Ren Ziling planned to have a heart-to-heart talk with Luo Qiu. She claimed her busy work prevented her from taking care of him, and had not played her role as a mother well.
However, boxes of biscuits interrupted her. Once she finally reacted, Luo Qiu had already closed the door to his room.
Following that, she heard music coming from Luo Qiu’s CD player---it turned out be ‘Desperado’ by Eagles. Ren Ziling was speechless and could only nibble the biscuits.
However, Luo Qiu wasn’t in his room.
Once he turned on the CD player, he immediately teleported himself to the club.
……
……
He sat behind the counter. Due to it being late he said that he didn’t want scented tea, so the thoughtful servant girl opened the liqour cabinet beside at the bar counter.
A bottle of Vodka, one black bottle of Crème de Cacao, and jarful of Gin with the flavor of fruit. You Ye looked at Luo Qiu with a slight smile. She added ice to the shaker, then poured the amount of liquor she wanted into 3 different small cups, before adding them in. After closing the lid, she started to shake it.
She didn’t used any fancy techniques as she shook while gazing at Luo Qiu.
There was a saying that beauties go well with good wine. This might be what Luo Qiu was feeling. He felt totally relaxed watching this scene.
You Ye stopped shaking once a layer of white frost emerged, then poured the liquor into a cocktail glass. She walked, her heels clicking, as she sent the mixed drink to Luo Qiu.
Luo Qiu joked with her, “I might have to barge into the kitchen next time.”
You Ye was confused by his words, so Luo Qiu smiled and explained, “Because watching you mix liquors or cooking is such an enjoyable pastime.”
You Ye understood and smiled gracefully. Then walked slowly to a corner of the hall, towards the old Long Play gramophone made out of old pine wood.
You Ye placed the record on it and pressed down the stylus. Gentle, soft and mysterious music begun playing. You Ye then returned to Luo Qiu’s side, taking a seat opposite of him.
The servant girl revealed a lazy expression and crossed her legs below her skirt hemline. She put her elbows on the round table, holding up her face.
Luo Qiu sipped the mix drink. To his surprise, instead of a strong one, it tasted sweet and refreshing, maybe because she added the black cocoa.
He played around with the jade token obtained from Dance, but suddenly asked, “Is there reincarnation in this world? Can a person reincarnated in a new body? And is there King of Hell?”
You Ye answered slightly, “There are plenty of ancient legends. People believed several of them without any reason, even though they didn’t see or verify the facts.”
Luo Qiu asked, “Then what do you think of Su Houde?”
You Ye said, “Thoughts make a person’s soul. There are no ghosts or evil spirits in this world, merely strong concentrated spiritual energy, that left their original bodies but cannot dissipate due to their intense obsessions or feelings.”
After hearing this, Luo Qiu agreed with her viewpoint. “I’ve read some fantastic stories, which said that a human’s spirit is like a wave. When both have the same or a similar wavelength, they might be able to send and receive those waves to each other. In other words, there’s no so-called reincarnation. Perhaps Su Houde merely found someone who is able to receive his own thoughts?”
You Ye smiled, “Master can choose which one to believe.”
Luo Qiu shook his head, sipping the cocktail. Then he furrow his brows as he felt the full aroma from the wine. “If reincarnation exists in the world, where do newborns come from them? If it exists, why was there such a small population at the very beginning of the world, yet now a population explosion is occurring? Where do these excess individuals come from?”
Well, it might exist. Some unknown non-spiritual beings which did not need to go through reincarnation.
As he thought of this, Luo Qiu felt he would just go around in circles if he continued down this topic.
Hence he stopped.
After that, the bell at the door rang.
It was Zhong Luochen coming.
……
……
Zhong Luochen came following the directions of the map on his cellphone. This club didn’t exist on the map, instead, another shop was shown.
He stood at the entrance, realizing that there were passersby that went into the club, yet only leaving with goods for daily use.
Apparently, the club in his view and the shop that the passersby entered were different. They were in the same location, but the club was clearly in a different dimension.
Zhong Luochen felt a strong reverence for this mystical power. He took a deep breath, pushed the door open went into the club.
The man with clown mask and that beautiful lady in a maid costume were still the only two beings inside. However, Zhong Luochen was not in the mood to enjoy her beauty. He said frankly, “Mr. Clown, I’ve taken my grandfather to a hotel nearby.”
Luo Qiu waved his hand to stop Zhong Luochen’s talking. Then swung his black cane, an even more unbelievable and mysterious sight appeared before Zhong Luochen’s eyes.
They were teleported to a corridor filled with gentle lamplight and appeared on the carpet. Zhong Luochen was slightly frightened. “Here is…the hotel?!”
Luo Qiu walked ahead, clasping his hands behind his back. “Customer, take me to your grandfather, please…however, I have a request, that nobody else remains in the room except you and your grandfather.”
Zhong Luochen said at once, “My family members followed due to their anxiousness. But please rest assured as they are waiting at the floor below…but, we don’t have much time.”
Luo Qiu calmly said, “I see.”
Luo Qiu saw Zhong Luochen’s grandfather lying in a room.
The old man lay in bed with an IV drip and a cannula piercing his arms. He appeared to be receiving a transfusion of some sort. The pale face with no color in his cheeks showed that he was at the end of his life.
Luo Qiu walked to the old man, and pressed a finger onto his forehead. Then, some black light spots started floating out. They were all extracted slowly and absorbed into Luo Qiu’s palm.
Just then, the door to the room was pounded heavily. A voice of a man could be heard. “Luochen! I heard some noises. It’s you isn't it? Open the door! Open it! Why aren’t you allowing us be with grandfather?”
The pounding was very loud and clear “We will enter forcefully if you don’t open up! Is there someone else in the room?”
Zhong Luochen looked at the door with an anxious expression. The sound was from his big brother, Zhong Luoyun…who was always distrustful. He must have been monitoring Zhong Luochen. Hence this appearance as soon as Zhong Luochen came back.
“Mr. Clown I don’t know…”
Zhong Luochen hurriedly turned to Luo Qiu, but there was no one there. The scene left him astonished but excited…
The old man had opened his eyes somehow and sat up. His face remained pale, but he was conscious now.
“Where am I? Luochen?” The old man said slowly.
At the same time, Zhong Luochen heard another sentence.
---Dear Guest, your commodity has been successfully delivered to you. The transaction is finished.
Zhong Luochen instantly found himself in a dark world, with a scroll made of goatskin floating in front of him. Then it started to burn until it disappeared. At that moment, he felt something being drawn out from his body, thus felt about his body unconsciously.
His sight recovered soon, and he returned to the studio.
The old man stared agape as he saw Zhong Luochen’s eccentric behaviour, “Luo Chen, what are you looking for?”
Zhong Luochen was taken aback. He stopped and raised his head to look at the old man. Suddenly he fell to the ground.
He didn’t feel any joy.
Just as if he saw a stranger.
“Luochen?” the old man said a third time.
Zhong Luochen swallowed his saliva, then stood up and tried to put on an ecstatic appearance.
“Grandfather, you woke up. That’s great…great!”
“It’s a miracle! A real miracle!”
Looking at the doctor who was checking the condition of the old leader while shouting in emotion, the Zhong family felt completely relieved.
Old Zhong received a hug from his old friend and teared up after he found out about his situation these few days.
“Doctor, are you sure my grandfather is alright? You’d better give him a careful medical checkup. If there is some sort of mistake, I won’t forgive you!” Zhong Luoyun stared ferociously at the excited doctor.
“Yes, young master! You’re right!” The doctor said at once, “Though these instruments tell that your grandfather is in good health but it is always better to undergo further examination.”
Zhong Luoyun nodded. “Go ahead quickly!”
The doctor could only leave quickly to prepare for it. His assistant gazed at Zhong Luochen curiously. “Second master, what did you do for your grandfather to recover from the brink of death? This is a miracle in the medicine field! If there are methods that can treat incurable diseases, it would be a historical breakthrough!”
Unexpectedly Zhong Luochen whispered, “Listen, all of you are the people that cured my grandfather. None of you are allowed to leak any news of what happened today.”
“What…”
Everyone looked at the calm Zhong Luochen in surprise. Even his mother and big brother frowned. Just as Zhong Luoyun was about to say something, Old Zhong said, “Everyone leave, except Luochen and Old Luo, I have something to ask them.”
“Grandfather?”
“Father?”
Old Zhong expression turned serious. Every member of the family shut their mouths after seeing his stern look, then left the studio silently.
After they left, Old Zhong said, “I know my health condition. Luochen, be honest, what did you do to me?”
“Grandfather, as long as you are healthy.” Zhong Luochen said softly, “Nothing else matters.”
“You won’t even tell me the truth?” Old Zhong frowned, looking at Old Luo. “You tell me that.”
Old Luo sighed, he knew he couldn’t hide the matter, so he revealed a bitter smile. “Old friend, my apologies. I didn’t want you to die, so I passed your wife’s jade lock to second master and had him go meet Mrs. Zhang.”
Old Zhong’s expression stiffened. Then he slapped Old Luo in the face, and said angrily. “How could you be so muddled! Why are you so silly! Do you know what that is? That’s not some holyland, it’s hell!!”
Old Luo lowered his head, he didn’t dare to say anything else. He had been following Old Zhang for dozens of years, they had a deep friendship, going beyond even familial relations.
Old Luo sighed then. “Old friend, you cannot die. I asked second master to go there, I’m responsible for it.”
Old Zhong gave a bitter smile. “It’s too late now. Luochen…”
He turned to Zhong Luochen and took a deep breath. “Grandson, what did you use to exchange for my life?”
Zhong Luochen first opened his mouth, but changed his mind halfway and decided not to speak .
Old Zhong shook his head, “That place might be mysterious, but if nobody has any information, how could you have found it? What Old Luo told you all came from me.”
Zhong Luochen had no choice but to tell the entire story, including how he lost his sense of happiness.
Watching Zhong Luochen told his story impassively, Old Zhong said sorrowfully, “Do you think it was worth it to exchange your entire life’s happiness with 5 years worth of lifespan for an old guy that is on the brink of death?”
Zhong Luochen said stonily, “Yes, it is. Grandfather, do you know the disaster that will befall the Zhong Family if you leave? We have businesses in many fields. However, my father’s disease is too serious for him to inherit them. Other members of the third generation, whether big brother, younger sister, or I, none are capable enough to take over the businesses.”
He sighed. “Society has changed. Do you think we are still able to control everything from the shadows using the same methods like last time?”
He shook his head. “No, we can not! Now, in the minds of the citizens, we are like a cancer… Grandfather, how can the Zhong Family go on without you? If you pass away, everyone will panic, and those relatives of ours will take the opportunity to divide our properties…You’re the backbone of the Zhong Family, we can’t let you go so easily.”
“5 years…5 years,” Old Zhong mumbled, looking at Zhong Luochen pathetically with tears in his eyes. “Luochen, I made you suffer…”
“Everything will be better from now.” Zhong Luochen shook his head.
Old Zhong was silent for a moment. “I want to be alone.”
……
……
In the basement’s third level of the club.
“Tribute is successful. You get 127 days, 9 hours 43 minutes and 7 seconds worth of lifespan from this contribution.”
Luo Qiu was shocked. What the heck were those minutes and seconds doing in the announcement? Was the altar trying to make him realize his very limited time left? However, he was too lazy to complain and headed back to the hall.
He felt pretty good due to the increase in his remaining time, so he decided to imitate You Ye, walking up to the bar and starting to mix the same cocktail.
Just as he realized he forgot to add the ice, he watched in amazement as the fridge door miraculously opened and the ice cubes flew out, finally falling into the shaker.
Luo Qiu was stunned.
You Ye said with smile, “Congratulations Master, your ability has been strengthened.”
Luo Qiu was curious about it, so he stretched out a finger, pointing at one of the ice cubes in the shaker. The ice cube floated up abruptly and moved following his finger.
It triggered Luo Qiu’s playful nature. He placed all ten fingers on the bar table, then lifting his eyebrows and looking at You Ye, he knocked on the table lightly.
Ice cubes flew out from the shaker, arranging themselves in midair, making a circle in the hall.
Luo Qiu drew a curve and the ice cubes followed. As one fell, another rose here and the cycle continued.
It was a never ending wave.
His fingers pointed towards the pine wood gramophone in the corner. A vinyl record dropped onto the player. Accompanied by the music, Luo Qiu nodded as he walked out of the bar.
The song was ‘Sailing’ by Rod-Stewart.
Luo Qiu grabbed You Ye’s hand, letting the rhythm flow into the servant girl, pulling You Ye and started swaying gently in the club.
The seats or high stools moved to the side of the walls immediately, leaving a spacious area for dancing.
Under the enchanting aged old melody, Luo Qiu continued to point his finger at several displays in the cabinets.
The dolls and old pocket watches, caps and wine glasses…
And the pair of ‘Scarlet Moons’…
More ice cubes flew out from the fridge. They rearranged themselves once again into a beautiful scene, floating about in the air, following the music.
Dozens of dolls fell onto the wooden floor, surrounding Luo Qiu and You Ye.
Midway through the song, Luo Qiu lifted his eyebrows, and gave a smile. “Isn’t this more interesting than just sitting on a chair?”
You Ye held Luo Qiu’s other hand, guiding his horrible dance steps.
She joked, “Yes…but it’ll take a long time to clean the hall.”
Luo Qiu smiled, it was a rare sight for You Ye to be so passionate. He didn’t say anything, merely embodying his feelings in the rhythm.
Just the, the doorbell suddenly rang.
Ice cubes scattered across the ground and the dancing decorations stopped abruptly as well. Such a beautiful stage now looked as if a typhoon had passed through.
Luo Qiu saw a mass of black smoke coming out from a floating black robe…Of course, it was without a face.
“Black soul envoy greets the new master.”
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