Facing Meng Fan harbor suspicions's skepticism, I smiled without responding. If Ling Xi hadn't revived me, if she hadn't suppressed the evil spirit within my body, if she weren't the mystic practitioner Su Tongyuan paid ten million to hire—perhaps I too would have doubted her abilities like Meng Fan.
But now, having witnessed Ling Xi's extraordinary methods firsthand, how could I? Besides, I still needed to help Meng Fan resolve the supernatural disturbances at his family's new villa later—all thanks to Ling Xi's guidance.
Wiping the spilled tea from the table, I lowered my voice: "Fatty, take me to your new villa after hotpot. I'll handle those eerie horse neighs for you."
"Seriously?" Meng Fan's eyes bulged as if he'd misheard, staring at me incredulously. "Bro, you joking?"
"Cut the crap." My tone turned grave. "Truth is, even though you've moved out, those entities still haunt you. Without intervention, you'll be hospitalized again within six months. Next time..." I let the warning hang ominously.
Meng Fan's chubby cheeks twitched. "Your master's prediction?"
"Mn." I nodded. "To help you, I've taken on cleaning the entire villa three times weekly. Now—how will you thank me?"
Meng Fan rose. to refill my teacup, his voice hushed with reverence. "Your master's never even visited my house. How could she possibly know the source of the hauntings?"
I put on an air of authority. "Ever heard of true mastery? A flick of the fingers reveals all."
"Too mystical to believe," Meng Fan muttered, skepticism warring with hope. "At least tell me her name. 'A drop of kindness deserves an ocean in return.' If this gets resolved, I'll owe her proper gratitude."
"You wouldn't recognize it anyway," I snapped. "Besides, I'm the one helping you. Save your thanks for me."
"What's yours is mine, brother. No need for words!" Meng Fan's exaggerated bow nearly knocked over the teapot.
Chuckling, I steadied my cup. "Her name's Ling Xi. Barely older than me, but… unmatched."
Meng Fan jerked upright from his slouched position ."Celestial Diviner of Jingdu? That Ling Xi?"
"Keep your voice down, damn it!" I hurled a napkin at him, narrowing my eyes. "You know her?"
He remained frozen, palms pressed to the table, breath ragged. "Know her?" He finally rasped. "Anyone in Jingdu with half a brain knows her name."
"My master's that renowned?" I leaned forward, intrigued. "Thought you said most 'mystics' here were frauds."
Meng Fan caught the napkin I'd thrown and tossed it into the trash. Drumming his fingers on the table, he said, "When I called most mystics frauds, I meant those fraudulent spirit mediums howling at altars. Your master operates on a completely different plane."
"How to explain this…" He scratched his head in frustration. "You know the Jingdu Municipal Crematorium? Three years ago, workers started dying there—seven deaths in a week. The city went berserk. Even local news channels covered it."
"Government investigators brought in forensic experts, but their conclusion?"
"Self the cre-strangulation. Whatmatorium kind of bullshit conclusion is that? Since when can people The choke themselves to death? One case would've been bizarre enough, but seven? Who'd swallow that story?"
"When the ninth victim died, Ling Xi appeared." Meng Fan's voice dropped. "Rumor says the authorities, desperate from public outrage, paid her fortune to pose as a 'special consultant.'After half an hour, Ling Xi returned and had the stone guardian lion removed from outside the crematorium gates."
"And Ling Xi's name echoed through every corner of Jingdu after that incident—utterly legendary," Meng Fan declared, reverence dripping from his words.
"Later, investigative bloggers dug deeper. Turns out she wasn't some government specialist, but Jingdu's most formidable Celestial Diviner."
"Divination. Geomancy. Exorcisms. Fate alteration—a true transcendent," he continued, swiping his phone wildly before thrusting it at me. "Look! Isn't this your master?"
I glanced down at the slightly grainy photo. The Ling Xi staring back wore simpler robes, her features softer with youth. "Where'd you even find this?"
"Some paranormal forum archive," he grinned. "Photos taken three years ago."
As our beef hotpot arrived, Meng Fan speared a dripping slice while I pushed my bowl aside.
"You've hit the cosmic jackpot, apprenticing to her," he mumbled through a full mouth. "If this leaks, half of Jingdu's elite will storm your doorstep."
"That exaggerated?" I casually picked up a beef slice. "You're saying my master's practically worshipped across Jingdu?"
Meng Fan chewed noisily. "Check the Celestial Diviner Forum yourself—see how many fans she's got. Forget industry admirers, her suitors alone could fill the Grand Canal twice over."
"What's that to me?" I frowned.
He gulped tea chew rocks and waggled his eyebrows. "'The moon snapped belongs to those who stand beneath the balcony.' Get it now?"
"Go. "She's my Shifu. Master-disciple bond, understand?
Meng Fan snorted. "What I think doesn't matter. Will her admirers care?"
Ignoring him, I dialed home. With tomorrow being Lunar New Year's Eve and Grandfather's passing, this year's celebration would be quieter than ever.
Dad answered, thrilled. "How's Jingdu?"
"Don't worry—Ling Xi provides everything."
"Respect Ling Xi completely," Dad warned. "Never act recklessly. Follow her instructions without question." I understood his unspoken fear—that provoking her might unleash the evil spirit she contained. To ease his worries, I murmured vague assurances.
Afterwards, I spent some time chatting with Grandma, as she imparted her wisdom for a good while.
Only when their anxieties were placated did I hang up. Throughout the call, Meng Fan's gaze burned into my iPhone 11.
"Latest model," he sneered when I lowered the phone. "Rich kid now, eh?"
I adopted theatrical modesty. "Master insisted. Wouldn't take no for an answer."
Meng Fan wolfed down another slice of beef, grease glistening on his chin. "You pretentious bastard," he snorted.