Chapter 47: Fortune Spent, Fortune Returned

After much difficulty, noon finally arrived and the dormitory area was at last unsealed. Shen Xin slipped out quietly, made his way to the main courtyard, and found Xu Dan. “Sister Dan, are there any bounty tasks issued by Niucheng University?”

Xu Dan scrolled through her phone as she asked, “Did something happen at your school?”

“Yes, just after four o’clock today, three female students jumped from a building.”

Xu Dan looked up at Shen Xin in surprise. “What’s your take on it?”

Without hesitation, Shen Xin replied, “It must be the work of a ghost.”

“Hmm, it’s possible. Oh, there really is a bounty task from your school. I’ll take it. We’ll go together tonight.”

“Great! I’ll wait for you in the dorm.”

Shen Xin returned to his dormitory and called He Xuantong, Yu Yanan, and the two other roommates to go eat together on the second floor of the cafeteria.

The first floor served canteen-style dishes, but on the second floor they could order stir-fried dishes—more expensive, but still cheaper than outside restaurants. He ordered a table full of hearty dishes—under normal circumstances, everyone would be fighting over the food. But today, no one had much appetite. They sat in silence, staring blankly at the dishes.

“Eat up! We still have classes this afternoon.”

Zhou Yuan said, “School’s giving us time off starting tomorrow. It’ll run together with the Dragon Boat Festival holiday—eight days in total.”

“Wait, so we’re just off? What about classes this afternoon?”

Everyone shook their heads.

Shen Xin felt his mind spinning—something was different again, but he didn’t dwell on it. At least this time He Xuantong was still here.

The meal was heavy with gloom. Afterward, everyone began packing for home. Eight days was enough—even students from farther away could make the trip.

Shen Xin hailed a private car, made sure Yu Yanan got on safely, and repeatedly reminded her not to return to campus early.

Yu Yanan nodded absentmindedly and agreed.

With the setting sun like blood in the sky, the dormitory area was nearly deserted. Only a few security guards were still patrolling—the dorm supervisors had left for their own holidays.

Shen Xin grabbed a bite to eat, then stood at the dormitory gate, waiting for Sister Dan and her team.

He hadn’t seen them yet, but instead noticed a couple stepping out of a small car—one in black, one in white.

They both wore lotus-shaped hats; the man was dressed in black robes, a peachwood sword strapped to his back and a bell in his hand. The woman wore white, holding a soul-guiding banner in one hand and a mourning staff in the other.

“Hello!” Shen Xin greeted them, taking the initiative.

The mourning couple merely glanced at him and continued on.

“Hey, elders, please teach me a few techniques—I’m sincerely eager to learn!”

He truly wanted to master exorcism; if he’d known how, maybe Tang Wenwen and the other two would still be alive. But neither of them paid him any attention, and Shen Xin could only give up.

Night fell completely before Sister Dan and the others finally arrived.

“You’re finally here. Come on, I’ll lead the way.”

Shen Xin had waited over an hour—he’d almost gone to the main courtyard to urge them along.

Sister Dan nodded. Chen Jiawang looked around the dormitory curiously and grinned, “Your university’s dorms are really nice.”

Old Mo replied with a shadowy tone, “The school’s basically built on a cemetery. Didn’t you know this was a battlefield before? Who knows how many died here. Only the students’ youthful energy and sheer numbers can keep things in check.”

Shen Xin shivered at his words.

He steadied himself and led the way, expertly finding the keys in the dorm supervisor’s drawer, then guiding them all up to the fifth floor.

The lighting on the fifth floor flickered eerily, casting dim shadows. Shen Xin paid it no mind, focused intently on the corridor. Old Mo took the key to open and inspect the rooms, while Chen Jiawang handled the photography.

Soon enough, Shen Xin saw the ghostly apparition composed of thumb-sized infants.

“Freeze! Sister Dan, hurry—I can’t hold it for long!”

“On it!” With a flash of blinding light from her palm, Sister Dan struck the apparition. In less than half a minute, it dissipated into a wisp of blue smoke. The corridor lights returned to normal, and the temperature rose several degrees.

“All done!”

Shen Xin let out a long breath. Though nothing fundamental had changed, at least some problems were solved—it was better than doing nothing.

Finishing a case always called for a late-night snack. As before, Old Mo didn’t join them, but Shen Xin did—though Yu Yanan certainly couldn’t.

They didn’t return to the main courtyard until midnight.

Checking his bank balance, Shen Xin saw Sister Dan had transferred him three hundred thousand; together with the three hundred thousand from the previous job, he now had over six hundred thousand.

“If I can’t keep money, I might as well spend it all!”

At dawn, Shen Xin took a car back to his hometown.

This time, he returned early to find Tang Ziran as soon as possible.

Tang Ziran was his loyal companion—without her, something always felt missing.

Back home, he first went into town and bought a huge load of things. When Father Shen came by on his tricycle, the cargo box was packed to the brim.

There was a big color TV, a large freezer, and a bunch of small home appliances. He’d also ordered more household goods—air conditioner, big sofa, large wardrobe, bed and so on—which would be delivered and installed directly.

Mother Shen, seeing this, exclaimed that Shen Xin was wasting money, then worriedly asked, “Son, did you take out an online loan? Never do that, it’s a trap.”

Shen Xin nearly burst out laughing and reassured her, “Mom, all this is bought with my own hard-earned money, to honor you. You can relax—a lot. Your son’s made something of himself now, found a high-paying job.”

Hearing that, Mother Shen was somewhat reassured but quickly added, “But nothing illegal! We can’t be involved in anything against the law.”

“Don’t worry, Mom, it’s all legitimate. Stop being so suspicious. There’s still more furniture coming—let’s get cleaning.”

Mother Shen scolded, “You’re wasting money again! Don’t you know how expensive apartments and bride prices are in the city these days? Save more for your future wedding!”

Shen Xin was unconcerned. “I’m still young! They say a man stands on his own at thirty—I’ve got plenty of time.”

“If you dare wait ‘til thirty to marry, I’ll have your hide!”

Shen Xin wasn’t worried. His mother’s bark was worse than her bite. He moved all the old appliances and furniture out, planning to throw them away—but his parents just stored them in the utility room.

They worked all day, and finally the house looked refreshed and new.

Still, Shen Xin eyed the yellowed walls with some dissatisfaction. He wanted to tile them for easier cleaning, and replace the windows and doors as well.

He discussed it with his father, but was flatly refused—his father said to wait until he got married before renovating. No matter how much Shen Xin tried to persuade him, it was useless.

With a sigh, he gave up.

For now, the most important thing was finding Tang Ziran.

After a night at home, he rose early the next day and rode his motorcycle to Tianpingchong. He remembered Tang Ziran mentioning her home was there.

After a dozen minutes, he arrived. Tianpingchong was desolate, almost uninhabited. Most of the scattered houses had collapsed.

It was completely deserted.

He didn’t know exactly where Tang Ziran lived, so he checked each house he came upon.

Heaven rewards the persistent. After a long search, he finally found Tang Ziran in a mud-brick house, cooking.

Seeing her, Shen Xin couldn’t help but smile. “Ziran, it’s so good to see you.”