Wu Yinyu had expected this outcome, but seeing the old man weep still startled her. She remained silent a moment before saying, “Perhaps there’s another way.”
Lu Dongqing looked straight at Wu Yinyu. Like a man with nothing left to lose, he questioned her, his tone trembling slightly, “Yinyu, are Yiqi and Sansheng truly not here?”
He still harbored a sliver of desperate hope. Even now, he couldn’t believe Lu Yiqi and Lu Sansheng were gone.
“They are not.” Those were the only words Wu Yinyu could offer.
She paused, then added, “I don’t understand what the spirit writing’s result portends, but they are definitely not here. At least, I haven’t found them yet.”
Lu Dongqing nodded. After a long silence, he actually gave a slight bow and said hoarsely, “I apologize for the disturbance tonight.”
Wu Yinyu saw the Lu family members to the gate and watched them leave. Turning back, she saw Yu Zezhi showed no sign of leaving, and teased, “Does Boss Yu plan to spend the night here?”
Yu Zezhi explained, “My car is at the Lu residence.”
Wu Yinyu remembered then. Yu Zezhi had indeed ridden with her from the Lu residence. Which meant Yu Zezhi would need to borrow her car to get back again.
She narrowed her eyes, boldly sizing up the person before her. “Is Boss Yu doing this on purpose? You want me to drive you back?”
“If it’s not too much trouble.” It was actually Yu Zezhi who said this.
Wu Yinyu finally understood why Yu Zezhi was so keen on hearing other people’s requests. It turned out this phrase, “not too much trouble,” was rather pleasing to hear. Her mood lifted a little, and she generously said, “Fine. With this back and forth, I truly don’t owe you any favors now.”
It wasn’t too late, so Wu Yinyu wasn’t risking driving while tired. Stirred up by the bell toll and the prophecy, her heart was a tangled mess, and she wanted to go for a drive to clear her head.
Once in the car, Wu Yinyu glanced sideways and saw Yu Zezhi hadn’t buckled her seatbelt. “Boss Yu, your seatbelt.”
Yu Zezhi unhurriedly fastened it, then suddenly asked, “Why not go ask the Judge in the Two-World Sea?”
Wu Yinyu nearly swerved as she hit the gas. She let out a snort of laughter, turned her head, and teased, “Does Boss Yu think the Two-World Sea is her home, to come and go as she pleases?”
Yu Zezhi said nothing.
Driving out of the garage, Wu Yinyu explained in a good mood, “It seems Boss Yu really hasn’t been down below, doesn’t understand the mysteries. We who act as Living Constables must also have the Ghost Charter, and receive the Judge’s instructions before we can descend to the Two-World Sea. Entering rashly results in a major demerit.”
“A major demerit?” Yu Zezhi asked, “What happens then?”
That question stumped Wu Yinyu. Since she could remember, she’d heard many rules about “Living Constables” from the older generation, but what punishment came from breaking those rules, that was unknown.
After all, in Yin-Yang matters, no one dared disobey. Any error would concern one’s own life.
Unable to answer, Wu Yinyu just made something up. “Probably a significant reduction in lifespan, and being trapped in the City of Wrongful Death as a lost, wandering ghost.”
The City of Wrongful Death was another realm different from the Two-World Sea, specifically imprisoning ghosts who died unjustly. It was said to be terrifyingly gloomy. “Said to be” because no living person had ever witnessed it; its existence was based solely on word of mouth.
“That is indeed terrifying,” Yu Zezhi said flatly, her tone betraying no fear.
However, going to the Two-World Sea to ask the Judge was indeed a good way to find Lu Yiqi and Feng Qingshuang. The Underworld Register recorded their lifespans. If their time wasn’t up, Lu Dongqing still had a thread of hope.
Wu Yinyu thought for a long time, then said, “The next time to receive the Ghost Charter is mid-month. We can certainly try then.”
She paused briefly, then looked at Yu Zezhi with playful interest. Driving slowly, her quick glance didn’t risk an accident. “When the time comes, will Boss Yu also go down below? Do you know how to receive the Ghost Charter, how to descend to the Two-World Sea?”
There was a hint of teasing in this question. Yu Zezhi knew quite a lot. Having the audacity to return to Wise City to take over as family head meant she couldn’t be completely ignorant.
To her surprise, Yu Zezhi’s expression remained unchanged. “I would be grateful for Miss Wu’s guidance.”
“You really…” Wu Yinyu was stunned, slightly incredulous. “You truly don’t know?”
“I’ve rarely been involved with these matters before,” Yu Zezhi’s tone was so serious it didn’t seem playful.
Distracted, Wu Yinyu accidentally missed the turn. Only after driving a hundred meters past it did she turn her head innocently and say slowly, “Boss Yu, you can’t blame me for this. Blame your skill at tearing paper effigies—too proficient for someone with little exposure. I was just pondering that and drove right past.”
“Knowing how to fold paper doesn’t mean one knows embroidery.” Yu Zezhi looked out the window, defending herself seriously.
Wu Yinyu simply drove in another direction. This route was familiar; they’d just come from this way not long ago.
“Where is Miss Wu taking me?” Yu Zezhi asked, watching the road.
Wu Yinyu jutted her chin, signaling the passenger to look at the road sign. She answered, “To the Lu residence, so you can drive your own car back. Best not to leave the car there overnight. The things that fed on the incense might still be lurking nearby. It’s not safe.”
Yu Zezhi’s expression was cool. She let out a muffled, subdued laugh. “Thank you for your concern, Miss Wu.”
“If we’re going down mid-month, I can give you a ride. Just follow along with me,” Wu Yinyu said lazily, her tone light and airy, as if bestowing a favor.
Yu Zezhi replied, “I would be impolite to refuse.”
Perhaps because Yu Zezhi agreed so readily, Wu Yinyu felt that the idea of Yu Zezhi not knowing how to go below was probably also an act.
Later, the car did reach the Lu residence. But the Lu house was quiet; that group had likely gone to City First Hospital.
Yu Zezhi got into her own car, while Wu Yinyu drove off in the opposite direction. About ten minutes later, she arrived at the building of Wu Wanying’s company.
The lights in Wu Wanying’s office were on; he was clearly still working.
Wu Yinyu unhurriedly got out of the car, leaned against it, and smoked. Only after she used her fourth match did the lights on the top floor go out.
Narrowing her eyes, she tilted her head to look up at the building and exhaled a puff of white smoke into the air.
Early spring rain was always soft and silent, lingering like willow catkins. Fortunately, it wasn’t heavy enough to soak her pipe bowl immediately.
Wu Yinyu didn’t like rain. She hadn’t liked it since childhood. When other kids gleefully jumped in puddles wearing their rain boots, she alone stayed motionless, even shutting the windows tight, unwilling to hear the slightest patter.
Annoying. Just the sound of that pitter-patter made her irritable.
Specifically, she disliked water. Yet she didn’t want any strange smells on her body, otherwise she wouldn’t even want to bathe.
So full of contradictions, even she found herself peculiar.
Enduring her general discomfort, Wu Yinyu finished her last puff and got into the car. In the headlights, the rain fell densely like flower needles.
After a while, someone finally emerged from the company. It was Wu Wanying.
Squinting against the car lights, Wu Wanying pushed up his glasses to identify the license plate. Recognizing it as Wu Yinyu’s car, he paused for a second.
Wu Yinyu rolled down the window. “Get in.”
Wu Wanying opened the door in the rain and sat down. He asked, “Why did you suddenly come here?”
“Just passing by. I drove Boss Yu to the Lu residence just now; her car was left there.” Wu Yinyu looked towards the back seat, staring directly at Wu Wanying, waiting for him to speak.
The explanation about leaving the car at the Lu residence wasn’t very convincing; it sounded more like a deliberate act.
But Wu Wanying didn’t ask. He just said, “You’ve been getting quite close to Boss Yu lately.”
“Mm.” Wu Yinyu didn’t deny it; she even nodded happily. “Boss Yu is smart, speaks nicely, and is good-looking. Who wouldn’t like her?”
Wu Wanying wasn’t that keen on discussing “Boss Yu.” He had heard some things, so after a brief silence, he asked, “I heard we had guests at home.”
“It was Elder Lu.” Wu Yinyu didn’t want to beat around the bush with him. “He just left a while ago.”
“Related to the spirit writing, I suppose. I heard about that warning.” Wu Wanying spoke calmly.
“What do you think?” Wu Yinyu asked bluntly.
Wu Wanying was silent for a long time.
Wu Yinyu didn’t feel awkward. She shrugged, gripping the steering wheel. “I know, many strange things have been happening around me recently. But I don’t know what’s going on either. No one can accuse me without reason.”
“Sorry, I didn’t mean that.” Wu Wanying’s eyes dulled, deep weariness showing in their depths. “I’m just a bit worried.”
“Did you go to Jadeite Garden?” Wu Yinyu asked.
“No.” Wu Wanying paused. “Why?”
“When we go down mid-month next time, have Mom come back to the old residence,” Wu Yinyu said.
Wu Wanying closed his eyes and refused flatly. “No.”
Wu Yinyu just raised an eyebrow slightly and changed her request. “I know Mom doesn’t want to see me. In that case, have someone from Second Uncle’s side come. When the Five Gates enter the Two-World Sea mid-month, the Wu family needs someone older present too, because Elder Lu doesn’t quite trust me now.”
“What does this have to do with going below? Although the Five Gates go down together, after receiving the Ghost Charter, don’t we all act independently?” Wu Wanying frowned.
“Because I want to use the Judge’s power,” Wu Yinyu said leisurely.
