Wang Junhui had first called Grandpa a master, then revealed his real name and former title. This startled me.
If he knew Grandpa this well... did he also know about Grandpa's past? What about my parents?
I was about to ask when Wang Junhui spoke again. "Your expression tells me I guessed right. My master spoke of Elder Li. Knew he lived in seclusion here in the county town. Never had the chance to pay my respects."
He walked over and placed a hand on my shoulder. "Never imagined I'd meet Elder Li's descendant under such circumstances. My master said Elder Li had a kindness towards our sect. If we ever encountered him or his descendants, we were to repay that kindness."
"Huh?" Was I getting lucky here?
I stared at him, astonished. He continued, "A pity Elder Li has passed. I would have liked to see him."
Wang Junhui didn't seem malicious. I almost told him Grandpa wasn't dead. But before I could speak, he asked, "Is it just you living here now? What about your parents?"
Him asking about my parents meant he likely knew nothing about their deaths. My hope of getting information from him vanished.
After a pause, I said, "When I was seven... they took their own lives. I lived with Grandpa."
Wang Junhui's expression shifted to deep sympathy. "I'm sorry. I didn't know. Such is fate... my condolences."
His attempt at comfort was a little awkward. I forced a smile. "It's alright."
Wang Junhui then asked about my future plans. I told him about wanting to open the fortune-telling shop.
He listened, then shook his head. "You're Elder Li's grandson. The descendant of our sect's benefactor. With your considerable skills... running a little shop here is wasting your talent. Come work with me. Help me on cases. I promise fair treatment. You'll earn more than that shop ever could."
Work with him? Doing what? Reading fortunes for ghosts?
Seeing my confusion, he explained. "I need your help unraveling cases. Your divination skills can save me time, make me more efficient."
But Grandpa had told me to guard the family business – this property and the shop. I'd already closed the shop on my own. Could I really abandon the property too? Yet Wang Junhui promised better earnings... I was torn.
He didn't press. He sat back, sipped his tea. "Ultimately, it's your decision. Think it over. Take my number. If you're ever in trouble, call me anytime."
"Alright," I murmured.
We talked for over an hour before Ning Haoyu finally returned with a middle-aged couple. "Chu Yi! Got 'em!" Ning Haoyu called out as they entered.
The couple looked about twenty-eight, slightly younger than Wang Junhui. The man had average features, but a strong Palace of Siblings – signifying good relationships with siblings. The woman was more refined, with clear features. Her Palace of Career and Fortune was bright and unblemished – suggesting she might hold a government position.
I invited them in. Introductions revealed the man was Cheng Guo, the ghost's youngest son. His wife was Bai Jing.
Cheng Guo asked for details. Was his father truly here? I recounted everything, knowing Ning Haoyu had likely given them the gist.
When I finished, Cheng Guo looked anguished. "If I'd known... I never should have listened to you about selling that desk..."
He glared at Bai Jing. She looked guilty, tugging his arm. "I was thinking of you! That desk making noises every night... you babbling nonsense... I was afraid something would happen to you!"
Her explanation revealed more. The ghost had been possessing Cheng Guo. Bai Jing described how, whenever the desk creaked at night, Cheng Guo would stumble to it in the dark, eyes closed, wildly scribbling nonsense.
After several nights of this, Bai Jing decided the desk had to go. That's when Ning Haoyu, the unlucky furniture dealer, took it off their hands.
As Bai Jing finished, Cheng Guo still seemed resentful. "You don't understand! At least back then I could dream of Father often—"
Wang Junhui stood abruptly, cutting him off. "Those weren't dreams. That was possession. Your father possessing you means his unresolved wish involved you. If your wife hadn't gotten rid of that desk, you'd likely have fallen gravely ill. Maybe even died."
Cheng Guo looked incredulous. "Impossible! We were close. He'd never hurt me."
Wang Junhui sighed. "Not intentionally. He only sought to fulfill a wish through you. Unintentionally harming you. That's why so many ghosts harm their own families first. Unintended tragedies."
Cheng Guo fell silent. Bai Jing held his arm, offering silent comfort.
Wang Junhui didn't question them further. He led them towards my shop. Ning Haoyu and I followed.
At the shop door, Wang Junhui told me to unlock it, but stopped Ning Haoyu and me from entering. "This is family business. Not appropriate for you two. Wait outside."
Burning with curiosity about the exorcism, I pleaded, "Can I just watch? I won't say a word."
His reply was firm. "No."
Defeated, Ning Haoyu and I stayed outside.
Wang Junhui ushered Cheng Guo and Bai Jing inside, shut the door, and lit the candle. We heard him murmur an incantation. "I've opened your sight. You can communicate with your father now. Ask quickly what he desires. Don't linger on unrelated talk; it might create new obsessions, harder to send him off. If that happens, if he stays too long in the living world... he'll lose the chance for reincarnation. Bringing your family a lifetime of misfortune."
Cheng Guo and Bai Jing both murmured assent.
Ning Haoyu and I pressed our ears against the door.
Soon, Cheng Guo began to sob. Then Bai Jing joined in. After a while, through tears, Cheng Guo said, "Father... I promise... I'll do as you said... Please go in peace... I'll burn paper money for you every festival... If you need anything... send me a dream..."
Their weeping continued for a time. Then Wang Junhui's chanting resumed. Finally, silence fell inside.
After a moment, Cheng Guo's voice, thick with emotion, asked, "Master Wang... my father...?"
"He's gone," Wang Junhui replied. "He trusted you. Go home, fulfill his wish. The disturbances will cease. If you have further questions... ask Li Chu Yi outside. He's a master diviner."
Huh? Wang Junhui was sending them my way? True to his word, looking out for the descendant of his sect's benefactor.
Ning Haoyu nudged me, his expression asking how I'd gotten so chummy with Wang Junhui so fast. I ignored him.
Wang Junhui, Cheng Guo, and Bai Jing stayed inside a little longer before finally emerging. Ning Haoyu and I scrambled back from the door.
Their eyes were red and swollen from crying. Wang Junhui looked solemn. Ning Haoyu and I exchanged frustrated glances – we hadn't heard a word of what the ghost said.
I invited them back to my room for more tea. "My condolences," I offered Cheng Guo and Bai Jing.
Wang Junhui spoke up. "The matter is settled. But it's too late to return to the city tonight. I'll stay here."
With the ghost just departed, his staying felt reassuring. "Of course," I agreed quickly.
Cheng Guo was silent for a moment, then exchanged a look with Bai Jing. She stepped forward. "Gentlemen... we've caused you trouble with my father-in-law. Please accept this token of our gratitude. And thank you... for not letting Master Wang harm him." She pulled a thick envelope – several thousand yuan – from her bag.
I desperately wanted that money. But Wang Junhui stood and gently pushed the envelope back. "We cannot accept this. Please keep it. It's late. You should go. If you delay further... you might not fulfill the old master's wish tonight."
Cheng Guo and Bai Jing nodded, murmured their thanks, and hurried out. "We'll return another day to properly express our gratitude," Cheng Guo added before leaving.
Once they were gone, I couldn't resist. "Master Wang, what was the old ghost's wish?"
Wang Junhui sighed. "The usual – unresolved matters concerning possessions or affections. Don't worry. When that couple returns, you'll surely find out. I'm tired now. Time to sleep. I'll take the room next door." The room that was Grandpa's.
The immediate crisis was over, but I felt a pang of regret at missing the full exorcism.
Wang Junhui seemed to read my mind. As he headed to the door, he paused. "Don't worry. You'll see a full exorcism ritual soon enough. Sleep now."
He left. Yet I remained utterly unaware that a far greater ominous crisis was creeping toward me.