Life seemed to have returned to normal.
Qu Yanning would visit Da Huang every couple of days—partly because he feared the ghost girl might come after him if he broke his promise, and partly because Da Huang was just so lovable.
It really did seem like Da Huang understood what Qu Yanning had said to him.
Ever since that day, he’d eat heartily at every meal and cooperated fully with the treatments.
Even the vets at the animal hospital remarked they’d never seen a dog so in tune with people.
That day, after accompanying Da Huang through his rehab as usual, Qu Yanning had just stepped out of the hospital when his phone buzzed in his pocket.
He pulled it out and glanced at the screen—his eyes slowly widened in disbelief.
Since adding the rich girl’s WeChat, they hadn’t spoken a single word.
Qu Yanning never expected that account would actually be used again.
The message, simple as it was, almost made him drop his phone.
“Thank you for taking care of Da Huang.”
His heart pounded violently, palms turning clammy with sweat.
He could barely hold on to his phone.
After a deep breath, he mustered his courage and replied.
He couldn’t just keep going on like this.
“Are you human or ghost?”
No reply.
It was as if the message had been a momentary prank.
Qu Yanning waited a while longer—still nothing.
Finally giving up, he messaged Wang Li to tell him what had happened.
Wang Li called him back almost immediately.
After Qu Yanning explained everything, Wang Li fell silent for a moment, then said, “The case has already been handed over. It’s no longer under my jurisdiction, but I’ll try to get in touch with them. Maybe they can help you.”
Qu Yanning quickly thanked him and arranged a time for their next contact.
But two days later, unexpectedly, he ran into someone familiar.
They met at a private restaurant with a refined atmosphere. Each booth was separated by bead curtains and greenery, providing ample privacy—perfect for a quiet conversation.
Qu Yanning arrived a little late. From afar, Wang Li waved to him. Smiling, Qu Yanning walked over.
It wasn’t until he got closer that he realized the man sitting with his back to him was someone he knew.
Xie Qi sat upright, a cup of hot tea before him, steam curling gently into the air. He slowly turned the prayer beads in his hand, his face blurred by the mist, like a distant, untouchable deity.
Qu Yanning’s smile faded a little, and his expression turned visibly uneasy.
With his head lowered and demeanor cold, Xie Qi radiated a clear aura of “keep your distance.” Wang Li had heard some things about this man—just getting him to show up today was already a miracle. He didn’t expect the icy “Buddha” to initiate conversation.
Standing up quickly, Wang Li gestured for Qu Yanning to sit, and under Xie Qi’s frosty gaze, made the introductions.
“Good day, Second Master,” Qu Yanning greeted politely, a charming and obedient smile on his face.
But his eyes were full of doubt. Why are the police using such gangster-like titles?
Fortunately, he had enough sense not to ask out loud.
Xie Qi, still in a meditative pose, lifted his eyelids slightly and got straight to the point. “She contacted you?”
Qu Yanning nodded and showed him the WeChat message. “She sent this to me two nights ago.”
Xie Qi didn’t take the phone. Instead, he fixed his gaze on Qu Yanning for a moment. His previously icy expression softened slightly. “Your karma with her is already resolved.”
The faint trace of black energy that once lingered around the young man had now completely faded—proof that he had fulfilled the task he agreed to. The ghost girl no longer had a reason to haunt him.
Qu Yanning visibly relaxed, his tensed face breaking into a bright smile. “Thank you, Second Master.”
Xie Qi nodded—an acknowledgment of his gratitude.
The table fell silent. Xie Qi wrapped the prayer beads twice around his wrist, picked up his teacup, and took a delicate sip.
Seeing he wasn’t planning to speak further, Qu Yanning mimicked him, carefully holding his own cup and sipping slowly. Wang Li had no choice but to jump in and smooth things over.
“Second Master, all the dishes are here. Thank you for coming personally today. I’ll offer a toast with tea instead of wine.”
He shot Qu Yanning a look. Qu Yanning, still clueless, held his teacup in both hands and blinked blankly at him, completely missing the cue.
Wang Li: “…”
Xie Qi raised his cup slightly in response, the corner of his mouth lifting ever so faintly.
With the pleasantries done, the three began to eat. But Xie Qi clearly wasn’t the chatty type. Qu Yanning, who had been lively with Wang Li earlier, now sat stiffly, unsure of how to act. He focused on quietly nibbling his vegetables.
Xie Qi didn’t like eating out and only picked at his food out of courtesy. Instead, his attention was drawn to the person across from him, who was focused entirely on munching green veggies.
Qu Yanning had his head down, his fluffy, slightly curled hair falling over his forehead, swaying gently with each bite. It made one want to reach out and ruffle it.
Xie Qi removed the prayer beads from his wrist and began rolling them slowly through his fingers, his gaze fixed on those bouncing curls.
“You like vegetables?” Xie Qi asked with a slight frown. He had always found such bland foods unappealing and couldn’t understand why this curious little human seemed to enjoy them so much.
“N-no…” Qu Yanning mumbled, his chopsticks still in his mouth, eyes darting nervously. Truthfully, he was just too shy to grab any other dishes.
“Mm.” Xie Qi responded cryptically, then fell silent again.
Qu Yanning’s fragile little heart panicked. Did I offend him again? He glanced at Xie Qi carefully, then simply put down his chopsticks.
With both others no longer eating, even Wang Li’s good nerves couldn’t keep him going. He called the waiter to settle the bill and courteously walked Xie Qi to the door.
Outside the restaurant, a car was already waiting for Xie Qi. Qu Yanning followed behind Wang Li to send him off.
Just as Xie Qi opened the door, he suddenly turned back and handed Qu Yanning a small red silk pouch.
“Keep this on you at all times.”
“Thank you,” Qu Yanning said, overwhelmed by the gesture. The pouch was embroidered with golden thread that read: Blessings, Peace, and Health. Once Xie Qi left, he carefully opened it to find a triangle-folded talisman inside.
“Looks like the Second Master really likes you,” Wang Li said with a click of his tongue.
Qu Yanning blinked, confused. “What makes you say that?”
“That talisman isn’t something just anyone can get,” Wang Li said, a little emotional himself. “Second Master Xie is a bit of a cheat code in our system. The higher-ups would throw money at him for one of these, and even then, he might not agree.”
“Just keep it safe. That thing’s worth more than gold.”
Qu Yanning nodded seriously and tucked the talisman carefully into his pocket.
******
“Does the Second Master really like that kid? Whose child is he?” The driver, a young man named Zhang Ren, asked as he drove.
His family owed a great debt to Xie Qi, so he had been at his side ever since, managing his transport and daily errands.
Zhang Ren was built like a tank, his muscles stretching his T-shirt tight.
A scar ran from his right eyebrow to the bridge of his nose.
Though always smiling, he looked like someone you didn’t want to mess with.
Xie Qi leaned back in the rear seat with his eyes closed, gently turning the prayer beads in his hand.
At the question, his expression flickered with a trace of amusement, “He’s not from any particular family. Just an interesting kid.”
Zhang Ren nodded, “He’s definitely good-looking. I’ve never seen someone that pretty before. Cute and soft like a little rabbit.”
Xie Qi smiled faintly but didn’t respond.
Zhang Ren took the hint and focused on driving.
Xie Qi’s residence was in Cuiyuan.
Cuiyuan was one of the most luxurious residential communities in Shen City—nestled between mountains and water, far from the city’s noise.
Xie Qi had moved out to live independently after coming of age and had lived here ever since.
After pulling into the underground garage, Zhang Ren, seeing there were no further instructions, drove off in his own car.
Xie Qi didn’t like anyone entering his home.
Zhang Ren would always drop him at the door, then leave.
Xie Qi took the elevator directly up to his apartment.
His duplex villa wasn’t the largest in the complex, but every detail had been tailored to his exact preferences.
He’d spent considerable effort making it just right.
The living room was carpeted in gray.
Opposite the elevator stood a semicircular floor-to-ceiling window.
In front of the window was a beige tatami mat, dotted with colorful, round, squishy throw pillows.
As Xie Qi stepped in, a flash of white light darted across the floor—revealing a small, black-and-white kitten.
The kitten stretched lazily, arched its back in a yawn, then trotted forward and leapt into the pile of pillows.
“Meow~”
The soft, kittenish cry trailed off into a long, lazy purr.
Xie Qi rolled over in the cushion pile, basking in the sunlight streaming through the window.
It was warm and cozy.
His eyes half-lidded, his tail flicked leisurely against the tatami as a contented purr rumbled from deep in his chest.