Qi Xu’s photo albums were truly numerous. There were several large albums at home, all of Qi Xu’s. From her birth to gradually growing up, not a single year was forgotten in the records. When she was very young, she looked too much like her parents, which made her appear somewhat ordinary.
But Qi Xu grew better and better looking, prettier and prettier. Simply put, as Qi Xu grew up, her facial features developed in the best possible way. Of course, this was a process; it wasn’t like she suddenly blossomed one day and became beautiful. Instead, it happened gradually, step by step with age, becoming exceptionally beautiful.
In the later years of elementary school, she was a fairly cute little girl; by middle school, she could already be considered the best-looking girl in her area; and by high school, she was a strong contender for school flower. Now, if Qi Xu claimed she wasn’t the class flower, no one would believe it.
She was just particularly humble; otherwise, she could even compete for department flower.
Mentioning this wasn’t to praise how good-looking Qi Xu was, but rather that although she looked far superior to her parents, she was undoubtedly their biological child. In this case, that phrase about being born of heavenly nobility yet fallen into the mortal dust definitely wasn’t referring to her.
But the latter phrase about having a strange fate constellation yet missing half of it made Qi Xu feel like it might just be talking about her.
Look, she had been human, but now she was half-human half-ghost. Wasn’t that exactly “missing half”?
Qi Xu asked Xia Zhiming, but Xia Zhiming only replied with four words: “I won’t tell you.”
Qi Xu deflated. She had known Xia Zhiming wouldn’t obediently answer her. With Xia Zhiming’s mischievous riddle-spewer personality, it would be strange if she did answer—it might even make Qi Xu suspect if the Xia Zhiming in front of her was some ghost in disguise.
“Fine, don’t tell me then.” Although Qi Xu said this, her mouth pursed high, clearly very unhappy.
The car continued speeding along. When they passed a roadside sign, they could see there were still 150 km to Xintan City. Qi Xu sighed. She decided not to sleep and simply pulled out her phone to play for a bit. Not long after Qi Xu started playing, she received a message from the Vice Bureau Chief.
Vice Bureau Chief: 【Remember to write the report after you get back.】
She probably felt her words were too curt, because not long after, she sent another: 【Xia Zhiming definitely won’t write it, so thanks for the trouble. Also, the children have been successfully rescued and are now being cared for by other investigators who arrived at Rowboat Mountain. The four lost girls Xia Zhiming mentioned have also been successfully rescued, and their related memories erased. Take it easy—don’t keep exposing your ghost body in front of ordinary people.】
The Vice Bureau Chief’s timing was spot on. Qi Xu had just pulled out her phone moments ago when the messages came in. She was stunned for a moment before remembering that the Vice Bureau Chief had the heart eye, which Xia Zhiming had vouched could see past and future.
In this situation, knowing she had just woken up seemed pretty normal.
It was just that there were too many people around her who could divine things, making her feel like a human puppet.
Qi Xu wanted to say something to the Vice Bureau Chief, but after thinking it over, she just replied with “1”. As an intern, Qi Xu had already mastered the workhorse lingo.
By the time the car reached Xintan City, it was already 11 p.m., and Qi Xu’s stomach was growling loudly. But she felt a bit stubborn. Just thinking of Xia Zhiming’s riddle-spewer attitude made Qi Xu fume. So on the car ride, neither of them said a word, not even passing a service area where Xia Zhiming didn’t stop for fast food.
This left both of them starving.
But Xia Zhiming’s stomach didn’t growl; Qi Xu’s did. This made Qi Xu feel a bit deflated, like she had admitted defeat first. At that moment, Xia Zhiming spoke: “There’s a little diner with decent food and cheap prices. Eat or not?”
“…” After hesitating for a second, Qi Xu immediately replied: “Eat!”
Refusing would be disrespecting her own stomach. She was already eating more and more lately, and with her stomach empty plus a big shot footing the bill, there was no way she wouldn’t eat.
The car drove to the suburbs of Xintan City, not long after getting off the highway. After a few twists and turns, they reached a street full of food stalls. It was past 11, but the street was still bustling. Both sides of the road were lined with stalls selling everything—rice noodles, stir-fried noodles, fried rice, skewers—you couldn’t take it all in.
It was a wide two-way road, but cars were parked full on both sides, even double-parked in places, causing massive jams. Xia Zhiming clearly knew the area well. Before even arriving, she parked on another street, took off her pink Daoist robe, and beckoned Qi Xu to get out and walk in.
Qi Xu was stunned: “Won’t you get a ticket parking on the roadside?”
“Cops don’t stay up all night. It’s this late—who’s coming to ticket?”
“…” That made a lot of sense.
But for a rule-abiding college student, this was a bit too rebellious. She always felt it was kinda low-class. Still, seeing that Xia Zhiming hadn’t blocked anyone, Qi Xu said nothing.
But the little diner Xia Zhiming mentioned was truly little.
Compared to the large-door eateries outside, this one had a tiny entrance, a sliding door at that. If not for the signboard reading “Little Xie Restaurant,” Qi Xu wouldn’t have known there was a shop here. Pushing the door open, there were just two rows of tables inside: one row of three, one of two, all four-seaters.
At this hour, it was dead quiet, empty with no one around except the lady boss sitting in the back, playing on her phone. Seeing Xia Zhiming come in with someone, the lady boss stood up immediately: “Oh, you’re here? Haven’t seen you in a while. Out on a trip again? The usual three dishes?”
“Bring the menu. Let her take a look.”
The lady boss then noticed someone behind her and agreed, telling them to sit anywhere before fetching a plastic-laminated menu. The place was small but spotless inside, tables dust-free, without that sticky flytrap vibe of cheap dives.
Qi Xu followed Xia Zhiming to a seat, took the menu, while the lady boss, apron on, stood by and pulled out a pen and order pad from her apron pocket.
Qi Xu looked down at the menu.
It was pretty worn, corners curled, but well-made—more professional-looking than many small eateries. Xia Zhiming left the ordering entirely to Qi Xu, taking the teapot to remove the plastic wrap from the bowls and chopsticks, then scalding them carefully with hot water.
Qi Xu kept it simple and ordered a few dishes: “Hot and sour shredded potatoes, stir-fried pork, Northeast wide noodles, boiled pork slices… and a tomato egg drop soup.”
The menu was all home-style dishes, so Qi Xu just picked a few straightforward ones. Having spent time with Xia Zhiming, she roughly knew her appetite. This order would satisfy them both.
The lady boss jotted them down one by one and called back to the kitchen.
It seemed like a family-run joint, husband cooking inside, wife handling front. Soon after the lady boss went in, frying sounds came from the kitchen. She emerged from the back with a smile.
“Smashed cucumber salad, on the house. She orders it every time, so seeing it wasn’t on this list, I made it myself.”
“Thanks.”
“Hey, eat up. I’ll bring the rest later. Call if you need anything.”
One table, two people, a plate of smashed cucumber salad in front. Then both fell silent. Xia Zhiming picked up her chopsticks, aligned them with her palm, and attacked the cucumber. Qi Xu watched her eat two bites, couldn’t hold back anymore, and joined in.
She was really hungry. It was past 11 now; she’d only had a buffet breakfast at the guesthouse that morning. By now, her stomach was stuck to her back. This smashed cucumber salad was genuinely tasty—no wonder Xia Zhiming ordered it every time.
No heavy flavors, no chili—just simple salt, cucumber, and garlic mash. Fresh-tasting and appetizing, perfect for right now.
They chowed down for a bit, and soon the plate was empty. They exchanged a glance. Xia Zhiming started sipping the complimentary tea, while Qi Xu zoned out. She stared at Xia Zhiming for a long time, about to say something, when the lady boss brought more dishes.
Her stomach was too empty to resist; she dug in first. Xia Zhiming got rice, and Qi Xu shoveled it down bowl after bowl without pause. After serving all the dishes, the lady boss didn’t go back in but sat at a table behind, playing on her phone. Seeing her eat so much, the lady boss was stunned.
Later, they refilled rice three times with big bowls. Two people, six dishes—nothing left. Qi Xu even mixed the stir-fried pork sauce with more rice. The food was good, but her appetite was huge too. Afterward, she felt a bit embarrassed.
Xia Zhiming paid the bill and, before leaving, grabbed two pieces of gum, tossing one to Qi Xu to chew.
By the time they walked back to the car, Qi Xu was still a bit dazed, unsure what to do with Xia Zhiming. She knew Xia Zhiming was heartless toward her, only telling her to stick around without giving any hope, yet she still couldn’t help liking her.
She just wanted humbly to learn more from Xia Zhiming, hoping she wouldn’t keep things from her.
As she thought this, she saw Xia Zhiming lean over from the driver’s seat. Qi Xu thought she was going to buckle her seatbelt. Just as she was about to say “I can do it myself” and reached for the belt, she saw Xia Zhiming half-leaning over, hand bracing the passenger door, and then kissing right onto Qi Xu’s lips.
Dazed from the kiss, Qi Xu still had the presence of mind to think: No wonder she made me chew gum earlier. She must’ve disliked the taste in my mouth.
But soon, she had no capacity left. Xia Zhiming’s kiss was fierce, even nipping Qi Xu’s lip with her teeth. Being in the car, Qi Xu couldn’t counterattack and could only let Xia Zhiming ravage her.
Fortunately, the large SUV had ample space, and Xia Zhiming wasn’t heavy, or there wouldn’t have been room for this.
They kissed for a long time. When they parted, Xia Zhiming’s lips glistened. She looked at Qi Xu and said: “Don’t ask. I won’t tell you anyway, got it?”
At this point, what could Qi Xu do?
She licked her lips and nodded obediently.
