shen glanced at her sideways. "Where did you go?"
"The provincial library, to read. It wasn't far, but the internal roads of Central Park are too winding—I almost got lost, so I came back late."
Shen Shen brought a small piece of cut steak to his mouth and chewed slowly.
There was a strong sense of restraint in the way he ate.
"If there's nothing important, don't go wandering around outside," he said.
"Uh…"
In matters of safety, Shen Shen was relatively cautious.
Because she worked in his home, if people found out, there would probably be many who would want to establish contact with her.
Even some annoying types would come knocking on his door.
He didn't want to invite that kind of trouble over a little maid.
Ren Siyi's mind spun, and she tested the waters: "Then Mr. Shen, may I… read in your study during the day?"
Lu Sen, standing quietly to the side, widened his eyes and looked at Ren Siyi in disbelief, never expecting this young girl to make such a bold request.
Shen Shen wiped his thin lips with a napkin and raised his eyes.
Under the light, his pupils were a pale amber.
"You may."
Lu Sen: !!
After Ren Siyi happily withdrew, Lu Sen couldn't help but ask, "Master, what's so special about her?"
"Nothing."
"Then why are you so special to her? I've worked for you for ten years, and you've never allowed me to read in your study." Lu Sen tried to keep his tone calm despite the hint of jealousy.
Shen Shen glanced at him and set down his napkin: "You never asked."
"You mean, if I had asked, the answer would have been yes?!"
Shen Shen: "Yes."
Lu Sen: …
Shen Shen's study was truly enormous—not just large, but packed with books. Ren Siyi even found many rare ancient texts. She couldn't tell if they were authentic, but they certainly looked real, because flipping through them nearly made them crumble to pieces.
The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine, Essential Techniques for the Common People, Treatise on Cold Damage and Miscellaneous Diseases… none were modern printed editions, but ancient versions in classical Chinese that were hard to decipher.
In addition, there was a large collection of Western classics, even parchment books.
His entire room of books wasn't so much a library as it was a museum of antiques!!
Ren Siyi didn't dare touch the books that looked ancient, only reading the printed ones.
She was utterly absorbed, unable to tear herself away.
For a book lover, living here was practically heaven.
During the day, Shen Du had to sleep, and Ren Siyi had little work to do, so she stayed in Shen Shen's study. She discovered that Shen Shen didn't sleep all day.
For instance, in the afternoon, he would quietly read in the study, though he seemed to dislike sunlight. Whenever he came, the curtains in the study would slowly close.
Ren Siyi originally loved sitting by the floor-to-ceiling window to bask in the sun, but whenever she saw the curtains close, she knew the master had arrived.
Ren Siyi also curiously asked Shen Du: "Your brother works all night. Is sleeping only in the morning enough for him?"
Shen Du waved his hand casually: "Old man, doesn't need much sleep."
Ren Siyi let out an "Ah": "Your brother doesn't look old at all. He seems around twenty-six or twenty-seven, very young."
Young, handsome, and very capable.
"In any case, he's an old relic, no comparison to me." Shen Du leaned closer to Ren Siyi, "I'm handsome, young, and have great stamina. Want to consider it?"
"Consider what?"
"Being my girlfriend."
"Didn't you already label me as your thirteenth girlfriend?"
Shen Du: …
"How do you know!"
Ren Siyi: "I'm an observant nanny."
"…"
All night, Shen Du kept apologizing to her, saying he was definitely single now, that the label was written long ago when they first met, and now she was number one—there was no one else!
Number one or number thirteen, Ren Siyi didn't care.
She didn't think she would ever become Shen Du's girlfriend.
Never date a client—she had strong work principles!
…
At noon, Ren Siyi sat by the floor-to-ceiling window, holding an old edition of Wuthering Heights, feeling drowsy.
The electric curtains slowly closed, driving out every trace of sunlight, and the heavy velvet drapes drew shut right in front of her—perfect for an afternoon nap.
Ren Siyi turned her head and saw Shen Shen walk in.
Usually he wore suits, exuding an impeccable, ascetic air, but after waking up, he would change into softer loungewear, shedding his usual cold aloofness and appearing much gentler.
His skin was really fair.
It seemed nighttime activities and avoiding the sun really did whiten the skin—Ren Siyi was a bit envious of him.
Setting down Wuthering Heights, she wandered along the bookshelves, looking for a medical book. On the top shelf, there was an Atlas of Human Anatomy that piqued her curiosity.
She stood on her tiptoes to reach it, her fingertips brushing the bottom of the book—couldn't get it.
She tried again, still falling short, even jumping couldn't reach it.
Just as she was about to give up and look elsewhere, steady footsteps sounded from behind her. Before she could turn around, someone gently pressed against her back, enveloping her.
Shen Shen raised his arm and easily took down the heavy atlas.
But he didn't hand it to her right away.
And so, she was trapped between the bookshelf and his chest, unable to move forward or back.
Shen Shen tilted his head slightly, his breath falling on the top of her head—cool, yet ticklish.
He held the book out to her: "Is this the one?"
"Mm, thank you, Mr. Shen!" Ren Siyi reached out to take it, but he didn't let go.
They were too close, and the air suddenly became thin and scorching.
Shen Shen flipped through the book and asked, "Do you like this kind of book?"
"Yeah, my major in college was medicine." She took the atlas from his hand and hugged it to her chest.
"Studying anatomy?"
"No, traditional Chinese medicine."
Just then, a ringtone blared out of nowhere—
"Sir, you can't do that, you're getting closer and closer, where are your eyes looking, still pretending to be so calm."
Ren Siyi was startled. She quickly found an inconspicuous corner by the bookshelf, shrank into it, and avoided his gaze.
It was Grandma calling.
"Grandma." She lowered her voice, speaking only with her breath. "How's your health lately? What's the matter?"
"Oh, right, the air conditioner is the one I bought for you. I placed the order yesterday, and it arrived today."
"It wasn't expensive, there was a subsidy, just over a thousand." Ren Siyi said quietly. "The weather is getting hot now. Don't be stingy with the electricity. I heard this summer is going to be really hot, so you must turn it on."
"Don't worry, I'm working part-time now, I can earn money myself."
"Auntie came to find you? Hmph, I'm not going back. I hate Xu Lulu."
"Good thing she's my cousin, not my sister. Forget it, I won't say more. Just don't you two worry about the electricity bill and not turn on the air conditioner. I'll pay the electricity bill at home. That's it, bye."
Ren Siyi hung up and let out a soft sigh.
Even if she bought an air conditioner for Grandpa and Grandma, they'd still worry about the electricity bill and refuse to use it. In the end, the family was just too poor.
She had to earn more money and give Grandpa and Grandma a better life!
When she looked up again, the study was empty. Shen Shen was already gone.
But soon, she saw a strange man being led in by the butler, Lu Sen, heading toward the reception room.
Ren Siyi curiously followed and quietly crept up to the crack of the door.
In the reception room, Shen Shen sat in the single sofa in the main seat, his posture casual, his arm resting on the edge of the armrest, fingers dangling lazily.
He was always like this. In the time Ren Siyi had been here, she'd seen quite a few people come to visit him. No matter how distinguished the visitor was, Shen Shen never seemed to need to change out of his clothes.
He could just wear his casual loungewear.
But the other party had to wear their most formal suit to see him.
From this, she could guess that the master of this house must be someone very important.
The man who had just come in sat in the guest seat. Ren Siyi thought he looked very familiar.
Chen Yuanzhi, chairman of Shenghang Group, worth billions, often appearing in financial news.
However, the spirited middle-aged man in front of the cameras was now facing Shen Shen with his hands tightly clasped together, looking nervous and uneasy.
Even, a little fearful.
"Mr. Shen, I really must trouble you with this matter." Chen Yuanzhi's voice carried humility as he pleaded. "I'm at the end of my rope. In this world, besides you, no one can help me."
"Oh, right, this is a small token I've prepared. Please accept it, Mr. Shen."
From the black leather briefcase he carried, he carefully brought out an object.
It was a golden crow statue, made of pure gold, every feather carved with exquisite detail.
The crow's eyes were set with two deep red gemstones, as if it were alive.
Ren Siyi: !!
Her eyes had been opened.
But Shen Shen didn't even glance at the golden crow, as if it were nothing more than a cheap ornament.
"Not enough," he said.
Chen Yuanzhi swallowed hard, his face turning somewhat pale.
Ren Siyi thought to herself, who knows how many pounds that golden crow weighs! And he still thinks it's too little?
Sure enough, the world of the rich was beyond her imagination!
Just then, the butler Lu Sen walked in from the other side of the reception room, carrying a silver tray.
On the tray was a crystal-clear empty red wine glass.
Beside the glass lay a small knife, its blade sharp and thin.
"You know my rules." Shen Shen sat relaxed, legs spread, leaning against the sofa.
His posture was that of one in power.
Chen Yuanzhi gritted his teeth, picked up the knife, his eyes seeming to have made up his mind.
Ren Siyi's eyes widened. It was like watching a movie—she was deeply absorbed in the drama unfolding in the room, enjoying every bit of it.
But just then, the butler Lu Sen turned and came out.
Ren Siyi had no time to dodge and ran straight into Lu Sen.
Lu Sen's expression darkened, and he quickly closed the door behind him.
Ren Siyi let out an "aww"—she was watching the best part!
The butler looked at her sternly. "Miss Ren, please return to where you belong."
"Um, okay…"
Ren Siyi thought of her missing father, and with a cheeky smile, curiously asked Lu Sen, "That man is the boss of Shenghang Group! He also comes to ask Mr. Shen for help? Mr. Shen is really amazing! Can he handle a lot of things?"
Lu Sen said coldly, "Don't ask about things you shouldn't."