Chapter 1 (2/2)

Refer to what I’ve mentioned earlier, about the five disadvantages (widower, solitary, forsaken, forlorn, and infirm) and three lacking aspects (wealth, fortune, and dominance) in a Taoist life, my father had two out of those disadvantages, which led him to live a lonely life. And what he lacked in life was fortune and power, that’s why he didn’t want to build a family. I am a foundling; as such, I am destined to live a lonely life. Also I don’t have to worry about causing harm to any of my relatives. So, who is a better candidate than me to inherit his legacy? I owe my life to him. Thus, I’m fine with my inheritance.

“Look, a dimwit is waving his hand alone in the street!” It’s almost midnight now, the time for people my age depraved themselves in neon glamor and cheap prettiness of this city. In their language, depraved meant ‘Happy.’

A drunk woman who wore a mini skirt and a bra  was throwing her arms around her partners and pointed her finger at me excitedly like she had found a new land. I slowly put down my arms, turned and took a glance at them then headed back to my shop.

“Hey, wreath guy, you saw a ghost, right? Tell your big sister here, what does it look like?” The woman saw me ignore her, she might have misunderstood me as those tolerant guys because the whole gang followed behind me. Their intention was obvious; they wanted to pa.s.s time by bullying the innocent in this long sleepless night.

“What are you guys doing wandering around the street at midnight? Let me see your ID!” A familiar voice rang out from the entrance; I frowned when I heard the voice. The one who entered the shop was the captain of crime squad Liu Jianjun. He often came to my shop to find faults and to hara.s.s me; perhaps it’s due to both of us never getting along, or some other reasons. Nonetheless, his presence today happened to resolve one problem of mine.

“Captain Liu, carrying out routine check again tonight?” I grinned at the uninvited Liu Jianjun and threw him a question. The gang had fled immediately after Captain Liu appeared. I am sitting in my shop, burning paper monies in a fire pit for the elderly trio, so that they could use it in h.e.l.l. This was also why they didn’t take those paper monies with them.

“Help me. When it’s done, I’ll offer you my peace by spreading a feast for you. Otherwise, I’ll come every day to check on you.” Liu Jianjun was an interesting guy; the way he seeks for help is somewhat creative.

“Tell me!” I can’t help but giggle. I point to a chair where he could sit and tell me the rest of the story.

“I can’t describe it properly come with me if you are free.” Liu Jianjun rubbed his pale face as he spoke.

“Very well then. Let’s go!” Since there’s nothing to do; I decided to tag along, for good faith. Also, so that he might bother me less in future.

We rode on Liu Jianjun’s police car and reached a small neighborhood in half an hour. I followed him to a building, to his flat and when we entered his room, I saw an old lady in a living room eating a big bowl of whole chicken. “Who is she?” I asked.

“She’s my mother!” Liu Jianjun closed the door behind him as he replied softly.

“So, this is why you were looking for me. How can you be sure that I will solve your problem?” I asked Liu Jianjun while i gently cracked my finger joints to loosen up.

A spirit is possessing the old lady, controlling her body to stuff those chicken meats in her mouth relentlessly. If it kept on going like this, the old lady would eventually die. I mean, how big can a stomach expand? The old lady looks 60 something, how many elders in their sixties can devour a whole chicken? Furthermore, I’m afraid that she has eaten a lot of things even before I arrived.

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