Chapter 10: You Are Running a Scam?

Fu Qiqi finally opened her eyes, raised her hand to stifle a yawn, looking completely indifferent.

"Come back when the effects of the medicine wear off. You should find a cool, shaded place to stay for now."

Hearing this, Xiao Tao stood up and bowed respectfully to express her gratitude. She knew that the sunlight she felt now was the last bit of warmth Fu Qiqi would ever grant her. In truth, the master was incredibly soft-hearted. In the very last second, Xiao Tao heard two words, though at that moment, she did not yet understand what "wait for me" meant.

After seeing Xiao Tao off, Fu Qiqi clutched her snake-shaped hat and headed to a small shop, spending one yuan to call the number on the business card. Once she had set a time with Shen Du, she returned to the bench to sit for a while, counting the pocket money Wen Yanfeng had given her—there were still nine yuan left. Eventually, she decided to walk to the 09 Unit to find Shen Du.

"Excuse me, miss, wait a moment."

Fu Qiqi, who had just stood up, turned around. A woman in her early twenties ran over, panting, and stopped in front of her, holding out her right hand. "Here, for you."

She was holding a container of egg fried rice. It was still warm, likely bought from a nearby eatery. Fu Qiqi, who had been about to pull a sweet potato from her cloth bag, paused. She stared at the fried rice, wondering whether or not she should take it. During those few seconds of hesitation, the girl, mindful of her pride, wore a sincere smile, devoid of any other complex emotions.

"Miss, everyone hits hard times. I hope things get better for you. It’s cold in the park, and I have two hundred here; please take it for an emergency."

Yue Yi, a junior in college, had noticed Fu Qiqi sleeping on the bench when she passed by the park early that morning. It stayed on her mind, and after finishing her urgent business, she saw the girl was still there, so she bought the fried rice. She didn’t think too much about it, only feeling relieved that she had made it in time.

If only... A trace of bitterness appeared in Yue Yi's eyes, though the emotion vanished quickly.

Fu Qiqi, observing Yue Yi’s expression, suddenly chuckled. "Keep the money, but I'll take the food."

Yue Yi waved her hands hurriedly. "Please don't misunderstand. I just wanted you to find a place to stay. It’s a pity I’m short on cash, you..."

Fu Qiqi lifted the egg fried rice and interrupted, "Thank you, but I have urgent matters to attend to."

Hearing this, Yue Yi, who had intended to follow her, stopped in her tracks, looking somewhat at a loss. Before leaving, Fu Qiqi said something cryptic: "Being able to let go is a blessing in its own right. I’ll be here for the next few days."

Yue Yi was left bewildered. Was she hinting that she should continue bringing food?

***

After receiving the call, Shen Du calculated the time and set out with his things. He happened to spot Fu Qiqi approaching the gate, eating the egg fried rice as she walked, and greeted him perfunctorily.

"Morning, Captain Shen."

She looked up at the sun, which was already nearing the horizon.

Shen Du cleared his throat. "This is from Xiao Tao’s parents. They signed a gift agreement and also expressed a wish to meet you."

The 09 Unit had not hidden Fu Qiqi’s existence from Xiao Tao’s parents. They had agreed to keep it confidential but wanted to thank her in person.

Fu Qiqi finished the fried rice quickly, stabbed the chopsticks into the center of the container, took the bank card from Shen Du, and shook her head. "I won't meet them."

Shen Du was not surprised. "That’s why I already declined on your behalf."

Then, his shoulder was patted.

"What a sensible, good child," Fu Qiqi said, tucking away the bank card and acting smug after taking advantage of the situation. "Captain Shen, you really are a wonderful person."

Having inexplicably received a "good person" card, Shen Du remained composed. "Miss Fu, if there is anything I can ever assist you with in the future, do not hesitate to reach out."

"Oh," Fu Qiqi nodded earnestly. "I won't."

She had a very clear head about the difference between flying free and being restricted. She seemed to suddenly remember something. "Have the final results for Wu Laosan been released yet?"

Shen Du replied, "It won't be that fast. However, given the special circumstances, it will be handled as soon as possible."

Fu Qiqi nodded. "The gift is delivered, and I’ll see you later."

He had already grown accustomed to the young lady’s impetuous nature. But... a gift? Shen Du pondered the word for a moment. He suddenly realized what she meant, and a faint, helpless smile touched his lips. It was impossible for Wu Laosan to get away unscathed, but as for what would happen to him once he went down there—well, he was just an ordinary person, and that wasn't under his jurisdiction.

Fu Qiqi, having done a good deed, was in a wonderful mood and rewarded herself with a handful of sunflower seeds. On the way, she took out the one hundred thousand promised by Xiao Tao and donated ten thousand to a legitimate charity; interfering in someone else’s karma required balance. Accumulating merit and virtue would lead to an earlier ascension. As for why it was only ten thousand, she trusted that the Heavenly Dao would forgive her for the plight of not being able to afford a meal.

Fu Qiqi returned to the park and sat on a bench, watching the middle-aged women dancing to music. Thinking of that ten-million-debt, the ninety thousand in her pocket had barely warmed up before it had to be returned. She sighed. This felt even more heartbreaking than giving it away before it ever touched her hands.

Suddenly, a golden glimmer the size of a dust mote flowed into her body—it was merit.

"How sad, how lamentable."

A dust mote—they really weren't kidding!

Fu Qiqi aimed her gaze toward a trash can on the other side. There, an old man in tattered clothes was half-bent over, seemingly trying to pick up a cardboard box nearby.

Yue Jianhong watched as his hand passed through the box again; his eyes were filled with desolation. Just as he was about to turn away, he saw the box being picked up by a fair, delicate hand.

"A perfect box, not a single tear."

As she spoke, Fu Qiqi unfolded the box back to its original flat state. Yue Jianhong was stunned for a long while. He watched helplessly as a middle-aged woman exclaimed "Oh my!" and slapped her thigh, only to turn away in regret.

Fu Qiqi fished out her liquid assets—nine yuan—and went to buy a pen while carrying the cardboard. Yue Jianhong watched her enter the convenience store and come back out looking fuming. He followed her without reacting, drifting by her side as he listened to her mutter to herself.

"Damn broken pen, stealing my heart's desire."

She sat back down, grumbling, and began scribbling on the cardboard. Yue Jianhong had studied dictionaries while alive, and he could recognize the two lines she wrote:

*Ghosts and humans come seeking me,*
*Divination and fortune-telling are my specialty.*

Yue Jianhong followed the word "ghost" until the cardboard was casually tossed onto the ground by Fu Qiqi.

"You can tell fortunes?"

As soon as the words left his mouth, he lowered his head in dejection. Those with real ability had all gone to the Mystic Arts Association; they wouldn't help a ghost like him who was trying to escape.

Just then, a chilly aura surged from the ground. The already cool temperature instantly dropped to freezing. Yue Jianhong darted several meters away, fleeing in a pathetic, panicked state.

Fu Qiqi’s angry face turned cold. "Run south."

Yue Jianhong had drifted a distance away, but the three words reached his ears clearly. Without doubt or hesitation, he fled directly toward the south.

The air congealed. A patch of water mist gathered on the ground, accompanied by the sound of iron chains dragging across the floor. A very blurred black shadow seemed to be staring at Fu Qiqi. After a few seconds, seeing that Fu Qiqi was focused on watching people dance and even clapping in appreciation, the shadow seemed puzzled for a moment before gradually drifting away.

Fu Qiqi, expressionless, pulled out a raw sweet potato, wiped it on her thigh, took a bite, and looked toward the south. She nodded from time to time, seemingly in admiration.

After Yue Yi thought she had received a hint that afternoon, she actually felt unhappy. She had only acted out of kindness, but it seemed she had been latched onto. However, Yue Yi ultimately couldn't rest easy. Gritting her teeth, she bought a portion of fried noodles and dragged her exhausted body to the park. Seeing the girl was still there, she let out a sigh of relief.

When Yue Yi arrived, Fu Qiqi was in the process of putting the cardboard box over her body. Catching a glimpse of the words on the cardboard, Yue Yi was stunned: "You’re even running scams?"