Seeing Jiang Yi remain motionless, Zheng Xiaofeng urged again, “Master, I’ll scan you.”
Jiang Yi looked listless. “I only accept cash.”
She couldn’t very well tell others that a master like her didn’t even own a phone.
“Master, I don’t have cash on me. How about you give me the talisman first, and I’ll withdraw cash for you once we reach Huashi?”
“That won’t do. You’ll have to write me an IOU.”
When the uncles in the village asked her to find their sheep and didn’t have cash, they always wrote IOUs first and paid her back later.
Zheng Xiaofeng: “…”
After all, he was the assistant to the future chairman of Lianfa Real Estate, someone who wielded considerable influence at the company. Having to write an IOU for a mere six thousand yuan—wouldn’t that be embarrassing if word got out?
But Zheng Xiaofeng desperately wanted that talisman, so he had no choice but to agree.
The two of them then huddled in the back, scribbling out the IOU.
When they arrived in Huashi, Jiang Yi’s eyes couldn’t take in everything fast enough.
Skyscrapers, bustling traffic—it was a level of prosperity she had never seen before.
Lian Hao settled Jiang Yi into a five-star hotel.
The grand European-style crystal chandelier in the lobby nearly blinded her.
Upon hearing the price for one night’s stay, Jiang Yi pinched herself hard.
3,888… for one night.
What, were they sleeping on money? How could it be so expensive?
Once inside the room, Jiang Yi understood why it was so pricey—there was a reason for the high cost.
Lian Hao followed her in. “Master, please put your things down and rest for a while. I’ll go to the hospital to check on my father. If his condition is stable, I’ll come pick you up this afternoon to take you to the hospital. Does that arrangement work for you?”
Jiang Yi waved her hand. “Go on, go on!”
Then she glanced at Zheng Xiaofeng and patted her pocket.
Her actions clearly told him, “You still owe me six thousand yuan.”
Zheng Xiaofeng quickly nodded. Yes, yes, yes, boss! I’ll pay you back in a bit!
Once everyone had left, Jiang Yi took a running start from across the room and leaped onto the soft bed.
She excitedly rolled around on the bed, then pulled out Ancestor Grandma’s Spirit Tablet and gave it a loud kiss.
“Ancestor Grandma, look! We’re staying in such a nice room too! Look at this TV—it’s three times bigger than the ones in those cheap motels! I’ll go earn money this afternoon. Once I have enough, I’ll bring you back to stay in this room again.”
Ancestor Grandma’s Spirit Tablet wriggled slightly, and Jiang Yi immediately said, “Got it, got it!”
She pulled out a piece of yellow ritual paper from her pocket and casually tore it into a human shape.
Channeling Spiritual Power through her fingers, she quickly traced a few strokes on the Spirit Tablet, then did the same on the paper figurine.
The paper figure, which had been lying on the bed, suddenly twitched its feet twice.
Its little feet wiggled and wiggled, then it abruptly sat up before scrambling to its feet.
Its short legs ran swiftly across the bed, putting in a vigorous effort, then it leaped.
Spinning 720 degrees in the air, it raised its hands high and landed lightly on its toes.
Jiang Yi quickly lifted her foot, afraid she might accidentally step on “Ancestor Grandma” and crush her.
“Ancestor Grandma, this yellow paper is too fragile, and your Remnant Soul is too powerful. It can only hold for five minutes!”
The little paper figurine completely ignored Jiang Yi.
It quickly climbed onto the sofa and sat down like a person.
But its legs were too short to reach the floor.
It tried leaning back against the sofa backrest, only to flop over with a soft thud.
The little paper figurine jumped down from the sofa and climbed onto the TV cabinet.
It stretched out its arms as if measuring the size of the television.
Then it caught sight of its own reflection on the TV screen.
It clasped its hands over its head, striking a horrified pose.
Later, feeling that covering her head wasn’t quite right, she switched to one hand covering her chest and the other covering her lower body.
If she had long hair, it would surely have stood on end from fright.
Shyly, she scurried away from the television and leaped in front of Jiang Yi, her tiny hands flailing about as if cursing.
Jiang Yi laughed so hard she nearly fell to the ground. “Alright, alright, you’re just a paper figurine. What do you need clothes for?”
Though the paper figurine made no sound and had no facial features, her posture suggested she was still cursing nonstop.
Jiang Yi had no choice but to pull a brush from her bag and smear red cinnabar all over the figurine’s front.
Only then did the paper figurine seem satisfied and resumed running around the room.
One moment, she spun on tiptoe; the next, she leaped into the air, performing a full split.
Jiang Yi was afraid she might tear herself apart from all the playing.
Five minutes passed quickly. As the paper figurine ran, her body suddenly melted like ice cream and flopped onto the floor.
Then, with a whoosh, flames ignited, and she vanished into a wisp of blue smoke, leaving no trace behind.
The Spirit Tablet, which had been lying on the bed, abruptly stood upright.
It was rather eerie.
Jiang Yi chuckled reassuringly, “Ancestor Grandma, once I find Yanling Tree Bark, I’ll weave you a body. Then you’ll be able to go out and play wherever you like.
This afternoon, I need to go out to earn some money. You stay here and watch TV.
I won’t take the room key, so don’t pull any more tricks to scare people.
If you agree, I’ll bring you some crayfish tonight!”
The television suddenly switched on.
The channels flickered rapidly before settling on the program Ancestor Grandma often watched.
This meant Ancestor Grandma had agreed!
After settling Jiang Yi, Lian Hao hurried back to the hospital.
The top floor of this hospital was the VIP ward, reserved for the wealthy and influential, with top specialists from every department on standby around the clock.
When Lian Hao arrived, his stepmother Liang Ru, who was seven years older than him, was also there.
She reclined against the sofa back, legs crossed, playing on her phone with an imposing air.
Beside Liang Ru sat a seven- or eight-year-old boy whose features closely resembled hers.
Before Lian Hao entered, the boy had been throwing a tantrum, clamoring noisily, “I want to play with the phone! Give me the phone!”
Seeing Lian Hao come in, the boy quickly sat up straight and softly called out, “Brother.”
He seemed quite afraid of Lian Hao.
Lian Hao acknowledged him with a nod before turning to look at his father.
Just half a month ago, his father had been glowing with vitality.
Now, he lay there unconscious, his cheeks sunken, and the once-proud back that had supported the entire family now as thin as a bundle of dry sticks.
“Dad, I’m here.”
Knowing Lian Zhiqiang couldn’t hear him, Lian Hao still called out, a wave of sorrow welling up inside him.
Lian Hao summoned the doctor to inquire about his father’s condition. Upon learning that everything was stable, he finally relaxed.
He turned to the lavishly dressed Liang Ru and said, “At two o’clock this afternoon, I’ve invited a master to come. You should make yourself scarce.”
“Lian Hao, I am, in name, your mother. Why should I have to leave for anything?
Besides, I’ve also invited a master this afternoon.
The master I invited is quite renowned…”
Lian Hao stared coldly at Liang Ru.
Having managed the company’s affairs for Lian Zhiqiang for many years, he carried an intimidating presence.
Liang Ru was still somewhat afraid of this stepson of hers, and her voice grew softer as she spoke.
Finally, she stood up, grabbed her son’s hand, and huffed, “Let’s go!”
Only after the two had left did Lian Hao take off his coat, toss it onto the sofa, and sink into the plush cushions with a weary sigh.
After driving for several hours and smelling the perfume on Liang Ru, his head was spinning.
But with his father unconscious and not fit to be exposed to drafts, Lian Hao glanced at the window and decided against opening it.
This VIP room had both an inner and outer lounge, decorated more luxuriously than some homes.
Lian Hao got up to go to the bathroom, intending to wash his face and clear his head.